A very popular destination for travelers from all over the world, New York or the “Big Apple” is bustling in each of the seasons, but slightly less crowded by tourists in Autumn. It’s unfortunate because this is one of THE best times of year to explore this amazing city. To convince you, here are 8 reasons to visit New York this autumn or as our US friends call it “fall”…
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #1 – To take advantage of reduced rates and special offers
The first advantage of visiting New York in autumn is that airfare and accommodation are less expensive. After the busy summer season ends and the busy holiday season is still a ways off, you can find fantastic deals to visit New York City. When compared to the busier spring, summer, and winter seasons, the months of September through November see less visitors. Knowing this will allow you to take advantage of discounts and special offers and if you use a luggage shipping service you can save even more on excess baggage fees from your shopping trips.
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #2- To admire the fall colours of Central Park
New York City may seem less hectic in the off-season, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reasons to visit. Indian summer arrives in North America in September and October, bringing with it a burst of vibrant foliage colour. This amazing show is one of the best things about autumn in New York City. Central Park, particularly the southern half of the park around the Bow Bridge, is the best place to see the full variety of autumn colours. Autumn at Central Park is particularly beautiful when viewed from the park’s largest bridge and reflecting in the lake.
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #3 – To celebrate Halloween
If you want to celebrate Halloween in all its American finest, then New York City is the place to be. The traditional Village Halloween Parade (that is to say, the Halloween parade of Greenwich Village) is a great reason to visit New York in autumn. The celebrations on October 31st in New York are on an unparalleled scale so, if you like spectacular decorations, terrifying costumes, and trick-or-treating, fly to Big Apple to experience the most monstrous Halloween party of your life!
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #4- To enjoy Thanksgiving and Black Friday
The American harvest season also includes Thanksgiving, the pinnacle of family gatherings. Since it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November (which falls on the 23rd this year), the date of Thanksgiving moves from year to year. The Macy’s department store parade, also known as the Macy’s Parade, is the day’s most anticipated event in New York. It’s an event that no self-respecting New Yorker would dare miss, whether they go in person or tune in on NBC. For those who live for shopping, the day following Thanksgiving is another must-go. New York City retailers, like those across the country, have amazing discounts for Black Friday. In the United States, Black Friday marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, and many people use the opportunity to get a head start on their holiday shopping. At the end of November, New York begins to deck the halls and light up the city in preparation for the holiday season. You’ll feel ready for a Christmas in New York, but you’ll encounter far fewer tourists and crowds than in the month of December.
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #5- To soak in culture and sport events
As its moniker suggests, “the city that never sleeps” (New York) is far from dormant come October. The opposite is true: New York’s museum exhibits see a surge of revitalization during this time of year. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art both regularly host new exhibitions that you can enjoy during your stay. You can also see a Broadway production or a jazz concert in a Greenwich Village bar, and explore New York’s street art in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and the Lower East Side. If you’re more of a sports lover, you should know that the NBA and NHL both begin their seasons in the fall. Attending a season opener is one of the five best things about visiting New York in the fall.
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #6 – To see new shows and old on Broadway
New York City is full of hidden gems, and the Theatre District and beyond are no exceptions. The tried-and-true hits of Broadway will, of course, still be playing this season. The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, and The Lion King have all been on Broadway for decades, but you can still catch them if you haven’t yet. Once you’ve found a show (or multiple) that you want to make time for in between other events and strolling through Central Park.
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #7 – To celebrate the Feast of San Gennaro
The annual Feast of San Gennaro celebration includes parades, live music, and, of course, exquisite food (there is even a cannoli eating contest!) The Feast of San Gennaro honors the Patron Saint of Naples, Italy, and is a religious holiday, but its lively atmosphere, wonderful food, and colourful processions are what make it so well-known. A red, white, and green party with celebrity guests, live music, and a cannoli eating contest takes over Little Italy for 11 days. Little Italy hosts the festival from September 14-24.
Reasons To Visit New York This Autumn #8 – To drink endless caffeine at the NY Coffee Festival
The sixth annual New York City Coffee Festival will take place on October 6-8, filling the Metropolitan Pavilion for the duration of the event. Unlimited tastings and presentations from local and national brands in the coffee, tea, and chocolate industries are among the many other activities that will be available during the course of the three-day event. Parlor Coffee, Blueberry Roasters, Rishi Tea, Matcha Direct, De’Longhi, Bodum, Oatly, Raaka Chocolate, Aeropress, and many more have all confirmed their participation. The Lab is an instructive and entertaining program for coffee lovers that includes seminars, talks, tastings, a cocktail masterclass, a latte art tournament, and even a coffee art competition.