Hop on Metro-North and discover these top spots for leaf peeping and other autumn adventures, all within easy reach from the station:      

 

Getaway and enjoy the day taking in beautiful Hudson River views and a historic walk along the Old Croton Aqueduct, connecting the Rivertowns of Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry and Irvington. The Aqueduct forms a level, flat and shaded walking path behind the homes of this pleasant residential area along the Hudson River, giving one the sense of going back to the time of unpaved roads and horse-powered transportation.

 

You can start your walk in any of the three Rivertowns and return by Metro-North from any of the villages, or stop in Yonkers on your way up or back to take in its new waterfront attractions and restaurants. Each village offers beautiful Hudson River views, including the spectacular Palisades cliffs, as well as fine and casual dining, shops for arts, crafts and clothing; bike rentals; and spas. On weekends, you'll find farmers markets, local festivals and events, as well as evening entertainment.

Admission is free! For more information and free walking and bike maps, please visit: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_crotonaqueduct.htm

Take the Hudson Line  to Hastings-on-Hudson, Dobbs Ferry or Irvington, based on the itinerary of your choice. You might select one village as a starting point based on where you'd like to have lunch or dinner. Your walks all begin and end at one of the three train stations, so there's no need for a taxi or additional public transportation.

 

The National Parks Conservation Association, in partnership with the Harlem Valley Appalachian Trail Community and Appalachian Trail Conservancy invite you to celebrate the Appalachian Trail with fall activities for the whole family!  Take a guided or self-guided trail hike, including a walk to view peak fall foliage with a native plants expert. Enjoy family friendly activities including sand art and pumpkin painting.  Roll up your sleeves and volunteer for a trail maintenance project along the Appalachian Trail boardwalk. Indulge in some fresh Apple Cider and lunch items for sale from Roseann’s Kitchen’s food truck.  Local produce and fresh preserves available for purchase from local farms and community exhibitors. 

Admission is free!  To make a reservation, please visit: https://www.nynjtc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=8292

 

For additional information, please visit:  http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/HVATC%20Trail%20Day%202017.pdf

Take the Harlem Line to the Appalachian Trail station, arriving 9:50 a.m.

 

New York’s Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park is the world’s longest, elevated pedestrian bridge, stretching 1.28 miles, 212 feet above the Hudson River. The panoramic views of the Catskill Mountains and Hudson River from the Walkway are stunning in the fall.

 

The deal:

Admission is free!

For additional information, please visit: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_walk_over.htm

 

Getting there:

Take the Hudson Line to Poughkeepsie Station and then pick the option that works best for you:

 

Walk: The new Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park Elevator provides a direct connection from the Poughkeepsie waterfront to the Walkway State Historic Park bridge.  Check out the Walkway Gateway sign located in the Visitor Information area of the Poughkeepsie station!  Exit the train station at the Water Street exit. Walk North on Water Street until you see the gates to Upper Landing Park.  Use the elevator entrance at Upper Landing Park to make your way onto the bridge.  No more than a 15 minute walk!

 

Taxi: Taxis are available at the Poughkeepsie Station and the Walkway is just a 5-minute ride from the station.

 

Originally hailed by the national press as "America's Most Spectacular Garden" in the 1920's, Untermyer Gardens, located opposite the peak of the Palisades in Yonkers, is in the process of a major restoration. The Walled Garden, Temple of Love and the Vista are now brilliantly restored with sophisticated horticulture. The Walled Garden is the finest Persian garden in the Western Hemisphere. At the base of the Vista are two ancient Roman monolithic columns.

 

There is a major network of fountains and waterfalls. Other areas are being reclaimed from a state of ruin.

 

Untermyer Park and Gardens is steeped in history. Samuel Untermyer was a nationally prominent lawyer and progressive, and was instrumental in economic reform in the 1910's. He was also the face of resistance to Adolph Hitler in the 1930's, leading the Non-Sectarian Anti-Nazi League.

 

The deal:

Admission is free! For more information, please visit: http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_untermyer_park.htm

 

Getting there:

Take the Hudson Line  to Greystone Station. Exit the station and walk along the short road which leads to Warburton Avenue, bearing right (south). Continue about a third of a mile until you see iron gates on the left. Go through the gates, walk up the carriage trail, cross the Old Croton Aqueduct and pass through inner gates into the garden. From there, either go right up a long carriage trail, or up the stairs, around the ruined gate house, and up a path to the lower gardens.

 

Much more than a cemetery, The Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy is a cultural resource and veritable outdoor museum. From its inception in 1863, Woodlawn has been an active, 400-acre, non-sectarian cemetery. A National Historic Landmark, their celebrated lot owners comprise artists and writers, business moguls, civic leaders, entertainers, jazz musicians, and suffragists; among them, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Celia Cruz. More than 10,000 visitors each year explore the history of the cemetery and to pay respect to loved ones and notables entrusted in their care.

Fall is a great time to explore the Woodlawn Arboretum, a unique, beautiful landscape with more than 140 species of trees. A self-guided tree walk allows visitors to experience nature in a serene and historic setting.

Admission is free for walking the grounds.

For more information, please visit:  http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_woodlawn.htm

 

Take the Harlem Line to the Woodlawn Station. Exit the station, make a right and take a short walk along East 233rd to Webster Ave. From there, at the traffic crossing, cross to other side of East 233rd St. Enter through the cemetery's gates and visit the administration office or seek assistance from the Security Concierge on site, directly inside the gates at the concierge booth.

 

To time your visit to peak leaf peeping, the weekly foliage report, a detailed map charting fall color progress, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage, suggested autumn getaways and weekly event listings are available by visiting the I LOVE NEW YORK web site at www.iloveny.com/foliage Reports are also available by dialing, toll-free, 800/CALL-NYS (800/225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada. To learn how to become a volunteer Leaf Peeper, e-mail your name, address and phone number to foliage@esd.ny.gov

Fall foliage reports are also available by dialing, toll-free, 800-CALL-NYS.