Fall Foliage Road trip – Adirondacks, New York
Are you planning a Fall Foliage Road Trip in Upstate New York and looking for thing to do in Adirondacks?
It was end of September and fall season had arrived. We took an impromptu weekend trip to North Creek & Blue Mountain Lake in Upstate New York (Adirondacks region) . We drove North Creek – Blue Mountain Lake – Long Lake – Tupper Lake. The scenery we witnessed driving across the area was spell bounding to say the least.
Best time to see Adirondacks fall foliage
It can be difficult to predict when the leaves will be at their most colorful during the fall season, as it can vary by location. The most reliable way to stay informed is to check the Fall Tracker for each state and keep an eye on the changing colors of the foliage.
Based on our observations from the past few years, fall starts peaking in the higher elevation and progresses lower over the course of a month. This means that you can expect to enjoy peak fall foliage in entire month of October, but the timing may vary by location.
How to get around
When exploring Adirondacks fall foliage, renting a car is the ideal way to navigate the stunning scenery. If you’re flying, consider landing in Albany, NY and renting a car from there.
I highly recommend using RentalCars.com to compare prices among various car rental companies. They also have an excellent cancellation policy in case you want to change your east coast fall trip.
Budgeting for the Adirondacks Fall Road Trip
Flights: The cost will depend on your departure location. You can budget between $300 and $500. This cost may decrease if you find a cheaper deal, or increase if you plan at the last minute. If you have travel credit cards, I suggest checking your points and miles to fly for free or at a lower cost.
Find a flight deal now!
Hotels: You can expect between $150 and $300 per night for decent hotels. The cost may vary depending on when you book. Keep in mind that booking in advance will help you find good deals, while booking at the last minute will cost more.
To find great accommodations, I highly recommend checking out booking.com or expedia.com – they’re our go-to for comparing prices across different hotels and locations. They also have an incredible refundable policy in case you change your plan!
Looking for a budget hotel?
Car Rental: You can find a car rental between $50 and $100 per day + Insurance cost. Some travel credit cards offer rental car insurance, so before renting, it’s a good idea to check your credit card offers. Also, don’t forget to give the rental car a thorough inspection before picking it up!
As mentioned above, I’d recommend using RentalCars.com to compare prices from various car rental companies. They also have an awesome cancellation policy in case your plans change!
Another great option is to rent a camper-van, which offers the added advantage of allowing you to camp in various locations and enjoy the freedom of chasing fall colors.
Find the best Car rental deals!
Other Cost: Make a budget for – Per day cost of food, water & snacks, Cost of gas for total trip, and other miscellaneous things.
What to pack for the Road trip?
- Layered Clothing: Pack flannel shirts, sweaters, and jackets to stay comfortable in changing temperatures.
- Comfortable Footwear: Whether you’re hiking or exploring, make sure to wear supportive shoes.
- Sunscreen: Carry sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun and road glare.
- Rain Gear: Wear a waterproof jacket and boots for staying dry during fall showers.
- Cozy Blankets: Keep warm with a soft, comfy blanket for those crisp fall evenings.
- Picnic Supplies: Bring a picnic blanket, utensils, and reusable containers for outdoor meals.
- Insulated Thermos: Keep your coffee or tea warm during scenic drives.
- Portable Phone Charger: Ensure your devices stay charged to capture beautiful fall moments.
- Offline Google Maps: Download routes you plan to take in case you drive outside a network zone.
- Entertainment: Bring audiobooks, playlists, or podcasts for long stretches of road.
- Flashlight or Headlamp: Bring a reliable light source for evening stops or unexpected nighttime adventures.
- Refillable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated by always bringing a water bottle on your adventures.
- Camera Gear: Don’t forget to carry your camera or phone to capture all the memories you are going to create.
- Tripod: Bring a tripod to help you get the perfect photo in case there are no people around to assist you.
Top things to do for fall foliage in Adirondacks, New York
Drive the scenic road
There are lot of scenic drives around Adirondacks with awe moments especially in fall season (personal experience). As mentioned, we drove North Creek – Blue Mountain Lake – Long Lake – Tupper Lake with lot of stops in between. Drive slowly, take your time, pullover to admire the beauty and have a good time.
Travel tip – Make sure tank is full and your playlist collection is on !
![Fall Foliage Adirondacks](https://i0.wp.com/mrnmrstraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ADK_7.jpg?resize=600%2C800&ssl=1)
![Fall Foliage in New York](https://i0.wp.com/mrnmrstraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ADK_1.jpg?resize=1024%2C684&ssl=1)
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Stop at Scenic Points
Keep an eye while driving for viewpoint signboards as all the stops are not marked in google maps. Our favorite scenic point was Hudson river near North creek and view points at Tupper lake.
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Take a hike
If you are a hiking enthusiast, there are many option available in the region. We loved Castle Rock trail. The view from the top is something we will never forget.
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Book a Glamping stay
When we were driving around we saw lot of lakeside stays where you can spent a week or a weekend. For us, we loved our glamping site. Choose whatever you like, the color across the place makes everything gorgeous.
![Glamping in Upstate, New York](https://i0.wp.com/mrnmrstraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ADK_15.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
![Glamping in Adirondacks, New York](https://i0.wp.com/mrnmrstraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/ADK_18.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
Ride a Gondola
We went to Gore Mountain for a gondola ride. The views while going up as well as coming down was the highlight of the overall ride. After reaching the top, go for few short hikes and admire the colorful mountains from the overlook/summit on a clear day.
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Kayaking on the lake
There are lot of lake around the area, thus an opportunity for boating or kayaking in the mid of colorful mountains. If you have time, definitely plan for it.
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Where we ate
There were not much restaurant options available near Blue Mountain lake or North creek, however if you drive towards Tupper lake you will find few good ones at Long Lake. If you are in Tupper lake region – you can always drive to Lake Placid for good dining options.
We stopped at long lake for lunch. The Park is a good fast food option with outdoor seating and offers To-Go as well. If you want a dine in, check out Long Lake Diner & Owl’s Head Pub. They have outdoor seating as well as To-Go.
Where we stayed
We spent two nights. Since, it was an impromptu plan we booked in two different places. The 1st night we stayed in a Cabin and other night we did Glamping. Also, if you are looking for camping – it is one of the best region.
When to Visit
First week of October is considered as an ideal time to visit. You can keep an eye on the tracker for latest updates available from last week of September.
If you are looking for Autumn getaway from NYC, Adirondacks region is one of the best place to explore. Less crowded and lot of things to look forward. Hope this blog inspires you take the trip to Adirondacks ,NY for leaf peeping next year. Pin it or Bookmark this post for future reference.
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Your photos are absolutely stunning!
Thank you! 😊
Hi! You have a very interesting and informative blog. Lots of tips for travelers. Thanks for sharing and visiting Suitcase Travel blog! Have a great day!