Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Beautiful New York

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Autumn is here and now is the time to enjoy all the beautiful fall foliage as the leaves begin to change into their bright colors of reds, oranges, and vibrant yellows. Go ahead and jump in the car, pack a picnic and take a fun trip to some great places to see the sights of the season all found in beautiful New York State.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in New York State! Grab your planner and get ready for a colorful road trip as you travel through this great state exploring beauty around every turn.

Best Places to See Fall Foliage in New York State!

  • The Adirondack Mountains.
    ย This region has one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the country and with that comes a bevvy of wonderful driving routes and scenic areas to visit September through November. ย The best way to get plenty ofย fall travel info is to check out the FREE brochures and download them for easy planning. If it is a cold year, be sure to go late September toย mid-October, as colors burst on the treesย quickly and fade away just as fast.ย 
    Be sure to bring your Blanket Scarf to keep you warm!
  • Finger Lakes Region. Nothing says autumn like a visit to this gorgeous region full ofย impressive vineyards and lake views. ย The Finger Lakes region
    is incredibly scenic, with the golden hues of vineyards gracing the banks of deep-blue lakes. Fall isย the perfect time to visit excellent wineries, take a boat cruise, enjoy a picnic lunch, or visit nearby Watkins Glen State Park for a hike while surrounding yourself with autumnal colors.
  • Hudson River Valley. ย With the fall temperatures just right and the many beautiful great estates, a must visit the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, another National Park in New York State should be on your list.ย ย Find a spot along the river to admire the views and stroll through the meticulous gardens.ย 
fall foliage leaves in New York

Autumn foliage downstate too

Be sure to check out fall leaf colors close to the city! Upstate leaves reach peak foliage colors early in autumn because of the cooler temperatures. Colors will reach their peak the further south you travel around mid to late October.

  • Letchworth State Park. Known as โ€œThe Grand Canyon of the East,โ€ this is a gem of a park that hasnโ€™t been traversed as often as many of the otherย parks in the state. ย Located south of Rochester, enjoy a scenic drive through many of the small, gorgeous towns such as Mumford, Caledonia, and Mt. Morris along Route 36 South. ย If you start at the North end of the park, you can leisurely drive through 15 miles of scenic terrain.
  • The Catskills. ย The Catskills are recognized as a very easy area to reach from just about any region of the state. ย The mountain ranges are centrally located and have long been a favorite destinationย of New York visitors. ย The Catskills are beautiful year-round, but truly show off all their gloryย in the fall. For great ideas for those who want the best views, check out the Catskill Mountains.

Best fall leaf colors

These are just some of the spectacular places to visit for fall this season.  It is such a beautiful time of year in New York State, so be sure to get out there and take the time to explore everything this amazing state has to offer.  It doesnโ€™t matter if you are driving through, hiking the many mountain trails, or boating on the waters, New Yorkโ€™s fall foliage is a must-see from any vantage point!

If you are looking for more to do with your free time, don't miss our list of the 7 best fall festivals to visit in Capital District! 

7 Best Fall Festivals to Visit this Season in the Capital District

fall foliage in new york state

Original Post: 9/16/16

Updated Post 9/23/20