As the leaves are about to begin their colorful transformations, now is the perfect time to begin planning scenic autumn adventures for your family. We’ve compiled a list of fun ways to check out local foliage by land and water, so you can enjoy family time against the picturesque backdrop of fall’s leafy natural treasures.
ON THE WATER
Sea Streak Hudson River Fall Foliage Day Cruise
Climb aboard with Sea Streak Cruises and travel up the Hudson to catch some breathtaking fall views on this day-long, leaf-peeping excursion. Cruise past the Palisades, Hastings-on-the-Hudson, Tarrytown, Ossining, Croton Point, Haverstraw, Stony Point, Bear Mountain, and West Point. Choose to stop for lunch in either quaint Cold Spring or Newburgh. Saturdays & Sundays through November 20, $65 adults, $40 children (infants free); 1-800-262-8743, seastreakusa.com
Bear Mountain Cruise
The Circle Line’s annual fall foliage boat tour allows you to kick back and relax during a 2.5 hour scenic ride, before reaching the ship docks at Bear Mountain. With this cruise you get the best of both the water and land. Passengers have 3 hours to explore the mountain, picnic with their families and go on woodland adventures, before departing back to the city at sunset. Saturdays & Sundays through October 26, $53; 800-220-6282, newyork.com
Hornblower Fall Foliage Sightseeing Cruise
What could be a better way to relax than to sail along the scenic Hudson River on a luxury 5.5 hour cruise? Hornblower Cruises makes this possible, taking the passengers on the Fall Foliage Sightseeing Cruise along the Palisades, a beautiful mecca for some of fall’s best scenery. The cruise includes lunch, plus desserts cider—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. City Winery will also be hosting a wine tasting aboard the ship, and for the younger seafarers—as well as those of us who easily fall victim to a sweet tooth—there will also be a Jacques Torres Chocolate tasting during the ride. Saturday, November 1, $129; 888-467-6255; hornblower.com
New York Water Taxi Fall Foliage Cruise
On this half-day excursion up the Hudson, your family can enjoy the beauty of New York in the midst of fall, accompanied by live jazz and a variety of wines available for Mom and Dad. Saturdays, October 18-November 2; $90; 212-742-1969, nywatertaxi.com
Statue Cruises
Catch some fiery fall foliage from the comfort of a leisurely cruise as you ride along the Hudson to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island with Statue Cruises. You can spend your day along the water, visiting one or both of the landmark islands and learning about New York’s history. Extended hours through Columbus Day make it even easier to plan your trip! Daily from Battery Park through Oct. 13, $18 for adults, $9 for children; 877-523-9849, statuecruises.com
ON LAND
On Board New York Fall Foliage Tour
The stunning foliage of the Hudson Valley is so expansive, it’s hard to catch it all on foot! Fortunately, On Board’s Fall Foliage Bus Tour provides the perfect, not to mention relaxing, solution. The 4.5-hour tour departs from Manhattan and travels through the majestic valley on the Palisades Parkway, past Bear Mountain and all the way up to West Point. The return trip begins the same time as the sunset, creating potential for an unparalleled view of the firey sky and fall leaves. October 13-November 20, $59.99 per person; 800-220-6282, onboardnewyorktours.com
New York Botanical Garden Tram
The breathtaking New York Botanical Gardens are most definitely worth the trip uptown, especially when their fall foliage is in full swing (which you can check with the NYBG’s foliage tracker!). The tram ride travels through all of the garden’s 250 acres, where you can glimpse 30,000 trees, and provides opportunities to explore the Bronx River waterfall, the Ornamental Conifer Forrest, and the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden.Tuesday-Sunday, $20 adult, $8 child for all-garden pass; 718-817-8700, nybg.org
Blazing Saddles Guided Bike Tour of Central Park
Experience foliage in your own backyard! There are 26,000 trees and 130 acres of lavish woodlands in Central Park, and you can see them in their fall glory from the seat of a bike! Blazing Saddles offers a guided bike tour at a beginner level that even the smaller members of the family can enjoy. The 2.5-3 hour tour covers about 2-6 miles and includes a bike and helmet rental. $60 adults, $45 children; 917-440-9094, blazing saddles.com
