The 18 Prettiest Places to See Fall Foliage Near New York City

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes by car
• Trees to See: white oak, red maple and shagbark hickory
• Best Time to Go: late September/early October
• Where to Stay: The Americus Hotel (from $145/night); Pocono Mountain Retreat (from $148/night, sleeps 7); Bushkill Falls Forest Retreat (from $130/night, sleeps 8)

Autumn doesn’t get more glorious than in the Pocono Mountains, where the eclectic mix of trees turns every color on the fall-foliage spectrum. With over 70,000 acres wrapping around the Delaware River, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is especially great for aquatic activities. Canoes, kayaks and rafts are available to rent. You’ll also find 100 miles of hiking trails to traverse. Afterward, treat your tastebuds to some seasonal sips at R.A.W. Urban Winery & Hard Cidery in downtown Stroudsburg.

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 40 minutes from Manhattan by public transit
• Trees to See: oak, hickory, tulip tree, beech and maple
• Best Time to Go: second week in November
• Where to Stay: The Pearl New York (from $269/night); W New York – Times Square (from $505/night); Crowne Plaza (from $451/night)

Believe it or not, there are some stunning leaves on...wait for it...Staten Island. That’s right! The southernmost borough boasts the Greenbelt Nature Center, a sprawling nature preserve with 35 miles of woodland trails, including one for biking. Before heading out, make a pit stop at one of the area’s famed pizzerias to fuel up for your walk. Our top pick? Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria serves up wood-fired pies and is located less than 10 minutes away. Plus, most activities at the Nature Center (including looking at the breathtaking foliage, obviously) are free.

• Distance from NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes by car
• Trees to See: maple, birch, hickory, oak and beech
• Best Time to Go: late October/early November
• Where to Stay: James Pharmacy Bed & Breakfast (from $304/night); Copper Beech Inn (from $349/night); Art Gallery Apartment (from $172/night, sleeps 5)

Connecticut has an unbelievably impressive leaf-scape (yeah, we’re calling it that). While your mind probably goes to the more woodsy Litchfield Hills, that means overlooking shoreline gems like Essex where you can gaze at foliage from both land and sea. The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat makes daily runs into the Connecticut River Valley, traversing 12 miles of prime leaf-peeping territory. Opt for the full tour, which also passes by local historic sites such as Gillette Castle and the Goodspeed Opera House.

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 45 minutes by public transit
• Trees to See: chestnut and red oak
• Best Time to Go: first week in November
• Where to Stay: The Goldfinch Cabin (from $144/night, sleeps 7); Hudson Valley Victorian (from $375/night, sleeps 6); Charming Hudson Valley Cottage (from $114/night, sleeps 8)

Bear Mountain State Park is a certified stunner all year round, but it’s even more spectacular as the mountainside bursts into shades of scarlet, rust and gold. Scenic trails meander through the beautiful landscape. We’ll admit that the trek to the peak is a bit strenuous and there’s some rock scrambling involved, so less experienced hikers might want to sit this one out. However, the sense of accomplishment and panoramic views from up top are well worth the workout. If you and your family are animal lovers, you’ll definitely want to stop by Trailside Museum & Zoo inside the park, where rehabbed bears, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are given a second chance at life.

• Distance from NYC: 40 minutes by car
• Trees to See: scarlet oak, white oak, shagbark hickory, black walnut, beech, sweetgum and tulip tree
• Best Time to Go: late October/early November
• Where to Stay: Nook’s Delight (from $180/night, sleeps 2); Hastings-on-Hudson Cottage (from $140/night, sleeps 2); Cozy Yonkers Home (from $202/night, sleeps 6)

Just a short trip over the George Washington Bridge lies a scenic stretch called Palisades Interstate Park that’s always a sight for sore eyes, but it gets exponentially prettier in the fall. For the best view of the Hudson River, be sure to hike up the Giant Stairs Trail, which is steep but beyond worth the trek. Or you can drive up the parkway to Rockleigh and back down to Fort Lee for vibrant leaves, 30 miles of trails and a slew of excellent Korean restaurants. A warm bowl of sundubu-jjigae (soft tofu stew) from So Kong Dong is the perfect comforting dish on a chilly evening.

• Distance from NYC: 2 hours by public transit
• Trees to See: Norway maple, white maple, red oak and tulip tree
• Best Time to Go: late October
• Where to Stay: Courtyard by Marriott (from $372/night); Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel (from $324/night); Victorian Townhouse Apartment (from $129/night, sleeps 4)

Imagine the High Line, only bigger. Spanning 1.28 miles, the expansive Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge. Yes, really! Record-breaking length aside, it offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and the surrounding color-changing trees. It’s a quick trip, but to make a full day of it you could easily spend a full day exploring the two towns it touches, Poughkeepsie and Highland. There are historic districts, waterfront walks and even a Little Italy on the east bank, where sandwiches from Rossi Rosticceria Deli shouldn’t be missed.

