As Halloween approaches, there are several things to do near Cortland to get you in the Halloween spirit. These activities are a nice way to escape campus and give you a break from your heavy workload.
- Beak & Skiff Apple Hill Campus/1911 Tasting Room – This apple orchard is a 30 minute drive from Cortland, just off Route 20. It is open to all, with a cider house and tasting room for those 21 and up! They have an apple barn, café and bakery, and a store where you can pick up items from ciders, to fudge, to CBC products. They are known for their apple cider donuts and delicious 1911 hard cider. Their winter tavern menu includes tasty items such as a roasted squash salad, chicken totchos, and Korean Bulgogi fried chicken.
- Fright Nights – These haunted houses are sure to get you in the spooky spirit and give you a good scare! They are located in Syracuse, which is about a 40 minute drive. At only $30, you have access to this haunted house which includes 5 houses within the building. There is The Devil’s Dungeon Slide to Hell, Jurassic Dark, Burgen Manor, Lady Lamson’s Cursed Voyage, and Penny’s Playhouse. This place is sure to leave you screaming with each house has interesting storylines with unique characters and great actors.
- The Slaughterland Screampark – In Binghamton, also about a 40 minute drive, this haunted house is rated one of the scariest from The Scare Factor, Haunted House.com, The Haunted Attraction, and Hauntworld.com. The house is sure to scare, as the actors will pop out of no where! The park also offers a ‘Blood Street Brewery’ and many snacks and treats for afterwards.
- The Last Ride – Though it is more of a drive, at about an hour away in Syracuse, this attraction features 3 different events. There is a haunted house, hayride and a hearse that drops you off in the middle of the hayride, where you must find your way out. The hayride is sure to leave you screaming, not only will the actors jump out at you, but they may go as far as taking off your hat! They have merchandise available, as well as beverages and food. It is only $15 per attraction and they are open until midnight.
- Tim’s Pumpkin Patch – About 30 minutes away, Tim’s farm is family owned and is known as ‘the place with the $1.00 pumpkins.’ On their website it states that “the price remained $1.00 for 20 years, a nearly impossible task given the realities of the constant rising input costs of farming.” Their 70 acres not only has pumpkins but they grow squash, has a bakery, gift shop, brew barn, and activities for families to enjoy. Their bakery is quite well known as well, being referred to being ‘just like grandma used to make,’ the site states. Their most popular pastries include their molasses crinkle cookie, apple cider donut, and their glazed pumpkin donut.