This guide was created to help make the month of October a little bit easier for you!
Topics:
Where to donate Halloween Costumes (Scroll to the bottom for the list)
Fun Places to Visit during October (Scroll to the bottom for the list)
Places to buy Pumpkins (Scroll to the bottom for the list)
BLUE IRIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Linda and Karli adore babies and children, are super detail oriented, very patient and fun loving and are honored to tell their client’s stories. Specializing in newborns and families, they have an amazing collection of high end outfits, props and accessories. In addition to their large state of the art studio, babies and families may also be photographed on their picturesque 3 acre property. Holiday Mini Sessions are a big hit each November, with three upscale sets and a choice of Santa or no Santa. Sets this year, include a fun interactive Santa’s kitchen, a large decorated Christmas tree and FP set, as well as an outdoor Christmas Tree Farm.
Enjoy a $100 off with every Newborn referral!
Booking now and slots go quickly! www.blueirisphotos.com/2022-holiday-sessions
872 Middleline Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Follow Blue Iris Photography on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #:518-320-4862
Email: [email protected]
Halloween themed Kids Cookie Decorating Class, Saturday 10/29 at our Schenectady location. Classes available at 10am and 2pm. $9 for giant pumpkin cookie, homemade frostings, and sprinkles to decorate. Parents receive 10% off their orders during event. Pre-registration required by 10/25. Visit https://www.toasttab.com/bountiful-bread-schenectady/v3/ to register today.
CATSKILL MOUNTAIN RAILROAD
As the leaves begin to change color a great way to view the beauty is on a Fall Foliage Adventure Train ride on the Catskill Mountain Railroad. With the colors just beginning now is the time to enjoy natures amazing change of seasons. And with Halloween coming up the don’t miss a chance to ride our Pumpkin Express Trains that have an added bonus – passengers will be able to select their own pumpkin to take home and decorate. Pumpkins will be spread out on the flat cars for passengers to select their favorite one. Our trains are fun for adults and children! Take a spectacular journey along the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor and see the natural beauty of the Catskills from our railroad’s unique perspective. Join us as we travel through some of the oldest farmlands in the United States where we will cross the Esopus Creek on the restored C9 Bridge and go through the Hurley Flats. Check our website for Fall Foliage and Pumpkin Express Train schedules. All trains depart from Westbrook Station at Kingston Plaza and then return. Rides are about an hour and fifteen minutes long and are approximately 8 miles round trip.
Follow Catskill Mountain Railroad on Facebook
Email: [email protected]
COLD RIVER BODY ARTS
Cameron has been a part of Cold River Body Arts, since we first opened in 2019. She has been providing Professionally Accredited Brow & Permanent Cosmetic Tattooing since 2018. Aside from her Cosmetic Tattoo work, Cameron has worked to build Cold River into the beautiful and inclusive space it is today. Appointments and consultations can be scheduled through our website. Book your service today!
761 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208
Follow Cold River Body Arts on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 518-599-0408
Email: [email protected]
CROSSGATES
Featuring 150 retail shops……and tons of fun & entertainment for the kiddos….. Crossgates offers something for everyone – all under one roof. Enjoy plenty of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues that you won’t find for miles in any direction like Apple, LEGO, Build a Bear Workshop, 5 Wits, Dave & Buster’s, Apex Entertainment, Get Air, Billy Beez, plus the nation’s top retailers, to experience all that Crossgates has to offer. Whether you’re looking to shop & dine or play & stay, our on-site Tru and Homewood Suites by Hilton dual-branded hotel allows for the best Staycation. Planning your next visit couldn’t be any easier.
One Crossgates Mall Road, Albany NY 12203
Follow Crossgates on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 518-869-9565
Email: [email protected]
DUTCH APPLE CRUISES
Dutch Apple Cruises is located in downtown Albany, NY on the scenic and historic Hudson River! We offer sightseeing, sunset & special event cruises, that are open to the public. We also offer private cruise rentals for your next event. Please visit Dutchapplecruises.com for information, schedules & to purchase tickets!
