Fall at the Falls: Where to Go Leaf-Peeping
This fall, take advantage of the natural beauty of Niagara Falls USA and the surrounding region when the trees put on their best show.
What could be a more delightful autumn activity than leaf peeping and taking in the fall colors? Try it in one of the most beautiful natural regions in New York, and you have something very special. Whether you like taking in your leaves from the passenger seat of a car or delving deep into nature on a scenic hike, there’s plenty of ways for you to take in the golden yellows, rusty reds and burnt oranges of the fall foliage in the Niagara Falls, New York area. Make sure to bring your camera, your binoculars, your hiking trail map and a passion for the beauty of autumn to immerse yourself in the season’s colors.
Goat Island
Once you’re in Niagara Falls USA, head for Goat Island where you’ll find not only spectacular views across the American and Bridal Veil Falls, but also be able to see all the changing leaves of Niagara Falls State Park. The island itself is quite wooded, so make sure to explore thoroughly on the footpaths, including the path to Three Sisters Islands. For an elevated perspective, stop for a meal at the Top of the Falls Restaurant.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Leaf-peeping.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=69cfac86bdada75ba085acd81cbf0cda 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Leaf-peeping.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4a6b7dea9df2011722f9f9dfd42bef5b 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Leaf-peeping.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=14e328b218f724a91968670a42300820 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Leaf-peeping.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5e7562596dd8a756def261c04ad4dfe1 900w)
Niagara Falls State Park
From there you can explore more of Niagara Falls State Park, which is the nation’s oldest state park. You can choose from easier trails like the Great Gorge Scenic Overlook Hike or go for an advanced hike with the daring Whirlpool Rapids Adventure Hike. You’ll see a wide variety of the species of trees that grow in the area, with the fall colors deepening earlier than downstate New York. If you are planning to visit the park for leaf peeping, keep in mind that it does hit peak color two to three weeks later than the surrounding areas in mid to late October due its particular microclimate and the warm waters flowing out of Lake Erie.
Artpark
You can also start your exploration of the Niagara Gorge at Artpark in Lewiston. A unique blend of performing arts space and park, you can decide if you’d rather spend your time in Artpark staring up at the canopy of leaves while taking in a concert or hiking one of the trails for a quieter moment with nature.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Artpark-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4608711b19588bc56f1adee0e3743426 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Artpark-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=2cb4abcabeae535605e51a6cc1e19f3b 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Artpark-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b8c0686224005991c38675dcc0461cc1 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/Artpark-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=7ab432c2569168f43493125ebce36ba4 900w)
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/River-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=95f2a71876d9ccf1d14de867258d38ff 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/River-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1d27ec42a8e86ea981db0d5d6b5d394f 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/River-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=00c944000628785818f14e686facf944 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/River-fall-season.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=e6ed8468d0be01eeae2cbafd78247718 900w)
Whirlpool State Park
Drop into the Dimino Lewiston Tops on the way out of town to pick up everything you need for a relaxing picnic lunch. On your drive back from Lewiston to Niagara Falls, stop at Whirlpool State Park overlooking the Whirlpool and rapids. Noted equally for its birding and fishing spots and scenic outlooks, you can happily pass an afternoon admiring the changing leaves and picturesque views.
Niagara Scenic Parkway & Lake Ontario
From Niagara Falls, head towards Lewiston via the Niagara Scenic Parkway to 18F. As you drive toward Olcott, get ready for a spectacular left-hand view as you cruise along the edge of Lake Ontario the whole way. You’ll be able to see leaves across the lake for a trans-continental experience! Once you are in Olcott, make sure to walk around the marina for an even closer look across the lake, or stop into one of the town’s well-known wineries for a glass of local Riesling or ice wine.
MORE STORIES YOU'LL LOVE
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Things-to-do-in-Fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=f5fc0c0d619a7a3005160f49c89cb130 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Things-to-do-in-Fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=d2bf5906a41d08626ea86a97757d4011 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Things-to-do-in-Fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=b169aa44732f967ed478e35531445815 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Things-to-do-in-Fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=9a3e70855eabdea1584bb844f50a2e2f 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Things-to-do-in-Fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=410f05192f34ed5d83eac588054d85f3 1185w)
Thanks to its vibrantly colored landscape, autumn harvests and abundance of outdoor adventures, Niagara Falls…
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/17_Fall-Drives_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=cfe4ef2c8072c3559cafd4c3f42ef95e 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/17_Fall-Drives_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=e59c1e7b4784e7bffe6d65cfd4d6d3b6 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/17_Fall-Drives_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=8ad2c470863e070e3f4d9c41e0c896c4 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/17_Fall-Drives_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=85d65aa986fab9c65ad3a3f59c67ae6f 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/17_Fall-Drives_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=12ce901800b69dc01ee042c6a686510b 1185w)
From lakeshore jaunts to rustic road trips, Niagara County is always geared for great escapes.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Becker-Farms-family-fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=d45a9500688f92621b7e25dc2dec5b40 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Becker-Farms-family-fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=23129e8b2541a78ca36169229c8c7e88 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Becker-Farms-family-fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=284a3c2a20afbc7374553c805468fbd6 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Becker-Farms-family-fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=bad2505deb16781310b2e782e9026417 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/Becker-Farms-family-fall.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=5db46efa862efcda1cec72d19a6c21e5 1185w)
Stay a little longer and enjoy these quintessential autumnal activities around Niagara County.