Governor Hochul Announces the Start of 2022 Fall Foliage and Travel Season in New York State

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the start of New York State’s 2022 fall foliage and travel season, highlighted by the return of I LOVE NY’s Fall Foliage Reports and a new I LOVE NY broadcast and digital marketing campaign to showcase popular fall activities and attractions. I LOVE NY is also collaborating with the state’s network of heritage tourism destinations on this year’s Path Through History Weekend, scheduled for October 8 to 10, which will feature special events and activations at the state’s rich history and historic sites.

“From colorful foliage and unparalleled natural landscapes to breathtaking historical sites and one-of-a-kind state parks, there’s nothing like New York in the fall,” Governor Hochul said. “During this season, we invite travelers from New York and out-of-state to plan a perfect autumn adventure – whether it’s climbing an Adirondack peak, visiting a Long Island winery, or walking along Buffalo’s waterfront – and see what our great state has to offer.”

Fall is one of New York’s most popular travel seasons, attracting visitors from around the world who support local businesses while exploring the unique and diverse communities across the state. To help travelers and foliage enthusiasts plan a fall getaway, I LOVE NY’s weekly foliage reports are issued every Wednesday, beginning on September 14. They are compiled using the on-location field observations from I LOVE NY’s team of more than 85 volunteer leaf spotters throughout the state’s 11 vacation regions. The spotters track color changes in their area, detailing the prevalent leaf colors, approximate percentage of change, and how much color change has progressed relative to peak conditions.

The reports also include an interactive foliage map, available on the I LOVE NY website, that tracks weekly changes and progression across the state throughout the season. The map includes recommended foliage viewing locations in each of the state’s vacation regions, plus examples of peak foliage in a given area, and information about popular local and regional attractions. New this year, the interactive foliage map will include an option to filter attractions by category, including food & drink, and arts & culture.

Travelers are invited to share their photos of New York State’s picturesque foliage on social media by using the #NYLovesFall hashtag. Photos submitted to this hashtag have a chance of being featured on the I LOVE NY fall foliage website and official I LOVE NY social media accounts reaching more than two million followers. I LOVE NY recently launched a TikTok account to reach additional audiences, complementing its existing accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks in part to its size and location, New York State traditionally has one of the longest and most colorful foliage seasons in the country. On any weekend from late September through mid-November, part of the state is likely experiencing peak foliage. Fall foliage reports and the interactive map are available at www.iloveny.com/foliage, or toll-free at 800-CALL-NYS (800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Tourism is a pillar of New York’s economy, and fall travel is especially vital to family farms and small businesses, which are the backbone of so many communities across the state. This season offers the perfect opportunity to explore and experience New York’s different regions, each with its own fall festivals, offerings and events that invite and welcome everyone.”

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, “Every year, New York State becomes a wonderland of autumnal color. From our weekly foliage report letting travelers know where colors are peaking, to interactive maps helping them find attractions and dining experiences, to a running list of heritage events as part of Path Through History Weekend, I LOVE NY is pleased to provide tools to help guests take full advantage of one of the longest and most beautiful foliage seasons in the country. We welcome explorers from near and far to come be a part of it all and discover an autumn to fall in love with here in New York State.”

I LOVE NY is also launching a new fall marketing campaign to encourage fall travel, which includes a new 30-second spot highlighting some of the many ways to enjoy the season throughout New York State. The ad includes family-friendly fall favorites, like harvest events at local farms, Halloween attractions, zoos and foliage hikes, plus destinations like the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, and New York City’s Central Park. The campaign launches today, and the ad can be viewed here.

Additionally, I LOVE NY will be hosting a Path Through History weekend on October 8 to 10 to showcase some of the state’s historic and heritage travel sites. The Path Through History initiative uses 14 themes to organize more than 700 sites, attractions and locations throughout the state. The Path Through History website includes maps, a user-friendly list of locations organized by theme and region, and an itinerary builder to help plan your trip. More information on the 2022 Path Through History Weekend is available here.

Visitation in New York State sustains an economic impact of $85.5 billion and generates enough in state and local taxes to save every household in the state more than $1,000 annually. Tourism and hospitality is the state’s third largest industry, supporting one in 11 private sector jobs.

State Senator José M. Serrano said, “Autumn in New York is such a beautiful time of year, especially at our State Parks and historic sites. With breathtaking fall foliage colors all around, there truly is no better time to visit our parks and experience the great outdoors. The I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Reports are a great way to help visitors connect with nature during this wonderful time of year.”

Assemblymember Daniel J. O’Donnell said, “There’s nothing like the splendor of New York’s fall foliage. The gorgeous views and stunning colors are famous for a reason! Whether you’re a nature-lover or a city-dweller, I encourage you to go experience the beauty of New York, and explore the incredible local attractions in every corner of our state.”

Cristyne Nicholas, Chair of the New York State Tourism Advisory Council, said, “As the famous song goes, ‘Autumn in New York, why does it seem so inviting?’ Because Governor Hochul and the I LOVE NY team are launching a fall campaign encouraging travelers to experience once again the most colorful work of art, from the tip of Montauk to the wonder of Niagara Falls, with some haunted headless horsemen and amazing corn mazes along the way. Fall is an important tourism season for New York, so the state’s tourism industry truly appreciates these efforts to welcome visitors back to the country’s biggest and best technicolor landscape.”

To help plan your next New York State vacation, visit www.iloveny.com.

About New York State

New York State is a premier vacation destination with world-class attractions, picturesque natural beauty, locally sourced cuisine and a booming craft beverage scene, an array of accommodations, and iconic, year-round festivals and events. Its 11 diverse vacation regions feature some of the world’s top ranked beaches; two out of America’s top three favorite state parks; breathtaking Niagara Falls; more ski areas than any other state; one of the nation’s longest foliage seasons; multiple Halls of Fame; North America’s longest, fastest and highest zipline; the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States; and the country’s longest multi-use trail. Add in the state’s unique museums, historic landmarks, cultural sites, charming small towns and urban playgrounds, and it’s no wonder New York has been consistently chosen as a top getaway by travel publications and experts.