🍂 Hidden Fall Gems to Discover
Does this sudden switch to cooler weather have you dreaming of crisp fall air, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and a mug of hot apple cider in hand?
It’s not too early to start planning your perfect autumn escape! From cozy lakeside towns and colorful hiking trails to Oktoberfest celebrations, pumpkin patches, Leaf Peeping Celebrations and apple orchards, Cayuga County is full of hidden gems that shine in fall.
Start mapping out your getaway now, you will be glad you did when you’re sipping something pumpkin-spiced with a view of fiery foliage.
🍂 Hidden Towns That Shine in Fall
🍁 Aurora NY…Luxury Meets Lakeside Charm
Discover the understated elegance of Aurora, a serene lakeside village perched on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. The Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa is a collection of five meticulously restored inns, offering world-class dining, a renowned wellness spa, fireside wine receptions and guided hikes all set against a backdrop of vibrant fall foliage. Whether you stroll through the village, or relax at the spa, Aurora is a peaceful autumn retreat that feels worlds away. While in the area stop by Mackenzie-Childs, renowned for its whimsical designs, handmade pottery, and the instantly recognizable Courtly Check pattern. Visitors can explore the picturesque grounds and farmhouse before discovering nearby wineries.
🍁 Fair Haven…Peak Foliage & Local Flair
Celebrate the season during Fair Haven’s Leaf Peeper Weekend, happening October 18–19. This beloved annual event features the Sterling Art Show and a self-guided Leaf Peeper Trail highlighting local artists, cider makers, honey producers, and more. Wind your way through country roads blazing with color and experience this charming lakeside village at its most vibrant.
🍻Cheers to Fall: Oktoberfest Celebrations
🍻 Lunktoberfest
Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co., Saturday, September 13
Get a head start on autumn festivities at Lunkenheimer Craft Brewing Co. in Weedsport. Their Annual Lunktoberfest is a family-friendly celebration featuring small-batch brews, wood-fired pizza, live music, contests, and community spirit. It’s the kind of event that brings the whole town together—stein in hand.
🍻 Oktoberfest at Prison City North
Sunday, October 5
Lift a stein and celebrate all things Octoberfest! Stop by and enjoy great hearty German food, German music, German dancing and or course great German beer. There will also be a Stein holding contest! This event is both kid and 🐾 dog friendly.
🍂 October Adventures: Farms, Orchards & Fall Fun
🎃 O’Neil Family Farm – Pumpkin Patch Paradise
Make lasting memories at O’Neil Family Farm in Weedsport, where you can pick your own pumpkins, snap fall photos among the sunflowers, and enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere—all with no admission fee.
🍎 Owen Orchards – Apple Picking & Cider Delights
Wander through 30 acres of apple trees at Owen Orchards, offering 15 varieties of U-Pick apples. Stop in the country store and pick up a gallon of fresh cider or a dozen of cider donuts. You can even watch as the cider is pressed. Here you will also find fresh baked pies, maple syrup, and local honey—a true taste of autumn in Cayuga County.
Other great places to pick apples and other fall produce is the Apple Station, and Grisamore Farms!
👻Spooky & Historic: Can’t-Miss Fall Events
👻 Haunted History Tours – Seward House Museum, Auburn
Guides take guests around the Seward House grounds and to the gates of Fort Hill Cemetery, sharing chilling tales of Victorian funeral practices, spectral encounters from Seward family lore, grizzly true crime stories, and other spooky accounts drawn from local folklore and history. You won’t want to miss the eerie experience! This tour is not recommended for children under 10. Tickets are $15. Reservations required.
👻 Walking Tours of Fort Hill Cemetery
Some of America’s most influential thinkers and innovators are buried in Fort Hill Cemetery in Auburn, NY. Harriet Tubman, William Seward, Theodore Case, Thomas Mott Osborne, and so many others who rest within the cemetery defined our nation’s history. But their stories are not the only ones worth telling! Even the tombstones themselves can tell the stories of those who inhabit their graves. Join guides from the Cayuga Museum of History and Art each Sunday in October and become an expert in identifying the common symbols on graves and their hidden meanings while you explore the history of Fort Hill Cemetery, learning more about the people buried here.
🥾Take in the Views: Fall Foliage Hikes
🥾 Carpenter Falls
Looking for accessible natural beauty? Carpenter Falls offers ADA-friendly overlooks and a short loop trail through a limestone gorge, where waterfalls tumble through a canvas of autumn color. It’s a must-see for leaf lovers and photographers alike.
🥾 Sterling Nature Center
For panoramic views of Lake Ontario’s turquoise waters against a backdrop of golden trees, hike the McIntyre’s Bluff Trail. The loop leads to a ridge where sandstone cliffs meet fall’s finest colors—perfect for a peaceful moment or photo op. Call for listing of nature classes, exhibits and events.
🍁Scenic State Parks Worth a Detour
🍁Fair Haven Beach State Park – Tranquility by the Lake
This lakeside gem transforms in autumn. Fair Haven Beach State Park boasts quiet trails, wooded campsites. Ideal for birdwatching, picnicking, or a moment of solitude.
🍁Fillmore Glen State Park – Gorge-ous Fall Color
Nestled in charming Moravia NY, Fillmore Glen delivers a dramatic fall experience. Walk stone trails through a mossy gorge with five waterfalls, surrounded by some of the brightest fall colors in the region thanks to its cool, sheltered microclimate.
🍁 Plan Your Fall Getaway Today
Whether you’re in it for the foliage, the festivals, or the flavors, Cayuga County and its neighboring towns are full of hidden gems that offer unforgettable fall experiences. For more seasonal inspiration and travel ideas, visit https://www.tourcayuga.com