Autumn used to be all about a crisp chill in the air and wearing sweaters…..now, our temperatures are all out of whack in New York. We can go from summer-type temps on a Friday and snow the following day. However, the one thing that remains a constant: the changing of the leaves. It happens at different times, but it always happens! Although the leaf color changes happen all throughout the Northeast, the most scenic leaf peeping spots are in New York!
Where are the Best Scenic Leaf Peeping Spots in New York
If you’ve never been to New York, you might believe everything looks like Manhattan and the boroughs. It most definitely is not, BUT regardless of where you plan to go in New York in the Fall, you can find amazing opportunities to view leaves changing! Yes, even in the middle of Manhattan, there’s a chance to leaf peep!
New York City Leaf Peeping Spots
I mean, some of the most beautiful fall foliage happens right in the heart of New York City. YES, right in the middle of Manhattan. But, other parts of NYC provide scenic leaf peeping opportunities.
- Manhattan’s Central Park
- Brooklyn’s Botanical Gardens, or Prospect Park
- Queens’s Kissena Park
- Bronx’s Van Cortlandt Park
Hudson Valley Locations to View the Changing of the Leaves
If you live in New York City and want a local area to explore the leaves, take a road trip or a train ride up to the Hudson Valley! If you take the train, be prepared to use Uber or Lyft to get from the train to your final destination.
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow’s a short drive from New York City, and if you head there to look at the leaves, you should also explore some of their Halloween festivities, too! Make it the ultimate Fall destination for your entire family – the spook lovers, as well as the leaf lovers.
Hyde Park
One of Hyde Park’s claims to fame is The Culinary Institute of America. It’s where culinary students start their journey into chef-dom. As a parent of a culinary arts student at the school, we’ve become familiar with the area and have discovered the beauty Hyde Park offers.
The school’s campus is a fantastic spot to view fall foliage along the Hudson River. You can even grab a meal at one of their on-campus restaurants. Or, head to Vanderbilt Mansion to check out the leaves, and then head over to The Culinary Institute of America for some amazing food!
New Paltz
New Paltz’s Mohonk Preserve provides leaf peepers a beautiful chance to explore the bright reds, oranges, and yellows as you hike, bike ride, horseback ride, or climb Gunks Cliffs. If you want to experience ultimate luxury, stay over at Mohonk Mountain House and make it the perfect Fall getaway.
Explore the Leaf Colors Change in Western New York
Most people believe there are three parts to New York: New York City (really, Manhattan if we’re being honest), Upstate, and Long Island. Most people are wrong. There are distinct regions in this great state, and if you’re from Rochester or Niagara Falls, you usually tell people you’re from Wester New York. Yep, even we go “western”.
Rochester
It’s known for a famous Lilac Festival, but Rochester, New York’s Highland Park is one of the best places to enjoy leaf peeping with friends and family. Or, hear me out, check out the leaves changing at Mount Hope Cemetery. They have tours throughout the season, which includes viewing where Susan B Anthony is laid to rest.
Niagara Falls
If you want to view one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the United States, going in the Fall is one of the best times of the year to view The Falls as well as fall foliage. Goat Island provides breathtaking views, but there are plenty of other parks in and around Niagara Falls you’ll catch scenic leaf peeping spots!
Finger Lakes
It’s known for its wine, but that’s not all that’s up in the Finger Lakes. There’s plenty of, you guessed it, lakes, and where there are lakes there are parks. Parks have a ton of trees! You’ll love experiencing leaf peeping in the Finger Lakes.
Catskills
Skiing isn’t all the Catskills has to offer New Yorkers, or visitors to New York. You know where there are mountains, there’s got to be great chances for scenic leaf peeping spots you can explore (before that snow hits and the ski bunnies take over the area).
Adirondacks
As a kid, Lake George, New York was a favorite family vacation destination for not just my family, but many on Long Island. Mostly, we visited in the Summer. As I got older, I started to explore the area during what is considered the “off-season”: Autumn. Although there were few hotels, and even fewer restaurants, open during the off-season, there was plenty to see and do!
Now? The area has started to play into the Fall Season, and there’s even a chain hotel in Lake George Village open all-year, so heading up there for some fall foliage fun is easier. Probably the best place to take in all the colors of the leaves is Prospect Mountain!
If you don’t mind driving a little further, be sure to visit Gore Mountain and take a quick visit Lake Placid!
Long Island
Yes, Long Island has plenty of parks, not just beaches! Although Queens and Brooklyn are both PHYSICALLY located on Long Island, they’re considered part of New York City. Long Island starts at the Nassau County border and goes all the way out to The End of Long Island. Surprisingly, the infamous Hamptons aren’t the best area to view fall foliage.
Regardless of where you go in New York State, there’s a plethora of opportunities to enjoy the changing leaves throughout Autumn. Head out and enjoy all the shades of red, yellow, and orange!
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