It is that time of year again when you can brew up some pumpkin spice lattes, enjoy the crisp air, and find the best things to do in New York in the fall. Let me tell you when the leaves start to change there is no better place to be than in the Empire State. New York in the fall is certainly a magical place not just from the colors but by the plethora of New York fall activities and fun just waiting to be experienced. With only a short window to enjoy all there is to see and do this season let's jump right into it.
New York Fall Foliage: Where To Go In New York For Fall Foliage
New York's fall foliage is among some of the best in the world offering a fiery array of colors from our city parks to the highest mountains. Typically the height of the season peaks around the last week in September and the first week of October. So you have a short time to make the most of it so make sure to make your plan ahead of time to see the best places to visit in New York in the fall.
1. The Adirondack Mountains
- Location: A mountain range in North East New York.
- Wow Factor: These mountains house some of the most beautiful fall colors you have ever seen.
- Need To Know: This is a very remote area in some places so make sure you have a paper map when you lose cell phone reception.
When we first visited New York in the fall, this was the location we chose. I still think this is the best spot in the entire state. The mountains become a canvas for fall colors and everywhere you go you will be treated to some of the greatest fall colors in the east. Some of the best places to visit while you are cruising around the Adirondacks are Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain, and High Fall Gorge. Even if you just want to take a pretty drive there are so many places to just get lost in the beautiful fall landscape. We have found charming little towns, windy mountain roads, and crystal-clear ponds that mirror the surrounding fall foliage. If you are keen on history then find your way to the various covered bridges or witness the Olympic sight all in this cozy mountain oasis.
2. The Catskills Mountains
- Location: South Eastern part of New York
- Wow Factor: Miles and miles of fall colors.
- Need To Know: This is a great place for scenic drives, hiking, and exploring during the fall foliage.
When it comes to beautiful mountains the Catskills Mountains are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places you can go in New York. With miles and miles of mountainous acreage, you will have many places to explore, hike, or just go for a scenic drive. One of my favorite ways to enjoy the foliage is to get out on my own two feet and hike through the forest. The crunchy leaves underfoot as others gracefully drift from the trees to the ground make for an enchanting way to experience any trail. You can witness waterfalls, overlooks, and interesting paths no matter what your skill level is, you owe it to yourself to experience these mountains in the fall.
3. Central Park - New York City
- Location: New York City
- Wow Factor: A fall retreat in the middle of New York City.
- Need To Know: Spend plenty of time in this huge park with loads of pretty trees
The mountains make sense as a go-to fall destination but I bet you wouldn’t have guessed that in the center of the concrete jungle of New York City lies one of the prettiest fall spots. Have you ever been to Central Park in the fall? This brilliantly designed green space in the city comes alive with color in the fall! You can bring a picnic and sit on the lawn of the Sheep Meadow or the North Meadow, make sure you take in all of the sights with places like iconic bridges and waterways reflecting the fiery colors of fall. If you live in the city then make sure you head into the park this season to take in the autumn bliss.
4. The Finger Lake Region
- Location: Just slightly left of the middle of New York state.
- Wow Factor: Lakes, waterfalls, and fall colors!
- Need To Know: Make sure to visit the state parks in the area.
The Finger Lake region of the state holds some of the prettiest views and state parks, but it only gets better during the fall months. Enjoy the crisp air while eyeing an endless horizon of the massive lakes all of which reflect the fall foliage in a stunning array of colors. Places like Taughannock Falls is a must-see in the autumn. This is the tallest waterfall in New York. Taughannock Falls sits in a bowl-shaped canyon and is simply breathtaking. Watkins Glen is wholly different from any other state park I have ever visited; the stone pathways and bridges look amazing with colorful leaves framing every picture taken. These two parks are worth the visit no matter what time of the year.
Best Pumpkin Patches In New York
While the changing trees tend to take the spotlight in the autumn season, we can’t overlook everyone's favorite fall decoration; the humble pumpkin. Here we will dig into some of the best pumpkin patches in New York. So if you have been searching for “Some of the best fall activities near me” Then you are in luck because many of these farms have a lot more than just pumpkins to offer. In fact, each one is worthy of its own day trip.
5. The Great Pumpkin Farm - Clarence
- Location: Clarence, New York.
- Wow Factor: Pumpkins, games, cider donuts, and so much more!
