It's autumn in New York City! The changing colors of the leaves in fall are always worth seeing. The trees in the city turn a beautiful shade of rust and orange, making them some of the best to see this time of year. Luckily for you, there are many great spots to see these stunning colors in the Big Apple! This article will discuss what those places are and what you can do to make sure you don’t miss out on one of nature's most brilliant sights.
1. STROLL THROUGH CENTRAL PARK
One of the best places to see the kaleidoscope of fall foliage hues in NYC is Central Park, and the leaves change colors like crazy all over this huge park! It's a great way to spend your day — just walking through nature and admiring its beauty. You can also go on an autumn-themed tour of the park that will show you some other spots where it looks absolutely captivating during this time of year. You can begin your fall season stroll at the Conservatory Water, which is close to the park entrance on Fifth Avenue. After you enter, you will see a lot of vibrant reds and oranges that contrast against the blue water in Bethesda Fountain. Another great spot to stop at is Strawberry Fields. The memorial dedicated to John Lennon there has many trees surrounding it with changing leaves, making for some stunning photos when taken from certain angles. There are manyactivities to keep you busyy in Central Park while you are admiring the foliage too. You can also take a free tour around Conservatory Garden near Fifth Avenue and 105th Street. Another point of interest in Central Park is the reservoir. You can take a walk or run on its 1.58-mile track and catch some breathtaking views of the brilliant fall leaves reflected on the water and scores of bird species while you're experiencing it.
2. EXPERIENCE THE HIGHLINE
Another great place to see the autumn colors is on the Highline. The gardens at this lovely attraction have ever-changing textures and colors for all four seasons. Fall has turned the trail into a beautiful mix of oranges, yellows and reds that will make you feel like you are walking through an art gallery! And speaking of art, The Highline features gorgeous exhibits such as Hannah Levy's marble Retainer. However, that is just one of the thought-provoking and enjoyable open-air artwork commissions you can expect to soak in along your walk at this splendid park, as it features a slew of fine artists' pieces. If this isn't enough for you, just look up at the Manhattan skyline while enjoying the colors around you from above on the Highline. Don't forget to enjoy some sweet treats while you're there too, and the Highline hosts eateries like La Newyorkina that offer paletas, a popsicle-like treat that is inspired by the chef’s home in Mexico. You can also munch on street food while you’re there, like the currywurst at the German sausage stand Berlin Currywurst.
3. ENJOY A SUNSET OVER THE HUDSON RIVER VIA Private boat
Another place that will show off Mother Nature's splendor is on one of New York's powerboat rides that take you up and down the Hudson. These tours are a fantastic way to get outdoors and see the changing leaves against the backdrop of a golden sunset. One of these cruises is the NYC fall foliage boat tour, and it departs from Pier 25 at Hudson River Park on 215 West Street. This intimate activity for sailing Manhattan will take you through the iconic New York Harbor. During this private boat ride in NYC, you get to see the vibrant colors of autumn as the sailing vessel cruises by the George Washington Bridge and other eye-catching New York landmarks. This is a great fall birthday party cruise.
4. GO APPLE PICKING JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY
If you're looking for something to do that's a little more rustic, then an apple picking trip is just what the doctor ordered. Local farms in the tri-state area provide generous offerings of apple varieties and fun seasonal things to do, such as seeing cute critters in petting zoos, going for hayrides and getting lost in the tall stalks of corn in one of their befuddling mazes. You can also head on up to New York's Hudson Valley and visit one of its many orchards for some good old-fashioned fun in the country! On a Saturday, for instance, you can head out on a day trip to Apple Hill Farm at New Paltz, which has been family-owned since 1945. Their massive orchard is a great place to start your day of apple picking and even pumpkin picking for your autumn décor and the kiddie’s Halloween jack-o'-lantern carvings.
5. TAKE A HIKING DAY TRIP FROM NYC
If you want to get out of New York City and into the great outdoors, then perhaps a day trip hike is just what you're looking for. A perfect option would be Bear Mountain State Park, which has amazing views from atop its peak that are simply breathtaking on an autumnal afternoon. Other opportunities to get in tune with nature include taking the Appalachian Trail to Anthony's Nose, which is a fantastic hike that's not too strenuous for novices, or heading to Harriman State Park. You can even take advantage of the fact that it has great trails like the Appalachian Trail and Washington Rock if you're looking for something more challenging. Other excellent places to take a fall hike include Breakneck Ridge, Storm King State Park and many Greenways on Long Island.
6. ROAM THE GROUNDS AT NY BOTANICAL GARDEN OR WAVEHILL PUBLIC GARDENS
If your idea of autumn activities involves taking in some lush greens with your burnt umber leaves, then why not roam the grounds of some of New York's many gorgeous botanical gardens? Of course, the most famous would have to be the New York Botanical Garden at Bronx Park, which has over 52 acres of awe-inspiring beauty. The garden also hosts seasonal events like the Orchid Show and is definitely worth checking out if you're an orchid lover! In addition, there are plenty more fall festivities coming up at this outstanding location, including some Halloween-themed ones like the scarecrows and pumpkins exhibit that will be a lot of fun for the family. Another fantastic place to visit is Wave Hill, which hosts various events throughout the year on its 28 acres and has some great trails through its serene beauty spots. So, if you're looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon that's not too strenuous, this would be perfect!
7. SEE THE HUDSON PALISADES
If you're looking for a place to see some natural beauty and maybe even go on a day trip, then consider heading up north to enjoy the Hudson Palisades. This magnificent site’s steep cliffs and exciting trails that give you great views of NYC are something worth checking out! In addition, one of the best views of Palisades from across the Hudson is from a boat tour that goes out into this waterway. Not only will you get to see tons of amazing sights as your cruise along, but they also have some great tours for those who want to enjoy seeing the fall leaves with their beauty reflected in their waters. For instance, New York Harbor Tours' Fall Foliage tour we mentioned earlier takes you up past the stately Palisades, where you can see them in all their glory from the unique vantage point of the deck of a private boat.
8. FIND A FALL FESTIVAL
The Big Apple will be celebrating the season with its various festivals, which are always a great place to have fun in autumn. A few of note include the Harvest festival in Staten Island and San Gennaro festival in Little Italy. Other festive occasions such as the Mid-autumn festivals in New York City's Chinatown, the Oktoberfest at Pier 15 and the Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village are also great options to enjoy during the fall season.
9. GO ON A HAUNTED HAYRIDE
Spooky season is one of the best times to explore the greater NYC area. Gather your family and/or friends and allow a haunted hayride driver to take control of your evening. One place where you can do this is in Sleepy Hollow, NY. This is a mere hour drive from the city, and it’ll be active on October 21 and 22 for the 2022 season. One of the perks of going on a haunted hayride is that you get to sit down and enjoy yourself. Your hayride operator will take you through this NYC fall foliage extravaganza. There will be a lot more to keep your eyes open for than simply leaves, however. After all, every moment presents another opportunity to try to scare you!
10. VISIT THE TOP OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
Visiting the observation deck of The Empire State Building will give you a glorious view of the city. Instead of having to drive around on a fall foliage NYC day trip, you can take in everything from this one convenient location. Although it seems like a tourist attraction that’s been around forever, The Empire State Building has only been a part of New York City’s skyline since 1930. We should all definitely be glad that it’s there, and we should also take advantage of the building’s location to spy fall leaves all around.
11. TAKE A BUS TOUR
Sign up for one of the New York fall foliage tours and leave your worries behind. Instead of having to worry about driving, why not allow an experienced bus driver to take care of it? One of the best fall foliage tours takes passengers from New York City to Canada’s side of Niagara Falls. As you probably already know, taking a drive is one of the best ways to see everything nature has to offer. You’ll see fabulous red and yellow leaves in several areas as your bus makes its way along the almost seven-hour trip. Once you’ve arrived in Niagara Falls, you can hop on the Niagara Skywheel to see even more leaves. You’ll also have your tour bus driver as your fall foliage tour guide.
12. REVEL FROM ATOP A ROOFTOP BAR
NYC is filled with rooftop bars, and the majority of them provide you with an awesome space to contemplate the fall leaves. Whether you feel like going to the Panorama Room, Westlight, or Dear Irving on Hudson, be sure to make a reservation first. That way, you can be assured that you’ll be able to dine or drink as you observe the city’s leaves.
13. TAKE A BIKE RIDE
There is an abundance of fantastic parks in the greater NYC area, which gives you the perfect opportunity to grab some exercise and see some fall leaves! Some of the most beloved parks for leaf peeping include Storm King State Park, Minnewaska State Park, and Harriman State Park. As you ride through the trails, you’ll be up close and personal with absolutely gorgeous fall leaves. There’s truly nothing like riding through a park alone and coming upon one of the best views of leaves in the state.
14. HEAD UPSTATE
Whenever New Yorkers want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, they can always head upstate. This beautiful getaway is bursting at the seams during the fall season. What’s the biggest activity of the area? It’s definitely leaf peeping, so be sure to sign up for one of the many fall foliage tours from NYC. You’ll have so many different opportunities as you travel through small towns and big, open expanses of land. You can stay in your car or get out and take a transformative walk. No matter what you do, though, you can rest assured that fall leaves will be easy to see.
15. GO ZIPLINING
If you really want to take in the beauty of fall leaves, why not do so from a different perspective? There are several ziplining places in New York, especially in the upstate region, making for the ideal fall day trips from NYC. What better way is there to see stunning fall colors than from Hunter Mountain Zipline’s highest and longest North American zipline experience? You’ll whip above the trees, which gives you the perfect viewing opportunity. In fact, you might even go as fast as 50 mph. All around you will be trees filled with the blazing glory of autumn. Take it all in as you enjoy this fear-defying experience.
WHATEVER YOU DO, HAVE FUN THIS FALL IN NYC
Wherever your activities take you, there are plenty of ways to have a fantastic time in New York City's many locations when fall comes around! Whether it's taking in some sights at Central Park or enjoying the beauty surrounding Bear Mountain State Park, or cruising down the Hudson and checking out the Palisades, there are plenty of opportunities to have a great time! If you'd like to find out more information about booking a private boat tour with New York Harbor Tours, give us a call at 7186915572 or email us at info@harbortours.nyc