New England is famous for fall foliage and festivals. To catch the peak of color and festivities, the trick is to zero in where and when.
Peak foliage typically begins in northern Maine and the White Mountains in mid-September before moving southward through October. Coastal Connecticut and Rhode Island often peak in late October to early November (see: newengland.com/foliage/foliage/peak-fall-foliage-map).
Vermont
Vermont’s Green Mountains rank among best places in the country for fall foliage with peak viewing typically moving from north to south between mid-September and mid-October. Among the best foliage locations:
Route 100: A scenic 200-mile highway passing through the heart of the state with mountain vistas and quiet villages.
Manchester: A historic southern Vermont village offering stunning views near Mount Equinox.
Stowe: A famous mountain town known for brilliant autumn palettes and top-tier hiking trails.
The Stowe-liage Foliage Package at Topnotch Resort includes a $100 nightly resort credit to use at the Topnotch Spa, Tennis Center or dining at the resort’s two restaurants. Rates start at $324/night. Available for travel through Nov. 30 (www.topnotchresort.com/packages-specials).
Okemo Valley Fall Foliage Train & Pop‑Up Fall Festival, Oct. 3-4: Step into Vermont’s most enchanting season aboard a vintage foliagetrain, where nearly an hour of scenic mountain views, brilliant color, and old‑fashioned rail charm create an unforgettable autumn adventure. (https://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/foliage-train/)
Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)’s Interactive Fall Foliage Map provides updates and forecasts on peak foliage conditions at DCR properties across the state. You can select calendar dates to see which sections of the state and specific DCR properties will experience peak fall colors. Most of the state peaks by mid-October; the higher elevations in the Berkshires start showing vibrant color by early October.
Here are some of the best foliage destinations:
The Berkshires features mountainous views. Key spots include Mount Greylock (the state’s highest peak) and the scenic towns of Lenox and North Adams.
The Mohawk Trail: Known as Route 2, this historic byway takes you through dramatic mountain passes, state forests, and small towns like Shelburne Falls.
Pioneer Valley: Running along the Connecticut River Scenic Byway, this area offers rolling farmlands, orchards, and historic Deerfield.
Lexington and Concord: Located in the Greater Merrimack Valley, these Revolutionary War towns pair vibrant autumn leaves with iconic American history during America’s 250th.
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a 12.7 mile long biking and walking trail that runs through Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams, with spots along Cheshire Reservoir and Hoosic River providing excellent views.
Pittsfield State Forest, 1041 Cascade St., Pittsfield, offers an extensive hiking trail network, including the Taconic Crest Trail.
Nickerson State Park, 3488 Main St., Brewster,Cape Cod): Enjoy an easy 1.7-mile hike on the loop around Little Cliff Pond, a long and narrow 33-acre natural kettlehole pond, where the shoreline is largely wooded with pitch pines and scrub oaks, with occasional sandy beaches. Cape Cod also affords an outstanding network of biking trails, including the Shining Sea and Cape Cod Canal.
One of the notable festivals: Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, Sept.18 – Oct. 4, is the third largest agricultural fair in the U.S., with a mind-boggling array of food (BBQ brisket sundae, anyone?), midway rides, big-name music acts, a farmers’ market, and those amazing butter sculptures. The horse, dog, and farm animal shows draw competitors from all over (thebige.com)
Connecticut’s Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) interactive fall foliage report map forecasts the progression of color across the state. Peak foliage is predicted to arrive in the northeast and northwest corners of the state around Columbus Day and extend to the lower Connecticut River Valley and shoreline through early November (https://ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-fall-foliage-report).
Peak foliage runs for several weeks in Connecticut due to diversified terrain and variety of trees, offering more opportunities to experience the autumn beauty. The Connecticut River, starting at the mouth of the Long Island Sound (between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme) and going up toward East Haddam, changes color last – into the first week of November.
A great way to enjoy the fall foliage is biking or hiking. The Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FCHT), a partially paved trail running from New Haven CT north into Massachusetts. Historic buildings, canal locks, the remains of canal aqueducts and other landmarks are evident as the trail meanders along abandoned rail corridors and canal tow paths. The 56 miles of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail (FCHT) and the 18 miles of the Farmington River Trail constitute the most picturesque and historic greenways in New England.
Ride the rails: Essex Steam Train & Riverboat showcase the Connecticut River Valley (essexsteamtrain.com/train-boat); Naugatuck Railroad‘s Autumn Colors Limitedshowcases Litchfield Hills (www.rmne.org/excursions/autumn-colors-limited)
Durham Fair, Durham, Sept. 24-27: Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair combines the harvest season’s abundance of fruit and vegetables with livestock competitions, arts and crafts exhibits, live music, and food, games and rides along the midway. There’s a monster truck rally and a lumberjack show durhamfair.com
Apple Harvest Festival, Southington, Oct. 2-4 & 9-11, on the Town Green features rides, a crafts show, music, and food, with apples making their appearance in pies, fritters, slushies. Evenings are capped with fireworks, and a parade along a one-mile route highlights the opening weekend southington.org
Bike the 14.5 mile East Bay Bike Path from India Point Park in Providence to Independence Park in Bristol, passing many state and local parks and recreation areas.
Harvest Fair, Middletown, Oct. 3-4: 70 of the region’s finest crafters and artisans gather at the 325-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary. Pony rides, midway games, and a mud pit. Bands, food trucks, and beer garden (normanbirdsanctuary.org/events/harvest-fair)
Autumnfest, Woonsocket, Oct. 9-12: Rhode Island’s biggest fall festival features rides, food court, continuous performances by local and top-name bands, comedians, crafts displays and marketplace, classic and muscle car shows, a wine garden; and on Monday, a Columbus Day parade (autumnfest.org).
Northern Maine & Aroostook County: Peak arrives in late September to early October. Baxter State Park has great vistas.
Western Mountains (Rangeley & Bethel): Peak arrives in early to mid-October. Drive the Route 17 scenic byway and stop at the Height of Land overlook for stunning lake vistas.
