The Hudson Valley is truly one of the most picturesque destinations during autumn. With such close proximity to Jersey City, it offers some of the best escapes for the season!

Close enough to Jersey City for a day or weekend trip, upstate New York is beautiful year-round. However, the region makes for especially memorable excursions during the autumn months. For perfect destinations to see the spectacular fall foliage in the Hudson Valley, read on!

What is the best time to see fall colors in Catskills?

If you're looking for a spectacular fall foliage location, the Hudson Valley has just the place for you. The last two weeks of October are prime time to enjoy the beautiful foliage. There are also many fall festivals to enjoy during your stay. Whether you're traveling with your family or looking for a place to celebrate a special event, the Hudson Valley has something for everyone.

The Hudson Valley falls between New York City and Albany. It's divided into three sections: the southern, central, and northern. While the northern part of the Hudson Valley shows fall colors the earliest, the central Hudson Valley has the best fall color during the middle two weekends in October. The southern Hudson Valley, which is closest to New York City, has late fall foliage that can last into early November.

1. Mohonk Mountain House and Preserve

The Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY is a picturesque resort surrounded by 40,000 acres of forest. It offers farm-to-table cuisine as well as an award-winning spa. They pride themselves as the Hudson Valley’s “most iconic resort.” You can visit for the day or stay overnight. The resort is on the shore of Lake Mohonk, which provides stunning views along with the surrounding cliffs. Mohonk Preserve makes up 8,000 acres of the surrounding forests, cliffs, ponds, and streams in the Shawangunk Mountains. It has over 40 miles of footpaths for taking in the scenery. For day hikers, the cost of entry is $15.

2. Minnewaska State Park

Situated in Ulster County, NY, Minnewaska State Park Preserve offers dramatic views of over 24,000 acres of autumn foliage on the Shawangunk Mountain Ridge. The park has multiple waterfalls, streams, three large lakes, dense hardwood forests, and various cliffs and ledges that open up to beautiful views. There are 50 miles of footpaths on which you can walk, hike, or just simply enjoy the scenery. The park is located on Route 44/55, and the parking fee is $10 per car. It can be visited for a day or weekend trip - for an overnight stay, the Minnewaska Lodge 5 miles away offers a tranquil escape at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains.

3. Bear Mountain State Park

Bear Mountain State Park is located amongst rugged mountains next to the west bank of the Hudson River. With activities like ice-skating, a zoo, and the iconic merry-go-round, the park is definitely a family friendly getaway. The park has over 50 trails covering 235 miles with a wide range of difficulty and elevation changes. There are lookout points over the Hudson River that provide stunning views of the fall scenery.

4. Catskill Mountain Railroad

The Catskill Mountain Railroad, Ulster County’s only scenic train, offers train rides through the Catskill mountains with amazing views of the fall foliage. It departs from their stop in Kingston, NY and travels along the former Ulster and Delaware corridor, then returns to Kingston. The train is a perfect fall activity for families, with special “Pumpkin Express” trains that let passengers pick their own pumpkins to decorate and take home.

5. Harriman State Park

Harriman State Park is the second largest park in the state, with over 200 miles of footpaths as well as a whopping 31 lakes and reservoirs. The park also has two beaches and two public camping areas - it truly has something for everyone. Highways like the Palisades Interstate Parkway and Seven Lakes Drive run through the extent of the park, offering stunning views on the drives between lakes and hiking trails.