It’s fall, and that means a few things: pumpkin spice everything, changing leaves, hot apple cider (maybe with some delicious doughnuts?), and beautiful drives down country roads in New York. While you’re waiting for foliage to get in full swing, we’ve planned out a few of the best scenic drives in New York that are absolutely incredible in the fall. The Empire State has such amazing fall foliage that everyone should get out there and enjoy. These short gorgeous byways are some of the best scenic drives in New York. We’ve got ten beautiful drives mapped out for you that are pure bliss in the fall.

1. Drive up Prospect Mountain to enjoy an amazing view of Lake George.
Johannes Thiel/Flickr
Google Maps
No matter what time of year it is, this is one of those New York byways that is a favorite mountain for explorers to hike. The cool thing about it (well, if you're less exploratory) is that you also have the option to drive up to the top! Out-of-town visitors populate this area during the summer months, but the real residents know that the drive is far more enticing in the fall. With panoramic views of Lake George waiting for you, this is the perfect time to hit the road!

Here are the directions from Google Maps. You can check out more photos from the drive in this article.
2. Take one of the most scenic loops you'll find out in the Catskills along Route 23A.
Andy Arthur/Flickr
Google Maps
This loop will bring you to extraordinary places with amazing views, lookout points, and even waterfalls. If you start in Catskill on Route 23A, you'll drive down winding roads through the mountains. You'll be able to see Bastion Falls just off the road and also have the opportunity to take a half-mile hike to Kaaterskill Falls. It's considered by many to be the tallest waterfall in New York, and the lookout points in this area are incredible. Keep traveling along Route 23A until it meets up with Route 23, where you'll find another gorgeous lookout point in East Windham. The Five Point Lookout at Captain's Inn Point Lookout will allow you to see five states on a clear day. It doesn't get much better than that!

We've got the drive planned out for you on Google Maps.
3. Take Route 38 from Moravia around Owasco Lake to Auburn
rbarnes4/TripAdvisor
Google Maps
With so many country roads in New York's Finger Lakes region, it's tough to pick a favorite. We absolutely love making the drive out near Owasco Lake towards Auburn. It's pure bliss in the fall! You'll be surrounded by rolling green hills and farmland, as well as amazing views of the lake. And don't forget all that small town charm! For this trip, a great starting point is Fillmore Glen State Park in Moravia. This underrated state park is filled with stunning waterfalls and fantastic trails. Make your way up around the lake and you can end the day right by the water again in Emerson Park in Auburn. It's the perfect place to bring a picnic and watch the sun go down.

Check out the route on Google Maps.
4. Drive up the Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway
Bryan Smith/Flickr
Google Maps
This one is a drive that many of us wait to take until New York's foliage is in full swing. This scenic highway is just one of the many incredible roads you can discover up in the Adirondacks. In fact, the entire village of Lake Placid is absolutely incredible this time of year. In the above shot, you can see the view of Little Whiteface Mountain. If you start down in the town of Wilmington and make your way up the beautiful highway, you'll go up New York's fifth tallest mountain. Did you know this is the highest paved road you can drive along in New York?

For a map of this route, visit Google Maps.
5. Enjoy a short drive out on Route 408 that runs parallel with the beautiful Letchworth State Park.
Google Maps
Google Maps
Make your way out past the Finger Lakes and enjoy the rural views that Route 408 has to offer. You'll see some of the most beloved scenic places in New York. This path runs parallel with the incredible Letchworth State Park, and is a short but sweet drive to take during leaf peeping season.

Here's the route on Google Maps.

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6. Take Route 41 to drive a loop around Skaneateles Lake.
Gail Fisher/Flickr
Google Maps
Many of the best scenic drives in New York are in the Finger Lakes region. It's an area full of natural beauty. Yet another of our favorite New York scenic byways is Route 41. This will take you on a straight shot from Skaneateles to the village of Homer on the lake's east side. Skaneateles Lake has some of the clearest water in New York, and you'll have some incredible views. To make the route a little longer and even more beautiful, we'll have you drive back around the other side of Skaneateles Lake, taking Route 41A.

