In a city like New York, there are always things to do and see. For the last few months it was the sun, water, and beaches, but now things are changing as the weather is cooling down somewhat. While Fall doesn’t officially start until September 22nd, here are a few outdoor activities to look forward to this Fall (and some you can even do right now).
1. Brave the crowds and see the Atlantic Antic
Even with the crowds, this event is a staple for those who love street festivals. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people line the streets of Downtown Brooklyn for Atlantic Antic. This festival has hundreds of different vendors and features everything you could imagine including food stands, crafts, live entertainment, and music. This year, the festival will be taking place on September 24th.
2. Visit the Feast of San Gennaro
First originating in 1926 as a religious commemoration, The Feast of San Gennaro has evolved into an 11-day street fair that is visited by thousands upon thousands of people every year. Faith, food, and fun are the names of the game here and there is an almost endless supply of delicious food and drink to taste.This celebration of food and drink (with some entertainment and fun mixed in) takes place in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City and runs from September 14th, 2017 through September 24th, 2017.
3. Take a “Ghosts of New York” walking tour
Fall is a scary time for many as Halloween looms in the distance. However, you don’t need to wait until October 31st to get your fright on in New York City. There are several ghost tours that you can do and the “Ghost of New York” is one of our favorites. These after-dark tours are sure to keep you on your toes the whole time. There are a number of different tours and events you can do and these tours go throughout a wide variety of different neighborhoods including Greenwich Village and West Village.
4. See the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Nothing screams “Halloween” quite like a Jack O’Lantern. Well, except for 7,000 of them. If you have never seen 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins lit up in a variety of shapes, sizes, and formations, you owe it to yourself to check out the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze. This event takes place on 40 different evenings throughout the fall, so there is sure to be a time that will work for you. The illuminated event takes place in Hudson NY but is definitely worth the drive.
5. Get rural at the Queens County Farm Museum
You would think we were crazy if we told you there was a near 50-acre farm museum located in the heart of Queens. However, we’re not crazy, it really exists. The Queens County Farm Museum is a rural escape, right in the big city. This place features restored buildings from numerous centuries, livestock, a greenhouse, farm vehicles, and orchards. This farmland sits within the neighborhoods of Floral Park and Glen Oaks. The farm is open year-round, though many would argue that fall is the perfect time to visit.
6. Visit the Storm King Art Center
While most of the time New Yorkers view art in galleries or museums, this offers up a whole other experience. The Storm King Art Center is an open-air museum that is home to one of the largest collection or contemporary structures in the entire country. The outdoor museum spans a massive 500 acres and there are dozens of large and outstanding pieces to check out. While it is technically located a little bit north of New York City (near Mountainville), this is truly a one of a kind sight and one that is absolutely worth the trip.
7. Check out Photoville
This is definitely one of the most unique experiences/activities on this list. It is one of the premier photo festivals in the country, and it combines outdoor exhibits with modular exhibits out of shipping containers. The event takes place on September 13th-17th and September 21st-24th and features dozens of indoor and outdoor exhibits, food, beer gardens, entertainment, just to name a few. While the event itself is great, the amazing location makes it all the better. This event takes place at the Brooklyn Bridge Park in the Brooklyn Heights neighborhood, a photo-worthy spot.
8. Skate on The Rink
While it might still be a tad too warm to skate today, that will soon change (especially in New York City). Soon (as in October), The Rink at the Rockefeller Center will be overrun by thousands and thousands of people eager to skate on the most famous ice rink in the world. Being that you are only steps from Times Square (and there are a few restaurants at The Rink), there is more to do here than just skate. The rink is located at the Rockefeller Center, which is in the Midtown West neighborhood in the heart of Manhattan
9. You can’t miss the Halloween Dog Parade
What is cuter than a bunch of adorable dogs dressing up in a variety of Halloween costumes? No really, we’re asking because we don’t think there is anything! Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be reserved for the dreams of a dog lover, it is a real thing! Hundreds of dogs will be walked throughout the parade, competing for the eyes of the spectators and thousands of dollars in prizes. The parade takes place on October 21st, 2017 at Tompkins Square Park in East Village, Manhattan.
10. Take a ferry ride
While taking a tour boat can be a fun activity, there is a much more cost-effective option for seeing the city from the water. You can simply take a ferry ride which will let you see the same things as a tour boat (for the most part) and it will be much cheaper than a tour, maybe even free. Two of the best and most popular ferry rides to take is the East River Ferry (which has numerous stops in Lower Manhattan, Greenpoint, and East Village) and the Staten Island Ferry (which has stops in Manhattan and Tompkinsville).
