New York State is highlighting a range of activities and destinations for those seeking to experience the region’s fall foliage. The state offers several options, including hiking, train rides, sky rides, air adventures, mountain coasters, rail bike tours, cruises, climbing excursions, scenic drives, and outdoor dining.
Hiking trails across the state provide opportunities to view autumn colors. In the Catskills, Mount Utsayantha features a moderate one-mile hike with summit viewpoints. The Castle Rock Trail in the Adirondacks’ Sargent Ponds Wild Forest gives hikers a vista 700 feet above Blue Mountain Lake. On Long Island’s Shelter Island, Mashomack Preserve has diverse habitats and 11 miles of coastline accessible via easy trails. High Falls Conservation Area near Hudson offers a trail leading to a 150-foot waterfall.
For those interested in train rides through fall scenery, the Adirondack Railroad runs trips from Utica’s Union Station to Old Forge. The Catskill Mountain Railroad operates routes up Hurley Mountain from Kingston. Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad and Arcade & Attica Railroad also offer themed journeys through areas known for their foliage.
Scenic sky rides are available at locations such as Gore Mountain and Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks. Gondola cabins and chairlifts provide overhead views of changing leaves until mid-October at most sites.
Hot air balloon rides are offered by Southern Tier Balloon Company from Binghamton, Ithaca, and Owego throughout the year. Balloons Over Letchworth provides flights over Letchworth State Park until November 1. Harris Hill Soaring Center in the Finger Lakes region allows visitors to fly with FAA-certified pilots on weekends through late October.
Mountain coasters like Holiday Valley’s Sky High Mountain Coaster in Ellicottville operate on weekends into late October. Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland features its Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster through early November.
Rail bike tours allow participants to pedal along historic railroad tracks surrounded by fall colors with companies such as Rail Explorers in Cooperstown and Revolution Rail Co., which also hosts pop-up events in Cattaraugus during October weekends.
Several high points across New York offer panoramic views of foliage. Montauk Point Lighthouse on Long Island provides ocean vistas framed by autumn leaves; Ferncliff Forest Fire Tower near Rhinebeck overlooks the Hudson River; Corning Tower’s observation deck in Albany gives birds-eye views of surrounding mountains.
Waterfall viewing is another option for leaf-peepers: Niagara Falls can be seen from various vantage points or boat tours; Taughannock Falls near Ithaca plunges 215 feet past cliffs nearly double that height; Salmon River Falls is accessible via walking trails with overlook areas.
Cruises are available on waterways such as Lake George (offered by Lake George Steamboat Company), Chautauqua Lake (Chautauqua Belle), and among Thousand Islands (Uncle Sam Boat Tours and Clayton Island Tours). Seastreak runs day cruises from New York City along the Hudson River during peak season.
Climbing enthusiasts can visit adventure parks like Wildplay at Thacher Park or Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course for aerial obstacle courses open into late October or early November. Traditional rock climbing is popular at Shawangunk Ridge within Mohonk Preserve; guests staying at Mohonk Mountain House have access to Via Ferrata routes featuring both climbing elements and scenic views.
Driving routes include Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (open through mid-October), Upper Delaware Scenic Byway along the Delaware River between New York and Pennsylvania, Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway commemorating Erie Canal’s bicentennial next year, Great Lakes Seaway Trail covering over 450 miles along major rivers and lakeshores, and Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway through Finger Lakes Wine Country.
In New York City itself, Central Park remains a focal point for fall color displays alongside other green spaces like Fort Tryon Park uptown or Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Botanical gardens—such as Snug Harbor Botanical Garden on Staten Island or Queens Botanical Garden—host seasonal events amid changing foliage; New York Botanical Garden holds its Fall Forest Weekend each November with related activities.
Dining outdoors is encouraged at venues offering local cuisine paired with scenic backdrops: Blue Water Manor’s Tavern on the Lake overlooks Lake George; Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery provides vineyard views in Finger Lakes Wine Country; Indian Ladder Farms biergarten serves craft beverages beside firepits near Albany; Prospect Restaurant & Bar at Scribner’s Lodge features Catskill vistas near Hunter Mountain.
The public is invited to share photos of their experiences using #iSpyNY on social media platforms Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or Facebook.
