From pretty to paranormal, autumn in Rochester has no shortage of unique seasonal activities! Scenic train rides, leaf-peeping in our arboretums, fall bird migrations and ghost walks happen only in autumn so take advantage of them while you can!
Table of Contents
- The Best Fall Foliage
- Autumn Migration
- Scenic Drives
- Take a Hike
- Heritage Train Rides
- Follow the River
- Get Above the Canopy
- Take a Ghost Tour
- Haunted Hayrides
- Fun on the Farm
1. Observe changing foliage during Autumn in Rochester
Pick a place with tree-diversity—it may even be your own neighborhood. Observe the autumn changes once a week, maybe on your way home from work or on Sunday mornings.
I have a few favorite places I like to frequent in the fall because of their dramatic displays:
It may seem odd to think of a cemetery as a family-friendly destination, but Mount Hope Cemetery is as park-like as Highland Park next door.
Mendon Ponds Park is the largest Monroe County Park with 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created landforms.
Highland Park was designed to be enjoyed year-round. Every pathway, every tree, every vista & every relationship between the land & water is intentional.
Webster Arboretum at Kent Park
Follow the pathways that meander around Webster Arboretum–40 acres of open spaces, flower & herb gardens, water elements, and a wide variety of trees.
Durand Eastman Park encompasses 977 acres of land including Durand Lake, Eastman Lake, and a swimming beach on Lake Ontario.
2. Witness the autumn migration
Massive migrations of waterfowl, wading birds and raptors come back through New York on their way south toward open waters.
These areas around Rochester are dedicated to giving them safe harbor to eat and to rest. Bring your binoculars!
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is the largest in New York State at 10,828 acres, not even including the surrounding Oak Orchard and Tonawanda WMAs.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre preserve located on the north end of Cayuga Lake, under one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.
Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area
The Braddock Bay complex includes the bay and the surrounding wetlands. We break it down so you can start exploring!
3. Take a drive
You don’t have to be in the Catskills or Adirondacks to find an inspiring view. Pick any slow-road leading out of Rochester. There are lots of scenic overlooks to enjoy along the way.
My personal favorite! County Road 21, 12, 33, 34, or 36 to Naples. Stop at the “jump off” in Ontario County Park, Harriet Hollister or Bristol Mountain along the way.
Lake Ontario Seaway Trail east to Huron, or west to Olcott
Route 96 to Seneca Falls and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Route 15-15A loop around Hemlock Lake
Drive through Letchworth, Mt. Morris to the Glen Iris Inn
Route 20 east to Skaneateles or Lafayette or Cazenovia
Route 98 to Salamanca and Little Rock City
Route 20A west to East Aurora
Route 19 to Rushford Lake
Seriously, I could keep going! If you have a favorite, let us know in the comments. And check out our Google Map with load of overlooks and scenic spots.
3-Day Getaway Along Routes 5 and 20
Routes 5 and 20 is a beautiful 67-mile stretch of highway where NY-5 and US-20 converge, following an ancient foot trail of New York’s first people.
The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.
4. Take a hike
A walk anywhere in a park or forest, along a lake shore or your own neighborhood is satiating enough! I love a combination of tree-diversity, water elements, moments of canopy and vista, and a bench to take it all in. Try these!
22 Fabulous Fall Hikes in Monroe County
Our favorite fall hikes offer a variety of elements and views. The presence of water, trees, and solitude help rank these high on our list!
Gorge trails call out to us from their deep, dark, and cool caverns. If you haven’t already, check these spectacular trails off your list!
71 Hiking Trails Around Rochester
Here are a few less populated, rustic, or unusual trails around Rochester that will inspire you to take a hike. A diverse collection of rail-trails, waterside trails, and inland trails.
Monroe County parks are free, so take advantage of 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical and geological experiences!
49 New York State Parks Within a 2-hour Drive of Rochester
Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them each unique!
