- #610020
- Duration: 7days
- Available: 25/9/3 - 26/9/1
- New York,NY
Overview and Highlights
This 7-day road trip itinerary starts and ends in New York City, focusing on a scenic loop through the Northeast’s most iconic fall foliage areas.
The total mileage is about 800-900 miles, with daily drives of 2-5 hours to allow ample time for viewing and hiking. The best time for peak colors is mid-October, when maples, oaks, and birches explode in reds, oranges, and golds.
Pack layers for crisp 40-60°F weather, comfortable hiking shoes, and a picnic cooler. This route hits the Northeast’s most popular spots, drawn from longstanding favorites like the Hudson Valley’s historic charm and New Hampshire’s mountain drives.
● Iconic Northeast Destinations: Journey from the historic Hudson Valley to Vermont’s Green Mountains and New Hampshire’s legendary Kancamagus Highway, hitting timeless foliage hotspots like Bear Mountain and Smugglers’ Notch for peak autumn colors.
● Get insider advice on capturing stunning reds, oranges, and golds with techniques like golden hour shooting, polarizing filters, and long exposures at waterfalls and overlooks.
Itinerary
(Drive: 1.5-2 hours north via I-87)
Begin your journey by heading up the Hudson River Valley, one of the earliest and most accessible foliage hotspots from NYC, famous since the 19th century for inspiring artists like the Hudson River School painters (e.g., Thomas Cole) with its dramatic cliffs, river vistas, and rolling hills that turn fiery in fall.
Key Spot: Bear Mountain State Park (near Peekskill, NY)
This 5,000-acre park offers panoramic views of the Hudson Highlands, where you can see foliage across four states on clear days from Perkins Memorial Tower; it’s a beloved starter spot for NYC day-trippers, drawing millions annually for its accessibility and the iconic Bear Mountain Bridge framed by colorful leaves.
Photography Tips: Use a wide-angle lens at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) to capture the bridge with layered reds and yellows in the foreground; overcast skies enhance color saturation without harsh shadows—include the river as a reflective element for depth. We’ll hike the 1.5-mile loop to the tower (1 hour) for elevated shots.
(Drive: 1 hour west via NY-28)
Continue to the Catskill Mountains, a rugged range immortalized in Washington Irving’s tales and Bob Dylan’s music, renowned for their steep gorges, waterfalls, and dense forests that peak early (late September) and offer a wilder contrast to the Hudson’s polish.
Key Spot: Walkway Over the Hudson
Why famous: The world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge (1.28 miles, 212 feet high) spans the Hudson, creating a “tree tunnel” of golden foliage leading to it; it’s a National Historic Landmark, popular for its effortless access to river-and-leaf panoramas, attracting over 1 million visitors yearly.
Photography Tips: Use a tripod for long exposures (1/10-1 second) on the 2-mile round-trip trail (moderate, rocky) to blur the falls while keeping foliage sharp; macro lens for close-ups of wet leaves in reds and ambers—hike at dawn to beat crowds and catch sidelight.
Key Spot: Kaaterskill Falls
At 260 feet, it’s New York’s tallest waterfall, cascading through a gorge lined with vibrant hardwoods; celebrated in Hudson River School art and Rip Van Winkle lore, it’s a top hiking draw for its “carpet of fallen leaves” and dramatic seasonal colors.
Photography Tips: Shoot from the bridge’s midpoint with a polarizing filter to deepen blues in the river against orange maples; early morning fog adds ethereal layers—avoid midday sun for flatter colors. Walk the full span (1 hour round-trip).
(Drive: 2 hours east via I-87 to US-7)
Cross into Massachusetts’ Berkshires, a cultural haven with Gilded Age mansions and forests that inspired literary giants like Edith Wharton; it’s famous for its “leaf-peeping” drives along Route 7, one of the Northeast’s top byways for quilt-like hill colors.
Key Spot: Kent Falls State Park & October Mountain State Forest
Kent Falls features a series of cascades framed by yellow birches and red maples, a quick-access gem in Litchfield County; October Mountain, the largest state forest in MA, offers vast hardwood stands that peak vibrantly, drawing artists and hikers for its serene, less-crowded vistas since the 1800s.
