Just beyond the Canadian border, Upstate New York unfolds like a storybook this time of year—country roads ablaze with autumn colour, the crisp scent of apples in the air and early snow dusting the mountaintops at dawn. Shared waterways like Lake Ontario connect both nations, making this region feel familiar yet full of fresh discoveries.

Harvest season offers an irresistible chance to taste the state’s agricultural abundance. Wander Wayne County’s orchards, where heirloom apple varieties still crunch and farm stands offer cider donuts. In the Finger Lakes, Ontario and Cayuga counties host scenic wine trails that meander past Riesling vines and shimmering lakeshores. Cities like Rochester and Syracuse transform local grains into small-batch spirits and creative brews to chase away any chill. Nearby, the Central New York Cheese Trail threads through Madison and Oneida counties, while Watkins Glen and Cooperstown elevate local bounty into delectable farm-to-table dishes.

History is Alive in These Hills and Valleys

Auburn preserves Harriet Tubman’s homestead and gravesite, honouring her unyielding courage. Rochester’s Susan B. Anthony Museum & House recounts the fight for women’s voting rights. The Ganondagan State Historic Site tells of the enduring culture of the Seneca people. Cooperstown’s Baseball Hall of Fame salutes the legends, including Canadian stars, and Oneida’s Mansion House recalls bold experiments in community and social reform.

Nature Never Hibernates Here

Catch the final days of the Erie Canal’s bicentennial with a peaceful paddle on its quiet stretches, or bike the Erie Canalway Trail along the historic waterway. Keep your eyes to the sky for glimpses of the diverse wildlife that soar above Glimmerglass State Park on Otsego Lake on their migration trek.