Fall Toolkit

We’re closely tracking a set of emerging, data-backed travel trends to ensure the Adirondacks are positioned in line with how and why people are choosing to travel in 2026. These insights are actively shaping how we market the region, align experiences, and connect with evolving visitor interests:

• Travelers are already looking to the Adirondacks for fall. Priceline recently ranked the Adirondacks the #1 fall foliage destination in the U.S. for 2026, based on hotel search data from U.S. travelers for October trips. The ranking reinforces what travelers are looking for in fall: beautiful scenery paired with outdoor experiences, scenic drives, small towns, and seasonal activities. For the Adirondacks, the opportunity is to build on that interest and encourage visitors to experience more of the region and extend their idea of fall beyond peak foliage. Source: Priceline’s Top Fall Foliage Destinations for 2026 - Travel + Leisure
• Food is becoming a reason to travel, not just part of the trip. American Express calls it “Snackpacking,” with 89% of Millennial and Gen Z travelers saying it’s important to leave room in their itinerary for local snacks. Fall in the Adirondacks is a natural fit, giving visitors the opportunity to pair foliage and outdoor recreation with farmers markets, harvest flavors, seasonal menus, the Adirondack Cuisine Trails, local producers, farm visits, and craft beverages along the way. Source: American Express 2026 Global Travel Trends Report
• Off-season travel is gaining appeal. Building on the slow travel trend we focused on this summer, more travelers are looking beyond peak periods for fewer crowds, better value, and a slower pace. Booking.com reports that 42% of travelers plan to travel outside peak season. For the Adirondacks, late October and November offer a quieter getaway for visitors looking for space, relaxation, nature, local dining, and time to slow down. With fewer attractions and outdoor recreation experiences available, the opportunity is less about a packed itinerary and more about embracing the quieter experience. Source: Booking.com research on peak-season travel

Interested in more? Visit page 24 of our Destination Marketing & Management Plan for more trends to watch.

Be sure to check back as more info will be added regularly.

Looking ahead, here are key dates and opportunities to keep on your radar as you plan for the upcoming season. These moments present strong opportunities to align promotions, packages, and experiences with expected visitor demand:

• Labor Day / Labour Day Weekend: September 5–7. One of the strongest drive-travel weekends of the year and the symbolic close of summer. Promote three-night stays, "one last summer" framing, and early fall preview content. Encourage guests to arrive on Thursday to make travel easier and extend the weekend. (Observed in the U.S. and Canada.) 
• NYS Free Fishing Weekend: September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day). Residents and visitors can fish without a license during New York’s Free Fishing Days. All other fishing regulations apply. 
  • Bonus: September 26 is also the Harvest Moon, giving visitors another reason to make a full day and night of their Adirondack fall experience.
• WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series: October 2–4. Both the Cross-Country and Downhill World Cups will be decided at the Lake Placid Olympic Sites this year. With nearly 17,500 attendees in 2025, this event draws a passionate, travel-ready audience with a love for mountain biking. Promote bike-friendly amenities and proximity to the action. "Extend your stay" messaging could turn a spectator weekend into a multi-day mountain biking trip.
• Path Through History Weekend: October 10-12. Statewide weekend highlighting New York’s heritage through tours, exhibits, and cultural experiences. To participate, contact your ROOST representative. 
• Canadian Thanksgiving / Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day Weekend: October 10–12. All three align for a key fall travel weekend on both sides of the border. Promote extended stays, foliage getaways, scenic drives, seasonal events, and harvest experiences. The weekend also coincides with New York’s Path Through History Weekend.
• Halloween: October 31. With Halloween falling on a Saturday, there’s an opportunity to build around the weekend. For families, The Wild Center will offer free admission for Community Day and a final chance to see TROLLS: Save the Humans. For couples and adults traveling without kids, think themed dining, seasonal cocktails, live music, events, and lodging packages for a fall weekend getaway.
• Veterans Day / NYS Free Fishing Day: November 11. Messaging should be respectful and community-centered. A strong moment for businesses to offer veteran discounts or acknowledge the day meaningfully.
• Thanksgiving Weekend: November 26–29. A long weekend centered on connection, from family gatherings to Friendsgiving getaways. Lean into cozy stays, Thanksgiving dining, quiet scenic escapes, and time together. For retailers, it’s also the start of the holiday shopping season and an opportunity to promote unique gifts and shop-small messaging.

Canadian travel to the U.S. continued to move in a positive direction in July. While travel has not yet returned to previous levels, the continued movement is encouraging for a drive-market destination like the Adirondacks.

As we look toward fall, check out our Canadian Toolkit for resources to help your business connect with Canadian visitors, including:

• Canadian holiday dates to help time packages, promotions, and outreach around key travel periods.
• Latest research and travel insights to help understand the Canadian market.
• Free promotional opportunities through I LOVE NY. Submit Canadian-focused packages and promotions through ROOST, and we’ll share relevant offers with I LOVE NY for consideration as part of their fall Canada marketing efforts.
• Bilingual welcome materials and simple ideas to help Canadian guests feel welcome.
• Event and package submissions to help get your business and experiences in front of travelers planning an Adirondack getaway.

Canadian visitors have long been an important part of the Adirondacks, and while there is still a ways to go, there are opportunities for businesses to stay visible, welcoming, and ready for those choosing to visit.

View the complete Canadian Toolkit 

Make sure your listing reflects what makes your business stand apart. Swap out summer imagery for fall visuals that showcase the season, from colorful foliage and scenic views to cozy dining, seasonal experiences, local shopping, and outdoor adventures. Choose photos that feel authentic to your business and give visitors a sense of what they can experience this fall.

Action: Contact Crystal Lyons at crystal@roostadk.com to update your listings with fresh fall photos and current information.

• Highlight what’s new or seasonal, including menus, unique inventory, events, and experiences.
• Confirm amenities and features, such as indoor and outdoor seating, accessibility, family-friendly options, and other seasonal offerings.
• Make sure booking, reservation, and contact links are current.

Visitors rely heavily on Google and mobile search while they’re in-market. If your hours are wrong, you’re losing business.

Action: Audit and update your hours across all platforms, especially Google.

• Keep your Google Business Profile hours current, including holidays and event days
• Clearly communicate kitchen hours, last seating, or tour times
• Reflect rainy-day or weather-dependent adjustments
• Highlight extended hours where applicable

Resource: How to update Google Business Profile hours. 

From fall festivals and harvest events to seasonal dining, outdoor adventures, and special packages, fall offers plenty of reasons to explore the Adirondacks. Make sure visitors can find what your business has to offer.

Action: Add your events and submit your packages and promotions for FREE to be included in our fall marketing efforts.

Use social media to show visitors what they can experience at your business this fall. Help answer the question: why stop or stay here, and what can they expect when they do?

Think beyond your business on its own. Show how a visit can be part of a full day or longer trip by connecting what you offer with nearby activities, attractions, communities, and seasonal experiences. Visitors build itineraries, not single stops, and telling that broader story can help encourage more exploration throughout the region.

• Fall foliage, scenic drives, hiking, and outdoor recreation
• Seasonal menus, local flavors, cozy dining, and fall drinks
• Harvest events, farmers' markets, live music, and community events
• Shopping, local products, and unique finds
• Family-friendly activities and seasonal traditions
• Scenic views, crisp fall mornings, and quieter moments

Action: Use the images and links below to support your fall content, link to your region’s fall landing pages to help visitors plan their trip, and connect with regional social channels when appropriate. Need additional photos? Reach out to your regional representative.