Autumn is one of New York City’s best seasons! The weather is picture perfect, and the city comes alive with endless activities and celebrations. From apple picking and visiting a city pumpkin patch, to tackling a corn maze and visiting a spooky haunted bash, there’s something for all ages. Looking for fun things to do during sweater weather? Read on for our list of 30 Best Fall Activities in NYC for Kids.
1. Leaf peep through NYC! New York City has many great foliage locations, including several parks and gardens across the boroughs. Best spots HERE.
2. Find your next page turner at the Brooklyn Book Festival in mid-September.
3. Have a Feast of Fun at the annual San Gennaro Festival. Don’t forget to stop by the carnival-style games and try for a prize!
4. Perfect Pick! Go Apple Picking at an area farm. Our list of favorite farms HERE.
5. Catch a pup costume parade to see fur friends strut in their best for Halloween. It will be the most doggone cute thing you’ll see!
6. Join one of the largest Halloween celebrations on the planet at the Village Halloween Parade on October 31st.
7. Go trick-or-treating through NYC’s streets! Many local neighborhoods pull out all the stops for Halloween! Don’t forget to bring a bag for candy!
8. See some of the world’s largest jack-o-lanterns at the New York Botanical Garden’s Fall Fest.
9. Marvel at over 7,000 hand carved jack-o-lanterns at the Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor. It’s located just one hour north of NYC.
10. Fly on over to the Highline this October to visit the new gigantic art installation – a 16-foot Pigeon sculpture.
11. Visit a fun fall fest at an area Farm. Happy Day Farm has one of the area’s largest – with plenty of games and activities for all ages.
12. Are you ready for some football? Catch one of the Jets home games and root on the team!
13. Cheer on the athletes as they run through the city’s streets at the New York City Marathon.
14. Stoop decor has become a favorite Fall pastime in New York. Go on a walking tour and check out all the unique fall decorations.
15. Get lost in the stalks in a local corn maze! Queens Farm Museum is home to a challenging maze and many corny events for the season.
16. Visit Halloween Harvest in Luna Park. Aside from the regular rides and attractions, there’s a hay maze, pumpkin carving, and trick or treating for kids!
17. Join one of NYC’s many FREE Halloween festivals. A full list of these HERE.
18. Obsessed with the Beetlejuice flick? Head to BeatleHouse in the East Village and be wowed by table side (costumed!) entertainment.
19. Celebrate the spooky season by visiting Sleepy Hollow and joining in one of the many themed Halloween events. (Just an hour north of the city!). Our guide HERE.
20. Check out the infamous Pumpkin Arch at Pier 17. The arch frames the Brooklyn Bridge and it is a perfect pick for fall photos.
21. Pumped for pumpkins? Visit a city pumpkin patch and carve up some fun by holding a carving contest. See a list of pumpkin patches near NYC HERE.
22. Fan of the Nightmare before Christmas? Stroll through Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail – a brand new immersive experience at the New York Botanical Garden.
23. Watch pumpkins float down the water at this annual Pumpkin Flotilla Celebration.
24. Gaze at animal-themed jack-o-lanterns at the annual Boo at the Zoo event at the Bronx Zoo.
25. Visit one of the themed restaurants in NYC – from fall leaves to halloween, the city has many themed spots!
26. Scare up some fun at the (brand new) Jimmy Fallon’s Tonightmare’s experience. (Best for older kids!). More HERE.
27. Rent a Row Boat on Central Park lake, and take in the Fall foliage along the way. (The best way to see the foliage!).
28. Check out the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon Inflation Celebration and watch the massive parade balloons become inflated. A fun sight you don’t want to miss! Full guide HERE.
29. Celebrate Oktoberfest with the family at Watermark – Sundays are best for families, with games and activities.
30. Experience the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Wake up early to secure your sidewalk spot for the best view! Full guide HERE.
