New York in October

By Sarah Harris
Published: May 16, 2024

Searching for interesting activities and exciting events in New York this Autumn? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re planning a fun family trip or travelling solo, the city provides a wide array of engaging experiences to keep you busy in the fall. Those looking for stunning architecture, delicious food and world-class art will not be disappointed. If you’re planning to make the trip, read on for some of our top things to do in New York during October.

Explore the City

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If you’re looking to avoid those rainy Autumn afternoons, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered. Built into a stunning building overlooking the Hudson River, The Cloisters specializes in European medieval art, with an emphasis on the Romanesque and Gothic periods. A total must-see for art lovers, the repository holds an expansive collection of over 5,000 paintings, sculptures, tapestries and more. Fascinating and exciting, this place provides a delightful educational experience for those of all ages.

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Those who are interested in exploring the history and culture of New York might want to check out the Merchant’s House Museum. Though once serving as a home to the Tredwells, a prospering merchant-class family, this fully intact row house now seeks to provide an intimate glimpse into Old New York. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, this small venerable building is considered to be one of the best remaining examples of Greek Revival and late-Federal architecture. Visitors can take self-guided walking tours to view the elaborate plasterwork and rare art pieces whilst learning more about those who lived there.

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Don’t let the weather ruin your vacation. If you’re wanting to stay dry whilst soaking up some culture, why not check out the New York Film Festival? Standing out amongst other fantastic attractions in the city, this event is one of the longest-running and most prestigious film festivals in the United States. Screening a broad selection of feature films, short pictures, and documentary pieces, there's more than enough to choose from. Those who are particularly interested in learning more about cinema can also catch special events, masterclasses and talks.

Find Interesting Activities

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There’s always a fun event to attend in the city. Attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, the New York Wine and Food Festival brings together some of the world’s most celebrated chefs and sommeliers together for this annual four-day extravaganza. A great stop for all foodies, the event offers a wide array of culinary events, including walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, culinary demonstrations and late-night parties. Elegant, relaxing and affordable all at once - what's not to love?

The city presents a wide variety of indoor attractions once the weather starts to cool down. If you’re interested in pop culture, you might want to check out New York Comic Con. Since establishing itself in 2006, the event has grown to become one of the biggest Comic Cons of them all, celebrating all things nerdy! The festival features everything from exciting workshops and artist and celebrity Q&A panels, to lightsaber battles and cosplay contests right in the center of Manhattan. With previous guests like Adam West, David Harbour and Bryan Cranston, you won't want to miss out on this one!

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How could we talk about October in New York without mentioning Oktoberfest? Running from the start of the month, this traditional Bavarian festival is undoubtedly one of fall’s finest delights. Celebrations take place across all five boroughs at various restaurants, bars and outdoor spaces. Soak up the suds at the biergarten, dig into a hot bratwurst straight off the grill or enjoy an authentic music performance – the choice is yours!

Arguably, one of the greatest things about New York City is its delicious gastronomic offerings. Those who are looking for a taste of the city should head down to the Brooklyn Bagelfest for an unparalleled cultural and culinary adventure. Enjoy the best bagels from a wide variety of favorite New York vendors, as well as craft beer on tap. As if that wasn’t enough, the festival also features bagel-themed activities, art and music.

Get Festive

October is Halloween season, and we refuse to just ignore it. If you’re looking to kick the spookiness into high gear, you might want to look into Central Park’s Pumpkin Flotilla. Amongst the best fall foliage in the city, you can hear ghost stories, check out a costume parade, and carve out a delightful pumpkin! After the festivities, watch fifty gourds glow up the Harlem Meer at twilight. Feel free to dress up for the occasion!

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Another one of our favorite October events is the Village Halloween Parade. Drawing in millions of spectators each year, the event is recognized as the world’s largest Halloween procession. Billed as ‘’New York’s Carnival’’, the spectacular parade features around 50, 000 costumed participants, exceptional marching bands, remarkable floats and enormous puppets. A little quirky and a whole lot of fun, the festival delivers a one-of-a-kind holiday experience to remember for years to come.

If you were thinking that Halloween was the only way to celebrate in New York in October, you were wrong! A national holiday for many, Columbus Day celebrates the discovery of the New World whilst also serving as an important festival for the Italian American community. Drawing in around a million spectators each year, the Columbus Day Parade brings a whole host of family-filled fun, complete with colorful floats, lively musical performances and dancing. Those who are travelling during the federal holiday should keep in mind that other attractions may be closed for the rest of the day.

The East Coast dazzles all year round, but we particularly love New York in the vibrant autumn months. The air is brisk, the colors are changing, and the city comes alive with a whole host of seasonal experiences. Whether you're looking for fun Halloween events like the Pumpkin Flotilla, or something cozier like a quiet museum day, the city presents a wide array of engaging experiences to keep you busy in the fall. Explore the city to its maximum potential with Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.

