10 Things to do in New York City in the Fall

One of the best times of year to visit New York is autumn. The city glows with a special light and the temperatures are still pleasant for outdoor activities. In this article, I'll tell you all about the things you can do in New York in autumn for a unique experience.

Contrary to popular belief, the most popular sport in the United States is not the NBA but American football. Tickets for NFL games sell out months in advance, so attending an event is one of the most exclusive and exciting experiences you can have during a trip to New York in autumn.

If you want to include an American football game during your holiday, whether because you love the sport or because you want to experience the madness and atmosphere that American football creates in New York, you're in luck because the regular season runs from September to December.

Who plays American football in New York?

The NFL teams in the city are the New York Giants and the New York Jets. Interestingly, both teams share the same stadium, playing at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, located just 30 minutes west of Manhattan.

How to buy NFL tickets in New York?

There are two options for buying American football tickets: at the stadium box office or online. Given the high demand for NFL tickets, in my experience, I recommend buying tickets online before you travel, as they tend to sell out quickly.

The key is to buy them as soon as possible so they don't sell out and to get the best seats in the stadium at a cheaper price. In my opinion, this is the easiest, safest and fastest option.

If you want to know more about this sport, in my article How to watch an American football game in New York, I tell you everything you need to know to get your American football tickets at the best price, which seats to choose in the stadium, how the league works and much more. Don't miss it!

Contemplating urban nature and the changing colours of the trees is one of my favourite things to do in New York in autumn. As soon as the landscape begins to turn ochre, orange and red, the streets of the Big Apple take on a special charm.

What's more, as the temperatures are still pleasant in autumn, it's even more enjoyable to take long walks in search of nature's most beautiful side to immortalise that explosion of colours in a unique photo report.

One thing I love about autumn in New York is that the city has more than fifty parks where native species that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world abound. Taking a stroll through the urban forests, you can come across some real natural treasures. Here are just a few of them:

Central Park

At this time of year, the city's most popular park takes on a special beauty. You can lose yourself on its paths covered with colourful leaves taking photos, hire a bicycle or take a private bike taxi tour with a professional guide to explore the park's most iconic spots in the autumn light.

Battery Park

Located in southern Manhattan, it is one of the oldest parks in New York. It has the best view of the Statue of Liberty and is a quiet place to go for a walk, surrounded by luxury buildings and food trucks where you can eat outdoors.

Bryant Park

This is one of New Yorkers' favourite parks, created for relaxation in the heart of nature. From late October to December, you can ice skate at The Rink, a free skating rink. In addition, between September and October, guided tours are organised by the NYC Audubon platform to learn about the incredible diversity of birds in Bryant Park.

Prospect Park

In Brooklyn, we find this huge park that many travellers are unaware of, with areas of intact native flora. It is a beautiful place to take a walk, play sports or have a picnic. On Sundays between April and October, Smorgasburg is held, a gastronomic event where you can try countless dishes. A foodie's paradise!

High Line Park

High Line Park is a beautiful elevated garden built on old railway tracks that run from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards. In autumn, the park's vegetation transforms and gives way to an explosion of colours. If you want to know more about this modern garden, take a look at my article 10 things to do and see on New York's High Line

There are also tours of High Line Park where a local guide organises the best walks and takes you to its privileged viewpoint.

Speaking of nature, another highly recommended visit in New York in autumn is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which will fill your senses with colours, scents and serenity.

Founded in 1910, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is part of Prospect Park and is located in the historic Park Slope neighbourhood, just a few steps from the Brooklyn Museum.

With such a great location, my advice is to take a morning to explore this area of New York to see the traditional brownstones of this neighbourhood, the Art Deco-style Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Museum, one of the best museums in New York with valuable collections of antiques and American art.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a space filled with lawns where you can relax on the grass, paint, read a book, or lose yourself in a peaceful environment while observing the different species of plants and flowers that are grown here, such as peonies, tulips, orchids, cherry trees, and cacti, among others.

What to see in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden?

