10 Most Scenic Fall Drives In New York You Won’t Believe Are Real

Fall in New York transforms ordinary roads into magical pathways of amber, crimson, and gold. As temperatures drop and leaves change, the Empire State offers breathtaking drives that showcase nature’s most spectacular color show. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or simply seeking weekend adventure, these ten scenic routes will take you through landscapes so stunning they seem almost otherworldly.

1. Route 73 Olympic Byway (High Peaks Region)

Jagged mountain peaks scrape the sky along Route 73, creating a dramatic backdrop for what locals consider the Adirondacks’ most spectacular fall drive. The road threads through Cascade Pass where waterfalls tumble alongside the highway, their spray catching sunlight through golden aspen leaves. Keene Valley’s roadside stands offer fresh apple cider and maple treats – perfect companions for admiring the High Peaks’ rugged profiles. Chapel Pond provides a mirror-like reflection of surrounding mountains draped in autumn finery. Early morning drives often reveal low-hanging clouds caught between mountain slopes, creating ethereal scenes as mist parts to reveal patches of brilliant foliage. Stop at Marcy Field for a photographer’s dream panorama of Vermont’s Green Mountains beyond colorful valleys.

2. Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway (Adirondacks)

The winding climb to Whiteface Mountain’s summit feels like ascending into a painting. This 5-mile toll road rises nearly 2,000 feet, rewarding drivers with a 360-degree canvas of fiery maples and golden birches stretching across the Adirondack wilderness. Stone lookout points along the route offer perfect photo opportunities of Lake Placid nestled among mountains draped in autumn splendor. The Castle visitor center near the top provides shelter and hot chocolate on chillier days. Plan your visit for early October when colors peak, and arrive by mid-morning to avoid afternoon mountain fog that often rolls in after 2 PM.

3. Letchworth State Park’s Park Road (Finger Lakes)

Nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of the East,’ Letchworth’s 17-mile road meanders alongside dramatic gorge walls ablaze with autumn colors. The contrast between rushing waterfalls and peaceful forest creates a sensory symphony unlike anywhere else in New York. Morning fog often hovers mysteriously above the Genesee River, creating ethereal scenes as sunlight filters through colorful canopies. Three magnificent waterfalls – Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls – provide natural exclamation points along your journey. The historic Glen Iris Inn makes a perfect lunch stop, offering seasonal fare and spectacular gorge views from its dining porch.

4. Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (Catskills)

Route 97’s famous ‘Hawk’s Nest’ section features hairpin turns carved into mountainsides, where the Delaware River glistens far below through a kaleidoscope of fall foliage. Eagles soar overhead while the road hugs cliff edges, creating heart-stopping vistas around every bend. Small river towns like Narrowsburg offer charming breaks with riverside cafés perfect for watching kayakers navigate gentle rapids. The byway’s 70-mile stretch connects several historic covered bridges worth exploring. Local tip: Drive northbound for the best views, and visit Minisink Battleground Park for short hiking trails through colorful woods with revolutionary history.

5. Seven Lakes Drive (Hudson Valley)

A hidden gem just an hour from Manhattan, Seven Lakes Drive cuts through Harriman State Park’s 47,000 acres of pristine wilderness. Massive rock formations frame the winding road as it passes serene lakes reflecting autumn’s palette like nature’s own mirrors. The Bear Mountain Bridge marks the northern terminus, offering sweeping Hudson River views that have inspired painters for generations. Pull off at Lake Tiorati for a picnic among sugar maples whose reflection doubles the visual impact of their crimson display. Early morning drives reward visitors with misty lakes and fewer crowds, while weekdays offer peaceful solitude rare for a location so close to New York City.

6. Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway (Finger Lakes)

Circling the longest of the Finger Lakes, this 87-mile loop blends vineyard vistas with lakeside splendor. Russet grapevines cascade down hillsides toward Cayuga’s sapphire waters, creating a color contrast that feels almost Mediterranean despite being quintessentially New York. The route threads through charming lakeside communities like Aurora, home to MacKenzie-Childs’ whimsical gardens and distinctive pottery. Taughannock Falls State Park offers a worthy detour to view one of the East’s tallest free-falling waterfalls framed by autumn-painted gorge walls. Wine lovers can sample harvest-season offerings at dozens of family-owned vineyards, many with panoramic lake views from tasting room decks.

7. Great Lakes Seaway Trail (Thousand Islands)

Following Lake Ontario’s shoreline, this lesser-known treasure reveals waterfront panoramas where golden cottonwoods frame endless blue horizons. Lighthouses stand sentinel against rocky shores, their white towers dramatic against backdrops of scarlet sumac and amber oak. The route’s crown jewel lies in the Thousand Islands region, where the road skirts countless tree-covered islets dotting the St. Lawrence River. Boldt Castle on Heart Island appears like a fairy tale vision when viewed from scenic overlooks near Alexandria Bay. Mom-and-pop diners in fishing villages serve fresh perch sandwiches and homemade pie – perfect fuel for fall adventures. Time your drive for late afternoon when slanting sunlight illuminates the islands with golden glow.

8. Taconic State Parkway (Hudson River Valley)

The historic Taconic offers a masterclass in landscape architecture, its carefully planned curves and grades showcasing Hudson Valley’s rolling terrain to perfection. Stone bridges arch over the divided highway while grassy medians preserve the parkway’s vintage character amidst fall’s technicolor display. Unlike more famous routes, the Taconic reveals intimate woodland scenes where sunlight dapples through yellow birch and crimson maple canopies. The 104-mile route connects several state parks offering hiking trails through ravines lined with century-old trees. Lake Taghkanic State Park provides a perfect midway rest stop with beach access and picnic areas nestled among color-changing oaks and hickories. For the most dramatic light, drive southbound in late afternoon.

9. Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway (Capital Region)

Following the historic Erie Canal corridor, this quiet byway reveals America’s industrial heritage against a backdrop of spectacular fall color. Restored lock houses and canal structures emerge from forests blazing with sugar maples and American beech trees. The route passes through Cohoes Falls, where the Mohawk River tumbles dramatically over a 90-foot escarpment surrounded by trees in peak autumn display. Small towns like Waterford offer waterfront dining where canal boats once transported the nation’s goods eastward. History buffs appreciate interpretive signs explaining how this waterway transformed America’s economy, while nature lovers marvel at great blue herons fishing alongside ruins of old mills draped in crimson Virginia creeper vines.

10. Shawangunk Mountains Scenic Byway (Hudson Valley)

Locals call them ‘The Gunks’ – dramatic white cliffs rising above a patchwork quilt of farmland and forest that bursts with color each autumn. The 88-mile loop encircles this unique ecosystem where rock climbers scale sheer faces while hawks ride thermals above. The route passes through New Paltz, where historic Huguenot Street’s stone houses date to the 1700s and stand framed by ancient maples. Minnewaska State Park offers easy access to sky lakes perched atop the ridge, their still waters perfectly mirroring surrounding foliage. Roadside farm stands overflow with apple varieties found nowhere else, making this drive a feast for all senses. The Trapps Bridge area provides the most iconic views of the white cliff band against fall’s vivid palette.