This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at St. John's chapter.
Waking up to feel 57 degree weather in New York City is like thinking of a warm buttery croissant. Yes, I know we just had a long summer and that was pleasant! However, picture the pumpkin spice lattes, the brown tones, and most importantly, the activities. As hard as it is to get up out of bed with this weather and wanting to be a burrito in your blanket, I’m here to encourage you to get up and enjoy this fall! We are in one of the coolest cities! Here’s a list of things to do this fall in the New York City area that will make you plan outfits for every weekend:
- Go Apple Picking- There are multiple farms and orchards near the city to visit and experience apple picking, which is a fun and rewarding activity you can enjoy with friends and family. There is Apple Ridge Orchards in Warwick, New York, as well as Apple Dave’s. You can also visit Fishkill farms in Hopewell JCT, New York, where you can experience many other activities and taste great apple cider and donuts!
- Go to a Haunted House- Visiting a haunted house in October is by far one of the most exciting and terrifying activities that you can enjoy with friends. In Manhattan, you can visit Blood Manor located on Broadway. Additionally, another option would be A Haunting in Hollis located in Queens, Hollis Ave. It features an actual house with different activities to enjoy with family and friends.
- Visit Six Flags- One of my favorite activities in the fall is going to Fright Fest. Every year, Six Flags creates haunted attractions and scare zones to bring to life a fun and exciting Halloween. When entering the park, you will encounter many staff members trying to scare you so watch out and have fun!
- Go Pumpkin Picking- Being in a pumpkin patch automatically gets you ready for fall. It is an easy and joyful activity to experience with kids, families, and friends. You can visit Green Meadows Farm in Brooklyn and enjoy activities such as pumpkin smash, hayrides, and more. There are also many farms to explore near New York City such as Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard which is an hour away from Manhattan.You also can visit Outhouse Orchards which features a beautiful sunflower field.
- Shop for Halloween Costumes- There’s nothing more exciting than planning your costume for Halloween. Going out with friends, your partner, or your siblings to match costumes and come up with incredible ideas can help you be in a fall mood immediately. Visiting stores in New York City such as Halloween Adventure Shop, Abracadabra, Spirit Halloween, and many more can make it a lot easier to find your perfect costume!
- Visit Central Park- If you’re looking for a great spot to experience the autumn leaves, visiting Central Park is a great idea! While enjoying the view of the city, you can just feel fall in the air. Grab a blanket and go with friends to Central Park. There are many things you can do while being there such as having a nice gathering or picnic while you take in the last few days of nice weather.
- Go to an Outdoor Movie- If you have ever wanted to experience the drive-in or an outdoor movie screening, then this is for you! The Skyline Drive-In, NYC Brooklyn is an amazing and fun place to go with your partner or friends. You can wear something warm and get food the drive-in sells in food trucks! The best part is the stunning view. Additionally, Bryant Park has movie nights as well as Brooklyn Bridge Park.
- Participate In/Watch the Halloween and Thanksgiving Day Parades- Experiencing the parades is amazing and super fun in New York City. The Halloween Parade is happening on October 31st in New York’s village and it will begin at 7:00 p.m and run until 11:00 p.m. You can join and march in the parade, but costumes are mandatory. You also can simply observe and be delighted by everyone’s costumes. Furthermore, the Thanksgiving Parade is happening on November 25th beginning at 9:00 a.m and running until 12:00 p.m. The parade will be marching down to 34th Street to Macy’s Herald Square. It usually starts uptown at 76th St and Central Park. The best thing is, you can also watch it live on TV and start your Thanksgiving morning right!