It has different ecosystems that vary with the changing seasons, but there are permanent exhibits that can be visited all year round. Some of the most notable are:

Is admission to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden free?

Yes, on Fridays, admission is free before 12 noon. In winter (December to February), admission is free every weekday.

Along with the 4th of July and Thanksgiving, Halloween is one of the celebrations that Americans enjoy with the most excitement. You can really feel it if you spend your autumn holidays in New York.

This holiday is celebrated in style in the city, and from mid-September to 31 October, the Big Apple is decked out with typical decorations such as ghosts, witches, spider webs and skeletons so that New Yorkers and tourists alike can enjoy a terrifyingly fun experience.

If your trip to New York coincides with Halloween, get your costume ready because you'll want to hit the streets to soak up the authentic Halloween spirit. In addition, there are many activities organised in connection with this holiday. Some examples are:

Night of the 1000 Jack O'Lanterns

Super fun! During the nights of October, Governors Island hosts a traditional jack-o'lantern tour where you can walk among hundreds of illuminated pumpkins carved with animals, faces of famous characters and objects to create a spooky and unique effect in the dark.

Spooky Garden Pumpkin at the New York Botanical Garden

Until 31 October, visitors can enjoy the garden's spooky makeover, decorated with pumpkins, scarecrows, skeletons and other typical characters. There is also a special programme for families, including night-time activities and costume parties.

Boo at the Zoo

From 28 September until the weekend after Halloween, the Bronx Zoo is organising a full calendar of activities for a spooky time, from costume parades and craft fairs for children to a Halloween-themed beer festival called Bootoberfest for adults.

Halloween Parade at Coney Island

Although beach season is over at Coney Island by this time of year, Halloween takes over with a parade and costume contest, traditional trick-or-treating, and children's face-painting workshops, among many other things.

Halloween decorations

Most shops and homes begin decorating in late September or early October. It's fascinating to walk around the streets of New York and see the care with which New Yorkers decorate everything. Some great places to see this are the West Village and the Upper West Side, as well as Chelsea Market and Rockefeller Centre.

Village Halloween Parade

This parade is a party! Thousands of people dressed in fun and ingenious costumes gather on the night of 31 October to march down Sixth Avenue, while bands liven up the atmosphere. Participation in the parade is free, but costumes are mandatory. It starts at 7 p.m. and ends on 16th Street around 11 p.m.

Whatever time of year you visit New York, a trip to a Broadway musical, the mecca of New York theatre, is a must.

Towards the end of October, coinciding with Halloween, you can take advantage of the spooky atmosphere that envelops the city to attend a performance of The Lion King or Wicked, two shows that are currently running and whose themes of mystery, intrigue and supernatural staging make them very appropriate for this time of year.

Both are two of Broadway's most critically and publicly acclaimed musicals, so tickets tend to sell out quickly. If you want to see a Broadway musical during your autumn getaway to New York, my advice is to buy your tickets online before you travel, as some shows are in high demand, theatres fill up quickly and the box office soon puts up the Sold Out sign.

How to buy tickets for a Broadway musical?

From experience, I advise you to buy tickets online as far in advance as possible to ensure you get the best seats on the date you want and at a better price than at the box office, where you'll also save yourself from having to wait in endless queues. For me, this is the easiest, fastest and safest option.

If you are passionate about theatre and want to know more about Broadway musicals, I recommend reading my article The 10 Best Broadway Musicals in New York, where I review the best musicals of the season and answer frequently asked questions about getting tickets, among other things.

When you were planning your itinerary for your autumn trip to New York, you may not have thought about adding a day trip outside the city to see other parts of the United States, as there is so much to see and do in the Big Apple.

However, spending a day of your holiday on a trip to Boston is a great idea in my opinion, as you will have the opportunity to visit the birthplace of the American Revolution and one of the oldest cities in the country, founded in 1630 by British settlers.

What's more, during this season the temperatures are mild with sunny days, making it the ideal weather for going on an excursion and enjoying all the tourist attractions with fewer crowds and more peace and quiet than in other months of the year.

