Adirondacks/North Country
Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and Warren Counties including the cities of Plattsburgh and Glens Falls and the villages of Lake George, Lake Placid and Speculator.
In autumn, the trees light up the countryside with hues of amber, yellow and crimson. Hiking, biking, scenic driving, rafting, scenic cruises and horseback riding are superb ways to enjoy the fall colors in the Adirondacks/North Country. The Plattsburgh-Lake Champlain region continues to be discovered by people in search of a new world. This majestically beautiful, uniquely cosmopolitan region is scenically spectacular in the fall. Its close proximity to Lake Placid and Burlington, VT make it an ideal area to include on your itinerary every autumn. If you’re an art lover, the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council hosts its Fall Festival each autumn, featuring a pre-holiday juried art and craft show with approximately 60 exhibitors and attracting nearly 2,500 visitors.
Capital Region
Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington Counties including the cities of Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Troy and the towns of Bethlehem, Colonie, Guilderland, Greenwich, Mechanicville and Schoharie.
What could be better than spending a fall afternoon apple picking in the Capital Region? Pack bushels and bushels of your favorites, since most orchards have all different varieties. Afterwards, indulge in homemade apple cider, soft and sugary cider donuts. Perhaps you’d like to take in the fresh, crisp and cool autumn air by going hiking at one of the nearby state parks. No matter where you go, being outside and seeing the fall foliage is sure to satisfy. Fall is also the season to bring the whole family to a local pumpkin patch. Pick out the perfect pumpkin, take an old-fashioned tractor-pulled hay-ride or haunted ride and run through a twisted corn maze. It’s fun for kids, and for the kid in all of us.
Hudson Valley
Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange and Ulster Counties including the cities of Hudson, Kingston, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie and the town of New Paltz.
As summer turns to fall, the Hudson Valley offers visitors a plethora of outdoor activities. Visit Taconic State Park, where there’s fishing, an extensive trail system offering biking and nature trails, and camping through November. For wine connoisseurs, the Hudson-Chatham Winery celebrates the spirit of the Hudson Valley’s –– and New York state’s –– agricultural and historical heritage, offering tastings of several wines, as well as local and 100 percent natural maple syrups, cheeses, jams, chutneys and balsamic vinegar. On Columbus Day weekend, the Columbia County Council on the Arts hosts an ArtsWalk showcasing the work of Columbia County’s visual artists, attracting more than 6,000 visitors to see over 120 art exhibits and demonstrations, as well as concerts, dance performances, poetry readings, lectures, and related happenings along Warren Street in Hudson.
Mohawk Valley
Herkimer, Fulton and Montgomery Counties including the cities of Amsterdam, Gloversville, Herkimer, Johnstown and Little Falls.
The Mohawk Valley in the fall is home to mountains made for climbing, streams made for fishing and trails made for hiking. Fall is the most colorful time of the year bringing parades, craft fairs, and harvest festivals. Leaf peeping showcases the oranges, reds, and yellows of the season and are something you cannot miss! When leaf peeping in Montgomery County, stop at the corn mazes, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches for all of your harvest needs. Farm markets have maple products, jams, jellies, and occasionally local Amish goods. Walking the Canalway Trail, Wintergreen Park and Gorge, or the Charleston State Forest is a sight to see with the change of the leaves.