12 Things to Do in New York in October

October in New York is one of the most magical times of the year. The leaves in Central Park, with their thousands of shades of orange and red, the spooky Halloween pumpkins and children playing trick-or-treating turn the Big Apple into an enchanted city at this time of year. Sounds great, right?

On the other hand, with the onset of autumn in New York, temperatures drop, the low season for tourism begins, and the city is not crowded with visitors, which is appreciated. In this article, I'll tell you about the 10 best things to do in the city of skyscrapers in October. Don't miss a single one!

What basketball fan hasn't dreamed of seeing their idols live? It's the American dream come true. Whether you're a fan of the sport or not, you can't miss the passion for this sport in the US at the stadium. The show is guaranteed!

October is a key month because the official season begins, so you can experience the madness and atmosphere of a live game after the summer break. The players are back and more eager than ever!

What's more, in New York you have twice the chance to enjoy a game, as the Nets play at the Barclays Centre, the Brooklyn Nets' stadium, and the New York Knicks play at Madison Square Garden.

How to purchase NBA tickets

Demand to attend an NBA game is extremely high, and tickets sell out months in advance. To avoid disappointment, I recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as possible. However, all tickets are digital and can only be purchased online.

Useful information about NBA tickets

• Price: from €50 (the average price for good seats at popular games is usually around €150).
• Dates: the regular season runs from mid-October to early April.
• Recommended if... you want a unique, adrenaline-filled experience.
• To find out more: visit the article How to buy NBA tickets in New York.

Admiring nature and the changing seasons is one of my favourite activities anywhere in the world, but especially in Central Park, New York's green lung. In October, the leaves begin to fall and the landscape is more beautiful than ever, tinged with reds, oranges and browns... If you like photography, you'll be in your element!

If you're travelling to New York with children, Central Park usually offers different tours at this time of year that are ideal for a family day out, such as the turtle tour, where you'll visit a pond that is home to five different species of turtle. What's more, you only pay a symbolic price of €4.50 per family (which includes two adults and two children). It's well worth it!

But have you thought about renting a bike in Central Park to explore it comfortably and thoroughly? It's one of my favourite ways to get to know the area. This way, you won't get exhausted, you'll have the energy to continue your route, and you'll be sure to have time to see the whole thing.

If, as a child, you enjoyed riding the ghost train at the fair or immersing yourself in the Haunted Mansion where you got a few minor scares, now you'll get them in a big way! New York's haunted houses are a classic and will make you experience the days leading up to Halloween with fear and... your hair standing on end!

There's something for everyone: gothic, with ghosts, with light shows, those with dark stories behind them and those where murders took place... But real ones! They all have their own legends and during the month of October they open their doors to surprise New Yorkers and visitors alike.

By the way, did you know that there are also night-time tours of cemeteries for Halloween and a candlelit tour of the catacombs?

Discover the best haunted mansions in New York

• Merchant's House Museum: in addition to being a historic and beautiful place, in October this museum usually offers tours to discover the ghosts of the past and present, explaining the (real) paranormal events that have occurred in this strange place.
• Blood Manor: this haunted mansion is located on Broadway. Here you will be immersed in a terrifying journey through a maze of rooms where actors attack you when you least expect it.
• The Haunted Farm at Queens County Farm: this 300-year-old mansion in the middle of the countryside organises a more family-friendly Halloween event. There are also activities to learn about the cider-making process and pumpkin planting.

Until 31 October, visitors can enjoy the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, which changes its décor and gets into the Halloween spirit. There you will discover a garden decorated with pumpkins, scarecrows, friendly skeletons and other traditional characters.

There is also an autumn puppet show, a workshop where you can create your own scarecrows, and an exhibition featuring some of the world's largest pumpkins on a weekend in October. You can also take the opportunity to admire its ancient forest, the Bronx River and its spectacular gardens.

One of the attractions that surprised me the most was the free train that takes you on a tour of the park, allowing you to stop at any points of interest you want to explore in more depth. Very convenient!

What you will see in the Botanical Garden

• Enid A. Haupt Conservatory: a greenhouse that houses tropical plants and cacti, as well as some very interesting temporary exhibits.
• Mertz Library: one of the largest botanical libraries in the world.
• Leon Levy Visitor Centre: a centre where you can find seeds, plants and decorative accessories for your home.
• Ponds: filled with water lilies, water hyacinths and lotuses.

Although summer is undoubtedly the best time to see Niagara Falls because of the good weather and because all the attractions are open to the public, as you can imagine, the downside of visiting at this time of year is that it is very crowded. That's why taking advantage of your trip to New York in October is a good time to enjoy this wonder without the crowds.

In addition, hotel rooms are cheaper in October and it's not too cold yet, so you'll be able to enjoy them comfortably. Oh, and it's the most romantic month of the year, so the surroundings will be charming.

It's very common to take advantage of a visit to New York to see Niagara Falls, and the most convenient way to do so is by booking an excursion. There are one-day, two-day and even four-day excursions. So, it's up to you.

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the United States, so going to see a game is a great way to learn a little more about American culture from the inside and be one of the crowd.

The ice hockey season starts in October, so it's perfect. What's more, the New York Rangers are one of the most important and well-known teams in the country. You can go and see them, as they play at Madison Square Garden in New York. Are you in?

I do recommend booking your tickets to see the New York Rangers well in advance, as they sell out very quickly.

During one weekend in October, more than 300 iconic New York buildings open their doors for free as part of the Open House New York event. These are institutions that are normally closed to the public, but for some you will need to book your ticket in advance.

The event offers a unique opportunity to discover the best examples of architecture, design, engineering and cultural heritage in New York. I was fascinated! You can enjoy live music in bookshops, free talks, guided tours and enter a host of curious buildings, such as the Museum of Chinese in the Americas, the Islamic Cultural Centre or see how the Brooklyn neighbourhood has transformed the Gowanus Canal, one of the most polluted spots in the US, into Sponge Park.

As you've seen, New York's October programme is undoubtedly focused on the scariest event of the year: Halloween. One of the traditions that caught my attention the most was decorating New York homes with pumpkins. But an even bigger surprise awaited me... The Jack O'Lantern Festival!

Every year around this time , the town of Croton-on-Hudson hosts the Jack O'Lantern Festival, which recreates an 18th-century landscape and displays more than 7,000 pumpkins designed and carved by hand by a team of artisans. They are all illuminated!

Did you know that these pumpkins are used to recreate all kinds of figures and scenes, such as the famous Statue of Liberty, a dragon, and the stars of a planetarium? The show is impressive. You've never seen anything like it!

Nuria's Traveller Tip

The exhibition is usually open between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., so it's best to visit when it's completely dark. Book your tickets as soon as possible because they tend to sell out!

Would you ever have imagined that dozens of birds migrate to New York every year? The city of skyscrapers is home to a large number of bird species. They too are living the American dream in Bryant Park! And why not? I'd love to live here too.

If you're travelling in October, you're in luck! Because in September and October, this park offers a free (yes, free!) bird watching tour. On this tour, you'll discover the surprising diversity of species that live in Bryant Park during the migratory season.

The guided tour takes place on Mondays and Thursdays with an environmental educator, and no prior registration is required. Did you know that more than 130 different bird species have passed through this enclave? Ah, New York, New York... What is it about this city?

Useful information about the birdwatching tour:

• Date: 6 September to 14 October 2021.
• Times: Mondays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Meeting point: Heiskell Plaza, near the corner of 6th Avenue and 42nd Street.

In summer, Bryant Park hosts music festivals and brings books out onto the street for everyone to enjoy. In October, in addition to bird watching, outdoor juggling classes are held to take advantage of the good weather. If you don't want to learn, you can also attend the shows they organise.

In addition, throughout the year (weather permitting), free walking tours of Bryant Park are conducted by park staff. The tours take place every other Wednesday and last approximately 45 minutes.

On this guided tour, you will discover some of the secrets of this iconic park, which is considered one of the oldest in New York. You will learn that for a few years it became the epicentre of crime and drugs in Manhattan, and that in winter it is filled with igloos where you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of cider, making it one of the best parks in New York.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

At the end of October, the open-air market opens, welcoming artisans from New York and around the world. If you can, stop by, because there are some really cute things!

Can you imagine travelling to New York and seeing stars such as Denzel Washington, Penélope Cruz and Pedro Almodóvar? In October, this is possible thanks to the New York Film Festival, which takes place between the end of September and the beginning of October.

If you love cinema, you'll love this event because it hosts some of the most eagerly awaited world premieres, a red carpet full of Hollywood stars, talks and free film presentations.

In 2021, for example, it surprised audiences with the world premiere of 'The Tragedy of Macbeth', a black-and-white film by Joel Cohen starring Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand and Corey Hawkin, based on William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name. So, put on your best clothes and come and see the actors!

Hello, foodies! October also sees the Big Apple host the New York City Wine and Food Festival, the city's largest food and wine festival, where you can enjoy tastings, attend evenings with TV chefs (the Arguiñanos of America), go to parties, practical cooking classes and wine tastings. Who can beat that?

On the other hand, if you're a caffeine lover, you have a very special date with coffee at the New York Coffee Festival, a boost that will give you the energy you need to explore and do a thousand things in the Big Apple.

Nuria's Traveller Tip

Enjoy one of the best sunsets on the Staten Island ferry that connects the southern tip of Manhattan with Staten Island. The best part? It's free!

As the saying goes, "October weather is crazy, a little bit of everything." Therefore, I recommend that you go prepared for whatever may come. Better to have too much than not enough! The average temperatures in New York this month range from a low of 10 degrees to a high of 18 degrees. The good news? According to statistics, it only rains 6 days a month, so you won't need an umbrella, but you will need a good coat.

Ideally, you should wear mid-season clothing, jumpers and long trousers. I always pack a scarf! And some comfortable trainers or boots because, even if you don't realise it, you'll end up walking quite a few kilometres. And now, enjoy!