Updated for Fall 2025 by Jonathan C. Stevens ’27

When thinking of local cider mills, Mayer Bros Cider Mill is the first one that comes to mind. If you visit a grocery store in Western New York during the fall, you’ll likely see their apple cider in the coolers — Mayer Bros is truly a staple of autumn in the region. Located in West Seneca, they are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. until November 26th. Along with their fresh cider, they offer baked goods, slushies, apple cider donuts, and so much more.

Why limit yourself to one! There are more cideries around the Buffalo area you can visit, such as Becker Farms and Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill, both of which also offer apple picking. 

There are plenty of places to pick pumpkins too, such as Wheatfield Pumpkin Farm or Pumpkinville, but one of the most popular is The Great Pumpkin Farm. Located in Clarence, it’s a bit of a drive, but well worth it. Throughout September and October, they host a Fall Festival, featuring a 5-acre corn maze, zombie paintball, hayrides, and lots of fresh-baked pies and pastries. 

Ellicottville’s Fall Festival transforms the village into a walkable 4-block, arts and crafts show, featuring one-of-a-kind shops, flavorful culinary culture, chair lift rides, live music, and so much more. Just 45 minutes from Buffalo, Fall Fest can make the ultimate weekend with friends and family. Check out everything Ellicottville has to offer.

With the Bills playing their last season at Highmark Stadium, and the Sabres kicking off their season on October 9^th, now is the perfect time to go see your hometown teams in action! The Sabres even have $20 discounted tickets for students. Buy yours here.

Bills’ Fall Home Games:

• November 2^nd vs. Kansas City Chiefs
• November 16^th vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• December 7^th vs. Cincinnati Bengals

If you’re looking for something a little scarier to do, Buffalo has many haunted houses and ghost tours in October! One of the best haunted houses in Buffalo is FrightWorld located on Hertel Ave. Additionally, Darien Lake’s Fright Fest is going on now until October 25^th. There are also lots of Ghost Tours you can go on throughout Buffalo. 

Fall foliage in Western New York is truly breathtaking. Though you’ll be able to see the leaves change no matter where you go, if you're looking for specific spots where they're at their peak, Step Out Buffalo has a great list. It includes parks and trails throughout the area, perfect for a fall hike. 

One of the best things about Buffalo is that there's always something going on. While this list offers plenty of options, there's so much more to explore. Use it as a starting point to dive into everything Buffalo has to offer as we transition from summer to the cooler months. And don't worry—there's still plenty to do once the snow starts falling!