What is the day trip to Boston like?

The great thing about this organised trip to Boston is that it takes you to and from downtown New York on the same day, so you don't have to worry about how to get there, which can be quite an odyssey.

Boston is about 350 km from New York, and you'll have a journey of approximately 4 hours along the Connecticut coast ahead of you, which will seem shorter thanks to the minivan's Wi-Fi and the beautiful scenery along the way.

What to see in Boston in autumn?

During this time of year, the entire state of Massachusetts offers beautiful views, and its capital is a good example of this. The autumn colours transform the landscape of Boston's avenues and squares, giving it a romantic look that is perfect for a beautiful photo report.

On this day trip to Boston, you will visit MIT and Harvard University with a guide, take a guided tour of the city centre, walk the Freedom Trail and enjoy a gastronomic experience at Quincy Market, the city's oldest market (1800).

What I like about this excursion is that the group also has free time to have lunch and visit some places on their own, such as Harvard Yard, Widener Library, or Trinity Church, among others.

It may happen that during your autumn getaway to New York, the day dawns a little chilly and your body asks you to spend less time outdoors than usual. In these cases, a good idea might be to take a gastronomic tour of the city's food halls.

New York is known for its endless gastronomic possibilities, but finding a place to eat can be a bit overwhelming for a newcomer, especially if you are travelling in a group and everyone wants to go to a different place. All of New York's most touristy spots have a food hall nearby.

Canal Street Market

Located in Chinatown (265 Canal Street), this food hall specialises in Asian food and has several food stalls offering a wide variety of dishes for less than £15. You can eat there or order takeaway for a picnic in Columbus Park. I recommend visiting Boba Guys, a café that serves fantastic bubble tea with very original flavours.

Chelsea Market

This is the city's most famous food hall, located in the Meatpacking District next to High Line Park (75 9th Ave). In this former biscuit factory where Oreos were born, there are plenty of options for eating: noodles, sushi, tacos, pasta or seafood (the market's speciality).

Plaza Food Hall

Located in the basement of the Plaza Hotel (1 W 59th St.), it has a bakery, pastry shop and bar/restaurant where you can buy different products (noodles, dim sum, pizza, crepes, cupcakes, etc.). You can eat here at one of the tables or bars or order takeaway to enjoy a picnic in nearby Central Park.

Eataly

Located in Madison Square Park (200 5th Ave), this is the temple of Italian cuisine in New York. Here you can try all kinds of cheeses, cold cuts, pizzas, pastas and high-quality meats at reasonable prices. My advice is to go to this market early to get a table, as it is very popular.

Hudson Eats

Located in the World Financial Centre, inside the Brookfield Place shopping centre (230 Vesey St). This is a huge food hall with a wide variety of culinary offerings adapted to modern tastes: sushi, bagels, tuna burgers, tacos, sandwiches and, if you still have room, some artisan cupcakes.

Little Spain Market

Located in Hudson Yards (10 Hudson Yards), the new trendy neighbourhood in Midtown next to the Hudson River. It is a gastronomic space dedicated to the flavours of traditional Spanish cuisine by renowned chef José Andrés and the Adriá brothers. The best of Spanish cuisine outside Spain is here!

Along with Christmas, Thanksgiving is one of the most family-oriented traditions in the United States. If your trip to New York in the autumn coincides with this national holiday, you're probably wondering what activities you can do on that day if most establishments are closed.

Don't worry, because New York is known as "the city that never sleeps" and even on a public holiday there is always something entertaining for tourists to do, even on Thanksgiving. Here are some suggestions!

Attend the Macy's Day Parade

To start the morning, there is the classic Macy's Day Parade, a three-hour parade that this famous department store has been organising since 1924. It starts at 9 a.m. next to the Natural History Museum and runs through downtown to Macy's in Herald Square.

It's a perfect family outing that children will love, with lots of floats, orchestras, dancers and giant balloons. In addition, some Broadway musicals are performed in Herald Square before the parade arrives at Macy's.