• Distance from NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes by car
• Trees to See: red oak, chestnut oak, red maple and birch
• Best Time to Go: first week in October
• Where to Stay: The 40-Acre Woods (from $565/night, sleeps 12); Green Meadow Cottage (from $199/night, sleeps 6); Grahamsville Chalet (from $270/night, sleeps 5)

Have time for a full-on weekend excursion? Set your Google Maps destination to Catskill Forest Preserve. This endlessly gorgeous 286,000-acre state park is even more dazzling in autumn when the trees turn from green to fiery red and orange. The meadows, sparkling lakes, waterfalls and rock formations are nothing to scoff at either. For the ultimate relaxing weekend, unplug and get in sync with Mother Nature by renting a rustic cabin or shacking up at a hip hotel in nearby Woodstock. While you’re there, make sure to visit the KaleidOscraper, the world’s largest kaleidoscope.

• Distance from NYC: 15 minutes by public transit
• Trees to See: red oak, maples and elms
• Best Time to Go: early to mid-October
• Where to Stay: Hard Rock Hotel (from $569/night); The Times Square Edition (from $503/night); Harlem Apartment (from $395/night, sleeps 6)

Want to see incredible foliage without leaving Manhattan? We’ve got just the ticket. If you’ve ever taken a boat trip around upper Manhattan, you know exactly what we’re talking about. With three beautifully landscaped acres designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of the architect of Central Park, this park sits a few hundred feet above the Hudson River in Washington Heights and is home to over 570 species of animals and plants, including trees not typically found in New York that explode with color in the fall. With eight miles of pathways (perfect for runners), plus the Heather Garden, the city's largest garden with unrestricted public access, Fort Tryon Park is a must-visit this autumn.

• Distance from NYC: 5 hours by car
• Trees to See: Northern red oak, sugar maple, birch, striped maple and black cherry
• Best Time to Go: early October
• Where to Stay: Crescent Moon Cabin (from $249/night, sleeps 5); Utica Oasis (from $104/night, sleeps 4); Remsen Spa Cabin (from $354/night, sleeps 2)

Streams and bridges and bird-watching, oh my! For something a little different, hop on this train ride upstate to experience all the best foliage New York State has to offer. If you want to really take in all the autumn beauty from the road (ahem, and not have your eyes focused on the road itself), this is a great option that goes places most paths and highways don’t. While the trip is altogether nine hours, the actual train ride is only 2.5 hours each way with a 4.5-hour layover in Old Forge, an adorable old-timey village in the Adirondacks with some of the brightest orange and red trees around. Though October is the best time to take the trip, note that there’s only one weekly train at 9:30 a.m. on Saturdays throughout the month.

• Distance from NYC: 3 hours by car
• Trees to See: beech, sweet birch, red maple and American sycamore
• Best Time to Go: late September to early October
• Where to stay: Fairfield Inn & Suites (from $204/night); Courtyard by Marriott (from $151/night); Adirondack Treehouse Retreat (from $281/night, sleeps 3)

Erie Canal is a historic canal that stretches through much of upstate New York between Lake Erie and the Hudson River known for its significant contributions to early American transportation and westward expansion. Located just north of Albany, the scenic byway is great for hiking, biking, kayaking, walking or driving along, with fluorescent reds, oranges and yellows bursting from the trees along the water and stretching for miles. For the more adventurous New York athlete, consider joining the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon on October 16 for a stunning, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 30 minutes by car
• Trees to See: red oak, black oak, white oak, sugar maple, white ash, American beech, black birch, tulip tree, black cherry, American elm and black tupelo
• Best Time to Go: first or second week of October
• Where to Stay: Secluded Mountaintop Getaway (from $466/night, sleeps 6); Hilltop Hideaway Forest Villa (from $457/night, sleeps 14); Mullet Hall (from $147/night, sleeps 4)

There’s simply no better view of the Hudson River Valley than from atop Hudson Highlands State Park. Hop on the Metro-North or take a quick drive up the Hudson to this magnificent, widely undeveloped state park that boasts over 8,000 acres and 70 miles of trails for hikers and bikers of all experience levels. Bright, tri-colored leaves flow over cascading rock landscapes with hundreds of species of wildlife—including bald eagles. (Did someone say, perfect photo op?) Plus, even more good news: Dogs on leashes are welcome on the trails and in recreational areas, so your furry friend can experience the autumnal beauty with you.

