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 – Saranac Lake – Lake Placid . 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. The other airports you can fly to – New York City, NY ; Burlington, VT ; New York Stewart International Airport (Orange County, NY).

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.

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!

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.

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 – Saranac Lake – Lake Placid 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 !

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Brief 3 day Adirondacks fall foliage Itinerary

Here is the suggested itinerary, however you can modify according to your pace, convenience and starting point. We started from New York City and drove to Adirondacks region.

Day 1

New york City – Lake George (lunch) – North Creek – Gore mountain Gondola – Blue Mountain Lake or North Creek (night Stay)

Day 2

Blue Mountain Lake – Castle Rock Trailhead (or Blue mountain fire tower/hiking trail) – Long Lake – Tupper Lake (spend the night)

Day 3

Tupper Lake – Saranac Lake – Lake Placid – New York city

Things to know before you go!

Where to eat?

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 to stay?

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.

What things to keep in mind?

Timing is Key: The peak fall foliage season can vary, but late September to mid-October is generally the best time to experience the vibrant colors. Just remember – Every year is unique. The timing, duration, and colors of peak foliage vary from year to year. Whether you witness the colors before the peak, after the peak, or during the peak, embrace the magic of this season.

Pack Layers: Autumn weather in New England can be unpredictable. Be prepared for chilly mornings and evenings, with warmer temperatures during the day.

Take Your Time: The beauty of a road trip is the freedom to explore at your own pace. Don’t rush from one destination to the next; take time to enjoy the journey.

Limited cell service: Many areas in Adirondacks the cell service is limited. So, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you have offline Google Maps downloaded.

Final Thoughts

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.

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