BigOrange From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2358 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 1008 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Thread starter): Taking some days off the first week of October and was looking for advice on what sites are good to use to track peak foliage colors
I would suggest taking the Palisades Parkway from the GWB up to the Thruway, then head up through West Milford (stop and get some shots of the Constellation at Greenwood Lake Airport. Then through Greenwood Lake (good views of the mountains on each side of the lake) then across to Bear Mountain and West Point.
Pick up the thruway again and go up into the Catskills (Monticello Area)
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7421 posts, RR: 65 Reply 3, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 987 times:
BigOrange, that is really great advice, thanks. Much appreciated!!
My wife's parent's have a place about 30 minutes west of Monticello, one exit shy of Roscoe. Usually its closed for the winter by now, but perhaps a day trip up there is perfect.
will ahvea look at wx.com. Thanks.
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Chrisjake From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 843 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 981 times:
whatever you do, stay away from Conway NH.
come peak fall season, its practically impossible to get around, there's so much traffic. not knowing, i booked a place there 2 falls ago and was extremely disappointed.
Well nothing's dead down here, just a little tired
Dragon-wings From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 3920 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 979 times:
I think it still may be to early for leaves in the Northeast to be changing colors.
This thread reminds me of a Family Guy episode where the people coming to look at the fall colors were called "leafers".
If you can wait a little later in October, you might want to check out some towns in more rural Connecticut between the 20th and 25th. Chester, CT is a lovely town and has some scenic drives. That should only be about two hours from NYC. Also very nice a little further east are North Stonington and Voluntown, CT. Take Rt 49 north from NS and you'll see.
Another option is the Essex steam train: http://www.essexsteamtrain.com/ in Essex, CT. Check out the link for the DInner train. Again, nt much more than 2 hours from NYC.
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7253 posts, RR: 25 Reply 7, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 976 times:
Another good area (most likely in mid-October) would be Route 2 (aka the Mohawk Trail) along northwestern Massachusetts. One area even has a steel observation tower that one can walk up... at least it was there back in 1989 when I last drove by.
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981
Boeing757/767 From United States of America, joined Jun 1999, 2264 posts, RR: 2 Reply 8, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 966 times:
Ah, memories.
Another suggestion -- take Route 7 (off 84) toward the hills of northwest Connecticut. Absolutely marvelous. Quaint towns, great scenery, close to NYC and not too crowded.
Texan From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 4204 posts, RR: 53 Reply 9, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 961 times:
Hey Mirrodie, we're just starting to get a couple leaves changing color here in central Vermont. Normally peak would be occurring up here within a week, but just judging at what's going on so far, I'd say another 2-3 weeks for the area around White River Junction, VT. It is a beautiful drive up here, though, and we have all the covered bridges! Also through central Mass is nice. I love the area around Amherst. Plus, around October 6 all the town and country fairs are occurring. Stop in and pick up a maple sugar cone
Texan
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."
N231YE From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 10, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 954 times:
In the Northern Ohio area, the peak fall colors seem to happen in the last week of October (not sure about NY). Keep in mind that summer has a large influence on the foliage...and this summer had a large deficit of rain, until August. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that the autumn foliage isn't negatively affected.
Nevertheless, I agree with CastleIsland, screw driving...and try a scenic train ride, if possible.
My family and I were going to try the New River Train excursion that runs along the "Grand Canyon of the East" in West Virginia, however, they were fully booked. Luckily, I have the Cuyahoga Scenic Valley Railroad not to far from my house, and I have another 2 railroads around my university.
LH423 From Canada, joined Jul 1999, 6501 posts, RR: 55 Reply 11, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 949 times:
My advice...do it another year.
I don't know about upstate New York but eastern New England has had a very dry Summer and dry Summers usually mean that the leaves tend to shrivel up and die. Of course, in northern New England you'll still get the awe of seeing so many thousands of trees in their various yellows and oranges and reds but this year's foliage is not expected to be nearly as vibrant as it would normally.
Same can be said for here in Ottawa. Some trees are starting to change colours already but that's because the leaves are dying from thirst though we've had some good rains in the past few weeks so maybe that will help things out a little bit up here.
