Belief in Zeus

There’s a reason this lively farm in Lincolnshire, Illinois calls its fall pumpkin-picking season Pumpkinfest. Watch pigs race, take a ride on one of the farm’s many kids’ rides or grab a hot dog and spiced apple cider at the concession stand. Of course, there's a huge selection of unique, unusual gourds to choose from—perfect for porch jack-o’-lanterns.

You'll find more than apples at this orchard just south of nearby Malta, Illinois. Cruise the 12-acre pumpkin patch, which opens up in mid-September, in search of a perfectly plump squash before hitting up the Cider House, where you can sample apple wines and hard cider. If any teens tagged along, pay $15 to check out the haunted corn maze, which is open Friday through Sunday night (and, being somewhat spooky, recommended for ages 13 and older). Younger kids are welcome to check out the new corn crib play barn.

This massive farm is an autumnal wonderland, complete with a pumpkin patch, apple orchard and sprawling corn maze. Check out the bee yurts, where hundreds of bees work and live, or book your own campfire. The little ones will adore the Kids Farm, complete with pygmy goats and piggies. Best of all, you can bring home bags of fresh-baked breads, pies, doughnuts and other fall treats from the orchard's premises.

Fall fun is the name of the game at Goebbert’s (which boasts locations in South Barrington and Pingree Grove), where you can not only pick up all the pumpkins your heart desires, but also send your kids down the giant pumpkin slide or check out the exotic petting zoo (seriously, there’s a giraffe). Before you head home, get lost in the corn maze and check out the pumpkin-eating dinosaur.

There’s no surer sign that fall is coming than seeing pumpkins everywhere—whether used in fancy coffee drinks, recipes or just as decorations, pumpkins are the ubiquitous symbol of autumn. Maybe you don’t love pumpkin spice lattes or pumpkin pies, but it’s hard to deny the fun of choosing your own gourd at a pumpkin patch. All of the farms and pumpkin patches on this list are within a two hour drive from the city (one is even in Chicago), and are bursting with fall fun. After you’ve picked out your jack-o’-lantern, spend the day exploring tricky corn mazes, eating apple cider donuts and checking out fall foliage.

Since the ’60s, New York’s gay and le***an crowd has ridden the ferry to cool off at this serene hamlet, which is only accessible by wooden walkways (no paved roads here). Though all of Fire Island’s spots technically share the same beachfront, this area is a bit more laid-back and affordable than the more popular Pines, but there are still plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants tucked among the cottages where you can shoot the breeze and dance. In the idyllic town, murals and mosaics cover the walls, reflecting the skills of artsy regulars.

Go big or go home! This massive six-mile expanse on Long Island is a well-manicured sandy oasis ideal for families—there’s minigolf, ball courts, shuffleboard and even a swimming pool—and music fiends: Nikon at Jones Beach Theater sees big names like Gwen Stefani and Dave Matthews every summer. (2021 tickets are now on sale.) The park has some architectural twists, too. The bathhouses are Art Deco–inspired, and the large water tower at the park’s entrance was created to resemble the campanile of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Just like being in Italy, right?

After years of being eclipsed by popular-kid neighbor Rockaway Beach, this expanse is enjoying a renaissance. Riis boasts a markedly wider beach than nearby Fort Tilden and Rockaway and its eastern edge is popular hangout spot for LGBTQ+ crowds. And here’s a history lesson: notorious city planner Robert Moses, who developed a lot of ocean coasts in and around NYC, dubbed it “the people’s beach” because of its access to public transit.

NYC’s best-kept secret and lifeguard-free three-mile stretch of clean sand, trees and grassy dunes is so isolated that even on a summer weekend you’ll get a good 50 yards of beach to yourself. Since Fort Tilden Beach is nearly inaccessible via subway or car (unless you have a fancy fishing license), we suggest biking there.

Some of the best beaches in NYC are a few hours away, others even closer. Either way, grab your sunnies and a cool one.

Sit back, relax and catch one of NYC's outdoor movie screenings, be it on a rooftop or in the park.

Whether you spend these three months each year trying to beat the heat or gleefully basking in the sun, the extra daylight hours are nice. Toast to those last remaining later evening sunsets at happy hour on the rooftop weekdays from 4pm to 7pm.