The best time to take a day trip to peep the brightest, most colorful autumn leaves may be this weekend.

The transition to stunning fall colors quickened over the past week and is expected to bring pockets of peak foliage to six of New York State’s 11 vacation regions this weekend, including Allegany State Park in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region.

Joining the Adirondacks, which have already seen some peak conditions, localized peak colors will also pop up in parts of the Capital-Saratoga, Catskills, Central New York and Finger Lakes regions, according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program.

Reports indicate a 55% foliage change and peak at Allegany State Park with mostly yellow and orange leaves, along with some red leaves on maples. Meanwhile, a 75% change and near peak conditions in Little Valley are predicted with bright seasonal colors filling the trees.

At nearby Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua County to the west, volunteer observers predict a 50% change with bridge shades of yellow, gold and orange. To the east, a 50% change is expected for Corning, Hammondsport, Bath and Hornell with brightly colored leaves, mostly yellow and orange.

To the north, a 70% foliage change and near peak is predicted for Springville with red leaves dominating the landscape. A 40% in East Aurora with pops of yellow and orange along with some reds and a 25% change in Buffalo with bright golden yellow leaves and bursts of red from maple trees are expected for this weekend.

Pops of orange and yellow fill the trees at Willoughby Cemetery on Humphrey Road in the town of Great Valley on Wednesday.

Other locations across the state with the most significant changes will include Wilmington, Newcomb, Saranac Lake, Benson and Old Forge (Adirondacks); Stratford and East Nassau (Capital-Saratoga); Colchester, Stamford and Windham (Catskills); Cooperstown and Sharon Springs (Central New York); Cortland (Finger Lakes); Alexandria Bay (Thousand Islands-Seaway); and New Paltz and Kingston (Hudson Valley).

This is the fourth 2026 I LOVE NY Fall Foliage Report for New York state. Reports are obtained from more than 100 volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon. I LOVE NY defines “peak” as the best overall appearance the foliage will have during the season, taking into account color transition, brilliance, and leaf droppage.

The foliage offers a perfect backdrop for New York State’s Path Through History Weekend, happening Oct. 10-12. Historic sites, landmarks and museums across New York will host special events, demonstrations and reenactments that invite visitors to explore the state’s rich and vibrant history. For more information, visit www.iloveny.com/pthweekend.