Flowers and foliage flourish every fall in New York State’s many arboretums and gardens. Stroll the winding and lakeside paths of Innisfree Garden in Millbrook, take in panoramic views of the Schoharie Valley at the Landis Arboretum in Esperance, or wander through the Cornell Botanic Gardens in Ithaca, within the idyllic grounds of an Ivy League campus. Whether you’re a plant lover, a photographer, or in search of the picture-perfect fall backdrop, these botanical beauties offer spectacular seasonal scenery across New York State.

Adirondacks

King’s Garden

Photo courtesy of Fort Ticonderoga

From the shores of Lake Champlain to the summit of Mount Defiance, Fort Ticonderoga offers breathtaking views at every turn. This fall, visit the fort and its 6-acre King’s Garden, where autumn illuminates the landscape’s storied past, heritage flowers, and sustainable agricultural practices. Set against the radiant backdrop of the Adirondack and Green Mountains, King’s Garden is truly a royal sight. You can enjoy fall activities on-site including apple picking, finding your way through a corn maze, hiking, and more. Ticonderoga; Admission ranges from $14-$30; open through October 26.

Capital-Saratoga

Pine Hollow Arboretum

Photo courtesy of Pine Hollow Arboretum

Just five miles from downtown Albany lives an outdoor oasis, the Pine Hollow Arboretum. The 25-acre nature preserve dedicated to the beauty and science of trees is home to a living collection of over 3,300 unique trees, shrubs, and woody plants from around the world. Take a jaunt along the natural succession forest where you’ll encounter 12 ponds, and endless fall photo ops of colorful tree varieties including dawn redwood, black gum, bald cypress, gingko, and magnolia. On October 11, join an expert arborist and garden consultant for Tree ID 101 and Tree Folklore workshops ($30/person), designed to sharpen your observational skills, deepen your knowledge of tree identification, and learn how trees have shaped the history of humanity. Slingerlands; Free admission.

Congress Park

Congress Park in Saratoga Springs is a must-visit scene in a must-visit city. With landscaped grounds featuring elegant statuary, flowing fountains, and peaceful picnic spots, the park is rich in color, charm, and history. Stroll past Grecian pavilions, Italian-style gardens, famed mineral springs, and even a working carousel and historic former casino. Stick around on select October evenings for ghosts of Saratoga guided trolley tours ($10-$25/person) that meander through Congress Park and other notable spots in the city. Saratoga Springs; Free admission.

Catskills

Mountain Top Arboretum

Tucked away in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, you’ll find the 200-acre Mountain Top Arboretum, perched 2,400 feet above the New York City Watershed. Explore the vast collection of cold-hardy trees and plants native to the northeastern United States and discover the vibrant colors of the season along trails and boardwalks that connect meadows, wetlands, forests, and Devonian bedrock throughout four distinct areas—West Meadow, Woodland Walk, East Meadow, and Spruce Glen.  On October 26, you can connect with nature and deepen your sense of presence during a guided Forest Bathing experience ($10/person). Tannersville; Free admission.

Central NY

Landis Arboretum

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Overlooking the scenic Schoharie and Mohawk valleys, Landis Arboretum offers more than 15 miles of hiking trails that wind through woodlands, open fields, wetlands, and other natural areas filled with plants native to New York and from around the world. Trek into total tranquility at the Shanti Vun Meditation Garden, where you can enjoy the sounds of the waterfall in the garden pond or unwind in the covered pavilion. Rise with the sun and the birds for the Second Annual Landis Big Sit Bird Watch ($15/person) on October 12, a perfect time to experience the Arboretum’s wildlife activity under the autumn canopy. Esperance; Free admission.

Cutler Botanic Garden

Photo courtesy of Cutler Botanic Garden

Across five acres you’ll encounter 14 themed areas, surrounded by an abundance of colorful sugar and red maples. The ornamental grass collection reaches peak bloom in autumn, while perennial parts of the garden feature mums, Montauk daisy, and fall-blooming native plants like New England aster and goldenrod. If you’re visiting the garden on a Saturday you’ll also get to peruse the Broome County Regional Farmers Market, conveniently on the same campus. Binghamton; Free admission.

