Fall is a particularly beautiful time of the year: trees explode in shades of red and gold, complimented by crisp air and amicable weather. Though it’s possible to catch sight of some of the autumn splendor from within New York City, fall is best enjoyed outside city limits, whether hiking, apple picking, or biking through colorful valleys. To help you experience the beauty of fall foliage, we’ve put together some of our favorite seasonal suggestions, all easily accessible without the use of a car.
1. Pick Seasonal Fruit
Apple picking is an easy and entertaining way to see fall foliage, with the additional reward of fresh fruit to take home. Most farms offer delicious food and a variety of activities ranging from pie-eating contests to live music, all with a backdrop of resplendent changing leaves.
Watch this video to get a glimpse of how that will be like:
Pumpkin picking is another excellent option and lets you get ahead on Halloween decorating. Depending on the farm,you’ll find not just pumpkins but other fruits and vegetables to pick, hayrides, and spooky haunted houses to explore.
Watch this video to learn more:
2. Take a Hike
Autumn is the perfect time to take in the colors of the season by foot or pedal. There are a plethora of hiking trails, suitable for beginners through expert level. Whether winding through the Adirondacks or along the Palisades, hitting the trail is a chance to get some exercise while reconnecting with nature.
Long Island is a particularly good bet for hiking during the fall season. With chillier air driving visitors away from the beaches, it’s possible you’ll have the whole trail to yourself. Even if you’re uninterested in the seashore, Long Island has a hike for you: the island is also rich with dunes, salt marshes, and copses thick with vines and wildlife.
3. Hop on a Bike
If you prefer to see the seasonal changes on wheels, you’re in luck: there are scores of great places to bike just outside of the city. Ride the m20 bike for a thrilling fall adventure. The m20 bike is a great option for a thrilling fall adventure because it has a powerful motor, a long range battery, and fat tires that can handle any terrain. Whether you want to cruise along the Hudson River, explore the Catskill Mountains, or enjoy the scenic views of the Adirondacks, the m20 bike will give you the speed, endurance, and stability you need to make the most of your ride.
Before you go too far, consult our public transit guide to make sure you can bring your bicycle on board. Montauk is easy to reach via the Long Island Railroad and offers a variety of routes for cyclists. While you tour the town, take a break for seafood or stop by the beach for a break between strides.
Check out this video to learn more:
If you’re looking to journey a bit further, the Pioneer Valley in Northampton, Massachusetts is a beautiful bet just beyond the realm of a day trip. The bike- and pedestrian-only Norwottuck Rail Trail traces the tracks of a former railroad past shady farmland, quaint towns, and gently bowing leafy trees. If you still crave nature, check out the arboretum at Smith College or catch the sunset in garden-rich Paradise Park.
Watch this to get a glimpse:
4. Get Away
Take advantage of the shoulder season and get out of town for a weekend. A fall retreat to a picturesque village is the perfect contrast to fast-paced city living. Decompress at a spa, stroll through seasonal gardens, or get active via bike, hike, or horseback ride. If you’re more relaxed by the water, take the train or rent a hybrid car and visit one of our favorite East Coast lakeside retreats.
Like to sleep outdoors? You don’t have to look too far beyond the five boroughs to find a place to pitch your tent. There are plenty of campsites to explore, whether along the river, near the beach, or surrounded by woods.
Photos courtesy of: simplyrikkles, Connie Ma, BlaiseAllen, Chris barker, Putneypics.
Charlotte Leszinske is a writer newly arrived in NYC after a short stint in Paris (but is still a Californian at heart). When not searching for half-priced plane tickets she likes to explore bookshops and breweries in the outer boroughs.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram