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One of the best things about living in the Northeast of the USA is the fall foliage. Fall foliage in and around NYC is always super special, there’s just something about the way the trees change that I love. We’re about a month into fall now, and if you’ve not gotten a chance to see some beautiful leaves, you’ve still got a few more weeks. If you’re headed out to see the foliage, you’ve got to dress for the occasion, and I’ve found all of my fall foliage essentials at Backcountry.com. Backcountry is the perfect site for all of your outdoor needs, and I love the variety of brands that are carried. There’s something for everyone (including this backpack I love) and the site is super easy to navigate. I went hunting for the fall colors and leaves wearing this set from Beyond Yoga and these Nike trail shoes I’ve had my eye on for awhile.

This year, more than ever, experiencing the outdoors has been so important. This is the year we all have really learned not to take things for granted. Growing up in NYC, you’ll see incredible foliage just walking down residential blocks, but if you’re looking for even more colors and fall vibes, there are a few places I’d recommend checking out. Before you leave NYC itself, be sure to check out Central Park (so beautiful in spring/fall), Pier 17’s Pumpkin Arch and Brooklyn Bridge Park/Prospect Park. If you’re looking for a little daytime adventure, there’s also Governors Island and Greenbelt Nature Center  on Staten Island. Long Island also does not disappoint with the best fall vibes in Nassau County at Planting Fields Arboretum. These are some of my favorite places to go year-round but beautiful during the fall. If you’re looking to see fall foliage near NYC here are the top spots to hit!

• Walkway Over The Hudson-Poughkeepsie, New York

• Storm King Art Center- Cornwall, NY

• Bear Mountain- Bear Mountain, NY

• Old Croton Aqueduct- Croton-on-Hudson, NY

• Letchworth State Park-Castile, NY

• Palisades Interstate Park-Alpine, NJ

• Cold Spring Area- Cold Spring, NY

• Lake Placid Area-Lake Placid, NY

• Walden New York Area- Walden, NY

• Mohonk Mountain House- New Paltz, NY (always a fave for me!)

Fall foliage peaks in the Northeast Mid-October through early November. Pro-tip, take a second to Google the location and peak time frame as fall starts in September so you know where to head based on your personal timeline. Not all fall foliage is created equal and the above are all 5 hours or less from NYC with most being 30mins to 1.5 hours away. There are tons of areas between NY, NJ and CT to check out the foliage and even pick pumpkins or apples, but these were some of my faves specifically for checking out the changing leaves.

I got all of the essentials I’m wearing from Backcountry, they make shopping and returns super easy. This set is super soft, the leggings are amazing even alone without the matching top, this bag or this option holds all of my things plus snacks, and these hiking shoes are so great for navigating wet fall trails. I also had this hoodie with me (in the backpack)  for when the temperatures got a bit cooler and it’s so soft. For full priced items, use code KIRA15 to save 15% off your first order (exclusions apply)! Backcountry has an amazing sale happening now, perfect for fall times. You can save up to 40% on 5 Epic Brands! Save up to 40% past season styles of Patagonia, The North Face, Outdoor Research, Columbia, Arc’teryx at Backcountry.com!