New York City in the Fall

In my opinion, and in the opinion of many other people, New York City in the fall is when it’s at its finest. This year we have a wedding. Our daughter, Madeline, will be married in mid-October, and guests will be coming from all over the world, and this is what they will see!

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 are the best time for views like this.

El Dorado & Bethesda Terrace/Fountain

Bow Bridge

Ice Skating in Central Park

Did you know you can go ice skating in Central Park starting in October? There is something so magical about ice skating at Wollman Rink with the New York City skyline as the backdrop. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center opens in late October/early November. Dates have not yet been announced.

The US Open at Flushing Meadows

It may not officially fall, but it feels like fall when the US Open starts in Flushing. We went on day two this year. 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. Some 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 about the socks-and-shoes trend in this post.

This year, though, the popular shoe for men and women was the Onitsuka Tiger.

Shops and stoops all over Manhattan & Brooklyn are decorated for fall

John Derian

A visit to the John Derian shop feels like stepping into an immersive world — his own studio creations mingle with vintage linens, quirky candles, stationery, furniture, homeware, dishes, and ceramics. You can read more about this shop here: A Visit to the John Derian Company in NYC: A Holiday Must-See.

Stoops, buildings and courtyards transformed for October

A walk through any neighborhood from the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, to the West Village and Brooklyn, and you’ll see stoops and apartment buildings transformed for fall.

Union Square Greenmarket

Park Avenue

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.