What to Do Beyond the Falls in Fall

Stay a little longer and enjoy these quintessential autumnal activities around Niagara County.

From haunted houses to fall foliage, harvest season in Niagara County is truly spectacular. Once you’ve gotten your fill of the awe-inspiring natural wonder that is Niagara Falls, set your GPS to any of the myriad fall festivals Western New York has to offer, or simply soak up the fall colors along some of the county’s best leaf-peeping routes. Here’s how to enjoy the very best fall activities the season has to offer in and around Niagara Falls USA.

If You Love a Good Scare…

  • Indulge in the ultimate horror destination. 7 Gates Screampark is Niagara County’s premier haunted attraction. All year round, visitors can test their skills in a series of escape rooms or in a horror-themed, glow-in-the-dark axe-throwing experience. But in the fall, the park transforms into a horror attraction for the ages, sure to keep a chill lingering up your spine.
  • Take in the local haunted history. Thanks to the region’s rich past, ghost stories here are rooted in real events — and the frights are a bit more sophisticated than your average haunted house. Fall activities for adults include tours of historic Oakwood Cemetery, Marble Orchard Ghost Walks through the town of Lewiston and wine tasting at Marjim Manor, where guests are treated to ghostly tales about the manor’s former residents.
  • Bring the kids to a friendlier haunt. Families with kids 10 and older can experience Old Fort Niagara at night on a Lantern and Lore tour. At this fall event for kids and families, costumed guides take you on a journey through the dark fort, sharing haunted tales along the way.

If You Love Getting Cozy…

  • Go apple picking. Niagara County is ripe with classic fall attractions like u-pick apple orchards and farms during the fall harvest season. Use this guide to find the perfect orchard and help yourself to heaps of delicious apples, from Ginger Golds to Empires and many more. You can also enjoy a glass of crisp cider or warm baked goods at many locations.
  • Find your fall festival. With a different fall festival happening nearly every weekend, there’s no shortage of things to do in Western New York. Hayrides, bounce houses and goat races are all on offer at Becker Farms’ annual Pumpkin Fiesta, while Coulter Farms plays host to a Pumpkin Market that offers an array of fall favorites to choose from. Are you more of a foodie? Check out the upcoming food and drink festivals as well.
  • Browse the local antique shops. Find your next unique piece in one of Niagara County’s quaint and cozy antique shops. Spend an afternoon driving around the area to shop, and don’t forget to stop at one of the many local coffee shops and bakeries for a sweet treat, too.

If You Love the Outdoors…

  • Take in the fall foliage. Come autumn, Niagara Falls USA is one of the best places to see fall foliage in New York as the area explodes in color and the leaves turn red and gold. Soak up the stunning scenery from the comfort of your car on a fall drive or go a bit off the beaten path at one of the region’s campgrounds, where Western New York’s fall foliage is on full display.
  • Grab your binoculars. Fall is also a great time for birdwatching in Niagara County, as birds from the Arctic Circle and Alaska make their way south for the winter. Known as a globally significant Important Bird Area, the Niagara River Corridor is famous for its gulls and other migrating birds. From bald eagles to peregrine falcons, ducks, geese and over 19 species of gulls, Niagara Falls USA is a birding paradise.

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