One of the best times for you to explore New York, there’s nothing quite like taking an exciting day trip during the fall season. Before we know it, everywhere we turn we’ll be able to see our beautiful foliage, leaving us full of the urge to explore more of our state. Giving you a variety of options, we’ve put together a list of some of the best day trips in New York that we think everyone needs to experience in the Empire State while fall is here.

1. High Falls Gorge - Wilmington
High Falls Gorge, Wilmington, NY 12997, USA
Blondie540/TripAdvisor
There are handfuls of amazing places to visit up north in the Adirondacks once New York's fall weather kicks in to gear. An experience that's a bit more unique than most, High Falls Gorge is a 20-acre private park that features four major waterfalls along the Ausable River. Here you can explore nature trails, and walk along bridges and wooden pathways that are jaw-dropping.

How to get here: 4761 NY-86 Wilmington, NY, 12997
2. New York Zipline Canopy Tour - Hunter Mountain
New York Zipline Adventures LLC, 64 Klein Ave, Hunter, NY 12442, USA
NY Zipline Adventures at Hunter Mountain/Facebook
A day trip that will give you hours worth of adventure, those who are looking to kick off fall in an exciting way can zip line across our fall foliage at Hunter Mountain. New York Zipline Adventure Tours will have you walking through our Catskills canopy and flying 600 feet above the ground!

How to get here: 64 Klein Avenue Hunter, NY, 12442
3. Mohonk Mountain House - New Paltz
Mohonk Mountain House, 1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA
Mohonk Mountain House/Yelp
Adventurers of New York are more than familiar with the amazing views you can reach when you have access to the Mohonk Mountain House grounds. The Victorian castle offers day passes to hikers or you can choose other options like making reservations for brunch or spa packages that will also give you access to the grounds. You'll have more than 80-miles of trails at your finger tips including the famed Lemon Squeeze hike to Skytop Tower, from which you'll have endless panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. There's no place more magical to take a fall day trip.

How to get here: 1000 Mountain Rest Road New Paltz, NY, 12561
4. Fort Ticonderoga - Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, 102 Fort Ti Rd, Ticonderoga, NY 12883, USA
Fort Ticonderoga/Facebook
Known for being America's most historic landscape, Fort Ticonderoga is absolutely breathtaking to visit during the fall. The Fort makes for a scenic day trip and even has an incredible corn maze open now through mid-October that you won't want to miss out on.

How to get here: 102 Fort Ti Road Ticonderoga, NY, 12883
5. Watkins Glen State Park - Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen State Park, 1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen, NY 14891, USA
Michael B./Yelp
It's easy to find yourself realizing that summer has already flown by without having paid a trip to Watkins Glen State Park, but that's why they save the best for last! Now that summer is over, visitors can look forward to seeing this enchanting scenery decorated with colorful leaves and breathtaking views everywhere they look. The park's iconic Rainbow Bridge and Falls are absolutely breathtaking - so beautiful, in fact, they don't look real. The hikes in this state park are enchanting; the trails winding through verdant green forests that feature stone staircases, secret caves, and trickling waterfalls. Watkins Glen State Park is the closest you'll come to experiencing Tolkien's Middle Earth... and it's an absolutely sublime experience.

How to get here: 1009 North Franklin Street Watkins Glen, NY, 14891
6. Sprague's Maple Farm - Portville
Sprague's Maple Farms, 1048 Portville-Obi Rd, Portville, NY 14770, USA
JuneNY/TripAdvisor
Fall isn't quite the same unless you add some maple into your life. Bringing all your maple-related dreams to life, your taste buds will fall in love with the menu and treats at Sprague's Maple Farm up in Portville. The farm has their wonderful restaurant that serves breakfast all day long as well as lunch and dinner, and also has a gift shop you must visit! It's inside the gift shop where you will find boxes of their pure maple sugar to take home with you.

How to get here: 1048 Portville Obi Road Portville, NY, 14770
7. Letchworth State Park - Castile
Letchworth State Park, New York, USA
Jane B./Yelp
This New York State Park has some of the most sublime scenery in the country. Here, the Genesee River roars through the majestic gorge, over picture-perfect tiered waterfalls, between stately cliffs, and along the lush Upstate wilderness. The Grand Canyon of the East is one destination you won't regret visiting this fall! The state park covers more than 14,000 acres of Western New York, situated right along the Genesee River. The highlights of Letchworth are its massive waterfalls along the river and beautiful hiking trails that are all throughout the park.

How to get here: 6625 Denton Corners Road Castile, NY, 14427
8. The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze - Croton-On-Hudson
Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside Ave, Croton-On-Hudson, NY 10520, USA
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
The most amazing pumpkin-themed event you'll ever go to in New York, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a highly anticipated annual event in our state. Taking place at the Van Cortlandt Manor, the grounds of the historic site turn into every Halloween and fall lovers dreamscape. With tickets on sale now, you'll find that times sell out quickly!

How to get here: 525 South Riverside Avenue Croton-On-Hudson, NY, 10520

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9. Eternal Flame Falls - Orchard Park
Eternal Flame Falls, Eternal Flame Hiking Trail, Orchard Park, NY 14127, USA
Rob W./Yelp
Making a day trip to any of New York's waterfalls during the fall season is something most of our residents will suggest doing. But one waterfall that's unique to see during Autumn? Eternal Flame Falls. Keeping a fire lit throughout the year, this waterfall is worth hiking to out in Orchard Park.