- Need To Know: Weekdays are free, but most activities are on the weekend as well as the cider donuts.
The Great Pumpkin Farm is well, pretty great. It is the biggest fall festival in the region and one of the best places to get many different pumpkins. That's not the only thing for sale either, pick up ghoulish Halloween decorations, and more goodies including freshly made donuts on the weekends. There are many different events each weekend from mid-September till the end of October so make sure to check the calendar of events online before you go. Kids will enjoy the many different carnival rides and activities for them. Bring your family and get lost in the massive corn maze or come back for a terrifying Halloween event. Fall isn’t complete without a visit to The Great Pumpkin Farm.
6. Awald Farms - North Collins
- Location: North Collins New York.
- Wow Factor: Huge pumpkins, like really huge.
- Need To Know: Pick your own pumpkins right from the vine.
If you are looking for big pumpkins and I mean huge pumpkins then there is no better place than Awald Farms. This farm boasts some of the biggest pumpkins in the state some of them up to 200 pounds! Don’t worry, you won’t need to bring along a wheel barrel to bring home a pumpkin because they also have some normal ones too. Walk among the grounds and pick your own right from the vine or pick one out from the collected bunch. While you are there shop at the country store and kids can enjoy a variety of activities like the play area and the corn maze. Awald Farms is all about huge pumpkins and big fun this fall so make sure you pay them a visit.
7. Abbott Farms - Baldwinsville
- Location: Baldwinsville New York.
- Wow Factor: A classic fall festival farm.
- Need To Know: There is an admission price to enter the farm.
Everything you could ever want in a classic fall festival can be found at the lovely Abbott Farms. Apple picking? Check. Corn maze? Check. Pumpkins? Your betcha! Everything you can think you would find at a classic farm festival and so much more can be enjoyed at this amazing farm. Chomp down on a fresh warm cider donut, sip on delicious hard cider, and go on a good old-fashioned wagon ride. Maybe it's just nostalgia but there is something special about a simple harvest festival on a farm and if that same sense of the good old days calls to you then Abbott Farms is waiting to greet you with open arms, and pumpkins!
Best Fall Festivals In New York
From one of the most fantastic light shows of the year to launching pumpkins into the water, the Empire State certainly has very different ways to celebrate the autumn season. Here are some of the best fall festivals in New York state.
8. The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze - Hudson Valley and Long Island
- Location: Hudson Valley and Long Island New York.
- Wow Factor: The most spectacular jack-o-lantern art you’ve ever seen.
- Need To Know: This event is happening in two locations at different times so make sure you know before you go.
The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze is one of the most spectacular displays of carved pumpkins you will ever see. You can imagine the over-the-top Christmas displays and events we have seen over the years but replace the twinkling lights with jack-o-lanterns and you can start to get the idea of what to expect. Years prior they have had some of the most interesting artwork with various themes and it is a real visual spectacle. Some of the pieces are so greatly detailed it is hard to fathom how they accomplished such an incredible masterpiece. Experience the magic yourself this year and get your tickets to The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze.
9. Punkin Chuckin - Clayton
- Location: Clayton New York.
- Wow Factor: Watch pumpkins soar!
- Need To Know: BBQ, yeeting pumpkins, what more could you ask for?
There are two types of people in this world: people who quietly sip a cup of apple cider after admiring their perfectly crafted pumpkin display in the fall, and people who launch pumpkins from a trebuchet. If you line up more with the latter than the former the Punkin Chuckin festival is the place for you. Watch as everyone’s favorite orange fall decoration gets helplessly flung high in the air and into the St. Lawrence River. If that was all that people gathered for then that would be enough but you can also nosh on some of the best BBQ around and enjoy many fun activities and games too! What an event. If you want to celebrate fall a little differently this year then make sure to check out Chuckin Pumpkin.
10. The Oyster Festival - Oyster Bay
- Location: Oyster New York.
- Wow Factor: A cherished fall tradition.
- Need To Know: This is a family-friendly event
Apples and pumpkins get all the attention in the autumn but there is one cherished tradition that has been taking place for over 40 years that dares to be different. The Oyster Festival is a long-standing fall event where you won’t find all of the standard offerings but celebrating love for oysters. At this family-friendly festival, you can enjoy all the things these slurpy shells can give us as well as live entertainment, games, crafts, and so much more. Spend your fall doing something a little bit different this year by attending The Oyster Festival.
