Things To Do in New York in October
Best October New York City Activities
The best Things To Do in New York in October range from catching the tail end of our most popular outdoor activities and excursions to escaping the city for fall foliage cruises and apple picking. Fairs and festivals are happening every weekend, the Met Martini Rooftop is still open and there is pretty much a major NYC sports team playing every day of the week.
October is a great month to visit, since the weather is usually mild and Columbus Day, celebrated the 2nd Monday in October, creates a three-day weekend, making it a very popular time for visitors.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) Rooftop Open
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Cantor Roof Garden and outdoor café are now closed until 2030 for renovations.
Skyline Views, Art and Cocktails – what more could you want? Every summer, the Met opens the Martini Bar on the Roof Garden Café, an 8,000-square-foot, informal, outdoor setting with breathtaking panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Central Park.
April-October (Exhibition)
Late April. (Rooftop Bar Reopens)
Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden
The 2025 Roof Garden Commission: Jennie C. Jones, Ensemble will was on view April-October and “will explore the sonic potential of stringed instruments as well as their formal possibilities.” On Friday & Saturday Nights, The Met hosts Sun Sets, which celebrates the freedom, inclusivity, and creativity of electronic music culture with a series of rooftop events showcasing the diversity of sounds emanating from the city’s ever-evolving music underground.
More info: Met Roof Martini Bar Schedule.
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Ghost Tours of New York City
Celebrate Halloween month in New York City by visiting America’s most haunted city, the Big Apple, and learn the New York of myth, movies and books. Capture the spiritual side of NYC through stories of lost opportunities, political intrigue, disease and murder
- Haunted Broadway Theaters Walking Tour – Visit legendary theaters where the ghosts of famous Vaudeville and Broadway stars still take to the stage long after the performances have closed
- New York City Ghost & Vampire Tours – Take a ghost pub crawl, visit legendary theaters where the ghosts of famous Vaudeville and Broadway stars still take to the stage long after the performances have closed and other haunted choices
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NYC Festivals, Fairs and Parades Fall
October in New York City is packed with Festivals and Fairs every week and weekend. If you’re looking for insider access to buildings not normally available to the public, check out the Annual ‘Open House’ New York City, allowing New Yorkers and tourists alike free access to hundreds of sites talks, tours, performances and family activities in neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs.
More of a celebrity chef fan and foodie? Check out the New York City Wine and Food Festival. Have no fear music and film buffs, there is plenty for you as well: New York Television Festival and the New York Film Festival.
There are also dozens street fairs and gift fairs every weekend in October.
More Info: October Festivals, Fairs and Parades in NYC.
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Where to Stay during Fall in New York City
Fall is the perfect time to check into one of our hotels with an awesome roofdeck, free bicycles and/or right next to Central Park. Few activities in NYC are better than riding your free bike a few blocks into Central Park to see the fall foliage and having a snack at Tavern on the Green or the Boathouse. Finish off your awesome day by immersing yourself in one of our spectacular skyline views on a hotel rooftop!
Things To Do in New York in October Events
Calendar
Check out all our cool NYC events in October: Giants and Jets football, Nets and Knicks basketball, Halloween and Columbus Day Parades, Wine & Food Festival, Off-Broadway Week. For even more things to do in New York in October, check out our guide to Fun Things to do in New York in Fall !!!!
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Free Things to Do in October
Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy…you name it! October is filled with free tours, attractions, museums, events, shows, fitness, movies and more.
So whether you want free Museums, neighborhood tours, a moonlight bike ride in Central Park, to ride the Staten Island Ferry, walk the High Line or Brooklyn Bridge, we have you covered with 100s of Free Things to Do in New York City (organized by day of the week).
