Top 10 Things To Do Around Rochester in October

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October in Rochester is a season of gold-tipped trees, crisp air, and cozy adventures. Local farms brim with pumpkins and cider donuts, heritage train rides roll through colorful countryside, and spooky stories fill the night air. Whether you’re chasing fall colors or ghostly fun, this guide will help you plan the perfect autumn day.

Explore the Best Pumpkin Patches

Rochester’s pumpkin farms offer a vibrant fall experience, where you can explore corn mazes, pick your own pumpkins, and enjoy a lively harvest festival atmosphere. These farms truly embody the spirit of the season, whether during the day or under the full Hunter’s Moon.

Wickham Farms, Penfield

At Wickham Farms in Penfield, the season’s fun amps up from September 5 through early November, as their Fall Festival brings stunning scenery, autumn décor, hayrides, orchard walks, pumpkin picking, giant slides, cider donuts, kettle corn, and even hard cider in the barn—all served in a festive rural setting.

Stokoe Farms, Scottsville

For over a quarter-century, Stokoe Farms has been the go-to fall tradition in Scottsville, celebrating its annual Harvest Fest from September 20 to October 26, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors enjoy over 40 interactive activities—hayrides, corn mazes, a candy cannon show at 4:30 p.m., the area’s largest petting zoo including kangaroos, the Canine Spectacular dog show, and endless fall treats like cider donuts and kettle corn.

Long Acre Farms, Macedon

Starting September 20, Long Acre Farms kicks off its fall festivities anchored by New York’s longest-running corn maze—The Amazing Maize Maze—along with the lively Back 40 play area, wagon rides, cow train rides, gemstone panning, ice cream, and pumpkins. Plus, don’t miss their magical Moonlight Maze on select Friday nights (Sept 26–Oct 24) and a bonus Saturday, complete with late-night offerings like wood-fired pizza, snacks, and wine.

Lincoln Hill Farms, Canandaigua

Just over the county line in Canandaigua, Lincoln Hill Farms transforms each October weekend into a family-friendly Halloween spectacle. Guests enjoy a walking trail with photo ops, live DJs and bands, food and drinks from the Silo Bar and Food Lane, interactive games, and a spooky yet lighthearted Zombie Hunt Wagon Ride. The farm is open Fridays–Sundays 5–10 PM (weekdays and times vary), with weekends extending to October 26, and the experience includes haunted décor, live music, and fall fare.

Paranormal Activities & Halloween Events

Let the shadows of fall guide you through Rochester’s spookier side. Whether you’re walking through historic haunts or getting pulled into the world of ghostly legends, Rochester’s ghostly offerings are bound to give you goosebumps. From costume parties to creepy concerts, Halloween spirit takes over the region by mid-October. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids or partying late in costume, there’s a spooky event for you.

The Haunted Housel on CR-4

Operating daily from September 26 through October 31, 2025, Haunted Housel invites visitors to explore an immersive Halloween display every evening from 3–9:30 p.m. At this homemade spectacle, guests walk through three captivating zones: the elaborate Skeleton Army, a spine-tingling Backyard Cemetery, and a Haunted Corn Maze with actors and lighting that intensify after dark. Entry is modestly priced—typically around $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6–12, and free for ages five and under.

More hauntingly fun events include:

• Oct 11: GCVM Spooky Saturday
• Oct 18–19: RPO: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2— In Concert
• Oct 23: Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at Temple Theater
• Oct 26: Halloween at the Market
• Oct 26: GCVM All Hallows’ Tea
• Oct 26: RPO: Monster Melodies
• Nov 1: GCVM A Night with Edgar Allan Poe

Apples & Apple Tasting Tour

All October long, Wayne County invites you to celebrate its apple harvest through a self-guided tasting tour. With scenic drives, U-Pick orchards, cider tastings, and baked goods at every stop, it’s a sweet way to experience autumn.

• Oct 1–31: Wayne County Apple Tasting Tour
• Oct 4–5: Hilton Apple Festival

Train Rides Themed Around Fall

All aboard for fall foliage views, pumpkin patches, and vintage rail experiences. These special October train rides offer a charming blend of scenery, nostalgia, and seasonal fun—perfect for families and train lovers alike.

• Oct 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26, Nov 1: R&GVRR Museums Pumpkin Patch Train Rides
• Oct 4, 11: BC&J Fall Foliage Train Rides
• Oct 5, 12, 26: NYMT Fall Foliage Trolley Rides
• Oct 19: NYMT Halloween Trolley Express
• Oct 18, 19, 25, 26: Medina Railroad Fall Foliage Excursions
• Multiple dates: Arcade & Attica Railroad Fall Foliage Train Rides
• Oct 25, 26: Arcade & Attica Railroad Haunted Halloween Train Ride
• Oct 25, 26: BC&J Halloween Train Rides

Fall Foliage Hikes

October’s crisp air and brilliant leaves make it the best time to hit the trails. Rochester’s parks and nature preserves, along with nearby New York State Parks, are glowing with reds, oranges, and golds—so lace up your hiking boots and take it all in. Here are the most scenic fall foliage hikes around Rochester.

• Oct 18: Fall Foliage at Mount Hope Cemetery

Take a Scenic Drive

You don’t have to be in the Catskills or Adirondacks to find an inspiring view. Pick any slow road leading out of Rochester. There are lots of scenic overlooks to enjoy along the way.

• My personal favorite! Take County Road 21, 12, 33, 34, or 36 to Naples. Stop at the “jump off” in Ontario County Park, Harriet Hollister, or Bristol Mountain.

• Lake Ontario Seaway Trail east to Huron or west to Olcott
• Route 96 to Seneca Falls and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
• Route 15-15A loop around Hemlock Lake
• Drive through Letchworth from Mt. Morris to the Glen Iris Inn
• Route 20 east to Skaneateles, Lafayette, or Cazenovia
• Route 98 to Salamanca and Little Rock City
• Route 20A west to East Aurora
• Route 19 to Rushford Lake

Seriously, I could keep going! If you have a favorite, let us know in the comments. And check out our Google Maps, pinned with overlooks and scenic vistas.

View the map separately on Google Maps.

Last-Chance Adventures

Before the season wraps, make time for warm-weather-only experiences. Many parks, boat tours, outdoor museums, and gorges close for the winter. This is your final month to walk those trails, paddle the Erie Canal, and sip craft beverages outdoors.

Looking for more seasonal inspiration? Explore things to do around Rochester in September or start planning ahead with things to do in November.

What are your favorite October activities around Rochester?

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I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.