Explore upstate New York's fall foliage through thrilling adventures
Add a little thrill to your leaf peeping with a ride on the mountain coaster at the Greek Peak Mountain Resort in upstate Cortland. Credit: Greek Peak Mountain Resort
It’s possible to enjoy upstate New York’s fall foliage on a leisurely drive or while sitting on the porch of a quaint inn. But for those who might want to throw a little action into the mix, consider some more active ways to see the leaves. You could hike to a waterfall or take a thrilling ride on a mountain coaster. And for true adventure seekers, climb a tree and jump off — it’s safe, we promise.
Hike to a waterfall
Taughannock Falls State Park, 1740 Taughannock Blvd., Trumansburg, $10 entry fee per car; parks.ny.gov, 607-387-6739
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: 5 hours
Taughannock Falls is New York's tallest waterfall. Credit: NYS Dept. of Economic Development
Several hiking trails will take you to Taughannock Falls in Trumansburg, about 8 miles northwest of Ithaca in the Finger Lakes region. You’ll see the leaves in all their splendor as you hike along the creek past the lower falls and rocky cliffs on the easy, relatively flat 1.8-mile Gorge Trail. It should take you less than an hour to reach the base of the 215-foot single-drop fall, New York’s highest waterfall and taller than Niagara (this is a popular spot and can get crowded). You can extend the hike to about 3½ miles by adding on the North and South Rim trails. Alternatively, a five-minute walk from the visitors center will take you to an overlook for a quick view.
Where to stay
The park’s campsites and cabins overlooking Cayuga Lake are booked for this fall but the Inn at Taughannock Falls is right next door, offering easy access to the trails (rooms start at $500 a night; 2030 Gorge Rd., 607-387-7711, inntfalls.com). If you're looking for a hotel close to the park, 16 Elm Heritage Hotel in downtown Trumansburg is a 10-minute drive (rooms start at $175 a night; 16 Elm St., 607-364-8061, sixteenelm.com).
Zip line through the trees
WildPlay Thacher, 524 Thacher Park Rd., Voorheesville; open through Oct. 31; tickets for the classic course start at $44.99, the kids course starts at $24.99, What’s to Fear Jump is a $19.99 add-on; 800-668-7771, wildplay.com.
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: 3½ hours
Several aerial courses will get your adrenaline flowing — the classic adventure includes zip lines, rope swings and wobbly bridges. The challenges get tougher as you work your way up to the highest obstacles, around 60 feet. And if that’s not enough, you can add the What’s To Fear jump, which calls for you to climb to a platform 40 feet in the air and jump off (not to worry, there’s some sort of device that catches you before you hit the ground). There’s also a single-level course for ages 5-12 (or for adults who’d like to join their kids). And for those who want something a bit less adventurous, there’s a single-level course with aerial obstacles that don’t go above 15 feet. It’s all open to ages 5 and older, with various height and weight restrictions on some courses.
Where to stay
Your best bet is to stay in Albany. Homewood Suites by Hilton Crossgates Mall is only about 5 miles from the park (rooms start at $150 a night; 1651 Western Ave., 518-704-4040, hilton.com). Or book The Red Cottage, a charming guest lodge perfect for a romantic weekend (rooms start at $200 a night; 138 Font Grove Rd., Slingerlands, 518-475-1684, redcottage.net).
Ride a mountain coaster
Greek Peak Adventure Center, 1856 NY Rte. 392, Cortland, coaster tickets start at $18 a person for a single ride, or $72 for an all-day pass; 800-955-2754, greekpeak.net.
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: 4½ hours
The Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster at Greek Peak in Cortland is yet another way for adrenaline junkies to see the leaves. The year-round coaster takes riders over a twisting, winding course. Riders must be at least 7 years old, 38 inches tall and weigh 45 pounds. The coaster can reach speeds up to 30 mph but riders can control the pace for a more leisurely trip over the mountain terrain. In mid-October (16,17, 23, 24 and 30) the coaster will be taken over by an assortment of spooky ghouls and goblins, then in December it morphs into a holiday theme, taking riders past twinkling lights and snowy trees.
This all-season coaster guides riders through a thrilling journey along a twisting and turning track at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Credit: Greek Peak Mountain Resort
The coaster is part of the Adventure Center at Greek Peak Mountain Resort, where you’ll also find a guided zip line tour and aerial rope course, and when winter comes, snow tubing and cross-country skiing.
Where to stay
Greek Peek is a year-round resort, offering several accommodations. Hope Lake Lodge offers a selection of rooms and suites, along with a spa and an indoor water park (rooms start at $300 a night; 2177 Clute Rd., Cortland, 800-955-2754, greekpeak.net). It is also possible to rent a privately owned home at the resort’s Arcadia Village through Airbnb or VRBO.
Kayak the Essex Chain of Lakes
Essex Chain Lakes Complex, the Deer Pond parking area is on Goodnow Flow Road off Route 28N, Newcomb, open year-round, free; 518-623-1200, dec.ny.gov
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: 5½ hours
Canoers head out onto Third Lake in the Essex Chain Lakes tract in the Adirondacks. Credit: AP/Mary Esch
The Essex Chain of Lakes in the Adirondack Forest Preserve is made up of 18 connected bodies of water over almost 20,000 acres and it’s possible to kayak through most of them (depending on conditions, you might have to carry the kayak for short distances). Quieter than many lakes in the state (motorized boats are not allowed), the chain’s undeveloped shorelines are stunning in the fall. It’s also possible to connect to a 12-mile stretch of the Hudson River. Paddlers can access the chain at Deer Pond and after a short carry, arrive at Third Lake, the largest in the chain. From there, pick your direction to reach other lakes and ponds.
Where to stay
There are 32 somewhat primitive campsites on the lake, though some require permits issued by the Adirondack Interpretive Center in Newcomb (esf.edu). The nearby lakeside Motel Long Lake offers rooms with fire pits as well as 20 cabins (rooms start at $200 a night; 51 Dock Rd., Long Lake, 518-600-9565, motellonglake.com).
Raft through Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm, 2144 US-9, Chasm; $19.95, $11.95 ages 5-12; raft tours continue through Oct. 12 except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays, $30, $28 ages 5-12, $10 under 5, additional packages are available; 518-834-7454, ausablechasm.com
DRIVING DISTANCE FROM MELVILLE: 5½ hours
The Ausable Chasm, known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, is a natural tourist attraction. Credit: Newsday/Keshia Clukey
Ausable Chasm in Keeseville, 12 miles south of Plattsburgh, is often called the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. Rafting through the Chasm offers a different perspective for leaf peepers. Guided raft tours depart from Table Rock before taking visitors through the 150-foot gorge created by glaciers for a close-up of the towering sandstone walls and massive rock formations. At the end, you’ll hit some light rapids — they’re gentle enough to be handled by all ages (children must weigh at least 30 pounds). During the summer, you can also tube down the chasm, and the recreation area also offers hiking trails, a guided river walk (which includes a walk across a suspension bridge), rock climbing and rappelling.
Where to stay
The Ausable Chasm campground has campsites and cozy cabins (starting at $100 a night; 634 NY-373, Keeseville, 518-834-9990, campspot.com). The Valcour Inn and Boathouse is about 8 miles north. It has several guest rooms starting at $165 a night and one two-bedroom cottage starting at $400 a night (3714 US-9, Peru, 518-721-3422, valcourinn.com).
