The best things to do in New York this autumn
From outstanding cocktails and jazz to pickleball and iconic bling, discover the best things to do in NYC this season
As the summer heat cools and the leaves turn brilliant shades of red and orange, New York comes alive in an entirely new way. Autumn is a season of contrast, bringing with it cosy sweaters; brisk walks through Central Park, pumpkin-spiced latte in hand; and a calendar packed with world-class events. Fashion Week kicks it all off in September, followed by the New York Film Festival, which leads into all the Halloween festivities.
Through it all, autumn marks the busiest time of year for new restaurants to open, and 2024 is no exception. Chez Fifi, a hotly anticipated bistro from the acclaimed Sushi Noz team, launches this season, alongside other imminent, noteworthy projects such as Cafe Zaffri, the Lebanese addition from The Musket Room team, and Italian trattoria Borgo via pioneering farm-to-table operator Andrew Tarlow.
Whether you’re a New York newbie or a lifelong veteran, Manhattan offers a rich tapestry of experiences during the autumn months. From celebrated Broadway shows to hidden gems, fall in New York City is a time when culture, creativity and natural beauty jive. Read on for your ultimate guide on how to make the most of this time of year in New York City, from now until November.
Plus, if you’re arriving in town this season, be sure to check out our guide to New York’s best hotels.
The best things to do in New York this autumn
Romeo + Juliet
When: Until 16 February 2025
Location: 235 W 50th Street, New York 10019
Price: From 101 USD
No trip to the Big Apple would be complete without a Broadway show. And one of the most anticipated newest releases, set to an original score by Grammy winner Jack Antonoff, is Romeo + Juliet, a retelling of Shakespeare’s classic 16th-century tragedy. The 20-week limited run takes place in the uniquely immersive Circle in the Square Theater (which is set in the round) and is directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold. The play follows its two principal star-crossed lovers, actors Kit Connor (Heartstopper) as Romeo and Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) as Juliet who, though following Shakespeare’s original 16th-century text, navigate present-day youth pressures.
Jazz at Midnight Blue
Location: 106 E 19th St, New York, 10003
Price: 10 USD cover charge; 25 USD per person minimum spend
Over the summer, pro bartender Takuma Watanabe of Martiny’s – number four on North America’s Best Bars list – launched Midnight Blue, a jazz bar just a stone’s throw away in Gramercy. There’s no reservation needed to sidle up to the whiskey-stocked counter at Bar Neat – the library-like drinking den that doubles as a waiting room for those with Midnight Blue reservations. Behind a discrete wooden door is where the magic happens. Make sure to secure seats in advance – the jazz lineup is posted weekly on Midnight Blue’s Instagram – and choose from bar stools or small table seats. Shows begin at 7pm, 8.45pm and 10.15pm each evening, and are best enjoyed alongside one of Watanabe’s Japanese-leaning tipples like the apple and wasabi-accented Wabi-Sabi Sour, mixed with Japanese whisky, soju, absinthe, lime and egg white.
The Great Elephant Migration
When: Until 20 October 2024
Location: Meatpacking District
Price: Free
Stroll through the Meatpacking District this October and you may note some streets might look a little bit… wilder than usual. The Great Elephant Migration, a public art installation of 100 life-sized Indian elephant sculptures (which are for sale from 8,000 USD) is taking over the streets. Built by indigenous artisans who live alongside elephants in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the tribe members have recreated specific elephants with which they share the jungle, using stalks of the invasive lantana camara plant to create the sculptures. This unique exhibition aims to increase awareness and raise funds for global conservation efforts.
Mastercard Midnight Theatre
When: Ongoing
Location: 75 Manhattan West Plaza, New York, 10001
Price: From 70 USD
Mastercard Midnight Theatre in Hudson Yards is collaborating with Brian Newman – the Grammy award-winning musician and bandleader for Lady Gaga’s jazz and piano shows. The ongoing artist-in-residence is hosting two parallel live shows: on Tuesdays and Thursdays he’s there as The Brian Newman Band with a mix of classic and modern interpretations of timeless American hits. Fridays brings Brian Newman After Dark, co-hosted with burlesque performer Angie Pontan, with a ten-piece band and special stage, screen and musical guests. Pro tip: show up early for a drinks (and caviar service) next door at wine bar and restaurant Midnight by Navarro’s, the new project from Christian Navarro, former president of Los Angeles’ acclaimed wine shop Wally’s.
