With more autumnal colors, flavors, and experiences offered per mile than anywhere else on Earth, Ulster County is synonymous with fall. Breathtaking moments await you in our stunning Catskills. Come make core memories in the farms and orchards dotting Ulster County. And experience exquisite dining experiences in the region’s villages and towns. Your ideal autumn weekends are made here. Discover some of our favorites, or simply use this as your starting point and discover your own.
Remember, there are no wrong turns in Ulster County. Just space for new experiences that are waiting for you
Leaf Peep HQ
We dare you to find a prettier spot to take in autumn’s colors. We have more colors than you thought possible in nature. And we have them for mile after glorious mile. The Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains beckon with more than 500 miles of carriage trails for walking or hiking. Your best bet for being engulfed in a canopy of color are Minnewaksa State Park, Mohonk Preserve and Red Hill Fire Tower. Fantastic fall foliage can also be spotted from the water. Jump on a charter from Hudson River Cruises or the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s solar-powered boat, The Solaris.. For all you DIYers, paddle your way through fall’s palette at A Day Away Kayak Rentals, Hudson Valley Water Sports, I Paddle New York and New Paltz Kayaking. Or just drink in the views from the 500-foot deck at Hudson House Distillery! They are all bucket list ways to see fall at its most gorgeous.
Fall's Favorite Treats
Others may think of autumn as Pumpkin Spice season, but here in farm country, we are about all things CIDER. With 24 places to pick your own apples and pumpkins, Ulster County is also the best place to go cider donut hopping. We can’t say which farm has the BEST cider donuts (truth be told, we all have a favorite), but here are some ideas on where you can find them: Saunderskill Farm, Accord; Davenport’s, Stone Ridge; Dressel Farms, New Paltz; DuBois Farms, Highland; Tantillo’s Farm, Gardiner; Hurd Family Farm, Modena; Prospect Hill Farm, Milton; and Weed Orchard, Marlboro.
Farm-to-Table Fair
Ulster County’s abundance of working farms also means there’s plenty of fresh local food to be found in our fields and on our tables. Taste fall’s bounty on Sunday, October 22, from noon to 3 p.m., when you explore the remarkable flavors of Ulster County through "Meat the Farmer," featuring our incredible farmers and top-notch chefs. This celebrates locally grown agricultural products and strengthens the connection between producers and consumers. Discover the benefits of buying directly from local farms. The admission fee is $15 (children under 5 are free), which covers access to the event, tastings from all participating restaurants, and a complimentary cookbook highlighting showcased dishes.
Pre-registration closes at 12 noon on Friday, October 20th. You can pay at the door on the day of the event with cash or a check.
Autumn Activities
Climb aboard Catskill Mountain Railroad’s Fall Adventure Train. Take a journey along the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad corridor and see the natural beauty of the Catskills from their open-top cars. Or hop aboard one of their Pumpkin Express trains and take home your very own pumpkin!
Ride Belleayre Mountain’s gondola to the summit for breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountains changing leaves. The gondola runs Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM.
For those looking for a more frightening experience make sure to plan a trip to Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions, named the #1 haunted attraction in America. For more than 30 years horror has lived here and this year their popular Haunted Hayride is BACK and scarier than ever.
Now all that's left is to decide on the perfect place to lay your head!
