Fall Activities in the Adirondacks
Warm breezes are giving way to crisp air. Lush greens are transforming into flaming colors. Shorts and sandals have been replaced by cozy sweaters and stylish boots. It's time to put down that margarita and pick up a hard cider – it's officially Fall.
Fall in the Adirondacks is more than a season, it's an experience of all five senses. With so much to do and discover, don't be surprised if autumn becomes your new favorite season!
- Leaf Peeping – Everyone's number one objective in the fall is to see spectacular fall foliage, right? The Adirondack Mountains offer some of the country's most breathtaking fall vistas. Whether you take a scenic hike to the top of a mountain, go for a relaxing canoe ride across a pristine lake, or simply visit the small towns and villages that make up the region, you'll be surrounded by awe-inspiring, vibrant colors from September to November.
- Hot Air Balloon Rides – As you float high above the treetops, the only thing more colorful than the foliage will be your vessel! Take a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Adirondack Mountains with A Beautiful Balloon in the Lake George Region and get a whole new perspective. This unique fall experience is perfect for couples looking for a romantic fall date or a small family looking to make a lasting memory during their Adirondack vacation.
- Corn Mazes – As beautiful as the foliage is, there's more to fall than leaves. Evoke all the feelings of fall by getting lost in a corn maze! The Heroic Corn Maze at Fort Ticonderoga in the Lake Champlain Region offers a chance for some fall fun mixed with historical education. A true one-of-a-kind experience, the theme of The Great Adirondack Corn Maze at Tucker Farms in Gabriels, NY changes each year, keeping visitors on their toes. Having trouble finding your way? Find all the pieces to a map that will guide you out of the 8-acre labyrinth. Difficult enough to stump any adult, these corn mazes are fun for families with children and kids-at-heart.
- Apple Picking – Fall and apples, apples and fall. What is one without the other? Whether you're picking the perfect fruit off a tree in the orchard or from a basket at a farmers market, you're sure to find sweet, crisp perfection. New York State is known for its abundance of apple orchards, and the Adirondacks are home to a few great ones. Enjoy picking your own apples (and pumpkins!) at Apple Jack's Orchard and Rulf's Orchard, both conveniently located in the Adirondack Coast Region. Or, stop by Colwell's Farm Market in the Tug Hill Region for your choice of pre-picked apples and other seasonal items.
- Scenic Flights – Enjoy the foliage from above on a scenic airplane flight! Adirondack foliage is stunning from any perspective, but when the mountains and lakes are laid out below you like a brilliant carpet of color, it will take your breath away. Payne's Air Service in Inlet offers private flights for up to five people, so you can share the experience with a loved one or the entire family. If you're feeling especially adventurous, book a flight into a remote camping location and spend some quality time amidst the trees.
- Scenic Drives – Leaf peeping doesn't need to be complicated. Pile into the car, roll the windows down, turn on the tunes, and cruise the roadways of the Adirondacks. You'll pass panoramic views of the Adirondack High Peaks, burning with color, and glassy lakes reflecting the leaves along the shoreline. For the best routes with the most superb views, check out these scenic fall drives.
- Ghost Tours – Get a little spooky this fall! With Halloween right around the corner, now is the perfect time to get in touch with your ghoulish side. The Greater Adirondack Ghost & Tour Company in the Adirondack Coast Region will take you on lantern-lit walking tours of spooky graveyards and haunted locations. From slain soldiers to mad scientists, the Adirondacks holds plenty of bone-chilling secrets and stories to be told.
- Fright Fest – Kick the goosebumps up a notch at Six Flags Great Escape's Fright Fest in the Lake George Region. For one month, from September 29 to October 28, the zombies and ghouls come out to play! After the sun goes down, Six Flags Great Escape turns into a great big haunted horror-land. Special haunted houses and fright zones are available for those looking to test their limits, but visitors should be warned – there's no place to hide!
- Wine & Cider Tours – Fall has its own distinctive taste, and in the Adirondacks that includes wine and ciders. Apple cider is a staple of fall, and hard cider kicks the warm, fuzzy feelings up a notch. When the air begins to turn cool and crisp, cozying up in a blanket with a glass of wine in your hand is pure bliss. The Adirondack Coast Region is ripe with wineries and cideries for you to tour and taste. If it's grapes you crave, try Highlands Vineyard, on the shores of Lake Champlain, or get a taste of both at ELFs Farm Winery & Cider House in Plattsburgh, NY.