Midcoast Maine (Camden & Rockland): Peak arrives in mid-October. Hike Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park for views of color rolling down to Penobscot Bay.
Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor: Peak arrives in mid-October. Combine ocean views with brilliant autumn leaves along the Park Loop Road or from Cadillac Mountain.
Southern Maine & Portland: Peak arrives in mid-to-late October, featuring vibrant oaks and coastal back roads.
Cumberland County Fair, Cumberland, Sept. 27 – Oct. 3: Southern Maine’s biggest fall festival packs in events as diverse as truck and tractor pulls, rodeo, demolition derby, nightly fireworks and 10 live-music acts spanning blues to bluegrass (cumberlandfair.com).
Fryeburg Fair, Fryeburg, Oct. 4-11. Since it began in 1851, western Maine’s harvest fest has grown into an eight-day celebration of the region’s farms, gardens, foods, and crafts. Midway rides and oxen pulls, calf and pig “scrambles,” an anvil-throwing contest, midway rides and a farm museum. Woodsmen’s Field Day draws loggers from across the U.S. to test their mettle (fryeburgfair.org)
Fall Foliage Festival, Boothbay, Oct. 10-11, takes place on a handsome four-acre town green, done up as a “vintage village” featuring art exhibits, food trucks, booths selling local crafts, live music, and children’s corner. Take a ride on a steam-powered train at Boothbay Railway Village, and visit the adjacent antique car museum (railwayvillage.org; boothbay.org).
Peak colors usually arrive from late September through mid-to-late October. The best place to see fall foliage in New Hampshire is the White Mountains region (visitwhitemountains.com).
Kancamagus Highway (Route 112), Highway 3. This 34.5-mile scenic byway runs between Lincoln and North Conway, offering continuous mountain views, bright red and gold trees, and easy stops like Sabbaday Falls and Rocky Gorge Scenic Area.
Mount Washington Auto Road. This steep, scenic drive climbs to the highest peak in the Northeast for panoramic views of fiery autumn forests.
Mount Washington Cog Railway: An amazing way to experience Mount Washington. The three-hour round trip Includes a one-hour layover at the top (www.thecog.com)
Franconia Notch State Park, Lincoln: Located in a deep mountain pass, this park features stunning foliage, the Flume Gorge, and the popular Artist’s Bluff hike
Crawford Notch State Park, Hart’s Location: Route 302 winds through this park past dramatic cliffs, towering trees, and roadside waterfalls.
Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, NH: This mountaintop estate looks out over Lake Winnipesaukee and colorful surrounding forests.
Thanks to one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in America, autumn is traditionally one of New York’s most popular for travel, attracting visitors from around the world to its 11 diverse and picturesque vacation regions.
“Foliage watching complements hiking, cycling and paddling in the great outdoors, apple and pumpkin picking, visits to wineries and craft beverage makers, spooky Halloween activities and special Path Through History Weekend events at museums and historic sites, ESD Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said.
Adirondack Mountains: Peak viewing happens early to mid-October, featuring stunning high peaks, mirrored lakes, and towns like Lake Placid. Take in the changing leaves during a scenic boat cruise on Lake Placid or venture out to more than 2,000 miles of nearby hiking trails. Popular spots include High Falls Gorge, Whiteface Landing, Catamount Mountain and Whiteface Mountain, which offers Cloudsplitter Gondola rides. Gore Mountain offers scenic skyrides, hiking and biking. Check out the Mirror Lake Innand the Whiteface Lodge, an all-suite MICHELIN One Key and AAA Four-Diamond-rated resort with world-class spa tucked into the woodlands.
Catskill Mountains: Colors reach their height early to mid-October. Enjoy scenic drives, cascading waterfalls and vibrant hiking trails. At Belleayre Mountain, new mountain bike trail connections link the mountain, Belleayre Beach and the Shandaken Wild Forest. Check out the Deer Mountain Inn.
Finger Lakes: Best colors show from mid- to late October, highlighted by dramatic gorges at Letchworth State Park, Watkins Glen State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park. The Lake House on Canandaigua launched The Collector’s Getaway, a stay designed around its Finger Lakes Antiquing Trail, a curated field guide mapping 13 stops across Canandaigua, Farmington, Bloomfield, Geneva and Rochester; The package includes: deluxe accommodations (two-night minimum stay); two complimentary cocktails at Library Bar; Lake House tote bag; curated map and field guide to local antique and vintage shops.. (Promo code VINTAGE, visit https://lakehousecanandaigua.com/packages/the-collectors-getaway/)
Hudson Valley & Capital Region: Peak foliage arrives by late October, showcasing historic Hudson River vistas and state parks like Minnewaska and North-South Lake Campground. Among the marvelous places to stay, the historic Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa, Mohonk Mountain Houseand Rocking Horse Ranch, an all-inclusive kid-focused dude ranch.
Long Island/NYC: Feel like you have gone for a true getaway escape in Shelter Island where you can take in the fall colors in Mashomack Preserve; a great place to stay is Shelter Island House. Enjoy the fall colors while biking Long Island’s longest traffic free, paved bike path, the 13-mile Bethpage Bikeway, a scenic trail that goes through 2 state parks, 2 wetland preserves and 2 town parks. In New York City, you can’t beat the scenes in Central Park and Prospect Park.
Timing the foliage for the best possible colors and scenes is the trick.
The I LOVE NY weekly foliage reports launching September 16, updated every Wednesday throughout the season, showcases the progression of seasonal colors across the state.New York State’s tourism office, An interactive foliage map complements reports on the I LOVE NY website, tracking weekly changes and progression throughout the season. The map offers recommended viewing locations, examples of peak foliage in certain areas, and travel information about popular local attractions.
This year, 100 volunteers are tracking changes and providing on-location accounts for the upcoming weekend that detail prevailing leaf colors, percentage of total transition, and progression relative to peak conditions, considered the best that the foliage will look. Historically, foliage reaches its peak between late September and mid-November, depending on the location within the State.
