Last Updated on August 23, 2025 by Wendy Sy
Autumn’s here, calling for vibrant foliage and cozy vibes. In New York City, there are plenty of fall activities to make the most out of this season.
September, October, and November are the most magical times to visit Manhattan with plenty of fun things to do.
As a longtime New Yorker, I still find that NYC fall activities never get old. Fall always feels fleeting — this golden time between summer and winter is precious and I plan on enjoying it as much as possible!
From Central Park strolls to taking a sightseeing cruise around the Hudson River, or going on a day trip to an apple picking farm, there’s something for everyone.
Whether you live here or plan to visit, this guide will help you find the best fall activities. After experiencing these over the years, I can’t wait to do them again.
So, enjoy a pumpkin spice latte and scroll on to embrace autumn in the Big Apple with these fall events.
The Ultimate List Of Fun NYC Fall Activities
1. New York Botanical Garden | Nature Walk
The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is going all out again this year with a lineup of fun NYC fall activities.
During the autumn months, there will be special events like pumpkin carving days and fall forest weekends.
Van Gogh’s Flowers exhibition (which I recently visited and absolutely love!) is also going on until October 26, 2025.
The peak time for the best fall foliage in New York City is typically late October and early November. The nature scenery feels like you’re seeing the inspiration behind a painting.
P.S. Reserve a table at the Hudson Garden Grill while you’re there. It’s a farm-to-table restaurant that serves dishes inspired by locally-sourced ingredients from places like Hudson Valley farms. The food there is so fresh and delicious.
Find ticket info and admission price for the NYBG here. It’s open from 10 AM to 6 PM from Tuesdays to Sundays.
Address:
The New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd
Bronx, NY 10458
2. Central Park | Fall Foliage
One of the most popular things to do in New York in the fall is visiting Central Park, and for good reason.
Taking a walk there, surrounded by the fall foliage and crisp air, will make you feel like you’re the main character in a movie.
This park is truly one of the best spots in New York to take snapshots of your fall outfits and fall boots.
Be sure to visit the iconic Bow Bridge, The Mall, Bethesda Fountain, and The Pond. You can also venture further uptown to the Conservatory Garden.
Every year when fall rolls around, Central Park hosts activities like walking tours, hikes, lawn bowling, croquet, dances, and more. Check their website for details on dates and times.
This park is the perfect spot to cozy up with a good book, practice creative writing, have an autumn picnic, or spend quality time during your next date.
Address:
Central Park
59th to 110th Street
Manhattan, NY
3. Governors Island | Fall Activities At Pumpkin Point
Celebrate the spooky season and Halloween with pumpkin patches galore at Governors Island.
Their annual fall festivals are free (with suggested donations) and fun for all ages.
Typically, details for their annual pumpkin picking event are announced closer to the date, around late October.
Last year, my boyfriend and I took the ferry over and spent the day there. The event is filled with outdoor activities, and every guest can take home one pumpkin. 🧡
The festival features food trucks from local businesses, where you can get seasonal food and drinks, like pumpkin pie and hot apple cider.
Take a stroll through the historic houses, carve a pumpkin, enjoy live music, and take in all the fall decor.
You can also go for a bike ride (there are some available for rent) to enjoy the autumn day.
Address:
Nolan Park
Governors Island, NY 10004
4. Brooklyn Botanic Garden | NYC Fall Activities
Get your dose of nature at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where you can spend a day taking in the scenic foliage.
Fall’s the perfect time to visit since there are a wide range of classes, from gardening to drawing, tai chi, ceramic planter making, and more.
The last time I went was early October and it was freezing that day. I wore a light jacket and thought it was nice out because it was sunny. So glad there was a gift shop on site, where I found a cozy scarf to wear during my stroll. There, you’ll also find lots of souvenirs made by local artisans.
2025 marks 100 years of its Bonsai Collection. To celebrate a century of these mini trees, there are special tours, exhibits, and workshops you can explore.
Address Entrances:
150 Eastern Parkway
455 Flatbush Avenue
990 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
5. Event Cruises NYC | Fall Foliage Cruise
Another way to celebrate fall in New York City is by taking a scenic cruise.
I’ve taken several sightseeing cruises from Event Cruises NYC and always see the best views.
During autumn, there’s a Fall Foliage Cruise that runs for three and a half hours on the Hudson River. You’ll get panoramic city views and access to the main and sky decks.
This doesn’t have as many food options as their brunch and dinner cruises, but there are some snacks and drinks you can buy onboard.
Tip: Bundle up with layers! Bring a hat and a scarf to keep you warm. I sat in the upper level and was outside the whole time, so it was pretty cold.
Prices range from $59 to $79, depending on the ticket type.
Another city cruise option is Classic Harbor Line. I’ve only tried their summer and holiday cruises (and love them!), but they also have a few fall-themed cruises here.
