Plan the Perfect Fall Weekend Getaway from NYC

Crisp, cool air. Red, orange and yellow leaves on the ground. Pumpkin spice everything. Who doesn’t love fall?

Now’s the time to plan your perfect autumn weekend getaway from New York City. Whether it involves apple picking, pumpkin patches, hiking trails, wine tasting or colorful foliage, several popular destinations for these activities are within a few hours of the city via car or public transportation. Book a night or two in some cozy accommodations and you’ve got the fall furlough of your dreams.

Here are five fall weekend getaway ideas for the autumn lover in us all.

1. Pick your own apples in East Fishkill, NY

Apple picking is a popular fall activity in the tri-state area, especially with New York State being a top five U.S. producer of the crispy fruit. One of the best places to do so is Fishkill Farms, a family-owned orchard and farm for over 100 years. For just a $5 admission fee, you can escape NYC by picking your way through 270 acres of Crimson Crisp, Galarina, Mutsu, Rome, Idared and other delicious apple varieties.

Fishkill Farms is perfect distance from the city for a day trip, but you can find simple accommodations nearby and make a weekend getaway out of it!

Getting there from NYC: Take the Metro-North’s Hudson Line towards Poughkeepsie and get off at Beacon.

2. Hike and visit an open-air museum in Orange County, NY

If you love hiking, art and fall foliage, fit all three into one weekend by visiting Orange County in upstate New York. Storm King Art Center — which you may recognize from Aziz Ansari’s Netflix series Master of None — is a 500-acre outdoor sculpture museum in Mountainville, NY surrounded by fall foliage as far as the eye can see. Created in 1960, it now contains one of the largest collections of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the country.

The nearby Storm King State Park also contains several hiking trails offering killer views of the Catskills, the Hudson Valley and all their vibrant fall foliage. Hikers love the undisturbed, wild nature of the trails and their varying levels of difficulty.

Several places to stay are available near Storm King Art Center, from chain hotels to small inns.

Getting there from NYC: The Metro-North offers a special getaway package combining a train ticket with discounted admission to Storm King Art Center.

3. Take a scenic train ride through the Adirondacks

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A post shared by Adirondack Scenic Railroad (@adk_scenic_railroad) on Sep 15, 2019 at 10:42am PDT

Want to see acres of fall foliage but be shielded from the elements? A train ride through the Adirondacks is the ideal way to do just that. From New York’s Penn Station, you can board the Amtrak’s Empire Service for a low-frills yet scenic excursion through a landscape of red, orange and yellow trees. The train goes as far as Niagara Falls.

For a more comprehensive experience, hop on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad for their Utica to Thendara trip, with the option for a layover in Old Forge to enjoy the outdoors and explore the town. By 6:30pm you’ll arrive back in Utica, where you can choose from several quaint accommodations including the historic Hotel Utica.

Getting there from NYC: If you wish to take the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, use the Amtrak Empire Service to get to and from Utica.

4. R&R in the Catskills

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A post shared by Casey / Head Innkeeper (@sprucetoninn) on Oct 19, 2019 at 5:31pm PDT

For those who really want to get away from NYC this fall, there’s nothing like a retreat to the middle of the Catskills for some much-needed rest and relaxation. Stay at the secluded and minimalist Spruceton Inn, a “bar and breakfast” and Curbed NY favorite, in one of just nine rooms striking a nice balance between luxurious and rustic.

There are plenty of outdoorsy things to do nearby, but the inn grounds have everything you need to unwind. Nap in a hammock, roast marshmallows and stargaze by the fire pit, go tubing or fly fishing in the creek or play a game of bocce ball by the meadow. With no Wi-Fi and limited cellphone service available, guests are able to truly unplug and be one with nature for a weekend.

Getting there from NYC: Due to the remote location, driving there is recommended. Spruceton Inn’s website presents options involving both driving and public transportation.

5. Go wine tasting on Long Island

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A post shared by Kaitlin Tufts (@kaitlintufts) on Oct 27, 2019 at 10:13am PDT

Think Long Island is only a summer destination? Think again. With harvest season occurring in October, fall is the best time to get out of the city and head “out east” for wine tasting — particularly on the island’s North Fork where many world-class wineries are located. Visit the famed Wölffer Estate in October for their annual Harvest Party, with live music, a gourmet lunch, hayrides, grape stomping and more. Other favorites include Kontokosta Winery, Sparkling Pointe, Lieb Cellars, Martha Clara Vineyards, Clovis Point, Duck Walk Vineyards, Bedell Cellars and Vineyard 48.

Book a nearby hotel and enjoy Hamptons-level luxury minus the summer prices and crowds. Also check if the winery itself offers on-site accommodations.

Getting there from NYC: Take the Long Island Rail Road or the Hampton Jitney.

Find your home base in NYC with Furnished Quarters

For when you’re not busy frolicking in the leaves or consuming copious amounts of apples, Furnished Quarters offers fully equipped short-term apartments in New York City. Search our New York apartments and find your fall home away from home.