New York State is home to one of the most vivid autumns in the world! Whether you prefer a hot air balloon ride above roaring waterfalls, an exhilarating hike to a fire tower in the Catskills, or a relaxing foliage cruise on the Hudson River, there are all kinds of unbe-leaf-able ways to experience fall’s vibrant colors firsthand. Check out the Fall Foliage Report for weekly updates and read on for some of the best spots to soak up the season’s most breathtaking views. Photo credit: @beautifulmoments514 on Instagram

Discover Foliage on a Fall Hike in New York State

Not only is hiking a great way to spend time outdoors, it’s the perfect way to surround yourself with spectacular fall colors. In the Catskills, a moderate one-mile hike to Mount Utsayantha promises several amazing view points at the summit. The 2.8-mile, moderate Castle Rock Trail (pictured) in the Adirondacks’ Sargent Ponds Wild Forest offers a one-of-a-kind vista 700 feet above Blue Mountain Lake, plus some excellent spots for birdwatching. The Mashomack Preserve on Long Island’s Shelter Island is home to more than 2,350 acres of diverse habitats for plants and animals and 11 miles of coastline. Try the Green Trail for an easy stroll through woodlands, wetlands, and along the water. Gaze up at a majestic 150-foot waterfall along the one-mile trail in the High Falls Conservation Area, just 20 minutes outside of Hudson. 

Looking for more ideas? Check out 10 New York Hikes You Need to Take This Fall.

Embark on a Fall Foliage Train Ride in New York State

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All aboard! A magical fall foliage train ride awaits. Adventure through the remote forests and sparkling rivers of Adirondack Park with the Adirondack Railroad (pictured), offering fall train rides to Old Forge from Utica’s Union Station. In Kingston, the Catskill Mountain Railroad promises vibrant colors on a ride up Hurley Mountain. Unlock superb scenery and rich history on a picturesque ride through the Susquehanna River Valley aboard the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad. The Arcade & Attica Railroad in the Greater Niagara region takes guests on a journey through railroad history and foliage with their scenic excursions.

Discover even more ways to Explore Fall Foliage in New York State by Train.

Enjoy Fall Foliage Views on a Scenic Skyride

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Bring your foliage sightings to new heights with a scenic skyride! 40 minutes outside of Lake George at Gore Mountain, you can enjoy stunning overhead views of the Adirondacks from the eight-person gondola cabin (open through October 12). At Whiteface Mountain (pictured), you can take a 15-minute ride from the base of the mountain to the peak of Little Whiteface in the Cloudsplitter Gondola (open Friday-Sundays through October 12, and October 13). Holiday Valley’s Spruce Lake Chairlift (open through October 26) showcases fall hues along Chautauqua-Allegheny’s Enchanted Mountains. Once you get to the top, there are hiking and mountain biking trails to explore! The Mardi Gras lift will also be open for Fall Festival weekend on October 11-12 and 18. For vibrant autumn colors in the Catskill Mountains, try the Kaatskill Flyer (open through October 19) which takes you to the summit of Hunter Mountain. 

Take Off on a Fall Foliage Air Adventure

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Ready to let your fall adventures quite literally take flight? Southern Tier Balloon Company offers hot air balloon rides from Binghamton, Ithaca, and Owego year-round, where you’ll admire foliage from a vantage point unlike any other. Letchworth State Park (pictured) is truly a wonder no matter the season, but especially when fall colors sweep over the “Grand Canyon of the East.” For a once-and-a-lifetime experience, take a hot air balloon ride over stunning scenery with Balloons Over Letchworth, open through November 1. Ever flown in a high-performance glider? At Harris Hill Soaring Center, FAA certified pilots will fly you over the scenic Finger Lakes from their ASK-21 two-seater glider (offered weekends through late October). Be sure to stop over at the National Soaring Museum right next door before you go. 

Catch Thrills and Foliage Views on New York’s Mountain Coasters 

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Mountain coasters offer a unique chance to soak up scenery while you zoom down a mountain! In Ellicottville, enjoy thrills for the whole family on Holiday Valley’s Sky High Mountain Coaster (open Friday-Sunday through October 12, and weekends from October 18-October 26). Discover stunning views of the Finger Lakes aboard the Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster (open through November 2) at Greek Peak Mountain Resort in Cortland. The Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg (pictured) (currently closed for renovations this fall) in Lake Placid runs alongside the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games bobsledding track, plus it’s the longest coaster in North America!

Pedal Through Foliage on a Rail Bike Tour

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If you’re craving an adventure on the milder side, rail bikes are for you. Pedal at your own pace as you explore vibrant fall hues and natural scenery galore on historic railroad tracks with Rail Explorers in Cooperstown and the Catskills. There’s also a variety of themed rides like the Apple Cider Slider, Count-track-ula Haunted Express, Mt. Tremper Harvest Run, and more. Journey into the Adirondack forest on the former tracks of the Adirondack Branch of the D&H Railroad with Revolution Rail Co. (open through November 16). They’re also holding a pop-up rail bike experience in Cattaraugus for three weekends only (October 3-5, 10-12, 17-19), where you can take in the beauty of the Cattaraugus Creek and Zoar Valley. 

Soak Up Foliage from New York’s High Points

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Head out to New York’s easternmost point, where you’ll find the state’s oldest lighthouse, the Montauk Point Lighthouse (pictured). At the top, 360 degree views of bright fall colors against the Atlantic Ocean await. In Rhinebeck, plan to hike to the top of the Ferncliff Forest Fire Tower for superb leaf-peeping and unbeatable views of the Hudson River, Catskills Mountains, and Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. West Point’s Trophy Point, a scenic overlook of the Hudson River Valley, is ideal for highland vistas. For a free birds-eye-view of the Catskills and Helderberg Mountains, head to the observation deck at the 42-story Corning Tower in Albany’s Empire State Plaza. 

