The best fall activities in NYC to do with the arrival of Autumn

Carving a jack-o'-lantern may be a time-honored American tradition for many, but nobody—and we mean nobody—does pumpkin carving quite like the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.

Every fall, pumpkins aplenty decorate this festive, family-friendly attraction. This year promises thousands of intricately carved jack-o'-lanterns in mesmerizing displays, plus dazzling new experiences.

Blaze: Hudson Valley runs at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County from September 18 through November 8. Get tickets here.

Now that temperatures are dropping, it's the perfect time to sip—not spill—some hot tea. Afternoon tea in New York City is for those who fancy a scone or crumpet alongside a piping hot kettle as a midday pick-me-up. From hotel restaurants to proper teahouses, here’s where to go for the best afternoon tea NYC’s got to offer.

Grab an empty basket and don your best plaid for a fall PYO adventure. At local farms in the tristate area, you'll find a generous offering of apple varieties and fun seasonal activities like petting zoos and corn mazes. We guarantee you're bound to stumble upon some apple cider doughnuts along the way.

This Queens County treasure is well worth a visit. As the city’s longest continually farmed site (it’s been in operation since 1697), the 47 acres feels like an entirely different world—especially compared to Manhattan.

Feed and pet the barnyard animals—we're talking sheep, ponies and goats—hop aboard a hayride and take advantage of the fall harvest season (go pumpkin picking and attempt to find your way through the Amazing Maize Maze corn maze). The museum also hosts hands-on classes, tours and more activities for all ages.

Going upstate to see fall leaves is great, but it's a trek. Luckily, if you know where to look here in NYC, there are some truly stunning foliage to see in many parks and gardens across the boroughs, including at Fort Tryon Park, the Greenbelt Nature Center and Sunken Meadow State Park. Happy peeping!

When Louis Armstrong sang the inimitable lyric "I hear babies cry, I watch them grow," he was referencing the kids in his neighborhood of Corona and East Elmhurst, according to Regina Bain, executive director of the famed musician's namesake museum.

Opening October 1, a new exhibit at the Louis Armstrong House Museum commemorates the 70th anniversary of the jazz musician and singer's concert tour to Accra. Titled "Armstrong in Ghana," the new exhibition will run for a year and show how Armstrong navigated cultural and political complexities as he toured his music throughout the world.

Tickets for the exhibit cost $10 for adults; upgrade to a $20 ticket if you want to explore the rest of the historic home that the museum is in.

As the fall rolls in, there is probably something specific you crave—no, no, not pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider donuts. NYC’s network of open-air markets have all-things apple, year after year. Snag the sugary confection and stock up on apple cider while you’re at it. You can hop over to grownyc.org to find the market closest to you, because we all know lugging apples and cider can get heavy.

Some might assume that sky-high imbibing is a spring and summertime affair, but it’s always rooftop season in NYC.

Even during rain, wind and lower temperatures, we simply swap the sunshine and frozen drinks for fireplaces and hot cocktails while still soaking up the skyline view. So grab a sweater and set your sights on the stars at the best cooler weather rooftops in NYC.

One of the top things to do in New York this fall includes drinking some of the best beer in NYC during Oktoberfest. Take in the beautiful fall foliage while drinking at some of the best beer gardens and German eateries in New York City. 

This year’s events include weeks-long waterside parties, brewery bashes and boozy feasts—all with plenty of German (and local!) beer. Prost!

Discover the sinister secrets of the Seaport, go searching for ghosts and so much more at some of the very many walking tours available throughout the city.

From "crazy mini-golf" to pétanque, shuffleboard and lawn games, there are loads of options for a gameday indoors. While the weather in New York is usually beautiful in the fall, there's likely more than a few days and nights when you'll want to get out of the chill. So these are our suggestions for places you can gather the group chat inside.

Want to get out of the city this fall? You're in luck: Classic Harbor Line offers scenic fall foliage sails aboard gorgeous vintage vessels with a front-row seat to the changing of the seasons stretching from the Hudson River to the Palisades. Cruises run multiple times a week from October 3 through November 15.

Enjoy the chance to admire spectacular fall foliage by boat. Plus, these elegant 1920s-style yachts make the experience extra special. In addition to gawking at the leaves, you'll get to see iconic and picturesque landmarks such as the George Washington Bridge, The Met Cloisters, the Palisades and the Little Red Lighthouse.

Plus, Classic Harbor Line offers several more unique options, including the Fall Foliage Brunch Cruises on Saturday and Sunday mornings and an Urban Naturalist-narrated tour with expert commentary on the fascinating geology of the Palisades and the Hudson River. There's also the Grand Palisades Fall Foliage Schooner Sail if you're looking to travel largely by wind, with more time to contemplate the beautiful surroundings. Every ticket includes a complimentary beverage.

NYC is packed with holiday markets every fall with holiday spirit and unique gifts. While fancy Christmas window displays may entice you, NYC's holiday markets offer a chance to shop local. With everything from clothing to holiday ornaments to artwork, there's something for everybody on your holiday shopping list.

Shopping for the perfect gift doesn't have to be stressful; make it fun at these holiday markets.