There’s something about fall in Nassau County that makes home feel a little more special. It’s the trees along Stewart Avenue turning shades of rust and amber, the sun setting over Community Park, mums spilling across front porches and that first crisp morning when you reach for a sweater on the way out the door.

Every year, the season sneaks up on me the same way. One minute we’re still in summer mode, the next we’re outside every weekend, and then suddenly it’s the holidays. So this year, I finally sat down and put all of my favorite ways to spend the “ber” months into one guide—and I’m so excited to share it with you!

Here’s a little peek at what’s inside:

Fall happenings: I rounded up more than 40 festivals and events to fill your calendar from September through the holidays. A few I’m most looking forward to? The Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay, Oktoberfest at Plattduetsche Park in Franklin Square (don’t skip the shotski!) and the Halloween Ball at Sands Point Preserve.

Slow mornings: The best mornings here don’t have a plan—coffee first, then wherever the day goes. I’ve included 20 of my favorite coffee spots (and exactly what I order at each one), plus the breakfast spots, bakeries and apple cider donuts worth the drive. Jericho Cider Mill, I’m looking at you.

Getting outside: The whole point of this season is ending up outside for longer than you meant to. You’ll find my favorite trails, parks and lookouts, along with more than 20 spots to see the leaves change—from golden hour at Old Westbury Gardens to a slow drive along Route 25A.

After dark: Evenings get better this time of year. I’ve shared my go-to dinner spots, where to go for a nightcap or dessert afterward and a few date night ideas beyond the usual, like a guided full moon hike at Sands Point Preserve.

Our family traditions: Every fall, my family adds another tradition to our list. From Garden City Homecoming and Soccer Saturdays to picking out pumpkins and mums at Zaino’s and s’mores on the porch, these are the little things that have slowly become staples in our house.

Home to-dos: Because I can’t help myself, I also included a fall home checklist—ten things to tackle in one weekend before winter—along with the four local pros I recommend most.

I moved here from NYC more than a decade ago, and it’s these small moments—the traditions, the neighborhoods and the familiar places—that turn a location into a community. I hope this guide helps you fall a little more in love with Nassau County, too.

You can grab your free copy below!