1 Quay Street, Albany, NY 12202
Follow Dutch Apple Cruises on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 518-463-0220
Email: [email protected]
HEALING HANDS CHIROPRACTIC CENTER
(formerly known as Kinkaid Family Chiropractic)
Your new baby will be here soon and you’re doing everything right, from check ups to nutrition, but do you know about prenatal Chiropractic Care?! Receiving regular chiropractic treatment is one of the most important and helpful areas of prenatal care. We specialize in prenatal, pediatric and whole family care. We have helped many families navigate their way through the aches and pains of pregnancy and post-partum including back and neck pain, headaches, pelvic pain, sciatica & more. See all of the ways Healing Hands Chiropractic Center can help you and your family.
1873 Western Ave Suite 103, Albany, NY 12203
Follow Healing Hands Chiropractic Center on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: (518) 869-8000
New patient paperwork is located on the home page of our website. Once we have had a chance to review it, we will call you to schedule your first appointment.
IMPACT ATHLETICS
Trick-or-Treat Trail
Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 5pm-8pm
Up to 12 years of age
$5 per person
Parent must stay with child on site
390 NY-Route 146 Halfmoon, NY 12065
Follow Impact Athletics on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: (518) 579-4000
Email: [email protected]
JAKE & LIVI’S CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE
Jake + Livi’s online children’s boutique opened in Spring of 2022 with a mission to provide quality children’s retail items including classic, everyday wear with a mix of current trends and specialty items. A few of the brands they carry are RuffleButts, Ford and Wyatt, Bows Arts, Jefferies Socks, Andy & Evan and more! Orders are shipped within 1 business day, or are available for same day pick up in Mechanicville, NY.
Follow Jake + Livi’s on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Email: [email protected]
PLAY HOLLOW
Play Hollow is a children’s retail and community-play space which values eco-friendly and fair trade practices, celebrates diversity, and offers products and programming that center around loving and taking care of ourselves, each other, and our Earth. We have a collection of bilingual/bicultural books, natural toys and apparel, as well as children’s classes and parent workshops both virtual and in-person to support every stage of the family journey.
40 Front Street, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Follow Play Hollow on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 518-309-3517
Email: [email protected]
SOUTHERN ADIRONDACK MIDWIFERY
Southern Adirondack Midwifery is offering homebirth and holistic healthcare to the Southern Adirondack and Greater Capital Region areas. We are a group of dedicated healthcare providers, passionate about offering holistic and comprehensive pregnancy, birth and well-woman care throughout the lifespan. Our practice is based on the values of education, informed decision making, trust and commitment to excellence!
3 Hemphill Place #112, Ballston Spa, NY 12020
Follow Southern Adirondack Midwifery on Facebook
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 518-289-5240
Email: [email protected]
STARSIA LAW
At Starsia Law, we believe estate planning isn’t just a one-time transaction where a lawyer tells you what legal documents you “need”, and you go home with an expensive stack of papers that may or may not work the way you want them to. We know that, while we’re the experts on the law, you’re the expert on the people you love and the legacy you want to leave them. Click here to schedule a FREE introductory call. Register for our upcoming FREE webinars at starsiapllc.com/events.
123 Lakehill Road, 2nd Floor, Burnt Hills, NY 12027
Follow Starsia Law on Facebook and Instagram
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: (518) 309-2252
Email: [email protected]
STUYVESANT PLAZA
Stuyvesant Plaza will present a Fall Fun Fest on Saturday, October 15 from noon to 3 p.m. featuring a cast of children’s favorite animated characters and offering shoppers promotions from select merchants.
Beginning at noon, guests can take part in a meet-and-greet and sing- and dance-along with characters from Royally Radiant, including everyone’s favorite Ice Princess and Outdoorsman, alongside the youngest Madrigal Sister. At 1 p.m., the Ice Princess and the Outdoorsman will host a reading at The Book House and the Madrigal Sister will be available for photos at BARE. A second meet-and-greet and sing- and dance-along will be held from 1:45 p.m. until 3 p.m.
Select shops at Stuyvesant Plaza will offer special promotions during the Fall Fun Fest:
– Enjoy 50 percent off an item on the kids’ menu when purchasing a full-priced adult meal at BARE.
– Guess the number of balls in a jar at Ta Da! and win a $5 coupon for purchases of $25 and more.
– Receive $4 off any regular-priced footwear at Stride-Rite.
