Autumn Adventures You Can't Miss

As the leaves turn and the air cools, New York’s fall transformation comes alive through colorful parks, skyline views on nearby hikes, bustling bookstores, and so much more!

Fall is the perfect time to explore beyond campus, whether by taking a spontaneous trip upstate, enjoying local farmers markets full of seasonal flavors, or immersing yourself in art and theater. Every corner of the city offers countless opportunities to reconnect and recharge with the creativity and community that makes New York unforgettable, including:

• Day trip to Sleepy Hollow & Tarrytown (Hudson Valley)
  Take the Metro-North train from Grand Central Terminal and make a day out of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown’s attractions. Full of history, literary charm, and natural beauty, these picturesque towns offer legendary haunts, including the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Washington Irving's estate Sunnyside, the Tarrytown Lighthouse, and the 18th-century farm at Philipsburg Manor. Be sure to catch The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, too!

• Visit an Uptown Farmers Market
  Swing by the Down to Earth Farmers Market at Morningside Park, or the Columbia Greenmarket on Broadway, and enjoy all the fresh fall produce like apples, squash, and pumpkins. Stroll through the stalls, chat with vendors, and don’t forget to sample homemade treats like apple cider donuts!
   
• Witness Central Park’s Fall Foliage
  Watch the stunning autumn colors transform Central park at The Ramble, The Mall, and Bow Bridge. Join a guided tree tour with the Central Park Conservancy to learn more about the park’s vibrant foliage and historic trees, and don’t miss the Pumpkin Flotilla at the Harlem Meer, where hundreds of pumpkins float across the lake in a seasonal tradition.
   
• Hike in the Palisades (NJ side of the George Washington Bridge)
  Escape the city for a few hours and explore the Palisades Interstate Park on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge. Just a short bus ride away, this scenic park (especially beautiful in autumn) offers well-maintained trails that wind along the cliffs, providing breathtaking views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.
   
• Go Apple Picking this Fall
  Apple season is officially here! With many local farms accessible via the Metro-North train, you can spend a day picking your own apples, enjoying fall treats, and soaking up the seasonal scenery. Some popular farms include: Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard, Masker Orchard, and Apple Ridge Orchard.
   
• Visit the Queens County Farm Museum
  Step back in time at Queens County Farm Museum, the city’s oldest continuously farmed site that covers 47 acres. Wander through fields and orchards, pet barnyard animals, enjoy pumpkin picking, and navigate the Amazing Maize Maze. Admission is free, making it a great spot to experience a bit of farm life without leaving NYC.
   
• Explore NYC's Literary Legacy on a Pub Crawl
  Discover NYC’s literary past on the Greenwich Village Literary Pub Crawl, a three-hour walking tour through historic bars and spots once frequented by Edgar Allen Poe, Jack Kerouac, Dylan Thomas, Anaïs Nin, Dorothy Parker, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Along the way, hear stories of the vibrant bohemian culture, artistic debates, and literary movements that shaped the Village. Participants must be 21+, and student discounts are available!
   
• Tales of the City, Ghost Edition
  Embrace the spooky side of NYC with a ghost tour. Wander through winding streets and past historic buildings while learning about long-forgotten events, legends, and the famous figures who once haunted these corners. Some popular ghost tours include: Boroughs of the Dead, NYC Gangsters and Ghosts Tour, and The Merchant’s House Museum. 
   
• Catch the Village Halloween Parade
  Celebrate Halloween in the heart of Greenwich Village with the iconic Village Halloween Parade! See the elaborate costumes, creative floats, and live music as thousands of participants and spectators fill the streets. Whether you show up in costume or simply want to watch, it’s a must-see NYC tradition full of energy, artistry, and festive fun.

Let the breezy season remind you to take a breath and experience the city’s rhythm during one of its liveliest times!