Ithaca, NY Fall Foliage Report

Autumn in Ithaca provides leaf-peepers with a vivid tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows, and purples. Whether you’re driving along a scenic lakeside road, sipping a local Riesling at one of the Finger Lakes’ famed wineries, or strolling through a bustling farmer’s market during the fall harvest, you’ll be surrounded by bright, beautiful, and very photogenic foliage. Here’s when you can expect the leaves to change, where to get the clearest views of these eye-popping colors, and how to best enjoy this special time of year in Ithaca.

Beginning the weekend of October 18, the Finger Lakes region is near park! Location and weather will affect the brilliance of the leaves in the next couple weeks. Overall it's a colorful fall in the greater Ithaca area with stunning landscape views.

Leaf Color Prediction 2024

For the weekend of Oct. 25th, 90-100% leaf change is predicted.

Peak Fall Foliage in Ithaca

While you may spot a few brilliant streaks of leafy color in late August and early September, Ithaca’s foliage season usually begins in earnest in mid-September. That said, the most vibrant and impressive hues tend to light up the hillsides and lakeshores around the third week of October. In 2023, peak foliage hit around Oct. 25-31 with 90% transition across the greater Ithaca area.

If early fall isn’t a good time for a trip to Central New York, we have great news. The region’s diverse terrain and the climate-moderating effect of Cayuga Lake mean that stunning leaf tones can remain visible through the end of October and sometimes even into November. Microclimates don’t just affect our local wine; they also contribute to the prolonged and varied display of fall foliage across the area!

Fall Season 2024 Views

Best Places To See Fall Foliage In Ithaca

For the finest views of Ithaca’s fall colors, the trails and roads around Cayuga Lake are the place to be. The Cayuga Waterfront Trail, a 5.5-mile paved trail connecting Cass Park and Stewart Park, provides a flat and easy-to-travel walking path with excellent visuals of the trees along the lakeshore and the wooded hillsides.

If you’d rather check out the bright foliage from the comfort of your car, take a drive along the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway, an 87-mile loop that takes you around the full perimeter of the lake and treats you to clear views of the trees themselves and to the picturesque reflection of the leaves on the lake.

Boat cruises also allow foliage fans to see the full, fiery landscape of the Cayuga Lake area in the fall. Browse the available boat trips here to find one that suits your vacation vibe. If you’re a daredevil with a keen eye for beauty, consider scoping out the trees from above on a Southern Tier Balloon Tour.

How To Enjoy Ithaca’s Fall Foliage

In addition to scenic drives and autumn hikes across the region, Ithaca offers several engaging ways to appreciate the whimsy and majesty of the autumn season in the Finger Lakes.

The Cornell Botanic Gardens are a prime spot to see gorgeous leaf colors and impeccable landscaping. If you’d rather pair your foliage views with some tasty sips and bites, head to one of Tompkins County’s farms, markets, and wineries, where you can load up on seasonal produce (like apples and gourds) and imbibe some quality Finger Lakes vino. Likewise, if you’re looking to relax and enjoy local cider, South Hill Cider offers some of the best viewing points of the Cayuga Lake Inlet Valley.

Blazing leaf colors and rushing waterfalls provide enough drama to make them a perfect match. We recommend you look through our comprehensive waterfall guide, which may lead you to your ideal vantage point for fall foliage in Ithaca!

For the most up-to-date information on foliage conditions across New York State, check out the I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report, which offers insights on where the leaves are turning their brightest hues. Are you curious about why the leaves change in the first place? Dive into the fascinating science by reading the Cornell Sun’s Understanding Autumn Foliage, a detailed exploration that reveals the secrets behind nature’s colorful display.