– Blaze Pizza will hand out vouchers for a buy one-get one free offer.
Guests can also enjoy festive fall photo opportunities at Stuyvesant Plaza, which will feature carved pumpkins, haystacks and mums on display.
1475 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Follow Stuyvesant Plaza on Facebook and Instagram.
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 518-482-8986
Email: [email protected]
WILDPLAY THACHER
Thrilling outdoor adventure awaits just 20 minutes from Albany! Discover 14 Ziplines, 78 Aerial Adventure Games, a 40ft freefall jump and more, located in the heart of Thacher State Park! Activities for all ages 5 and up. Group discounts for birthday parties, field trips, corporate groups and more! Use code CDM15 to save 15% off your entire booking! Pre-book online: wildplay.com/thacher Pre-book by phone: 1-800-616-1325
Upcoming Events:
Trunk or Treat – Friday, October 28th from 4:00pm-6:00pm
Click here for details.
For the rest of the year, teachers climb FREE on weekends.
Click here for details.
524 Thacher Park Rd, Voorheesville, NY 12186
Follow WildPlay Thacher on Facebook and Instagram.
Click here to visit their website.
Phone #: 1-800-668-7771
Email: [email protected]
WHERE TO DONATE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES
Franklin Community Center – Saratoga Springs, NY
Posted on their Facebook page on 9/27/22:
We are accepting new or gently used Elementary through Middle School sized costumes! Donations can be dropped off at 95 Washington Street from 9am-3pm Monday through Friday.For more information, please contact Abbie at 518 587-9826 x225 or [email protected]
Follow the Franklin Community Center on Facebook for more information.
Costume Swap – East Greenbush Community Library
Swap instead of shop! Our costume swap is recycling at its most fun!
Here’s how it works:
– Drop off your costumes in the Children’s Room between Saturday, October 1st and Friday, October 14th.
– In exchange for each complete, clean, gently worn costume, you will receive 1 swap ticket to claim a new-to-you costume at the October 15th event. Please note that the library cannot guarantee fit or selection.
– We are accepting costumes in all sizes, infant to adult. You can drop off a costume even if you are not interested in choosing a new one.
Click here for more information.
Free Halloween Costume Giveaway – Castleton Public Library
Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 10am to 4pm
Browse a selection of donated Halloween costumes, wigs, masks, and accessories & pick out costumes to take home! Donations of clean, gently used items accepted from through 10/13/22.
Follow the Castleton Public Library on Facebook for more information.
Halloween Costume Swap – Ballston Area Community Center
Posted on their Facebook page on 10/4/22:
WE WILL BE LEAVING THE DONATION BIN OUTSIDE FROM 9AM-6PM
The BACC is inviting the community to take part in our first Halloween Costume Swap!
We will be holding the swap on Thursday October 13th,2022 at 6:00pm-7:30pm.
In addition, we ask that anybody who would like to donate, drops off accessories/costumes prior to the costume swap, we will have a donation bin outside our building during program hours from 9:00AM-10:30AM and 5:00PM-6:00PM Tuesday October 4th through Wednesday October 12th.
Leave what you can/take what you need!
Follow the Ballston Area Community Center on Facebook for more information.
Do you know any other organizations that are accepting costume donations? Please send an email to [email protected]
FUN PLACES TO VISIT DURING OCTOBER
Fright Fest at the Great Escape – Queensbury, NY
Select Dates between October 1st– October 30, 2022
Fright Fest is back and spookier than ever! Dare to enter the Halloween event of the season, featuring family-friendly attractions during the day…and thrills once the sun goes down.
Click here to visit their website.
Haunted History Trail of New York State
Click here to learn more.
Hollowed Harvest – Altamont, NY
Select Dates in September & October 2022
Experience the spooky family-fun of Halloween at the Hollowed Harvest! The Hollowed Harvest brings to life thousands of incredible Jack-O’-Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-than-life displays designed to amaze audiences of all ages!
Click here to learn more.
Ghost Tours at Yaddo – Saratoga Springs, NY
Select Dates in September & October 2022
Click here for more information.
Pure Terror Scream Park and Haunted Houses – Monroe, NY
New York’s scariest haunted house and the worlds longest overall walk-through haunted attraction holding the current Guinness World Record!
