Fall in the New York is unlike any other season. The air turns crisp, the residents return from their summer sanctuaries, and the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds drape across the endless trees throughout the northeast. So for this Columbus Day Weekend, take advantage of scenic train trips, outdoor adventures and opportunities to ogle at the fiery palette of fall foliage! Need some weekend getaway inspiration? We’ve got you covered.
Take a day trip to Westchester County to the gorgeous rolling fields and scenery of Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture for Harvest Fest! Peruse delicious, local products at the farmers market, enjoy live music, embark on educational tours throughout the property and more! The festival takes place on Saturday, October 7 – make a weekend getaway out of it and explore some of the other amazing outdoor facilities nearby in Westchester County: Muscoot Farm, the Wolf Conservation Center, Hilltop Hanover Farm, Greenburgh Nature Center and more! Only an hour or so outside NYC, this trip is a great excuse to reserve some sporty wheels from ReachNow for a short road trip through the blazing fall foliage!
Celebrate the “orchard to glass” movement during Cider Week Finger Lakes! From September 29 – October 8, the Finger Lakes is paying tribute to the oldest craft beverage in America: cider. Explore the legacy of New York cider found throughout the rolling hillsides of the Finger Lakes. Visit one of the endless cider events taking place throughout the week at one of over 50 participating locations. Grab a Greyhound bus from NYC up to Ithaca, NY – the central location for a long list of Cider Week events – so you can enjoy the stunning fall foliage dotting the landscape the whole ride! Explore the scenic waterfalls and gorges with an autumn hike and cozy up at a local inn for a perfect long weekend getaway.
Spend a gorgeous fall weekend in the epic Catskill mountains. Hike, bike, boat, fish and explore beneath the changing autumn leaves! Book a Trailways Bus ride out to the Great Western Catskills in Delaware County to celebrate the Catskills Lark in the Park. The annual event from 9/30 – 10/9 brings together hundreds of people and dozens of organizations to heighten awareness of the Catskill Mountain region. While you’re in Delaware County, check out one of the other harvest events like Plattepalooza or the Taste of the Catskills Festival — fun for the whole family! If you’ve opted for a car share or rental from NYC for the Columbus Day weekend adventure, take this opportunity to cruise up the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway in Sullivan County for unbelievable views and tranquility in the cool mountain air. Hole up in a local B&B tucked in the countryside and visit one of the many agritourism destinations the region has to offer — you can even visit an alpaca farm! With so much to see and do, you may decide to stay all week!
Fall in Central New York is indescribably beautiful! Known for it’s craft brew and outdoor adventure, this is the perfect time of year to visit. Hop on the Amtrak Adirondack route up to Albany or Schenectady , which is bringing back its vintage Dome Car for the fall foliage season. After you’ve peeped the leaves all the way up from NYC, plot your own Brew Central craft brew trail across “America’s Craft Brew Destination!” Pick and choose from breweries, wineries, distilleries along the gorgeous scenery heading west across the state. While you’re there, make plans to fish, bike, hike and explore before the crisp air turns cold! Check here for info on lodging.
Celebrate the long weekend in quintessential Hudson Valley fashion at Barton Orchards! There is truly nothing more delicious than a New York apple. They’ll have apple picking (fruit/weather permitting), games, live music, and delicious eats all day long to celebrate the harvest season. While you’re spending the weekend in Dutchess County, follow along with our self-guided agritourism Farm Fresh Tour for ideas on other farms (like Breezy Hill Orchard, Sawkill Farm, Sprout Creek Farm) and quaint towns (like Red Hook and Rhinebeck) to visit! Grab the Metro-North train in and out of Poughkeepsie or Beacon to get a scenic ride up the Hudson River!
In Northeast Pennsylvania, the region reaches a whole new level of life with the coming of fall! The leaves are changing, the pumpkin patches are abundant, harvest events are popping up all over. There’s so much to see and do, so pare it down with this Top Ten things to do in the fall in Luzerne County. Must-do activities include foliage-covered hikes, paddles down the river, maze racing, pumpkin picking, cider sipping and so much more. Cozy up in a local B&B and enjoy the tranquility of warm changing leaves and spending time in the great outdoors! And of course we can’t forget Vermont! Check out Vermontvacation.com for ideas! Make it a leaf-peeping road trip with a super convenient car share from Brooklyn!
Photo credits: Vermont Vacation, Dreamstime, Stone Barns, Barton Orchards, Brew Central and Luzerne County CVB.
Comments