An All-Borough Guide to Autumn in NYC

It’s the time of year again when you may begin to feel a chill in the air and notice some leaves dropping at your feet. Summer is ending and the autumn season is right around the corner, but in New York City, the fun has just begun! When fall begins in the city, New York comes alive with a whole host of events, festivals, sports, and of course the brilliant colors of the changing leaves. There are even plenty of harvest celebrations despite the city’s status as a concrete jungle!

However you choose to curate your fall adventure in New York City, consider letting New York Habitat be your bridge to the Big Apple with our selection of quality furnished apartments and vacation rentals to enhance your experience! When you choose a furnished apartment to serve as your accommodation in the city, you gain a unique insight to the way true New Yorkers live—each apartment has its own personality woven into the fabric of the city’s neighborhoods. Plus, if you need any assistance during your stay, you’ll be connected with a licensed real estate agent to help you. Brush up on rental tips and then get ready for the most memorable autumn of your life!

NYC’s fall colors from every angle

One of the most unique and essential activities for fall in New York is to take a crisp autumn stroll through the city’s breathtaking foliage! New York is adored by locals and tourists alike for its abundance of parks and natural space throughout all five boroughs of the city.

For the best in each borough, plan a visit to these parks:

• Central Park and Riverside Park, Manhattan: Central Park earns its status as the most famous park in NYC during the fall, when the 843-acre park’s old oak and maple trees burst into fiery color. But don’t miss Riverside Park in the fall either—the park is known for its brilliant orange leaves, and its placement along the Hudson River makes the foliage extra scenic.
• Prospect Park and Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn: Prospect Park is a serene gem for Brooklynites with all the splendor but fewer crowds than Central Park. Pay a visit to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden at the northeast corner of the park to really enjoy the colors, or head to the nearby Green-Wood Cemetery, an extra peaceful and historic cemetery full of Gothic architecture and ample trees.
• Forest Park, Queens: The towering trees of this woodsy Queens park burst forward in impressive autumn glory in late October.
• Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx: This third-largest park in the city is also home to the largest freshwater lake in the Bronx. Visit for stunning views of orange and yellow leaves reflected off the water, and if you have extra time, venture to Wave Hill Public Gardens, just over a mile west.
• Greenbelt Conservancy, High Rock Park, Staten Island: The residential Staten Island is perhaps one of the best places to go to escape the more hectic side of New York. This conservatory has over 35 miles of hiking trails to follow while you admire the fall colors (and keep an eye out for the animals and birds that call the sanctuary home!).

Taking a peek at the beauty of nature is also a great free activity for visitors to the city. Don’t worry if you’re not a fast walker; even the most hardened New Yorker enjoys a slower pace in the city’s gorgeous parks.

Find a serene escape in your apartment too with a stay in this 1-bedroom furnished apartment in the uptown Manhattan neighborhood of Hamilton Heights. The neighborhood—above Harlem and conveniently uptown from the bustle of NYC’s most popular tourist areas—is a residential area full of charming and historic brick townhouses (and plenty of tree-lined streets!). With its handsome hardwood and exposed-brick interior plus its warm color scheme, the apartment is ready to put you in a cozy state of mind for cooler temperatures. A decorative fireplace, king-sized bed, and private backyard put this space in a prime position for enjoying the outdoors or a night of restful sleep.

Drinks, design, cinema and more to celebrate at a fall festival

Fall marks festival and event season in New York! Cultural events celebrating all walks of life are hosted throughout the city, ranging from Comic-Con to the Brooklyn Book Festival. Starting in September and ending in October is Oktoberfest, the New York version of the famous German beer festival. Head to South Street in the Financial District at varying dates and times for music, food, and of course, beer!

The end of September ushers in the New York Film Festival, a world-renowned celebration of cinema and one of New York’s largest film festivals. Attend screenings and premieres at various theatres and venues throughout the city for the freshest films everyone will be talking about come awards season.

