There’s nothing quite like the feeling of crisp autumn air kissing your cheeks as you stroll through New York City’s bustling streets. This is the perfect time of year to grab a pumpkin latte and glide over to the city’s best attractions. You’re sure to find something to put you in an autumn frame of mind whether you’re looking for a spooky event or you love farm-fresh goodies. Here are the best things to do in the autumn in New York City.

Try to Score Tickets to the New York Film Festival

The 56th New York Film Festival will take place from Sept. 28 to Oct. 14 of this year. You can still try to scoop up some tickets to screenings and events. This is a chance to check out the films that will be big this winter and potentially meet some celebrities.

Head to the 2018 NYC Wine and Food Festival

9 West 19th Street

This famous festival allows food lovers to view demonstrations from celebrity chefs like Emeril Lagasse, Giada De Laurentiis, Rachel Ray and more. There are also rooftop parties, fancy dinners and tasting events. The event benefits No Kid Hungry and the Food Bank for New York City.

Go Foliage Watching in Central Park

Fall in love with Central Park all over again. Grab a blanket and a hot pumpkin latte and prepare to spend an afternoon watching the leaves sway in the breeze inside the country’s most famous park. This free activity is a great way to unwind and take some great photos!

See a Performance at the New York City Ballet

20 Lincoln Center Plaza

The fall season is a perfect time to see a moody, haunting performance at the New York City Ballet. Settling into a seat inside the warm theater could be just what you need if the autumn air is stinging your cheeks a bit after a day spent walking around the city. Be sure to grab tickets online in advance if you can.

Have Fun at the Queens County Farm Museum

Little Neck Parkway in Queens

You can have lots of fun inside this farm’s three-acre corn maze! The farm boasts animals and a store with farm-made products. You can also enjoy a pumpkin patch and a haunted Halloween house on certain weekends.

Go Shopping for a Halloween Costume in the City

New York City is home to some of the best costume shops in the world. You’ll find plenty of theater-quality designs and impressive wigs at the stores here. Shoppers can enjoy a mix of new and vintage costume options.

Take a Day Trip to Sleepy Hollow

The real village of Sleepy Hollow is about 45 minutes outside the city by car. “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” author Washington Irving is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. The village hosts a large display of jack-o’-lanterns and tons of fun autumn-themed events.

Hunt for White Truffles

Did you know that the period from September through the end of December is officially truffle season? Many of the finest restaurants throughout the city offer limited-edition dishes in honor of the season. Make a point to search for menus that feature truffles during an autumn visit.

Celebrate Archtober

Do you love buildings? Archtober is an annual festival devoted to architecture and design that takes place every October in the city. The festival features hundreds of events and exhibitions across all five of New York City’s five boroughs.

Explore Open House New York Weekend

Open House New York Weekend 2018 is set to take place between Oct. 12 and Oct. 14. This exciting weekend gives participants peeks behind locked doors of the city and exclusive glimpses at some of the most iconic buildings. Tours, talks and more take place across all five boroughs throughout the weekend.

Head to the Vineyards on Long Island

Why not plan a wine tour just a stone’s throw away from the city? Spots like North Fork are famous for wineries and vineyards. Places like Estate Vineyards, Bedell Cellars and Croteaux Vineyards are especially famous.

Enjoy the Village Halloween Parade

6th Avenue at Canal Street

The 45th Annual Village Halloween Parade takes place on Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. this year. The event features bands, puppets and thousands of New Yorkers. All you have to do is put on a costume and show up!

Attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Take part in an iconic holiday tradition this year. The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a fun way to enjoy the city toward the end of the season. The parade’s path starts at 77th Street and Central Park West.

Tour NYC by Bike

What could be better than seeing hues of orange and red whipping by as you pedal along Manhattan’s bustling streets? Autumn is the perfect time for exploring the city by bike because the weather is typically cool and comfortable. Rentals are available everywhere in the city.

Attend Brooklyn’s 20th Annual Great PUPkin Canine Costume Contest

Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn

This fun event will be held on Oct. 27 this year. Judging begins at 11:30 a.m. at the bottom of the monument stairs. You must register your dog ahead of time if you wish to participate.

