Hudson Valley Tourism's Top 10 Spots for Fall Foliage Viewing

Sept. 18, 2008 - PRLog -- Autumn is the perfect time for a trip to the Hudson Valley to enjoy the sights and scents of the harvest season. From Albany to Piermont, the fall’s splendor of spectacular copper, red and gold leaves are on display throughout the Hudson hills now through October.

This year, Hudson Valley Tourism’s Top Ten leaf-peeping picks include:

1.   John Boyd Thacher State Park, just outside of Albany in Voorheesville. Take the trail to the Helderberg Escarpment offering breathtaking views of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys, Adirondacks and Green Mountains of Vermont.

2.   Schodack Island State Park in Schodack Landing.  Home to bald eagles and blue herons nesting in the cottonwood trees, this park offers miles of multi-use trails that wind through a variety of ecological communities. Pack a bike or just walk this beautifully conserved area.

3.   Olana State Historic Site in Hudson.  Set on 250 acres, this site offers incredible views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.  Inspired by the scenery of its park-like setting, Frederick Church founded the Hudson River School of Painting here.

4.   Five State Lookout in East Windham. The Mohican Trail will take you skyward for vast expanses of autumn leaves in five states, as well as along the Hudson River. It’s a real feast for the eyes.

5.   Mohonk Preserve in Gardiner.  Set in the beautiful Shawangunk Mountains, this idyllic preserve offers more than 6,500 acres of cliffs, forests, fields, ponds, and streams, crisscrossed with over 100 miles of carriage roads. If you’re looking for a rock, ledge, or stream with a view of falls’ finest, Mohonk is the perfect place.

6.   Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park. History buffs will enjoy not only an elegant mansion, but also exquisite formal gardens along with a wide variety of exotic plants and trees. The south lawn boasts a Gingko tree, whose round leaves turn to gold shimmering coins in the sunlight.

7.   Upper Delaware Scenic Byway in Port Jervis.  This scenic byway offers gorgeous views of the Delaware River with hills on either side resplendent in fall foliage.

8.   Cold Spring Harvest Festival, September 27.  One of the Hudson’s charming river villages hosts a day of art, music and food on Main Street with fall and harvest-themed events, activities and shopping for the whole family.  More than 50 artisan, craft and food booths will be on hand.

9.   Monteverde at Oldstone Manor in Cortlandt Manor.  This beautifully restored mansion with sweeping lawns is the perfect place to sit and enjoy the view. The restaurant has expansive views of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain foliage, not to mention delicious food!

10.   Hook Mountain State Park in Upper Nyack. Grab a bench to look out over the waves, then take an easy climb up the mountain where the Audubon Society conducts autumn hawk watches.


No matter where you go in the Hudson Valley, the fall foliage is spectacular. Red maples and golden oaks will line your path in every village, reflected in the rivers and streams throughout the region. Take time to enjoy this sensuous season by taking a special trip through the Hudson Valley.


John Boyd Thacher State Park, Voorheesville. 518-872-1237
www.nysparks.state.ny.us   

Schodack Island State Park, Schodack Landing.  518-732-0187, www.nysparks.com

Olana State Historic Site, Hudson. 518-828-0135 or www.olana.org

Five State Lookout, Mohican Trail, Rt 23, East Windham.

Mohonk Preserve, Gardiner. 845-255-0919, www.mohonkpreserve.org

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Route 9, Hyde Park.  845-229-9115 http://www.nps.gov/vama

Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, Port Jervis. 866-511-8372, www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org   

Cold Spring Harvest Festival, Cold Spring. 845-265-3200,
www.coldspringchamber.com

Monteverde at Oldstone Manor, Cortlandt Manor.  914-739-5000,
www.monteverderestaurant.com

Hook Mountain State Park, Upper Nyack. 845-268-3020


Hudson Valley Tourism, Inc. is the 10-county region designated by I LOVE NEW YORK to promote tourism for the area. Counties include Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Ulster and Westchester. Regional information can be obtained from any of the county tourism offices, the Hudson Valley Tourism website, www.travelhudsonvalley.com, or by calling 845-615-3860.