The easiest way to see fall foliage near NYC is to let someone else drive. Metro-North’s Hudson Line follows the river north from Grand Central, and this season the railroad has added extra weekend trains for leaf peepers. Below are five stops worth the ride, what the extra trains look like, and how to time your trip. We have kept this guide to transit facts and the attractions near each station, so check hours and admission before you go.
The leaf peeper trains, explained
On October 2, the MTA announced that Metro-North’s Leaf Peeper trains would return on Saturday, October 3. The service adds 28 extra weekend trains through November 8, according to the MTA.
Here is how those trains break down each weekend:
- Five extra morning trains head north toward Beacon and Poughkeepsie.
- Eleven extra express trains run between Grand Central and Croton-Harmon, stopping at Harlem-125th Street, Tarrytown and Ossining.
- Three extra afternoon trains return from Poughkeepsie and Beacon to Grand Central.
- Nine extra express trains run from Croton-Harmon back to Grand Central, stopping at Ossining, Tarrytown and Harlem-125th Street.
In practice, that means more choice at both ends of the day. Even so, the extra trains will draw crowds, so plan for a busy platform on a bright Saturday.
Where to sit
MTA Away, the railroad’s own travel site, has one tip worth remembering. Sit on the left side of the car heading north, by the window, for the best river views. On the way home, the river sits on the right.
Check the leaves before you go
Fall foliage near NYC does not peak everywhere at once. For that reason, MTA Away calls the official I LOVE NY foliage report the first and most important step in planning.
The I LOVE NY fall foliage report comes out every Wednesday afternoon during the season. It draws on observations from more than 100 volunteer leaf peepers around the state. When the report lists an area at peak, it means the leaves there are at their best overall appearance. The report is also available as an audio recording at 800-225-5697.
Because the report updates weekly, the best habit is simple. Check it on Wednesday, then book your weekend around the areas moving toward peak.
Five Hudson Line stops for fall foliage near NYC
Each stop below for fall foliage near NYC sits on the Hudson Line. We have listed them roughly from south to north, so you can match the trip to the time you have.
Sleepy Hollow, via Philipse Manor
The Philipse Manor station opened in 1911 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, MTA Away notes. It sits right on the river, so the view starts on the platform.
From there, several sights are within walking distance. MTA Away lists the Headless Horseman Bridge and statue as well as Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the final resting place of Andrew Carnegie. Washington Irving’s estate, Sunnyside, is about a 12-minute car ride away. In addition, the express leaf peeper trains stop at nearby Tarrytown. For more trips like this one, browse our Travel section.
Garrison
Garrison is one of the quietest stops on the line. It sits on the east bank of the Hudson, across the river from West Point. As a result, it suits a slower afternoon: a short walk, a long look at the hills and an early train home.
Cold Spring and the Bull Hill hike
Cold Spring is about an hour and 20 minutes from Grand Central by train, according to MTA Away. The village’s Main Street begins near the station, which makes it an easy stop for a lazy day of browsing.
For something more active, MTA Away recommends Bull Hill, also known as Mount Taurus. The trailhead is less than a mile from the station. The loop is a moderately strenuous hike of about four hours, with Hudson views, brooks and old carriage roads, and it climbs to a 1,420-foot summit. MTA Away pitches it as a way to get Breakneck Ridge views without that trail’s famous rock scramble.
Farther north for fall foliage near NYC
The last two stops take longer to reach, but they reward the extra time. Both sit on the leaf peeper routes, since the extra morning trains head toward Beacon and Poughkeepsie.
Beacon, Bannerman Castle and Storm King
Beacon is about a 90-minute train ride from the city, MTA Away says, with plenty to do within walking distance of the station. On a clear day, you can even see the Manhattan skyline from Mount Beacon.
Beacon also puts you close to two larger draws. First, there is Bannerman Castle, the crumbling ruins on Pollepel Island, a 6.5-acre island that you reach by ferry. Second, there is Storm King Art Center, where large-scale sculptures stand in open fields. You reach Bannerman Castle by ferry, and Storm King needs its own ride from the station, so plan that leg before you go.
Poughkeepsie and the Walkway Over the Hudson
Poughkeepsie is the end of the line for the leaf peeper trains, and the farthest stop for fall foliage near NYC in this guide. The Walkway Over the Hudson is a short walk from the station, and MTA Away gives its length as 6,768 feet.
The Walkway Over the Hudson runs 6,768 feet, so you walk through the treetops with the water below.
The Walkway Over the Hudson runs 6,768 feet, so you walk through the treetops with the water below. There are also trails and parks at either end of the bridge, so you can stretch the walk into an afternoon.
The station is worth a look on its own. Builders meant it as a smaller version of Grand Central when it went up in 1918, according to MTA Away. Like Philipse Manor, it is on the National Register of Historic Places.
How to plan a day of fall foliage near NYC
Pick your stop by energy level
Matching the stop to your mood makes a day of fall foliage near NYC much easier. For a gentle walk and a historic setting, choose Sleepy Hollow. If you want a real hike, choose Cold Spring and Bull Hill. For art and a bigger day out, choose Beacon. Finally, if you want the widest view with the least effort, choose Poughkeepsie.
Go early, come back early
The extra morning trains head north, while most of the extra afternoon trains come back. That pattern rewards an early start. It also means the last trains of the day can fill up, so aim for an earlier return if you can.
Pack for the hours, not the weather report
A day out for fall foliage near NYC can turn cold quickly by the river. Bring a layer, water and a snack, plus comfortable shoes if you plan to hike or cross the Walkway. Also, carry a printed or downloaded schedule, since phone service can be patchy on trails.
Make a weekend of it
If one day is not enough, pair a Saturday on the river with a city plan on Sunday, such as dinner at Brasserie Boulud near Lincoln Center. Before either day, our fall shopping list covers the wool socks and compact umbrella worth packing.
Fall foliage near NYC: quick answers
When do the extra Metro-North trains run?
The Leaf Peeper trains began on Saturday, October 3, and run on weekends through November 8, according to the MTA.
Which side of the train has the best view?
MTA Away recommends the left side of the car heading north, by the window.
How do I know when the leaves will peak?
Check the I LOVE NY foliage report, which updates every Wednesday afternoon. Peak means an area’s leaves are at their best overall appearance.
Which stop is best for a hike?
Cold Spring, for Bull Hill. MTA Away describes it as a moderately strenuous loop of about four hours.
Do I need a car for any of these trips?
Not for Sleepy Hollow, Cold Spring, Beacon’s town center or the Walkway Over the Hudson. However, Bannerman Castle requires a ferry, and Storm King requires extra transport from Beacon.
The leaves will not wait, and neither will the extra trains. Check Wednesday’s report, pick a stop and catch an early train north for the best fall foliage near NYC.