{"id":319860,"date":"2026-08-12T22:13:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T22:13:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/319860\/"},"modified":"2026-08-12T22:13:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T22:13:20","slug":"15-ways-to-celebrate-summerween-in-new-york-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/319860\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Ways to Celebrate Summerween in New York State"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Why celebrate Halloween<\/a> just once a year? Combine the best of sunny summer days and Halloween tricks and treats with a summerween adventure in New York State! Whether you\u2019re looking to beat the crowds at popular fall attractions or just get a head start on scary season, there\u2019s something for every Halloween enthusiast. Go on a ghost hunting adventure at Fort William Henry<\/a>, catch a classic scary movie at the drive-in<\/a>, or bite into warm apple cider donuts<\/a> at an evergreen orchard. Check out this lineup of summerween activities and get inspired to start planning your next New York State getaway. Credit: @freetoroamwild<\/a> on Instagram<\/p>\n


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\nCelebrate Fall Year-Round at Sleepy Hollow<\/a>
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\n\"ExteriorCredit: @tantalophotography <\/a>on Instagram
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As the birthplace of the Headless Horseman, and with neighboring Tarrytown being the former home of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow author Washington Irving, Sleepy Hollow is the place to be if you\u2019re looking for summerween vibes. Explore one of the country\u2019s finest Gothic Revival mansions, Lyndhurst<\/a> on a Classic Mansion Tour<\/a> (April through September 20). Fun fact: The exterior was actually used in the classic vampire soap opera, Dark Shadows.<\/p>\n


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\n\"ACourtesy of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
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Founded by Washington Irving in 1849, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery<\/a> offers Classic Daytime Tours<\/a> on weekends from early May through September 27 that dive into the history of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.\u00a0Step back in time and explore the cemetery by kerosene lantern light on a Classic Evening Lantern Tour<\/a> (offered Saturdays in August and Friday- Saturday in September). For those looking to up the thrills and chills, the cemetery also offers a Murder and Mayhem Tour<\/a> (August 22, 29, and Saturdays in September), where you\u2019ll get to hear eerie ghost stories while you tour the cemetery.<\/p>\n


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\n\"ACredit: @sleepyhollowspellbound<\/a> on Instagram
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At Washington Irving\u2019s Sunnyside<\/a>, walk through the romantic riverside cottage alongside guides in period attire on a Sunnyside Tour <\/a>offered Friday-Sunday from early May through September 20. For a more interactive experience, Legendary Tours<\/a> start September 18. Find farm fresh goodies and summerween treats from local vendors at the Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market<\/a> on Saturdays from 8:30pm to 1:30pm, through the spring, summer, and fall.<\/p>\n


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Looking for a little paranormal summerween fun? New York\u2019s Haunted History Trail<\/a> is a ghost lover’s dream (or nightmare) come true, featuring haunted inns, mansions, and other historic sites, as well as creepy events like ghost hunts, guided tours, and more. Follow along on a ghost tour<\/a> through the The Historic Bundy House<\/a> in Binghamton<\/a> on August 21, go hunting for ghosts<\/a> at the Mid Orange Correctional Facility<\/a> in Warwick on August 22, or learn about the realities of working in film and horror entertainment at a Celebrity Event with The Walking Dead star Santiago Cirilo and Tim Davis<\/a> at Rolling Hills Asylum<\/a> in East Bethany on August 21. Check out our blog on Creepy Places and Real Haunted Houses<\/a> for more haunts along the Haunted History Trail<\/a> in New York State. <\/p>\n


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\n\"PhotoCredit: @transitdrivein<\/a> on Instagram
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Up the retro vibes and catch a scary movie at one of New York State\u2019s amazing drive-in theaters. In Lockport<\/a>, the Transit Drive-In<\/a>\u2019s Terrors at the Drive-In<\/a> scary movie nights return on August 13, showing The Lost Boys (1987) and The Monster Squad on Screen 1. The Malta Drive-In<\/a> in Ballston Spa is showing Little Shop of Horrors and The Rocky Horror Picture Show on August 13, and the Glen Drive-In<\/a> in Queensbury is currently showing the latest installment of the Evil Dead franchise. In East Avon, the Vintage Drive-In<\/a> is hosting Retro Tuesday showings<\/a> in late August of fall classics like Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Hathaway\u2019s Drive-In<\/a> in North Hoosick will also be showing Evil Dead Burn.<\/p>\n


