9 Reasons to Visit NYC in the Fall
Monday is the official start of fall, and in honor of the change of seasons I’m posting my top reasons to visit New York City in autumn. From scenic beauty to fun activities and annual events, here are 9 reasons to visit NYC in the fall:
Please note this post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my Privacy Policy for more information.
1. Leaf Peeping
Break out the sweaters, booties, and scarves, because fall is here and so are the cooler temperatures! After some extremely humid days, New Yorkers are embracing the crisp air. The weather is perfect, and you can spend all day outside without sweating through your clothes or feeling like your nose is about to fall off.
While you’re outside enjoying the cool fall air, go leaf peeping at one of NYC’s beautiful parks. Head to Central Park for a leisurely stroll, taking in the bright oranges, reds, and yellows of the changing foliage. You can’t go wrong wherever you are in the park, but some particularly scenic spots include The Lake, The Ramble, and The Mall (or Literature Walk).
If you’re looking for other areas in the city to go leaf peeping, take a trip to the New York Botanical Gardens. Not only will you get to ogle the beautiful changing foliage, but you can also enjoy live music, beer, and games at their annual fall Blues, Brews, and Botany event.
2. The NYC Marathon
It. Will. Inspire. You. This promotion from last year’s marathon was the most apt marketing I’d ever seen. The NYC Marathon is a behemoth of a race, and watching the runners is inspiring. The hype is real. Over 50,000 people finished the 2018 marathon, and once the race starts it’s an endless sea of runners for miles. There are so many runners that you can’t even cross the street until the race is over.
Marathon day is like a holiday for me. I wake up early to watch the start of the race on TV, then I walk over to First Avenue to watch the elite runners fly by. About an hour later, the hordes of runners begin to show up. We stand and cheer along with our neighbors. Some people have signs, and everyone is shouting encouragement. Every few blocks there are bands or a DJ to hype up the runners. The whole event is an inspiring show of encouragement, determination, and pushing physical limits.
3. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Talk about iconic. If you grew up in the United States, chances are you watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television every year and marveled at the large floating balloons. Well, believe it or not, those balloons are even more impressive in person. Cheer on as your favorite characters, from Snoopy to Pikachu, float down Central Park West, 59th Street, and 6th Avenue on their way home to Macy’s flagship store.
In addition to the iconic balloons there are floats, clowns, and big name performers. Previous years have included performances from Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Barenaked Ladies, and John Legend. If you’re in New York on Thanksgiving, the parade is definitely an experience worth braving the cold for!
4. Outdoor Skating
In mid-October, New York’s premier outdoor skating rinks will open for the season. Lace up those skates and head over to Central Park, Rockefeller Center, or Bryant Park for a day of icy fun. Fall skating is an active way to be outside and take in the city views. The temperatures are milder than in winter, and the holiday crowds haven’t yet descended onto the ice. The rink in Central Park (Wollman Rink) offers the best views, while the rink at Rockefeller is the most iconic. Bryant Park is the only outdoor rink offering free admission (rentals for a fee). Wollman rink and Bryant Park rink are both 17,000 square feet, twice as large as the rink at Rockefeller.
5. Apple (or Pumpkin) Picking
Picking your own apples, pumpkins, or other produce may not be your first thought of things to do in a major city, but New York is home to some incredible urban farms! Visit the Queens County Farm Museum (the city’s largest remaining farm) throughout October for apple picking, a pumpkin patch, and even a corn maze. While there, munch on donuts and sip some warm apple cider while learning about a farm that dates back to the 1600s!
For another unique fall farm experience, head over to Decker Farm in historic Richmond Town on Staten Island for pumpkin picking, hayrides, and your favorite autumnal activities.
Finally, while we’re on the topic of urban farming, consider taking a tour of the truly unique Brooklyn Grange, a series of rooftop farms that total over 5.6 acres and produce over 80,000 lbs of organic vegetables a year. They offer tours of their various locations, as well as farm dinners and other events, throughout the fall season.
6. Sports
Fall is hands down the best time for the sports enthusiast to visit New York. Did you know that New York City has two teams for each of the major US sports? That’s right: 2 MLB teams (Yankees and Mets), 2 NFL teams (Jets and Giants), 2 NHL teams (Islanders and Rangers), and 2 NBA teams (Nets and Knicks). If you time your fall trip right, you could see a game for each sport! In the fall, baseball season is winding down but not yet over, football season is just starting, and hockey and basketball are in preseason! If your bucket list includes cheering on the Mets at Citi Field, eating Nathan’s hot dogs at Yankee Stadium, or watching a sporting event in iconic Madison Square Garden, then fall is the right time for you to visit NYC!
7. Open House NY
For one weekend a year, historic buildings and landmarks that are normally off-limits open their doors to the public. This event is one of the most anticipated weekends of the fall, and tickets go fast! For the full list of sites that will be opening their doors, check out the Open House NY website.
We attended two days of Open House NY in 2019. Read about Day 1 and Day 2 on these posts!
If you’re visiting New York with young children and looking for a more kid friendly open house option, consider attending the FDNY open house! On October 5, 2019, the FDNY will offer tours of fire stations across the city. Pretty much the dream of every kid (or kid at heart!). The FDNY official site has an interactive map of all stations that will be open to the public, as well as opening hours.
8. Oktoberfest
If you can’t make it to Oktoberfest in Germany this year, New York is your second best choice. The New York City Oktoberfest takes place in the historic Seaport District. Sip beer and munch pretzels while enjoying scenic views of the Brooklyn Bridge and New York Harbor. The event is free to attend, but beer and food are available at New York prices. This event is open to children as well, although you must be 21 or older to drink.
9. Boo at the Zoo
Starting in late September, the Bronx Zoo hosts their annual Boo at the Zoo. This event is fun for the whole family. Get lost in a corn maze, enjoy magic shows, pumpkin carvings demos, and Halloween themed arts and crafts. Kids can learn about the environment in an interactive way by visiting the spooky extinct animals graveyard, or they can stack bones to recreate dinosaur skeletons.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot going on in the city over the coming months, and I’m only touching the surface of what makes fall a great time to visit New York City. From the many events to the great weather in which to enjoy them, fall is here in all its glory! What are you looking forward to most this season?
Until next time,
Tamar
