Columbus Day Weekend is action packed with fun for all ages. Whether you have the kids for a long weekend or find the time to do a little Island exploration, there’s fall fun around every corner. We did some exploring of our own to discover some new and exceptional events, unique venues and farm festivals that are both local and no further than a half hour drive away from Smithtown. So pack up the family or pick up some old friends and hit the road for an unforgettable Columbus Day Weekend guide!
Stay Local at the Deepwells Fall Festival:
Get ready for a weekend of entertainment, crafts and gourmet treats at the Annual Fall Festival at Deepwells Farm. This weekend, October 8th and 9th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Deepwells Farm will transform into a Fall wonderland filled with Pumpkin Patches, Pony rides, a Petting Zoo, handmade crafts from local Vendors and delicious treats from your favorite spots in town. And who could resist stocking up on old fashioned candies from the St. James General Store, the oldest continuously operating general store in the United States.
Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for seniors and children 12 & Under. Rain Date: Monday October 10th.
Grown Up Columbus Day Weekend Fun:
Forget the vineyards and craft breweries, take a trip out to the North Fork and sip some Moonshine. Twin Stills Moonshine in Riverhead, creates a variety of seasonal and classic blends of hand crafted Moonshine, made by the store owners. Forget about the time your grandpa gave you a swig of his blend when you had a cold… Twin Stills Moonshine is so surprisingly delicious that you will insist on bringing a bottle home with you. We highly recommend a bottle of Apple Pie or Pumpkin Spice moonshine, which Twin Stills sells for $20 a bottle. If straight up isn’t your style, Twin Stills also offers a wide variety of mixed cocktails and flights of local craft brews.
Tasting Room Hours are Saturday: 12 PM – 7 PM, Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM and Monday: 2 PM – 6 PM. Twin Stills Moonshine Distillery is located at 5506 Sound Avenue in Riverhead.Phone: 631-779-3199
Something for Everyone Farm Festival
For the grown ups, you can easily spend a day savoring wine at the Harbes Vineyard’s Tasting Room, or bring home something delicious from the Farmstand Market and Bakery. We highly recommend the $10 wine tasting, to sample any three of their amazing wines. If you are spending the day with the kids, it’s literally a wonderland of fun along a massive 10-acre ‘Barnyard Adventure’ Park, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, Hayrides, Pony Rides, Gem mining and a spooky maze open at night!
Best Deal for your Dollar: Get the value combo ($18.95 per person) which includes Pig races, an interactive Children’s Show, lawn games with Farmer Fred, entry to Gnome Hedge Maze & snoopy corn maze, singing hayride tour and at least another 20 Barnyard activities… You will literally spend the entire day having fun and your kids are guaranteed to sleep through the night, after an unforgettable day like this.
Harbes Family Farm is open throughout the weekend, including Columbus Day.
Harbes Family Farm is located at 715 Sound Avenue in Mattituck – Phone (631) 298-0800
Stop along the Way Home: Wells Homestead Farmstand
We passed this little gem on the way back to Smithtown and just couldn’t resist a quick stop for some fresh produce and gorgeous herbs and flowers. The prices are by far the best we’ve seen for seasonal produce and plants. We picked up some homemade jams and horseradish, white lavender and a bouquet of beautiful sunflowers for under $25 bucks! The shop owner was personable and her staff was polite. If you’re like us, still holding on to your garden, we highly recommend picking up a few blossoming planters and herbs, before you head back home.
Wells Homestead Farmstand is located at 460 Main Rd in Aquebogue (literally along the route to get back on the expressway from Southold or Mattituck)