Travelers are encouraged to share their best foliage photos from around New York State on social media using the #NYLovesFall hashtag for a chance to be featured on the I LOVE NY website and official social media accounts, including Instagram, Facebook, X and Threads, which collectively reach more than two million followers.
Reports are available online at iloveny.com/foliage, or 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697).
Westchester: Foliage, Flavors & Festivities
Westchester County’s fall calendar is packed with standout experiences, from continued America 250 celebrations to iconic Halloween traditions and seasonal festivals. Experience the best of the season with apple picking, scenic foliage, local dining and fall getaways across the County.
Halloween happenings are already underway at Historic Hudson Valley:
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze returns to Van Cortlandt Manor, Sept. 18-Nov. 8, with a longer path and even more displays. Visitors can wander through an 18th-century landscape illuminated by more than 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, complete with synchronized lighting, an original soundtrack, movie monsters, storybook characters and a pumpkin dance party.
Washington Irving’s classic tale comes to life at Irving’s Legend, held Oct. 2-31 at the author’s Sunnyside home in Irvington. Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk delivers a dramatic retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow outdoors under the stars, accompanied by live music and sound effects. During the day, take one of the kid-friendly literary-themed Legendary Tours complete with lawn games, crafts and a shadow puppet show.
Expanded for 2026, Twilight Village at Sleepy Hollow returns to Philipsburg Manor Fridays through Sundays through October, with live storytellers, fire performers, an evening market, an appearance by the Headless Horseman and more. Visitors can also investigate Ichabod Crane’s disappearance during the Headless Horseman Files, an interactive 18th-century whodunit, or experience the magical illusions of The Spirits of Sleepy Hollow Country.
Ghost stories descend upon Armour-Stiner Octagon Housein Irvington this fall. ’Tis the Wind and Nothing More, Oct. 2-11, features a dramatic reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven, while The Lady in White, taking place Oct. 16-Nov. 1, draws inspiration from a 1956 ghost story set at the house.
Artists, designers and craftspeople will gather at Lyndhurst Mansion for the Fall Craft Show, Sept. 18-20, featuring jewelry, fine art, ceramics, home décor and more. As Halloween approaches, the historic estate shifts into the spirit with seasonal tours, performances of The Masque of the Red Death, Gothic Market Weekend and a special Dark Shadows Halloween celebration.
Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk leads Ghost Tours of the Tarrytown Music Hall, Oct. 3-18, sharing fascinating tales of the theater’s history, legends and mysterious happenings.
Mystic Moon returns to Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard in North Salem, inviting visitors to follow the mischievous adventures of a playful witch through a whimsical lighted path in the woods.
Witches take to the Hudson River at the annual SUP Witches Festival, held Oct. 10 in Sleepy Hollow. Hosted by Rivertowns SUP & Yoga, the fall tradition brings costumed witches and warlocks together for a paddle along the Hudson, while spectators join the fun onshore with live music, vendors, food and seasonal activities.
Leaf Peeping & Fall Fun
500 living historians bring the Revolutionary War to life at REV FEST 250, Oct. 24-25 at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. The two-day event features authentic Continental and British Army encampments, military demonstrations, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, exhibitors and local food trucks. Watch both armies assemble and march toward the weekend’s signature attraction—the Reenactment of the Battle of White Plains, a large-scale tactical demonstration.
Walk into the depths of a dark forest and discover Fantastic Beasts™ and illuminated wizarding world moments at Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, returning to Westchester Oct. 16, in the awe-inspiring woods of Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights. This nighttime trail experience is designed for the whole family and books quickly, reserve your tickets today.
Autumn Glow Festival lights up Glen Island Park in New Rochelle, Sept. 11-Nov. 1. The immersive nighttime experience features hundreds of handcrafted Chinese lanterns illuminated with LED lights, transforming the park with towering sculptures inspired by folklore, culture and nature, along with food and entertainment.
Hands-on fall programs return to the Nature Center at Greenburgh this autumn. Apple cidering allows families operate an old-fashioned cider press, turning locally sourced apples into fresh cider to sample and take home. Creepy Crawlers offers another up-close nature experience, introducing visitors to snakes, tarantulas and other creatures while exploring how they survive in their habitats.
Take in the changing leaves from a different perspective with Bicycle Sundays, Sept. 13 through Oct. 4. A nearly 6.5-mile stretch of the Bronx River Parkway closes to cars, giving cyclists, skaters, joggers and walkers the chance to enjoy a traffic-free outing.
Arts & Culture
One of Westchester County’s most significant revolutionary-era artifacts is on view at the Neuberger Museum of Art in Purchase through Dec. 20. The Declaration Distributed: Westchester County’s Holt Broadside of 1776 is a special exhibition centered around New York State’s historic adoption and distribution of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibit offers visitors a rare opportunity to view this important document and highlights Westchester County’s critical role in the nation’s founding.
Step back almost 300 years into Yonkers history at the Sherwood House Museum, a pre-Revolutionary War farmhouse built around 1740. The museum is open Sundays from 1-4 p.m. beginning Sept. 13, with free admission.
Celebrating its 15th year, JazzFest White Plains returns Sept. 23-27 with five days of live music at venues throughout downtown White Plains. The festival features 19 performances from legendary artists, contemporary innovators and emerging talent, including five GRAMMY Award winners and nominees.
Dine your way through the region during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, returning Nov. 2-16. Participating restaurants throughout Westchester offer special prix-fixe menus.
New additions are bringing fresh flavors to Westchester’s dining scene. In Bronxville, Cafe Nelo from chef Giuseppe Fanelli blends Italian, American and European influences, while North River Oyster Bar in Sleepy Hollow serves seafood and cocktails on Beekman Avenue.
Cozy up at The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jean-Georges, where seasonal, farm-to-table fare is served in an 1833 inn. With reclaimed wood, rustic details and four working fireplaces, the longtime Westchester favorite offers an inviting setting for a memorable meal.
