Plan a Fall Getaway
It’s the perfect time for a weekend in western New York
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Picture-perfect getaways await you in the region this fall. Here are some places you should check out.
• Leaf peeping is the fall activity in Ellicottville. And the best way for adventuresome people to view foliage in Ellicottville is at eye level from the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster and Sky High Aerial Adventure Park. They’re at The Inn at Holiday Valley.
The lodging’s accommodations include a fireplace and jetted tub. If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, choose any hiking trails at Allegany State Park (parks.ny.gov) in Salamanca.
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• Get into the fall spirit at Pumpkinville Farm in Great Valley. If you plan your trip for Oct. 11-12, enjoy the Ellicottville Fall Festival’s sizable artisan craft show.
More info:
www.ellicottvilleny.com/events/fall-festival-2025
• “Gorges” Ithaca provides a stunning backdrop to colorful foliage. Break out your camera for optimal fall photography while hiking through Robert H. Treman State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park and Watkins Glen State Park.
What’s better than waterfalls flanked with dazzling leaves? These pristine parks epitomize autumn beauty.
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• Another top stop is the 40-acre Indian Creek Farm for U-pick apples and pumpkins, along with doughnuts, freshly pressed juice and more.
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• Enjoy beautiful views from a balcony room at Cayuga Lakefront Inn. Lodgers can soak in a hot tub after a long day of hiking. There’s also the 1880s–influenced William Henry Miller Inn, which also includes a whirlpool tub in some rooms.
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• Take in views of the Niagara River staying at Lewiston’s Niagara Crossing Hotel and Spa. Its suites provide soaking tubs and fireplaces for a cozy evening.
More info:
www.niagaracrossinghotelandspa.com
• Nearby hiking venues include Artpark and Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown. In October, check out Old Fort Niagara’s Lantern and Lore Tours and Fall Frontier Days. Pick your own apples and pumpkins at Becker Farms in Gasport. The farm also operates an on-site store, leads vineyard tours and crafts own beer and cider. There’s also on-site lodging.
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• No one thinks of the Niagara region without Niagara Falls and autumn color only enhances the visit. Ride the Scenic Trolley to view more of the park and learn about its history. The park also includes Cave of the Winds, Aquarium of Niagara, Maid of the Mist, Niagara Gorge Trails, Schoellkopf Elevator and Niagara Falls Observation Tower. To experience the best sites of the region, the free Niagara Shuttle tours “the Falls to the Fort” and other tourist routes so you won’t miss a thing.
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