10 Things to Do in New York in September

September marks the beginning of autumn. An ideal time to enjoy baseball games, festivals and many other activities - discover New York this season!

Luisa María Lugo

Luisa María Lugo

10 min read

10 Things to Do in New York in September

Manhattan in the middle of summer | ©Andy Arbeit

The opportunity to explore New York's most striking streets and sights in September is ideal. The heat is no longer a problem and the bitter cold has not yet arrived. For this reason, many important and eagerly awaited events take place at this time.

Various festivals, sports competitions and art exhibitions fill the city, and you can attend the celebrations of your choice. You just have to know what they are to decide or even go to each of them if you have the time. Here you will find an overview of the most popular and interesting ones to compare and not to miss the ones that catch your attention.

1. Witness a real musical on Broadway itself

Start of Chicago The Musical| ©Karen & Drew Attanasio
Start of Chicago The Musical| ©Karen & Drew Attanasio

Tickets to famous Broadway musicals are not cheap, but they are worth seeing. If you want to satisfy the illusion of seeing this kind of show, be sure to take advantage of the special Broadway Week.

During this week, which actually lasts more than seven days, many theatres make a special offer available to the public. This happens only twice a year, so you can't miss out on this offer, which is valid in September.

You can buy two tickets for the price of just one. This will save you 50% of the money you would spend paying what the two tickets are really worth. Some of the best musicals you'll probably want to see on Broadway are:

Get your tickets for your favourite musical now

2. Experience the thrill of watching a live NFL game

American Football in New York| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney
American Football in New York| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney

If you agree that American football is one of the most exciting sports, visit New York in September. Another season of the great National Football League (NFL) kicks off during this month, allowing you to catch a game.

Feel the adrenaline and sporting passion of watching a game completely live in person. Join the New York Jets fans or the New York Giants fans, because the city has 2 teams - you choose which one to support to make sure you win and celebrate victory!

Buy NFL tickets

3. Don't miss a baseball game

Yankee Stadium ticket| ©Andrés Alvarado
Yankee Stadium ticket| ©Andrés Alvarado

When you arrive in New York in September, you'll still have a chance to catch a home baseball game. The season for games there will be nearly over, as it ends in October, but you'll have a chance. It's one of the major national sports, so the stadiums are usually packed.

As if the excitement of the game itself wasn't enough, the atmosphere in the stadium is great. Join in the euphoria, the screaming and the enjoyment of fast food by going to support one of the teams. Again you have 2 options to choose from, the Mets or the Yankees, both are from New York.

The expense you will incur will depend on the area you want to sit in and what you buy inside. Tickets cost approximately $10 to $500. Because of this, you can choose where you will spend your time watching and cheering on the game within your planned budget. In any case, if you can't afford a game, you can also visit Yankee Stadium or visit Brooklyn Nets Stadium.

Buy baseball tickets

4. Enjoy the grand finale of the tennis tournament

Practising for the Grand Slam| ©R Boed
Practising for the Grand Slam| ©R Boed

The US Open Tennis Championship is another major sporting event. It is held every year in New York in September, specifically in early September. The well-known Flushing Meadows Park, in the northern part of Queens, is the place where it is held.

If you are one of those people who like this sport, take advantage of your visit to the city with skyscrapers. You can take advantage of the occasion to have the rare opportunity to watch world-renowned professional tennis players play. But hurry up and buy your tickets for the US Open Tennis Championship because they sell out fast.

Buy your US Open Tennis Championship tickets

5. Experience the long awaited Labor Day

Shopping Day| ©Ksenia Chernaya
Shopping Day| ©Ksenia Chernaya

Every first Monday of the month, Labor Day is celebrated in a big way. This happens in New York in September, although it is also a holiday across the United States. This holiday is considered to be the unofficial mark of the end of the summer season.

On this day, you're likely to find many people in the parks, out for a stroll. But best of all, you will find sales, offers, discounts and promotions in different shops. Believe me, if shopping in New York City appeals to you, this is one of the best days to do it without overspending. Book a New York shopping tour and let yourself go.

Book a New York shopping tour

6. Attend a free photo festival

Smile at Photoville| ©Suraj Bajaj
Smile at Photoville| ©Suraj Bajaj

Do you consider photography to be an art that should be valued? Join Photoville - a festival packed with workshops, nightly storytelling, artist talks and demonstrations - for free.

It takes place in Brooklyn Bridge Park, i.e. under the famous Brooklyn Bridge, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors. There you can see what artists from all over the world have to show. The fact that they are not famous does not detract from their excellent work, which is undeniably attractive.

One of the peculiar details of this festival is the use of merchandise containers that serve as photo galleries. Come and spend a beautiful autumn afternoon looking at these photographic works that convey profound messages! If you're still hungry for more, here's a link to everything you need to know about the Fotografiska Museum in New York; I'm sure it will make you want to visit.

Book your ticket for the Fotografiska Museum

7. Visit an art exhibition in a historic museum

Entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City| ©Patxi Moraleda
Entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City| ©Patxi Moraleda

You shouldn't leave New York without a visit to the MET, a museum of worldwide importance. The extensive collection here is over 2,000,000 pieces, some dating back 5,000 years. Why in September? Because the high season of July and August has just ended and tourists take a break in places as crowded as this museum, which can also be a good refuge during the rainy days that are starting to become more frequent.