How to get here: 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road Orchard Park, NY, 14127
10. Arcade & Attica Railroad - Arcade
Arcade & Attica Railroad Corporation, 278 Main St, Arcade, NY 14009, USA
Jonathan Filbert/Flickr
You'll find that most of the scenic railroads that are in New York State offer fall foliage train rides that will leave you speechless. The small town of Arcade is where you'll find a brightly colored train station that gives visitors roughly 90-minute rides through Western New York's rural scenery.

How to get here: 278 Main Street Arcade, NY, 14009
11. Pittsford Farms Dairy - Pittsford
Pittsford Farms Dairy, 44 N Main St, Pittsford, NY 14534, USA
Jeremias JMan M./Yelp
Our residents out in the Rochester area are spoiled to have Pittsford Farms Dairy right in their backyard! The charming dairy farm has its own rustic store filled with flavorful baked goods, tasty ice cream, and the most delicious milk that pairs up amazingly with everything that there is to eat here.

How to get here: 44 North Main Street Pittsford, NY, 14534
12. Storm King Art Center - Windsor
Storm King Art Center, Cornwall, NY 12553, USA
Melodie Mesiano/Flickr
Who doesn't love combining outdoor adventures with sculptures and funky works of art? Plan a fall day trip to Storm King Art Center and you'll get to walk around large open spaces and vibrant colored landscapes all while viewing gorgeous art.

How to get here: 1 Museum Road New Windsor, NY, 12553
13. The Great Pumpkin Farm - Clarence
The Great Pumpkin Farm LLC, 190th Road, Mayetta, KS, USA
gardener41/Flickr
One of the many hearts of fall, the season just doesn't feel right unless we dedicate some time to surrounding ourselves with mass amounts of pumpkins. Head to The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence, and you can enter pumpkin heaven. A family favorite, the farm has a corn maze, playground, petting zoo, zombie paint ball train, and tons of other activities that you won't be able to get enough of.

How to get here: 11199 Main Street Clarence, NY, 14031
14. Saratoga National Historical Park - Stillwater
Saratoga National Historical Park, 648 NY-32, Stillwater, NY 12170, USA
kmchiavetta/TripAdvisor
If you've ever taken the time to explore Saratoga National Historical Park then you know that this hidden gem has amazing views of our state. But it isn't just the scenery that will make you want to visit this park during the fall: rumor has it that this place is also haunted! The unusual activity along the Wilkinson Hiking Trail over the years has sparked many to believe that areas of the park are haunted.

How to get here: 648 NY-32 Stillwater, NY, 12170
15. Taughannock Falls State Park - Trumansburg
Taughannock Falls State Park, Ulysses, NY 14886, USA
Andy Arthur/Flickr
Right at the southern end of Cayuga Lake is one of New York's most stunning state parks, Taughannock Falls State Park. The state park is home to popular hiking trails and even a scenic overlook that gives you a picture perfect view of the more than 200-foot tall Taughannock Falls.

How to get here: 1740 Taughannock Boulevard Trumansburg, NY, 14886
16. Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard
Beak & Skiff Apple Hill Campus / 1911 Tasting Room, 2708 Lords Hill Rd, Marietta, NY 13110, USA
Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard/Facebook
Considered to be New York's best apple orchard, Beak & Skiff has all your fall needs in one place. A day trip you'll never forget, the Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard has a country store, bake shop, kid's area, apple barn, tasting room, and so much more.

How to get here: 2708 Lords Hill Road Lafayette, NY, 13084
17. Prospect Mountain - Lake George
Prospect Mountain, Lake George, NY 12846, USA
Johannes Thiel/Flickr
If you're looking for a day trip that simply involves taking in New York's beautiful views, then you might want to consider driving up to the top of Prospect Mountain. Along the way to the top, you'll have a look at our fall scenery, with the end of this driving giving you an endless view of Lake George.

If you’re looking to get out and explore more of New York during the fall, try traveling along these 10 Country Roads In The Empire State That Will Lead You To Pure Bliss during our autumn season. They really are some of the best day trips in New York!

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More to Explore

Best day trips in New York

Sarah M. | August 08, 2022

Where are the best places to see fall foliage in New York?

Surrounded by unbelievable landscapes, the Adirondacks in New York are one of the most naturally beautiful regions of the country. There is simply so much to see in this magnificent, mountainous region, that it's best to climb aboard the Adirondack Scenic Railroad and allow yourself to be immersed in the stunning scenery. This 50-mile ride from Utica to Thendera is a picture-perfect day trip that allows passengers to revel in the resplendence of the Adirondacks; and during the fall, when the landscape is alight in fall color, it's a wholly wondrous experience that's sure to satisfy all fall foliage admirers.

What's the best fall weekend trips in New York?

New York might be best-known for its world-famous city, but its small towns are truly enchanting, and really come alive in the autumn during the height of fall foliage. Ellicottville is a postcard-perfect little town; it's located about an hour south of Buffalo, and its charming streets are full of quaint shops, historic storefronts, and amazing restaurants. Surrounded by the scenic beauty of western New York, each fall, Ellicottville comes alive with color, providing the perfect backdrop for its annual fall festival. Timed perfectly with the region's peak fall foliage, this festival, which also features food, live entertainment, and carnival rides, is a perennial favorite in the Empire State. Come and ride a gondola high above the hills of western New York during this annual fall fest! Another great fall weekend trip in New York is Croton-on-Hudson. Each autumn, this town comes ablaze with 7,000 hand-carved, luminous pumpkins during the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in New York. Guests at this fest have the unique opportunity to meander through the lovely, 18th century landscape of the historic Van Cortlandt Manor, which is decked to the nines with thousands of glowing pumpkins. The festival is only an hour's train ride from New York City, making it the perfect day trip for New Yorkers looking to shake things up from their usual fall celebrations in the city. 

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