HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Polaroid of the Week: Stunning Fall Foliage in Upstate New York

Polaroid of the Week: Stunning Fall Foliage in Upstate New YorkIf you've read my October round-up, you know I'm back in New York City! Returning last week brought a rare sense of calm and peace, allowing me to finally unpack. But before settling in, I embarked on a road trip to capture Upstate New York's fall foliage—the colors were fading fast, so I didn't hesitate.

Last year's quick trip to the Seven Lakes Drive was unforgettable, fueling my excitement for several days exploring the Hudson Valley, Peekskill area, and Catskill Mountains. I rented a car seamlessly via the Silvercar app and caught vibrant hues along the Palisades Parkway. We even hiked Bear Mountain for breathtaking views.

Heading north, we marveled at the foliage around Poughkeepsie, crossing the Hudson River on foot via the Walkway Over the Hudson—the world's longest elevated pedestrian bridge. In the Catskills, trees were mostly bare, but the leaf-carpeted grounds (as in this Polaroid) offered perfect photo opportunities. Stay tuned for more from my fall road trip!


Tourist Attraction
  • Polaroid of the Week: A Perfect Fall Sunday in New York City

    This weeks Polaroid captures a quintessential moment from New York City. After just six weeks away, Im thrilled to be back in my favorite city for a few weeks before my next adventure. Despite a whirlwind pre-trip schedule, the joy of returning has erased memories of last weeks rainy days. Stay tuned for my October travel update, where Ill reveal how this surprise trip unfolded and tease my exciting November destination.Stepping out of the airport, I instantly felt at home—as if I had never left

  • Polaroid of the Week: Agnes Denes Living Pyramid Blooms at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens

    After extensively exploring the Bronx last summer, I shifted my focus to Queens this year—New York Citys largest borough, packed with hidden gems despite my past limited visits. Astoria remains my top spot, a vibrant Greek enclave now buzzing with trendy bars and artisanal coffee shops amid ongoing gentrification. The Metropolitan Operas Summer Recitals at Socrates Sculpture Park provided the ideal reason to revisit this under-the-radar gem (soon featured in my upcoming Five Undiscovered New Yor

  • Polaroid of the Week: 5Pointz, New York City s Legendary Street Art Haven

    We cherish our readers, and our loyal followers know our deep passion for street art. Over brunch in Williamsburg, reader Laura tipped us off to 5Pointz—a hidden gem even many locals overlook. We wouldnt have found it without her! Thank you, Laura! Dedicated entirely to street art, 5Pointz: The Institute of Higher Burnin’ was an open-air gallery in an abandoned Long Island City factory in Queens. Though graffiti remains illegal in NYC, the 1990s Graffiti Terminators initiative channeled artists