Upstate New York becomes a collage of oranges, reds and yellows during the fall season. The state is known for its fall foliage, and people travel from all over to get a view of the leaves! The brightest colors are on a ticking time clock, though, so be sure to sketch leaf-peeping into one of your weekend activities soon so you don’t miss out on the changes of the season. Whether you want to stay local or take a weekend getaway, the tells you when and where the leaves are at their peak!
For the Locals
Green Lakes
has two glacial lakes surrounded by beautiful, lush forests. At this time of year, the park is free to the public, and parking is available near the beach and trails. Green Lakes offers plenty of walking paths that lead through tunnels of trees, so if you’re feeling active, this is one of the best places to enjoy the autumn foliage as you go on a run or walk. If you’re not feeling quite as active, the park’s beach is a great place to set up a blanket, picnic, relax and listen to music while viewing the fall trees reflecting off the water.
Erie Canalway Trail
The Erie Canalway Trail is a favorite for bike-riding enthusiasts because it is a flat, dirt-paved road that goes all the way from Albany to Buffalo, with a stretch of the trail going right through Syracuse. Biking along the trail is a great way to take in the autumn sights. If you start your journey from in Kirkville, you can pull right up to the trail and park for free. There are also picnic tables on the shoreline, and in the evening, you can catch a stunning sunset that’ll make the red, orange and yellow leaves glow.
Thornden Park
A (very) short walk from campus will lead you to Thornden Park, the home of a hilly walking path that will give you a good workout. A short uphill battle will lead you up to the water tower. The journey is worth the view; the grass hill looks out over Syracuse, enabling you to see fall colors all across the city.
For the Travelers
The Adirondacks
One of the best places to see the leaves change is in the . The tree-covered landscape offers many beautiful views, and fall is one of the best times to visit. You can go hiking or kayaking, or stay in your car to enjoy a gorgeous autumn drive, stopping at various viewpoints to take in the fall foliage. September and October are the best times to visit the Adirondacks before the snow falls, and the area puts on throughout the season.
The Finger Lakes
With 11 different lakes making up the nearby region of New York known as the , you can bet on finding a lake to visit that fits you best. An hour and a half away from campus is , home to a must-see 215-foot waterfall surrounded by orange, red and yellow shades of trees.
Letchworth State Park
is also called the “Grand Canyon of the East,” and for good reason. The Genesee River runs through the park, creating over 600-foot waterfalls surrounded by changing-colored lush trees. The three main must-see and highly visited waterfalls are named Upper, Middle and Lower.
Written By Emily Rutkowski G’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications