Michele Wallach

Don't let your brood sit and sulk over summer's demise. Autumn (especially Halloween) are reasons to celebrate. Make the most of the season with these fall day trips from NYC, where you'll be treated to gorgeous views, pumpkin patches and even some scary festivities (if you so choose).  From Sleepy Hollow, NY to Cape May NJ, these locales provide plenty of entertainment that will make the whole crew crave a warm sweater and apple-flavored treat. The good news is that they feel like they're lightyears away, but they're close enough to do in a weekend.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best family vacations from NYC If you are still in search of things to do in fall, we'll guide your toward the best apple picking near NYC, the most epic pumpkin patches where you'll find your annual jack-o-lantern and the most gorgeous scenic drives for fall.

7am-noonTake the B or Q train to Sheepshead Bay. Before leaving the station, take a picture of your kids by one of the ceramic-tile mosaics on the wall; it's a perfect photo op. Head to Pier 5 for your first adventure of the day—a fishing trip aboard the 85-foot Sea Queen VII (2250 Emmons Ave; reserve ahead of time at seaqueenVII.com; flat rate of $25) with Captain Steve. The helpful crew will provide everything from bait to rods and point out the daredevil windsurfers and kiteboarders who flock to nearby Plumb Beach—especially on windy days. Then, depending on where the flounder are biting, your family will either cruise past Coney Island or head to tranquil Jamaica Bay. 12:15-1pmWhen you're back at shore, you'll disembark with a bag of crew-cleaned fish in hand (remember to bring a soft cooler to keep your catch fresh for the rest of your excursion). Then head to the popular Roll N Roaster (2901 Emmons Ave, 718-769-6000, rollnroaster.com) for some grub. Kids love the circle fries with cheese, while adults return for the roast beef sandwiches. 1-1:45pmAfter lunch, take a stroll along the bay. Younger kids can make crayon rubbings of the fish engravings that mark the entrance of each pier. Stop at the Holocaust Memorial Park (Shore Blvd and Emmons Ave, thmc.org) to read Elie Weisel's poignant words inscribed beneath the eternal light. 2-4:30pmContinue circling the water, turning left onto Shore Boulevard. This quieter, more picturesque side of the bay leads into Manhattan Bea

Hours, prices and other details are subject to change. BENCHMARK RESTAURANT339A 2nd St at Fifth Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-965-7040, benchmarkrestaurant.com). Subway: D, N, R to Fourth Ave--9th St. High chairs, booster seats. Cookie-dough egg roll: $8. Serving up succulent rib eyes and New York strips as well as juicy burgers and mac and cheese, this Park Slope steakhouse is perfect for little carnivores. The whole family should save room for the cookie-dough egg roll. Wrapped in a wonton and served with miso caramel sauce and ice cream, it's a sweet reinterpretation of the classic. BIG DADDY'S*239 Park Ave South between 19th and 20th Sts (212-477-1500, bigdaddysnyc.com). Subway: F, M to 23rd St. *1596 Second Ave at 83rd St (212-717-2020). Subway: 4, 5, 6 to 86th St. *2454 Broadway at 91st St (212-677-2004). Subway: 1 to 86th St or 96th St. High chairs, booster seats, kids' menu. Cookie-dough pancakes: $11. Parents will love the walk down memory lane at these 1980s-themed diners (think props like Trivial Pursuit and vintage lunch boxes), while kids will appreciate the crayons, coloring pads and balloons. Order fluffy omelettes to give kids a protein boast, but be sure to share the sinfully delightful cookie dough pancakes, too. BLT BURGER470 Sixth Ave between 11th and 12th Sts (212-243-8226, bltburger.com). Subway: F, M to 14th St; L to Sixth Ave. High chairs, kids' menu. Milk shakes: $7; spiked milk shakes: $11. Head to this bistro for juicy burgers and memorable dessert

It doesn't get more accessible than Williamsburg—take the L train, drive in or sail abord a NY Waterways ferry. Quaint shops, panaromic views and kid-friendly restaurants abound in the hipster nabe. We guarantee your crew will have a fun—and memorable—day out. 10–11am Begin the day with Southern food (read: high in calories but delicious) at Pies ’n’ Thighs. The grits with hot sauce are a staple, as are the sweet and savory waffles and chicken. Biscuits with honey butter are sure to please even picky little eaters. 11am–noonBurn off some calories with a romp through the seven-acre East River State Park. Tykes can climb on the wooden train while older kids check out the large-scale sculptures scattered throughout the young park, which opened in 2007 on the former site of warehouses and railroad tracks. On Sundays though November 18, cross the street and wander the maze of booths that make up the Williamsburg Flea (waterfront between North 6th and 7th Sts, brooklynflea.com/markets). Vendors’ wares include furniture, antiques, original art and photography, and new and vintage clothes. We like the hand-printed animal onesies from Gnome Enterprises ($24).  Noon–1:30 pm Get messy at Baked in Brooklyn, where the whole family can find something fun to paint. The shelves of pottery are lined with everything from figurines and banks to mugs and dog bowls.  Kids can use stencils and stamps to make designs, or ask for help from the friendly staff.1:30–2:30pm Fornino has an array of artis

Some 150 years ago, wealthy Manhattanites traveled by boat to their extravagant summer homes along Brooklyn’s “gold coast,” Bay Ridge. Today, families take a different mode of transportation—the R train, to the end of the line—to experience the once-Scandinavian, now diverse neighborhood where Saturday Night Fever was filmed. Located between two highways (the Belt Parkway to the west and the Gowanus Expressway to the east), the area stretches from 65th Street to the base of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at Shore Road and 101st Street. As in other borough nabes (think Carroll Gardens), you’ll find a mix of old-timers, young third- and fourth-generation families, and newcomers. The Verrazano, which rises 200 feet above New York Bay and connects Brooklyn with Staten Island, is the neighborhood’s most iconic—though not always beloved—landmark. Fifty years ago, locals protested the plan to build the suspension bridge when 7,000 residents had to be displaced to make room for it. There’s history, too, in Bay Ridge’s remarkable variety of residential architecture, which includes sprawling single-family homes, charming prewar buildings and classic brownstones; a row of mansions sits on Shore Road between 80th and 83rd Streets. Where to eat   Tons of eateries call Bay Ridge home; you’ll find everything from family-style Italian meals to authentic kebabs. Peppino’s(7709 Third Ave, 718-833-3364, ilovepeppinos.com) more than tolerates rambunctious kids—one of the restaurant’s hallways is a

From the city's best new sports hub for little athletes to a beer-garden in Brooklyn that's extremely kid-friendly, our best of 2013 list has something for every New York City family. Read on to see which attractions, birthday party entertainers, restaurants and other things to do in New York City our editors named the best of 2013. Plus, find out who took top honors in our best of 2013 readers' choice poll!