10 Amazing Ways to Spend Fall in Upstate New York
Autumn is a favorite season for many, especially New Yorkers. After all, as “sweater weather” begins and a little chill enters the air, the state is transformed into a magical land of many colors. The romance of Autumn is only amplified in Upstate New York, where forests and mountain tops begin to change, and dozens of indie coffee shops await you with warm cups of java and pumpkin spice.
Generally speaking, we spend so much time planning our summer and winter getaways, that we forget to enjoy our favorite season. So, this year, after you have spent a weekend or two enjoying Fall in your own backyard, consider hopping in the car with a friend or a loved one and seeing Upstate New York in all its Autumn glory.
Painting and Meditation in the Catskills
If you are looking for a chance to embrace your creative side and flex your artistic muscles, why not try a unique weekend getaway to an arts center? The Woodstock School of Art is nestled into the Catskill mountains, providing gorgeous scenery and plenty to do when you finish up participating in their unique art programming. You will have the option to take classes in several mediums including sketching, painting, printing or sculpture. If you want to round out your experience with some music, you should also plan a visit to the Dharma Drum Retreat Center, where you can learn about Buddhist drumming and meditation rituals. Of course, no perfect getaway is complete without some quaint and comfortable accommodations. We recommend the Deer Mountain Inn, where you can enjoy some seclusion. They only have six guest rooms on 168 acres of woodlands, so you will be guaranteed some peace and quiet.
Craft Cider and Breweries in Hudson Valley
For an exciting, adult farm experience, consider a weekend visit to Pennings Farm. Just like any other farm, you can expect to shop their in-house produce and wander their fruit orchards. However, this is no ordinary farm. Pennings Farm is also a hard cidery with its own beer garden. You will love trying their apple, peach and other assorted alcoholic ciders with your friends. The Valley Rock Inn & Mountain Club is a hotel like no other, if you’re looking to turn your getaway into an overnight. Made up of 12 historical barns and houses, and a garden courtyard, this Inn gives off major old-world luxury vibes. Naturally, you will also be looking for a fantastic dinner location, and you should look no further than Blue Hill at Stone Barns. This award-winning restaurant is ranked as the twelfth best in the entire world and is also an educational farm where you can enjoy walks around pastures and fields. Can it get more farm-to-table than that?
Flow Yoga and Modern Art in the Catskills
If you are someone who likes to plan your vacations around the hotels you’d like to visit someday, you are going to be jumping at the opportunity to stay at The Hotel Dylan. This boutique hotel offers a modern take on a bohemian retreat and aims to provide a focal point on Woodstock’s musical history. Fans of rock and roll and hippies alike will absolutely fall in love with the Hotel Dylan. History buffs will also find something special on this trip. Besides the towns’ lesser-known annual music festivals, a short drive will bring you to the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome where you can view vintage airplanes, cars and motorcycles.
Majestic Views and Ziplining in the Catskills
Especially if you are travelling with outdoor enthusiasts of varying levels of bravado, New York Zipline Canopy Tours is the perfect place to start. Not only do they have the second longest zipline in the world, but they also offer three separate zip lining experiences depending on how big of a challenge you are looking for. These tours take place at the Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl which has some of the best views of the Catskill Mountains you can find. After your day full of adventure, you will likely be looking for some fantastic grub. We recommend giving Gaskins a try. They are best known for serving fresh, local ingredients in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere.
Craft Farm Beer in Connecticut and Hudson Valley
Nothing says an escape from the big city quite like a trip to the farm. At Arethusa Farm, you will have fun meeting their purebred dairy cows and wandering around the property. You can, of course, choose to stock up on their house-made milk and assorted dairy products, which are known for their unbelievably high quality. We recommend you try out some of their rich and indulgent ice cream, offered in several unique flavors. You may want to stay at Winvian in Litchfield for a night or two in one of their luxury cottages, but if you don’t, you definitely need to stop in for a meal at their restaurant. Dining at the Winvian restaurant is a very high-class experience, as it has won a AAA five diamond rating for six consecutive years! We are also told they have a wine cellar worth writing home about in its own regard, so definitely plan to try a pour (or two) with dinner.
Craft Spirits and Gourmet Food in Hudson Valley
If you have been dreaming of a romantic getaway with your partner where you can take romantic strolls through gardens, and dine like the rich and famous, this is the vacation for you. A stay at the Hasbrouck House is an absolute must, awarded the title of “The America’s Most Romantic Retreat” by the World Boutique Hotel Awards. Set on 50 acres, this historic stone hotel is sure to impress your date, and set the backdrop for a quiet, memorable weekend. During your stay, you absolutely must have a meal at Butterfield Restaurant. Located inside the Hasbrouck, you will be sure to be impressed by the culinary excellence of this in-house dining experience. The restaurant in renowned for its use of exclusively local ingredients, and of course, its romantic atmosphere.
Modern Art and Historic Architecture in Hudson Valley
Formerly a box-printing factory, the Dia:Beacon is definitely one of the best places in Hudson Valley to view some contemporary art. The gallery boasts a massive collection of multi-media sculpture, light installations and more from the last sixty years. If you would like to keep up the theme of beautifully restored and repurposed buildings when you seek out your next lunch spot, consider the Roundhouse. The Roundhouse not only offers an extraordinary culinary experience, but also offers stunning views of waterfalls through their floor-to-ceiling windows in an historic building full of character and charm. The Roundhouse is also a hotel if you are planning to extend your stay, and we are told they deliver a small assortment treats and a coffee right to your room each morning- talk about first class service!
Hiking Mountains and Waterfalls in the Catskills
If you have already visited the Catskills and need a new adventure, or you’re looking to find all the best hiking options before you pack up and go for the first time, you will love the Becker Hollow Trail. Here, you will be able to enjoy the striking views of the Catskills from the highest lookout tower in New York. This trail is short but steep, so be prepared for a workout and a bit of a challenge. Afterwards, you may feel like rewarding yourself with a stop at Brunette Wine Bar. Whether you are more interested in fine wines or in local brews, Brunette will have something for you to sip alongside an eclectic menu of charcuterie, sandwiches and global eats. The poke bowl is to die for.
Apple Orchards and Craft Breweries in Hudson Valley
The Hotel Kinsley in Hudson Valley is the ideal destination for anyone who enjoys historical architecture mixed with modern luxury. Avid travelers will especially appreciate the global feel of its decor, with several pieces brought in from all over the world. Keeping in line with the vintage feel of this getaway, lovers of antiquing will adore the Outdated, Antique Cafe. The cafe is a local ingredient, vegetarian restaurant with a twist. Before, during, or after your meal, you will enjoy roaming through their museum-worthy collection of antiquities.
Summiting Peaks and Rafting in the Catskills
If you are interested in a nice day-hike, Slide Mountain is one of the best trails in the Catskills. While it is quite steep as you approach the summit, the trail is only 6.3 miles, so you can always pace yourself and break the hike up with a picnic. After all, with views like this, you will want an excuse to stop and take in your surroundings. Of course, there is no shortage of good hikes in the area, so you may also want to check out some the overlooks on the Hudson River. You can visit all three lookouts- Artist’s Rock, Sunset Rock, and Newman's Ledge - all on one relatively easy 4.6 miles trail complete with stunning waterfalls.
As if you needed an extra excuse to take one of these fabulous holidays, now you can consider how lovely a weekend away would be while enjoying the magic of fall. If you haven’t already starting packing, we certainly recommend that you do.