Surround yourself in history at Peter Pratt’s Inn, an American fine dining restaurant and bar located in a historic 260 year old farm house bordering a rustic pine forest in Yorktown Heights.
Sip your way through Westchester with the Westchester Craft Beverage Trail, connecting local breweries, cideries, distilleries and taprooms across the county. The free mobile passport lets visitors check in at participating stops, access special offers and earn points.
The Sailhouse Oysterfest brings oysters, seasonal food and drinks to the Hudson River waterfront for a lively dining experience. More information to come.
Autumn Getaways
Escape to the countryside at Bedford Post Inn, an intimate eight-room retreat surrounded by 20 wooded acres. Cozy guest rooms feature historic details and luxurious touches, while seasonal dining, daily yoga and outdoor experiences make it an inviting home base for a fall getaway.
Recently reopened following renovations, The Kittle House Inn in Chappaqua, pairs its 18th-century history with newly refreshed rooms and gathering spaces. Guests can also enjoy fine dining featuring seasonal Hudson Valley ingredients and selections from the property’s award-winning wine cellar.
Set on 26 acres overlooking the Hudson Valley, Tarrytown House Estate pairs charm with modern comforts and on-site dining at Chef Dale Talde’s acclaimed Goosefeather, a modern Cantonese restaurant. This fall, guests can book the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Experience Package, which includes two tickets to the seasonal attraction and daily breakfast for two.
Perched above the Hudson River in Peekskill, The Abbey Inn & Spa offers a peaceful fall escape in a beautifully restored former convent. Unwind at the full-service spa, explore the scenic grounds and enjoy seasonal, locally inspired dining at Apropos. For an extra dose of relaxation, the Stay, Sip and Spa Package includes overnight accommodations, welcome mimosas and a $200 spa credit.
With Labor Day in the rear view window, it’s time to look forward to a fall getaway. But if leaf-peeping is a priority, timing and advance planning are critical considering the relatively short time of peak color in any particular destination.
New York State has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country. The change in color from the bright greens of summer to the brilliant hues of fall historically begins high in the Adirondack and Catskill mountains in early September and spreads out and down across the hills and valleys of the state, ending with peak foliage on Long Island and in New York City in mid-November. It takes about two weeks for the color to complete its cycle in any area, with peak brilliance lasting three to four days in any one spot.
To help travelers plan a fall getaway, the state’s tourism office, I LOVE NY, provides weekly fall foliage reports beginning September 12, with updates issued every Wednesday throughout the season. The interactive foliage map on the I LOVE NY website tracks weekly changes and progression and offers recommended viewing locations, examples of peak foliage in designated areas. You can also find information about popular local and regional attractions and activities across the state from apple and pumpkin picking to haunted Halloween activities, hiking, craft beverage trails and Path Through History Weekend special events at www.iloveny.com/fall. (An excellent roundup is at: Fall Foliage: When and Where to Go in New York State, www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/fall/foliage-report.)
Reports and the interactive foliage map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliage, or toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697).
For more information on tourism in New York or to plan a New York State getaway, visit www.iloveny.com.
Leaf-peeping in the Finger Lakes
The Lake House on Canandaigua in the Finger Lakes is an ideal home base for a fall getaway.
A great place to experience vibrant foliage, crisp air and rolling vineyards is the Finger Lakes. Nestled on the shore of Canandaigua Lake, The Lake House on Canandaigua is the ideal home base for a fall getaway. From peak grape harvest season to pumpkin picking, cider tasting and breathtaking lake views, the resort offers a memorable autumn escape.
Take a scenic foliage cruise; hike the trails at Grimes Glen Park offers trails lined with waterfalls and forests ablaze in fall hues, perfect for a peaceful autumn hike; explore the region’s farms, wineries and breweries that showcase the season’s bounty, and savor autumn-inspired dishes and local flavors at the resort’s Rose Tavern, Sand Bar and Library Bar. In the evening, enjoy an evening under the stars with complimentary s’mores beside a fire pit
At the resort’s Willowbrook Spa, relax in the spa garden surrounded by native plants in peak autumn color, enjoy cozy barrel saunas overlooking the brook and indulge in restorative treatments blending herbal remedies with modern wellness techniques.
The Lake House, 770 S. Main St., Canandaigua, NY 14424 585-394-7800, 800-228-2801, lakehousecanandaigua.com
Nature as Therapy in the Adirondacks
Lake Placid in the Adirondacks boasts one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the country, thanks to its diverse elevations and microclimates. (Aim for the days that see dips into the mid-30s to low-40s – a sweet spot for kickstarting that vibrant color change.)
Explore more than 2,000 miles of nearby hiking trails, including: High Falls Gorge, dubbed the Adirondacks’ most breathtaking 30-minute walk; Whiteface Landing for tranquil lake views; Catamount Mountain, featuring twin summits and panoramic foliage vistas; and Whiteface Mountain, with multiple trailheads designed for ambitious hikers. (Use the Adirondack Fall Foliage Meter for up-to-the-minute reports on where leaves are prettiest—this insider resource helps you target the exact best spots each day.)
There’s so much to do in fall in and around Lake Placid:
For the ultimate view, take the elevator to the top of the 120-meter ski jump (26 stories) at the Olympic Jumping Complex for athlete-level panoramic views without any hiking.
Bike the new Adirondack Rail Trail (25 miles open, bike rentals in Lake Placid) through golden tamarack groves and brewery stops; climb the Adirondack Fire Tower Challenge‘s 23 restored towers for panoramic treetop views; or ride the 1.4-mile Mt. Van Hoevenberg Cliffside Coaster (America’s longest alpine coaster) parallel to the historic Olympic bobsled track.
Festival calendar: Time your visit for the Flaming Leaves Festival (Oct. 11-12) combining ski jumping competitions with peak foliage, or the Adirondack Harvest Festival (Sept. 20) celebrating local agriculture with food trucks, live music, and farm activities.
Enjoy a fall getaway at the Whiteface Lodge in the Adirondacks.
