Best Fall Getaways: Upstate NY
This “Best Fall Getaways: Upstate NY” post has been a long time coming, but after being back in New York for the last few weeks, I was feeling inspired by the fall feels in the air to finally get this post together. And let’s be honest, there really isn’t a more perfect time to hit “Publish” on this fall-themed guide than the first week of fall.
When we lived in NYC (and now when we go back to visit) I always loved spending time upstate, especially once September would roll around. I’ve long since lost track of the countless fall days and weekends we have spent exploring the area. I mean, don’t get me wrong. It’s great all the time, but it’s a whole other magical world once the fall season starts. The leaves change and transform into an array of autumnal hues, the air gets crisp and cool, there are warm donuts and tart cider, pretty vineyards and small towns, and it’s just all-around such a wonderful, special place and so much fun in the fall.
When I think about the best fall getaways in upstate New York, I think about places that have those quintessential cozy fall things- crisp weather, oversized sweaters and warm flannels, apple picking, fresh apple cider, warm apple cider donuts, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, bowls of chili, a fireplace with a roaring fire, driving around to peep all the pretty leaves. From the Catskills to Cold Spring to Lake Placid to the Finger Lakes to Saratoga Springs, there really are no shortage of places to plan fall road trips and getaways, but, below, I’m sharing with you a few of my personal favorites that I’ve explored countless times, all of which are perfect for everything from day trips to a weekend getaway.
Best Fall Getaways: Upstate NY
HUDSON VALLEY
There’s a reason why this is one of the most popular fall escapes from New York City (and really in all of New York State). There are truly so many things to do in the area and you can get to most of them within two hours (and many even just an hour drive) from the city, making it a perfect place for a day trip, an overnight trip or a full weekend getaway. And the area just really comes alive with colorful fall foliage making it extra special to visit around this time of year. These are some of my favorite spots to visit and things to do in the fall in the Hudson Valley. You can easily do one of these or combine several of these things for a fall day/weekend of adventures.
TOWNS TO VISIT
BEACON //
For a dose of art and autumn, you’ll want to check out Beacon. It’s got that quintessential, cozy, fall-vibe, small-town feel and it’s perfect to spend an afternoon strolling around. With a strong emphasis on the arts and artists in the area, you can, of course, expect plenty of art galleries and artsy things to do and see, such as Dia:Beacon, but there are also cute shops and charming restaurants (a few favorites include the Beacon Bread Company and Homespun Foods) as well as plenty of pretty fall foliage, the Beacon Falls and lots of great hiking trails (a few favorites to check include- Mount Beacon, Beacon Hill Carriageway Loop, and this Beacon Hill and Lake Minnewaska one). For a weekend stay, I recommend The Roundhouse as it has a beautiful view of the falls as well as a great restaurant (which you can eat at regardless of if you’re staying at the hotel or not)
HYDE PARK //
If you like food AND foliage, this is the perfect little escape for you! Here’s why- The Culinary Institute of America has their main campus location here in Hyde Park. You’re probably thinking “Cool. But what does this have to do with me?”. Well, let me fill you in on a little not-so-secret secret. You can actually eat at the CIA! They have several restaurants on campus, ranging from casual, bakery-style to upscale and needing reservations. But the cool part is that it’s all food being prepared by students currently at the school, so it’s just a fun, unique experience dining on food prepared by incredibly talented individuals. And the campus is set in a beautiful location that looks especially pretty in the fall once all the foliage has turned, making it the perfect time for a visit. Here is the list of restaurants on all of their campuses, including this one in Hyde Park, where you can find out more information and make plans to visit.
SLEEPY HOLLOW //
Yes, it’s a real place. And yeah, it’s kind of sleepy. That is, unless you go in October. Then it comes alive with festivities! So, if you’re looking for a fall escape that’s got spooky Halloween vibes, then this spot’s got your name all over it! The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (a tour featuring over 7,000 illuminated hand-carved pumpkins) is one of my favorite things they do, but they also have cemetery tours, haunted hayrides and plenty of namesake-themed activities that play into the legends and tales of the book, Sleepy Hollow (I mean, would expect anything less?!). As of this year, many of the activities are still temporarily closed and/or not running this season, but you can always peek their schedule and Halloween page for the most up-to-date info.
