New York City is notorious for its bright lights and big-city buzz, but it’s also a beautiful spot to visit during the fall. The crisp air and colorful autumn trees bring a coolness to the city you can only experience during fall.
Whether it’s your first time visiting the Big Apple or your twentieth, these eight fall must-dos are for everyone to check out.
- See The Fall Colors At Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Forget Central Park – the Botanic Center is where it’s at. Filled with green-turned-red and orange maple, sumac, dogwoods, and oak trees, you can check out the fall foliage at the Japanese Garden and smell the roses in the Rose Garden. You can also experience a true fall festival in the heart of the city with their Harvest Homecoming Festival, complete with hayrides and apple cider.
- Skate At The Rink In Rockefeller
This winter activity actually begins in October in this city! The Rink in Rockefeller opens around the middle of October to make sure visitors and locals can get the most out of the seasons. Rent your ice skates directly from the center, and once you’re done grab a hot cocoa or hot apple cider for the ultimate fall experience.
- Explore NYC’s Haunted History On A Ghost Tour
Is it really fall if you don’t go on a ghost tour? You may not initially think of New York City as haunted, but rumor has it you can find a ghost or two once the sun goes down. St. Paul’s Chapel is said to have a headless ghost in residence, the Hotel Chelsea is the perfect place for a spooky story, and even the Empire State Building is said to have the ghosts of past suicide jumpers roaming the building. To experience a professional ghost tour, click here.
- Participate In The Village Halloween Parade
From a special theme to a Grand Marshall, this parade is everything Halloween. Come in your best-themed costume to join in on the parade and have fun with the band, dancers, puppets, and more! Then afterward join in with the after-party and have a scary good time with friends new and old.
- Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition, so why not make it a tradition to see it in person? Held in Manhattan and lasting about three hours long, this annual parade is filled with huge balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from all over the country, guest artists, and last but not least, Santa in his sleigh.
- Marvel At The Lanterns At Jack O’Lantern Blaze
One of the Tri-State area’s most epic fall festival, this event is held in Hudson Valley and filled to the brim with – you guessed it – Jack O’Lanterns. Make your way through thousands of elaborately detailed pumpkins, and make sure to check out the Pumpkin Carousel twirl and the Pumpkin Windmill whirl and step inside the Pumpkin Planetarium for a star show like you’ve never seen. It’s a unique way to experience part of New York City you may not have before.
- Have Fun At The Atlantic Antic Street Festival
This festival is one of the oldest and largest street festivals in Brooklyn, New York. Atlantic Avenue is filled with food carts, art and crafts booths, performances, and live music as community members from all over come and enjoy themselves and explore other cultures.
- Bike Across The Brooklyn Bridge from New York City
Grab a bike rental from one of the cities many shops and get pedaling! This activity is fun andaccomplishing, and lets you get a view of the city that the locals do. Biking in fall means the weather is almost always perfect (so maybe you won’t even break a sweat!) Make sure to explore Brooklyn before heading back!
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