Experience the vibrant colors of fall as you take a picturesque drive to your final destinations. If you’re looking to visit exciting attractions but want to stay in New York State, we’ve gone ahead and done some research for you. Our AAA auto travel experts have put together a list of ideal places to check out this season.
Poughkeepsie
(approx. 2 hours from Albany)
Originally settled by the Dutch, Poughkeepsie is a city built on the waterfront of the Hudson River with great views of the Catskill Mountains. Guests can enjoy unobstructed 360-degree views of the Hudson River from 212 feet above the water’s surface at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. The home of Franklin D. Roosevelt and Vanderbilt Mansion national historical sites are nearby in Hyde Park. While all buildings remain closed through 2020, the grounds are open to explore daily from 8 a.m.to 6 p.m. Just across the river, New Paltz is the site of Historic Huguenot Street. Download the Historic Huguenot Street Walking Tour app to hear narratives for each of the historic buildings as you guide yourself through this 18th-century village.
Lake Placid
(approx. 2.5 hours from Albany)
The village of Lake Placid sits on the shores of Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, the former provides a backdrop for the Main Street commercial district. Lake Placid was host of both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. While the area boasts downhill skiing at Whiteface Mountain during the winter, there are fun opportunities for the fall season. Visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum to learn about and relive some of the greatest sports moments. Dine at one of Lake Placid’s Adirondack-style barbecue or farm-to-table restaurants for delicious food and drinks. If you’d like to go for a hike with breathtaking views, there are several trails close by ranging from beginner (Heaven Hill Old Orchard Loop) to advanced (Indian Head).
Notable AAA Four-Diamond Properties:
The Whiteface Lodge – Lodging
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa – Lodging
The View Restaurant – Dining
Western Finger Lakes Region
(approx. 3 hours from Albany)
Going west, the Finger Lakes are well known for their excellent wineries, breweries and distilleries, as well as the great outdoor activities available to guests. Canandaigua stands on the shore of the lake that shares its name. One of the most beautiful of the Finger Lakes, it stretches 17 miles long. Canandaigua is home to the Sonnenburg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park. The 50-acre estate overlooking the lake features more than a dozen theme gardens with fountains, streams, ponds, statues and greenhouses. Within an hour is Seneca Falls, known for its connection to the Women’s Rights Movement. Enjoy a piece of our nation’s history when you visit the grounds of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, its grounds open daily and the visitors’ center opens on select days. Historic buildings remain closed.
Notable AAA Four-Diamond Property:
1795 Acorn Inn Bed and Breakfast – Lodging
Ithaca
(approx. 3 hours from Albany)
You’ve definitely heard the saying “Ithaca is Gorges.” This is a play on the presence of beautiful state parks and recreational opportunities available at the southern
tip of Cayuga Lake. While Ithaca is a quaint town, it is award-winning when it comes to apple cider. If you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors, try a hike to any of the 100-plus waterfalls in Ithaca. Taughannock Falls and Cascadilla Gorge are two highlights worth mentioning. Plus, Ithaca’s outdoor shopping district between Green and Seneca Streets contains several unique boutiques, galleries and gourmet restaurants.
Riverhead/Montauk
(approx. 4 hours from Albany)
The Hamlet of Riverhead is where Long Island splits into its North and South Forks. Bordered by the Long Island Sound to the North and the Peconic River to the South, Riverhead is home to beaches, marinas, horse farms, golf courses, farm stands and wineries. The Long Island Aquarium features one of the largest coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, and more than 100 interactive exhibits. Also nearby, Tanger Outlet Center, a AAA Discounts & Rewards partner, has more than 150 outlet shops. Montauk is a resort village located along the south shore of extreme eastern Long Island. The “cod ledge” of the banks of Montauk is one of the most renowned fishing areas in the world. Don’t forget to stop by the Historic Montauk Lighthouse Museum and explore the grounds.
Notable AAA Four-Diamond Property:
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa –Lodging
Here are some additional things to do. If you’re looking for adventure within a couple of hours of Albany, check out the Herkimer Diamond Mines, The Revolution Rail Co. in North Creek, New York Zipline Adventure Tours at Hunter Mountain and the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga. Want a spookier experience in time for Halloween? Try the Howe Caverns Haunted Cave Tour or the Haunted History Trail of New York State. AAA Hudson Valley Representatives are here to help you book any hotel stays and create your TripTiks to get you there. Visit our Road Trip Ready page for more information on these and other thrilling New York destinations recommended by our AAA Travel Experts. Stop by one of our office locations, call 518-426-1000 or order your TripTik online.
Consult the online travel guides for additional things to do if you have time. We suggest calling each location before your visit to confirm that
they are indeed open, what experiences will be available at the time of your visit and to learn about health and safety guidelines.
Some destination information was taken from the 2020 New York AAA TourBook Guide. This article was originally published in the October/November 2020 issue of AAA Every Day Magazine.
