A College Student’s Guide to NYC in the Fall

Five ways to celebrate autumn in the city.

Fall in New York City is a great time of year. The leaves are changing on campus, there's pumpkin spice everything, it's football season, and we're in the prime spot to enjoy all of it. Being a Manhattan College student means that you can celebrate the season in the city and, via a short car or train ride, also in the Hudson Valley.

By: Madison Smith ’21, communication major 

  • 1. Give ’Em Pumpkin To Talk About: The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

    jack o lantern pumpkin lit up in the dark

    The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze is a massive Halloween-themed walkway lined with thousands of elaborately carved pumpkins. Located at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, the Blaze is approximately 30 minutes by car from campus, and is accessible via train from the Marble Hill station on the Metro North. Tickets are available during September, October and November. The beautiful scenery that Westchester County has to offer makes for a perfect weekend getaway.

  • 2. Just Brew It

    video of woman holding coffee beverage with words PSL IS LIFE showing on screen
    The New York Coffee Festival is the perfect fall event for college students who love caffeine of all sorts. Tickets for the event in October gain access to workshops, art exhibits, food vendors, and unlimited coffee. To top it off, all proceeds are donated to Project Waterfall, a nonprofit that focuses on providing access to water in countries where coffee is mass-produced.

  • 3. The High Line

    woman with black hair and jacket walks on scenic roadway with man with dark hair and glasses
     The High Line is a gorgeous outdoor walkway and park that spans the West Side of Manhattan. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the Hudson River, all while enjoying street art and greenery planted by residents of the neighborhood and the City of New York. The High Line is especially beautiful during the fall, as the trees and outdoor plants begin to turn from green to red, yellow and brown. The best part? Admission is completely free.

  • 4. Apples in the Hudson Valley

    woman in blue plaid shirt holding bag of red apples
    Visit Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem, New York, for apple picking and a taste of the autumn season. Harvest Moon’s annual fall festival is held every weekend during September and October. Sip from a cup of cider and take home a bag of cider doughnuts. Farm-fresh Honeycrisp, McIntosh, Macoun, Gala, Ginger Gold, Fuji and Cortland apples are all available for purchase in store.

  • 5. This is Halloween

    woman with halloween makeup stands with boy in white outfit on stoop in halloween costumes

    The NYC Village Halloween Parade begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31, and spans 6th Avenue from Spring St. to 16th St. Come dressed in your favorite costume to participate in the parade itself, or simply watch from the sidelines as thousands of festive New Yorkers pass by! 

*Honorary Mention* One Smart Cookie: Levain Bakery boasts four locations throughout New York City, and is famous for their extra large, fresh cookies in a variety of different flavors. Pick up one of these cookies and enjoy a nice stroll through nearby Central Park on a crisp autumn day.

By Christine Loughran