New York in the fall is apple cider donuts, crisp air, and the crunch of leaves beneath your boots. It’s mornings filled with fresh inspiration and students heading into college dorms as trees in Central Park glow red, goldenrod, and fiery orange. The season brings the smoky aroma of sausage carts and hot zeppoles at the San Gennaro Feast in Little Italy, with the Empire State Building lighting up the skyline.
Ask a New Yorker about their favorite season and chances are, they’ll say fall. There’s a certain magic in the air—and it’s not just the scent of another pumpkin-spice latte. It’s tricky to describe but you understand it, keenly, once you experience it.
New York has countless pulls, but here's our New York travel fall guide with ten new ones in case you need another reason to visit the Big Apple this autumn.
1. Explore Steve McQueen’s Narratives of the African Diaspora at Dia Chelsea
Visitors to Dia Chelsea this fall can explore narratives of the African diaspora through the lens of artist and filmmaker Steve McQueen. Known for his poignant work that questions social and political power structures, this presentation brings together three of the artist’s works across two decades: Sunshine State (2022), Exodus (1992–97), and Bounty (2024). Leaf peepers heading upstate can round out the Steve McQueen journey with a stop at Dia Beacon, where the artist’s celebrated commission, Bass (2024), is on display until May 2025. Dia Chelsea, 537 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10011
2. Head to the West Chelsea Arts District to Discover Today’s Leading Artists
Among the gallery-lined streets of the dynamic West Chelsea Arts District, Pace is one of the world’s leading contemporary art galleries. Founded in 1960, Pace made a name for itself by representing internationally renowned artists—the likes of Alexander Calder, Louise Nevelson, and Mark Rothko—and giving them substantial creative freedom in their exhibitions. Pace’s program this fall includes solo exhibitions from Joel Shapiro, Mary Corse, and Jiro Takamatsu — must-sees for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Pace, 540 West 25th Street, New York, NY 10001
3. Enter the World of an Icon of New York Culture and Modern Dance
Tucked between the High Line and the Hudson River, the Whitney Museum’s Chelsea location merits a visit for the architecture alone (designed by Renzo Piano). Beginning this fall, museum-goers can enter the world of a New York icon—Alvin Ailey. The museum is presenting an immersive exhibition throughout its 18,000 square-foot fifth-floor galleries dedicated to the American dancer and founder of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the most important cultural institutions in New York and the world of modern dance. The exhibition features rare archival material and works by over eighty artists, including fellow New Yorker Jean Michel Basquiat. Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014
4. Discover the Crossroads Between Art and the Latest Technologies—Then Sip an Extended Reality Cocktail
This year marks the fifth anniversary of Artechouse, a museum dedicated to art created through technology, with experiences incorporating augmented reality, virtual reality, projection mapping, and more. The current exhibition, Flashback 5, promises not just an exhibition but rather, “a deeply emotional tribute to the essence of human existence and the boundless potential of creativity.” The lineup includes Geometric Properties with Julius Horsthuis, Life of a Neuron in collaboration with the Society for Neuroscience, TRUST with fuse*, Aṣẹ: Afro Frequencies with Vince Fraser and ursula rucker, and Beyond the Light with NASA. After taking in some art, pop by the onsite XR Bar for a cocktail brought to life through one-of-a-kind Extended Reality activations. Artechouse NYC, 439 W 15th St, New York, NY 10011
5. Soak in New York Mystery and History in the Catacombs of St Patrick's Cathedral
With the spooky season upon us, there’s no better destination than the Catacombs of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. Past visitors have claimed to have seen ghostly apparitions among the remains of New York’s prominent families and clergy. Located under Old St. Patrick's Cathedral in the Nolita neighborhood, the Catacombs are one of the last remaining in the city. Join a guided tour for a mix of architecture, history, mystery, and New York urban legends. Catacombs by Candlelight Tour, The Basilica of St Patrick's Old Cathedral, 266 Mulberry Street NY 10012
6. Sip Craft Cocktails with Panoramic Views of the City
When the city’s skyscrapers start closing in, the best antidote is rising above it all—and sipping a craft cocktail at Overstory, perched on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street, in the heart of the Financial District. Sister bar to the acclaimed SAGA restaurant, Overstory has an art deco vibe and panoramic views of the city, all while serving exceptional cocktails, like the Wah-Ka-Tay, their twist on a Pisco Sour with soto, yerba mate, and Peruvian mint. It’s no wonder this elevated watering hole was snapped up the top spot on bar lists. Overstory, 64th floor of 70 Pine Street, New York, NY 10005
Click for maps of places to stay and eat.
7. Catch a Rare Performance from an Emmy-Award-Winning Musician at Blue Note Jazz
Located in the historically bohemian Greenwich Village, Blue Note Jazz has been an institution since 1981. While music lovers can often drop in to catch a late-night jam session, this fall, it’s worth planning ahead to catch Emmy-award-winning pianist, composer, vocalist, and multidisciplinary artist Samora Pinderhughes. Described by the New York Times as “…one of the most affecting singer-songwriters today, in any genre,” Pinderhughes is known for his moving work that tends to explore themes of injustice and inequality. Blue Note Jazz Club, 131 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012
8. Embark on a Guided Tour Through the Cosmos Every Tuesday on the High Line
On an elevated rail line dating back to 1933, the High Line is a verdant oasis featuring over 500 species of plants and trees, running along the west side of Manhattan. On Tuesdays at sunset, pending clear skies, the Amateur Astronomers Association hosts stargazing sessions—there’s no better way to discover autumnal astronomy. They provide high-powered telescopes—the only thing you need to bring is a healthy sense of curiosity and wonder.
Stargazing on the High Line, Little West 12th Street
9. Admire Gotham City from Every Angle on a Sunset Boat Tour
Take in the world’s most iconic city skyline from every angle on a sunset boat tour of New York City. While many boat tours cruise down the Hudson River, past sites like the Statue of Liberty and One World Trade Center, Circle Line offers tours that circumnavigate the entire isle of Manhattan, offering views of the Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and everything in between. It’s a perfect activity for fall—just before the night air becomes a little too crisp.
Circle Line, Pier 83, W 42nd St &, 12th Ave, New York, NY 10036
10. Stroll Troutman Street in Bushwick Along Some of the World’s Most Breathtaking Murals
The Bushwick Collective began as a way to protect the artistic spirit of one of Brooklyn’s fast-gentrifying neighborhoods, where local creators were being displaced by skyrocketing rents. Today, nearly 14 years later, it’s a rolling open-air gallery where renowned street artists from around the world continue to leave their mark, all curated by founder and Brooklyn-native Joe Ficalora. While guided tours are available, you can also grab a hot coffee and stroll unhurriedly along Troutman Street while taking in the stunning murals. The Bushwick Collective, Troutman St, Brooklyn, New York 11237
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