Celebrate Fall in the City!
An inspiration for songwriters, authors and tourists alike, autumn in New York City brings a fresh energy. Entertainment, the arts, museums, sports, shopping, festivals, foodie tours--whatever your interest, you’ll find the best of everything here.
Stroll through the stunning fall foliage of the New York Botanical Garden or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Central Park Tours hourly bike rentals include the latest in hybrid and mountain cycles as well as helmets, locks, and user-friendly maps.
Catch an exciting new season of great performances and events throughout the five boroughs. From classic Broadway shows to spectacular views and fun festivals at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Big Apple has something for everyone! Check out historic Richmond Town and the St. George Theatre on Staten Island. Explore iconic Manhattan landmarks like Lincoln Center, the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, celebrating its 125th birthday in October.
Families have a frighteningly good time at the Bronx Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo,” a favorite annual event. On weekends from Columbus Day (October 6-8) through Halloween, magic shows, spooky stories, costume parades and musical hayrides are mingled with exhibits of spine-tingling creatures like bats, toads and ghost owls. Another favorite fall tradition, the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade on October 31 is one of America's biggest Halloween celebrations.
Take in a cool concert at the Bowery Ballroom or spend an elegant evening at the Metropolitan Opera. Encounter the incredible diversity of the world’s oceans on a visit to Coney Island’s New York Aquarium. See the world’s best tennis players at the US Open Tennis Championship, August 27 to September 9 in Queens.
Along with palatial museums like The Met and the American Museum of Natural History, there are hundreds of art galleries in neighborhoods from Chelsea to Williamsburg. Shopping options range from designer flagships like Barneys on Madison Avenue to the Brooklyn Flea, an outdoor marketplace where hundreds of vendors sell everything from fresh-picked apples and artisan cheeses to vintage jewelry.
Don’t miss the City’s great food! From famous restaurants to food trucks, to fresh NYC Greenmarkets, the autumn harvest inspires a peak season for dining.
A tradition for 86 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off the holiday season with an extravaganza of giant balloons, floats, clowns and marching bands. It’s always held on Thanksgiving Day, which is November 22 in 2012.
While you’re in the area, plan to visit Long Island, the Hudson Valley or The Catskills, all within a short drive or train trip from New York City!
For more fall ideas and information, see New York City’s Culinary, History & Culture, Outdoors and Water listings.
For more information visit: New York City Regional Tourism Office