THINGS TO DO
BEAR MOUNTAIN //
So great for leaf peeping and fall hiking; they also have a beautiful lodge on the lake and, in October, they do a really fun Oktoberfest. I suggest coming up early for a hike, then finishing the day out at said Oktoberfest. (Please note- they are not doing Oktoberfest this year, but you can still visit the park for hiking, seeing the foliage and staying at the lodge).
HORSE BACK RIDING //
One of my favorite activities we’ve ever done upstate; so much fun and such an amazing (and different) way to enjoy the fall foliage; what I especially love about the place we went, Saddle Brook Farm, is that they’re actually a rescue farm! How cool is that?! The ride itself is nothing fancy, just a basic trail ride so if you’re an experienced equestrian, you’ll be underwhelmed, but for the average person, it’s a perfect fall activity!
APPLE PICKING + PUMPKIN PATCHES //
Some favorite apple orchards include: Stuart’s, Wilkens (they have a pumpkin patch as well as a corn maze, and, later in the year, pick-your-own Christmas trees), Maskers, Barton Orchards and Applewood Winery
WINERIES //
This is a personal favorite spot of mine as it was one of the first escapes we started going to upstate; it’s changed and grown so much over the years, but when we first went it was just a tiny operation, with just a few wines, but we enjoyed those wines so much we kept coming back and even joined their wine club! And now they’ve expanded so much, with more wines, more activities, apple picking, more events, live music, all the things. They now get packed on weekends, so plan accordingly, and, as a heads up, their apples go early and fast in the season, so if you’re planning to pick here keep that in mind.
By far one of the most popular spots to go; be prepared because it gets absolutely packed on the weekends, but it’s so much fun and so worth it! They really have it all here, too- live music, seating areas inside and out (lawn or patio), so many great food options (the pizzas, sandwiches and truffle fries are especially yummy), apple picking, tons of different hard ciders as well as wines and spirits, wine/cider tastings, a shop where you can buy anything you might want or need to put together a charcuterie picnic, fresh apple cider donuts, farm animals…you name it, they probably have it. My two suggestions- for a cozier, day date, come during the week, grab a cider and pizza or soup and sit inside by the fire. On the weekend, go with a group of friends, bring a blanket, grab some of their provisions and a few bottles of cider and or wine (they’ll open them for you and provide cups), and sit outside enjoying the weather and the live music.
What’s special about this winery is that it’s actually the oldest one in the United States. Crazy, right? They do tours and tastings, both of which I recommend, but especially the tour because, as you can imagine from being the oldest winery in the country, there is so much history here and it’s really cool to learn about it all. Plus, the tour includes a tasting, so ya know, why not? Reservations are required for the tours, which are available Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and tickets are limited; $25 per person, includes tasting of 5 wines and, currently, masks are required. If you prefer to skip the tour, you can also go for just a tasting, which is $15 per person for 5 wines. Reservations are accepted, as well as walk-ins. They also have a restaurant and bar on-site, as well as other events and activities, like grape stomping and live music, so be sure to check their events calendar and make some reservations if you’re planning to visit.
PLACES TO STAY
A few hotels that have caught my eye- HUTTON BRICKYARDS, EASTWIND, HOTEL KINSLEY, KENOZA HALL and THE MAKER
A few Airbnbs that have caught my eye- this historic stone house, this gorgeous home, this stone colonial, this loft and The Stonemason’s House
NIAGARA FALLS
Here me out on this one. Because I know you probably weren’t expecting it and I know it probably seems a bit unusual. But I’ve been to Niagara Falls twice, once in the summer and, most recently, in the fall, and fall is, by far, the better time to go. Here’s why- everyone loves to visit in the summertime (understandable, since kids are out of school), but that means it’s absolutely packed. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s still quite busy in the fall, but it’s so much more manageable and enjoyable. It’s easier to get into things, walk around, take pictures, all that jazz. You’ll even notice it’s easier to find accommodations, and said accommodations are much more affordable. The weather is also much more bearable. It’s still perfectly pleasant and warm enough (I mean, I did wear shorts when we went), but not middle-of-the-summer hot.