Whiteface Lodge, a MICHELIN One Key and AAA Four-Diamond-rated all-suite resort tucked into the woodlands of Lake Placid, combines rustic luxury with the restorative rhythms of the outdoors. Think: forest bathing beneath golden canopies, stone massages inspired by nearby rivers, and private lean-tos warmed by firelight.
Named a Top 100 Spa by Spas of America, The Spa at Whiteface Lodge translates the region’s natural serenity into sensory treatments such as Ausable River Stone Massage, which uses heated basalt stones and Swedish techniques to melt away tension, named after the nearby Ausable River; and the Great Outdoors Facial, which harnesses antioxidants and botanical extracts to rejuvenate skin exposed to the elements.
Every Whiteface Lodge suite includes a cast-iron gas fireplace, a private balcony, and warm homemade cookies at turndown. Refuel at the rustic-elegant KANU restaurant or sip bourbon flights at Peak 47 before taking in a complimentary movie at the 56-seat in-house theater or a dip in the indoor-outdoor heated pool.
Whiteface Lodge’s Stay More, Play More package includes a $150 resort credit toward spa services and dining when travelers stay 3+ nights (with the credit increasing at the five night mark).
Whiteface Lodge, 7 Whiteface Inn Lane, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 518-523-0505, www.thewhitefacelodge.com
Another ideal place to make your Lake Placid home base is High Peaks Resort. Its location on Mirror Lake provides walking access to family-friendly nature trails (Cobble Hill, Peninsula) that locals use to avoid crowds at higher elevations. High Peaks Resort offers a Mountains & Maple Package (from $172.89) that includes authentic maple syrup, maple cotton candy, maple popcorn, and two resort mugs. (High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 800-755-5598, www.highpeaksresort.com)
Teatown Lake Reservation → Thompson’s Cider Mill (10 min. walk): Vistas of the Hudson’s fall reflections lead you to freshly pressed cider or a micro-brew.
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery → Bridge View Tavern (15 min. walk/5 min. drive): A family-owned and operated tavern with views of the Hudson River and Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Tarrytown Lakes Park → Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. (5 min. drive): The area’s largest craft brewery, producing over 28,000 barrels of beer annually.
Croton Gorge Park→ Croton Tapsmith (4 min. drive): This spot features their famous “La Bella Sophia” pizza from their wood-fired pizza oven.
Untermyer Gardens → Yonkers Brewing Company (10 min. drive): Established in 2013, this spot is known for its rich, original drafts and many activities offered on-site.
Blue Mountain Park → River Outpost Brewing Co. (6 min. drive): Rugged foliage trails wind into a cozy taproom—great for couples or solo adventurers.
Ossining Recreation & Parks → Sing Sing Kill Brewery (10 min. walk/3 min. drive): A tranquil gorge walk wraps up with a sustainable, community-crafted draft.
Graham Hills Park → Soul Brewing Company (30 min. walk/4 min. drive): Family-friendly trails segue into Soul’s warm microbrew environment—ideal for all ages.
Cranberry Lake → Wolf & Warrior (12 min drive): A nature escape in White Plains that ends with stylish sips in town.
The Westchester Craft Beverage Trail is a free, mobile, web-based passport that will lead you to great experiences and delicious drinks as well as some appealing special offers. Sign up at the website- there’s no cost and no app to download. Earn points when you check in at participating merchants, and use them to claim a special reward. More information: https://www.visitwestchesterny.com/things-to-do/dining/craft-beverages/trail/
Sign Up for Vermont’s Weekly Fall Foliage Report
Spacious Skies Campgrounds provide a great home base to experience Maine’s fall foliage.
Vermont is world renowned for its fall foliage. Vermont fall colors usually start in early to mid-September in the higher elevations and in the northern part of the state, moving into the valleys and southern parts of Vermont as September turns to October. The Vermont Tourism foliage report tracks the progression and provides itineraries, events, attractions, and more ways to experience the season. (Subscribe: https://vermontvacation.com/vermont-seasons/fall/fall-foliage-report/)
Plan a scenic drive along a river to see the foliage reflecting off the water and drive over a mountain pass connecting historic downtowns. Scenic Vermont Byways and toll roads open to expansive mountain vistas painted in fall colors. Apple orchards, pumpkin picking, scenic chairlift rides, corn mazes, farm or creemee stands, and historic downtowns round out a day touring around the Green Mountains. (https://vermontvacation.com/things-to-do/trip-ideas-itineraries/scenic-drives/)
Make Topnotch Resort, Stowe, Your Base
Make your leaf-peeping a real getaway with a stay at Topnotch Resort, in Stowe, Vermont for the ultimate foliage experience, the Stowe-liage Foliage Package.
Make your leaf-peeping a real getaway with a stay at Topnotch Resort, in Stowe, for the ultimate foliage experience: the Stowe-liage Foliage Package (from $279) includes a $100 nightly resort credit, essentially paying for your meals while enjoying Mt. Mansfield views from the heated outdoor pool and jacuzzi. (Travel dates through Sept. 30 and Oct. 14-Nov. 30).
Other tips to enhance your getaway: Book spa treatments during peak afternoon hours when trails are most crowded. Play tennis or pickleball on Topnotch’s outdoor courts which affords a stunning fall foliage backdrop. Take the flat, paved 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path from behind Topnotch for unobstructed mountain views without traffic. Festival timing: Plan a stay around the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival (Oct. 8-10) for peak color plus local artisans, or catch the quirky Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival (Sept. 26) for family fun. Book midweek for best rates and fewer tourists on popular activities like guided brewery tours and scenic boat charters.
Spacious Skies Campgrounds Provide Home Base for Exploring Fall Festivals Throughout the East
Spacious Skies Campgrounds has 15 locations along a Fall Color Trail, with many festivals timed for peak foliage.
BERNARDSVILLE, N.J. – With 15 locations throughout the East, Spacious Skies Campgrounds are located within an easy drive of an array of fall festivals, from celebrations of fall harvest to books, films, arts, brews and history.
Spacious Skies Minute Man, Littleton, Mass.:Salem Haunted Happenings Festival, Oct. 1-31. This annual festival takes place in New England’s most notorious witch-centric location, Salem, Mass. Included are a grand parade, artists, costume balls, haunted houses, live music and theatrical presentations.
Spacious Skies Country Oaks, Dorothy, NJ: Smithville Oktoberfest, Oct. 4-5. The historic town of Smithville stages a two-day Oktoberfest featuring crafters, food, music and kids’ activities like carousel rides.
Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views, Luray, Va.: Blue Ridge Folklife Festival, Oct. 25. Marking its 52nd anniversary this year, the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival features musicians, moonshiners, craftspeople, cooks, motorheads, mule jumpers, horse pullers, coon dog racers, antique tractor buffs and old-time gamers for a celebration of the rich heritage and traditions of the region.
Spacious Skies Savannah Oaks, Savannah, GA:Savannah Film Festival, Oct. 25 – Nov. 1. Marking its 25th year, this festival at the Savannah College of Art and Design attracts 50,000 to see the work of emerging student filmmakers while well-known directors, actors and producers come to accept awards and discuss their craft.
Many of the Spacious Skies Campgrounds offer alternative accommodations for travelers who don’t own RVs, including cabins, yurts, tent sites and at select locations, retro trailers.Spacious Skies has also partnered with RV Share so would-be campers and glampers can rent RVs in each location or rent RVs that they can drive from place to place.
Travelers who are members of the Spacious Skies Loyalty Program – called Cosmic Campers – receive a 12 percent discount on all RV site, cabin and glamping reservations, including holidays. The annual fee to join the program is $31.90, and enrollment is quick and convenient online.
Forget the summer gridlock. The real story of America’s national parks is told in September and October, during the “secret season.” This is when the crowds disappear, the weather is perfect and the landscapes transform. The post-Labor Day slump is a traveler’s dream. With schools back in session, parks like Zion, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon are no longer at peak capacity. This means a more intimate and enjoyable experience. The intense summer heat subsides, making hiking and outdoor activities not just possible, but genuinely pleasant. Think crisp, cool air and golden sunshine. Wildlife, in general, is more active in the cooler temperatures, providing unparalleled viewing opportunities. Here are a handful of great national park vacation ideas.
Saddle and Paddle Yellowstone: Flying Pig Adventures’ three-night Yellowstone tour gives guests the opportunity to experience the park like never before. The thrill of witnessing one of nature’s most iconic environments, tackling rough terrain on horseback, and battling class III rapids in a raft cannot be found anywhere else. From fly fishing to horseback rides and Yellowstone whitewater, guests will be talking about this unique experience for years to come.
Cycle Glacier National Park: The Big Sky meets six days of big smiles on Escape Adventures’ epic Going-to-the-Sun Road bike trip in Glacier National Park. Based in Montana’s 1,583-square-mile Glacier National Park, with its 375 historic properties and six historic landmarks, riders will cycle into some of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes, including Going-to-the-Sun Road. At each stop, each slow pass, guests will learn a little more about the ”Crown of the Continent” ecosystem.
Alaska Fjord Explorer: On Adventure Life’s Kenai Explorer tour, spend seven days amid the breathtaking landscape and wildlife of Kenai Fjords National Park and Seward, Alaska. Enjoy nature walks and paddling from a beachfront lodge with glacier views, keeping an eye out for wildlife like whales, Steller sea lions, otters, puffins and more, then visit the coastal town of Seward and go dogsledding or step on nearby Exit Glacier. Finish with an Alaska Rail ride to Anchorage.
Wyoming Cowboy Retreat: At Ranchlands’ 80,000-acre Paintrock Canyon Ranch, guests will immerse themselves in ranch life, explore the surrounding areas on horseback, fly fish, hike and experience the unique landscape of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains. Accommodations are designed for guests to be as close to nature as possible, but with all the comforts of home. Large, safari-style tents are stylishly furnished with full-sized beds, bedside tables, dressers and chairs. Meals are prepared by a private chef and incorporate Ranchlands’ beef, local produce and dairy whenever possible. The ranch makes a great basecamp for a Yellowstone National Park adventure.
Bryce & Zion by MTB: Soaring red spires and ancient citadels of rich Navajo sandstone give way to haunting hoodoos and curving rock arches – a geologist’s dream and a mountain biker’s paradise. The rides on this six-day Escape Adventures tour offer swift lines that wind through deep alpine meadows and aspen forests only to spill out onto wide mesas and buttes. The world-famous trails of Red Canyon’s Thunder Mountain, Cassidy and Casto Canyon symbolize but a few of this tour’s many highlights.
Grand Teton Glamping: Fireside Resort offers luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus a short distance from Grand Teton National Park, making it the perfect basecamp for summer adventures. Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting, enjoy beautiful scenery and wildlife while hiking through the Tetons or revel in the wonder of Yellowstone National Park’s geothermal features.
Arizona Ranch Getaway: Step back in time at White Stallion Ranch, outside Tucson, Arizona, on the edge of Saguaro National Park. Originally built in the 1900s as a cattle ranch, the True family has been welcoming guests to White Stallion for 60 years. While there, enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fat-tire biking, shooting, archery, a weekly rodeo, charming accommodations, Southwestern dining and more with the towering cactuses of the Sonoran Desert as the backdrop.
Colorado National Parks Road Trip: AdventureGenie is the ultimate co-pilot for planning a perfect road trip to Colorado national parks. As the world’s first AI-powered, end-to-end road trip planner, AdventureGenie makes it easier and more exciting than ever to discover the Centennial State. Colorado is more than just the Rocky Mountains – the state is richly diverse with deep canyons, rolling sand dunes, glistening rivers and expansive rolling plains. From accessible trails to hikes of various distances and difficulties and amazing scenic drives, these five Colorado national parks are full of geographical marvels and prehistoric wonders.
Big Sky Luxury Adventure: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a home base for adventure year-round. In fall, golden aspens and cottonwoods light up the mountainsides and river bottoms, and there are opportunities to hike, bike, fish or watch for wildlife in the forestlands near town and Yellowstone National Park. At the end of the day, The Wilson offers accommodations that blend modern comfort with Montana style just steps from dining at Block 3 Kitchen & Bar and more in Big Sky Town Center.
E-Bike Tour of Canyonlands: Utah’s 100-mile White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park comes on like a natural rollercoaster, looping in and out of a multicolored spires, arches, buttes and mesas carved by the Green and Colorado Rivers. A primitive trail framed by blooming cactuses below and snowcapped mountains above, the White Rim Trail loops around and below the Island in the Sky mesa and provides expansive views of the surrounding area. Guests will spend the majority of this four-day mountain biking and camping tour riding the famous off-road route, while detouring to admire secret passages, hidden slot canyons, natural rock arches and ancient Puebloan ruins.
Utah Hut-to-Hut Adventure: Discover the Aquarius Trail Hut System, an unparalleled e-bike adventure in Utah’s stunning color country. This unique trail stretches from Brian Head Peak through picturesque locations like Panguitch, Bryce and Escalante. Along the way, modern huts provide essential amenities, including solar-powered kitchens, comfortable sleeping arrangements and bike repair tools, ensuring a perfect blend of rugged exploration and convenient comfort.
Grand Canyon’s North Rim: Escape Adventures invites adventurers and families to discover the cool, high-altitude sanctuary of the Grand Canyon’s North Rim on an unforgettable five-day mountain biking and camping expedition. Revered by hikers and cyclists for its breathtaking vistas and gently rolling, lung-expanding terrain, the North Rim offers a unique and less-crowded perspective of this natural wonder.
My three-day fall getaway in the Great Northern Catskills exploring the Hudson River School Art Trail starts before I even arrive at the historic Fairlawn Inn, in Hunter, NY. Taking advantage of the time of day and beautiful weather, I stop at the parking lot on 23A for the trailhead to Kaaterskill Falls, where you get an amazing view of Kaaterskill Clove (HRSAT Site #4). You gaze out over the gorge where mountain peaks seem to thread together and compare the scene today to the way it is depicted by Hudson River School artist Asher B. Durand’s 1866 painting. The trees are just beginning to turn colors (the peak is usually around Columbus Day weekend), but I swear that the same tree, already crimson, is the same red tree in the painting, also depicting an early fall scene.
It’s a short walk along 23A (watch out for cars on the winding narrow road) to the trailhead for one of my favorite hikes, Kaaterskill Falls (HRSAT Site #5), a stunning scene that looks remarkably just as depicted in an 1835 painting by Thomas Cole, known as the father of the Hudson River School. “It is the voice of the landscape for it strikes its own chords, and rocks and mountains re-echo in rich unison,” Cole (who was also a poet and essayist) wrote.
The Kaaterskill Falls were a favorite subject of many of the Hudson River School painters and for me, is the quintessential combination of stunning scenery plus the physical pleasure of the hike – half-mile up to the base of the double-falls, then another half-mile to the top.
The two-tiered Kaaterskill Falls, 175 and 85 feet, is the highest in New York State and was described by James Fenimore Cooper in “The Pioneers” which Thomas Cole, a friend of Cooper’s illustrated.
The waterfalls, usually rushing, are just a trickle after a long dryspell, but the hike is still absolutely fantastic – just enough challenge (I love my walking sticks) – and means you can get much closer than you might if the falls were fuller.
You make it to the base of the double-falls. Last time I hiked the trail, there were barriers and warnings not to go higher because it was so steep and dangerous (people have died!), but since then, there are staircases so you can hike to the very top. (There is also access to the top from other trails and nearby Laurel House Road parking lot above).
I climb up and take a cut-off to the bottom of the high falls where there is a pool of water. Though it is already autumn on the calendar, it is as hot as a summer’s day – record heat in fact, close to 90 degrees – and people are in the shallow pool. The ledges are beautiful and you get a wonderful view back down the valley.
Another half-mile climb (another new staircase gets you up the steepest part) brings me to a winding forest trail that wraps around the hilltop to the very top of the falls. I cross a bridge over what would usually be rushing water. You can look back to the steep drop of the falls, back to the valley – just as Thomas Cole and the artists would have seen it. There is a viewing platform which looks back at the falls, bookended by trees just beginning to turn into their kaleidoscope of fall colors (the peak is traditionally around Columbus Day).
There is a small trail through the woods to the very top of the falls. Signs admonish hikers that climbing the ledges beside Kaaterskill Falls is extremely dangerous, and has resulted in numerous injuries and deaths. But the falls are not flowing when I come, so I get to walk on the ledges, giving me really nervous view straight down and beyond, to the Valley and letting me look at the carved initials and graffiti from the 1920s and 30s, some even from the 1800s. You feel a sense of kindred spirit with those who have passed through and passed on. You feel the height and the proximity to the drop off, and it makes your heart flutter.
Later, you will recognize the view in Thomas Cole’s paintings and imagine how he must have stood in this precise place where you are standing.
It is a half-mile to the base, and another half- mile to the top of the falls, for a total of 2 miles roundtrip. There are some scrambles and it is uphill almost all the way (walking sticks are really recommended), and is thoroughly fantastic.
I’ve taken my time, really savoring the views and the scenes and the smells, and the couple of miles hiking have taken about 2 1/2 hours.
(The parking lot is just west of the trailhead and across 23A, so you park and walk back along the road, being very careful. Haines Falls NY 12436, 518-589-5058, 800-456-2267).
I set out along 23A toward Hunter and the Fairlawn Inn.
Hudson River School Art Trail Hikes in North-South Campground
For my second day, after an amazing breakfast at the Fairlawn Inn, I head to North-South Campground, where there are several of the Hudson River School of Art Trail hikes (as well as many other hiking trails) – the lake itself depicted in paintings such as Thomas Cole’s “Lake with Dead Trees,” 1825, (HRSAT Site #6).
