New York in the fall is a spectacular experience. The air is crisp and refreshing. The mood is light. Everyone wraps up in their favorite scarves and sweaters, ready for cooler weather and the holiday season.
Fall is an excellent time to visit NYC. You can walk around the city without working up a sweat. Best of all, some of NYC’s most spectacular events happen to be fall events! If your travels take you to NYC during the autumn months, there are a few places you simply have to go:
1. Central Park
No matter when you plan your trip to NYC, you’ll find this amazing work of landscape architecture waiting for you. Many visitors like to see this famous landmark in the spring, when flowers are in bloom, the trees are green and shady, and the grassy fields are just waiting for picnic baskets and sunbathers.
However, Central Park in the fall possesses a treasure trove of hidden wonders. Walk beneath the golden leaves of American Elms on the Central Park Mall, enjoy the reflection of the fall leaves over the Central Park Lake, and spot fall blooms such as mums in the Conservatory Garden.
2. Illumination NYC Light Art Festival
Attendees to this art festival, which takes place October 7-9, are encouraged to wear light-up costumes and congregate in Brooklyn under the Kosciuszko Bridge. This event is family-friendly which means it is a great way to expose young minds to NYC’s eclectic art scene. Timed tickets will be required for the free event this year, but you can opt for a VIP ticket if you want to skip the lines (and have a couple of drinks included).
3. Village Halloween Parade
On October 31st at 7:00 pm, the annual Village Halloween Parade begins at Spring Street and travels up 6th Avenue to 16th Street. This event is free and open to the public, but a VIP option can ensure you get a great view of the action!
Better still, you can join in by dressing up and showing up on 6th at Canal Street around 6:30 pm.
4. Ice Skating at Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center
As soon as Halloween is over, winter festivities begin at Bryant Park. The ice-skating rink at the park’s famous Winter Village is the city’s only free admission rink. It remains open from October 31st-March 28th and now offers contactless ticketing.
Rockefeller Center opens their ice-skating rink on November 21st and the magic lasts until January 17th. Who hasn’t seen at least one romantic movie or commercial that has the quintessential “skating beneath the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree” scene? A visit to this iconic spot is a must during the late fall season. Just make sure you reserve your tickets and show up on time for your 50-minute slot!
5. New York Comedy Festival
The NY Comedy Festival takes place November 8th-14th. This year’s lineup includes Colin Quinn, Michelle Wolf, Ronny Chieng, Nick Kroll, Brian Regan, Bill Maher, and Michelle Buteau. You can bet they’ll be paying tribute to Norm MacDonald, as well.
One of the best things about this festival is that it takes place all over the city. No matter where you are in NYC, there is a show at a venue near you! Check out the schedule and see what amazing comedy performance will fit in with your itinerary.
6. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
No NYC fall guide is complete without mentioning Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. In addition to providing a day of joy to spectators, Macy’s uses the parade as an opportunity to give back to the community. Their most recent charitable achievements include producing face shields, offering band grants, and donating parade jackets.
Many details for the 2021 parade are still to be announced, but if past years are any indication, you can expect some fantastic performances, floats, and balloons. All you need to do to be part of this spectacular event is show up early and get a good spot along the parade route.
Dress warmly for this November 25th event!
The Concorde Hotel New York is just a few blocks away from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade route. An hour-long subway ride will bring you to the fantastic Illumination NYC Light Art Festival. Rockefeller Plaza is a ten-minute walk from the front door of our hotel.
In short, The Concorde Hotel remains an excellent choice for accommodations during the 2021 NYC fall season—or any season, for that matter. Our central location and luxurious rooms ensure a quiet, convenient trip to NYC.
As for places to see and things to do? Our 24-hour concierge service is here to make sure your trip is memorable.
Book your stay at The Concorde Hotel New York, and enjoy everything that New York in the fall has to offer.