Attend the 17th Annual Fort Greene Park Conservancy’s Halloween Fest

Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn

This free event takes place on Oct. 28. Attendees of the festival can enjoy face painting, rides, crafts, games and more. There will also be live music and giveaways.

Attend the New York City Marathon

You don’t have to be a runner to enjoy the New York City Marathon. This world-famous event takes place on Nov. 4. More than 50,000 runners will dash through all five of the city’s boroughs. You can choose a great viewing spot anywhere along the route or right at the finish line in Central Park.

Go Sweater Shopping

The pre-winter season is the perfect time to devote an afternoon to sweater shopping in the Big Apple. You’ll find every designer under the sun here. You can do shopping at a mix of upscale retailers, vintage shops and popular modern retailers.

Get Some Pumpkin Ice Cream

Here’s to scooping up the season’s best treats! You can’t let autumn pass by without savoring a scoop of pumpkin ice cream from one of the city’s famous creameries. The list of spots that offer the best pumpkin ice cream in the city includes Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Sweet Melissa’s, Otto’s and Blue Marble.

Attend New York Comic Con

The Javits Center

2018’s New York City Comic Con will take place from Oct. 4 to Oct. 7. Stars like Mark Ruffalo, Teri Hatcher and Danai Gurira are scheduled to attend this year. In addition, there will be tons of exciting exhibits and events.

Attend the New York Coffee Festival

The Metropolitan Pavilion

Calling all java lovers! The 2018 New York Coffee Festival will take place between Oct. 12 and Oct. 14. Learn from coffee masters and taste unique blends from the coffee lab.

See “Wicked”

The Gershwin Theatre

“Wicked” never goes out of style. Autumn is the perfect time to see a witch-themed classic. The acclaimed play “Wicked” is still enjoying an open run on Broadway.

Tour Some College Campuses

Do you have college on the brain? Any families heading to New York City for a vacation with soon-to-be-graduating teenagers might want to take some time to tour the campuses of the city’s great colleges. New York University, Colombia, Fordham and Julliard are all located in the city.

Attend the 23rd Annual Panamanian Day Parade

Starts at Bergen Street and Franklin Avenue in Crown Heights

This fun cultural event celebrates Panama in the heart of Brooklyn. The parade takes place on Oct. 6. Participants dress in traditional costumes and wave flags. Plan to participate or simply watch.

Watch the Columbus Day Parade

Fifth Avenue

The 2018 Columbus Day Parade takes place on Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find a spot to watch from and have some fun. More than 35,000 people take part in the parade.

Celebrate Diwali at Times Square

46th Street and Broadway

Times Square is the scene of the celebration of this Indian festival of lights on Oct. 13. Attendees dress in traditional Indian attire and celebrate with food and live performances. You can even catch a Bollywood-themed performance!

Have Breakfast With the Animals in Central Park

East 64th Street and 5th Avenue

Families are invited to enjoy breakfast at Central Park Zoo on Oct. 13. Participants will munch on breakfast before walking to the zoo’s red panda exhibit to watch the pandas enjoy their breakfast. Guides will be present to answer questions.

Celebrate Pickle Day

54 Orchard Street

Celebrating Pickle Day is one of the best things to do in New York if you love this briny treat. This famous event on the city’s Lower East Side offers opportunities to try out traditional and exotic pickle vendors from the city. This is a free event that takes place from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Go Trick-or-Treating in the City

Why not spend Halloween in the city and go trick-or-treating if you have young kid? It’s easy to do. You can choose to collect candy in residential neighborhoods full of charming brownstones or visit businesses around the city.

Take Part in THE RIDE in Masquerade

THE RIDE is a famous NYC activity that brings passengers on a 75-minute tour of the city. The tour covers Times Square, Grand Central Terminal, the Chrysler Building, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, 42nd Street, Columbus Circle, Central Park, Carnegie Hall and much more. THE RIDE will have a special masquerade theme in honor of the fall of 2018.

Take an Airplane Tour

If you think New York is incredible on the ground, imagine how awesome it is when you see it on an airplane tour! Seeing the city from above only makes you love it more!

Make your visit to New York unforgettable! Schedule your personalized airplane tour of NYC today! As your safety is our top priority, all of our pilots are FAA certified! Let us show you the best city in the world in a way you never thought possible!

BOOK YOUR TOUR NOW:

Searching Availability…