How New Yorkers Do Fall
New York doesn’t do fall halfway. The air gets crisper, the light gets moodier, and suddenly, the city feels like the main character. But beyond the pumpkin-lined stoops and the scent of spiced doughnuts drifting from market stalls, there’s a lineup of autumn experiences that locals and visitors alike look forward to each year.
If you’re staying at Aliz Hotel, you’re in the perfect spot to catch it all, from cozy fall markets to foliage-lined strolls worth the detour.
A Fall Classic: Central Park
There’s no denying it, Central Park in the fall is iconic. But go beyond the postcard scenes and explore its more local side.
Best Foliage Window
Mid-to-late October. The North Woods and The Mall (that iconic, tree-lined promenade you’ve seen in a hundred movies) are at peak photo-op status.
Fuel Up First
On your way, swing by Maman on 48th for a maple chocolate brioche and a creative take on seasonal sips. Think: hot pumpkin pie drinks, iced vanilla honey butter lattes topped with sweet corn foam and cornbread crumbs, and spiced caramel apple cider that tastes like a walk through an orchard.
Try This Twist
Rent a rowboat at the Central Park Boathouse, open through mid-November. It’s the perfect way to slow down in a city that rarely does.
Festival Season Is in Full Swing
Fall in New York is secretly festival season. From food to comedy to streets filled with live music and vendors, here’s what’s worth bookmarking:
Brooklyn Book Festival | September 14–22, 2025
A literary escape with hundreds of international and local authors. Free events, book shopping, and a who’s-who of today’s most interesting writers.
NYC Oktoberfest at Pier 15 | September 12–October 26, 2025
Celebrate the season with steins in hand at this waterfront fest on the East River. Expect classic German beers, bratwurst, live oompah bands, and a crowd that really commits to the vibe.
Atlantic Antic | October 5, 2025
This year, Brooklyn’s biggest street fair turns 50, stretching across ten blocks, four neighborhoods, and more than 1.5 miles of food, music, and handmade goods. It’s where you’ll find vintage vinyl next to small-batch baklava.
NYC Wine & Food Festival | October 15–19, 2025
This year, the NYC Wine & Food Festival takes over the Seaport with tastings, boozy brunches, and events featuring celebrity chefs and Food Network favorites.
TCS New York City Marathon | November 2, 2025
It’s not technically a festival, but it might as well be. Over 55,000 runners pass through all five boroughs before the final stretch in Central Park, where international flags fly, grandstands rise, and New Yorkers pack the sidelines to cheer them home.
New York Comedy Festival | November 7–16, 2025
200+ comedians, 100 shows, and a mix of legends (Margaret Cho, Louis C.K.) and buzzy newcomers. This year’s Strangers with Candy reunion? Pure gold.
Fall Markets That Let Autumn Do the Talking
NYC’s market scene is always worth exploring, but in the fall, it takes on a whole new flavor. These are a few of our favorite spots to soak it all in:
Union Square Greenmarket
This year-round staple turns into an orchard on wheels with warm apple cider, heirloom pumpkins, plus a small mountain of apple cider donuts you’ll pretend are “for later.”
Smorgasburg in Williamsburg
Running through late October, this open-air food market is the perfect place to grab smoky yakitori, Brooklyn-brewed cider, or a square of mochi doughnut. The East River ferry ride adds its own charm, with crisp air, skyline views, and a slower way to arrive.
Urbanspace Markets
With pop-ups across the city, including Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, and Union Square, Urbanspace transforms public spaces into hubs for local makers, small-batch bites, and cozy fall finds. Stop by for spiced drinks, handmade goods, and a crowd that knows how to shop (and snack) in style.
Spooky Season, the New York Way
New York is a city that knows how to dress up, and when Halloween hits, New York leans all the way in.
Bronx Zoo Harvest Glow | September 25–October 31, 2025
Thousands of animal-themed jack-o'-lanterns light up the Bronx Zoo’s trails Thursday through Sunday evenings during Harvest Glow. Expect a dinosaur safari through animatronic creatures, pumpkin carving demos, and spooky soundscapes.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail | September 25–November 30, 2025
Presented at the New York Botanical Garden, this immersive walk-through experience blends Jack Skellington, interactive lights, and botanical beauty. Expect LED-lit sculptures, 3D projections, and that “wow” moment where Halloween meets holiday magic.
Village Halloween Parade | October 31, 2025
Want costume inspo? The Village Halloween Parade is still the wildest runway show in the city. Arrive early. Dress up. Or just show up and see what New Yorkers dream up.
The Best Fall Moments Aren’t Always on the Map
Fall in New York sneaks up on you. It might be a surprise street performance under a canopy of orange trees. Or a perfectly crisp cider on a rooftop with the skyline just starting to glow.
Staying at Aliz Hotel puts you in the center of it all, with skyline views at Dear Irving on Hudson and plush, design-forward rooms to come home to. Whether you're exploring Midtown or chasing leaves at Central Park, let this season surprise you. And let Aliz Hotel be your retreat between adventures.