12 Must-Do Activities in NYC This Fall

Real New Yorkers know that fall is New York City's best season. Yes, summer overflows with energy, and spring promises hope for warmer days. (Winter is dreary at best, but we will romanticize it.) But fall! What a time of year, and there's no better place to spend it than in New York. With seemingly endless parks to stroll while the leaves change, the birthplace of many a fall romcom (think 1989 movie When Harry Met Sally) and all the activities you can only get here, it is a jam-packed season.

Although each autumn in the city is unique, certain things are worth doing every year to really capture that fall essence. I asked my fellow New Yorkers about their must-do activities every season and compiled the ultimate fall-in-New-York bucket list.

1. Enjoy the Rich Autumn Colors in Central Park

Is there a place more well-known and loved than Central Park? While it's beautiful all year, there is something extra special about it during the fall. Not only does the park offer great fall foliage, but each visit during the season will give you a different view of the park as the leaves change.

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Walk through Bethesda Terrace and get lost in the Ramble before visiting the Met. End the day watching the sunset at the Cantor Roof Garden Bar in the museum.

2. Cheer on the Runners at the NYC Marathon

Make a sign, grab your friends and cheer on the fearless runners who have decided to spend their Sunday running a marathon through the five boroughs. The marathon is such a fantastic display of how New Yorkers come together. You won’t want to miss it.

This year, the marathon takes place on Sunday, November 1, kicking off with the first group, the men's pro wheelchair division, at 8am. You can find more information on how to watch on the marathon website.

Local tip: Lonely Planet Editor Ann Douglas Lott recommends standing along the last mile in Central Park. “It's mostly downhill, and the runners are so excited to be finished soon, so vibes are amazing.”

3. Sip Seasonal Pints at an Astoria Beer Garden

For all the beer lovers, head over to Queens for a Sunday afternoon of fresh pours and fall flavors. Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is the perfect spot for the afternoon, with a large beer garden that can accommodate groups and a roster of flavorful seasonal beers to get you in the fall spirit.

For Lonely Planet team member Aqsa Shahzadi, it’s one of her favorite spots. "I went with a group of friends, and it was just the best time! The people from the next table over ended up joining in, and it turned into a whole party.”

4. Take a Day Trip to Storm King

If you can swing it, get out of town for a bit. A day (or weekend) trip upstate brings all the fall feelings you may hope for. Head to Storm King Art Center, the expansive sculpture park for beautiful Hudson Valley scenery and captivating installations.

Afterward, head over to Beacon to grab lunch at the artsy and undeniably delicious Melzingah Tap House before exploring the charming downtown or wandering through the Dia Beacon.

5. Bring in the Evening With Cocktails at a Cozy Bar

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There is something romantic in the air during autumn, and slipping into a cozy bar with live music and good cocktails just hits differently when the weather is crisp.

Check out Ornithology Jazz Club for live music in Bushwick. Monkey Bar in Midtown East feels like old-school New York, and the pricey yet delicious food only feeds the sultry vibe. And whether it's morning, happy hour or night, Tiny’s & The Bar Upstairs is always a yes.

No matter what kind of space suits your perfect fall experience, you'll find plenty of late-night bars in the city welcoming you inside.

6. Browse Indie Bookstores

There is an amazing collection of independent bookstores all over New York City. Stop by the cozy Three Lives & Company in the West Village before enjoying your new find in Washington Square Park. The Word Is Change in Bed-Stuy sells new and used books. Make sure to check for upcoming readings, which are the perfect evening activity in the colder months.

Other great bookstores include Books Are Magic, Troubled Sleep and Sweet Pickle Books.

7. Relax on a Fall Foliage Cruise

While a fall foliage cruise is not something that locals really do, dare to ask why not? It's a fun way to experience New York's signature autumnal foliage. Hop aboard for an afternoon along the Hudson, taking in the sights. City Cruises offers an affordable opportunity to enjoy lunch and cocktails during your cruise, or go vintage on a 1920s-style boat with Classic Harbor Line.

Even better, make it a day-long experience on Circle Line's Oktoberfest-themed cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park. During the 50-mile journey, riders can listen to a live brass band while taking in sensational views of the Hudson Valley's fall foliage while sipping seasonal fall drinks and enjoying German bites like soft pretzels and bratwursts.

8. Travel Back in Time at the Met Cloisters

If you head to the top of Manhattan, you will find the Metropolitan Museum's offshoot, the Cloisters. Although it can be considered a trek for many, it is so worth it.

The Cloisters, located in Fort Tryon Park, act like a small fortress situated on top of a hill. Built in the 1930s, it is the only American museum dedicated to medieval art. During your visit, you’ll find artifacts from the Middle Ages, stunning architecture and meticulously maintained gardens to wander, which makes for great leaf-peeping.

If you are feeling adventurous, the Cloisters make a great starting point for walking the length of Manhattan.

Local tip: A ticket to the Cloisters also gets you into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and it's possible to combine Central Park strolling with the Cloisters and a visit to the Met all in one weekend.

9. Cook Hot Pot in Flushing

Hot pot season arrives as temperatures drop, and there is no better place to get this delicious steaming dish than in Flushing. This Queens neighborhood is home to the city's largest Chinatown and is well known for its authentic Asian cuisine.

On a cool evening, grab your friends and head to any number of the fantastic spots in the neighborhood to watch your broth boil. Happy Lamb is a solid, affordable option with an all-you-can-eat menu, and Chongqing Lao Zao is a beloved neighborhood staple with great ambiance and vibrant flavors. The wait can be quite long at Chongqing Lao Zao, but it’s completely worth it.

10. Take a Final Beach Day at the Rockaways

I know you’re thinking, "The Rockaways? It’s fall!" But New York is known for warm weather well into October and even the occasional day in November.

Hop on the A train and head out to the beaches on a perfect 73°F afternoon. Enjoy a beach all to yourself. If you head up toward Beach 86, make sure to stop for carnitas tacos from Tacoway. (Grab extra napkins; they will be needed.) Or opt for a staycation at the Rockaway Hotel, which is hosting tons of events this autumn, including a late-night rooftop DJ and a fall festival.

Local tip: On a clear day, take the ferry! They run year-round and give you a whole different perspective of New York. The A and S trains also run to Rockaway Beach.

11. Get Lost in Red Hook

Spending the day in Red Hook is more like a day in a small coastal town. Just a subway ride away, Red Hook is a little oasis in Brooklyn. Spend your afternoon wine tasting at Red Hook Winery before grabbing some of the best Italian food around at Bar Mario. Head down to Pier 41 Waterfront Garden to watch the sunset, followed by a live show at Sunny’s.

12. Find Solitude at Green-Wood Cemetery

If you like your fall to feel a tad spooky, head over to Green-Wood Cemetery. Starting in 1838, the cemetery became known as a stunning destination and a prestigious place to be buried, and at one point during the 19th century, it was the second most-visited location in the nation, behind Niagara Falls.

For this outing, grab a tasty brunch at Slimák before spending the late morning in the cemetery. Wander the countless trails under the cover of 7000 trees, which turn an array of colors during the season.

This is a great place for peaceful reflection and quiet solitude as you pass lakes, mausoleums, sculptures and forests, all with the Manhattan skyline in the background.