Sarah Harris
Go City Travel Expert

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Statue of Liberty in close-up with the New York skyline beyond.
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Empire State Building Vs Statue of Liberty NYC Comparison

Ask your average Jane or Joe to name as many top New York attractions as they can in 10 seconds and it’s fairly likely the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building will be first out of their mouths. But how do they measure up? Which has been around the longest and which has stolen the most blockbuster movie scenes? We got up close and personal with these two titans of the Manhattan skyline to find out. History The Statue of Liberty arrived on US shores in 1885, a gift from the people of France. This beautifully rendered copper giant was designed by celebrated sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, with a metal framework by his engineering pal Gustave Eiffel. Yes, that Gustave Eiffel. The statue was dedicated on Liberty Island in October 1886, where she has stood ever since, her gorgeous patina earning her the nickname ‘Green Goddess’. Still the definitive emblem of American freedom after more than 140 years, the statue attracts around 3.5 million visitors every year. The Empire State Building joined the party a little later, and will reach its centenary year in 2031. Perhaps the most iconic Art Deco building on the planet, it stands at 1,453ft and was the world’s tallest building for over four decades, until topped by the World Trade Center’s North Tower in 1970. No other building has held the record for that long, just one of many accolades held by this monolithic Manhattan masterpiece, which attracts around four million visitors a year, primarily for the birds’ eye views afforded by its observation platforms on the 86th and 102nd floors, some 1,250ft from terra firma. At the Movies The iconic status of the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building mean both have featured in countless movies, TV shows and music videos over the years. How many can you think of? The image of King Kong at the top of the Empire State Building, clinging to his beloved Ann Darrow (Fay Wray) and swatting away airplanes like flies before succumbing to their gunfire, is one of the most recognizable in movie history. It’s the Empire State’s mic drop moment, but the Green Goddess is no cinematic slouch either, having appeared on the silver screen many hundreds of times, even as far back as the silent movie era, when she made what is thought to be her debut alongside Charlie Chaplin in 1917’s The Immigrant. As a proud symbol of American freedom, Lady Liberty has also done innumerable stints in disaster movies, representing hope – or the fall of humankind. We’re talking the haunting image of the statue half-buried in sand in the closing scenes of Planet of the Apes as well as appearances in – deep breath – Independence Day, Deep Impact, The Day After Tomorrow, Cloverfield and, um, Sharknado 2. What can you do at the Statue of Liberty? A trip out to the planet’s most famous torchbearer takes in both Liberty Island (where the statue is located) and its near-neighbor Ellis Island, home of the National Museum of Immigration. And it’s well worth visiting both while you’re here. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the rich history of New York and the USA itself, there’s no better place to start. Photographs, heirlooms and a database of searchable historical records track the history of immigration in the US, and you can even peep into the baggage rooms and dormitories once used by ‘the huddled masses’ who arrived in New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Of course, the statue herself is the main event, and there are various options depending on what you want to see. You can book to climb to the top of the pedestal on which Lady Liberty stands, or go the whole hog and climb the 162-step spiral staircase inside the statue for epic views from right up inside her famous crown. Tickets for these experiences are available via the Statue City Cruises website, while a pass from Go City includes your ferry ticket plus entry to the museums, as well as dozens more New York attractions including the Guggenheim, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and – yep – the Empire State Building. What can you do at the Empire State Building? Really the only downside of visiting the observation platforms on the 86th and 102nd floors of the Empire State Building is the fact that those crazy views don’t include... the Empire State Building itself. Instead, soak up some of the best selfie opportunities in town with backdrops that include Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge and many other icons of the New York skyline. The 86th floor is in pole position for photo opps thanks to its open air platform, while the top floor is higher up (obvs) but fully enclosed. You can pimp up your visit with a range of direct ticket options that includes skip-the-line tickets, premium champagne packages and guided tours of the building, including the incredible Art Deco lobby. Or go straight for the 86th floor with an attraction pass from Go City. How to get to the Statue of Liberty The Statue of Liberty’s location on Liberty Island means the only way of getting there is by ferry from Battery Park in Manhattan or the Liberty State Park in New Jersey. All passengers are required to undergo a security screening before boarding, so we’d recommend arriving 30 minutes or so before your planned departure, to avoid missing the boat. The Staten Island Ferry is another option if you just fancy a close pass (with stacks of great photo opportunities of both the statue and Manhattan skyline) but without actually physically visiting the attraction. Check out our blog on the best time to visit the Statue of Liberty here. How to get to the Empire State Building Getting to the Empire State Building is an absolute cinch. It’s right in the center or the Big Apple and you really can’t miss it; it’s visible from just about everywhere. The nearest metro stations are Herald Square and Penn Station, or arrive in style at the awesome Grand Central, and make the 10-minute walk from there. Check out our blog on the best time to visit the Empire State Building here. Save on New York Activities and Attractions And that concludes our deep dive into the world of the Empire State Building vs the Statue of Liberty. We hope, in the unlikely event that you choose to visit only one of these big attractions, that in some small way our guide can help you make your decision. If not, and if indecision continues to dog you, remember you can easily visit both and save money thanks to Go City’s All-Inclusive and Explorer passes for New York. So what are you waiting for?
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Dusk view of the Empire State Building from the Top of the Rock observatory
Blog

