Nature is remarkable and that is never more apparent than during fall in the Finger Lakes, as the breathtaking landscape of the region is transformed into a spectacle of color, as farms and wineries burst with the bounty of harvest. 

No wonder autumn is one of the most popular times for folks to Explore Steuben.

Blow a glass pumpkin. Go apple-picking with the kids or take advantage of pumpkin patches and corn mazes for other fall farm fun. Savor the delicious flavors that can only come from a Finger Lakes harvest in a glass of award-winning wine. Experience the magnificent fall foliage on a hike or river paddle through the heart of the region.

“Among leaf scenes, New York’s is one of the best. . . . especially upstate in the glacier-carved region known as the Finger Lakes.” — Amelia Mularz, IntelligentTravel.NationalGeographic.com

The Finger Lakes is a leap-peepers paradise. Hike through forests on the Finger Lakes Trail for a special foliage experience. You wouldn’t think something nearly 1,000 miles long would be a secret, yet many people are only just now discovering the scenic footpaths that make up the Finger Lakes Trail. Open year-round, autumn offers a truly wonderful opportunity for leaf peeper glory. 

Paddle the Chemung River as it snakes its way through lush valleys, enjoy a meal overlooking or beside stunning Keuka Lake and savor many-colored autumn with views like no other. Keep an eye out for group paddles sponsored by the Friends of the Chemung River, as well as information on safety, kayak rentals, wildlife, volunteer opportunities, and more. And learn more about the new Susquehanna Basin Water Trail at PaddleThe607.com.

Or enjoy a peaceful horseback ride in the countryside at Mountain Rose Farm for an intimate up-close connection with nature in all its splendor.

“But the Finger Lakes really flourish in the fall, when the air is crisp, the lakeshores offer gorgeous views of changing foliage, fresh apples plop off trees at local orchards, and vineyards spring to life for the autumn harvest.” — Taylor Tobin, Eater

There’s something about sitting outside at a winery, indulging a delicious wine tasting as the vineyards are abuzz with activity and newly harvested grapes are brought in for pressing and other steps in the winemaking process. 

The golden orange of the vineyards against the other autumn colors of nearby forests and the blue waters of Keuka Lake also make for wonderful panoramas.

“The region is especially glorious come autumn, when harvest season brings apples, pumpkins, and grapes, overlapping with mesmerizing fall foliage . . .” - Kelsy Chauvin, Condé Nast Traveler

With cool farm markets scattered throughout the region and the fruit of orchards and vineyards ready for picking, you’ll find the bounty of the season making its way into delicious meals at a local restaurants and B&B’s, not to mention a number of harvest events.

“Food and beverage enthusiasts can sate themselves touring the Finger Lakes' wineries (there are more than 100) and delving into the impressive culinary scene rooted in elevating local and seasonal ingredients.” — Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure

“Many Finger Lakes communities celebrate the fall riot of color with seasonal festivals and events . . .” — USA Today’s 10 Best

Fall events like Wings and Wheels in Hammondsport (an exciting two-day event featuring seaplane competitions and rides, exotic and vintage cars, delicious food, and fun for the whole family), the Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival (a 50-year tradition featuring music, parade, arts & crafts, petting zoo, tractor pull, classic car show, and fireworks).

Each October, Corning celebrates glass, light, and the magic that surrounds us during a three-day event called The Days of Incandescence which is a fun creative nod to Corning Glass Works’ role in making the original glass containers for Thomas Edison’s incandescent lamps and a mysterious young shop boy who blew the first glass bubble (this year 10/23-10/25). The event is set in 1880 Corning.

During The Days of Incandescence we try to transform downtown into 1880’s Corning with actors in Victorian era costumes leading guided walking tours Thursday and Friday, participating in a themed libations crawl on Friday evening, and during a special Celebration event that will run from 4-8pm on Saturday, October 25th in Corning’s Centennial Park and features live music, food, curated vendors that fit the Victorian era theme (or Halloween), live blacksmithing demonstrations, a juggler, street magician, headless horseman, horse and wagon rides, costumed actors, Victorian era games for kids, and more. 

This year’s Celebration event (10/25) will feature the return of Guinness World Record Holder and Winner of Food Network’s “Outrageous Pumpkins,” pumpkin carver extraordinaire, Eric Jones carving in Centerway Square from 2:30-6:30pm.

Check out a “Photographer’s Paradise for Fall Foliage,” “Corning’s Secret Spot for Fall Foliage,” and “10 Best Fall Hikes” for more stories focused on the splendors of fall.