Thousands of people come to see it every year, so if you want to find a good spot, you'll have to get up early. At 6 a.m., many New Yorkers begin to take their places so they don't miss a single detail of the show. Although there are seats and bleachers along the route, these are reserved for Macy's employees, and other spectators have to watch standing up.

Other activities for Thanksgiving

Since most establishments are closed on this day, my advice is to plan activities for Thanksgiving that don't depend on a schedule, such as walking through Central Park, crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on foot, strolling down Fifth Avenue, visiting Grand Central Station...

Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast

On such a special day, you can't miss the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. You've probably seen it a thousand times in films and TV series, but now you have the opportunity to experience it on American soil.

In New York, dinner starts early, around 6 p.m. Although many shops are closed, there are also restaurants that are open, so you can enjoy a delicious feast.

In order to reserve a table as soon as possible, my advice is to do a quick search on the Internet and, if you are interested in a particular restaurant, check their website to see if they are open on Thanksgiving Day and what menu they will be serving. Typically, dinner consists of roast turkey accompanied by mashed potatoes, cornbread, cranberry sauce, gravy, and delicious pumpkin pie.

Thanksgiving menus are usually fixed-price and slightly more expensive than regular menus, but when you're on holiday in New York in the autumn, it's an experience worth having at least once in your life, don't you think?

Take advantage of the Black Friday sales!

The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year, when shops offer spectacular discounts. It's definitely a good time to go shopping in New York and bring home those souvenirs you've been wanting.

Black Friday is a day of big discounts, queues and crowds. Many people take advantage of this date to buy Christmas gifts, so I recommend going straight for the gift you've been waiting for.

Shopping in New York is a great plan. If shop windows are a magnet for you and you're a bargain hunter, don't miss the articles The Best Outlets in New York and The 10 Best Things to Buy in New York, where you'll find ideas for shopping and gifts to buy.

If you're visiting New York in autumn and fancy doing something different and fun, be sure to visit Madame Tussauds, one of the most popular attractions in Times Square, which has earned its reputation thanks to its hyper-realistic wax figures.

Madame Tussauds may not be the first museum on your list of museums to visit in New York, but I can assure you that it will be one of the places where you will have the most fun. It certainly was for me! What's more, it's a place where children will have a blast, which is a plus if you're travelling to the city with your family.

I never thought that the wax museum in New York would surprise me so much, but I have to say that its fame is well deserved. Not only because the sculptures at Madame Tussauds look so much like the celebrities they represent, but also because you can interact with them in the different settings and even take home a sensational souvenir album of your visit.

If you want to visit the wax museum in New York, I recommend you take a look at my article Tickets for Madame Tussauds in New York, where I tell you how to get tickets, everything you can see at the museum and several interesting facts about the wax figures.

Exploring New York in autumn on foot is always a pleasure, but seeing the immensity of this city from a bird's eye view is one of those experiences you should have at least once in your life.

We all know that the Big Apple's skyline is a spectacle in itself. There are several ways to see New York from above, and each one shows a different side of the city.

Take a stroll through the New York sky

Can you imagine flying through the sky in a helicopter at over 200 kilometres per hour? Taking a helicopter ride over New York is one of the experiences you must have during your trip to New York in autumn. Get ready to fly over the Big Apple and admire the city's magnificent skyscrapers from above. Impressive!

I have created a comparison table of the different itineraries so you can choose the one you like best.

Ride the Roosevelt Tramway

The Roosevelt Island Tramway isn't one of the most popular tourist attractions among travellers visiting New York, but it has a lot of charm and offers magnificent views of the city. What's more, it's a very inexpensive ride because you only need a Metrocard to get on, the same card you use to travel by bus or underground.

If you want to learn more about the New York cable car, I recommend reading the article How to ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway, where I tell you all about this great unknown to mass tourism and everything you can do on Roosevelt Island.

Viewpoints and observatories

Many of New York's iconic buildings have viewpoints and observatories for visitors to enjoy. I have also created a comparison table so that you can see at a glance the major differences between these engineering marvels: