An Upstate Trip to Fall in Love With Your Dog

Day by Day

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  Day 1 and 2: Hudson Valley and Catskills

  Kick off your pup-cation in the Hudson Valley, where country towns like Kingston, Hudson, and Woodstock will all be getting in the fall mood. Join in the fun with a stroll around an apple orchard—Wrights Farm in Gardiner lets you pick your own apples and pumpkins through September and October, and your dog can come along for the ride.

  Minnewaska State Park is a must for leaf-peepers (fall foliage peaks around mid-October), and there are crispy fall hikes to suit all doggy fitness levels in the surrounding Catskills. Your dog can hike the trail to Kaaterskill Falls, follow the Ashokan Rail Trail or Catskills Scenic Trail, or get their paws wet at one of the many swimming holes (our faves are the Plattekill Falls and the Blue Hole near Peekamoose). Well-trained pooches can even explore off-leash in parts of the Slide Mountain Wilderness.

  If you tire of the great outdoors, towns like Narrowsburg, Woodstock, Hudson, and Kingston have plenty of cozy cafés where you can warm up your fur babies by the fire.

  Drive time: under two hours from NYC

• Dog-friendly digs in Hudson Valley

  Audrey’s Farmhouse B&B, Wallkill, NY. Dogs are welcomed with open arms and wagging tails at this award-winning B&B. Off-leash roaming is allowed, and there’s no pet surcharge.

  Eastwind Hotel & Bar, Windham, NY. Check your pooch into one of the swish Scandinavian-style rooms or glamping cabins for an extra $50 a night.

  Narrowsburg House in the Woods — this pet-friendly home features 4 acres of woods and a large lawn for furry friends to enjoy. With a grill on the back deck overlooking the quiet forest, this home is sure to help relax anyone overdone on stress.

• Doggy dining in the Hudson Valley

  Red Dot Restaurant & Bar, 321 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534. Hudson’s oldest bar never disappoints on festive decorations and seasonal eats, and they’ll even put a bowl out for your pooch.

  Woodnotes Grille @ Emerson Resort & Spa, 5340 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457. A dog-dining dream with an on-site dog park and a Pup Fare menu that features grass-fed burgers and strip steak. Reservations are essential if you’re bringing your pooch.

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  Day 3 and 4: Lake George/Adirondacks

  Lake George is the ideal springboard for discovering the Adirondacks, and few towns are more dog-friendly. Pick up supplies from The Dog Cabin, head down to the lakeside Dog Beach (next to Million Dollar Beach), or even treat your pup to a sightseeing cruise. Doggy day trips in the Adirondacks are all about getting outdoors. Adventurous hikers can head north to tackle the High Peaks or venture into the surrounding Wilderness Areas, but there are also plenty of paw-worthy day hikes around Lake George. Prospect Mountain and Black Mountain both have dog-approved trails, or challenge yourself to summit Sleeping Beauty Mountain and be rewarded with mouth-watering views over the lake and surrounding peaks.

  Drive time: less than two hours from the middle Hudson Valley

• Dog-friendly digs near Lake George

  Lake George RV Park, 74 State Route 149, Lake George, NY 12845. This dog-welcoming RV park goes the extra mile with dog-friendly RV rentals available and a 2-acre off-leash dog park with an indoor wash station and a pet-treat vending machine.

  Sagamore Resort, 110 Sagamore Road, Bolton Landing, NY 12814. Pampered pups under 30 pounds get the royal treatment at the resort’s ‘Opal Paws’ rooms. Plush beds, bowls, and doggy gift bags are all part of the canine welcome pack, but you pay $75 per dog/night for the privilege.

• Doggy dining near Lake George

  Adirondack Brewery, 33 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845. Cozy up with your furry plus-one around the blazing fire pit at this award-winning brewpub, and pair your burger with a cider or seasonal micro-brew.

  Lake George Beach Club, 3 Lower Montcalm Street, Lake George, NY 12845. The two-level deck affords views of the lake at this waterfront spot, plus staff will bring out a water bowl for four-legged diners.

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  Day 5, 6, & 7: Finger Lakes

  With three days in the Finger Lakes, there’s time for wine tasting, woodland hikes, and lakeside views. Ithaca is our top pick for a dog-hospitable basecamp, with a choice of accommodation options and a great Dog Park where your dog can let off some steam. Hit the trails at the Watkins Glen State Park, where your dog will be as impressed with the views as you are—think forested gorges, gurgling creeks, and steep ravines with cascading waterfalls. Dogs aren’t permitted on the Gorge Trail, but up to two pets are allowed at the park campsites if you want to stay overnight.

  More dog-friendly trails can be found at Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock State Park, and both have spots where your dog can take a swim outside of peak (summer) season.

  Fall is also the ideal time to explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and many wineries welcome dogs—Miles Wine Cellars and Wagner Vineyards are top choices. Adventurous pups can even take to the water. Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises permit dogs on board and run through the end of October.

  Drive time: about four hours from Lake George

• Dog-friendly digs in Finger Lakes

  Firelight Camps, 1150 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850. Just outside Ithaca, these heated glamping tents welcome well-behaved dogs for an additional $25/night charge.

• Doggy Dinning in Finger Lakes

  Ginny Lee Café, 9322 State Route 414, Lodi NY 14860. Along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, this lunchtime venue has dog-friendly tables on the deck where your dog can gaze longingly out over the vineyards.

  Seneca Farms, West Lake Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527. It’s never too cold for homemade ice cream, and this Penn Yan favorite is worth the detour. Indulge in autumn-inspired flavors such as Pumpkin, Apple Crisp, or Cinnamon, and grab a puppy cone for your plus one so he/she doesn’t feel left out.