I take the longer and wonderfully more challenging (only moderately strenuous) hike which brings you to such spots as Artist’s Rock, Sunset Rock and Newman’s Ledge (you can continue to North Point). Other hikes bring you to Boulder Rock, the Catskill Mountain House (HRSAT Trail Site #8) and Laurel House sites.
The hike to Sunset Rock (HRSAT Trail Site #7) begins along the well-marked blue trail (you cut off to the yellow trail to Sunset Rock) that mostly wraps around the ledges, with the amazing views that so enthralled the artists of the Hudson River Valley. Close to the beginning is a fairly interesting scramble, then the trail winds through the woods along side fabulous rock formations before coming out again to the ledges. You reach Artists Rock at about .4 miles. Continuing on, you look for the yellow trail marker to Sunset Rock.
I continue on to Newman’s Point but overshoot and head up some challenging scrambles before turning back (the trail to North Point continues for another mile). I am delighted with myself to have gone what I estimate was an extra .4.
Back at the North-South Lake (it’s taken me about three hours taking my time), people are swimming in the ridiculously unseasonably hot (near 90) weather.
I look for a relatively easy trail and find just a short distance away, Mary’s Glen trail to Ashley’s Falls (alas, the falls are all but completely dried up when I come). This is an ideal trail for families with small children who want to avoid hiking near open ledges. You go through a lovely wooded glen alongside a beaver meadow and stream to a deeply forested cascade, Ashley’s Falls. This day, though, there is no cascade. (just .6 mile roundtrip).
Mary’s Glen trail can also be the entrance to a difficult hike, to North Point, a distance of 3.2 miles with 840 feet ascent. It is a mostly moderate climb but has some short, steep scrambles over rock, but you come to large open slabs and expansive vistas at North Point, a 3,000 ft. elevation with some of the most distant views.)
On my last visit, I did a wonderful hike to the site of the Catskill Mountain House (HRSAT Site #8), one of the earliest tourist hotels. The majestic hotel, which was opened in 1823 and accommodated 400 guests a night (Presidents Arthur and Grant were among those who stayed here), burned down in 1963 but the view that attracted visitors still remains as one of the most magnificent panoramas in the region, and can be compared to Frederic Church’s “Above the Clouds at Sunrise” (1849).
It is fun to see the initials carved into the stone ledges from more than a century ago. The Mountain House began drawing thousands of guests each season from all over the country as well as from abroad, who came not just for the cooler, healthier climate but for what had already become one of the most renowned natural panoramas in the young nation: the valley 1,600 feet below, stretching east to the Taconic Mountains and the Berkshires, with the silvery thread of the Hudson visible for 60 miles from north to south. On a clear day, you can see five states – Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. The hike is just a half-mile with only an 80-foot ascent.
There is a $10/car day use fee for the NYS DEC’s North-South Lake Campground from early May through late October, however the fee is waived for NYS residents 62 years or older midweek. The campground is open for camping from May through October; 518-589-5058 or call DEC Regional Office year-round at 518-357-2234, More information at www.greatnortherncatskills.com/outdoors/north-south-lake-campground.
Get maps, directions and photographs of all the sites on the Hudson River School Art Trail at www.hudsonriverschool.org.
Other Ways to Experience Fall in the Catskills
Those who prefer driving to experience fall foliage will find two National Scenic Byways in the Great Northern Catskills: a 21-mile route that descends from high country peaks to Durham Valley farmland., affording views that stretch across the Hudson River Valley to summits in four New England states. Then take an excursion along Mountain Clove, a byway that meanders through ravines, historic districts, and waterfalls. In fact, one of the best foliage views in New York State, Innkeeper Chuck Tomajko notes, is just 2 miles from his Fairlawn Inn door, at the intersection of Rte 214 and 23A – which looks toward Bear Creek and some half-dozen mountains that form layers.
An Arts-Meets-Nature Driving/Exploration Route: The Kaaterskill Clove Experience provides a new self-guided discovery tour through the history of American art, and the primeval landscape that inspired it. Tailored, easy-to-follow itineraries provide a roadmap for families, adventure seekers and leisure travelers to experience the Kaaterskill Clove at your own pace, while enjoying everything that Greene County has to offer, from farm stands to charming cafes. (www.greatnortherncatskills.com/kaaterskill-clove)
Antiquing. The villages of Catskill and Tannersville are known for their antique shops. Actually the best antiquing of all turns out to be across the street from the Fairlawn Inn in Hunter: the Antique Mall, housed in what used to be the Masonic Center, is owned by innkeeper Chuck Tomajko. Among the treasures: two chairs that had been owned by Elizabeth Abell, the woman who introduced Mary Todd to Abraham Lincoln. Another chair dates from the mid 18th century, made in Philadelphia, could well have been used by Washington, Jefferson or any of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
The Bronck House Museum, where you see how eight generations of a family occupied this same house for more than 350 years. (Greene County Historical Society, 90 County Route 42, Coxsackie, NY 12051, 518-731-6490, gchistory.org/bronckmuseum.html).
The charming town of Hudson with its galleries, antique shops, and restaurants.
Hunter Mountain is a four-season resort most famous for skiing, but offers a score of festivals and activities in fall, including weekend scenic skyrides (www.huntermtn.com).
Hull-O Farms offers a corn maze, as well as pumpkin picking.
There is also a Wine & Craft Beverage trail through the Hudson Valley (see TravelHudsonValley.com).
A great place to stay: The Fairlawn Inn, a historic bed-and-breakfast, 7872 Main Street (Hwy 23A), Hunter, NY 12442, 518-263-5025, www.fairlawninn.com.
The I LOVE NEW YORK weekly foliage report – a detailed map charting fall color progress, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage, suggested autumn getaways and weekly event listings – is available at www.iloveny.com/foliage or by calling 800/CALL-NYS (800/225-5697).
