New York Fall Foliage

Dutchess County Hudson Valley New York Fall Foliage starts anywhere north of New York City during the month of October, when spectacular displays of fall foliage reaches its colorful peak.

The most spectacular tree of all, the sugar maple, stands out bright red, bronze or orange against its less spectacular neighbors. Some ash leaves have turned yellow and have dropped to the ground. Already the turning leaves are at their peak in the Adirondacks and higher elevations in the area. By this weekend or next, the color should be nearing its height in the Catskills, the Hudson Valley and northern Connecticut.

New York Fall Foliage Weekend Day Trips

Are you willing to make a day trip north, here are some things to do in the Hudson Valley. Before you go, though, there are several words of caution. A one-day trip is recommended because it will be almost impossible to find lodging at the last minute. Almost all the hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast places in the Catskills, the Hudson Valley and northwestern Connecticut.

In addition, be prepared for crowds in restaurants for lunch and dinner. Either make reservations in advance, if you can, or bring along a picnic.

But most important, drive carefully. If the roads are wet or damp, fallen leaves will make them slippery. And, because of the large number of fellow foliage watchers, be especially watchful because some of them may stop suddenly to see the leaves better.

Metro-North commuter trains leave Grand Central Terminal for Poughkeepsie at 8:50 A.M., 9:50 A.M. and 12:50 P.M. for a just under two-hour trip, and return at 4:18, 5:13, 6:18 and 8:18 P.M.

If you take the train, try to get a seat on the river side of the train to enjoy the Hudson River views. In Poughkeepsie, if you walk a short distance to the right from the railroad station, you will come to a river front park with picnic benches. The arts center is a few blocks uphill from the station on Main Street, which has several restaurants