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\nTell Ghost Stories by the Campfire
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Spend the night telling ghost stories around the campfire on a summerween camping trip<\/a> in New York State. Whether you prefer to pitch a tent, park an RV, or camp in style with a glamping trip<\/a>, CampNewYork.com<\/a> and New York State Parks and DEC campgrounds<\/a> offer a variety of options. Pack your favorite summerween treats and cozy up alongside New York\u2019s lakes, mountains, forests, and unparalleled natural beauty.<\/p>\n


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\nWander Through Scenic Orchards and Fruit Farms
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\n\"viewCredit: @themenhaden<\/a> on Instagram\u00a0
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Spend summerween frolicking through scenic orchards and berry patches! Apples are the official fruit of New York State and apple picking season<\/a> starts in late August for varieties like Honeycrisp, Gingergold, Rave, and more. Some popular spots include Behling Orchards<\/a> in Mexico, NY, Kelder\u2019s Farm<\/a> in Kerhonkson, and Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards<\/a> in Gasport. If you\u2019re looking for even more u-pick opportunities, July and August are prime times for a variety of New York fruits like peaches, nectarines, plums, blueberries, raspberries, and more at scenic farms like Lawrence Farm Orchards<\/a> in the Hudson Valley, Rulfs Orchards<\/a> in the Adirondacks, and Greg\u2019s U-Pick Farm<\/a> in Greater Niagara.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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\n\"ACredit: @rachelmurray.photography<\/a> on Instagram
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All aboard! Immerse yourself in a night filled with suspense and mayhem on the rails with the Arcade and Attica Railroad<\/a>. This three-hour train ride and live theater performance<\/a> (September 5) promises fun for the whole family, where you\u2019ll help solve a murder mystery aboard one of the state\u2019s only regularly operating steam-engine passenger excursion rides. Dinner is also included in your ticket served at the Curriers Station by Catered Creations.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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\nGet to Know Albany<\/a>\u2019s Haunted Side
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\n\"ACredit: @discoveralbany<\/a> on Instagram
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Officially declared New York State\u2019s capital in 1797, Albany has been at the center of history and haunts for decades, making it the perfect spot for a summerween fright. Many famous hauntings<\/a> are tied to the New York State Capitol Building<\/a>. Explore the lore on a Friday evening tour<\/a>, offered from early July through August 28. You\u2019ll get to roam the Capitol after hours and visit iconic spots<\/a> including the Million Dollar Staircase (pictured). Free weekday guided tours<\/a> are also available at 10am, 12pm, and 2pm and NYS Capitol Hauntings Tours<\/a> are offered in late September through October.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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\n\"ACredit: @ciderbellyofficial<\/a> on Instagram\u00a0
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Learn the stories of the legendary ghosts who haunt Albany\u2019s downtown on a Ghosts of Albany Tour<\/a>. Offered year-round, an experienced and animated guide will lead you through the capital city\u2019s eerie past, antique sites, scandalous tales, haunted places, mysterious sightings, and more. Once a month, the Albany Twilight Market<\/a> comes to Quackenbush Square (May-September) and Washington Park<\/a> (October and December), showcasing alternative creators selling a mix of taxidermy, oddities, curated antiques, macabre jewelry, apothecary, gothic apparel, tarot readings, and more. Check out Discover Albany<\/a> to hunt down even more haunted places to visit in and around Albany<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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Looking for fall treats? Nine Pin Ciderworks<\/a> serves up refreshing cider year-round from 100% fresh-pressed New York apples in their downtown Albany tasting room. For your cider donut fix, head to Cider Belly Doughnuts<\/a>, serving up warm, fresh donuts year-round. 30 minutes outside of Albany will land you at Indian Ladder Farms<\/a>, where you can pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and apples, enjoy homemade pies and baked goods, meet friendly farm animals, sip on hard cider and beer using local apples, pears, berries and pumpkins, and more.<\/p>\n


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Celebrate Halloween with a splash of sunshine at Nickerson Beach on Long Island! Held on August 22 from 12pm to 4pm, this summerween beach party will be packed with all kinds of fun with bounce houses, trick-or-treating, photo ops, and a costume contest with prizes, and more. Costumes are encouraged!\u00a0<\/p>\n