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Apple Picking Near New York City
How’s this for irony? One of the very few things you can no longer do in The Big Apple is go apple picking! Not to fear, The Empire State has us totally covered. I try to stick to NYC adventures that don’t require a car, so rather than repeat what the experts have already discovered, I’ll lead you straight to them:
- Apple Selecting (not really picking) at the Queens County Farm
- Get Picky: 6 Apple Orchards Near NYC
- Red Delicious! U-Pick Apple Orchards Near NYC
- Best Apple Picking Near NYC
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Times Talks A-List Live Interviews
One of the BEST ways to experience celebrities and A-Listers like only a New Yorker can. Stay tuned for top picks for October…
In prior years, they were Kate Winslet, Danny Boyle and Aaron Sorkin discussing the new “Steve Jobs” movie, while Jennifer Hudson and Alice Waters share their new Broadway musical, The Color Purple, with conversation and performances and Cate Blanchett and Robert Redford discuss their new film “Truth.” There are always plenty of celebrity chefs, such as Giada De Laurentiis, Bobby Flay, Mario Batali and more, celebrating the Food and Wine Festival.
More Info: www.timestalks.com
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More Things to do in October
- Walk The High Line and visit the Whitney Museum in the Meatpacking District
- Take a Fall Foliage Cruise or bus tour
- Take a New York City Ghost Tour or visit a Haunted House
- Get your Halloween costume! The good ones go fast so don’t wait until the last minute. Check out Ricky’s (including their special Halloween pop ups), New York Costumes (on 4th Ave & 11st Street) and Abracadabra (W 21st St). Suited up? Great, now book your tickets for the best Halloween Parties in NYC.
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What to Wear – What to Bring – October in New York
October can be 80 degrees or snowing! No joke…Halloween has seen heat waves and snowstorms over the last few years. Average temperatures are roughly 57°F (14°C) and a 31% chance of rain, but there tends to be major downward spikes from day to night. In just an hour, you may go from comfortable in shorts and a sweater to freezing when the sun sets. Most NYC natives are wearing light coats, sweaters, jeans/pants/skirts, boots and carrying umbrellas this time of year.
Before packing, consult with a weather website, but always include outfits with layers, comfortable shoes, and a small knapsack for dumping layers into while walking around.
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More Things to do in New York City
Fun Things to do in New York in Winter
- Fun Things to do in New York in Winter
- Ice Skating in New York City
- Things to do in NYC in December
- Things to do in NYC in January
- Things to do in NYC in February
- Holiday Markets in NYC
- Christmas in New York City
- Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
- Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
- New York City Museums
- NYC Helicopter Tours
- Free Things to Do in New York City
Newest NYC Experiences – Be The First!
Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:
- Ink48 Hotel – right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
- The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village – all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
- The Empire Hotel – year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals
See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
Museums
Museums and attractions are open, some with reduced capacity, safety protocols, reservations and vaccination proof. Check out the new Museum of Ice Cream (SoHo), Guggenheim, MoMA, Whitney and so many more NYC Museums from which to choose.
Attractions & Sightseeing
NYC attractions are open, some with reservations required. Whether you want to sightsee from the sky or selfie with celebs @ Madame Tussauds, you can be safe and explore.
Go HIGH or Go Home
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or the new SUMMIT? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) Opened Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building. One of the hottest tickets in town
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Sightsee from the Sky
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or Summit? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building – (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock – (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory – (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge – (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt – (91-93 floors) All glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building
See All: Top New York City Tourist Attractions
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New York City Night Cruises
See our beautiful Skyline from all angles – in any weather!
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Take in ALL the Tours, Landmarks and Attractions and SAVE
NY Sightseeing Pass, New York Pass, NY Explorer Pass, CityPASS Compared
- Sightseeing Pass – Unlimited Hop on Hop off Buses, One World Observatory, Edge
- New York Pass – 80+ tours and attractions, Choose 1-10 Days
- Explorer or Go Select – Choose from 55+ sights or Build your Your
- New York CityPASS – 6 top attractions, good for 9 days from first use
See All: New York City Pass Comparison Chart
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Things to do in New York with Kids
One of the best parts of NYC is that what is fun for kids is usually just as much fun for adults. If you are joining us in NYC for a family vacation, then please read all about our local kid’s favorites, along with special tips just for visitors.
