As the leaves begin to change, take advantage of a unique way to experience the colors of fall: from a boat tour on one of Upstate New York’s many lakes and waterways.
Mohican photo credit Lake George Steamboat Company
The Adirondacks are known to draw leaf peepers from near and far, and there are several cruises to accommodate them. In Lake George, the Lake George Steamboat Company offers a full-lake fall foliage excursion aboard the Mohican, the oldest continuously-operated ship in the country, sailing since 1908. Enjoy the captain’s knowledgeable narration of the lake’s history, geology and ecology, from islands to mansions, as you take in the breathtaking views of the mountains shrouded in color. The snack bar and grill and cocktail bar are open on this cruise, which will run twice in 2025, on October 12 and October 19, departing at 9 a.m. and returning to Lake George by 2 p.m.
WW Durant photo credit Raquette Lake Navigation
If you’re in the Central Adirondacks, you can enjoy the changing colors from aboard Raquette Lake Navigation’s historic tour boat the W.W. Durant on any of their narrated sightseeing tours or specialty tours, like dinner and luncheon cruises, which run through mid-October; or take a two-hour, three-lake cruise from Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery and enjoy the sights while hearing about the history of the area.
Alexandria Belle passing Boldt Castle photo credit Uncle Sam Boat Tours
Meanwhile, in the Thousand Islands town of Clayton, Clayton Island Tours offers a specialty two-hour fall foliage cruise along the St. Lawrence River, passing by local landmarks like Rock Island Lighthouse, Sunken Rock Lighthouse, and Boldt Castle, all against the backdrop of the changing leaves. Further up the river, in Alexandria Bay, Uncle Sam Boat Tours continues to run their regular lineup of cruises until October 31, so there’s plenty of time to and take in the sights along the seaway as the season progresses.
Colonial Belle foliage photo credit Colonial Belle
Western New York and the Finger Lakes offer many boat tour options, many of which trace their route along the Erie Canal. The village of Fairport is home to the Colonial Belle, which operates along the canal through October and offers a few options for fall. The shortest is a 45-minute leaf peeping cruise on Saturday, September 27 during Fairport’s Oktoberfest and scarecrow festival; for a longer option, sign up for one of two fall foliage cruises to downtown Rochester, taking place on Sunday October 5 and Sunday October 12. These four-hour cruises pass through two locks on their journey along the Erie Canal and Genesee River and include live music and a catered seasonal lunch aboard the boat. Further along the canal, departing from the Central New York town of Herkimer, the aptly named Erie Canal Cruises offers their lineup of tours into mid-October as well.
Teal with foliage photo credit Discover Cayuga Lake
In the Finger Lakes town of In Ithaca, Discover Cayuga Lake Tours offers fall foliage eco-cruises weekly in September and October, which feature narration and information on the ecology of the iconic Finger Lakes set against the backdrop of the changing leaves. And Mid-Lakes Navigation offers their Skaneateles Lake sightseeing cruises through mid-October and their specialty lunch and dinner cruises through September, providing plenty of time for leaf peeping.
Saratoga Lake Cruises sign with pumpkin photo credit Adirondack Cruise and Charter Company
Further east, in the Capital Region, Adirondack Cruise and Charter Company offers dedicated 1.5-hour fall foliage trips on Saratoga Lake, just outside of Saratoga Springs, where you can hear about the history of the area and enjoy fresh Saratoga apples (after September 16). And you can experience the changing colors on the Hudson River aboard Hudson River Cruises’ Rip Van Winkle II, departing from the Hudson Valley town of Kingston for sightseeing and specialty cruises through the end of October.
Rip Van Winkle on the Hudson photo credit Hudson River Cruises
This is just a short list of the boat tours available throughout Upstate New York this fall; for more ideas and activities to make the most of the season with, check out Discover Upstate New York.
PHOTO CREDITS
Mohican photo credit Lake George Steamboat Company
WW Durant photo credit Raquette Lake Navigation
Alexandria Belle passing Boldt Castle photo credit Uncle Sam Boat Tours
Colonial Belle foliage photo credit Colonial Belle
Saratoga Lake Cruises sign with pumpkin photo credit Adirondack Cruise and Charter Company
Rip Van Winkle on the Hudson photo credit Hudson River Cruises