Parks are awash with shades of orange and red; the arts are in full swing and outdoor cafés buzz with energy on a fall vacation in New York City. Book a fall hotel in New York and join in the seasonal excitement.A palpable excitement fills a Broadway theatre on opening night, because fall is when new shows begin their run. Audience anticipation rises inside opulent settings like the Ethel Barrymore Theatre and the New Amsterdam Theater, which transport you into a fantasy world of Disney extravaganzas and splashy musicals.
As the crisp fall air settles in and leafy paths turn vibrant red and orange, parks come alive with the sounds of laughing children, picnickers and in-line skaters. Central Park provides an oasis of tranquil lakes and ponds, grassy hills and sunny meadows. On the West Side, expansive views of the Hudson River unfold from the promenade. Downtown, pick up a fresh bagel or a deli sandwich and find a space to listen to a guitar player in Washington Square Park or watch a juggler in Battery Park.
Fall in New York City brings the season’s latest fashions to the couture houses, boutiques and major department stores. Marvel at the window displays in the designer shops like Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang on Madison Avenue, or shuffle through the new ready-to-wears at department store giants Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue. Along SoHo’s cobblestone streets, Prada and Chanel and other designer boutiques entice the stylish shoppers with their cool, creative window displays. Look for sample sales to buy designer wares for a fraction of the cost.
True, you can hear the crack of the bat all the way in Manhattan during the summer. But fall is when baseball really heats up, as the New York Mets and Yankees race to the playoffs. Head up to the Bronx to catch a game at the new Yankee Stadium or out to Queens to Citi Field for a hot dog, ice-cold beer and Mets baseball.
Rest your feet after at a bistro with outdoor seating. Stop for a sandwich at stately Bryant Park Café, overlooking Bryant Park, or people-watch from the balcony at Blue Water Grill, off Union Square.
Museums and galleries showcase new exhibits during a New York City fall. The Guggenheim Museum draws the crowd by unveiling a new provocative display, while the Museum of Modern Art showcases its newest collection. Art lovers head to the Frick Museum for its ever-changing exhibits, and the Museum of the City of New York creates exciting themes every year to showcase its namesake.
