It’s fall y’all. Time to get out on fun dates around New York (not just New York City). New York fall day date ideas can range from indoor activities requiring absolutely no subways to outdoor adventures requiring hiking boots! I know what you’re probably thinking: who wants a date that requires hiking boots? Totally get it. I enjoy hiking (even with my chronic pain issues), but not everyone does. It’s why there’s plenty of other suggestions for you! Food tours, wineries, zoos, and more! Let’s explore the whole state of New York – upstate, western, downstate, and sure, even Manhattan.

New York Fall Day Date Ideas

We often chat with our mate as we scroll through Instagram and say things like “this looks like fun” and “let’s do this one day”. Everyone talks about those bucket lists, then make a list, but never, you know, do anything on the list. We should stop talking and making lists, and start doing these things that spark our interests. And who says your New York fall day date has to be with your romantic partner? Let’s start having day dates with friends, our kids, our cousins, and our favorite family members.

Food Tours

One of my all-time favorite ways to spend a day, any day in any season, is going on a food tour. I’ve done them in various cities across the country, because I love food and exploring new restaurants in my favorite cities. I like to believe the walking around cancels out any calories from the food I’m shoving in my pie hole!

• New York City: explore areas like Little Italy, Greenwich Village, Brooklyn & Chinatown with Secret Food Tours
• Long Island: a few tour options allow you to explore Rockville Centre, Patchogue, Huntington, Bay Shore, Babylon & Farmingdale with Food Done It? food tours
• Rochester: Flower City Food Tours has so many options to explore not just Downtown Rochester, Park Avenue and the Neighborhood of the Arts, but also Pittsford and Fairport Village.
• Niagara Falls area (Lewiston): Lewiston isn’t far from Niagara Falls and has a great history you’ll learn about if you take the The Roaming Table Food Tour’s Historic Lewiston Village tour, but if you enjoy chicken wings, there’s a tour specifically for wing lovers, too. There’s a couple of others, too, that I know you’ll love.
• Hudson Valley: Farm-to-Table is a huge movement in the Hudson Valley, and I couldn’t love it more. It’s a growing trend taking over the world, and I see nothing wrong with the trend. Hudson Valley Food and Farm Tours supports local restaurants and farmers!
• Adirondacks: We spend a lot of time in the Adirondacks, which encompasses a large amount of Upstate New York. Scouting out great food in the area isn’t too difficult if you start with great food tours like Saratoga Springs Food Tours!

Fall Foliage Viewing

One of the most beautiful experiences New Yorkers get to partake in every autumn: the leaves changing. Mountains and lakes with stunning yellows, reds, and oranges in the background will take your breath away. When we think Autumn in New York, the colors changing across all of our trees is what comes to mind. Sure, you can see some of it at Bryant Park, or Central Park, or even local neighborhood parks. But man, there’s something about witnessing the vibrant colors as you drive through Western New York, Upstate New York, the Hudson Valley…. and yes, even Long Island. Grab your date and enjoy the leaves together!

• Revolution Rail: If you head upstate in October, you can enjoy the great outdoors and the fall foliage as you pedal your way along repurposed abandoned train tracks with Revolution Rail.
• Best New York Fall Foliage spots

Farms/Orchards/Wineries

Although I don’t enjoy wine, and I haven’t had an alcoholic beverage since 2020, I’m still a huge fan of visiting farms, orchards, and even wineries. New York has a plethora of farms, orchards, and wineries you can visit all through the year – but if you’re heading out to enjoy the fall foliage, might as well enjoy a bit of time hanging at local spots! Start your search at tourism board websites to plan your trips!

Fall Festivals

It doesn’t matter what the season is, New York loves our festivals. Fall has some of the best ones packed with pumpkins, apples, and baked treats that scream AUTUMN!!! You can start looking for festivals and fairs on New York Fall Foliage.

Hiking or Walking Across the Brooklyn Bridge

All across New York, including New York City, there are plenty of parks and outdoor spaces to hike for your New York Fall day date. But, one of the best “hikes” isn’t a hike at all. It’s a gorgeous long walk across one of our most iconic bridges, you know, the one everyone wants to “sell you” when you’re being extra naive and gullible. Yep, the Brooklyn Bridge. You can walk across it and also enjoy the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park. Fall is one of the best times to do this as it isn’t humid and oppressively hot (like in the summer), making it a much more pleasant adventure.

Zoos/Museums/Botanical Gardens

Everywhere you go, there’s museums, zoos, and botanical gardens visit. Famous ones like the New York Botanical Gardens, and the Bronx Zoo. Oddly enough, there’s even outdoor museums, or sculpture parks, you can spend the day exploring. A quick search in your favorite browser will return a ton of options to select from!

Regardless of what lights your fire, there’s plenty of New York Fall day dates throughout New York State. Start planning, there’s no time like the present to get out and take in all the beauty our state offers.