Chase Waterfalls to Stunning Fall Foliage Views

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Fall for a waterfall this season! Unlock panoramic views of the world-famous Niagara Falls immersed in fall colors from the Observation Tower or get up close on a Maid of the Mist Boat Tour or Cave of the Winds tour. Just outside of Ithaca is New York’s highest waterfall, Taughannock Falls (pictured), plunging 215 feet past rocky cliffs that tower nearly 400 feet above the gorge. Follow the Gorge or Rim Trails to experience its splendor, or admire the view from the overlook, which also features a viewfinder with an En-Chroma lens, so those who are colorblind can soak up autumn’s vibrant hues. Salmon River Falls tumbles down 110 feet into the pristine Salmon River Corridor in the Thousand Islands-Seaway and can be accessed from the scenic walking trail, featuring two overlook areas for fall photos. 

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Not much beats a day out on the water surrounded by fall colors! Seastreak offers fall foliage day cruises from New York City to stops along the Hudson River while Lake George Steamboat Company (pictured) showcases autumn colors around the Queen of American Lakes on a variety of sightseeing, sunset, and dinner cruises. The Chautauqua Belle is the largest and most historic vessel cruising Chautauqua Lake, offering gorgeous fall colors on a narrated historical tour through October 18. A fall cruise in the Thousand Islands is truly a must-do when each of the 1,800+ islands are blanketed in reds and oranges. Uncle Sam Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay and Clayton Island Tours (open through October 13) in Clayton both offer cruises to Millionaires Row, Boldt Castle, and Singer Castle. 

Check out Fall Foliage Cruises to Book this Autumn in New York State for even more ways to explore fall foliage by water.

Reach New Heights on a Fall Climbing Adventure

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For adrenaline enthusiasts who prefer to climb through their foliage, there’s a fall adventure for you too! At Wildplay at Thacher Park (pictured) in the Capital-Saratoga region, you can maneuver across tightropes, cargo nets, fly through the air on rope swings or ziplines, and more through October 26. Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course is open weekends through November 1, with a tree-top challenge obstacle course and six aerial adventure courses with 120 obstacles.

Rock climbers can head to the cliffs of the Shawangunk Ridge for world-class climbing at the Mohonk Preserve or hire an expert to guide you through your climb. For the ultimate climbing experience, stay over at the Mohonk Mountain House for access to the Via Ferrata, a unique experience offering a blend of rock climbing, cable traverses, and aerial staircases featuring stunning fall landscapes. 

Foliage-lined open roads await along New York’s scenic byways. Journey up to the summit of the state’s fifth-highest peak and unlock unforgettable views of the High Peaks and Lake Placid along the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, open through October 13. The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (pictured) in the Catskills is known as one of the most scenic highways in the east, running along the Delaware River and border between New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. 2025 marks the Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary, so commemorate this milestone with a drive along Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway that runs along the Mohawk River and Erie Canal from Waterford to Schenectady.

One of the first designated national scenic byways, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail stretches 454-miles along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River, and Lake Erie, showcasing quaint villages, lighthouses, rolling farmland, and vibrant cities in the Thousand Islands-Seaway, Finger Lakes, Greater Niagara, and Chautauqua-Allegheny regions. Drive through Finger Lakes Wine Country along the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, highlighting waterfalls, sprawling countrysides, and superb wineries. 

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If you think New York City is all concrete jungle, think again! Central Park is well-known for its gorgeous foliage. Spots like Bow Bridge, Bethesda Fountain, Pond, and Mall offer fantastic photo ops. Uptown, the 67-acre Fort Tryon Park is another great spot for fall colors with  stunning river views. Prospect Park (pictured) in Brooklyn is magical this time of year. Follow the park’s walking trails for a relaxing fall stroll or explore foliage on wheels with a CitiBike or bike rental.

Foliage enthusiasts and plant lovers alike may want to stop at one of the city’s botanical gardens, where you’ll find colorful leaves and autumnal blooms. The 83-acre Snug Harbor Botanical Garden on Staten Island is home to nine gardens, 10 acres of wetlands, and 23 historical buildings to explore, and the Queens Botanical Garden offers fall bird walk events throughout their 39-acre campus. In the Bronx, the New York Botanical Garden houses the city’s largest remaining tract of old-growth woodland, which comes alive each year with reds, oranges, and yellows. The garden also holds a Fall Forest Weekend from November 1-2 with activities, tours, and educational demonstrations.

Cheers to Outdoor dining Surrounded by New York Foliage

Harvest season flavors are best enjoyed al fresco! In Bolton Landing, Blue Water Manor’s Tavern on the Lake serves handcrafted dishes from their outdoor patio, where you can soak up amazing views of Lake George surrounded by the colorful Adirondacks. Venture into Finger Lakes Wine Country to sip award-winning wine alongside vineyard views at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. Cozy up next to one of the firepits at the biergarten at Indian Ladder Farms (pictured) while you relax with a local craft beverage and pizza from DeFazio’s. For panoramic Catskill views right by Hunter Mountain, try Prospect Restaurant & Bar at Scribner’s Lodge. The back deck is the perfect spot to unwind with New American fare and cozy fire pits.

Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram and X with #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!