New York City in the Fall

In my opinion, and many other people, New York City in the fall is when it’s at its finest. We leave for France in a few days, knowing that when we return, it will be fall. The moment the calendar flipped to September, there was a shift in mindset. It used to be back to school that brought that shift, but now I’m not so sure.

A Few of My Favorite Things to Do in the Fall in NYC

Fall in New York City is magical, which is why there are so many songs written about New York in the fall. Even New Yorkers soften at the idea of crunchy leaves, apple cider donuts at the Union Square Green Market, and a walk through Central Park as the fall foliage begins to change. Read this article on Movies in Central Park: Our Favorite Park Locations Made Famous on Film.

A long walk through Central Park

Central Park is beautiful in all the seasons, but fall is especially remarkable. I love to take a walk starting on the Upper East Side. Enter on the east side of The Met at East 86th Street and make your way to Kerbs Boat House, Bethesda Terrace, and then over the Bow Bridge.

You feel like you’re in a Nora Ephron movie! October and November is the best time for views like this. (The Central Park photos were taken last October).

El Dorado & Bethesda Terrace/Fountain

Bow Bridge

Ice Skating in Central Park

Did you know you can go ice skating in Central Park starting October 22nd? There is something so magical about ice skating at Wolman Rink with the New York City skyline as the backdrop. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center starts November 5th this year.

The US Open at Flushing Meadows

It may not officially fall yet, but it feels like fall when the US Open starts in Flushing. We went on opening day. The US Open said attendance was the largest ever for an opening day. You could sense that, but it was still so fun, and we never had a problem getting seats. You could still move around the grounds from larger to smaller courts. We love those small courts where you sit just feet from the court. Grounds tickets allow you to see it all in those first few days at the Open.

I love to see the fashion. Even on opening day, people dressed for the occasion. I saw several young women wearing Sambas with dresses and shorts. And loafers with and without socks were also seen everywhere! Two of my favorite looks! You can see more on the socks and shoe trend in this post.

Other Ideas to see the Change of Colors in the Fall in New York

Bryant Park and Washington Square Park are always places we enjoy in the fall.

A walk over the Brooklyn Bridge has the best views at any time of year. You can see the Statue of Liberty on one side and the entire city behind you. It’s amazing as the trees change color.

A day trip to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx is a must in the fall. Another day trip worth considering is the Hudson Valley. There are several towns accessible by train, but to see a wide variety of the best fall activities, it’s best to have a car.

We also love a day trip to Untermyer Gardens in Yonkers, New York. You can read more in this post. Untermyer Gardens is only a 40-minute train ride from Grand Central Station. It has spectacular views of the Hudson River.

You’ll have to wait for November for the Ginkgo trees to turn golden in New York.

More Sunday Favorites this week:

TerraFlame Wave Fire Bowl

We spend a lot of time on our front porch. It’s always in the shade, and we can watch the sailboats sail by. There’s something incredibly soothing about that. We’ve often joked that the only thing our front porch is missing is a firepit. Then, we discovered the Wave Fire Bowl by TerraFlame and instantly had to get one. 

It’s made of dark stone and filled with river rocks almost identical to the ones we collect on long beach walks. It blends in perfectly with our entire look and feel.

The Wave Fire Bowls have a gel fuel canister on the inside, surrounded by rocks, and with just one strike of a match, it will burn for hours. It’s safe, smokeless, and odor-free and gives us that crackling fire atmosphere that we love.

Madison James Flyaway Sticks from Terrain

I mention these Flyaway Sticks so often because they work. The bees can be annoying right now, but it’s also the nicest time of the year to enjoy the porch and patio. Flyaway Sticks keep the bees away, too; they are safe for you and the bees!

Outfit of the Week

These 90s straight cargo jeans from Madewell are currently 30% off. I’m wearing it with a black Tee and Gucci loafers.

Quice Tote and Apple Watch Band

The leather apple watch band is from Quince. It’s around $30 and comes in a nice box! Perfect for gift giving, it comes in several colors and two sizes. The black leather tote is roomy enough for a travel tote but not too big for every day. I love that it has a laptop sleeve.

The oversized shirt is from GAP. It’s so soft. It comes in petite and tall, too! And it’s on sale.

That’s what I have this week! Next Sunday, we will be in France.

Let’s see what Cindy and Mary Ann found this week!

Cindy Hattersley Design

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