For those fond of fashion, New York Fashion Week is one of the most stylish and sought-after events of the year. Most of the largest designers host private shows, but runway shows for up-and-coming designers and a fashionable flock of VIPs can be found all over the city. Attend an event and see if you can spot the next big trend!

Be an “active” supporter of fall sports in NYC

As such a large city, New York boasts multiple professional sports teams, and every football fan in America knows that fall marks the official start of the football season! Though NYC’s professional teams—the Giants and the Jets—don’t play home games within city limits, MetLife Stadium is an easy train or bus ride into New Jersey via Penn Station or Port Authority Bus Terminal. Bundle up, grab some concessions, and join in one of the largest and proudest fall traditions in the United States!

Fall also brings one of the city’s most spectacular sporting events: The New York City Marathon. Marathon routes wind all throughout the city, and the race is one of the largest in America. Grab a spot by the route to cheer on some of the world’s best distance runners as they complete the exhilarating 26.2-mile race. If you really want a front-row seat, consider booking a vacation rental in Upper West Side, right by the end of the marathon route in.

New York’s festivals and sporting events may take you all over the city, so be sure to book accommodations in a neighborhood that allows easy access to every area. We think the East Village is a prime spot, and suggest this stylish 1-bedroom furnished apartment rental as an ideal home base. Besides being well-connected by public transportation (including the F and J subway trains), the apartment is well-equipped with its inviting contemporary furniture, a flat-screen television for watching the game, and an open kitchen that’s great for hosting. On the remaining days of warm weather, you can even take the celebration outside on the balcony!

Harvest happenings in NYC

If New York isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of traditional fall and harvest activities, get ready to be surprised! There are plenty of ways to get a glimpse of autumn’s glorious gourds, including pumpkin picking for the whole family! In October, families can visit Decker Farm on Staten Island for authentic pumpkin picking, hayrides, and a corn maze. The Queens County Farm Museum hosts harvest events all throughout autumn, and while you’re in Queens, visit the Queens Botanical Garden.

For some impressive pre-carved pumpkins, visit the Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns at Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island. Professionally carved Jack O’Lanterns are arranged by the thousands along a walking path through the gardens, and the event is accessible via the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station.

Or, to take a bite out of some fresh fall produce without even leaving your neighborhood, check out one of New York’s borough farmers’ markets for ingredients you can prepare in your apartment’s kitchen for a locally grown fall treat!

Family tricks (and treats) for a memorable NYC Halloween

Kids and adults alike can enjoy the various Halloween events and traditions in New York City. In a city full of fashionable people that plays almost as hard as it works, nobody does Halloween like New York! One of the biggest traditions of every NYC Halloween is the Village Halloween Parade on October 31, a zany costumed parade through Greenwich Village that’s the largest walking parade in the United States.

Even four-legged family members can get in on the fun! Dress up your dog for the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade at Tompkins Square Park, Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest in Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn. Owners are encouraged to dress up too!

The natural need for family accommodations this fall and Halloween season can easily be satisfied by this stylish 2-bedroom furnished rental in Park Slope, Brooklyn! Stay for the whole season in a furnished apartment that’s designed for monthly rentals and for family fun. The spacious living room is filled with casual seating and plenty of books and games to enjoy around the decorative fireplace. The duplex rental also has sleeping space for five people. The whole family will enjoy the novelty of a family dinner in New York City in the full eat-in kitchen, and when the day’s activities call for a little exploration, you’ll have made a fine choice by staying in the family-friendly neighborhood of Park Slope.

Give thanks for another successful fall!

Speaking of family meals, make sure you’re in town this fall for Thanksgiving (each year on the last Thursday of November)! Thanksgiving in NYC brings the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (the country’s largest parade), special hours at local markets, and the excitement of the holiday season in the air. Bundle up and grab a spot beside the parade route to enjoy one of the city’s most beloved traditions that only comes once a year in the fall.

Of course, staying for a little extra time doesn’t have to be a challenge when you opt for a monthly furnished apartment in New York City. Our agents are glad to help you find the perfect accommodation for the autumn holiday of your dreams. Kick back, get comfortable, and start planning your fall getaway!