When Every Leaf Is A Work Of Art
See New York’s fall colors without the long drive. These scenic spots make it easy to trade the car for a train and enjoy the changing leaves along the way.
Here are some of the best places to see fall foliage along or near the Amtrak line.
Poughkeepsie: Walkway Over the Hudson
For some of the biggest views with very little effort, head to the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie. The 1.28-mile elevated pedestrian bridge sits 212 feet above the Hudson River, offering wide-open views of the river, surrounding mountains and the changing landscape.
The best part? You don’t need a car to get there. The Walkway’s Poughkeepsie entrance is less than a mile from the Amtrak station, making it an easy walk from the train. The bridge is open from 7 a.m. until sunset, so you can arrive in the morning, walk above the river and still have time to explore downtown Poughkeepsie afterward.
For an even longer outing, continue into the surrounding Walkway Loop and explore the waterfront, historic neighborhoods and nearby parks.
From the station: About 0.8 miles to the Walkway’s Poughkeepsie entrance.
Rochester: High Falls Terrace
Fall foliage doesn’t always mean heading into the mountains. In Rochester, you can pair autumn color with one of the city’s most dramatic natural landmarks at High Falls Terrace.
The park sits along the Genesee River near High Falls, Rochester’s 96-foot waterfall. Recent improvements to High Falls Terrace Park and the Brewery Line Trail added scenic areas, plantings, seating and trail enhancements along the river gorge.
Come for the waterfall and stay for the foliage. The surrounding trees add a splash of fall color to the city skyline and river views, while the nearby High Falls District gives you plenty of options for grabbing a drink or a meal after your walk.
From the station: High Falls Terrace is in downtown Rochester, a short trip from the Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station.
Albany: Washington Park
For a classic autumn walk without leaving the city, make your way to Washington Park in Albany.
The historic park covers 81 acres and is home to more than 100 species of trees, including maples, oaks, beeches, birches and ginkgos. In the fall, its winding paths and lake make an easy backdrop for a colorful afternoon stroll.
The park is also close to downtown Albany, so you can combine your leaf peeping with lunch, dinner, coffee or a little shopping. It’s a particularly good option if you want to experience fall foliage without committing to a long hike or a trip far outside the city.
From the station: About 5.7 miles from Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak Station.
New Windsor: Storm King Art Center
For a leaf-peeping trip that doubles as an art outing, head to Storm King Art Center in New Windsor.
The 500-acre outdoor museum combines monumental sculpture with rolling hills, meadows, ponds, woodlands and sweeping open spaces. In autumn, the landscape becomes part of the experience, with changing foliage creating a colorful backdrop for the sculptures.
Storm King is especially appealing in October, when the center extends its hours on weekends and its grounds are surrounded by fall color. Plan to spend several hours exploring the property on foot, since the landscape includes hills, wooded areas and both paved and unpaved paths.
Storm King is not directly next to an Amtrak station, but it can be reached by taking Amtrak to Poughkeepsie and continuing by car or rideshare. Metro-North and NJ Transit also provide options for getting closer to the art center.
From the station: About 26 miles from Poughkeepsie Amtrak Station.
Lake George: Prospect Mountain
If you’re looking for the classic Adirondack fall experience, put Prospect Mountain on your list.
Located above Lake George, Prospect Mountain offers expansive views of the lake and surrounding mountains. The summit sits at about 2,030 feet and can be reached by a roughly three-mile round-trip hike. If you’d rather save your energy for sightseeing, the Veterans Memorial Highway also provides seasonal vehicle access to the summit.
Fall is one of the best times to visit, with the mountains surrounding Lake George turning shades of red, orange and gold. The highway is typically open through Veterans Day, weather permitting, giving visitors another way to experience the views without the hike.
The closest Amtrak stop is Fort Edward-Glens Falls, making this a good option for travelers who want to combine a train ride with an Adirondack day trip.
From the station: About 20 miles from Fort Edward-Glens Falls Amtrak Station.
