Orange County Family Weekend 10/15/26

Hi families,

This weekend brings a second chance to enjoy Port Jervis’s Fall Foliage Festival, a guided leaf adventure in Cornwall and a free outing for little train fans. There’s also still time to bring home a pumpkin from Warwick.

Here are this weekend’s best family picks, in our recommended order, plus a rainy-day backup.

Sunday, October 18 | Noon–6 p.m.
Historic downtown Port Jervis | Free admission; purchases and some activities extra

The festival is back on a new date after its September weather postponement. Explore downtown vendors, grab lunch and enjoy live music, a classic car show and family activities. It’s our top pick for families who want a full afternoon out without paying an entrance fee.

Parent tip: Older flyers still show September 27 and earlier hours. Use the rescheduled October 18, noon–6 p.m. details. No advance visitor registration is stated. Suitable for a mixed-age family outing, with costs for individual attractions worth checking on arrival.

Check the rescheduled festival details

Sunday, October 18 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Outdoor Discovery Campus, 120 Muser Drive, Cornwall | Nonmembers: $14 per child ages 3–12; $16 per adult

Follow a Nature Educator through the woods to discover autumn leaves, then turn your favorites into a painted leaf collage to take home. The center describes the trails as gentle and stroller-friendly, making this an appealing shorter outing for families who want both fresh air and a craft.

Good to know: Members pay $12 per child ages 3–12 and $14 per adult. Advance registration is required. The center’s standard registration deadline is Friday at 3 p.m., so plan to book by October 16 and check availability before making the trip. Under-3 admission is not specified on this listing.

See Lovely Leaves details and registration

Saturday, October 17–Sunday, October 18 | Noon–4 p.m.
86 Pike Street, Port Jervis | Free; donations encouraged

Give your train-loving child an up-close look at historic railroad equipment and explore the exhibit boxcar’s local railroad history. October 18 is the last date in the museum’s posted 2026 exhibit-boxcar schedule, so this is a good weekend to visit before regular interior access ends.

Parent tip: No booking requirement is listed for regular visits. The exhibit boxcar is the confirmed open interior; several other cars are off-site or open only by appointment. This is a railroad display, not a train ride. Best for children interested in trains, with adult supervision around the equipment.

Check museum hours and exhibits

Saturday, October 17–Sunday, October 18 | 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
101 Jessup Road, Warwick | $3 admission per person ages 2+; pumpkins $14 each

Choose a pumpkin, visit the petting zoo and let the children enjoy the play area. Admission includes parking and access to the pumpkin patch, petting zoo, play area and farm stand. Pumpkins cost the same regardless of size, which takes some of the guesswork out of the budget.

Good to know: No reservations are required. Admission and pick-your-own purchases are cash only; the farm market accepts cards. No pets. Call 845-987-7717 before visiting for current picking conditions. This is an all-ages farm outing; optional purchases are extra.

Plan your pumpkin-picking visit

Saturday, October 17 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
240 Main Street, Goshen | $10 adults; $5 children ages 4–12

Keep this indoor museum in your back pocket if Saturday’s outdoor plans get washed out. Explore harness-racing history and memorabilia in Goshen, with a manageable outing for school-age children who enjoy horses, sports or local history.

Planning note: The posted regular schedule is Tuesday–Saturday, so this is not a Sunday backup. No advance booking is stated for regular admission; group tours require reservations. Current museum and USTA members enter free. The published price list does not specify admission for children under 4.

Check museum hours and admission

If Port Jervis is your Sunday plan, visit the railroad exhibit before its 4 p.m. closing, then leave time for the festival. If you prefer a shorter morning outing, book Lovely Leaves ahead of time. Check each official link before leaving home for weather changes and availability.

Know another Orange County parent who could use fewer tabs open and more weekend ideas? Forward this guide so they can subscribe for next Thursday’s picks.

Have an Orange County family event we should consider? Send the official event link to [email protected] by Tuesday.

See you next Thursday,

Mickey
Orange County Family Weekend
Less searching. More family time.