You know that moment when you realize you’re kind of turning into your parents? As in, your head hits the pillow before midnight on weeknights? And you non-ironically find yourself singing along to Hall & Oats? Right. So we have two words for you: fall foliage. On the East Coast this October, this is where to see the fall leaves in all their glory.
It’s Okay to Become Your Parents
There’s a chance that one brisk afternoon this autumn, rather than sleeping off the overindulgence from the night before or starting the party all over again with a build-your-own-bloody, you wake up yearning for something a little different. To get into nature, perhaps. Preferably from the comfort of a luxury automobile. In honor of the season, we’ve compiled our favorite foliage destinations within a few hours of our fair city. These are spots you can watch the leaves turn alongside a local meal, or seasonal drink. Or, if you just can’t bring yourself to turn back (it happens), an overnight stay.
So go on, take in that fresh country air and maybe an apple cider donut or two. Hell, stay the whole weekend if you want. You just might find that those generations of yore were onto something.
Hotel: INNESS
Location: Accord, New York
As a New Yorker, you’re awarded the satisfaction of the autumn season’s changing colors. You don’t even have to venture far for prime viewing with INNESS hotel, which is about a two-hour drive away. The twelve-room farmhouse and 28 cabins stand on 220 acres. So it’ll be you, the tree-topped mountains, and lots of hiking. The rustic design is kept simplistic for a mind-clearing feel, but stocked with all the goodies of a luxury stay. Amenities like Frette linens, Aesop Bath & Body, cruiser bikes, and Jeep shuttles elevate your experience.
INNESS is where to see the fall leaves from your private deck if you choose a cabin stay. If you’re not used to a rural landscape and thinking, “What will I do all day?” then think again, because a King Collins-designed 9-hole course, two hard-court tennis courts, saltwater pools, and an outdoor sauna deck will keep you occupied.
Hotel: Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection
Location: Gardiner, New York
Yes, you’re seeing the word “farm” again. Don’t panic. Wildflower Farms is even closer to your city roots (an hour and a half). This is where to see the fall leaves, combined with one of the most luxurious stays in the Hudson Valley. This is the place you imagine during a meditation that instructs you to think of a happy place. It’s not an exaggeration, when you’re surrounded by 65 free-standing cabins and suites, wildflowers (obviously), and a canopy of colorful trees.
The rooms are open-concept, some with floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto large terraces. You’ll be surrounded by the trees, from the skylight in your bathroom to the window seat in the bedroom. You can even feel the season’s essence in your meals, with locally and seasonally-focused New American cuisine. On the great porch, you can enjoy some seasonal bites, view the Shawangunk Ridge, and cozy up next to a massive fire pit. Their apothecary takes the surrounding nature just as seriously with cyclical menus, based on the local flowers and harvest.
Hotel: Mohonk Mountain House
Location: New Paltz, New York
Mohonk Mountain House is for the adventurers in your life. It’s friendly for all ages, and the list of all-inclusive activities is so long that if you weren’t outdoorsy before, you might just be converted. You can hike one of the 85 miles of trails, or see the leaves from a less traditional lens on horseback, kayak, or guided nature walk. If a family trip is in the works, archery, campfire s’mores, and fish-feeding will keep the kiddies happy. Then there’s the stay, set in a Victorian Castle, overlooking the lake. Mohonk Mountain House is as picturesque as it gets, with floral wallpaper, wicker chairs, and wooden fireplaces with timeless elegance.
Food options are also plentiful with The Granary for outdoor cookouts, open wood-fired treats at Founders, and the Old Fashioned Soda Fountain — a breakfast buffet, and an all-day dining room. The best part is that it’s all included in the original rate, so if the kids ask for seconds or another horseback ride, the answer will always be yes.
Hotel: Omni Mount Washington Resort
Location: Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Everything at the Omni Mount Washington Resort is grand. When a hotel has been around for over 100 years, it knows something about delivering that wow factor. Pristine White Mountain National Forest, covering 800,000 acres, surrounds the resort. To put that into perspective, that’s about four times the size of NYC. The hotel offers 269 rooms and suites with a homey lodge feel. In the same vein of expansive spaces, their world-class spa is 25,000 square feet. They offer custom Mountain Mist products, Vichy showers, and two heated pools for brisk fall days.
If you’re adventurous and the spa isn’t your usual go-to, a zipline canopy tour of nine ziplines and two sky bridges will get your adrenaline pumping. Prefer to stay on the ground? Golf lessons on an award-winning 18-hole championship course are the way to go.
Hotel: The Point Resort
Location: Saranac Lake, New York
Once owned by a Rockefeller in the 19th century, The Point Resort is the mansion for all your leaf-peeping needs. It has returners year after year, with its intimate 11-room lodging and attentive service. For instance, staff will ask about your preferred time for coffee so that it is always available in the mornings with your choice of newspaper. The staff is also there for last-minute bookings, reservations, or itinerary help. You can schedule a lake-side three-course lunch, outdoor BBQs, or a picnic on a Budsin boat. Five nights a week, dinner is a party with a four-course dinner served on fine china, and weekly black tie events offer a seven-course tasting menu with wine. The best part is that it’s all-inclusive.
You may need a babysitter for this one though, because it’s an adult-friendly resort — with all the best summer camp has to offer. Outdoor movies with truffle popcorn, a warm fall cocktail by the bonfire, wood fireplaces, and darling quilted rooms add to the aesthetic. Sometimes, adults want to play too.
FAQs
Q: How far in advance can I book a dining reservation, if I’m coming for the day?
A: You can start reserving your dining experience 28 days before the reservation date.
Q: What are the open hours at Wildflower Farms Thistle, an Auberge Spa?
A: The spa is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Q: What days of the week are black tie events at The Point Resort?
A: Black tie events are held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
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