Americana amid autumn splendor!
In New York's heartland, country roads lead through colorful fall foliage to world-famous attractions like the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Howe Caverns, as well as hidden gems, from historic breweries to the Binghamton area’s six antique carousels. The Route 20 Scenic Byway highlights roadside Americana and leads to charming country inns and farmers markets.
Enjoy the bounty of the fall harvest at local farms, where you can pick your own apples and pumpkins and enjoy fresh pressed cider, apple doughnuts and fritters, and other seasonal treats. Ramble through an eight-acre corn maze or take in the scenery on a helicopter ride at the Critz Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Cazenovia. It runs from September 15 to October 21.
Other harvest celebrations include Oneida’s Hop Fest, featuring craft beers and food pairings on September 15; an Apple Fest in Endicott on September 18, and a Pumpkin Festival in Norwich on October 28 and 29.
Watch spectacular scenery at relaxed pace aboard a scenic Fall Foliage Train Ride, departing Utica’s historic Union Station from September 16 through October 28. While in Utica, tour historic Saranac Brewery and see works by great American artists from Thomas Cole to Winslow Homer at the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.
In Cooperstown, experience 1845 village life at The Farmers’ Museum, which presents 19th-century foods, arts, crafts and entertainment at its Harvest Festival on September 15 and 16. A weigh-in at Cooperstown’s PumpkinFest on September 22 and 23 will award prizes for the state’s largest pumpkins. See the whimsical folk art collection at the Fenimore Art Museum. Even a stroll down Main Street is a magical trip in this vintage American village.
Just outside Cooperstown, Fly Creek Cider Mill hosts a Cider Fest, October 13 and 14, offering fresh sweet cider made the old-fashioned way on an 1889 water-powered cider press.
The Erie Canal presents great options for fun, from Erie Canal Cruises in Herkimer to picturesque canalside bike paths. In Rome, explore the shops of the recreated 1840s Erie Canal Village, and prepare for a scare at the Haunted Nights Festival that features talking pumpkins and haunted horse-drawn hayrides throughout October.
Sports fans love the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota and championship golf at Turning Stone Resort & Casino.
For more ideas and information, see Central New York’s Culinary, History & Culture, Outdoors and Water listings.
For more information visit: Central New York Regional Tourism Office