Fall in Skaneateles: Foliage, Orchards and Harvest Weekends
Fall might be the best-kept secret at Sunset Side Cottage. The hardwoods around the property turn gold and red, the crowds thin out, and the orchards and tasting rooms are in full harvest swing.
Fall at the Cottage
Paddle calm September mornings, then trade swimsuits for sweaters by October. The gas fireplace and fire pit make every evening feel snug. See Fall Foliage & Cozy Nights.
Peak Foliage
The Finger Lakes typically peak from mid-October into early November, according to I LOVE NY's weekly Fall Foliage Report. Hilltops turn first, then the lakeshore.
Fall Activities
- Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards (18 min): pick-your-own apples, cider doughnuts and the 1911 tasting room.
- Navarino Orchard (14 min): U-pick apples and a bakery on Route 20.
- Critz Farms, Cazenovia (45 min): pumpkins, corn maze, wagon rides and a cider mill through late October.
- Hinchcliff Family Preserve (12 min) and Carpenter Falls (26 min) for foliage hikes.
- Harvest tastings at Anyela's Vineyards (17 min) and on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail (38 to 50 min).
- Scenic drives on Route 41, West Lake Road (Route 41A) and Route 20.
Annual Fall Events
- LaFayette Apple Festival, the second weekend of October (October 9 to 10, 2027, per the festival). 21 minutes from the cottage.
- Critz Farms Fall Harvest Celebration, mid-October.
- Skaneateles Dickens Christmas opens the day after Thanksgiving (see Winter).
Drive times are from the cottage, checked in Google Maps in October 2026. Event dates change year to year, so confirm with each organizer before you plan around them.
Fall Questions
Is fall a good time for a quieter visit?
Yes. After Labor Day, weekdays are calm and weekend rates are often easier to find than in summer.
Can we still use the kayaks?
On calm, mild days, yes. The docks usually come out in early October, so launch from the beach.