Here's the Status of Fall Foliage Across New York State This Week
A new map is released every Wednesday during foliage season.
Foliage is undoubtedly one of fall's biggest attractions, especially if you live in New York state and enjoy nature-filled weekend getaways. To help you plan a leaf peeping trip, New York State's official tourism site just dropped this year's fall foliage reports and map.
The reports come out every Wednesday on a weekly basis on ILOVENY.com, providing a guide for travelers to foliage status across the state. The reports include a map, which, using a color gradient ranging from green through yellow, orange, red, and brown shows foliage at various peak points depending on the area. Thanks to more than 85 on-site volunteer leaf spotters, the reports get updated according to the spotters’ location, which ensures an accurate representation of color changes on the map as well. In order to maximize the interactive map's efficiency, travelers can also use it to find dining options and art & culture attractions.
"From colorful foliage and unparalleled natural landscapes to breathtaking historical sites and one-of-a-kind state parks, there's nothing like New York in the fall," Governor Hochul said in an official statement. "During this season, we invite travelers from New York and out-of-state to plan a perfect autumn adventure—whether it's climbing an Adirondack peak, visiting a Long Island winery, or walking along Buffalo's waterfront - and see what our great state has to offer."
Today, the ninth foliage report and new map dropped, revealing where leaf peepers can find the best color changes of the season so far.
In the New York City area, spotters are expecting peak foliage on the Upper East Side in Central Park, where there will be 75% color change. Similarly, the Upper West Side will witness peak foliage as well with bright yellow and orange leaves. In central Brooklyn, peak foliage is expected in Crown Heights and Prospect Heights, while Williamsburg and Greenpoint are anticipating past-peak foliage with 90% color change. On Staten Island, instead, foliage will be at its peak according to reports from Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, Silver Lake Park, Willowbrook Park, Clove Lake Park, and Freshkills Park.
Long Island is expecting a weekend of both peak and past-peak foliage. Nassau County and western Suffolk County will be mostly past-peak by the weekend, while some past-peak but still good color is expected along the Northern State Parkway. Peak foliage will hold out throughout the weekend in Valley Stream according to local spotters, while observers at Hempstead Lake State Park are anticipating past-peak leaves. Featuring some yellows and reds, the North Shore of Suffolk County will also be past-peak, and The Nature Conservancy in Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island will witness 95% color change.
In the Hudson Valley, Cold Spring is expected to be fully past-peak this weekend, with 100% leaf change and brilliant shades of red, yellow, orange, and purple. Similarly, Westchester County will also be past-peak with 90% color change.
In the rest of the state, foliage is now fully past peak.
Check out this week's map below:
