NEWSLETTER
Experience New York fall foliage while enjoying a memorable stay in a hotel or inn. Throughout New York State, you’ll find exciting hotels perfectly situated for eye-popping fall foliage views and memorable explorations, as well as charming places to spend a cozy weekend. Grab your favorite sweater, pack your bags, consult the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report, and get ready to spend a night or more at these New York hotels and places to stay. Photo Credit: Justin Negard.
Originally published: 09/28/2020 | Updated: 08/14/2026
Deer Mountain Inn (Catskills)
Credit: Ernesto Roman
Just driving around the Catskills in the fall is a breathtaking experience, but you can take it to the next level with a stay at the Deer Mountain Inn. Perched in the hills above the town of Tannersville, the 168-acre wooded property offers plenty of foliage, while the inn’s six rooms are cozy and charming with details like an original stone fireplace, large windows overlooking the grounds, and lofted ceilings, depending on the room. You can also stay in four charming cabins that all pay homage to literary legends with ties to the Catskills. The Inn’s on-site restaurant, a three-time Wine Spectator award winner, is led by James Beard semifinalist Chef Corwin Kave, whose seasonally driven kitchen has become a destination in its own right. Take in spectacular views of the Catskills from the Inn’s two mountaintop lean-tos, also ideal for fire pit gatherings, hikes, and stargazing. To view bursting Catskill colors from new heights, take a 12-minute drive to the Hunter Mountain Skyride. There’s more great hiking as well as kayaking, canoeing, and more outdoor fun at North-South Lake State Campground, 10 minutes away. From $390 per night.
Roycroft Inn (Greater Niagara)
The Roycroft Inn first opened its doors in 1905 to accommodate those looking to experience the Roycroft Campus, now a National Historic Site that features original, restored buildings from the early 20th century Arts and Crafts Movement. With a cozy feel and style that’s perfect for fall, this historic inn is your home base to explore the campus, which looks even more impressive bedecked in autumnal colors, and enjoy the slowed-down small-town living of East Aurora. Visit Vidler’s 5 & 10, a classic mid-20th Century variety store, enjoy a guided tour of the region’s historical sites at Millard Fillmore House or the Elbert Hubbard Museum, and for an inspiring fall foliage experience, drive five minutes and walk the trails at Knox Farm State Park. From $287 per night.
Mill Pond Inn (Central New York)
Credit: Justin Negard
Country living doesn’t get better than sitting on a front porch rocking chair gazing out at the brilliant fall foliage colors in a small town. Mill Pond Inn, housed in a lovingly restored structure originally built in 1879, offers a cozy fall getaway removed from the big city. The house sits on 25 acres of scenic woodland, and you can explore the beautiful landscape by crossing a wooden bridge, passing a waterfall, and strolling along the nature trail, which winds around a pond and along a stream. The area is home to various flora and fauna, adding to the rustic and rural charm. Dine in the on-site tavern, which sources from local farms for most of the ingredients year-round, and also offers craft cocktails, music, and an alluring ambiance. Decompress on the back deck overlooking the pond that reflects the changing leaves. Nearby, activities abound with world-famous Howe Caverns, hiking favorite Vroman’s Nose, and country lifestyle boutique extraordinaire Beekman 1802 all just a half-hour drive. From $184 per night.
1000 Islands Harbor Hotel (Thousand Islands-Seaway)
At this hotel in the charming village of Clayton, fall foliage may not be the first thing you notice, given the magnificent waterfront views of the St. Lawrence River, but the fall colors along the riverside add a dynamic element to the Thousand Islands experience. The hotel is within walking distance to a main street of unique boutiques,top-tier restaurants with al fresco dining, and destination venues like the Antique Boat Museum. Want to take a scenic drive? Head to historic Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, about 20 minutes by car, on a route that passes through the small town of Cape Vincent, then hugs the waterfront and ends at a point overlooking Lake Ontario. From $195 per night.
Rocking Horse Ranch (Hudson Valley)
Credit: @rockinghorseranchresort on Instagram
A Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best, Rocking Horse Ranch is an all-inclusive getaway with horseback riding and an abundance of other child-friendly activities. Its Hudson Valley location makes it especially appealing in fall, when a stay at the Rocking Horse can include a ride or walk through the 500-acre property, mountain tubing, mini golf, nature trails, and a bonfire set against the crisp evening air. Most visitors stay onsite for the weekend, though there are fall visits to nearby apple orchards, golf outings, and picnic lunches arranged through the ranch. Other places to visit within a short drive include the Walkway Over the Hudson, the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world, offering spectacular and panoramic fall views of the river, and the Mohonk Preserve, where you can hike 70 miles of nature trails and historic carriage roads, or climb the world-famous ‘Gunks. Rates from $529 per family per night, all-inclusive.
