The air is slightly crisp, the leaves are getting crunchy, and October (aka Spooky Szn) is finally upon us. This can only mean one thing… let the fall festivities commence! Every fall activity you’ve been yearning to do since school started is finally coming around, and what better way to begin your autumnal fun than by taking a quick weekend trip to NYC? Rutgers students often forget that the city is just a train ride away and that it is possible to find affordable activities if you look hard enough. That being said, keep reading for some NYC activity inspo that you need in your life this fall.
- FREE Harvest Festival at Randall’s Island Park
-
That’s right, you read that correctly. Randall’s Island Park is hosting its annual harvest festival and admission is free for all. Although Randall’s Island is quite the trek if you’re taking the train into Penn Station, attending the festival is a worthwhile way to kick off your fall season at a low cost. The festival will take place on October 6 at Fields 62 and 63, as well as the Urban Farm. From 12-4pm, you can take in the live music, pumpkin-centric activities, crafts and so much more at this family-friendly event. Round up some friends or family members and plan a weekend full of (free) festivities and utmost autumnal fun!
- Attend the New York Coffee Festival
-
With midterms coming up and the semester cracking down on all the heavy assignments, coffee is sure enough the only thing that will keep you going some nights. The best way to distract yourself from the stress of studying yet still enjoy the delicious taste of coffee is to attend this year’s New York Coffee Festival! The event will take place at the Metropolitan Pavilion this October 11-13, with varying schedules starting as early as 9:30 a.m. depending on which day you attend. A little disclaimer, the tickets are on the pricier side ($30 to be exact), but before you freak out it would be helpful to know that 100% of ticket proceeds go to a charity called Project Waterfall that aims to create safe water conditions in coffee-producing communities. Not to mention, your ticket gives you access to endless amounts of specialty coffee tastings throughout the day. So, if you feel like splurging and treating yourself to an exciting, caffeine-filled day in the city, then this activity is the one for you.
- Do Some (Affordable) Museum Hopping
-
If you’re looking to have a cultured day in the city, consider visiting some of NYC’s finest art museums scattered around the city. Research which exhibits open in the fall that seem appealing to your artistic taste, then grab your girl gang for a lavish day of beautiful artwork. A lot of museums offer student discounts that make it affordable for students to visit as well. If you are a student in the tristate area, admission into the MET is literally however much you choose to give – just show your student ID at the ticket desk to avoid overpaying for your daily dose of culture. The Guggenheim does the same ticketing process on Saturdays between 5-8pm, so already you have two affordable museum options that you can add to your fall city agenda.
- Go Thrifting for Fall Staple Pieces
-
If you’re looking for some affordable fall essentials to spice up your wardrobe, then thrifting is calling your name. The best part about walking through the streets of NYC is that you can always find someone who looks runway ready to use as outfit inspo. Take that inspiration and use it as your style guide for an affordable shopping spree at all of NYC’s finest thrift stores. If you need some guidance as to where to begin your shopping spree, consider checking out Cure Thrift Shop for a trendy selection of fall staple pieces. This quirky shop is a little on the pricier side, but it is a great starting point if you want to window shop and get a feel for which pieces you are really looking for this fall season.
- Enjoy NYC’s Finest Fall Foliage
-
Last but not least, what better way to mark the beginning of fall than to admire some of the city’s prettiest fall sceneries. Sure, you can look at leaves changing color anywhere, but there’s something about being in the city that gives the fall foliage a whole different vibe. My best recommendation to do this is, of course, at Central Park. You can’t go wrong with spending a beautiful autumn afternoon having a picnic in the park with friends while simply taking in the NYC landscape. If you’re not feeling Central Park you can always look into other ones, such as Bryant Park, for a chill day enjoying food in a more bustling fall environment. Whatever you choose to do, you are sure to get in your much needed dose of fall foliage in NYC.
Taking a trip to NYC to begin your fall festivities is probably the best thing you can do for yourself this semester. Seriously, take a break from all of the stress and studying that comes with midterms and treat yourself to an enjoyable city day with your gals. You will thank yourself when you come back feeling refreshed and fulfilled from enjoying a day full of fall festivities!