Fall Activities in NYC and Beyond: My Bucket List

 I love fall. And it’s not just because I’m a Libra and my birthday is in October!

More than just a change in the weather, I love the mental shift that comes with this season. It’s as if everything comes back into focus after the hazy days of summer.

In NYC, where I live, there is suddenly a multitude of things to do. It can be overwhelming for sure, but with a little strategic planning, you can get out and explore, and check out all of the fall activities in NYC that are of interest to you.

I won’t be traveling much this season but that’s ok. It just leaves me more time to explore locally and check out some really cool events. Below is my bucket list of fall activities in NYC and beyond that are on my radar.

If you live in the NYC area, I hope this inspires you to enjoy all that the season has to offer.

Fall Activities in NYC

• Feast of San Gennaro – Going on 93 years now, this festival takes over the heart of Little Italy from September 12^th to the 22^nd. I love the carnival-like feeling at this street fair and the churros can’t be beat. It takes place on Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets and live entertainment starts every night at 7:30 pm.
• Atlantic Antic Street Festival – There are plenty of street festivals in NYC but this is one of my favorites. It takes place on Atlantic Avenue, a main thoroughfare in Brooklyn. It starts at Hick Street and ends at 4^th There are great vendors and great people watching, a win-win in my book. This year the street fair takes place on Saturday, September 29^th from 12 pm – 6 pm.
• Take a sailboat ride in NY Harbor – I have done this a few times now and it never gets old. Heading out into NY Harbor on a cool, crisp day, sailing past the Statue of Liberty is something you never forget.
• Night of 1000 Jack O’Lanterns – This has been on my list for a couple of years now. This festival celebrates Jack’O’Lanterns of all kinds and has tons of activities for kids and adults. It takes place on Governor’s Island from October 17^th – 27^th, 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm. You must purchase your ticket in advance online and your ferry ride is included with the purchase of your ticket.

• Brooklyn Crush Wine & Artisinal Food Festival – Did somebody say wine? I love a good wine and food festival and this one is one of the best. This year it takes place on November 9^th, 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm, at Industry City. Tickets range from $55 – $120.
• Open House New York – Do you ever get curious about how other people live in NYC? Or what some of NYC’s most iconic buildings look like inside? Well this is your chance to find out. During Open House NY, which takes place the weekend of October 18^th – 20^th, you have the opportunity to explore hundreds of sites across the 5 boroughs. The full lineup for this year will be revealed on October 1^st.
• Gowanus Open Studios – Want to see how local NYC artists create their work and where it happens? Then Gowanus Open Studios is an event for you. On Saturday October 19^th and Sunday, October 20th, you can spend the day touring artists’ studios and talk to them at length about their work. Even better, the event is free!
• Watch a Film at the NY Film Festival – Yes, there is the iconic NY Film Festival, one of the longest-running film festivals, which is chock full of incredible films to see and star-studded screenings. But a much smaller festival that is also on my radar this season is the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival. Now that I’m doing more to educate myself about the environment and what we can do to fight climate change, I am excited to see a few films at this festival.
• The Big Chocolate Show – Can you really go wrong when chocolate is involved? This event spans over an entire weekend at the Resorts World Casino in Queens and is chock full of tastings, demonstrations, samples, book signings, classes and more. If you’re into chocolate, this event is a must.
• Affordable Art Fair – You don’t need to be in the market to buy art to enjoy this event. It takes place twice a year, in the fall and spring and gives you the opportunity to browse thousands of pieces of contemporary art. This season, it’s at the Metropolitan Pavilion in NYC from September 26^th – September 29^th.
• Brooklyn Book Festival – If you’re a bibliophile like me, then you’ll want to put this event on your calendar. The festival spans a full week, September 16^th – September 23^rd and is primarily free.

Related: My favorite local spots in Brooklyn.

Fall Activities Beyond NYC

 The great thing about NYC is there are also tons of things to do in the surrounding area. I am not traveling much this fall but I definitely plan to squeeze in a few day trips. These are the ones that are at the top of my list:

• Beacon, NY – Jump on a Metro-North train or your car and head up to Beacon for the day. Visit the world-renowned Dia:Beacon art museum and then take a casual stroll down Main Street, which has a quintessential small-town feel. There are plenty of shops to explore and cafes to stave off your hunger. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also rent a kayak and paddle around the Hudson River, and for beer lovers, check out the Hudson Valley Brewery.
• Storm King Art Center – (How do you get there) This outdoor sculpture park is really one of a kind. With over x acres to explore, you can get your workout in while you gaze at incredible pieces of art. Pack a picnic and enjoy a leisurely day outside, where nature and art converge.
• Apple Picking at Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard – There are plenty of farms to head to in New Jersey, Upstate NY, and Long Island for apple picking. Personally, I like going to the Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard because you can pick out pumpkins as well as apples and they have tons of activities on the weekends that are great for kids and adults.
• Take a hike to admire the fall foliage – There are so many great hiking trails in NY State. The only questions are how far do you want to travel to get to a trail, and how much walking do you want to do? Some of my favorite trails which you can do as a day trip from NYC are Breakneck Ridge and the Overlook Mountain Trail just outside of Woodstock.
• The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – This is another great event celebrating Jack O’lanterns. (Because let’s be honest…it’s the season!) I’m excited to check out this event in Croton on Hudson, New York.

Related: My travel guide for a weekend in the Catskills.

Which Fall Activities in NYC Are You Looking Forward Too?

If you live in the NYC area, (or plan to visit!), I hope this list helps you make some fun plans for the fall.

Remember, you don’t have to travel far to explore. There can be great things to do in your own backyard, and as this fall bucket list illustrates, that’s exactly what I’ll be doing this season.

Now I’d love to hear from you!

What fall activities are you looking forward to in your hometown? Please share in the comments below.