Updated for Fall 2026 by Giancarlo Martinez.

When thinking of local cider mills, Mayer Bros Cider Mill is an easy first choice. 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 25th. Along with their fresh cider, they offer baked goods, slushies, apple cider donuts, and so much more.

But 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 Becker Farms 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. Starting September 19th and going through October 31, they host a Fall Festival, featuring a 5-acre corn maze, zombie paintball, hayrides, and lots of fresh-baked pies and pastries. Of course, there are always more options out there, so keep a lookout!

Ellicottville’s Fall Festival, which runs from October 10th-11th, 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, the Fall Festival can make for the ultimate weekend with friends and family. The village is always offering new events, so be sure to check out everything Ellicottville has to offer.

With the Bills playing at the new Highmark Stadium, and the Sabres kicking off their season in October, now is the perfect time to go see your hometown teams in action! The Sabres even have $20 discounted tickets for students on select College Nights.

Bills’ Fall Home Games:

• November 1: vs Baltimore Ravens
• November 22: vs Miami Dolphins
• November 26: vs Kansas City Chiefs (The first Thanksgiving home game in franchise history!)

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 (with college student days!).

Additionally, there is a brand-new horror attraction taking over the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park open October 2nd – October 31st: Nightmare Wharf.

More scares await those who are willing, so keep an eye out! If you’re looking for something a bit different, there are also several Ghost Tours to visit 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!