Google Maps has our full route.
7. Enjoy the amazing views you'll have of the Delaware River while traveling along the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.
Mick L./Yelp
Google Maps
Drive right along the New York state border and the Delaware River on Route 97. This incredibly scenic highway is amazing to travel on at any time of year. Taking a trip along this route while the leaves are changing and vibrant is something everyone should cross off their bucket list, though! This is one of the windiest roads in New York!

The Google Maps map will show you all the details.
8. Take a beautiful drive through New York's High Peaks on Route 73.
Lea Monroe/Only In Your State
Google Maps
This is known as the High Peaks Scenic Byway, and it's easy to see why. It's one of the best country roads in New York. Route 73 allows you to surround yourself with some of the Empire State's tallest mountains. You'll go right by picturesque Adirondack ponds, the perfect place to enjoy our amazing fall foliage. You'll travel through Keene Valley and can stop and visit the charming towns you'll pass along the way. Route 73 ends right in the wonderful Lake Placid. This is such an incredible drive!

View the route on Google Maps.
9. Take a trip out towards Central New York and enjoy the remote views you can soak in surrounding Green Lakes State Park.
Google Maps
Google Maps
Plan on heading out this way and want to enjoy the foliage as much as you possibly can? Route 257 and Route 290 surround one of our favorite state parks and showcase many of our wide open fields and colorful forests. This loop is quick and easy to enjoy, a great add-on to any adventure out to in Fayetteville.

Here's the route on Google Maps.
10. Drive along one of the many routes you can take to enjoy the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway.
Google Maps
Google Maps
There are plenty of ways to enjoy the Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway, but traveling along this section of Route 44 is one of the best! This 16-mile section will bring you right through the Gunks. It's a fantastic drive to take, especially at this time of year, and you'll get a wonderful peek at what the terrain is like in this region of New York.

Check out the map on Google Maps.

These are really some of the best scenic drives in New York and you won’t want to miss any of them!

Speaking of incredible places to visit, did you know that Two Of America’s Most Breathtaking Destinations Are Right Here In New York?

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More to Explore

Scenic Places in New York

Lisa Sammons | July 20, 2021

What are some must-see natural wonders in New York?

As any visitor or resident of the Empire State knows, we are loaded with natural beauty. We've got a convenient bucket list of 14 for you, but if you just want the main must-sees, you don't want to miss Kaaterskill Falls, Howe Caverns, and the Ausable Chasm. Our waterfalls alone would take days to explore!

What are some of the most scenic places in New York?

New York certainly has no shortage of scenic places. Whether you prefer the Adirondacks or the Catskills, small town or city, we have beauty all around us here in the Empire State. Here's a list of 16 unimaginably beautiful places in New York that you won't want to miss. Green Lake in Green Lakes State Park has a vibrant green shade throughout the year: how cool is that?

What are some of the best state parks in New York?

We love Letchworth State Park! It's easy to see why it's known as the Grand Canyon of the East. Of course, you can't visit New York without seeing Niagara Falls State Park, and there's tons of great hikes to enjoy there.

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Featured Addresses
Prospect Mountain, Lake George, NY 12846, USA
New York 23A, NY-23A, Tannersville, NY, USA
Fillmore Glen State Park, 1686 NY-38, Moravia, NY 13118, USA
New York 431, NY-431, Wilmington, NY 12997, USA
New York 408, NY-408, Mt Morris, NY, USA
Skaneateles Lake, New York, USA
Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, 585 NY-97, Sparrow Bush, NY 12780, USA
New York 73, NY-73, Lake Placid, NY, USA
Green Lakes State Park, 7900 Green Lakes Rd, Fayetteville, NY 13066, USA
Shawangunk Mountains, Gardiner, NY 12525, USA