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\n\"ACredit: @wanderlustonabudget<\/a> on Instagram
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A deliciously haunted treat awaits at Barkeater Chocolates<\/a> in North Creek, and legend has it that the venue has a haunted history of its own. Sign up for the Haunted Factory Chocolate Session<\/a> to dive into the real-life unexplained events and mysterious historic facts of Barkeater. To sweeten the deal, the tour includes a chance to make your own chocolate ghosts!<\/p>\n


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Beware! The House of Frankenstein Wax Museum<\/a> in Lake George<\/a> is not your average wax museum. Make your way up the haunted stairs if you dare, where you\u2019ll be greeted by a variety of monster-themed wax and animatronic figures featuring scary special effects. If you survive the museum\u2019s haunts, be sure to pop into some of the shops and restaurants that also line Lake George\u2019s main street<\/a>.<\/p>\n


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Located at the strategic southern end of Lake George<\/a>, Fort William Henry<\/a> is a restored Colonial fortress of the 1755-1757 French and Indian War era. It was also featured on season 6, episode 22 of Ghost Hunters. If you\u2019re looking to delve deep into stories of this fortress, try one of the Haunted History Tours<\/a> (offered through September 19) where history meets the supernatural. An expert guide will lead you through the dimly lit corridors and shadowy corners of the fort\u2013who knows what you\u2019ll find! For those looking to go beyond the traditional ghost tour, the fort also holds a Hands-On Paranormal Investigation<\/a> on Mondays and Tuesdays through September 8.<\/p>\n


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\nStay at a Cabin<\/a> in the Woods
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Get close to nature without trading the homey comforts of the indoors and stay at a cabin<\/a>\u00a0or cottage in New York State. There are a variety of cabins to choose from, whether you\u2019re looking for something a little more rustic like the cozy cabins in Allegany State Park<\/a> or a luxurious cottage<\/a> at The Lakes <\/a>in the Adirondacks. During the day, hike through sprawling forests, admire amazing mountain peaks, or go paddling<\/a> on shimmery lakes, and at night, get comfy with some summerween snacks and a scary movie at your own cabin in the woods. Visit\u00a0CampNewYork.com<\/a> or New York State Parks and DEC campgrounds<\/a> to find your perfect cabin. <\/p>\n


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\nSip with Spirits at Haunted Wineries
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Cheers to great wine and new ghostly friends at a haunted winery! Plan a visit to the Winery at Marjim Manor<\/a> in Greater Niagara, featured on Ghost Hunters and on the Travel Channel series Most Terrifying Places in America. As you sip on local fruit wine, you may run into a few of the resident ghosts that roam the mansion, which was originally a farmhouse and later a summer retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph convent. Learn the true story of the manor on a tour<\/a> (every Saturday), and you can even add a wine tasting onto your tour experience! Miles Wine Cellars<\/a> is known for its award-winning Finger Lakes wines and Seneca Lake<\/a> views, but this winery also has its own haunted history<\/a>. Be sure to try their Ghost wine, dedicated to the spirits that sometimes roam the Miles Wine house and grounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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Up for a delightfully frightening overnight stay? The Haunted History Trail of New York State<\/a> is home to a variety of quaint inns, elegant mansions, and Victorian manors, each filled with their own paranormal mysteries and maybe a few ghostly guests. At the Tudor-style Red Coach Inn<\/a>, located just steps from Niagara Falls<\/a>, guests have reported seeing jewelry move across dressers and hearing music in the dead of night. Staff and guests of the Georgian Revival mansion, Belhurst Castle<\/a> in Geneva, have witnessed showers mysteriously turning on and off and eerie lullabies echoing through the halls at night.\u00a0<\/p>\n


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Climb aboard Buffalo Double Decker Bus Tours<\/a> and get ready to solve a murder mystery<\/a>! Travel back to the year 1977 at Studio 716, Buffalo’s grooviest disco, where you need to figure out who killed the club owner. Throughout the tour, you\u2019ll make stops at three local taverns and your grooviest 70s attire is encouraged. Tours take place Saturdays through September 26.<\/p>\n


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Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0with #iSpyNY and tag us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>!<\/p>\n


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