One of The Best Places To Leaf Peep In The US Is Right Here in New York State

Growing up in upstate New York, I never needed anyone to tell me how special the Adirondacks are. To me, fall in the Adirondacks has always felt like magic. But now, the rest of the country is catching on, too.

USA Today’s 10Best just named the Adirondacks the #8 best destination in the nation for fall colors, and I couldn’t agree more.

If you’ve ever been here in September or October, you know why. The mountains seem to catch fire with color. There are reds, oranges, and golds sweeping across the mountains and valleys. Lakes mirror the scenery so perfectly it almost feels unreal. And no matter how many times I’ve seen it, it never loses its charm.

What I’ve always loved most is that the season lasts for weeks. The higher peaks turn first, often by late September, while places like Lake George and Lake Champlain hit their peak later in October. It’s like the colors slowly roll through the region, giving you chance after chance to catch them at their best.

For me, the Adirondacks aren’t just about the views; they’re about the feeling. Driving winding roads and stopping to breathe in crisp mountain air, or sitting by a cabin fire after a long hike, it all feels like fall the way it’s meant to be.

So while I’ve always known how breathtaking this place is, I love that the Adirondacks are now getting national recognition. To me, it’s home. To everyone else, it’s one of the best fall getaways in the country.