New York, New York is a fabled city of dreams. Considered the epicenter of American multiculturalism, New York City brings together the best of tourism, scenery, and choice. Today we will share with you some pretty fun things to do in NYC this Fall!
Unfortunately, since New York City has taken a considerable hit since COVID-19 infiltrated its borders, most of its iconic spots and activities have been suspended through the summer. However, it’s still possible to plan a fall trip for this year that blends the timelessness of tourist spots with the eclectic spirit of its hidden gems. We’re gonna show you some fun things to do in NYC this Fall!
Formerly known as New Amsterdam, the city we now know as New York was initially settled on the Hudson River by the Dutch in 1624. Forty years later, the English took over and gave the city the name we know and love today: New York.
It is perhaps most famously known as the “gateway to America,” as the city saw a massive influx of immigrants between 1892 and 1954.
Because of this fact, it’s estimated that up to 40% of Americans can trace their lineage back to this group of immigrants who entered the country via Ellis Island, which could arguably be America’s most famous border stop.
New York’s rich cultural history has cemented its status as one of America’s must-see cities.
But for those unfamiliar with its geographical and social landscape, it might be overwhelming to dive in and navigate.
Fortunately, we’re here today to provide you with a list of sites you’ll visit during your time in ‘The Big Apple.’
These might look like pretty touristy spots to go, far from a “behind the scenes” experience at first glance, but we always tweak the experience into a memorable and unique one!
So, keep on reading and check out a few fun things to do in NYC this fall, with our “behind the scenes NYC juice” to top it off:
Taking Broadway to another level with a Meet & Greet experience!
There’s no business, like show business, baby!
Any American who can carry a tune has heard of Broadway; its world-class theater productions draw millions of international visitors each year.
Many of its iconic shows and songs have woven their way into the cultural fabric and lexicon. Broadway itself is the name of the street where most of those theater companies made their home in the early 1900’s, a time when the height of the Industrial Revolution ushered in massive public transportation shifts.
New York’s new subway system made getting around the city far easier, and with it came the popularization of live theater entertainment.
Nowadays, Broadway’s definition has expanded to include all streets between 42nd Street and 53rd Street in Midtown and is appropriately named the Theater District.
While there was a downturn in demand for theater productions during the Great Depression, Broadway would soon rise again.
There’s several acclaimed Broadway shows in production this fall, and anyone who wants to get an authentic taste of the city would be wise to buy a ticket to see one of these shows.
If you’re new to the theater world, consider The Lion King.
Not only is the story familiar thanks to Disney’s hit 1994 animated film, but it’s also the highest-grossing Broadway show of all time, raking in over $2 million every week.
That’s $1.4 billion in total since the beginning of its run! If you’re looking for a brief account of American history with a modern-day twist, then we recommend Hamilton, one of the most popular shows to hit Broadway in years.
If you’d like to see this show but aren’t too keen on shelling out $150 for a ticket, you can enter a digital lottery to win one for $10.
Now, for our “behind the scenes NYC juice”! Watching a Broadway show is definitely an amazing experience, but we can make it priceless with a pre-dinner with the stars and a backstage meet & greet after the show!
How about that for a memorable experience, huh?! Definitely one of the highlights of fun thing to do in NYC next Fall!
Central Park and all its secrets!
If New York is America’s most famous city, then Central Park is America’s most famous park.
The New York State Legislature set aside 750 acres of central land on Manhattan Island for park development on July 21, 1853. Central Park would become America’s first and largest public park and kicked off the urban park movement that would continue to spread throughout the country in the coming decades.
Those lobbying for the construction of the park argued that a big public park would contribute to the collective benefit of both society and public health. Their reasoning struck a chord, as nowadays America boasts over 53 national parks and 6600 state parks. Smaller public parks are estimated to double or triple the last number.
If you think all there is to do in Central Park is walk around, think again. You can fish for bass, explore Belvedere Castle, take in the floral scenery at the Conservatory Garden, and catch some Shakespearean theater if you’re so inclined.
What makes Central Park so amazing is that there’s something for everyone here.
Want to spread a blanket out on the Big Lawn and bask in the sun? You can do that–just don’t forget your prescription sunglasses (it gets pretty bright out there!).
Would you rather experience all the romance of a gondola ride without making a trip to Venice, Italy? Well, you can do that too on Central Park’s lake. If you’re new to the city, you have to make your way to America’s most beautiful and most memorable park before you go.
And still, let us organize a beautiful full picnic for you and your friend’s or loved ones! We’ll take care of everything from setting it up, to cleaning it all, when you’re done! It’s one of the fun outdoor activities you never thought about doing in New York.
Last, but not least, you can also sign up and experience the Secret of Central Park Walking Tour! So fun and you’ll learn even more, and explore a couple more off-the-beaten-path areas.
The Secret NYC Underground!
Perhaps, though, these tourist destinations aren’t your cup of tea – even though we added our unique twist. So here are some secret and fun things to do in NYC this Fall.
If this is the case, rest assured you’re in the right place to explore and discover a trove of establishments that generally fly under the radar.
New York City is teeming with cocktail bars and live music hubs that can give you a taste of the undercurrent of the city’s culture.
Peachy’s Cocktail Bar has an impressive set of house rules that accosts every visitor before entry: NO FIGHTING, NO PHOTOS. Indeed, in today’s picture-perfect world, a bar like Peachy’s is an excellent place to relax with a drink and unplug. Located at 5 Doyers Street in Chinatown, this chic speakeasy-like lounge is under Chinese Tuxedo – a restaurant we love!!
But the phone-free element is not the only part of its unique vibe. Peachy’s cocktail bar dons some seriously fresh tiger-print wallpaper, intricate floral arrangements, and myriad flickering candles that all work together to create a funky yet beautifully understated mood.
Its most famous drink comes with complementary blue algae, but don’t worry. Not only are these algae safe for consumption, but it’s flavored with pineapple to conjure up childhood memories of blue Fun Dip. Talk about a sweet spot!
Are you looking for a laugh? Then, check out Live @ The Apt.
What began as a three-person venture out of a 5th floor apartment has evolved into a comedy club with multiple locations across the city. Known as one of the hottest modern comedy clubs, Live @ The Apt has featured some of today’s most prominent, up-and-coming comedians, including Hannibal Buress, Hasan Minhaj, and Phoebe Robinson.
Live @ The Apt also partners with Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels’ Above Average Network to bring you the best on comedy production. They’ve also expanded their shows to national tours and branded content campaigns.
You won’t be disappointed if you make a trip to Live at The Apt. Just remember to bring your funny bone with you.
The list of things to do in NYC this Fall doesn’t stop here. But, we’d be here all day if we wanted to dig into all the uniquely incredible activities you could do in New York City.
However, know that it’s always good to keep your street smarts about you while you’re navigating the city.
We also have some travel recommendations for out-of-towners, and you can see the 16 Things NO ONE EVER Tells You About NYC.
Some additional tips include:
- never getting into an unmarked cab (all yellow NYC cabs feature their driver’s medallion number on their taxi light),
- sticking to well-lit, populated streets,
- offering to panhandlers valuables like subway cards or food instead of money,
- and keeping your wallet on you and within reach at all times (gotta watch out for those pickpockets).
So, we hope you’ve learned a little bit about our beautiful city today. We hope that you’ll get the chance to see it for yourself someday.
Photo Credits: ©Behind the Scenes NYC and courtesy of Andrae Ricketts on Unsplash
