Fall in Central Park is beautiful, but us hard-working New Yorkers need to escape the city sometimes! Below you’ll find where to go, and once you get there, the best activities and sites, hotels, and restaurants. Here are the best fall getaways near NYC!
- The Hudson Valley, NY
- The Catskills, NY
- The North Fork, Long Island
- The Berkshires, MA
- The Poconos, PA
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Hudson Valley, NY
Stretching along the Hudson River from Westchester to Albany, the Hudson Valley is known for its vineyards, orchards, farms and art scene. Without dispute, one of the best fall getaways near NYC.
photo by Flickr user Jim Sugrue
Things to do in the Hudson Valley
Lyndhurst (Tarrytown)
A Gothic Revival mansion designed in 1838, offering ongoing tours and exhibits.
Kykuit (Tarrytown):
The former home to four generations of Rockafellars. This landmark estate offers tours of the mansion, gardens and amazing art collection.
Stonecrop Gardens (Cold Spring)
Approximately 12 acres of a diverse collection of gardens and plants. These include woodland and water gardens, a grass garden, raised alpine stone beds, cliff rock gardens, and an enclosed English-style flower garden.
Breakneck Ridge Loop (Cold Spring):
A hiking trail offering sweeping views of the Hudson River.
Olana State Historic Site (Hudson):
The home and studio of eminent Hudson River School painter Frederic Edwin Church.
Hudson Cruises (Hudson):
Scenic tours by boat!
Dia:Beacon (Beacon)
World-recognized contemporary art museum located in a former box printing factory.
by Flickr user Chris Dignes
Hudson Beach Glass (Beacon)
A glass art gallery and store.
http://www.hudsonbeachglass.com/
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Hudson Valley Lodging
Thyme in the Country (Hudson)
An 1880s farmhouse on 5 pastoral acres which are especially stunning during autumn. Features include a salt-filtered swimming pool, wildlife-filled meadows, a pond, organic gardens, and full-organic breakfasts.
Tarrytown House Estate (Tarrytown)
Residing on 26-acres overlooking the Hudson River Valley, the Tarrytown House Estate features impressive 19th-century mansions, a carriage house and a cottage.
Buttermilk Falls (Milton)
This 75 acre estate offers a remarkable selection of lodgings, a farm-to-table restaurant, an organic garden and orchard, and a world class spa.
Hudson Valley Dining
Hudson Hil’s Cafe and Market (Cold Spring)
The cafe offers full breakfast and lunch menus featuring fresh, local ingredients from Hudson Valley farms. Craft beer and wine are also available.
The market offers New York cheeses, fresh baked goods, local grass-fed beef and homemade jams.
Restaurant X (Congers)
This charming country restaurant boasts lush landscaping and a free-form pond. There are a variety of rooms, each with their own feel. Close to the entrance is the Bully Boy Bar and adjoining lounge, where dinner is served alongside a roaring fire.
Terrapin (Rhinebeck)
Terrapin has been a driving force behind the Hudson Valley farm to table movement since it opened in 1998. It was voted Best Restaurant in Dutchess County in 2010 and 2011, offering New American food, blending aspects of French, Southwestern and Asian cuisines.
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The Catskills, NY
One of the most obvious fall getaways near NYC! We all know the Catskills offers some of the best skiing near NYC, but it’s also a beautiful place for hiking and it’s overall natural beauty. Definitely one of the best fall getaways near NYC.
photo by Flickr user Doug Kerr
Things to do in the Catskills
Mower’s Saturday Market (Woodstock)
This outdoor market runs every Saturday & Sunday into November.
Overlook Mountain (Woodstock)
Take a breathtaking hike to the top to see the abandoned hotel ruins. Check out this beautiful foliage!
photo by Flickr user TheTurducken
Woodland Valley Campground (Phoenicia)
Fish, hike and camp within campground located at the foot of a mountain.
Empire State Railway Museum (Phoenicia)
The station was built in 1899 and owns a small collection of historic railroad equipment.
Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest (Livingston Manor)
Over 13,500 acres of Forest Preserve located at the head of the Beaverkill Valley, an area famous for fly fishing. With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this area is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, canoeing and cross-country skiing.
Catskill Art Society (Livingston Manor)
The renovated 4,500+ square foot facility includes visual art galleries, a multi-purpose teaching studio, a clay studio, and an art library with digital learning resources.
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Catskills Lodging
The Arnold House (Livingston Manor)
The Arnold House is located on Shandelee Mountain, near the quaint town of Livingston Manor. The hotel offers its guests a tavern, spa and barbecue barn!
The Spruceton Inn (West Kill)
A remote, no frills “bed and bar” with just 9 rooms and amazing scenery.
Hotel Dylan (Woodstock)
The artfully designed guest rooms overlook a central lawn with a ping-pong table, hammock, and two fire pits. The hotel also has a pool with underwater speakers, open seasonally.
Catskills Dining
Phoenicia Diner (Phoenicia)
Charming, old-school diner open since 1962.
Peekamoose (Big Indian)
This farm-to-table restaurant has a constantly changing menu to ensure the freshest of ingredients are being served. They’ve earned accolades in many world-wide publications for the quality of their food.
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The North Fork, Long Island
Located in northeast Suffolk County, The North Fork is a 30-mile-long peninsula which is part of Long Island’s East End, but with a very different feel than the Hamptons. Popular as a summer beach destination, but also among the best fall getaways from NYC.
photo by Flickr user Kristine Paulus
Things to do in the Northfork
Kontokosta Winery (Greenport)
Wine tours and tastings on the Long Island Sound waterfront.
Sail Deliverance Boat Tours (Greenport)
This authentic boat ride company has superb reviews!
Mashomack Preserve (Shelter Island)
12 miles of coastline and acres of creeks, woodlands and fields. The preserve covers a third of the island with 2,039 acres of interlacing tidal creeks, mature oak woodlands, fields, and freshwater marshes.
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge (Sag Harbor)
A 187-acre peninsula with very diverse habitats. Forest, fields, ponds, salt marsh, beach and a lagoon. Some of the animals you might see include white-tailed deer, chipmunk, turtles, frogs, songbirds, osprey, long-tailed duck and other aquatic birds.
Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum (Sag Harbor)
The Museum is dedicated to Sag Harbor’s history as a whaling port. They house the largest collection of whaling equipment in New York State.
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North Fork Lodging
Greenporter Hotel (Greenport)
Eco-friendly, village boutique hotel with 30 guest rooms, outdoor pool & hot tub.
Sound View Greenport (Greenport)
Located on a private beach overlooking the Long Island Sound. Stay here to enjoy panoramic sunsets over breaking waves.
Jedediah Hawkins Inn (Jamesport)
Surrounded by 22 acres of fragrant gardens and farmland, this is a luxurious boutique hotel celebrated for its history, genuine hospitality and delicious food and wine.
North Fork Dining
Estia’s Little Kitchen (Sag Harbor)
American restaurant with Southwestern influence. This restaurant has its own garden which is frequently used to prepare their salads.
18 Bay (Shelter Island)
18 Bay serves a four course Italian menu, beginning with four different antipasti, followed by a handmade pasta, a choice of entree and dessert. The menu changes every week. They make handcrafted cocktails using organic syrups, serve local and international wines from small producers.
Erik’s Breakfast & Lunch (Southold)
Bright, cozy daytime cafe offering egg sandwiches, burgers & fried seafood, plus a patio.
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The Berkshires, MA
The Berkshires is a rural mountain area in western Massachusetts. The Berkshires is known for outdoor activities,a farm-to-table food scene, the arts, and breathtaking fall foliage, earning it a list on our best fall getaways near NYC!
photo by Ogden Gigli, via Massachussets Office of Travel & Tourism
Things to do in the Berkshires
Monument Mountain (Great Barrington)
Ascend this popular peak, which once drew 19th-century literary giants, and from its summit gaze across the spectacular landscapes of the Housatonic River Valley.
photo by Wikipedia user Tom Walsh
Housatonic River Walk (Great Barrington)
Short, easy bridged trail along the river.
