NEWSLETTER
Take your fall foliage viewing to new heights in New York State…literally! When the rich reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn paint the state’s stunning landscapes, there’s no better view than from above. Whether you prefer a relaxing gondola ride through the mountains or an adrenaline-fueled skydiving adventure, an array of leaf-peeping possibilities awaits. Check out these high-flying fall experiences and get inspired to start planning your next New York State getaway. Photo credit: @whiteface_mt on Instagram.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
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Sail through the clouds while you gaze down at bright fall colors on a hot air balloon ride! Balloons Over Letchworth will take you on a journey over Letchworth State Park, known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” where you’ll get to soak up spectacular views of waterfalls, gorges, and foliage. With Southern Tier Balloon Tours in the Finger Lakes, breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake, Cornell University, and beautiful waterfalls such as Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock Falls can be seen on a peaceful float through the skies. SunKiss Ballooning offers unforgettable tours over the Adirondack Mountains and sprawling water views of the Lake George area.
Helicopter Rides
Take off on a thrilling foliage adventure aboard a helicopter! Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours offers year-round rides above the majestic Niagara Falls, which dazzles surrounded by vibrant fall hues. In the Adirondacks, take an hourlong Foliage Ride with North Country Heli Flight, highlighting peak fall colors along Whiteface Mountain, Mount Marcy, and Lake George Islands. Experience fall in New York City like never before with a HeliNY tour, where you’ll get to see major landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park, surrounded by foliage.
Rock Climbing
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Climb to new heights and stunning fall sights on a rock climbing adventure in New York State! The Mohonk Preserve is home to the Shawangunk Mountains (also known as “the Gunks”) and offers some of the best climbing in the eastern United States. Pair up with an experienced guide at Alpine Endeavors and explore hundreds of routes and more than five linear miles of cliff face. Nearby at Mohonk Mountain House, overnight guests can try out the Via Ferrata and Pinnacle Ledge tour, blending rock climbing, cable traverses, and aerial staircases. The Adirondack Mountains are also home to breathtaking foliage and adventurous climbs. Follow along with a knowledgeable guide and check out areas like Giant Mountain Wilderness, High Peaks Wilderness, and Lake George Wild Forest.
Mountain Coasters
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Glide down mountains spotted with fall colors aboard one of the state’s high-flying mountain coasters! Similar to a roller coaster but a lot closer to the ground, mountain coasters follow the terrain of the mountain, where you control the speed of your car. Aboard Holiday Valley’s Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, you’ll zig zag through stunning views of Ellicottville’s enchanted mountains. In the Finger Lakes, cruise through twists, turns, and downhill curves while you soak up autumn hues on the mountain on the Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. The Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg (pictured) combines Olympic history and high-speed thrills, as you fly down the mountain alongside the historic 1932 and 1980 bobsled track.
Skydiving & Hang Gliding
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For extreme thrill-seekers on the hunt for a birds-eye-view (literally) of autumn hues, New York State is packed with opportunities to take to the skies. Learn the sport of flying at Susquehanna Flight Park in Cooperstown (pictured) where you can take introductory classes in hang gliding from an experienced pilot and USHPA instructor. For awe-inspiring views of the Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Shawangunk Mountains, Skydive The Ranch in Gardiner offers tandem skydiving experiences led by professionals. Skydive The Falls is owned and operated by a team of professional skydivers, and specializes in first-time tandem skydiving over the magnificent Niagara Falls. Picturesque vistas of the Finger Lakes await on a skydive adventure with Skydive Seneca Lake. Located just 50 miles from New York City, Long Island Skydiving gives you the chance to soar above the Long Island Sound, Atlantic Ocean, Fire Island National Seashore, and other stunning landmarks surrounded by foliage.
Gondolas & Skyrides
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Unlock breathtaking fall views from some of the state’s highest mountain peaks without a challenging hike to the top! Gore Mountain’s Hudson Chair (open through September 20) and Gondola Ride (open select weekends through October 11) both offer unforgettable foliage views of the Southern Adirondacks, Hudson River, and even the Green Mountains on clear days. Farther north, Whiteface Mountain’s Cloudsplitter Gondola will take you on a 15-minute ride from the base of Whiteface Mountain to the peak of Little Whiteface, where you will be surrounded by panoramic views of Lake Placid, Lake Champlain, and some of the highest peaks in New York State.
In the Catskills, travel up to the summit of Hunter Mountain aboard the Kaatskill Flyer for amazing foliage sightings through October 18. At Belleayre Mountain, take a ride on the Catskill Thunder Gondola (open through October 11) for a beautiful overhead view of fall colors throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve. Spot autumn hues surrounding the dazzling Finger Lakes from Bristol Mountain’s Comet Express Chairlift, bringing you up to the mountain’s summit.
Plane Rides & Gliders
Let your next foliage excursion take flight from a plane! Become a barnstormer and fly high into the skies aboard a vintage biplane with the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in the Hudson Valley through October 31. With Thousand Islands Air Tours, soar above the St. Lawrence River in a brand new Cirrus SR20 G7 plane, where you’ll get to admire dazzling castles, islands, and more immersed in fall beauty.
In Central New York, go gliding with Harris Hill Soaring Center (pictured), one of the oldest and largest glider clubs in the country. You’ll get to fly in a high-performance ASK-21 two-seater glider, unlocking one-of-a-kind views of the rolling hills and countryside painted in fall hues. Experience fall in the Catskills from a high-performance glider or a historic Schweizer 2-33 glider at the Wurtsboro Airport.
Ziplines & Ropes Courses
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High-flying aerial adventures meet awe-inspiring fall scenery on New York State’s ziplines and ropes courses. Catamount Aerial Adventure Park in Hillsdale features three dual ziplines and a chairlift ride up the mountain, highlighting magnificent views of the Hudson Valley and Berkshires. Don’t miss out on the final span of the tour called the Cata-monster–it’s the longest zipline span in the country! In Chautauqua-Allegheny, Peek’n Peak Resort’s Mountain Adventures is home to their Aerial Adventures Course, Giant Dual Ziplines, and Soaring Eagle Zipline, each featuring unique autumn views. At NYZipline in the Capital-Saratoga region, you’ll get to zip through the trees and over a 500-foot long gorge, or take a leap from the 40-foot leap of faith bungee-style jump.
Observation Decks
New York’s skyscrapers and observation decks offer a unique way to blend colorful foliage with city skyline views. Nestled at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Top of The Rock Observation Deck (pictured) in New York City offers three levels of indoor and outdoor observation decks 70 floors up, providing spectacular, unobstructed views of the city skyline, Central Park, the Empire State Building, and more. In Albany, visit Corning Tower, it’s the tallest building in the state outside of New York City. From the 42nd floor Observation Deck, you’ll be able to see breathtaking views of Albany, Empire State Plaza, Hudson Valley, Catskills, and the foothills of the Adirondacks. Buffalo City Hall tours end with an unforgettable view from the observation deck, where you’ll get to see city landmarks, foliage at nearby parks, and more.
Lighthouses
Foliage meets beautiful water views at New York’s gorgeous lighthouses. Located at the easternmost point of the state, the Montauk Lighthouse on Long Island is the oldest lighthouse in the country, offering magnificent 360 degree views over the Block Island Sound, Atlantic Ocean, and fall colors covering the island. The Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse and Veterans Park Museum in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region is a historic operational lighthouse built in 1875, with a spectacular view of Lake Erie from its lighthouse observation deck. Built in 1827, the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent marks the point where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River, and is home to the only original working Fresnel lens on Lake Ontario.
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