Just north of the Village of Esperance lies the Landis Arboretum with miles of hiking trails through one of the few remaining old-growth forests in the nation. Walk in crisp air to see the foliage. Before you leave the area be sure to stop at the Esperance Historical Society and Museum housed in the old village schoolhouse and carriage barn. Perfect Fall experiences!
Next stop – Howe Caverns Haunted Cave Tour… This October! Join the Keepers of the Cave this Halloween Season for the first totally immersive haunted tour – the Underworld at Howe Caverns. Tours run the later half of October. Hurry to HoweScary.com – lots of fun! Be sure to check out all the fall foliage on the way!
Time for lunch and ghost story at the Grapevine Farms! This 1850’s farmhouse has three floors of themed rooms for fantastic shopping, a bakery, bistro and wine cellar with free wine tastings daily. Listen carefully for the ghostly sounds of the children’s feet on the stairs in the basement from some long-ago play time. And the tombstone of the first owner of the house is on the third floor and it is not alone!
Drive to the Village of Schoharie for the Old Stone Fort and Museum Complex which presents three centuries of rural New York history in and around seven historic exhibit buildings on 25 acres of gorgeous grounds and cemeteries. The main exhibits are housed in the Stone Fort building which was built in 1772 and where ghostly creaking can often be heard bellowing from the second floor. Dare to look up the dark stairs to the Tower level and see the glowing signs of someone looking back!
Suddenly you find yourself drawn to the Dr. Best House and Medical Museum where it appears the good doctor will arrive home any moment from a house call in his horse-drawn carriage. Villagers from Middleburgh can still retell the stories of Dr. Best and his family whose Victorian home and medical office was left completely intact for viewing today. Just smile if a picture drops and a door closes as you walk by – just the good doctor saying hi. Upstairs in the child’s bedroom a teenager can be heard asking for his long dead father. Wow.
Hungry for more? The Bull’s Head Inn located in Cobleskill was built in 1802 and has history, great food and a ghost that likes to turn on the water faucets for laugh. This ghost has been extra active this season since there is some building going on by the owners. She does not like the noise, but the excellent and varied menu is too good to let her moans get in the way. While you relax and share your stories of Fall days in Schoharie County – just know you may not be alone when washing your hands!