Departure Address:
Pier 40 at Hudson River Park
6. Lady Mendl’s | Afternoon Tea Salon
You can visit Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon throughout the year, but it’s even more special in the fall.
With the cooler temperatures, all I want is warm tea. And this is one of the prettiest places to get it.
Last October, I visited this whimsical tea salon for the first time on a fall day and it was the best time. It’s located in a Georgian brownstone in Gramercy and is decked out in unique vintage furniture.
This place looks like an eclectic, well-traveled grandma’s home.
The afternoon tea service goes for $89 per person. It comes with a seasonal soup or salad, tea sandwiches, traditional scones, crêpes, and desserts.
You can make reservations up to 30 days in advance. I would highly recommend booking ahead since they can’t always accommodate walk-ins.
It’s truly one of the best NYC fall activities, in my opinion!
Address:
Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon
56 Irving Place
NY, New York 10003
NYC Fall Daytrips
7. Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard | Fall Festival
For the past two years, my family, boyfriend, and I’ve visited Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard. This spot in North Salem, New York, is about an hour’s drive from Manhattan.
Their fall festival is open every weekend during September and October. Just be sure to book your tickets well in advance, as they sell out quickly!
You can go apple picking, stroll through the pumpkin patch, and enjoy food from vendors while listening to live performances.
They also have freshly baked apple cider donuts, a petting zoo with cute farm animals, and other fall-themed activities.
Tickets start at $15 (more info here). There’s also another charge for apple picking bags, which range from $15 to $40 depending on the bag size.
Tip: Bring cash to make it easier to buy goods from local vendors. A store/local coffee shop is also on site and takes credit cards.
Address:
Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road
North Salem, NY 10560
(Free Parking)
8. Dee’s Nursery & Florist | Long Island Fall Festival
Here’s another fun day trip idea: Take a drive to Dee’s Nursery & Florist on Long Island. It’s about an hour and a half by car from Manhattan.
I went a couple of years ago with family and had a great time picking pumpkins and taking in all the fall decor.
The best way to describe this spot is a shoppable garden. It’s not huge, but it’s a definitely a cute spot where you can get fresh flowers and plants.
During the holidays, it’s also one of the best places to get a Christmas tree!
This year, they’ll continue The Dees’ Annual Fall Festival — more details coming soon on their website.
Address:
69 Atlantic Ave
Oceanside, NY 11572
DIY NYC Fall Activities
9. Make Fallen Leaf Scrapbooks
The first time I heard about fallen leaf scrapbooks was at the NYBG. While taking a walk, I stopped by a booth where a staff member showed me a book with leaves inside.
If you love outdoor recreation, scrapbooking, or junk journaling, you’ll love this activity. Not only is it fun to collect leaves and glue them inside a notebook, but doing so also has a lot of benefits.
This activity lets you connect to nature during the fall season more mindfully. Choosing different leaves from the ground allows you to take a deeper notice of the details, color, and shape.
Putting these together helps boost creativity and make memories (especially if you’re putting it together with a loved one).
- To make one, first gather your materials. These include a notebook or paper, scissors, glue, or double-sided tape, heavy books (to press on your leaves), markers, and pens (to write captions for personal notes).
- Then, collect and arrange your leaves on paper before gluing or taping them on. Use the heavy books to set them in place.
- Follow by writing captions or personal notes. For another special touch, add fall stickers!
To preserve them even longer, you can also get your scrapbook laminated.
What Makes Fall Activities So Special?
Fall is literally a refreshing change from summer, breathing new opportunities into the air.
With the cooler temperatures comes vibrant foliage and a chance to switch up your wardrobe.
This time of year is big on the best fall festivals and comfort foods (think hearty meals, pumpkin spice lattes, and apple pie).
It’s also a season of gratitude with Thanksgiving and the holidays around the corner.
What Are The Best Things To Do In New York During Fall?
To make the most of autumn, enjoy all the outdoor NYC fall activities before it starts feeling freezing.
Go on a Central Park walking tour or a fall foliage cruise on the Hudson River.
You can also visit Governors Island during their Pumpkin Point fall festival or dine at Lady Mendl’s, a great place for a cozy afternoon tea.
Here’s to autumn adventures ahead.
More Stories, Right This Way…
- The Best New York Fall Outfits (2025 NYC Style Ideas)
- Best Fall Boots: 6 Trends To Elevate Your Wardrobe
- 10 Whimsical Gifts From New York, Curated By A Local
- The Best Autumn Nail Designs Trending Now In 2025
- 31 Spring Bucket List Ideas To Romanticize Your 2026 - March 2, 2026
- The Best Fall Shoes to Wear With Every Outfit In 2025 - October 19, 2025
- The Most Enchanting Long Island Gardens To Visit - August 6, 2025