The Best Time to Visit The Top Of The Rock

The Rockefeller Center – aka 30 Rock – is the iconic Art Deco centerpiece of Rockefeller Plaza, a glorious, skyscraping work of art that, at a whopping 850 feet high, ranks as one of the Big Apple’s tallest buildings. It’s no wonder then that the uppermost floors (67, 69 and 70, to be precise) have been given over to observation decks collectively known as the Top of The Rock. We’re talking 360-degree views across the entire city to Long Island, New Jersey and even – on clear days – as far as Connecticut. And (spoiler alert!) if visually stunning 1930s Art Deco treasures are your bag, you’ll also enjoy uninterrupted close-up views of the Empire State Building from up here. Read on for our guide to the best times to visit the Top of The Rock. Opening hours Top of The Rock is open every single day of the year including holidays from 9AM to 11PM. Come rain, hail or shine, you can whiz heavenwards in the glass Sky Shuttle elevator, reaching the 70th floor in less than a minute. Guests can visit the observation decks for as long as they like during operating hours, but the latest entry to Top of The Rock is at 10:10PM. Check the Top of The Rock website for the latest opening hours before making your booking. A Go City attraction pass gives you access to the Top of The Rock’s three observation decks with their uninterrupted views of the Big Apple. The 67th floor deck has a large indoor space plus north and south-facing outdoor terraces. Floor 69 has yet more outdoor space, but it’s the fully outdoor 70th floor, right on top of the building, from where you’ll enjoy the clearest views of NYC icons including Central Park, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, the Chrysler Building and the Hudson. Best time to visit the Top Of The Rock As with many of the Big Apple’s most popular attractions, the best times to visit Top of The Rock tend to be early in the morning or late in the evening if, that is, your primary objective is to beat the crowds. If, on the other hand, it’s heart-soaring sunsets you’re after (and quite frankly why wouldn’t it be?), you'll need to head to the Top of the Rock about an hour before dusk, and expect lines. 3PM–9PM tends to be the busiest time of day for precisely that reason. Just after the 9AM opening is when you’ll get the most private experience, as the morning sun glints and gleams on the Empire State Building and across the skyscrapers of Midtown. Crowds also tail off after sunset meaning that beyond 9PM is the best time to see the city lights illuminating the Manhattan skyline. Beautiful though this time of day is, do note that unlit areas like Central Park will be visible only as large dark patches on the ground after nightfall. Generally speaking, Mondays and Tuesdays tend to be the quietest days. Holidays and weekends (especially Saturdays) are when Top of The Rock is at its most busy. Visit during the festive season to pair your visit with a pilgrimage to the enormous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which is displayed on the plaza (but not visible from the Top of The Rock itself) from mid-November until early January. Getting to the Top Of The Rock There are oodles of ways to get to the Top of The Rock with ease. Most straightforward are the multiple subway services that call at the 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center station (B, D, F and M trains) as well as additional trains to 49th, 50th and 51st Street stops. Discounted parking is also available at Rockefeller Center SP+ garage which you’ll find at 25 West 48th Street. Enter 30 Rock on 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Tickets Pre-book tickets direct on the Top of The Rock website to avoid having to wait in potentially long lines at the box office on the day. There are a few different ticket options available, ranging from general admission to the three observation decks to a VIP skip-the-line experience that includes a guide and a peek into 30 Rock’s glitzy Rainbow Room restaurant, a favorite with New York’s rich and famous for nearly a century. You can save money with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass for New York attractions, which includes entry to the Top of The Rock in addition to many more landmark attractions across the Big Apple. These include the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Where to eat Dining options at the Rockefeller Center are plentiful and run the gamut from family favorites to fine dining. There are grab’n’go sandwich bars and those with a sweet tooth can get their fix from any number of bakeries, cookie stores and ice cream vendors. Check the Rockefeller Center website for the most up-to-date list of restaurants and to find out how to book. We love Le Rock for chic Art Deco style and French fine dining. Or choose Ace’s Pizza on the center’s rink level for Detroit and Sicilian-style slices to share with family and friends. In brief... Want to beat the crowds? Visit as close as possible to opening time (9AM) or come after 9PM to experience the best of the glittering Manhattan skyline after dark. Book tickets online in advance to avoid having to wait in line at the box office and you’ll be speeding skyward in that lightning-fast glass elevator before you know it. Uninterrupted 360-degree views await on the 70th-floor open-air observation deck right at the top of the building. Get the Go City attraction pass to make great savings when visiting this and other popular New York City attractions! Useful links Buy tickets online Get the Go City attraction pass for New York Visit the Top of The Rock with Go City Official Top of The Rock website
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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