PREPARING FOR A NEW SEASON: FALL IN NYC

Published: September 19th, 2018

The start of a new season in New York City is upon us!

The days get shorter, the air gets crisper, and you can begin to feel a sense of newness starting to emerge. Something as simple as taking a walk through central park or window shopping down fifth avenue turns into something more magical. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowds, it would be hard not to notice the start of something special. With the leaves changing color and the smell of pumpkin spice in the air, the start of fall in New York brings with it a whole list of things to do.

FASHION WEEK

There’s one sure sign that Fall in “the big apple” has started and that is the arrival of Fashion Week. Fashion Week brings all the top designers, from Tory Burch and Tom Ford to Christian Siriano, to NYC to showcase their upcoming collections. So if fashion is your thing, get yourself camera ready, put your best face forward and do your best runway walk down the streets and you might just spot some designers, models, and magazine editors walking around. While not all the shows are open to the public, the ones that are will make you feel inspired and may also put you in the mood to shop; it’s a good thing New York has some of the best shopping! Between the shows and exhibits, you are bound to be in a fashion state of mind.

 

 

SAN GENNARO

Another New York tradition is The Feast of San Gennaro. The feast takes place every year in Little Italy. This year the feast will be held from September 13, 2018 through September 23, 2018. The Feast of San Gennaro is basically a big celebration of Italian culture. Sample the best of what Little Italy has to offer and listen to some classic Italian hits while walking along Mulberry Street. Watch as the parade floats fill the streets and get a preview of the statue of San Gennaro. If you’re brave enough, you can even take part in the annual cannoli eating competiton. It’s 11 days of fun, food, music, and culture…what’s not to love! Just be ready for the food induced coma that will follow.

When people think of New York and all it has to offer, their mind usually goes in a few directions. The towering skyscrapers, the bright billboards in Times Square, and the oh so vibrant NYC locals. Well, I’m here to tell you that there is so much more than just the craziness of Manhattan that makes up the “city that never sleeps.”

 

GOVERNORS ISLAND

As much as we all love summer, weather in the fall is ideal for outdoor activities. In fact, it’s the perfect time to explore Governor’s Island. If you’re looking for a sweet escape, then here’s why this unique spot should be on your NYC bucket list. Governor’s Island is an island located in the center of New York Harbor that offers photo worthy views of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. This 172 acre island is filled with activities. Bring a blanket and pack some food to have a picnic or rent some bikes and explore the island, no matter what you choose, there’s something for everyone. If you’re looking for something to do on a Friday night, Governor’s Island is offering “Late Friday’s” until September 14^th where you can enjoy cocktails, outdoor bars and cafes, and movies until 10pm.

Governor’s Island holds various events throughout the year ranging from art and music festivals, their version of Octoberfest known as Octfest, and kayaking just to name a few.

 

Now that we’ve covered September, let’s talk about October. October officially kicks off the holiday season with Halloween. If you happen to find yourself in NYC on October 31^st, then head over to Greenwich Village for the annual Halloween parade. Dress to impress in your best costume and actually walk in the parade or watch it on TV from the comfort of your bed. If you scare easily, then don’t worry. The parade isn’t meant to be frightening, it’s meant to be a celebration.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING

The holiday spirit continues through the whole month with the opening of the Winter Village at Bryant Park on October 27, 2018. Every year Bryant Park creates its Winter Village that features pop up holiday markets and boutiques where you can get everything from hot chocolate, delicious treats, to beautiful gifts for yourself or loved ones. The main attraction of the Winter Village is the ice skating rink that is placed in the center of Bryant Park. The best part is that it’s free admission! This 17,000 square foot rink also features shows and special events that will put you in the holiday spirit before the holiday even begins. It might even get you excited for the cold weather that will soon be coming. This year it opens on October 27, 2018 and will be open through January 2, 2019. Bryant Park’s Winter Village is perfect for a chilly afternoon, so head over and grab a cup of hot chocolate and walk through this winter wonderland right here in New York City.

 

 

Finally, it’s November in NYC and the fall season is coming to an end. November is the month that the city begins to truly transform for the holidays. It starts off with the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The parade features floats and balloons of all kinds. Along with guest appearances and amazing performances, you won’t regret going. Stores start to decorate their windows for the holiday so if you’re considering visiting New York, taking a tour of the store windows is a must. To make things even better, most of the stores are located right near the hotel! Here’s a list of just a few of must see store windows: Bloomingdales, Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, and Macy’s Herald Square.

 

 

ROCKEFELLER TREE LIGHTING

One of the most iconic and beloved New York traditions is the lighting of the tree in Rockefeller. Come see the tree light up the night with the thousands of lights that are wrapped around it. This year it’s set to light for the first time on November 28, 2018. It goes without saying, this is an absolute must see when coming to New York.

There you have it, a complete guide to NYC in the Fall. Next time you find yourself in an empire state of mind and decide to visit New York, be sure to check out some of the noteworthy places mentioned above!

Happy Fall Everyone!

 

Author:  Irene Cuccaro