As Brat Summer fades, we’re ready to embrace Gossip Girl Fall—arguably the best time to be in New York City. From September through November, when the leaves turn burgundy and burnt orange, the city becomes an unmatched autumnal haven. The energetic buzz fills the streets, and every day feels like a runway, with people showcasing their best blazers, jackets, and jeans. Some might even say it’s Manhattan’s most festive season.
Below, HAP editors Britney Eschelman and Megan Shelton share the ten best things to do in New York this fall.
Go Leaf Peeping in Central Park
Straight out of When Harry Met Sally, Central Park in the fall is peak romance and prime for leaf-peeping. New York’s fall foliage game is set to rival even Vermont this year. Explore the North Woods’ 40-acre forest with waterfalls and storybook bridges, admire the bronze and gold cherry trees by the Reservoir, or stroll The Mall under a canopy of American elms—this is where autumn magic happens in the Big Apple.
Indulge in Apple Cider Delights
Salt & Straw just made its NYC debut on the Upper West Side, and their seasonal menu is serving serious fall vibes with the new “Apple Series.” Picture this: Caramel Apple Sherbet swirled with vanilla-kissed caramel ribbons, Green Apple Wasabi Sorbet zinging with fresh apple juice and real wasabi, and Apple Pie vs Pumpkin Pie, where vanilla custard apple pie faces off against pumpkin pie in brown sugar ice cream (the ultimate autumn showdown).
Seek Out the Charming NYC Brownstones Dressed Up for Halloween
Peruse New York City’s enchanting brownstones adorned with spooky décor, which transform historic neighborhoods into festive autumnal spectacles. From the Upper West Side to Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, and the West Village, these charming homes captivate passersby with the Halloween spirit.
See a Beautifully Haunting Candlelit Halloween Concert
Immerse yourself in a hauntingly beautiful Halloween candlelit concert by Fever at the Church of the Heavenly Rest. Featuring eerily elegant performances by the Highline String Quartet, this 60-minute experience brings iconic Halloween music to life with a mesmerizing blend of classical and modern pieces, all illuminated by the glow of thousands of flameless candles.
Spend an Afternoon at The Met Cloisters
Take the A train uptown to Fort Tryon Park to see what makes fall the most magical time of year to stroll about The Met Cloisters. This tranquil museum features medieval art and architecture set against the backdrop of the Hudson River and changing foliage.
Take the Metro-North for a 90-minute train ride to Cold Spring, NY
Just 90 minutes from Grand Central, escape the city for a day in the charming hamlet of Cold Spring. Start with a stack of buttermilk flapjacks at the Foundry Café, then browse vintage finds at Cold Spring Apothecary and DamnAged Vintage. For a little fresh air, stretch your legs on the Washburn Trail and soak in the stunning fall foliage.
Visit Oktoberfest Celebrations
Oktoberfest is the ultimate fall kickoff, and New York’s celebrations don’t disappoint. Head to Stone Street in FiDi, where crowds gather every Saturday from late September to October for German beer, themed eats, stein-holding contests, live music, and games. Also worth checking out: Oktoberfest at Watermark Bar on Pier 15, featuring brats on oversized pretzel buns, and Loreley Beer Garden, serving pumpkin-brewed beer from pumpkin-shaped kegs. It’s a fall-tastic time, to say the least.
Sample the City’s Best Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Local Cafés
Nothing quite screams fall like a PSL. The Pumpkin Pie Latte by Maman is beloved for good reason–it’s crafted with slow-cooked pumpkin purée, a secret spice blend, Parlor Coffee’s “merci” espresso, and maple syrup. Other standouts include a festive latte served in a real mini pumpkin at REMI Flower & Coffee, a decadent $12 rendition at ENLY topped with marshmallow fluff, and the vegan Pumpkin Spice Freddo made with oat milk at A’more Caffe in the East Village.
Explore the Pumpkin Patches Across Four of the Five Boroughs
New Yorkers need not leave the city limits to enjoy a pumpkin patch. Start with Decker Farm on Staten Island within Richmond Town–New York’s only historic village renovation–and enjoy hayrides and corn mazes in addition to pumpkin picking. In Queens, the historic Queens County Farm Museum features a sprawling pumpkin patch alongside seasonal festivals. A visit to Green Meadows Farm in Flatbush or Pumpkin Point on Governor’s Island also makes for a delightful day of autumn fun in picturesque settings.
Watch the Village Halloween Parade
Sure, it might lean a little ‘touristy’ and ‘crowded,’ but we promise—locals and visitors alike can’t resist the fun. Trotting through Greenwich Village on Thursday, October 31, the iconic Halloween Parade returns, with over 50,000 zombies, skeletons, witches, monsters, robots, and cinematic characters taking to the streets. Whether you join the march or watch from the sidelines, it’s absolutely worth checking out.
