“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

– Albert Camus

They say summer always ends too soon, but with leaves changing colors, crisp evenings spent around campfires, and apple-flavored everything, the transition from summer to fall is quite possibly the best time of the year.

When you think of fall, what comes to mind? Hot apple cider? Trading tank tops for cozy sweaters? Pumpkin patches? For many (including us), fall is synonymous with leaf-peeping. For those who may not be familiar, leaf-peeping is a popular term used throughout the U.S. and Canada. It refers to people gawking at and taking photos of fall foliage. The term is especially well-known in New England — which may take the cake for the most spectacular leaf-peeping in the country (depending on who you ask). Picture this: Mountains throughout New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine transforming their summertime green colors into a sea of yellow, red, and brown…sounds pretty nice, yes? Then add acorns, maple syrup, your favorite sweater, and fresh apple cider doughnuts, and what you have is a perfect fall weekend in New England.

We spent the fall of 2022 in Upstate New York (which some people consider an honorary portion of New England) and managed to do a lil’ leaf-peeping ourselves:

When is the best time to go leaf-peeping in Upstate New York?

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Despite summer feeling like it’s lasting longer and longer each year (shoutout to climate change and private jets, woo!), by October, it usually starts to feel like fall in the Northeast. So if you’re planning a leaf-peeping excursion in New York, any weekend in October will do. And don’t rule out November — the first few weeks of November tend to be chillier, but the views are just as beautiful as in October. And if you wait until November, you may be able to score cheaper lodging rates versus October (which is the prime leaf-peeping month — and hotels know it).

Where are the best places to go leaf-peeping in Upstate New York?

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Oh gosh, where to begin?! Once you get 2 to 3 hours outside of New York City and into the heart of the state of New York (which is often referred to as just “Upstate”), you can enjoy spectacular foliage views. Popular (and gorgeous) leaf-peeping spots in New York include:

• Lake George: As busy as Lake George is in the summer, it might be even more popular in the fall. The 32-mile-long lake is nestled in the Adirondack Mountains and surrounded by vibrant red, yellow, and brown trees in October. Plus, the towns surrounding the lake are charming on a normal day…add in fall foliage, and you might feel like you’re on the set of a Hallmark movie.

• Old Forge: Another mountain town located within Adirondack Park, Old Forge provides the perfect home base for any leaf-peeping adventures you might have in mind. Whether you kayak along the water or hike one of the many trails in the area, prepare to see bright yellow, gold, and red leaves everywhere you look. Bonus: Old Forge has a leaf report that’s updated regularly, so you can scope out the scene ahead of time.

• Finger Lakes: Any of the 11 gorgeous lakes in Upstate New York should suffice for your leaf-peeping needs. Not only can you take in the views of fall foliage around the pristine lakes, but the Finger Lakes region is also known for beautiful waterfalls and charming wineries. Personally, we’re big fans of Lake Skaneateles and the picturesque town there.
  
• Niagara Falls: There are so many scenic areas in Upstate New York that people tend to forget about the most iconic spots of them all — Niagara Falls State Park. Everyone should make a point to view the massive falls at some point in their lives, and during the fall months, you can enjoy views of the rushing waterfalls and fall foliage. What more could ya ask for? Plus, if you have your passport handy, it’s easy to cross the border and check the falls (and foliage) out from Canada.

• Letchworth State Park: This state park on the western side of New York is a pretty sweet spot on a normal day, so in the fall? Forget about it. There are 3 different canyons and 100 waterfalls in Letchworth State Park, plus plenty of hiking. Unfortunately, we haven’t made it here yet, but it’s definitely on our list of places to visit (and should be on yours, too).

• Cazenovia Lake: If the Finger Lakes are too far of a drive, a great alternative is the tiny village of Cazenovia and the gorgeous lake located there. Plus, Chittenango Falls State Park is a short drive from the village and features a waterfall that’s stunning any time of the year. (If you end up planning a weekend trip to Cazenovia, this blog might help!)

Preparing for leaf-peeping in Upstate New York

Do you want to go leaf-peeping in October? So does everyone else.

To ensure a smooth trip, you’ll want to plan ahead and come prepared. If possible, try to lock down lodging during the summer months — many of the quaint hotels sell out during prime leaf-peeping weekends. Then you’ll want to research trails and activities before you arrive so you have an idea of what to do during your visit. If you’ll be visiting state parks, it’s never a bad idea to bring cash to pay any fees the parks might charge.

As for attire, layers are the way to go. Fall can be fickle, and chilly mornings often give way to warm afternoons. Once the sun goes down, it could drop to the 30s in some areas, and Western New York is known to get the occasional October snowfall. So be prepared and pack layers, especially if you plan on hiking during your trip.

Another important item to pack when leaf peeping? Your patience. Seriously, don’t expect to hit a hotspot like Letchworth State Park and have the place to yourself. Fall is very much not the off-season for outdoor recreation in Upstate New York. That’s why it’s important to plan and be prepared for crowds.

Of course, don’t let the crowds hold you back. Viewing fall foliage in the beautiful state of New York is a treat, and definitely worth doing. If you can squeeze a trip Upstate this autumn, you won’t regret it.