10 Activities and Events to do this Fall in NYC

BY: EMMA NIECE / STAFF WRITER

With the fall season beginning, it’s time to get in the sweater weather spirit and explore all New York City has to offer this time of the year.

In the most highly populated city in the United States, you can find a new activity at every turn! I’m just here to give you the scoop on some of the most popular events and places to be this time of the year in NYC.

1. Explore The New York Botanical Garden Farmers Market! Through Oct. 18, the NYBG Farmers Market will provide you with a multitude of vendors and bakers along with recipes to try at home every Wednesday.

2. If you’re looking to do some pumpkin picking, The New York Botanical Garden will be providing a “Plethora of Pumpkins” when you walk through the Leon Levy Visitor Center and Garden Grounds entrance, along with pumpkin carving tips and tricks. This pumpkin patch is family-friendly and has an expansive pumpkin selection.

3. The hit sitcom FRIEND’S set replica is available to you in NYC! “The FRIENDS Experience: The One in New York City”, provides an exact replica of some of the hit sitcom's most famous sets, such as Joey and Chandler’s apartment, Monica and Rachel’s apartment, and Central Park, where you can get coffee and take photo ops.

4. Take a stroll through DUMBO where you can spend time in Brooklyn Bridge Park, grab a slice of New York pizza, experience some once-in-a-lifetime art views, go to a flea market or a farmers’ market, and more!

5. If you’re looking to tap into your inner geek, the New York Comic Con is coming to town, lasting from October 12 to October 15. This 4-day event provides guests with multiple autograph and photo ops, sneak peeks at the newest Netflix series, unique collectibles and comics, countless activities (such as Artist Alley, where you can meet the artists behind your favorite comics), and exclusive 2023 NYCC merchandise.

6. On Nov. 23 from “9 a.m..-12 p.m.” The 97th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place with a 2.5-mile stretch of space for viewing spanning from the Upper West Side to Midtown. An estimate of over 3.5 million people visit the parade each year to see live performances. This year, there will be multiple Broadway performances and singing performances, with more events to be released soon.

7. If you’re a runner, the New York City Marathon is coming up on November 5th. An estimated 4 hours and 50 minutes run, you will get to take a windy course through all five boroughs! For something that is less physically taxing, there are multiple half marathons, 10ks, and 5ks through Nov. 25. Visit the link below Upcoming Marathons in New York, NY (runningintheusa.com), to explore the different runs available to you.

8. The New York Film Festival, running from Sep. 29 to Oct. 15, is one of the most popular events to attend in the fall in NYC. This annual festival dates to 1963, where it highlights and markets up-and-coming cinematic works. This year, attendees will witness the 2023 Cannes prizewinners’ works as well as be the first to watch a new short film and multiple drama films.

9. Take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge! This 1.8-mile walk provides you with a view of Lower Manhattan, the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pebble Beach, and Pier 17 Manhattan. If you get hungry along the way, stop to get a hot dog at Sabretts or at any of the other food stands. Upon exiting the bridge, you will find that everything is at your fingertips with some of the most historical monuments in NYC within walking distance, such as the World Trade Center Memorial Foundation along with The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Woolworth building, over 10 parks, the Financial District where the 2008 Financial Crisis took place, City Hall, Chinatown, Little Italy, and more.

10. If you’re looking to bring out your artistic side for a couple of hours, consider taking a graffiti and street art workshop in Brooklyn. With expressive art becoming more appreciated in recent years, this workshop could be a great way to engulf yourself in the artistic culture, giving you a couple of hours to get outside and participate in a family-friendly activity for a reasonable price of about $40 a person!

Whether you want to explore the most historic parts of Manhattan or attend an annual event in the city, New York City offers everything to fulfill your fall needs. In The City That Never Sleeps, no amount of fun is out of reach.