Traveling from central PA to see Upper New York State late in September. We like small towns, gardens and arboretums, art museums and ice cream. We like blue highways.

Check out Saratoga Springs.

Skaneateles is a charming small town.

Most of the Finger Lakes has what you're seeking.

How upper? People in New York City, think everything north of the Bronx, is upstate.

No - Westchester isn;t upstate either - definitely a suburb. Anything north of that is upstate.

The Adirondacks are beautiful. You can travel up the Thruway to Lake George, Saratoga, Schroon Lake, Lake Placid, etc.

Agree that the Finger lakes offer much of what you're looking for.

North Creek with Gore mountain, great whitewater rafting, hiking, good food and lakes. Close to Bolton Landing with beautiful lake George.

Actually I live downtown and anything north of 14th Street is upstate.

You might consider the 1000 Islands region. Sacket's Harbor is a lovely small town. There is a battlefield from the War of 1812, small shops, cute restaurants, and beautiful old homes. Clayton has an antique boat museum. In Alexandria Bay, you could take a boat tour of the 1000 Islands (Uncle Sam's Boat tours is a main tour operator), visit Boldt Castle, explore the shops, etc.

These towns are all fairly close to one another. I believe Sacket's Harbor to Alex Bay would be less than 45 min, with Clayton in the middle. If you have passports, you can cross the 1000 Islands bridge and explore Gananoque, Ontario for the day.

Many thanks for many really good responses including the debate about what is Upper New York State.

If I said "upper New York State" I would be talking about the Adirondacks or 1000 Islands. "Upstate" is a much broader category. I also agree with the suggestion of the Finger lakes. Does your interest in growing things extend to vineyards? There's a lot of that too. We have driven through on our way to other places, but it's high on my list of places to spend a long autumn weekend.

Danielle, you brought back so many memories with your post about 1000 Islands and Gananoque. I was there as a kid with my parents and loved it so much.

I've always wanted to go back. I will be in New England and the Adirondacks this fall - maybe I will tack on 1000 Islands to the trip!

There is no place called "upper New York State." There is upstate NY, central NY, western NY, and northern NY. New York is bigger geographically than you might think. What part of the state are you thinking about visiting?

Gee, Buffalo has all those things.