Leaf Peeping Adventures
Forget ho-hum car tours; try these more adventuresome ways to go leaf peeping
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
The fall foliage in the region offers a kaleidoscope of color for leaf peepers to enjoy with many ways to enjoy it. To plan your adventure, visit www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/fall/foliage-report to decide when to go. Even if you visited the same region last year, the timing could vary.
Since these activities are popular, plan your leaf peeping adventure by booking early.
Treetops
• Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures
in Canandaigua offers both ziplines and high ropes courses which offer great views. Features of the park are available for ages 4 and older.
https://bristolmountainadventures.com
• Mountain Adventures at Peek’n Peak Resort
in Clymer provides guests with ziplines, high ropes course and ski lift rides: all great ways to view fall color.
• Holiday Valley Sky High Adventure Park
in Ellicottville boasts ski lift rides, sizable high ropes course, ziplines and for speed enthusiasts, a mountain coaster.
• For unparalleled views, take a hot air tour with Balloons Over Letchworth
in Castile – Book a shared basket ride or private flight over the “Grand Canyon of the East,” as Letchworth State Park has become known because of its rugged, rocky gorges.
www.balloonsoverletchworth.com
On the Ground
• Rochester Train Rides
in Rush tours the grounds of Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum with train and trolley rides. They’re a great way to take in both autumn views and the history of railroading in the region.
https://rochestertrainrides.com
• Rochester Pedal Tours
in Rochester provides great views of downtown foliage from the seat of a 13-person bicycle led by a company “driver.” Up to five riders may be non-pedaling riders. Participants may also choose to rest periodically on the bench seat. Rochester Pedal Tours allows guests to bring their own adult beverages and Bluetooth-enabled playlist. Plan to book a tour in advance and grab some friends to make a day of it with a progressive dinner, pub crawl or architectural tour.
https://rochesterpedaltours.com
• Book a private horse-drawn carriage ride with KQ Percherons
in Macedon – Plan a ride for just the two of you or bring along the family.
• Go mountain biking at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
in Springwater. – A 1,550‑acre park in Ontario County with 22.83 miles of multi‑use trails that range from easy to expert. The best views are from Overlook Trail and Overlook Road. Picnic tables and grills are available, so bring along a lunch.
On the Water
Enjoy both the view of the trees and the reflection on the water with boat tours. Area companies provide many different themes and dinner tours.
• Rochester by Water
(formerly Corn Hill Navigation) tours the Erie Canal and the Genesee River on Sam Patch and Riverie.
• Erie Canal Adventures
in Macedon sticks with the canal, providing both tours and houseboat rentals.
https://eriecanaladventures.com
• Colonial Belle in Pittsford,
represents yet another Erie Canal tour boat company in the area.
• Paddle a kayak or paddleboard from Erie Canal Boat Company
in Fairport – Rentals are available for booking through mid-October.