• Distance from NYC: 50 minutes by car
• Trees to See: white oak, red maple, hickory, American beech, red oak
• Best Time to Go: mid to late October
• Where to Stay: The Rockaway Hotel (from $432/night); Renaissance New York (from $378/night); Luxury Forest Hills Studio (from $199/night, sleeps 2)

Just a stone’s throw from the other four boroughs, Alley Pond Park on the border of Queens and Long Island is known for its plethora of trees, playgrounds, hiking trails and handball courts. The vast park is bike-free, so paths and fields remain tranquil and well-kept with saltwater wetlands, tidal flats, meadows and forests that create a perfect environment for birds—and, therefore, birdwatching. Trees line water throughout the park, from weeping willows to hickory-oak forests that slowly (and quite romantically) change from green to yellow to orange, red and even purple. Plus, the Q27 bus goes right by the park’s entrance.

• Distance from NYC: 5 hours, 30 minutes by car
• Best Time to Go: late September, early October
• Where to Stay: Waterfront Artisan Cottage (from $250/night, sleeps 2); Skyline Cabin (from $62/night, sleeps 2); Big Pines Lakefront Cabin (from $217/night, sleeps 6)

Mount Arab is a fun fall weekend getaway spot near Tupper Lake in upstate New York. The trail is a moderate, one-mile hike with a museum and fire tower observation deck at the top. One of just two in Saint Lawrence County, the tower yields majestic views of Mount Morris, Tupper Lake and the Raquette River Valley and, yes, is open to the public. After you’ve peeped the valley of leaves to your heart’s content, warm up in one of Tupper Lake’s many breweries and taverns, including the beloved P-2's Irish Pub and Raquette River Brewing. You’ll also definitely want to put stargazing on your itinerary, as the area’s dark skies make it a prime location for constellation spotting.

• Distance from NYC: 2 hours, 30 minutes by car
• Trees to See: paper birch
• Best Time to Go: late September to early October
• Where to Stay: Mountain Treasure Bed & Breakfast (from $175/night); Kaatskill Mountain Club (from $202/night); Mountainside Haven (from $110/night, sleeps 4)

One of the more epic ways to see fall foliage in New York? By chairlift, of course. At Hunter Mountain in the Catskills, leaf peepers can take the Skyride to the summit of the 3,200-foot peak. Good weather will allow you to spot the Massachusetts’ Berkshire Mountains, as well as the Green Mountains in Vermont. Once you’ve admired the views to your heart’s content, head over to the Hunter Mountain Lodge to warm up with a bite to eat at Van Winkles.

• Distance from NYC: 4 hours by car
• Best Time to Go: mid to late October
• Where to Stay: The Otesaga Resort Hotel (from $521/night); The Railroad Inn (from $381/night); Cooperstown Cabin (from $95/night, sleeps 4)

Cruise down Route 28 for a colorful drive and end in Cooperstown, a village in central New York known as the home of baseball. Fall foliage abounds, in particular at the Farmer’s Museum and Fenimore Art Museum, the latter of which showcases American and American Indian art, while the former explores 19th-century rural life through a variety of workshops and exhibits. Finish your visit with a trip to Fly Creek Cider Mill and The Rose and Kettle in Cherry Valley, where they serve up “fine comfort food.”

• Distance from NYC: 3 hours, 20 minutes by car
• Best Time to Go: early to mid October
• Where to Stay: The Springwater B&B (from $275/night); Saratoga Hilton (from $312/night); The King’s Cottage (from $350/night, sleeps 4)

The region of Capital-Saratoga encompasses the counties of Albany, Fulton, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady and Washington. With seemingly boundless culinary destinations (like Sunhee’s Farm & Kitchen in Troy) and outdoor activities, it’s easy to stretch your leaf-peeping itinerary over a long weekend. Prime foliage sightings happen in the Adirondacks, along Route 30 (Indian Lake to Speculator) and along the south bay of Lake Champlain—just to name a few).

• Distance from NYC: 4 hours, 15 minutes by car
• Best Time to Go: mid October
• Where to Stay: The Dorm Hotel (from $322/night); Canopy by Hilton (from $395/night); Cayuga Inlet Retreat (from $194/night, sleeps 4)

The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway is an 87-mile loop around the body of water, and driving it will give you cathartic views of the water and woodlands, plus the myriad cultural and historic attractions. Stop at Bet the Farm Winery for fruity wines, the Cayuga Nature Center and Cinemapolis, Ithaca’s independent movie theater, for a day of varied activities as you take in the beauty of the changing leaves.

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour, 25 minutes by car
• Best Time to Go: mid to late October
• Where to Stay: Mountain Top Suite (from $206/night, sleeps 4); Historic West Point Home (from $275/night, sleeps 8); House on the Babbling Brook (from $150/night, sleeps 5)

At West Point, the country’s longest-occupied military base, visitors can climb up to Trophy Point, an overlook with sweeping views of the Hudson River Valley. The town is also rife with mansions, including the Boscobel House, Vanderbilt, Lyndhurst and Springwood, which formerly belonged to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition to beautiful landscaping, the estates also offer tours, activities and other events.