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Autumn turns the roads around Ithaca into some of the best foliage drives Ithaca has to offer, winding through wooded hills, farmland, and changing colors along Cayuga Lake. These fall drives across the Finger Lakes range from a full Cayuga Lake scenic drive to short detours past waterfalls and quiet country roads, perfect for an autumn road trip through New York.
The Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway makes an 87-mile loop around the lake, beginning in Ithaca and following the shoreline north toward Seneca Falls and Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Choose a full-day loop or one shore for a shorter drive, roughly two to three hours each way.
On the west side, NY-89 stays close to Cayuga Lake past Taughannock Falls State Park and the wineries, cideries, and farms of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. The eastern shore travels through rolling farmland and wooded hills, with views back across the water. Build in time for overlooks and photo stops along the way.
Follow NY-89 north to Taughannock Falls State Park, where the overlook frames the 215-foot waterfall against gorge walls and fall color. From the park, Taughannock Park Road follows the creek toward Trumansburg, with foliage views continuing along the shorter detour.
Extend the drive through the hills west of Ithaca, stopping at Bellwether Hard Cider and Wine Cellars for tastings, or the Restaurant at the Inn at Taughannock Falls for views across Cayuga Lake.
Head south of Ithaca for quieter roads through Newfield, crossing the historic Newfield Covered Bridge before continuing along local roads where forest opens into farmland and hillside views.
West of Ithaca, Bostwick Road descends through open countryside near Robert H. Treman State Park, with distant views toward Ithaca College and Cornell University. For a more remote route, continue toward the higher elevations around Connecticut Hill.
Fall color typically develops through September and October, though timing varies with weather and elevation. All of these drives promise gorgeous foliage shifts across many deciduous species, but still check the current fall foliage report before setting out, and leave extra time for overlooks and unplanned stops. A full lake loop can take most of a day, while a single shore or backroad drive fits into a few hours. Park only in designated areas for photos, and consider a weekday drive to avoid the busiest fall weekends.
Choose a short country drive or make a day of the Cayuga Lake loop, adding seasonal stops to build your own Finger Lakes autumn road trip.