October 2022: The Monthly Round-Up

I know I say this every year, but how is it October 2022 already?!

October has always been one of my favorite months, and not just because it’s my birthday month or because we get to celebrate Halloween. Personally, I love October because I think it’s the best month to experience and enjoy the fall season. It’s not too hot or cold, and it’s that blissful time of year when NYC feels alive and pulsing, but not overwhelmed with crowds like when we hit the holiday season.

There are so many things to do in October, whether it’s getting outdoors for some hiking and leaf peeping, or catching up on culture with all of the theater, music, film, and museum offerings that fall always brings. I love to experience all of it! And yes, that includes the crazy and wacky Halloween experiences that seem to be popping up everywhere now, like a game of whack-a-mole.

In this monthly round-up, I’m going to share with you a bunch of things that I’m loving right now, including my favorite fall fashion finds, the fall trips (near and far) you need to add to your bucket list, and a few other ways you can get the most out of October 2022, and the fall season.

Oh, and in breaking news that nobody asked for but I’m going to share with you anyway, I FINALLY tried a pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks and, you know what? I kinda liked it! I’m not about to become a blogger who is all things pumpkin starting on September 1st, but I get the obsession. It’s a good drink!

Diving Back into Fall Fashion

After almost 2+ years of wearing multiple colored sweatsuits on repeat, I am finally embracing fashion again, and, at least pretending I remember how to get dressed every day, lol. (Does anyone else feel the same post-Covid?)

I went on a bit of a shopping binge this fall, and when I looked at everything I purchased, one thing became abundantly clear: October 2022 is the month and year of stripes, at least for me! I now have enough striped sweaters, sweatshirts, tops, and tees to last me, well, for a very long time. But there are also some other fall fashion trends I’m embracing this year. Take a look below for my top picks!

My Favorite Fall Fashion Finds:

1. How cute is this Halloween-themed sweater from Kiel James Patrick?

2. I’m obsessed with these Nike Daybreak sneakers. I recommend ordering a 1/2 size up.

3. I told you I’m all about the stripes this season, including this Ariel sweater from Shopbop.

4. Also loving this navy and cream striped sweater from H&M.

5. Is there anything cozier than this oversized waffle knit sweater?

6. How cute is this everywhere fleece felt bag from Lulu Lemon? It’s perfect for winter!

7. After 5 straight days of rain I caved and ordered these cute rain boots from J.Crew. Plus, they are having a major 40% off sale right now!

8. Fall calls for a shirt jacket and this one from Anthropologie is perfect.

9. With the way the world is right now, I think we could all use a smiley® face beanie.

10. I love a good pair of high-rise, straight-legged jeans.

11. I’ve been wearing this affordable, rib-knit cardigan from H&M on repeat.

12. How cozy is this oversized vest from Madewell? Even better, it’s made from recycled materials.

13. The ’90s are back with this platform loafer from Stuart Weitzman!

14. I am ready to embrace all the flannel this season, including this windowpane flannel shirt!

Things To Do This Fall in NYC

NYC really comes alive in the fall and October 2022 is no exception! This month is packed with cultural offerings, Halloween events, and fall activities you won’t want to miss! Here are a few of my top picks for the season.

1. The opening of David Geffen Hall, the premier home for the NY Philharmonic at Lincoln Center
2. Check out an Oktoberfest festival. There’s one at the Time Out Market in Dumbo and another at Black Forest Brooklyn.
3. Lightscape at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Starting on November 16th but buy your tickets now because it sold out last year.
4. Explore Greenwood Cemetery After Hours on a walking tour that ends with a visit to the Catacombs, normally closed to the public.
5. We could all use a good laugh now and the NY Comedy Festival always has a great lineup of comedians.
6. The NY Film Festival is back in full swing, with screenings taking place in all 5 boroughs through October 16th.
7. Explore The Amazing Maize Maze at the Queens County Farm Museum

My Favorite Fall Day Trips Outside of NYC in October

I also love taking day trips outside of NYC during the fall. And since I’ll be traveling for the latter half of this month, I’m trying to pack them all in now before I head out of town!

One day trip that is always at the top of my list is apple picking. There are so many great orchards to choose from in the tri-state area. This year, I’m focusing on the dog-friendly orchards because we’re bringing our dog, Archie with us. Thankfully, there are a few to choose from, including Apple Dave’s Orchards and Distillery, Barton Orchards, and Wright’s Farm.

Here are a few other great day trips to take outside of NYC in October 2022, and for those of you who love Halloween, I’ve got you covered with this list! (Also, for a more comprehensive list of fall day trips outside of NYC, check out my post: 5 Great Fall Day Trips from NYC.)

• The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – with two locations this year, the Hudson Valley and Long Island.
• Storm King Arts Center – an open-air museum with one of the largest collections of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the US.
• Beacon, NY – an adorable town on the Eastern bank of the Hudson River, accessible by train from NYC.
• Haunt O’Ween, the famed immersive Halloween event in LA has finally made it to the east coast, in Holmdel NJ.
• For a full-on autumn experience that’s great for the whole family, check out the Fall Festival at the Happy Day Farm in Manalapan NJ.

The Best Places to Travel This October

I think that October is actually one of the best months to travel because the weather is still gorgeous in many parts of the Northern hemisphere and you don’t have to contend with the summer crowds. October 2022 will be a great opportunity to take advantage of deals that many hotels are offering now that the summer high season is over.

If you’re craving a European vacation, I recommend heading to Greece or Portugal. It’s still warm enough to hit the beach but you won’t pay as much as when visiting during the height of summer. You also won’t have any issues getting reservations at popular restaurants or visiting well-known tourist spots. If you’re planning a trip to Greece, make sure to check out my travel guides for Santorini and Milos, for everything you need to know before you book a trip to these Greek Islands.

If you live in the States and want to travel somewhere closer to home, I highly recommend the National Parks out west. Similar to certain iconic destinations in Europe that draw huge crowds in the summertime, tourism slows down at the National Parks in the fall because kids are back in school which means most families aren’t traveling. You’re also likely to have milder weather while you’re there than in the peak summer months.

This summer I went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming and it was incredible! This city is a great launching point for both the Grand Tetons National Park and Yellowstone National Park. (Check out my Jackson Hole Travel Guide if you plan to go.)

And if you’re looking for a more relaxing, beachside locale for a vacation, look no further than Todos Santos, Mexico. My husband and I visited this summer and instantly fell in love with the area, and the Paradero Hotel, where we stayed. It was the perfect long weekend getaway that left us feeling recharged and rejuvenated.

And If You’re a Homebody…

I get it. Not everybody wants to travel. Or maybe it’s not in your budget right now. That’s ok! There are still plenty of things you can enjoy this fall, right from the luxury of your couch.

Cold fall days mean Netflix and chill, right? I recently watched Partner Track, and while I was a bit skeptical at first, I ended up really enjoying the show. It was refreshing to see an Asian American actress as the lead. While much of the series is sudsy and predictable, it’s gone further than many shows in terms of highlighting minority and racial issues in the workplace, which quite honestly, we need more of in today’s shows and movies.

Other Netflix shows on my list include Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story and Hasan Minhaj: The King’s Jester. And I am officially hooked on HBO’s White Lotus. Season 2 is premiering this month. For those of you who can make it off your couch to a movie theater, check out the David Bowie documentary, Moonage daydream.

More of a bookworm? These are the new books I can’t wait to devour:

• Less is Lost, the sequel to Andrew Sean Greer’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Less, which I could not put down.
• Drunk on Love, a steamy romance set at a Napa Winery because my brain can’t focus on much more at the moment.
• Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng, because I’ll read anything she writes.
• Making a Scene is the bold new memoir by actress Constance Wu of Crazy Rich Asians fame.
• The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy, need I say more?
• The Revivalists by Christopher M. Hood – if you were a fan of Station Eleven, you’ll want to read this book set in a post-pandemic world.

What Are Your Plans for October 2022?

While everything in this October 2022 round-up is on my list, I have learned to prioritize what’s most important. The older I get, the more I know that means carving out time to spend with the people I love.

So whether you’ll be out and about enjoying all the fall experiences this season or hanging at home, enjoying a hot cup of tea, and relaxing, most of all, I hope you get to spend time with the people you love. Because ultimately, that’s what it’s all about, right?

Now I’d love to hear from you! What are your plans for October 2022 and beyond? What fall activities are a must-do on your list? And if you’re planning to travel, tell me where you’re headed because I just might have a tip or two to share with you!

Happy fall!