Great Things to Do in Western New York: More Family Fun for Fall

Fall is upon us, but that doesn't mean it's time to lock yourself and your family away in your house just yet. Here are a few more fun places in Western New York to check out this fall.

If you're in Buffalo or Rochester, you're just a short drive away from Brown's Berry Patch - renamed the "Pumpkin Patch" for the fall harvest. Brown's is located at 14264 Roosevelt Hwy. (Route 18) in Waterport, NY. The Fall Harvest Celebration takes place from Saturday, September 19th through Saturday, October 31st. Family-owned and operated for over 200 years, it began as Orchard Dale Fruit Farms in 1804; the Berry Patch was added 20 years ago, and offers pick-you-own-fruit opportunities. The Berry Patch is open for business April through October, as is the Lake Country Marketplace, which features a farm market, country gift shop, specialty food shop, homemade ice cream, and the farm kitchen/grill/bakery. Currently available on the pick-your-own harvest calendar are Raspberries (through September), Elderberries (through September), Apples (through October), and Pumpkins (available in October). Peaches and Quince are available for sale pre-picked. The Fall Festival features Barnyard Adventures every weekend, Saturdays and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Adventure features the Barnyard Jump (huge "pillows" for bouncing), animals, mazes, a giant slide, a giant sandbox, hayrides, and more. Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th is the annual Country Craft Show, and the annual 5K run is Saturday October 10th at 10 a.m. to benefit Hospice of Orleans County. For additional information on Brown's Berry Patch, including Marketplace hours, directions, and admission prices for the Barnyard Adventure, visit brownsberrypatch.com.

Peek 'n Peak Resort and Spa, located at 1405 Olde Rd. in Clymer, NY (near the PA border), is more than just a ski resort, golf course, and spa. Throughout the year, a number of special events take place, and fall is no exception. The 22nd annual Fall Fest takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 10th and 11th, as well as the following weekend, October 17th and 18th. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. all days, and admission is free. Fall Fest features over 90 crafters, a farmers' market, the 12th annual Turning Leaves Cruise-In (Sunday, October 11th from 1 to 5 p.m.), a Snow Sports Equipment sale, children's entertainment and activities, and more. The annual Beer and Wine Festival takes place Saturday, October 24th from 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 pre-sale, $30 at the door, and includes beer and wine tasting from many regional breweries and wineries; lodging packages are also available. The Spa and Scrapbooking Weekend takes place Friday, November 6th through Sunday, November 8th. Lodging packages provide you with lodging at the Inn at the Peak, meals, choices of spa treatment, scrapbooking work sessions, and more. Packages run $199 per person (four to a room) to $249 per person (two to a room); scrapbooking fee is an additional $38. The Peak Polka Fest takes place Friday, November 13th (8 to 11 p.m.) and Saturday, November 14th (3 p.m. to midnight). Music, dancing, food, and folkart displays are all included with admission: Friday $7 for adults and $5 ages 13 to 18, and Saturday $12 for adults and $7 ages 13 to 18; children 12 and under are free. For more information on these events and on Peek 'n Peak, visit pknpk.com.

The Arcade and Attica Railroad, located at 278 Main St. in Arcade, has some fall events scheduled for the month of October that would make for a great family weekend outing. Fall Foliage Runs are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, 9th through 11th and 16th through 18th. These two-hour trips go through some of Wyoming County's most scenic countryside as you enjoy the beauty of fall behind a steam engine. The trips take place Fridays at 2 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. The Halloween Haunted House takes place Saturday and Sunday, October 24th and 25th at noon (steam engine) and 2:30 p.m. (Diesel engine). The Curriers Depot is turned into a haunted station, and everyone is encouraged to come in costume. Admission for these two events is $12 per person; children under 2 are free if they sit on a parent's lap. Also on Saturday, October 24th is the Blues on the Arcade and Attica concert train, featuring local blues acts Maria Aurigema and the Mick Hayes Band. Tickets are $18.50 presale, $20 after October 21st; the trip starts at 5 p.m., and small personal coolers are allowed (no glass containers). For more information on these and other events at the Arcade and Attica Railroad, visit arcadeandatticarr.com.

The Medina Railroad Museum, located at 530 West Ave. in Medina, has a number of fall foliage runs and winery tour train runs scheduled for October that would be great for families and couples. Fall foliage runs are currently scheduled for Saturday, October 10th; Tuesday, October 13th; Saturday, October 17th; Sunday, October 18th; and Tuesday, October 20th. Trains leave the Museum at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (11 a.m. only on the 20th). Tickets are $19 for adults, $15 for students ages 13 to 18, $13 for children ages 2 to 12, and children under 2 are free; all fares include Museum admission as well. Winery train runs take place Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th. Winery trains leave from Lockport's Michigan St. yard, 24 Michigan St. (corner of Park Ave.) in Lockport at 10 a.m., and go to Spring Lake Winery. The trip features a continental breakfast; a Railroad Museum tour; and lunch, wine tasting, and music at the winery. Reservations are required, and must be made through the winery's website or by calling 716-439-5253; tickets are $45 per person. For more information on these events or the Museum, visit railroadmuseum.net.