Upstate in February

Fall foliage season (late September through mid-October) is spectacular but also peak tourist time. Hotels triple their rates and every scenic road turns into a traffic crawl. Early summer hits the sweet spot — June through August brings warm days, cool nights, and all the outdoor activities without the crowds. May can be muddy from snowmelt, but wildflowers bloom and rates stay low. Winter transforms the region into a legitimate ski destination. Whiteface Mountain hosted Olympic downhill events, and Gore Mountain offers solid intermediate terrain. But many restaurants and attractions close November through April, especially in smaller towns. Here's what locals know — early September combines summer weather with fall colors starting to show. Plus, kids are back in school so tourist families thin out.