From waterfalls to mountains, Upstate New York has it all. The fall is one of the best times to explore some beautiful sights that aren’t too far away from campus. Grab some friends or even go solo and enjoy what this area has to offer. Here are some of my favorite spots.
Explore Ithaca, NY.
Before yet another winter comes and it snows for eight months, take a ride out to Ithaca and go on a hike. My personal favorite place is Buttermilk Falls. You walk alongside the gorges next to little waterfalls and at the bottom is a 165-foot waterfall. There are natural pools along the hike that you can swim in but you just have to be careful, some can be dangerous! After you go on a hike, walk through their cute college town, and stop and grab a bite at any of the restaurants. If you’re lucky, you might see the street magician.
Lime Hollow Nature Center
With all of the different trails and sights here, you could easily spend hours here. When you walk through this place you come to several stops where there are different pieces of art. They have different spots where you can just sit and enjoy the picturesque scenery.
Beak & Skiff
This place is a must-do in the fall. You can jump on the back of a tractor and take a ride through their apple orchards to pick some of your own. If you take a visit, you have to try their donuts, ciders, and literally everything. The food is amazing. There are plenty of chairs and tables if you just want to sit down, eat, drink, and enjoy the views. They also put on a lot of different events like live music, and on September 22 they are even doing “Yoga in the Orchard”!
Trinity Valley Dairy
I think this is a hidden gem. If you’re looking to have that “small-town farm” day, this is the place to go. They have a 2.5-mile corn maze, hay rides, tractor rides, a petting zoo, a store, and a bakery. They also put on different events and on October 1st, they’re doing their first ever outdoor movie, along with allowing people to bring flashlights and attempt their maze at night! If you go, please try their cheese curds.
Skaneateles
Just the drive to this cute town is enough to have a good day. Skaneateles lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. It’s considered the Jewel of the Finger Lakes region and is the place to experience the beauty, luxury, and hospitality of this region. You will see beautiful historic and modern homes sitting on the lake. There are different wineries you can go to for tastings and tons of delicious restaurants. I suggest finding some parking and just walking down Main Street through all of the shops and enjoying the views of the lake.
If you’re able to check any of these places off on a little day trip, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed. These little getaways are perfect for college students who need to remember to enjoy the little things in life and create amazing memories. Upstate New York has some beautiful places, so take advantage while you are here!