The Great New York State Fair Journey upstate for a weekend full of not-so-urban activities. The annual festival on Syracuse’s sprawling fairgrounds is best known for countrified entertainment like pig racing, cow birthing and displays of intricate butter sculptures—yes, really—all fueled by every fried food item you can imagine. Parents will love sampling cheese and 52 timeoutnewyorkk ds.com
wine from local producers (especially the beloved wine slushies) while the kids tackle carnival rides. Wander the grounds, play ring toss and dart games and grab tickets to one of many concerts, including Eric Church (August 27), Patti Labelle (September 3) and upstate kid Sawyer Fredericks (September 5) from The Voice. Visit on Student’s Day (September 4), when
everyone 18 and under gets in free, or wait until closing day (September 7), when admission and rides will only run you $1 apiece. Fireworks will light up the sky following the Nick Jonas concert (6pm) to cap the whole shebang. New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd, Syracuse, NY (315-487-7711, nysfair. org). Aug 27–Sept 7 at various times; $10, children under 12 free. All ages.
Honey Weekend at Wave Hill Get ready for a sticky, sweet weekend at Wave Hill’s annual honey celebration in which kids make their own insect ensemble (wings, antennae and pollen cup included), march in a bee parade and buzz around a cardboard hive,
Photograph: Courtesy Central Park Conservancy
Set your family loose on these essential festivities to get in on that cozy fall feeling. By Hannah Doolin
The Amazing Maize Maze City kids get a true taste of the country as they track down clues and solve puzzles to find their way out of this labyrinthine, three-acre maze made of corn stalks. The fun starts with a “Stalk Talk” to brief participants on the clues and puzzles they’ll find along the twisting paths. Once the youngsters reach the exit, reward them with a trip to the pumpkin patch (open from October 3), where they can pick their future jack-o’-lantern from the field. Families up for a more challenging (and slightly scary) mission can grab a flashlight or navigate the maze by moonlight when it’s open until 9pm. Queens County Farm Museum, 73–50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens (718347-3276, queensfarm.org). Sept 19–Oct 25, Saturdays and Sundays 11am–4:30pm; $9, children ages 4–11 $5, pumpkins priced by size. All ages.