LH423
« On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux » Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
HuskyAviation From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 1152 posts, RR: 4 Reply 12, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 942 times:
Quoting N231YE (Reply 10): My family and I were going to try the New River Train excursion that runs along the "Grand Canyon of the East" in West Virginia, however, they were fully booked. Luckily, I have the Cuyahoga Scenic Valley Railroad not to far from my house, and I have another 2 railroads around my university.
Has anyone ever been on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad? I'd like to go, and I've heard you can pay more and actually ride in the locomotive cab. That sounds cool.
BigOrange From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2358 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 900 times:
Mario
One more thing I thought about, take Skyline drive from Oakland NJ over to Ringwood. On a clear day you should get some foliage shots with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
Mirrodie From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 7421 posts, RR: 65 Reply 14, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 872 times:
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 6): If you can wait a little later in October, you might want to check out some towns in more rural Connecticut between the 20th and 25th. Chester, CT is a lovely town and has some scenic drives. That should only be about two hours from NYC. Also very nice a little further east are North Stonington and Voluntown, CT. Take Rt 49 north from NS and you'll see.
I'll look these up on a map. Sounds convenient.
Quoting PHLBOS (Reply 7): One area even has a steel observation tower that one can walk up... at least it was there back in 1989 when I last drove by.
Oh, anyone else know about this? is it still there?
Quoting Texan (Reply 9): Hey Mirrodie, we're just starting to get a couple leaves changing color here in central Vermont.
Vermont is on our list but perhaps in a few years. It bit too far a drive for now. So whats a Texan doing in Vermont?!
Quoting HuskyAviation (Reply 12): Has anyone ever been on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad? I'd like to go, and I've heard you can pay more and actually ride in the locomotive cab. That sounds cool.
I think I may have heard of this too. One of those programs up in that area does allow you to drive to locomotive.
Quoting BigOrange (Reply 13): One more thing I thought about, take Skyline drive from Oakland NJ over to Ringwood. On a clear day you should get some foliage shots with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
THanks dude, I will definitely look into that!
THanks for the foliage links. I really liked the one that Castle posted but its too limited and doesnt' include Upper NY and CT. But I do appreciate all the helpful tips.
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STT757 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 16268 posts, RR: 52 Reply 15, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 863 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Thread starter): This fall I'm hoping to catch some colors of autumn, taking some daytrips or overnighters with the family in tow.
Quoting Mirrodie (Thread starter): Can anyone throw out some of their experiences or sites they've used? maybe even mention some great vantage points you've come across?
Trying to keep to travel within 3 hours of NYC.
Hey Mario, every year my Wife and I go up to Manchester Vermont, it's a great drive. There's lots to do in the area, and your next to the Green Mountain National Forest. If you want to spend big bucks theres a Rock resort "The Equinox" which has a off Road Range Rover course through the woods, but the best place in town that is affordable and has a 3 star rating from AAA is the Palmer Househttp://www.palmerhouse.com/.
They have separate house suites which offer modern interiors, touch button gas fireplaces, huge modern bathrooms, decks, sky lights etc.. It's really a great place, my wife and I have stayed twice in the red house you can see here.
Call them on the phone, they negotiate their rates. I got the suite for $150 dollars a night. The town and area have lots of stuff to do, lots of walking around activities and beautiful drives. It's about a 40 minute drive West of Albany in Southern Vermont.
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7253 posts, RR: 25 Reply 16, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 857 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 14): Oh, anyone else know about this? is it still there?
Mario,
According to the below-web-link, it's still there. It's at the Whitcomb Summit Resort along Route 2, in (no joke) Florida, MA. lol ; which is a few miles east of North Adams. http://www.whitcombsummit.com/
Please note that you may not see the usual standard state highway ENTERING FLORIDA sign along the way. It's probably the most-stolen road sign in the Bay State.
Texan From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 4204 posts, RR: 53 Reply 17, posted (5 years 8 months 1 week 14 hours ago) and read 848 times:
Quoting Mirrodie (Reply 14): Vermont is on our list but perhaps in a few years. It bit too far a drive for now. So whats a Texan doing in Vermont?!
Enjoying the amazing weather and change of seasons between spring and fall and freezing my everliving balls off in the winter Hopefully I'll be up in the general Northeast/Mid-Atlantic area (DC and north) for most of the rest of my life. I know, traitorous
Texan
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library."
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From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 4204 posts, 
I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that the autumn foliage isn't negatively affected.
From Canada, joined Jul 1999, 6501 posts, 
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