- Things to Do in New York With Kids – best NYC activities, tours, attractions and Insider Tips for kids and families
- Broadway and Off Broadway Shows for Kids – choose a dream show, like Aladdin, Wicked or Lion King, see the latest Kids shows, or save BIG and entertain kids and little ones under 4 with an awesome Off Broadway Show
- Best NYC Hotels for Families – special perks, freebies, bunk beds, larger rooms, suites
See All: Visiting New York with Kids.
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FREE Things to do in New York City
There are tons of free things to do in New York all day, every day! Tours, attractions, museums, events, shows, sports, movie and more. Kids, adults, outdoors, indoors, active, lazy…you name it!
- NYC Museums Free Days and Times – weekly guide to free museum admissions
- Free New York City Walking Tours – guided or downloadable free NYC walking tours
- More Things to Do in New York City – kids, by month, by season, free, budget
See All: Free Things to Do in NYC – weekly calendar of all free walking tours, free museum admissions, free things to do by season and more
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New York City Shopping Guides
- New York City Shopping Guide
- Shopping in NYC Department Stores
- Discount Budget Shopping in NYC
- Resale and Consignment Shops
- Shopping Guides by Neighborhood
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- New York Outlet Malls
- New York City Gift Shopping
- Holiday Markets in NYC
- New York City Shopping Tours
- Add YOUR NYC Shop,Tour, Sample Sale
New York City Nightlife
How do you make the most of your time in the city that never sleeps?? Some of the best ‘only in NYC’ nightlife experiences include skyline views, dinner cruises, Museums and attractions open late til 2am, rooftops, night tours, comedy clubs and more. Some of our top NYC Nightlife picks:
- NYC Rooftop Lounge Tour – guaranteed access to exclusive nighttime hot spots as you sip cocktails under the sky
- InviteOnly Party @ the Hottest NYC Clubs – VIP access to NYC Clubs with Bottle Service and dancing.
- New York Dinner Cruise – family-friendly and/or romantic cruise with excellent service, spectacular sights and delicious menu offerings.
- Broadway Comedy Club – laugh out loud all night long
- NYC Night Bus Tour – From Times Square to the Brooklyn Bridge, see our city wink and twinkle right at you.
See all our Top Picks: New York City Nightlife
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Save HUGE $$$$ in NYC
- New York City Coupons Guide
- Save on NYC Hotels
- Half Price NYC Tickets
- Ticketmaster Deals
- NYC Museums FREE Days
- Free NYC Printable Maps
- NYC Restaurants and Food Discounts
- New York Attractions Discount Passes
- Free New York City Walking Tours
- Free Things to Do in New York City
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- Visiting New York on a Budget
Romantic Things to Do in NYC
There are tons of things to do on your romantic New York City vacation. Attractions open late with skyline views, Central Park Tours, VIP Experiences, a helicopter ride. Some of the most popular romantic ways to see NYC include:
See more romantic things to do at: Romantic New York City Vacation and Valentine’s Day in NYC
Explore and Indulge Like a Real NYC Foodie
There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can’t wait to show you them all!!!!
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Spot Celebrities in NYC
Where to find celebrities in NYC or which celebrities are living in NYC today are common questions by all, but celebrity sightings in NYC are way easier than you may think and happen all the time. You will, of course, see them on the subway, in Central Park, at the gym, in restaurants, at all the current hotspots, at shows and more. But here are some unique ways to see celebrities all over the city.
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Get Out of Town for a Day
NYC is within 3 hours of so many other cities and areas you can visit for just one day. Easily head to Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Niagara Falls, the Hamptons, Woodbury Common Shopping Outlets and more. Whether you live in NY or are visiting, and no matter how much you love NYC, escaping for a day is a treat for everyone. Top choices for 1-day Out of Town:
See All: Day Trips Out of New York City
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More from NYC Insider Guide:
NYC Printable Guides & Itineraries
