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If fall had an official runway, the Hudson Valley would be strutting down it in full foliage couture. Priceline just dropped its list of the top 10 leaf-peeping destinations for 2025 and Hudson Valley snagged the crown as the most searched autumn getaway. Move over Bucks County, Pennsylvania (last year’s champ): New York’s backyard just stole the spotlight.
So why does Hudson Valley have travelers swooning like it’s the pumpkin spice latte of destinations? For starters, it’s an easy hop from New York City, but feels a world away. The region stretches over 7,000 square miles of rolling mountains, cozy river towns and historic hamlets with names that sound like they belong in a folk song: Beacon, Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Catskill. Throw in an explosion of reds, golds and oranges across the treetops and you’ve got autumn perfection.
Leaf peeping here isn’t just about staring at trees (though honestly, the trees do deserve a standing ovation). It’s about all the fall extras that come baked into the experience. Want to walk through a glowing tunnel of 7,000 jack-o’-lanterns? The Hudson Valley’s got you. Fancy picking apples so fresh they practically leap off the branch? Take your pick (literally). Need to pretend you’re in a Hallmark movie where love is rekindled over antiques and cider doughnuts? The shops are waiting.
Of course, the main event is the view, and the region serves it up at every angle. Harriman State Park offers fiery hiking trails, Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve has sweeping panoramas and the Hudson River Skywalk and Walkway Over the Hudson give you those bird’s-eye moments that belong on your feed. For a more old-school vibe, cruise down New York State Route 52, where every curve in the road feels like an oil painting come to life.
And while the leaves may be fleeting, your options for staying put are not. Priceline’s data shows travelers are filling hotels across the region, from rustic inns to wine-country resorts. Whether you’re plotting a luxe spa escape or a budget-friendly cabin weekend, Hudson Valley makes it easy to hunker down and soak up the season.
For the record, Priceline’s full top 10 includes Boulder, Colorado; Snoqualmie Valley, Washington; Bretton Woods, New Hampshire; and, of course, the ever-classic Berkshires. But this year, the Hudson Valley reigns supreme, proving once again that sometimes the best fall getaway is just up the river.