Ask New Yorkers about their favorite time of year in their city, and it’s quite likely that you’ll hear autumn as a response. While summer in the Big Apple can be hot and sticky, and winter often requires much bundling up to keep warm, autumn is the perfect balance of sunny days and comfortable temperatures. It’s also a season that offers a great variety of sights and activities to locals and visitors alike!
Enjoy the Fall Foliage
While many people choose to leave the city to see the fall foliage, you can enjoy the beautiful autumn colours without even living NYC. Central Park is home to a wide variety of deciduous trees, including maples, elms, and oaks. Lace up your sneakers and stroll through the park on a sunny day to soak up the gorgeous reds, golds, and oranges. Head to the northern half of the park if you’re looking for a slightly less crowded area. Prospect Park , in the heart of Brooklyn, is a little smaller, but offers more wooded areas, and great running and walking trails for those taking in the gorgeous colours. For a panoramic view of the New York colours in fall, join one of the many sight-seeing cruises that take guests on a foliage tour. The Fall Foliage Schooner Sail invites guests to enjoy a boxed lunch aboard the Schooner Adirondack as it sails up the Hudson River, while the Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on the Yacht Manhattan includes a 3-hour ride that includes a delicious brunch, complimentary cocktail, and stunning views of the city’s colorful foliage.
Get into the Halloween Spirit
If you’re in New York around the end of October, you’ll have the opportunity to check out some of the city’s many Halloween festivities. If you’re in town with kids, head to the Greenbelt Scream Fest & Kiddy Palooza on October 18th. Held on Staten Island, this event includes a corn maze, crafts, face painting, games, and pumpkin decorating. Stick around Staten Island until October 19th, and you can also pay a visit to the Halloween Extravaganza at Outside Conference House Park and enjoy its costume parade, magician, and hay rides. If furry, four-legged animals are more your scene, check out the Pooch Parade and Howl-ween party in Wolfe’s Pond Park. Dress up your pooch and try and one of the best-dressed prizes! The borough of Queens also hosts some terrific Halloween events, such as Harvest Fest and Pumpkin Patch at the Botanical Gardens on October 20th and the Halloween Haunted House at Queens County Farm Museum from October 25th to 27th. Those looking to join in on a parade can put on their best costume and take part in New York’s annual Village Halloween Parade alongside the man dancers and musicians who make up the famous parade. Many of New York’s big attractions, including the Bronx Zoo and Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, also put on special, Halloween-themed activities throughout the month of October.
Festivals and Events
Autumn in NYC is jam-packed with fantastic festivals and events. Foodies should check out the Brooklyn Pour New York Craft Beer Festival, the New York Wine and Food Festival, and the Food Film Festival. Other festivals in autumn include the Brooklyn Book Festival, the New York Comic Con and Anime Festival, and the New York Film Festival. There are also many parades to enjoy, such as the Columbus Day Parade on the second Monday of October, and the Veterans Day Parade on November 11th. However, out of all of NYC’s parades, none is so famous at the world-renowned Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Taking place on the fourth Thursday in November, the Macy’s Parade is the kick-off to the Christmas season, and an event that millions look forward to in anticipation every year.
