FACE IT – with why-won’t-it-die humidity diving straight to thirty degree temps over the space of one week, it’s time to admit that autumn in New York City has been a total bust this year.
(Don’t bother fishing out your receipt, either. It’s non-refundable.)
While the questionably sane welcomed the extended summer mix, the rest of us waited patiently, then impatiently, then gave up hope altogether for falling leaves, that nip in the air signaling it was time to chug fresh apple cider, or any other proof that the seasons had changed.
Fall happened -honest. Just not in town. To see it, you had to get out.
It’s not too late, but with winter in the air, don’t wait another second.
Here, five suggestions on how to spend the next couple of weekends.
1) OFF WITH HIS HEAD at the Headless Horseman in Ulster County
What began as a modest haunted hayride attraction on the side of Route 9W south of Kingston, New York, has become an annual tradition for lovers of fright – even the Travel Channel has driven the two hours’ north to film a special (airing now) about what’s known in full as the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted House.
Capitalizing on the Hudson Valley/ Washington Irving/Headless Horseman connection, the fun extends to three haunted houses, a maize maze and illusionist John Shaw’s popular Pandemonium Midnight Sideshow.
Be warned, though – tomorrow night (as in, Halloween)is the last day to check it out.
Info: headlesshorseman.com
2) HIT THE TRAIL and taste the beer bounty of Central New York
With the Yankees kaput, the Mets even kaput-er, it’s a bad idea for jilted fans to sit around at home. Why not head for Cooperstown, not only the home of all things baseball, but also one of the best places to be hanging around when the leaves turn. And, according to Newton’s third, lesser-known law, where there’s baseball, there’s beer.
Have you been to see the famous Brewery Ommegang?Go already. The 136-acre “beer farm” in the sticks near town is known for its award-winning Belgian beers; it’s owned by Duvel.
In nearby Milford, stop at the Cooperstown Brewing Company for the 6-malt, choco “Stike Out” ale. Then, 20 miles west over in Garrattsville, it’s time for Butternuts Beer & Ale, a dairy-farm-turned-ale-house
Info: iloveny.com
3) APPLE A DAY at Beardsley’s Cider Mill, Shelton, CT
The Fairfield County hill town of Shelton doesn’t bother throwing an apple festival; why, when there’s Beardsley’s to do the job all season long?Somewhat of an amusement park with an apple theme, the family-owned operation specializes in hard-to-find varietals in their popular pick-your-own orchard.
Many don’t bother picking their own, and head straight for the on-site store for pies, donuts and cider. Of course, it goes without saying that apple pies are the rule here, but don’t rule out ordering a strawberry-rhubarb chaser.
Actually, you should be OK with just about anything that’s fresh out of the oven; these pies are the type you eat right away, hungry or not.
Info: beardsleyscidermill.com
4) TASTE AND SEE on Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula
Food and wine tastings are how you trick or treat once you reach adulthood, and you don’t even have to wear a costume.
It doesn’t get more adult than Ontario’s beautiful Niagara Peninsula, where 17 wineries have teamed up once again to throw the Taste the Season party, a self-guided tasting tour of the area over four weekends in November.
Think Konzelmann 2006 Zweigelt Reserve with goat-cheese tortilla wraps, Reif’s 2004 Vidal Icewine with chicken liver mousse and Hillebrand’s 2005 Trius Red with White Bean Minestrone Soup.
Yum? You be the judge. Passes are approx. $42; proceeds go to the Second Harvest charity.
Info: niagaraonthelake.com
5) KICK BACKat the exclusive Winvian in Connecticut
For what you pay a night, Winvian’s fall foliage should exhibit colors that even Crayola has yet to invent.
But we’ll settle for the usual suspects when the surroundings at this 100 acre-plus hideout south of Litchfield are so incredibly glamorous.
A stay in one of their uniquely designed quest quarters includes all food and drink. A midweek stay starts at $999/night and includes a $50 spa credit.
Info: winvian.com