Click here to learn more.
Night Terrors Haunted Farm – Schoharie, NY
Get your Fright On… as you travel through the terrifying Halloween Haunt known as Night Terrors Haunted Farm in Schoharie, NY.
Click here to learn more.
Headless Horseman Hayride & Haunted Houses – Ulster Park, NY
Haunted Walking Trail plus 9 Additional Attractions
Click here to learn more.
Double M Haunted Hayrides & Haunted Houses – Ballston Spa, NY
Double M Haunted Hayrides has been creating fear for over 30 years in Upstate New York!
Click here to learn more.
Field of Horrors – Troy, NY
The Field of Horrors is BACK with a NEW ATTRACTION! Come face the “Walking Trail of Terror.”
Click here to learn more.
Brick or Treat Presents Monster Party – LEGOLAND New York
Every Saturday & Sunday through October 30th!
Click here to visit their website.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – Croton-on-Hudson, NY
September 16th through November 20, 2022
Meander through an 18th-century landscape and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’ lanterns—all designed and hand-carved on site by our team of artisans.
Click here to learn more.
Boo at the Zoo – Bronx Zoo
October 1st through October 30, 2022 (Saturdays & Sundays)
Click here to visit their website.
Naumkeag Pumpkin Show – Stockbridge, MA
Select Dates
Follow Naumkeag on Facebook for more information.
Candlelight Tours – Schenectady County Historical Society
Select Dates
Join us for spooky tales of Schenectady’s haunting past! We’ll explore the historic Stockade after dark, and discover the neighborhood’s most blood-curdling ghost stories. You can choose either the “Colonial Hauntings” or “Ghostly Victorian” tour. The two tours feature different stories, and venture through different part of the neighborhood.
Click here to learn more.
Capitol Hauntings Tours – Albany, NY
Given from October 3rd through October 31st (Tours are free!)
Which two United States Presidents visited the Capitol after they died? What happened to the “lost” Capitol murals and their eccentric artist? Does the secret demon carved in stone hold a Capitol curse? Does the night watchman who died in the Capitol Fire of 1911 still make his rounds? Explore these questions and other tales of sightings and strange things on our Special Capitol Hauntings Tour of the New York State Capitol. The tour lasts about an hour, but the chilling tales might haunt you forever.
Click here for more information.
Are you looking for Trunk or Treat Events, Fall Festivals, Halloween Parades and other fun activities during the month of October?
Check out Capital District Moms’ calendar: https://capitaldistrictmoms.com/calendar/month/2022-10/
PLACES TO BUY PUMPKINS
Altamont Orchards – Altamont, NY
Autumn on the Farm – Rexford, NY
Boehm Farm – Climax, NY
Boomhower Farm – Selkirik, NY
Bowman Orchards – Rexford, NY
Cullen Pumpkin Farm – Richfield Springs, NY
Ellms Family Farm – Ballston Spa, NY
Engelke Farm – Troy, NY
Hanehan Family Farmstead – Saratoga Springs, NY
Hansens Farm and Nursery – Colonie, NY
Hayner Farm – Halfmoon, NY
Herringtons Pumpkins – Buskirk, NY
Indian Ladder Farms – Altamont, NY
Kristy’s Barn – Schodack, NY
Lakeside Farms Cider Mill – Ballston Lake, NY
Lansing’s Farm Market & Greenhouses – Colonie, NY
Love Apple Farm – Ghent, NY
McKownville Church – Albany, NY
Pick-a-Pumpkin – Esperance, NY
Riverview Orchards – Rexford, NY
Samascott Orchards – Kinderhook, NY
Sand Flats Orchards – Fonda, NY
Schuyler Farms – Schuylerville, NY
Snook Kill Farms – Gansevoort, NY
Stanton’s Feura Farm – Feura Bush, NY
Sunnyside Gardens – Saratoga Springs, NY
Swartz Dairy and Produce – Castleton-on-Hudson, NY
Tiashoke Farm – Schaghticoke, NY
Windy Hill Orchard-East – Castleton-on-Hudson, NY
Yonder Fruit Farms – Valatie, NY
Do you have a favorite place to get pumpkins that isn’t on the list? Please send an email to [email protected]
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