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New Yorkers agree that fall is absolutely the best time of the year to be alive in the city. Fall started on 22nd September and will end on 21st December this year. With the holiday season just around the corner, the perfect air-conditioner weather and the trees turning different shades of yellow, orange and red; there is something to look forward to every single day in the city. Even as the days get shorter, the list of things to do in fall keeps getting longer. But lucky for you, we have shortlisted some of our favorite things to do from Harvest to Halloween to Ho Ho Ho.
- Walk aimlessly in Upper Manhattan and enjoy the views of brownstones
You can feel the texture of the neighborhood changing, whether you’re walking crosstown or uptown. The beautiful brownstone blocks of the Upper West Side make it feel like a small suburb in the big city. Walk along to experience some of the prettiest streets of Manhattan and the sweetest townhouses. Hint: the photo above was clicked on 81st street between Columbus Ave and Amsterdam Avenue.
- Take the ferry out to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Make way while the sun shine. Enjoy a guided tour of the islands and their respective museums while enjoying breath taking skyline views. Stand on the right side of the ferry to get a close up view of the most powerful symbol of freedom, the statue of Liberty. You can book one by visiting one of the best guided tours in NYC.
- Sunset at Fort Tryon Park
Speaking about the Upper West side, another place worth a visit (specially during fall) is Fort Tryon Park in Upper Manhattan. Enjoy beautify views of the Hudson river from the Linden Terrace, take in fresh air while escaping the hustle and bustle of the big city and watch the sun go down with chirping birds as background score. The Heather Garden, Manhattan’s biggest, contains over 500 varieties of plants and is the perfect place to for photo lovers in fall.
- Start planning Halloween
We know how overwhelming it can be to select the perfect Halloween outfit. Planning ahead of time can help reduce that stress. If you start preparing now, it will be well worth it when you show up in a costume that makes heads turn. The Halloween parade is on October 31st this year and it starts near 6th Avenue and Canal street and ends at 34th street. A must-do if you’re in the city during Halloween.
- Take part in New York Marathon
Be a part of the largest marathon in the world. This year the marathon is being held on 11th Nov and if you haven’t registered for the race, come and cheer the runners as they make their way through the five boroughs of New York City. Each year nearly two million spectators line the course.
- Plan a walking tour on the High line
Oh what a perfect place for people watching or just relaxing. A great place for sunsets to. The High Line is a public park built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side. Come experience art, nature and design. You can book a guided tour on this website.
Central park is always a good idea. But, if nature is your thing then fall is hands down the best time to bike around central park. Get away from the traffic and onto a bike path in the park and watch the leaves turn as you cycle around. There are over 20,000 trees in central park so expect bright shades or orange, red and yellow. Get off that bike, walk over crispy leaves and go lie under an autumn tree. Can I share a top secret? For best photo ops, make your way to bow bridge, the ramble, the pond or the Belvedere castle.
- Visit the Holiday markets
Okay we get it, it’s getting cold. But hear me out because you’ll thank me later for this one. New York comes alive with outdoor holiday markets from Mid November to end of December. OH I hear you, “but I don’t want to shop!!”. Even if you don’t want to shop, these beautiful markets have the most festive ambiance with hot food, hot chocolate and so much more. So bundle up, brave the cold and make your way to one of the outdoor holiday markets. Our personal favorites are the magical looking Bryant park’s winter village, the energetic Union Square holiday market and the small and cozy Columbus Circle holiday market.
- Macy’s balloon inflation celebration
Thanksgiving in New York will not be the same without the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade. However, we prefer the balloon inflation celebration that happens the day before the parade. It is less crowded than the main parade and it’s fun to watch your favorite character come live as you make your way through the balloons at your own pace. The inflation takes place from 3 PM to 10 PM. Arrive later to see some some larger-than-life characters already in shape. You can enter from 72nd and Columbus avenue. The inflation takes place at the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side. Remember: There is no age limit for getting excited about balloons.
- Dyker Heights Christmas lights
Dyker Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn has become a must-do during holiday season. The lights in upper Manhattan are amazing, but they are nothing compared to the houses you’ll see in Dyker Heights. The owners usually start putting up their decoration and lists on the weekend before Thanksgiving. While the hot spot is 11th to 13th Avenues between 83rd and 86th Streets, there are more spectacular houses further out. What to expect? Block after block of twinkling lights, illuminated inflatables, animatronic figures, giant Nutcrackers, and one insanely massive Santa. - BONUS: Beyond New York City
Want to get away from the city but don’t have enough time? Upstate New York has so much to offer. Just a few hours away up in the Catskill you can enjoy activities such as apple picking, a scenic Train ride to enjoy fall colors, zip-lining over the most breath taking views of red, yellow orange trees in Hunter mountain, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze near Sleepy Hallow, a hike to the top of Skytop tower in Mohonk near New Paltz or a quick visit to Bear Mountain for the most spectacular leaf peeking in the Hudson Valley.