Fall into the Open Road

I’m not a summer person—the minute the heavy heat and humidity drag on, I am more than ready to trade them for crisp air and cozy layers. So, every fall, a phrase echoes through our house: "Let’s go look at the colors." Apparently, that makes us “leaf peepers”!

It’s probably just our family’s thing, but it’s a tradition we look forward to when the chill begins and the leaves start to turn. Years ago, when my husband used to travel through New York and New England for work during peak season, he’d always call to tell me how incredible the trees looked. Once he was home, one of our favorite weekend things to do was jump in the car, skipping the main highways, and seeing where the backroads took us. Honestly, just taking in the colors and quiet of fall is calming to me. Watching the landscape turn into all those warm, glowing shades feels like the nicest, gentlest way to ease into winter.

Even though those weekend drives started years ago, they’ve grown into one of my favorite parts of the season. This fall is extra special - I’m heading up to Rhinebeck, New York with a wonderful group of women friends to celebrate a milestone birthday for one of our own. What could be better than blasting a great playlist, cruising up the country roads, and heading straight into the Hudson Valley just as the leaves are turning?

Travel and Leisure recently published "10 Beautiful Fall Foliage Destinations to Visit Across the U.S. Before Peak Leaf-peeping Crowds Arrive." In fact, 6 of the 10 destinations are in New York and New England! If you’re looking to plan your own milestone getaway, start a new seasonal tradition, or just need some fresh ideas for getting out to see the foliage this year, here are a few books to help you craft the ultimate autumn trip. You will find these titles and more by searching the Mercer County Library System catalog.

Colors of Fall Road Trip Guide: 25 Autumn Tours in New England by Jerry Monkman

Moon New England Road Trip by Moon Handbooks

Upstate New York Off the Beaten Path by Globe Pequot Press

Backroads & Byways of Upstate New York: Drives, Day Trips, and Weekend Excursions by Christine A Smyczynski

The Finger Lakes Drinking Guide: The Ultimate Companion to Upstate New York's Wineries, Breweries, Cideries, and Distilleries by Michael Turback

Upstate Now: Art, Design, and Rural Life in the Hudson Valley and Catskills by Michel Arnaud

If traveling isn’t your thing, here are a few novels for you to cozy up with, drink your favorite latte, light a candle, and enjoy:

Untimely Death: A Shakespeare in the Catskills Mystery by Elizabeth J. Duncan

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore

Honeycrisp Orchard Inn: A Honeycrisp Orchard Romance by Valerie Bowman

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Article:

"10 Beautiful Fall Foliage Destinations to Visit Across the U.S. Before Peak Leaf-peeping Crowds Arrive"  Travel & Leisure, by Stefanie Waldek, Published on August 30, 2026

- Ilene, Robbinsville Branch