The Clark Art Institute (Williamstown)
Surrounded by 140 acres of meadows, forests and mountain vistas, the Clark is one of the world’s most loved and respected art museums. Renowned for its intimate galleries and outstanding collection.
Norman Rockwell Museum (Stockbridge)
Dedicated to the legacy of Norman Rockwell, this museum maintains the world’s largest and most significant collection of his art, while also presenting the works of contemporary and past masters of illustration.
Naumkeag (Stockbridge)
Experience Gilded-Age style and splendor at this marvelous estate, renowned for its elegant gardens and rare Berkshire “Cottage.”
by Wikipedia user Daderot
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Berkshires Lodging
The Old Inn On The Green (New Marlborough)
The Old Inn On The Green is surrounded by rolling fields and meadows. The Old Inn, once a stagecoach relay, offers authentically restored guest rooms, fine dining in intimate candlelit dining rooms and seasonal al fresco dining on the canopied garden terrace off the taproom.
Wheatleigh (Lenox)
Built in 1893, this beautiful hotel has been completely renovated and is located on 22 acres overlooking the Berkshire mountains and lake.
The LakeHouse Inn (Lee)
Luxury waterfront Bed & Breakfast, with great water and fall foliage views.
Berkshires Dining
The Prairie Whale (Great Barrington)
Fresh produce and whole animals from local farms, and a menu which changes daily.
Mazzeo’s (Pittsfield)
Authentic Italian Cuisine
Aroma Bar and Grill
Traditional Indian restaurant with a Sunday buffet.
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The Poconos, PA
This majestic part of Pennsylvania encompass forested peaks, lakes and valleys, with multiple ski resorts in the Poconos.
photo by Flickr user Nicholas A. Tonelli
Things to do in the Poconos
Pocono Snake and Animal Farm (East Stroudsburg)
Admire various reptile and bird species. And feed monkeys, lemurs, bears, pigs and goats!
Pocono Raceway
Check out an exhilarating NASCAR, IndyCar or ARCA race!
Frances Slocum State Park
Popular for boating and fishing, and home to many species of birds, fish, and wildlife. There are also numerous hiking and mountain biking trails throughout the park.
photo by Wikipedia user Bri
Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls encompasses approximately 300 acres, including eight waterfalls and more than two miles of hiking trails, bridges and walkways. It is most beautiful during the fall! One of the top Poconos attractions making it among the best Fall getaways near NYC.
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Poconos Lodging
Hotel Fauchere and Annex (Milford)
Historic boutique hotel with 16 guest rooms with marble baths, Frette linens and Kiehl’s amenities, two restaurants, a patisserie/cafe and an affiliated day spa. The public spaces in the hotel feature a permanent exhibition of Hudson River School paintings.
Camelback Lodge & Indoor Waterpark (Tannersville)
Camelback Lodge is home to Aquatopia, the largest indoor waterpark in the Northeastern United States. The hotels suites range from one to three bedroom, and the complex includes a spa and fitness center. During winter, guests can also ski-in / ski-out directly from the resort!
Stroudsmoor Country Inn (Stroudsburg)
Regarded as an enchanting wedding facility, with fine dining restaurant, charming guest accommodations and a spa. The inn is replete with panoramic views and old-world elegance.
Poconos Dining
Moyer’s Country Kitchen (Pocono Lake)
Friendly diner known for their German pancakes.
The Frogtown Chophouse (Cresco)
Steaks and artisanal cocktails.
Garlic Restaurant & Bar (Stroudsburg)
New American steak and seafood restaurant.
So there you have it! Plenty of autumn vacation destinations for busy New Yorkers!
