Thanksgiving Fall Foliage in the Finger Lakes, Upstate New York

Thanksgiving travel is never fun, but always necessary if we want to spend the holiday with our extended family. My family makes a painful trek from the west coast to a small suburb in the Finger Lakes region of central/upstate New York for Thanksgiving; my 95-year old grandmother lives there, and it’s the only time of year we can count on everyone else in my family being at her house at the same time as us.  The Thanksgiving week travel day (and night) is absolutely worth it. Worth it for the obvious “gotta see Grandma” way, but also, for the incredible fall foliage near the end of its peak season in the Finger Lakes region of central and upstate NY.

Grandma’s street has a few gorgeous maple trees that glow orange every Thanksgiving week. Anyone in central and upstate New York during peak fall foliage season would be awed by the stunning leaf peeping in the Finger Lakes region. For those not confined to the vagaries of Thanksgiving week travel, there are some really great ways to see the fall foliage in the Finger Lakes. Just as long as you don’t forgo family time and the Thanksgiving feast to appreciate those red, orange, and yellow autumn leaves!

Balloons Over Letchworth offers hot air balloon tours of Letchworth State Park. The contrast of the region’s fall foliage against the waterfalls and gorges of this state park is astounding by air. Letchworth State Park is only 17 miles long bt has over 20 waterfalls. Its deep gorges have led it to be called the “Grand Canyon of the East; the balloons follow the Genesee River as it meanders through these gorges, which are up to 600 feet high.

Let’s Go Hike and Bike compiles over 60 hiking/biking trails in the Finger Lakes region. Fall is a gorgeous time to take in the views via hiking or biking; the air is crisp and cool, but not yet too cold too enjoy yourself. Spend some time looking at the website, as there are too many trails to reference here.  The collection of recommended trails include scenic paths along Finger Lakes National Forest, the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario. No need to bring your own bicycle; biking is a hugely popular activity for day trippers and residents. There are plenty of bike shops in the area that rent to visitors for the day.

Sam Patch and Mary Jemison Cruises are known for showing off the magnificent vistas of the Finger Lakes region. Sam Patch has a signature foliage canal experience; the boat travels through a 100-year old lock and passes slowly through a historic canal town. Mary Jemison Cruises has a historic (but up to par!) wooden ship, from which passengers can appreciate the Rochester skyline in autumn. Genesee Valley Park, the Frederick Douglass-Susan B Anthony Bridge, and the crossing point where Genesee River and the Erie Canal meet are seen.

In addition, there are culinary trails (Finger Lakes Cheese Trail, Canandaigua Wine Trail, etc) for leaf peepers who want to enhance their fall foliage trip to the Finger Lakes region with a little something extra. You know; food and wine. Sampling locally grown fruit and cheese, sipping wine, and gazing out at the bright gold, orange and fiery red leaves of the changing season? Sounds like a pretty great way to spend a long Thanksgiving weekend in the Finger Lakes.