September–November 2026 · United States

Fall weekends with kids in New York City

5 family outings in and around New York City. Start with a harvest adventure, or keep it simple with a garden, park or woodland wander.

Seasonal details checked September 7. Opening dates vary; a seasonal date range does not mean every day is open.

A young child standing in a pumpkin patch in warm evening light

Representative image · Christopher Luther · Unsplash License · Display crop

A little harvest magic

Queens Farm Pumpkin Patch

Queens, New York

Coming up · October 1–31 · hours vary by day

Usually free entry; pumpkins extra; October 3, 4 and 31 require event ticketsFamily outing · check activity restrictions

Pick a pumpkin without leaving New York City, then keep the visit short enough for little legs.

Check hours & plan your visit

Sources & checks

Official details checked 2026-09-07. Older independent guides support the experience, not this season’s dates. Crop availability, tickets and weather can change.

Representative image · MusikAnimal · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop

An easy outdoor escape

Ancient Playground in Central Park

East Side at 85th Street, Central Park, New York, NY 10028

Regular outing · check current hours

Free admission · extras may costAll ages

Pyramids, tunnels, climbing structures, sand, swings, and seasonal water play echo the Met's Egyptian collection next door.

Check hours & plan your visit

Sources & checks

Official details checked 2026-09-02. Older independent guides support the experience, not this season’s dates. Crop availability, tickets and weather can change.

King of Hearts · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Display crop

An easy outdoor escape

New York Botanical Garden

2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10458

Regular outing · check current hours

Paid admission · check current ticketsAll ages

A children's adventure garden, old-growth forest, conservatory, seasonal installations, and holiday train show make this a nature-rich Bronx anchor.

Check hours & plan your visit

Sources & checks

Official details checked 2026-09-02. Older independent guides support the experience, not this season’s dates. Crop availability, tickets and weather can change.

King of Hearts · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Display crop

An easy outdoor escape

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11225

Regular outing · check current hours

Paid admission · check current ticketsAll ages

Japanese gardens, blossoms, ponds, discovery stations, and a historic children's garden offer a slower, sensory Brooklyn day.

Check hours & plan your visit

Sources & checks

Official details checked 2026-09-02. Older independent guides support the experience, not this season’s dates. Crop availability, tickets and weather can change.

BronxZooWorldOfBirdsFan · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 · Display crop

An easy outdoor escape

Bronx Zoo

2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, NY 10460

Regular outing · check current hours

Paid admission · check current ticketsAll ages

Gorillas, tigers, giraffes, sea lions, a children's zoo, and a monorail make this New York's grandest animal day.

Check hours & plan your visit

Sources & checks

Official details checked 2026-09-02. Older independent guides support the experience, not this season’s dates. Crop availability, tickets and weather can change.

Make it your kind of weekend

One good outing is enough.

Check the opening date, pick a manageable journey and leave room for a snack break. Gardens and parks are regular outings; foliage and harvest conditions vary with the weather.

Explore the full New York City family guide →