Here’s a little photo inspiration from my recent November trip to New York, along with a few ideas for things to do in the city during the fall season.
- This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Visiting New York in Autumn
Autumn in New York: It´s all about the details
Autumn in New York is one of the most iconic times to visit the city. Every corner of Central Park looks picture-perfect, and I wanted to share a little photo inspiration from my November trip.
Seriously, how could you not fall in love with autumn? The city dazzles with color and scent, filling you with that bittersweet mix of a summer gone and new plans on the horizon. It’s a season to pause, reflect, and start anew. Warm drinks and seasonal aromas feel utterly intoxicating, the trees shimmer like rainbows, and leaves crunch delightfully underfoot.
Above all, autumn is a season of new beginnings, fresh stories, and renewed hopes. In New York, opportunities for new beginnings feel limitless, and the stories and dreams seem larger than life. Perhaps that’s why autumn in the city evokes such a unique, nostalgic feeling.
Not as hot as summer, not as cold as winter – just the perfect balance of warm days and crisp evenings. There’s nothing quite like strolling through Central Park under a purple-blue sky, with the gentle breeze of a fall afternoon brushing past.
I love witnessing the changing seasons in New York, but if I had to choose, autumn and winter are my absolute favorites in the city.









Tops things to do in New York in Autumn:
- start with Central Park, make a stop at Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, The Mall, Bethesda Fountain, Central Park Zoo, Bethesda Terrace, Conservatory Garden, Gapstow Bridge
- check the High Line Park (a modern park, elevated above the city on a former rail line) you can also spot here one of the most beautiful sunsets around the world along the Hudson River
- check some of the local festivals – Atlantic Antic Street Festival and New York Fashion Week in September, New York Film Festival, Coffee Festival and Oktoberfest in October, New York Comedy Festival in November
- visit Brooklyn Botanic Garden
- take the Ferry to Governors Island and enjoy the slower pace of life, as well as some amazing Manhattan skyline views
- depending on your visit date you can also check the big events like New York City Marathon, the Halloween parade in lower Manhattan, or The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Top things to feel about Autumn in New York:
- have a picnic in one of the NY parks and collect some fall leaves with your kids
- take a sip of Pumpkin Spiced Latte or Pumpkin Beer brewed at some of New York’s microbreweries
- if visiting in September, you can rent a bike or enjoy a gondola ride (you’d need to book in advance at The Loeb Boathouse)
- eat at one of the local Farmers’ markets, fall is the harvest season and the best time for foodies
- nature lovers could escape the city buzz for a while to enjoy one of the Hudson Valley hikes
- be the first one to hit Ice Skating Rinks in Central Park and Rockefeller Center (open since late October)
- go apple picking at one of the farms near New York
Pin it:

For more travel tips check my Pinterest Board America Travel.

- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda and Booking
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
- For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
- Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner and Kiwi
- Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Omio (10% off with code ATC10 for first-time customers)
- Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Discover Cars
- Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Holafly (use ATLIFESTYLECROSSROADS for for a 5% discount)
- Shop My Level8 Suitcase: get 15% off with the code ATC15 here
- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
- Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
- Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)
I’ve only been to New York once during the summer. But I love autumn and I’ve always wanted to see Central Park during that season.
New York is always a good idea 😉 but fall season there is especially dream-like!
Oh my god, already time for autumn? Can’t believe it!! I’m still celebrating summer;-) But the photos look awesome and I totally understand that you are in love with this time of the year!
Hey, Claudi! I´m also here in Spain feeling in the middle of summer… [lol] we never get this kind of “orange” autumn! So need to use the pics from one in NY to remind myself of this season´s existence!
Oh autumn in the Big Apple sounds so dreamy. Being from New York State, whenever I introduce myself I always have to do this whole introduction how I am from the state and how big New York State – inclusive of the Big Apple – actually is! I imagine strolling through Central Park would be so pleasant. Also, I left you an extra shout out in my post for #FlyAwayFriday. Nice to connect! 🙂
And I imagine myself being one of these people asking: ” Really? You´re from NY?! OMG… so awesome…” [lol] I guess this is what you get instead of classy “Hi! How are you?” It´s hard to stay indifferent to the NY vibes. Great to connect!
Oh I love reading about NYC! If I’ll have a second life I’m spending it in Big Apple! Most definitely agree with you that Autumn in NY is a state of mind. Feeling it right now and want to re visit this beautiful city.
NYC is something I also plan not to miss out in any of my lives [lol] Meantime, want to visit it again and again every time I see the pics from the Big Apple! its is truly such a state of mind…
I’ve never been to NYC but autumn looks like a great time to visit! #FlyAwayfriday
Hey, Courtney! It really is my favorite time to visit!
I also haven´t been to NYC till the last year, the world is just so big and there are always so many places left in your bucket list, no matter how much you travel!
Such great photos! I have not yet been to NY but it’s in bucket list. Thanks for sharing! #Flyawayfriday
Beautiful photos! Autumn in New York looks gorgeous, I’ve always wanted to see the fall foliage on the East Coast – it’s not quite the same where I’m from in California. I’ve been to New York during the winter and it was lovely as well, although so so cold haha. 🙂
I know what you mean![lol] I´m living close to Valencia, Spain and the weather is much like the one you have in California! It is, probably, the best climate to live in – lots of sunny days and nice weather in general. However, sometimes we all miss to see the leaves cracking underfoot or snow on a “White Christmas”….
Oh I love New York! Reading this post makes me nostalgic for seasonal living. In Kuwait we have pretty much no seasons, summer, hot and hotter! So I have to say whilst I love it, I miss autumnal days and your pics show exactly why. Beautiful
Thanks for stopping by! I´m feeling the same here in Spain. It is not as hot as Kuwait [lol], but we still don’t have this seasonal living either: no snow and no autumn colors. You´d need to head to the North of Spain for this and yet autumn is not the same…
Wow! Gorgeous photos! Motivation to go to Manhattan in fall! I’ve only been in summer & winter.
Thank you Mara! I guess it´s the perks of seasonal living in places like NY – every season has something unique! I so wanna go there in winter with snow, but last time I went around Dec it was not snowing 🙁 although it was defenitely really cold…
This is high on my list of places I so want to visit and your photos have not reduced my desire! Your photos are simply stunning, especially the first one. I think Autumn sounds like the perfect time for a visit.
Thank you Lyn! I guess Autumn is a great time to explore – summer heat is gone and it´s not that cold yet! You don´t really enjoy the walks in Central Park when it´s freezing outside [lol]
Beautiful photos – thanks very much for the reminder that EVERY season has its reasons to travel!
Thanks for stopping by and your kind words! Every season really has its reasons to travel…
Oh my gosh, just the photos are making me feel SO cozy even though I’m in scorching Southern California. I really want to visit NYC during the Autumn and Winter season! Your photos are BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for sharing and joining Fly Away Friday! xo
Thank you, Kana! Glad to take part #FlyAwayFriday
Absolutely stunning!!! I love the fall, it’s my absolute favorite season and I love how beautiful is it. I can only imagine how beautiful NYC is during the fall and hopefully I’ll be able to go one day! Thank you for sharing on #FlyAwayFriday and cannot wait to see what you post for Week 7!!!
Thanks Chloe! I so love fall too <3 can´t wait for the next #FlyAwayFriday, got a lot of inspiration from the last one…
Lovely photo selection.
xx
Cool. With cool temperatures and autumn leaves blowing around Central Park, autumn is an attractive time to visit the Big Apple – and the city’s diverse schedule of events provides many more reasons to take a trip…
New York’s favorite place is Central Park. It’s a breathtaking natural park where you can get green among the grand buildings of New York. Its beauty cannot be explained by words.
Ah yes autumn is my favorite season, and the north east is truly one of the prettiest places in the fall. Great snaps!
Allie of
I swear New York City gets prettier and prettier with every season! I love how pretty central park always looks.
xo Logan