Alure’s favorite New York destinations for viewing fall foliage

The fall foliage tour is a time-honored tradition in the Northeast. Every year the region’s many trees shift from a vibrant green to a crackling mixture of red, orange, yellow and brown. This is one of the most beautiful sights in the country, and New York is home to many of the best destinations for “leaf peeping,” as the activity is colloquially known. Since fall is in full force, take a look at which locations made the list.

The North Shore of Nassau County
With over 12 nature reserves and parks on the North Shore, leaf peepers will have plenty of opportunities to see the natural wonder of the fall colors. The Bailey Arboretum in this area offers visitors the opportunity to explore 42 acres of beautiful fall foliage. Leeds Pond Preserve is another stunning destination for those interested in following the tulip and oak lined paths to Leeds Pond.

The South Shore of Nassau County
On the other side of Nassau County, the fall leaves are just as beautiful. From Brookside Preserve to Tanglewood Park and Preserve, South Shore visitors will have no shortage of nature trails to explore as they admire the vivid color of the trees. Mill Pond Park in Wantagh is another great place for South Shore residents and visitors to witness the fall foliage. The 52-acre nature preserve has a number of paths that wind through the maple woodlands in the area.

Westchester County
This area, which is located just north of New York City, is an amazing place to see the fall colors. Not only can you drive along Route 22 for an unforgettable view of the leaves from the car, you can stop at one of the charming towns along the way and walk along the Hudson River. Several of the towns in the valley host fall festivals that make for fun pit stop along the leaf tour.

Suffolk County
The Connetquot River State Park is located on the south shore of Suffolk County. The hiking trails make it easy to navigate the woods in peace and gaze upon the beauty of the changing leaves.

Connetquot River State Park offers some of the most breathtaking hikes during the changing of the leaves.

The Hamptons
The Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island and the Quogue Wildlife Refuge in Quogue provide hundreds of acres of yellow, red, orange and brown leaves. There are miles of trails to hike and take in the incredible natural wonder of New York’s fall foliage.

New York City
Even in the middle of the concrete jungle, you can appreciate the changing of the leaves. In NYC, the best place to view the gorgeous colors is in Central Park. Time Out recommended beginning at Conservatory Water near the entrance at Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street and continuing your journey along the paths from there. The New York Botanical Garden also offers 250 acres of unforgettable fall scenery.

New York is one of the best states for viewing the changing of the leaves, and the destinations above provide some of the state’s prettiest views. With fall right around the corner, you can use this list to help you plan your fall leaf peeping adventure.