Chautauqua-Allegeny

Chautauqua Institution Garden

After the esteemed nine-week summer season ends, the Chautauqua Institution continues to offer seasonal splendor into the fall. Walk around the beautifully maintained grounds, taking in vibrant foliage and charming architecture, and explore over 30 self-guided nature tours highlighting the area’s birds, gardens, trees, and lake. On the evening of October 25, stay for Oktoberfest ($56/person) at the venue’s Athenaeum Hotel, where you can savor authentic German cuisine in a festive setting. Chautauqua; Free admission.

Nannen Arboretum

Drift into the quaint outdoor oasis of Ellicottville for a visit to the Nannen Arboretum. Meander under an arbor of bonfire sugar maple, autumn flame maple, and conifer trees as you breathe in floral and fall smells. Eight idyllic acres envelope over 200 trees and shrubs, a lake, a replica of a 500 year old Japanese Stone Garden, a perennial flower garden, and a 13-bed herb garden. Ellicottville; Free admission.

Finger Lakes

F.R. Newman Arboretum

Visit the #1 most beautiful college arboretum, the F.R. Newman Arboretum at Cornell Botanic Gardens! Slip into a serene setting and living laboratory for the study of regional and global flora. The gardens are made up of three distinct areas: cultivated gardens, an arboretum, and natural areas, each presenting a unique perspective of the landscape. Fall foliage is on full display throughout the arboretum, Beebe Lake Natural Area, and among the Freeman Maples in the gardens. Ithaca; Free admission. 

Sycamore Hill Gardens

Just ten minutes from Skaneateles, you’ll come upon Sycamore Hill Gardens, a 40-acre property consisting of unique trees, shrubs, perennials, and various blooms. The gardens are thoughtfully divided into distinct areas, showcasing Asian and European statuary, koi ponds, meticulous stonework, a formal garden, hedge maze, and open spaces with sweeping views. Beyond the gardens, over 10,000 native trees, 10,000 shrubs, and 180 acres of grassland have been planted on the area which was once farmland, creating a thriving habitat for local wildlife. Marcellus; $45/per vehicle; Open by reservation only.

Greater Niagara

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Nestled within the 156-acre South Park is one of Frederick Law Olmsted’s famed park designs, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. This 12-acre botanical treasure has its own arboretum and easy access to another sprawling fall arboretum throughout the expansive park. Marvel at the outdoor ambiance, or step inside the iconic glass conservatory to explore a lush world of tropical plants. Twelve interconnected greenhouses showcase a global collection of flora, and through November 2 you can tour the Topiary Tales exhibit, a whimsical woodland forest, filled with larger-than-life animal topiaries made from plants and other natural materials. Buffalo; Admission ranges from $9.50-$18. 

Hudson Valley

Boscobel House and Gardens

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Bask in the beauty and history of Boscobel Gardens, situated on the grounds of an esteemed Historic House Museum showcasing one of the nation’s finest collections of Federal-period decorative arts. Set on 68 acres in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Boscobel offers “million dollar views” of the Hudson Highlands, Constitution Marsh, and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Stroll through pollinator-friendly gardens, hike a picturesque one-mile woodland trail, and uncover the storied past of the Neoclassical house and its outbuildings. Don’t miss Applefest ($13-$24/person), a festive celebration of fall and America’s heirloom apple heritage in Boscobel’s own orchard. Garrison; Admission ranges from $7-$14; Open Fridays-Mondays.

Innisfree Gardens

Credit: @jrtpics on Instagram

If you’re seeking a majestic masterpiece of landscape design, Innisfree Garden is a must-visit destination. The 185-acre garden is inspired by Chinese and Japanese garden traditions, Modernism, Romanticism, and the connection of nature and ecology. The focal point is a series of carefully curated “cup gardens”, woven into the overall landscape and highlighted by a 40-acre lake, sculptural rocks, and specimen trees. Throughout the season, you can take part in a curator’s tour, Qigong for autumn, sunrise in the garden, and looking at nature. Millbrook; Admission ranges from $5-$10; Open through November 2.

Untermyer Gardens

Photo courtesy of John Jacono

Exceptional horticulture, monumental architecture, and multicultural design blend in a natural setting overlooking the Hudson River at Untermyer Gardens. Venture to the Vista and Temple of Love for enchanting autumn views of the Palisades draped in color set against iconic architecture. Mosey the 43-acre garden, featuring a variety of trees that shine in the season, especially the katsura trees, whose apricot-colored leaves give off scents reminiscent of French toast or cotton candy when they fall to the ground. Yonkers; Free admission.

Long Island

Planting Fields Arboretum

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Wander through 22 stunning gardens, two greenhouses, and miles of scenic woodland paths across 409 acres of historic Gold Coast estate grounds. Planting Fields Arboretum is home to more than 400 species of plants and trees, and the flora is brimming with colorful dahlias, beautyberry, and goldenrod. For a tropical escape, step inside the Main Greenhouse, and afterward take the one-mile scenic stroll to the Carshalton Gates which are framed by fiery leaves, making for a perfect picture. Mark your calendar for October 25 for the Halloween Spooktacular Fall 5K! Breathe in the crisp air as you run through peak foliage at the Olmsted-designed landscape. Oyster Bay; Admission is $8/per vehicle on weekends through November 16, otherwise admission is free.

Old Westbury Gardens

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Marvel at a magnificent Charles II-style mansion set on 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds, and lakes. Revel in rare plant species, including foxgloves, delphiniums, and others that are not usually found in public gardens. The grounds at this elegant English manor have remained largely untouched since the original owners called it home. Make sure to stop for a photo op at the Temple of Love, framed by falls finest foliage as it overlooks the pond and mansion in the distance. Another autumn centerpiece of the gardens is an American beech planted in 1906, and the blooming chrysanthemums and dahlias. Find your inner zen with weekly seasonal events like Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pumpkin Painting in the gardens, and signature events including a Garden Harvest on October 10, dog-friendly weekend, and trick-or-treating in the gardens, both on October 25. Old Westbury; Admission ranges from $8-$18; Open through October 31.

NYC

New York Botanical Garden

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This 250-acre iconic oasis in the Bronx has welcomed millions since 1891, offering a timeless connection to the respite of nature. Wander through carefully curated gardens and discover highlights like the Thain Family Forest, New York’s largest remaining old-growth woodland and setting of Fall Forest Weekend (November 1–2). In autumn, the Perennial Garden glows in shades of orange, red, purple, and yellow. Take a scenic seasonal walk and enjoy the best events of autumn on tap. Bronx; Admission ranges from $15-$39.

Wave Hill

Credit: @wavehill on Instagram

Perched along the Hudson River in the Bronx, the 28-acre Wave Hill garden and cultural center offers some of the best autumn scenery in the city. With sweeping views of the Palisades and river, the gardens put on a spectacular show highlighted by towering trees, woodlands, grandiose gardens and greenhouses. Attend a variety of seasonal events including garden walks, yoga in the garden, Fall Foliage: Accessible Views from the Garden, Notable Trees of Wave Hill, Arboreal Giants: The Hunt for New York’s Oldest Trees, Fall Terrace Party, and Fiery Fall Sunset Yoga. Bronx; Admission ranges from $4-$10 and is free every Thursday.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Credit: Tagger Yancey IV/NYC & Company

Spread across 52 acres of lush landscapes, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden boasts over 12,000 plant species from around the globe. Autumn is prime time to visit, specifically the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, where Japanese maples thrive in rich shades of red and purple, and cutleaf maples transition from golden yellow to deep reddish orange. Throughout the Shakespeare, Water, and Discovery Gardens, you’ll find starlike asters in bloom, while the Herb Garden offers an abundance of pumpkins and squash. To experience the full beauty of the season, join a garden-wide Seasonal Highlights Tour, offered through October 31. Brooklyn; Admission ranges from $16-$22. 

Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden

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History, nature, and the arts converge across 83 alluring acres at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden in Staten Island. Originally a 19th-century home for retired sailors, it has been transformed into an all-season destination showcasing 28 historic buildings, 14 botanical gardens, wetlands, parkland, and a two-acre urban farm. In the fall, the grounds burst with brilliant foliage, especially in the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Healing Garden, and RCSF Tuscan Garden. Nearby, the hillside Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art offers a tranquil retreat and seasonal scenery. Check out their calendar of events to book a festive tour. Staten Island; Free admission to main grounds and gardens, Chinese Scholar’s Garden admission ranges from $4-$5.