What to Do in NYC in October
New York City is alive with activities in the fall, just as it is any other time of the year. There many first-class things you can do in October, but you don't have to contend with the heat of summer and the Thanksgiving and Christmas are still far off. There are many superlatives in the list of what to do in NYC in October, but then again, New York is a city of superlatives.
The Columbus Day Parade is the chance for Italian Americans to strut their stuff. With over 35,000 people, 100 bands, floats, and groups of marchers, the parade demonstrates tremendous pride in the old country. Many who know a lot about what to do in NYC in October rank the Columbus Day Parade as their favorite event.
The parade starts at 11.30 am, and travels up 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street. If you want a seat in the grandstands located between 67th and 69th Streets, be sure to get there early.
Continue your celebration by visiting Little Italy, south of Bleecker Street between Lafayette and the Bowery. There is a cluster of fine Italian restaurants on Mulberry Street from Broome south to Canal. They will be busy on Columbus Day, so make a reservation if you can.
parade of animals – including exotic ones like macaws, a tortoise, and a yak – are led in a procession up the nave.
This is a very popular service, so the church gives out passes on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 am when the cathedral doors open. After the service a Fair is held to celebrate the St. Francis, whose medieval piety and love of nature was exemplified by his preaching a sermon to the birds. Book a pet-friendly Upper West Side rental if you'd like to partake!
The program is broad enough to satisfy anyone's curiosity, plus you get to explore some buildings that otherwise are not open to the public. Of course you can't possibly take in all the architectural wonders in NYC over one weekend, but you can start by learning about skyscrapers like the Flatiron and the Chrysler Building and lower buildings like the Stock Exchange and the Guggenheim Museum.
Halloween is serious in New York. In Central Park you can entertain your kids at the Halloween Pumpkin Festival , where there is a haunted house, crafts, free pumpkin carving, daylong performances of music for children, and scary storytelling.
There are more activities for children at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park on the Sunday before Halloween. Held in the later afternoon and early evening, the event is capped by a Halloween Pumpkin Parade and Sail that takes place at nightfall. All the carvers launch their illuminated pumpkins on the Harlem Meer in the park in a spectacular show of light.
Some of the costumes are literally out of this world. When you consider that New York City is the home to some of the world's most talented theatrical performers and is a magnet for creative artists, you know that this parade is going to be something extraordinary and wacky. The more than 50,000 participants in costume and the estimated two million spectators are here in the Village for a great evening of unforgettable family fun.
Biggest Event in October
The Columbus Day Parade is the chance for Italian Americans to strut their stuff. With over 35,000 people, 100 bands, floats, and groups of marchers, the parade demonstrates tremendous pride in the old country. Many who know a lot about what to do in NYC in October rank the Columbus Day Parade as their favorite event.The parade starts at 11.30 am, and travels up 5th Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street. If you want a seat in the grandstands located between 67th and 69th Streets, be sure to get there early.
Continue your celebration by visiting Little Italy, south of Bleecker Street between Lafayette and the Bowery. There is a cluster of fine Italian restaurants on Mulberry Street from Broome south to Canal. They will be busy on Columbus Day, so make a reservation if you can.
Oddest Event
Held on the closest Sunday to St. Francis Day (October 4th), the ceremony of the blessing of the animals at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine is one of the most peculiar of religious events in the city. At the 11 am service, aparade of animals – including exotic ones like macaws, a tortoise, and a yak – are led in a procession up the nave.This is a very popular service, so the church gives out passes on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 am when the cathedral doors open. After the service a Fair is held to celebrate the St. Francis, whose medieval piety and love of nature was exemplified by his preaching a sermon to the birds. Book a pet-friendly Upper West Side rental if you'd like to partake!
Cheapest October Event in NYC
On the first weekend in October, New York City opens its doors with a massive program of talks, tours, performances, neighborhood family activities, and free entrance to countless sites. The purpose of openhousenewyork (OHNY) is to celebrate the historic and modern architecture of the city. If you are asking yourself what to do in NYC in October, this event should be high on your list as a way to see a lot at no cost.The program is broad enough to satisfy anyone's curiosity, plus you get to explore some buildings that otherwise are not open to the public. Of course you can't possibly take in all the architectural wonders in NYC over one weekend, but you can start by learning about skyscrapers like the Flatiron and the Chrysler Building and lower buildings like the Stock Exchange and the Guggenheim Museum.
"Scariest" Event
Halloween is serious in New York. In Central Park you can entertain your kids at the Halloween Pumpkin Festival , where there is a haunted house, crafts, free pumpkin carving, daylong performances of music for children, and scary storytelling.There are more activities for children at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park on the Sunday before Halloween. Held in the later afternoon and early evening, the event is capped by a Halloween Pumpkin Parade and Sail that takes place at nightfall. All the carvers launch their illuminated pumpkins on the Harlem Meer in the park in a spectacular show of light.
Most Amusing Event
What awaits you in the Village Halloween Parade ? It's all about expectations – leave them and your inhibitions behind. In fact, expect the unexpected. The Village Halloween Parade is a lot of nonsense and even more fun.Some of the costumes are literally out of this world. When you consider that New York City is the home to some of the world's most talented theatrical performers and is a magnet for creative artists, you know that this parade is going to be something extraordinary and wacky. The more than 50,000 participants in costume and the estimated two million spectators are here in the Village for a great evening of unforgettable family fun.