The last time we went to Niagara Falls (Dave’s first time, my second time), it was as part of a bigger trip in which we were also visiting the Finger Lakes region of New York. Niagara Falls was our first stop, so we drove straight there from the city, arriving in the evening, and setting out to explore the falls early the next morning. Like I mentioned up above, there are still quite a few people no matter when you visit the falls, so the earlier you can get there the better. We spent several hours taking photos, going underneath the caves, and walking over the bridge back to America (we stayed on the Canadian side, which I personally think has better views), before heading out. (Please note- this was pre-pandemic, so I would double check current visiting requirements so you have the most up-to-date information).
WHERE TO STAY //
I would recommend staying as close to the falls as possible, on the Canadian side (barring no pandemic-related travel restrictions), for two reasons- a) so you can walk to the falls versus driving and then having to pay to park (a mistake we learned the expensive way) and b) the ability to get to the falls as early as possible. Here are a few of the hotels I would recommend looking at
WHERE TO EAT //
Ok, so here’s the other reason why I I really enjoyed visiting Niagara Falls in the fall. In our pursuit of a more local food scene, we ended up about 20 minutes away from the falls in a town called Niagara-On-The-Lake. We went to a local brewery, Silversmith Brewing, for dinner (the food was nothing to write home about, but it was still decent, and the beer, service and atmosphere was great) and had planned to go back to the town the next morning to grab breakfast at a local bakery, but for the sake of time, we grabbed good ol' Tim Hortons instead. However, the town was cute, had great fall vibes and, if you have more time, I'd definitely suggest checking out one (or more) of the many wineries as they are known for their wine in the region. And, I mean, I think we’ve established by now how lovely wine tasting is in the fall.
THE FALLS //
As far as the actual falls, I prefer the Canadian side to the American as I think the views are better. However, there’s plenty to do on either side, between the observation tower, different tours, boat rides, hiking trails and you can also easily walk the bridge between the two side (Just don't forget your passport!), which in and of itself is fun to do.
As far as tours, while I know many prefer the boat tours, we actually really enjoyed the Journey Behind the Falls, which is a walking tour that takes you under the falls instead. It’s less expensive than the boat tour (as of 2021, it’s$23 per person), you can explore at your own pace, and you are able to get up close and personal with the falls without having to take a rocky boat ride (which is ideal if you’re someone like me who does not do well on boats, especially ones rocking back and forth). And, not to sound like a broken record, but, as with everything else with the falls, it does get busy so I’d suggest going as early as you can. Additionally, it is on the Canadian side so Covid restrictions do apply at this time.
DON’T FORGET TO PACK //
Your passport so you can go be sure to go to either side of the falls! Also, a change of clothes and a pair of shoes with good traction, especially if you’re planning to do any of the tours or boat rides, as it’s wet and slippery and you’ll probably get soaked!
Seneca Lake
Seneca Lake, which is part of New York’s Finger Lakes region, is absolutely beautiful and so perfect for a fall romantic getaway. It’s very outdoor-focused, with lots of hiking and farms, but the region is also very well known for its wine so there are no shortage of wineries and breweries to be found. Overall, the vibe is very relaxed, chill and laid-back. There’s plenty to do while also still feeling like you’re somewhere that you can actually shut off and relax. To be completely honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and I really didn’t think I would love it as much as I did. But in fact, I loved it so much that I actually wish we had spent more time visiting and exploring various regions of the Finger Lakes, like nearby Cayuga Lake, while we were still living in a road trips distance to them (versus on the other side of the country).
Another thing I loved about visiting Seneca Lake was that it felt like I truly left New York and went somewhere completely different. While I adore the Hudson Valley and have spent countless weekends there, during peak fall season, it can often feel like you didn’t even leave the city because, well, everyone else leaves the city, too, so it kind of just feels like you took the city with you. But visiting the Finger Lakes truly felt almost like we had escaped to somewhere in the European countryside. It was just lovely and perfect!
If you’re looking for a fall getaway upstate that is relaxed and remote, wine-focused, good for leaf peeping, hiking and outdoor activities, a little more under-the-radar and/or not just full of everyone who left the city for the weekend (aka kind of like the Hudson Valley), Seneca Lake is perfect for you.
If you’d like to plan a visit, you can read more about Seneca Lake and all the details of our trip, including where we stayed, where we ate, what we did and more, in this post.