Fall is a wonderful time of year to visit Upstate New York. The air gets cooler, the weather turns crisp, and the leaves begin to turn vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, and brown. Here are our favorite things to do in Upstate New York in the Fall.
8. Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown
If you’re a fan of baseball, you can’t miss the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. Take a guided tour of the facilities or peruse the 400,000 artifacts yourself. The best part is that the museum is a treasure for Yankees fans and non-Yankees fans alike. You can even get a personalized tour of your favorite team, whoever that may be!
7. Six Flags Great Escape
Sometimes the best views of fall foliage can be found while plummeting back down to earth on a roller coaster. Six Flags Great Escape is a staple of Lake George and hosts their annual OktoberFest on select October weekends as well as Fright Fest. Their Olympic Bobsled coaster is a one-of-a-kind ode to the region’s olympic history.
6. Hayrides
Hayrides are a quintessential fall activity. You can find them at farms and ranches all over the state. If you’re looking for a scenic option in the heart of the Adirondacks, Applejacks Orchard is an excellent option. You can also opt for something more thrilling, with Double M Haunted Hayrides offering an array of haunted hayrides and attractions in the Capital Region.
5. The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze
Located in Croton-on-Hudson, the Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze is an annual event held on a picturesque 18th century manor. Thousands upon thousands of hand-carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns dot the landscape and make for a really beautiful, festive scene.
4. Visit the Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes region is home to some of the best fall foliage in the country. The Finger Lakes region is home to an array of finger-shaped lakes, the largest of which are Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka. There are many different towns with scenic drives throughout the area that offer great views of the autumnal colors. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, head out to one of the neighboring lakes where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery without the crowds. Be sure to check out the Bristol Mountain Fall Sky Rides for an unforgettable leaf-peeping experience.
3. Explore the Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondacks are located in the northeastern corner of New York State. The region is surrounded by glacial lakes and stunning mountain peaks, providing visitors with a wide variety of activities. Hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowmobiling, and even cross-country skiing are just a few things you can do in the Adirondacks.
You can stay in the historic town of Lake Placid, NY and attend Oktoberfest at Whiteface Mountain. Be sure to check out our top 12 resorts for the best skiing near NYC. Many of these mountains offer scenic fall foliage chairlift / gondola rides that can quickly become the highlight of your trip.
2. Take a Hike
If you want to truly escape the hustle and bustle of city life, then take a hike in the woods. The Adirondacks are filled with trails that lead to secluded summits, lakes and ponds. You can spend hours exploring the forest and discovering hidden gems. Here are some of our favorite hikes:
| Trail Name | Region | Location | Distance | Difficulty |
| The Gorge Trail | Finger Lakes | Watkins Glen, New York | 1.5 mi loop | Easier |
| Kaaterskill Falls | Catskills | Palenville, NY | 1.6 mi out-and-back | Easier |
| Taughannock Falls | Finger Lakes | Ithaca, NY | 1.8 mi out-and-back | Easier |
| Mt Jo | Adirondacks | Lake Placid, NY | 2.4 mi loop | Moderate |
| Chimney Mountain | Central Adirondacks | Indian Lake, NY | 2.6 mi out-and-back | Moderate |
| Cascade Mountain | Adirondacks | Lake Placid, NY | 5.8 mi round trip | Difficult |
| Mount Marcy | Adirondacks | Keene, NY | 14.8 mi round trip | Strenuous |
1. Move to NY
New York is truly an amazing four season state. Whether you’re looking to live in the city or in a small mountain town, the state truly has something to offer for everyone. It’s no surprise so many people choose to call this state home. If you’re ready to reap the rewards of this amazing state, you’ll need a team of trustworthy movers to get you there.
Metropolis Moving is a Brooklyn-based moving company with tons of experience moving in and out of New York City, New Jersey, and more. Get a moving quote today so you can start building your American Dream in the Empire State.