That is why you will probably need to make several visits in order to visit and appreciate it fully. As the name suggests, this metropolitan art museum has art of different types.

There are pieces of different shapes and sizes with Asian, Oriental, Egyptian, Islamic, American, Medieval and more. So be sure to follow MET New York GuideIf you have an eye for art, this is a must-see if you have an eye for it.

Book a guided tour at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

8. Have the best day at a park with lots of attractions

Ziplining in New York| ©Diane Greene Lent
Ziplining in New York| ©Diane Greene Lent

Taking advantage of the great weather in New York in September to visit a park is a great idea. There are parks with multiple rides that you'll definitely want to ride, such as the tall roller coasters. While those tend to be the main ones, there are zip lines, boardwalks and carousels.

Of course, there are many others, as more and more different rides are being added. On the other hand, there are the theme parks, which you will love if you are a fan of certain popular movies or series. Being in one of those will be like going inside and living in a certain way those stories you like so much. One option is the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at American Dream. Book your ticket and enjoy like a kid!

Book your ticket for Nickelodeon Theme Park

9. Admire works of art in an outdoor exhibition

Touring the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit| ©Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
Touring the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit| ©Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

There's another completely free event on the list of things to do in New York in September. It's called the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit and it lasts not just one weekend, but two. The streets near Washington Park are the hub of this art exhibition.

That's why it's known by the aforementioned name. Numerous artists from different parts of the New York metropolitan area, and from all over the United States, come together. You may even come across international artists who choose to participate in this casual art exhibition.

The origin of this event can be traced back to an idea by Jackson Pollock, circa 1931. It is still held today and admiring all the works in this open-air setting won't cost you a thing. Of course, if your intention is to take one home as a souvenir, you will have to buy it. And, of course, art is everywhere in New York, in each and every one of its museums. Here's an article with the best museums in New York if you want to focus your visit on art and culture.

10. Celebrate a week full of fashion thanks to a luxury event

New York Fashion Week| ©Peter Duhon
New York Fashion Week| ©Peter Duhon

Are you interested in fashion and enjoy reading magazines like Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire? If so, you'll love being in this world capital of acclaimed fashion during the famous Fashion Week. It is held there only twice a year, once during the first 15 days of September.

So, during this time, there are many exclusive fashion shows, highlights and glamorous parties that you will love. For this event, a huge number of designers, world-renowned celebrities, models and journalists come to the Big Apple.

So it's definitely a good time to be in this metropolis of the fashion world.

What are the temperatures in New York in September?

Rain in New York| ©Josh Hild
Rain in New York| ©Josh Hild

September marks the transition from summer to autumn in New York City. As a result, the prevailing temperatures are quite pleasant, making the month slightly warm. The minimum temperature that could be reached is 16ºC, ideal if you are a very cold person.

While the average temperature is 20ºC and the maximum would generally only be around 30ºC. In addition, there are usually around 9 days of average rainfall in the city during this month. Now, if you want to see for yourself what the weather is like, start preparing your trip to experience it.

Book a tour of Central Park

New York City in September

Visiting New York| ©Samson Katt
Visiting New York| ©Samson Katt

The number of tourists who choose to visit the Big Apple is highest during the summer months. Therefore, by September, what is known as the high season will be over and the number of tourists will decrease.

Being different from the rest and planning your New York holiday for that month can be an excellent plan. That's because, with fewer tourists during this season, your stay and sightseeing will certainly be more comfortable.

On top of that, you already know about the events you can enjoy, many of which only occur during that month. There's bound to be more than one that you want to try out and don't want to skip.

Book a tour of New York

Prices in New York during autumn

Paying for shopping| ©Jack Sparrow
Paying for shopping| ©Jack Sparrow

September comes after two months of very high prices in New York. So, compared to those expensive months, this one sees an improvement in prices for tourists. But you will see the real significant price drop in the final days of the month.

The most tempting offers will be during that time. However, everything will go up again for the long-awaited Christmas season, when many go to the big city. So you don't want to delay your visit too long or let September pass you by. Want a money-saving tip? Book one of the New York City Explorer Passes to visit a number of attractions at a discount and enjoy all the things to do and places to see in New York.

Book your New York City Explorer Pass

Pack your bags and travel to New York in September!

Ready to Travel| ©Alexandr Podvalny
Ready to Travel| ©Alexandr Podvalny

You already know what the weather will be like if you're travelling during that golden autumn month to this popular city. If you'd like a little extra help on what to pack and what to leave at home, here it is. The must-have items of clothing in your luggage are as follows:

  • Closed-toe shoes that are comfortable for you, such as ankle boots and converse.
  • Jacket made of thin fabric, which will serve you in the evenings and mornings.
  • Jumpers with long sleeves that are not too warm and T-shirts.
  • Jeans, preferably long jeans if you usually feel that you freeze to death too soon.
  • Scarf or thin scarf that you can wrap around your neck and take off easily when you want to.
  • Mackintosh and shoes suitable for a rainy day, which is likely to occur during your stay.

Book a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island