Photography Tips: At Kent Falls, frame shots with the pedestrian covered bridge in the foreground using a 24-70mm lens; for October Mountain, seek overcast days for rich, even lighting on trails—include fallen leaves on the ground for texture, and shoot RAW to adjust vibrant oranges post-process.
(Drive: ~3 hours north via US-7)
Enter Vermont’s Green Mountains, the heart of “leaf peeping” fame, where French settlers named the peaks for their emerald spring hue—but fall transforms them into a riot of color, popularized by covered bridges and ski-town charm.
Key Spot: Smugglers’ Notch State Park
This narrow, winding pass through 1,000-foot cliffs is a National Scenic Byway, legendary for Prohibition-era smuggling and now for hairpin turns revealing explosive foliage; it’s a top Vermont spot for its unique geology and early peak (mid-September).
Photography Tips: Pull over at overlooks for wide-angle vistas of cliffs and valleys—golden hour sidelighting makes reds pop against rocks; use a drone (if permitted) for aerials, or hike short trails for intimate shots of boulders amid leaves.
(Drive: 2 hours east via I-89)
Head to New Hampshire’s White Mountains, arguably the Northeast’s foliage pinnacle, named for snowy caps but famed worldwide for fall drives like the Kancamagus, which sees 4 million visitors annually for its postcard-perfect scenery.
Key Spot: Stowe Recreation Path and Gondola
The 5.3-mile path winds through meadows and woods, while the gondola ascends Mt. Mansfield (VT’s highest peak) for 360° views; Stowe’s European-village vibe and consistent peak colors make it a foliage festival hub.
Photography Tips: From the gondola (20-min ride), capture layered mountains at sunset for warm glows; on the path, use a telephoto lens to isolate church steeples against fiery backdrops—overcast light saturates greens turning to gold.
Dedicate a whole day to this iconic range, celebrated in poetry and films for its granite peaks and rivers that mirror autumn hues.
Key Spot: Kancamagus Highway
Why famous: This 34-mile byway is the “crown jewel” of Northeast foliage, with no commercial interruptions—just endless hardwoods, covered bridges, and waterfalls; it’s globally renowned for vibrant displays that inspired Norman Rockwell paintings.
Photography Tips: Capture compositions at Albany Covered Bridge or Hancock Overlook, where rivers reflect colors. Early morning mist adds drama, and a polarizing filter cuts glare on the water. Shoot during soft light (avoiding noon) for vivid, non-blown-out reds.
Key Spot: Franconia Notch State Park
Why famous: Home to Flume Gorge’s towering walls and The Basin’s pothole waterfall, it’s a geological wonder with foliage-draped hikes; famous from Robert Frost’s poems and as a gateway to NH’s “notch” scenery.
Photography Tips: On the 2-mile Flume boardwalk, use macro for mossy rocks and leaves, and wide-angle for the covered bridge—falling leaves in motion (shutter 1/500s) add dynamism.
(Drive: 6 hours south via I-93/I-87)
Wind down with a relaxed return and focus on the drive through changing foliage gradients. Arrive back in NYC by evening, say goodbye to this wonderful New York fall foliage trip.
PRICE
Final pricing and service content are subject to change based on factors such as season, group size, and your preferred level of food and lodging.
For a specific quote, please reach out to our team.
Good to Know Before You Go
● This is a private, fully independent tour, featuring a dedicated guide and vehicle throughout your journey. Unless otherwise specified for certain activities that require a minimum number of participants, all arrangements can be made for groups starting from just one traveler.
● If you’d prefer to join a shared group for cost-sharing or other reasons, please get in touch with our customer service team in advance to explore available options.
● Activity schedules and availability listed on our website may not always reflect real-time updates and are subject to change without notice.
● Before booking, please confirm the final price and itinerary details with our customer service team to ensure accuracy prior to payment.
● EasyTour can only process formally confirmed reservations. Any unconfirmed bookings will be refunded in full to your original payment method after review by our finance department.
● EasyTour provides fully customized travel solutions, including transportation, accommodation, registration support, and more.
● Want to adjust your itinerary, change travel dates, or add personal arrangements? Just contact our customer service team—we’re here to help tailor your experience.
