10 Amazing Things to Do In NYC This Fall |Explore NYC

Fall is finally here and I am finally in my happy place! While I’m not a full-fledged pumpkin spice girl, fall is hands down my favorite season. I love the fall colors, the smell, sweater weather, all things pumpkin and apple, & most importantly the lead up to the holidays. Being an NYC girl I’ve enjoyed fall in the city my entire life and I’m excited the boys are a little bit older and can enjoy the fall activities that I love with me! Check out some of my favorite things to do during fall (with and without kids) in NYC below.

Queens County Farm

This place is the epitome of fall family activities! From the pumpkin patch, to a corn maze, petting zoo and farmers market they have an array of fall activities for families to enjoy every year. We went for the first time last year and RJ loved the pony rides and playing with the other kids in their play area.

The HighLine

The highline is an elevated trail in Manhattan with amazing views. If you’re into greenery, photography, & street art this is a great place to go and see fall foliage. Even better, its free to access so on a day that isn’t too chilly you can go and get some great shots of the city.

New York Comic Con

Geek culture is taking over and NYC is home to the largest pop culture event on the east coast! If you love all things anime, cosplay and just all around geeky, this is the place for you! The city is already alive with characters and comic con just makes the experience even more exciting.

NYC Village Halloween Parade

Probably one of the most colorful and creative parade, people come from all over to participate in this parade on halloween night. This event usually starts in the evening and lasts a few hours so it’s mainly adults but is one of the most attended parades in the city. The 2018 theme for the parade is I am a Robot.

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

Though this is technically not IN NYC, this event is beautiful and close enough for a day trip. With more than 7000 pumpkins carved by volunteers, it is easy to marvel in the wonder of all the illuminations.

Apple Picking

When I was younger apple picking was one of my favorite things to do with my family. I loved having the family time and I loved all the fall apple recipes that came after. Apple pie is STILL my favorite holiday dessert and I could eat it the entire seasons of fall/winter without ever getting tired of it. So many variations!

NYC Wine and Food Festival

I feel like this doesn’t need much explaining because food… wine…. what else is there to even say? But theres a ton of events spread over the entire weekend including parties, tastings and classes. Its foodie paradise!

Blood Manor

Definitely not for the faint at heart. Blood Manor boasts being NYC’s scariest halloween attraction. If you can handle haunted houses Blood Manor is definitely worth a visit. This one is obviously not for kids, but the city is full of not-so-scary halloween attractions worth checking out for little ones as well.

Ice Skating

Bryant Park, Central Park and Rockefeller Center are all home to NYCs most beautiful ice skating rinks. Most of these rinks open to the public in late October and fall is the PERFECT time to go in my opinion. Before it gets TOO cold to enjoy and way way crowded with NYCs holiday tourists.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

I know I said the Halloween parade was amazing but if you know NYC you know this is THE parade of the year. We catch it on tv because we haven’t been bold enough to brave the crowds and by November it’s a little cold here but if you have older kids I’m sure they’d LOVE to be up close to the action. I’ve never been in person either but when the boys get a little older and a little less whiney we’ll be making our way there!