Fall is such a beautiful time of the year here in Western New York. The air starts to get crisper and the leaves seem to change color by the day. I will admit, that I usually become a homebody during the cooler seasons and tuck myself away from the dropping temperatures. However, this year has been a bit different for me. I have been fully embracing fall and all of the fun activities this season has to offer.
This is my first fall living in Western New York full time in over 4 years! I grew up in Buffalo, NY but moved to NYC in 2015 and then eventually traveled on to other parts of the world. Being back here after so long has given me the opportunity to explore more of the surrounding areas, grow my appreciation for my home state, and take in all of the beauty Western New York has to offer during this season. If you live in Western New York or are planning to visit during the fall, keep these amazing places in mind for experiencing fall here:
1. Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards
Becker Farms is located in Gasport, New York, about 45 minutes outside of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. It was established in 1894 and is a family-owned 340-acre working farm. With the fresh produce they harvest, Becker Farms makes homemade pies, jams, cookies, cider, fudge, wine, beer & hard cider! But that’s not all! During the fall, Becker Farms’ apple orchard is in full swing. They offer a UPick option where you can pick your own apples to bring home with you. Right next to their apple orchard is their beautiful vineyard with rows of concord grape vines growing. There’s a store on the grounds where you can purchase their homegrown produce too. I would 100% recommend bringing some concord grapes home along with your apples. They taste like candy!
Becker Farms has an adorable pumpkin patch during the fall months. Just look out for the big orange truck and you know you’re in the right place! This is a perfect spot to get your pumpkins and gords for the season. They come in all sizes whether you prefer gigantic pumpkins or small, little cute ones! Just beyond the pumpkin patch is Becker Brewing Co. where you can have a local beer or cider produced right at Becker Farms. They even offer flights for $5 if you want to sample a couple of different ones.
To make more out of your time at Becker Farms, consider one of their tours. They offer a barrel tasting & vineyard tour, an educational farm tour, private yoga practice in a beautiful setting on the vineyard, or a historical farm hike. For rates and more information, check out their website here.
2. Holiday Valley
Holiday Valley is a beautiful resort located in Ellicottville, New York. During the winter months, people come from all over to ski the slopes of Holiday Valley, which is one of the largest ski resorts in the area. Until recently, I had never experienced Holiday Valley in a different month besides winter. But little did I know, it’s just as much as a resort in the summer & fall months.
During fall, the mountains of holiday valley, which I’ve only seen covered in snow, transform into the magical colors of fall! There are three lodges at Holiday Valley and each one offers something different.
The main lodge, Tamarack has an outdoor bar, fun games, multiple pools, and hot tubs, along with a scenic, 18-hole golf course.
The second lodge is Yodeler. During the summer & fall months, the main slope is turned into a biking path. Mountain bikers can be seen getting a work out on the path which goes horizontally back and forth over the slope.
If you want to go where all the action is, head to the third lodge, Tannenbaum. During the summer & fall months, Tannenbaum is transformed into the Sky High Adventure Park. There are so many fun options here! The Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster zigs and zags through the trees and down the mountain. There is a 3-D climbing wall on tree trunks. And there are 43 different zip lines to soar down making this New York States largest adventure park.
As I said before, Holiday Valley is located in Ellicottville, which is a great fall destination on its own. It’s a charming town with plenty to offer. For more suggestions on visiting Ellicottville, check out my blog post here for things to do in Ellicottville, NY.
3. Spring Lake Winery
Western New York is filled with beautiful wineries and the fall months are a great time to discover some of them. Spring Lake is more than a winery, it’s an experience! Located in Lockport, New York, Spring Lake is about a 40-minute drive outside of Buffalo & Niagara Falls. It is also very close to Becker Farms, which can make for a really fun, fall day!
Their family recipe is used for each batch of wine, whether from handpicked grapes from the west coast or from their Estate-grown Riesling. They never add any sugar or additives during the process and take much pride in the bottles of wine they serve.
In their tasting room, you can sample their different wines, do a wine flight, or purchase bottles to take home with you. They also offer a wonderful, yet simple lunch menu. While you’re enjoying your wine, there are beautiful views of the vineyard right outside.
If you take a walk around the tasting room to the back of the grounds, you will find out where Spring Lake Winery gets its name. There is a picturesque 8-acre lake surrounded by beautiful foliage during the fall months. Beyond the lake, there are nature trails and a strolling park.
Spring Lake Winery has a bunch of fun activities going on during the fall months, which makes it a perfect place to visit! On Wednesday’s they have outdoor yoga sessions, they hold October movie nights right at the winery, and on the weekends they even have a fire pit with wine & smores!
For more information about visiting Spring Lake Winery, check out their website here.
4. Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park covers 14,350 acres and is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” With lush forests all around, the winding Genesee River below, and plenty of picturesque hiking trails, Letchworth State Park is a must-visit fall destination.
Located in Livingston County and Wyoming County in Western New York, Letchworth is about an hour outside of Buffalo and Niagara Falls.
One of the main reasons people come to Letchworth is to take in the beautiful nature views up close and there’s no better way to do that than by hiking one of the many trails within the park. Letchworth has over 25 different trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some of the shorter trails are between 1 & 2 miles whereas the longest is 24 miles!
If you’re only visiting for the day, or are tight on time, Trail 1- The Gorge Trail is considered the most scenic trail at the park, so this one is not to be missed. This trail is approximately 7 miles long and passes by all three major waterfalls.
Each of the waterfalls at Letchworth and are distinctly beautiful and unique. The Lower Falls can be accessed by a trail that leads to a stairway. From here you will have stunning views all around. The Middle Falls are the grandest of them all at 107 feet! And the Lower Falls are beautiful from far away and up close. I would recommend stopping off at Inspiration Point for a view of the falls at a distance.
For everything you need to know about planning a trip to Letchworth State Park, check out my guide here.
Come Experience Fall in Western New York
There are so many beautiful places around the country to experience the fall season. I must say though, Western New York leaves an impression. From beautiful wineries to incredible state parks, we have a little bit of everthing. I would highly recommend putting Western New York on your fall bucket list! Please leave any questions or comments below & as always, thank you for reading. Happy travels!
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