5. Ride the rails on a heritage train
In addition to regular hours of operation, these railroads offer an season-specific schedule.
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum Fall Foliage and Pumpkin Patch Train Rides
New York Museum of Transportation Fall Foliage by Trolley and the Halloween Trolley Express
Medina Railroad Museum Fall Foliage Train Rides
Arcade & Attica Railroad Fall Foliage Train Rides
Adirondack Scenic Railroad – an ambitious day trip, but enjoyable nonetheless! It is a 2-hour drive to Utica’s Union Station.
The following ideas would probably require an overnight unless you’re feeling ambitious! I’d also recommend them more in September when the mountain regions are nearing peak foliage change.
Catskill Mountain Railroad (Kingston)
Delaware & Ulster Railroad (Arkville/Catskills)
Rochester Railfans: Trains, Depots, Rail-Trails, Models, & Clubs
Rochester railfans are incredibly lucky that passionate preservationists before us saw the value in retaining structures we appreciate today.
6. Follow the river
Spend time along the Genesee River on its course through the City of Rochester.
Take a guided hike with the Lower Falls Foundation and learn about Rochester’s history and the importance of the river to our past, present, and future.
13 Places in the City to Enjoy the Genesee River
At Genesee Valley Park, the Genesee River begins her journey through the city, racing over a dam and three waterfalls before emptying into Lake Ontario.
Turning Point Park’s most striking feature is a 3,572 ft-long bridge over the Genesee River Turning Basin, part of the greater Genesee Riverway Trail.
You can climb the 40-foot tower in the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse and enjoy the view of Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, and Ontario Beach Park.
Maplewood Park is a linear park that follows the river from Driving Park and the Lower Falls to just north of Route 104, ending at the pedestrian bridge over the Genesee.
The Seneca Park Zoo is a but a small part of the greater 297-acre Seneca Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893.
Genesee Valley Park is a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park located at the intersection of the Erie Canal, Red Creek and Genesee River.
ROC the Riverway Weekend: October 4-6, 2019
Rochester’s ROC the Riverway Weekend is held every October. It is a celebration of life along the river, with City-sponsored activities, tours, and events.
If the temperatures have been below freezing for several days in a row, head to Letchworth and check out the ice volcano at the Glen Iris.
Day Trips in Livingston County
Take a drive through the Livingston County countryside to explore charming village Main Streets, historic districts, nature trails and lake shores.
7. Get above the canopy
There is nothing like leaf-peeping from above the tree line!
Fall Foliage: 7 Breathtaking Views Near Rochester
These destinations offer colorful fall foliage and varied landscapes so you can appreciate them each in their own unique way.
In the fall, the Comet Express lift is open Noon-4pm for folks to enjoy a quiet and scenic ride to the summit of Bristol Mountain.
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area is a New York State Park located in the hills six miles south of Honeoye Lake.
The Jump Off Trail in Ontario County Park is ADA-accessible and affords one of the most beautiful scenic views in the Finger Lakes Region.
8. Take a ghost tour
Ghosts are active all year long, but there is something about October that peeks our interest in the paranormal.
From storytelling to investigating, these night trips help to explore the other side of Rochester.
Paranormal Activities: Our 8 Favorite Haunts
There is something about October that peeks our interest in paranormal activities. These night trips explore the other side of Rochester!
9. Or a haunted hayride
These may scare you more than the ghost tours!
Haunted Hayrides of Rochester (Williamson)
Rochester, NY Haunted Hayride (Spencerport)
Powers Farm Market (Pittsford) *not scary
10. Fun on the farm
Grab some cider & donuts, get lost in a corn maze, and pick your favorite pumpkin on family farms around Rochester.
Pumpkin Patches & Farm Markets Around Rochester
Spending time on our Rochester-area pumpkin farms—hayrides, fresh apple cider & donuts, corn mazes—is the perfect autumn experience.
What are your favorite ways to enjoy autumn in Rochester?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!