On Location: Autumn adventures await – New York State reaches out to Canadian travellers

Autumn in New York State means rolling vineyards, colourful hillsides and towns that blend small-town warmth with big-city energy.

On a recent trip, PAX travelled through Orange County, the 1000 Islands and the Finger Lakes to see how New York state is combining heritage, hospitality and harvest season to entice Canadian travellers back across the border.

From world-class shopping and art-filled landscapes in the Hudson Valley to river cruises and castle tours along the St. Lawrence and, finally, to wine tastings and farm-to-table dining in the Finger Lakes, the journey showcased the state’s remarkable diversity and enduring appeal for Canadian travellers.

From sculpture gardens to shopping sprees

“I know it’s cliché to say, ‘we have a little bit of everything for everybody,’ but we really do,” said Rachel Carr, tourism coordinator for Orange County, speaking to PAX during our first stop on the trip.

Shoppers flock to Orange County to visit Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which Carr says is the area’s top attraction.

“Last year, we had the highest retail sales in New York state after New York City and Long Island,” she noted.

Families are drawn to the LEGOLAND New York Resort in Goshen, while history enthusiasts explore landmarks like West Point, Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh as well as the National Purple Heart Hall of Honour and New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site in New Windsor.

With fall colours beginning to sweep across its farmlands and lakeside panoramas, our group experienced Orange County’s varied attractions firsthand, including Storm King Art Center, a 500-acre outdoor museum where visitors encounter large-scale sculptures set against gentle hills and open sky.

“It’s always my top recommendation because you can do it at your own pace,” said Carr of Storm King Art Center. 

“You can bring a picnic blanket and hang out, ride bikes around, or just stroll.”

Orange County mainly draws regional travellers, with international visitors making up about two per cent of arrivals, but Carr said that’s expected to grow.

With the FIFA World Cup coming to nearby New Jersey in 2026, Orange County tourism officials see an opportunity to welcome more global visitors.

Carr noted that Orange County is well connected to New York City and New Jersey, with convenient access to major highways and its own international gateway, New York Stewart International Airport, in New Windsor.

“We definitely anticipate people staying in Orange County because of the World Cup,” Carr said. “We’re hoping to work closely with the organizers so we can offer some different excursions and bring people up here.”

Where the river connects two countries

From the hills of the Hudson Valley, our journey continued north to the 1000 Islands, a region where the St. Lawrence River weaves between Canada and the U.S., revealing a playground of natural beauty and maritime history.

“The river is our number one attraction,” said Jill Folsom, marketing and communications manager at the 1000 Islands International Tourism Council, noting that the 1000 Islands is a popular destination for families as well as outdoor enthusiasts.

Like our group, many visitors hop on a boat right away to explore one of the area’s most famous landmarks, like Boldt Castle, which sits in the middle of the St. Lawrence River on Heart Island.

Built by hotel magnate George Boldt as a grand tribute to his wife, Louise, the six-storey castle blends intricate stonework, manicured gardens and opulent interiors that hint at the extravagance of the Gilded Age.

The region’s ties to the water run deep. The Antique Boat Museum, located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, showcases the largest collection of antique and classic boats in North America.

Visitors can learn about boating history in the region and even tour George Boldt’s impressive two-story houseboat, which dates back to 1903.

Speaking to PAX, Folsom acknowledged that some Canadian travellers may feel hesitant about visiting U.S. destinations right now, but she hopes the region’s close connection to Canada helps visitors feel at home.

“Canada’s right there and we consider ourselves one,” she said. “You’ll see Canadian flags alongside U.S. flags wherever you go.”

With its blend of heritage, easy cross-border access and riverside charm, the 1000 Islands region continues to offer travellers an experience that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

“We try really hard to tell that story and to make Canadian visitors feel welcome,” said Folsom.

Harvest season & hospitality in the Finger Lakes

From the island-dotted St. Lawrence, our journey continued south to the Finger Lakes, where terraced vineyards, farm-to-table dining and fall harvest celebrations make the region a hub for culinary tourism.

At the New York Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that highlights the state’s food, beverage and agricultural bounty, educator Maiah Johnson Dunn led our group through a guided tasting featuring local wine, beer and spirits.

We sampled pours from Finger Lakes producers such as Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Prison City Brewing and Iron Smoke Distillery.

“The wine region here is strong but we also have seven master sommeliers who live in Geneva,” said Alicia Quinn, president and CEO of the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, speaking to PAX.

“So it's not just about the grapes and the harvest, but it's how we can teach visitors about wine.”

Later, we toured the Lake House on Canandaigua, a 124-room lakeside property that combines modern design with a sense of warmth and place.

Amenities include a full-service spa, a lakeside pool and hot tub and a network of firepits that come alive at sunset.

At the hotel’s restaurant, Rose Tavern, we enjoyed a seasonal lunch highlighting local ingredients, including herbs grown in the resort’s own garden.

As evening fell, we headed to Ardennes Brewery, a Belgian-inspired craft brewery and kitchen in Geneva, to sample small-batch beers.

While the Finger Lakes’ natural scenery, cultural landmarks and acclaimed food scene all draw visitors, Quinn said what truly sets the region apart is its welcoming, small-town spirit.

“This area really allows you kind of to step back in time with its strong sense of community,” she said.

“It’s so many family-owned businesses and a feeling that everyone is truly your neighbour.”

Quinn noted that the Finger Lakes attract multigenerational families who visit for campgrounds, cottages and lakeside cabins in summer as well as for skiing at Bristol Mountain Resort in winter.

The region is also popular with business travellers, she added.

“We do have a fair amount of meeting space throughout the area, and not just boardrooms or ballroom spaces, but unique venues, like performing arts centres that double as meeting spaces and outdoor meeting spaces,” she said.

Once a favourite destination for Canadians, the Finger Lakes has felt the impact of slower cross-border travel.

“We want to continue to let Canadians know that they’re welcome here and our local businesses rely on them,” Quinn said.

Looking ahead, Quinn said the Finger Lakes is currently enhancing its digital presence and trade partnerships.

“We’re working to be at your service and working on various rate incentives and support with itinerary planning,” Quinn said. “We will always be welcoming to our neighbours to the north.”

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