Trip Ideas This New Map Shows Where and When to See the Best Fall Foliage Across New York State Signs of autumnal colors have been spotted in the Catskills and Adirondacks. By Rachel Chang Rachel Chang Instagram Twitter Website Rachel Chang is a travel and pop culture journalist who grew up in the California Bay Area and now lives in New York City (well, Hoboken, New Jersey). She's a solo travel advocate, dumpling addict, and reluctant runner — who managed to finish the NYC marathon three times. She's also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Romania and Poland. Rachel started her editorial career chasing celebrities as a magazine editor (Popstar associate editor, CosmoGirl entertainment editor, J-14 editor-in-chief, Us Weekly senior editor). Along the way, she also started chasing passport stamps and is now a freelance writer and editor contributing to Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and The Washington Post, among others. She also edits standalone entertainment and travel magazines. Prior to this, she worked in television publicity at The WB Television Network, and also interned at Nickelodeon and "Dawson's Creek." * 25+ years of media experience in television, magazines, and digital brands * 20+ years of editorial experience as a journalist, writer, and editor * TaiwaneseAmerican.org's 100 Passionate People Pioneer * Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications Professional Gallery Wall of Fame * Received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from the University of California, Los Angeles * Received a master's degree in magazine, newspaper, and online journalism from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications * Completed writing courses through UCLA Extension, Media Bistro, Gotham Writers Workshop, Yale Writers' Workshop, and the Highlights Foundation * Founding executive board member of the alumni group Newhouse 44 and still serves as a member * 15+ years of experience as a judge for the Mirror Awards Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on September 13, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Despite the first day of fall still being more than a week away, the first signs of autumn have been spotted in New York, according to the state's first Fall Foliage Report that was released last week. The weekly reports, which will be released each Wednesday afternoon, are crowdsourced from volunteer leaf peepers around the state who submit the status of the color changes in their areas. The interactive map makes it easy to look for nearby attractions to best enjoy the foliage. Courtesy of I Love NY "New York State's 2021 fall foliage season is underway, with the first signs of the spectacular seasonal colors to come appearing in the Adirondacks and Catskills regions, according to volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism's I Love NY program," the first report notes. Other parts of the state have a 5% or less change this week, it adds. One area with the most color change is around Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks. "The summer greens are starting the cycle to autumn brilliance with subtle traces of goldenrod and copper, and the soft maples are providing a patchy, rhubarb splatter," the color report for the Adirondacks notes, adding that it's expecting up to 10% color change this weekend. GabrielPevide/Getty Images Other areas in the Adirondacks that are forecasted to hit that percentage include Lake Placid, Newcomb, and parts of Essex County, while Delaware County's Hamden in the Catskills also expects about a 10% color change, with shades of yellow starting to show. The state also recognizes that this fall foliage season still comes with the realities of the pandemic. "I Love NY urges travelers to follow all COVID-related public health and safety guidelines while enjoying the foliage this season," the report says, pointing to a list of coronavirus travel resources. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit