10 Beautiful Spots to See Fall Foliage in New York State This Year

If you live in New York City—even if you're just passing through—you're probably clamoring for a way to escape the urban jungle and breathe some fresh air on weekends. There's no better time to head upstate than the fall, when drives through Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and up to the Finger Lakes have never been more scenic. Plan your Instagramming with a little help from this interactive fall foliage map and our picks of some of the most beautiful spots to see fall foliage in New York state this year.
- Getty
Greater Niagara
We've all heard of Niagara Falls, but the region also has some serious fall foliage game. Devil’s Hole State Park and Whirlpool State Park both offer several miles of panoramic views of the scenic Lower Niagara River gorge, while nearby Letchworth State Park has been dubbed "the Grand Canyon of the East."
Peak foliage: Second and third weeks of October
- Alamy
Thousand Islands-Seaway
Head way north to Scenic View Park in Alexandria Bay, which overlooks the islands—and lavish homes—of Millionaire’s Row. The excellent vantage point of the famed Boldt Castle is a particular perk. Originally a private mansion built by the general manager of NYC's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, the castle is one of the major attractions in the region today.
Peak foliage: First and second weeks of October
- Alamy
Capital-Saratoga Region
Near Albany and Saratoga Springs, the scenic overlook at John Boyd Thacher State Park in Voorheesville offers stunning views of the Hudson-Mohawk lowlands, including the southern Adirondacks. The park has more than 140 camping sites, so go ahead and make a weekend out of it.
Peak foliage: Second week of October
- Getty
The Adirondacks
If you want an aerial view of that foliage, Whiteface Mountain has a 4,867-foot summit—the fifth-highest in New York—reachable either by car (Memorial Highway) or gondola (Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride at Whiteface Mountain Ski Center).
Peak foliage: First week of October
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Courtesy Empire State Development
Finger Lakes
It may not be ski season (...yet), but the chairlifts at Bristol Mountain Ski Resort, about 30 miles southwest of Rochester, provide a terrific view of the valleys all year round. As an added bonus, you can always sip some crazy good wine if the weather gets too chilly.
Peak foliage: Second and third weeks of October
- Getty
Catskills
Take Route 23A to the hamlet of Haines Falls, where you'll find the highest cascades in New York state—Kaaterskill Falls. A network of hiking trails (of varying degrees of difficulty) provide a number of lookout points over the Hudson Valley.
Peak foliage: Second and third weeks of October
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Getty
Hudson Valley
If you're up for a little exercise and fresh air, grab your favorite pair of boots and head out to the area around New Paltz in the Hudson Valley. Climb up to Skytop Tower at Lake Mohonk (off Route 299), where you'll be able to see reds, oranges, and yellows spreading out over not one, but six states.
Peak foliage: Second and third weeks of October
- Courtesy Empire State Development
Central New York
The name may make you smile, but the views will make you gasp: Vroman’s Nose (off Route 30 near Middleburgh) offers a short uphill hike and breathtaking views of Schoharie Valley and the northern Catskill Mountains.
Peak foliage: Second and third weeks of October
- ShoppingA New Season of The White Lotus Just Dropped, Along With a Ton of CollaborationsParis Wilson
- Courtesy Empire State Development
Long Island
Planting Fields Arboretum is a 409-acre former estate comprised of greenhouses, rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodland paths, and marked plant collections. Here you’ll find maples, dogwoods, tupelos, and the famed golden larch. In other words? Leaves, leaves, leaves.
Peak foliage: Third and fourth weeks of October
- Courtesy Empire State Development
Chautauqua-Allegheny
Leaf-peepers, plug this into your GPS and never look back: Allegany State Park (Exit 21 off Route 86) offers a notable lake view featuring spectacular fall foliage. There is also an overlook pull-off on the road into the park with photo opps of the valley and the city of Salamanca.
Peak foliage: Third week of October