Mirror Lake Inn (Adirondacks)
Credit: @jonathankamensky on Instagram
Enjoy classic rooms and elegant suites with two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a sitting area, all within a few steps of downtown Lake Placid. Stepping outside the main entrance puts you in the middle of the stunning Adirondacks scenery and the location makes it easy to stay close to the hotel and enjoy shopping, dining, and major Lake Placid attractions like the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. For those wanting to take advantage of Adirondacks outdoor adventures amid fall foliage, Experience Outdoors, is a seven-minute drive and features six different ziplines and two rappels on Scotts Cobble Mountain. The 22-acre private nature park High Falls Gorge offers a scenic one-mile walking trail with views of Whiteface Mountain and Ausable River (open through October 27). From $319 per night.
Gideon Putnam Resort and Spa (Capital-Saratoga)
Credit: Courtesy of Delaware North
Gideon Putnam is perfectly located for fall foliage viewing. The resort is situated in the 2,200-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, which features hiking, mineral springs, geyser trails, a golf course, and other memorable experiences. The hotel itself is home to the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, with famed mineral baths and spa treatments, and it’s also pet-friendly! Besides taking in the fall colors on a walk in the park, visit attractions such as the Saratoga Automobile Museum or drive five minutes to downtown Saratoga Springs for shopping, dining, and entertainment. While there, wander over to Congress Park for more natural springs, a carousel, duck pong, and landscaped trails. From $251 per night.
Chautauqua Harbor Hotel (Chautauqua-Allegheny)
This nine-acre resort located on Chautauqua Lake in the small village of Celoron is a leaf peeper’s dream come true. Not only can you experience fall foliage around the picturesque lake, but take a scenic 20-minute drive to Panama Rocks for unbelievable hiking in crevices and caves—peer up at fall’s oranges, reds, and yellows from trails that snake between 60-foot-high rocks. Back near the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Jamestown, exciting cultural diversions await. Take a scenic stroll along the Jamestown Riverwalk for vibrant vistas of the town, the Chadakoin River, and attractions like The National Comedy Center, which celebrates comedic legends such as hometown hero Lucille Ball as well as current-day stand-up stars and more. Venture to the nearby Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, a must for nature lovers, featuring a center, gallery, and library devoted to the premier artist-naturalist of the 20th century. From $159 per night.
The Lake House on Canandaigua (Finger Lakes)
Credit: @jblatz716 on Instagram
The Lake House on Canandaigua is a stylish lakefront property with 124 rooms and suites, a world-class spa, dining at the Rose Tavern and Sand Bar, and an outdoor fire pit perfect for crisp fall evenings. The venue recently earned a feature in the MICHELIN Guide’s, “The 15 Best Lake Vacations in the World with MICHELIN-Worthy Stays & Dining.” Lake House offers a true luxury lodging experience along with stunning views from its expansive grounds along the westernmost of the Finger Lakes. Take advantage of unique nearby activities, including the 30-mile Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, a fantastic entry into this respected wine region. What’s better than an outdoor wine tasting amid fall foliage? The Lake House’s sister property, New York Kitchen, offers a restaurant, classes, and more—the chefs here even collaborated on I LOVE NY’s New York Recipes! Bristol Mountain also offers scenic skyrides with a breathtaking view of the fall colors from new heights. From $364 per night.
Shelter Island House (Long Island)
Credit: @khoggard on Instagram
One of Long Island’s best-kept secrets, Shelter Island is a 29-square-mile island a short ferry ride from the charming North Fork and South Fork towns of Greenport and Sag Harbor (respectively). The Shelter Island House is a laid-back place to stay and enjoy the fall foliage, either from your room, on a walk to Sunset Beach, or partaking in the island’s favorite pastime, a bike ride. Explore the many dining options within walking distance or a short drive (as well as those in Greenport and Sag Harbor) including Vine Street Café and Claudio’s Waterfront. Also nearby is the breathtaking Mashomack Preserve, with tidal basins and magnificent views, as well as beaches for an autumn stroll. And don’t forget to visit Long Island’s North Fork and South Fork wineries during your stay! From $175 per night.
JW Marriott Essex House New York (NYC)
Call New York City the concrete jungle all you want, but take note that there are over 18,000 trees in Central Park alone! For an amazing view of these trees in their fall foliage glory, stay at this Midtown Manhattan hotel on Central Park South. The Essex House is an Art Deco landmark that first opened in 1931, and now has 426 rooms and 101 suites under the JW Marriott flag. It’s a short walk to the Central Park Zoo, the Museum of Modern Art, and Top of the Rock Observation Deck. From $626 per night.
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