10 Things to Do as the Leaves Turn
By Mike Costanza
1 — Bite into the Season
What could be better than biting into a fresh-picked apple on a fall day? When the leaves fill the roadsides with brilliant reds and golds, drive out to local farms where apple trees’ branches hang low with fruit ready to be picked, the smell of frying doughnuts fills the air and shelves are stacked with bottles of freshly-made apple juice. In addition to fruit and apple juice, the farms might offer foods and refreshments, hayrides, corn mazes, fields of pumpkins or a petting zoo. Most of the U-picks are relatively close to Rochester — Wickham Farms is less than 20 minutes away in Penfield. Many local farms are open to the public through early November. But it’s better to check their websites or call before visiting. Those willing to go farther might head to Wayne County in October, when the 28th Annual Apple Tasting Tour will take you to 11 locations around the county.
2 — Fall Festivals are Coming!
Several local communities have scheduled special events or festivals for when the leaves turn. On Sept. 19, the third annual Octoberfest at the Public Market is scheduled to bring food, beer, live music and cultural performances to the market on Rochester’s North Union Street. Just a short distance away on East Main Street, Fall Fest 2025 will give kids the chance to enjoy jumping up and down in bouncy houses, playing games and exploring fire trucks and other vehicles on Sept. 27. Out in the village of Fairport, the 16th Annual Fairport Oktoberfest will celebrate German-American culture from Sept. 25-27. South of Rochester in the village of Naples, the annual Naples Grape Festival kicks off on Sept. 27 for two days of music, food and other attractions, including a grape pie eating contest. Local farms also plan to celebrate the season — in Scottsville, the Stokoe Farms Harvest Fest is scheduled to offer various fun activities from Sept. 20 to Oct. 26.
3 — Cruising Through the Season
Like cruising local waterways? The Colonial Belle is scheduled to put out from Fairport for an Oktoberfest Cruise of the Erie Canal that features live music and German beer and food. The Canandaigua Lady should be cruising Canandaigua Lake through mid-October and Corn Hill Navigation’s boats, the Sam Patch and Riverie, are scheduled to be on the canal or the Genesee River for fall cruises that feature cider and doughnuts. Those who want to enjoy the Erie Canal from the shore could head to the Spencerport Canal Depot and Museum on Oct. 11 for The Big Ditch Day. The celebration of the canal’s bicentennial will include live music, exhibitions of blacksmithing and 19th century baseball and other attractions.
4 — Crunch Through the Leaves
Sometimes the best way to enjoy the fall is in a pair of hiking boots or sturdy shoes. Monroe County has more than 20 parks with trails that take you through lush grasslands, deep forests and sylvan glades. Mendon Ponds Park, the largest of them, has 2,500 acres of woodlands, wetlands, ponds and glacially-formed landforms. Visitors can hike, feed the chickadees and visit the Wild Wings Bird of Prey Facility and Nature Center. Some parks allow horseback riding or mountain biking and others have paths suitable for wheelchairs.
5 — After Flexing Your Legs, Bend Your Elbow
Wineries, breweries and distilleries dot Monroe and its surrounding counties, including Fairport’s Casa Larga Vineyards, the 20 Deep Winery in Mendon, and The Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport. Many have tasting rooms. Some offer food — the Deer Run Winery in Geneseo has its own restaurant. If you want something with a head of foam, head to the Rohrbach Brewing Company or one of the other craft beer makers in and around Rochester, some of which also offer food and music. Strangebird on Rochester’s Marshall Street sports 24 rotating beer taps, while Three Heads Brewing has a beer garden and live music. For something with a little more kick, you might head to Black Button Distilling’s tasting room on Rochester’s University Avenue or Fairport’s Iron Smoke Distillery, where the Casket Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey might be just the thing for Halloween night. Farther out, the Rochester/Finger Lakes Craft Beverage Trail awaits with 11 wineries, four cideries, 12 breweries and one distillery.
6 — Warm Up with a Cup
What can beat a hot cup of joe on a day there’s a snap in the air? Lucky for those needing a jolt of java, there are a lot of coffee shops all around the Rochester area. Java’s Coffee, Tea, etc. roasts its own beans and serves coffee at three locations, including the warm and colorful Gibbs Street shop. The bookshop Bookeaters on Rochester’s South Clinton Avenue is a warm, homey place to enjoy a cup of joe while checking out its selections. Many of the shops offer light meals — the Starry Nights Café in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts serves breakfast, lunch and dinner — and some feature live music.
7 — Let the Music Move You
In the mood for live music that doesn’t come with coffee? Over on Rochester’s Atlantic Avenue, the Photo City Music Hall offers performances in a range of musical styles, including rock, pop, indie, punk, blues, metal and reggae. The Little Theatre on East Avenue also offers a mix of musical styles, including jazz, folk and the occasional classical guitar performance. Just down the block, the Eastman Theatre provides classical works by renowned performers.
8 — Go Scary
Fall is the season for getting the daylights scared out of you. The VerHulst Haunted Hayride is scheduled to begin sending chills up spines at VerHulst Farms in Spencerport on Oct. 3. For another kind of scare, head to the Nightmare Manor Haunted House in Henrietta to shriek your way through multiple “scare zones.”
9 — Just for Laughs
Comedy @ The Carlson offers performances by a wide variety of comedians that should leave you belly laughing. Comedian, actor, author, musician and writer Paul Reiser is on the Rochester club’s playbill for Sept. 19 and 20.
10 — Museums Galore
The Rochester area has museums and other attractions for all ages. Watch sea lions cavort and giraffes being fed at the Seneca Park Zoo. Wander through The Rochester Museum and Science Center’s fascinating exhibits, learn about the history of photography at the George Eastman Museum and tour the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, the home of the legendary civil rights leader. The Strong National Museum of Play, which consistently draws smiles from young and old alike, is scheduled to hold its Toddler Trick-or-Treat program indoors on Oct. 31. Kids should also enjoy watching model trains travel the Edgerton Model Railroad Club’s large, incredibly detailed and colorful layouts at Rochester’s Edgerton Recreation Center.
For more information on things to do in the fall, go to www.visitrochester.com/fall-guide.