Fall foliage road trips are a right of Autumn in many parts of the country. But nowhere does the culture of leaf peepin’ exist like it does in the Northeast. New York embodies the best of this, with rolling hills and peaks covered in poplars, hickories, and beech emanating the brightest colors of the rainbow. These upstate New York Airbnbs put you right in the middle of it all — with great hiking, picturesque drives, and a cozy abode to return to.
We hope you love the spaces and stays we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Cabin retreat near Whiteface Mountain
Photo: Airbnb
The best fall foliage view in all of New York is looking down over Lake Placid from the summit of Whiteface Mountain. Put yourself a short drive away with equally inspiring views at this rural retreat outside the town of Wilmington. Staying in an old wooden cabin is the best way to experience the mountains any time of year, and that is amplified in Autumn when the leaves express themselves in the same rustic manner. This one is for the lovers, the dreamers, and the adventurers — the trees, the trails, and the romance of the hills are all right there.
Photo: Airbnb
Lake Eaton is a five-minute walk. This is an ideal warmup for the drive up to Whiteface and the greater Lake Placid area. The pubs and dining of Wilmington are right up the road. Onsite you have access to a kitchen and room for 10 at the base of the Adirondack High Peaks. There’s also a separate elevated deck to raise a toast to your good taste in the upsate.
Ten guests, four bedrooms
Price: $225 per night
Glasco Woodstock 16 acre property with hot tub, top-tier amenities
Photo: Airbnb
Nowhere does fall foliage quite like Glasco Woodstock. This luxurious property near Saugerties, New York, is the ultimate family fall foliage Airbnb in New York because it’s literally surrounded by the main attraction. With room for 16 guests and a host of lux amenities including three fireplaces, skylights, and large window views to the hills. There are 16 acres to explore and easy access to Overlook Mountain and a host of nearby forested areas that light up with color each fall.
Photo: Airbnb
The property has a complete chef’s kitchen and a large dining area, so your crew can prep its own meals to take with you before heading out to take in the colors. But you don’t even need to leave the home to get great foliage views from Glasco Woodstock — the screened porch and every window onsite offer views worthy of a visit on their own. To get the most out of the onsite color show, we suggest mixing your favorite afternoon drink and enjoying it in the hot tub (the changing seasons feel so much better when you’re worries are soaked away).
Sixteen guests, five bedrooms
Price: $1,445 per night
Mount Vision farmhouse near Finger Lakes, Cooperstown
Photo: Airbnb
There’s no better place to base yourself for New York fall foliage expeditions than an 1830’s farmhouse. This home is rustic chic in all its glory — a taste of old country life with both antique and modern amenities. Explore the foliage from nearby hiking trails, drive the rolling country roads, maybe even make a day of it and head over to Glimmerglass State Park. Afterward, Cooperstown is just up the road, where you can stop by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and say what’s up to Derek Jeter and Larry Walker.
Photo: Airbnb
The home itself features comfortable bedrooms and living spaces, with a kitchen and an outdoor fire pit from which to post up and enjoy the views. This spot is the perfect place to unplug and actually get away from it all, without being surrounded by the hordes of peepers visiting the more common foliage destinations closer to the big city. 
Seven guests, three bedrooms
Price: $185 per night