Free & Cheap New York Fall Activities
If it's free it's for me! Some of the best things in life won't cost you a single cent and that's what I am all about. Getting in the car and finding our way to the best places to visit in New York in the fall is a dream come true and I am going to show you some of those places. So let's get ready to have a super fun weekend trip without breaking the bank.
11. Take A Scenic Drive
- Location: All over New York.
- Wow Factor: Enjoy the colors of fall.
- Need To Know: Find some of the best places to drive and take a trip through the countryside.
We took a trip specifically to New York one year just to enjoy the fall colors. We loved it so much we went back again! I am pretty partial to the Adirondacks when it comes to the fall season. I was just blown away by the colors in an area teeming with wild expeditions at every turn. It was a spontaneous trip and so finding a covered bridge or a hidden waterfall was an absolute delight. This isn’t the only spot in the state for a cruise but there are plenty of amazing scenic drives in New York, find one near you and hit the road for a trip.
12. Visit A State Park
- Location: All over New York.
- Wow Factor: Some of the best of the natural wonders lie within the New York park’s system.
- Need To Know: Most state parks do charge a small fee to enter.
New York State Parks hold within them some of the most amazing natural wonders in the world let alone in the state. This is the perfect place to get out and experience the beauty of fall by taking a hike, watching a breathtaking waterfall, or taking a calming break at an overlook. I would suggest visiting Letchworth State Park which is known as the Grand Canyon of the east. This massive gorge houses show-stopping waterfalls and views that are simply unreal. The colors in the trees pop all along the canyon and it is one of the best state parks in New York, however, there are plenty of great finds across the state so find your way to your favorite this fall.
13. Take A Hike
- Location: All over New York.
- Wow Factor: Seeing the fall foliage from a distance is amazing but immersing yourself in the forest is wholly different.
- Need To Know: Practice all the standard hiking safety rules while out and exploring.
If you are an avid hiker like me then chances are you already have a bucket list a mile long of trails you want to go on. You should see the lists I have piled up on my AllTrails app, trust me it's a big list. That being said fall is one of the best times to get outside and enjoy the trails. The weather starts to cool off making a difficult climb a little bit more enjoyable. Whether you are taking a stroll through a wooded park or you scale a mountain taking a hike is one of the greatest ways to experience fall foliage. Take a look at some of the best hikes in New York and maybe you can add some to your bucket list.
14. Fall Camping
- Location: All over New York.
- Wow Factor: Crisp air, campfires, and colorful trees.
- Need To Know: Dress real warm.
Just picture this, the air has a certain coolness to it that you can feel in the light breeze. You find comfort and warmth near the campfire and the mug of coffee that your hands clasped tightly. The aroma of the wafting smoke fills your nostrils and in the background, as the sun is setting you see the slight movement of leaves rustling in the breeze. This is the beauty of camping in the fall. It sounds pretty nice, doesn’t it? I always say there is no such thing as bad weather just bad choice in clothing so bundle up and fully immerse yourself in nature on a camping trip. If that doesn’t sound like your cup of apple cider tea, then rent out a cabin. There are so many great places to go camping in New York so find the best one for you and take a trip.
15. Visit A Farm
- Location: All over New York.
- Wow Factor: Charming farms during harvest time is a classic fall activity.
- Need To Know: Some farms charge for admission during certain fall events.
Rural farmlands are always nostalgic to me. With grandparents who owned a farm in New England, there is something special about visiting these agricultural powerhouses during the autumn season. Finding awesome farms in New York isn’t hard but picking one might be. I love apple orchards the most, there is nothing like picking your own apples. Bonus points if the place has fun animals to interact with too. So find your way out to the countryside and visit this timeless tradition.
I can tell you firsthand that there are many fun things to do in New York in the fall. I have very fond memories of my time spent in the Empire State, from chasing waterfalls to scenic fall drives. There is no denying that this is a state blessed with a pretty amazing autumn season. So get outside and enjoy everything that New York has to offer this fall.
During one of my trips to upstate New York, we stumbled upon Roaring Brook Falls, it's a pretty fun adventure so make sure you also check out that story too.
Can't get enough of the fall season? Take the smell of the outdoors inside with you with this pumpkin patch potpourri.
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