PKLYN
Location: 80 4th St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Price: Court rentals cost 99 USD for members; 110 USD for non-members (with balls and paddles available to rent)
Pickleball in NYC is having a moment, with this popular racquet sport that mashes up elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis all the rage right now. Opening in Gowanus, Brooklyn, in early October, PKLYN offers five courts across 18,000 square feet and accepts walk-ins for free-play, although it’s best to reserve in advance. And there’s plenty for onlookers to love, too, as the team has also installed a seven-seat bar with an additional 14 court-facing seats. Here, guests can order classic cocktail riffs like a black pepper-spiked Paloma by the Clover Club team and local beers from the likes of Threes Brewing, alongside sandwiches from popular Italian shop Alidoro.
Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry
When: Until 5 January 2025
Location: 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024
Price: Pay what you want for New York residents; Standard pricing from 30 USD
Bling bling, baby. Perhaps you’ve seen some of these pieces in music videos, but until early next year, the Upper West Side’s American Museum of Natural History is presenting a collection of jewellery from some of the world’s most iconic rappers. The installation spans five decades and highlights the evolution of extravagant, sometimes diamond-encrusted, bling. Some of the legendary pieces on display include the Notorious BIG’s gold Jesus piece and Slick Rick’s red and gold crown. The show explores jewellery’s role as a symbol of status, success and personal expression in hip-hop.
Chez Fifi
When: Opens mid-October
Location: 140 E 74th St, New York, NY 10021
Price: From 12 USD
One of the most hotly anticipated new restaurants in NYC is Chez Fifi – the first non-sushi project from brothers Josh and David Foulquier of Sushi Noz fame, which is set to launch in October. Named after their late mother, this French bistro with Spanish influence takes the first two floors of a four-storey townhouse on East 74th Street with a 42-seat ground floor dining room and an upper level lounge named Salon de Fifi à L’Etage. The casual yet polished restaurant will be helmed by chef Zack Zeidman, formerly of Café Altro Paradiso; expect dishes like foie gras terrine and a Basque-style clam risotto. And because the brothers can’t stray too far from Japan, at their top level cocktail parlour, bartender Yumi Nemoto will spearhead the lounge’s collection of French and Japanese producer-focused vintage spirits, alongside classic and new French-rooted cocktails.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail
When: 27 September – 30 November
Location: 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458
Price: From 39 USD
Producer Tim Burton’s cult classic 1993 stop-motion film The Nightmare Before Christmas takes over 8,300 sq ft of Bronx’s The New York Botanical Garden from 27 September until 30 November. Decked out with light installations, interactive video projections and 3D-printed sculptures that bring famed scenes from the movie to life, the evening-only exhibit comes from Adventurelive, the same producers behind hit Broadway show Hamilton, with assistance from Madrid-based creative team LETSGO. Score tickets in advance and hop a car, subway or Metro-North to get there.
Sleepy Hollow: Autumn’s Harvest at Hero
When: 12 October – 10 November
Location: 610 Fifth Avenue, New York 10020
Price: From 25 USD
For the whole of 2024, themed immersive exhibits have taken over Rockefeller Center’s low-level 13,000 sq ft events and arts venue Hero. Throughout autumn, the space will honour author Washington Irving’s timeless tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820). Grab a pre or post event bite at nearby Italian restaurant Lodi, then head over to Rock Center to step into the Hudson Valley tale replete with the requisite fog and distant sound of galloping hooves. Expect fresh-pressed apple cider, a cornfield maze and a haunted tunnel. On Wednesday nights, drop in for scary movies from 7-9pm.
Watermark’s Oktoberfest
When: Until 27 October 2024
Location: 78 South St Pier 15, New York, NY 10038
Price: Free to enter
Celebrate Bavarian culture, lederhosen, dirndls and all things German beer at the Seaport District on Pier 15, where the 10,000 sq ft dockside outdoor bar and restaurant Watermark is commemorating Oktoberfest from afternoon into the late evening. Five German-style beers will be on tap (plus more by can), alongside German staples like soft pretzels, bratwurst and schnitzel. There’s even beer pong and giant Jenga. While it’s free to attend, those who want to avoid long queues will want to score a weekend 30 USD Fast Pass.
