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With fall on the doorstep and the leaves soon to be changin’…it’s becoming the best time to fall in love here in NYC! The city’s breezy winds and hues of orange and red set the perfect backdrop for the beloved “cuffing season.” Although the the temperatures are dropping, the heat is rising…and we’ve put together a list of the best fall date ideas in NYC that you can plan! From strolls in Central Park on the first date to day trips Upstate, we’ve got the most romantic recs for autumn!

1. Take a fall foliage cruise to Bear Mountain

Fall foliage cruises are one of our favorite fall activities, and Circle Line’s awesome Bear Mountain Cruise is back this year, and makes for a great date adventure. Happening September 28 – November 10, you can your partner can embark on an incredible 8-hour sightseeing cruise to Bear Mountain State Park and back for a fun-filled Oktoberfest-themed day. 

The ultimate fall day trip will be filled with German and fall inspired eats, beer specials, and live music on board, as well as views of breathtaking foliage and landmarks all along the Hudson. Once you get to Beat Mountain, you can explore the romantic area to your heart’s desire…checking off trailside museums, beautiful hiking trails, and more to your heart’s content.

Tickets start at just $69 and you can book them via Circle Line’s website.

2. Watch a movie on an NYC rooftop

No date night beats a movie, but what about…on a rooftop?! Yes, Rooftop Cinema Club is one of the best outdoor movie theaters where you can watch a flick and see some skyline views all in one! The fall weather will be perfectly cool for one last outdoor movie, and their lineup of films is perfect!

Over the course of the coming months they’ll be introducing program categories “Cuffing Season” and “Spooky Szn” with appopriately themed movies like When Harry Met Sally, Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, and more! See the full lineup of movies at Rooftop Cinema Club on their website calendar.

3. Head upstate to go apple picking

Experience the quintessential fall activity of apple picking at some of the best orchards near NYC. From pick-your-own apples to enjoying farmstand treats like apple cider doughnuts, these spots offer a delightful autumn escape and is great way to spend some quality time. Some of these spots like Fishkill Farms and Hanks Pumpkintown offer romantic wagon rides, apple cider slushies, and much more.

4. Take a day trip to Decker Farm

Celebrate fall at Decker Farm with your partner by partaking in pumpkin picking and tons of spooky activities on NYC’s oldest working farm. You and your date can enjoy hayrides, fall photo-ops, and indulge in fall food favorites like fall-flavored donuts, pumpkin pie, cider and pumpkin spice coffee at the Staten Island farm.

The farm is open for festivities on October weekends (weekends Oct 5-27 & Mon Oct 14) with tickets starting at $12. Learn more about Decker Farm’s fall festivities via their website.

5. Stroll through the Seaport in fall

The waterfront of Seaport makes fall in NYC a dream, and the crisp breeze and fall programming makes it a perfect spot for a romantic date. Imagine proposing under a dazzling pumpkin arch (open September 28 – November 3) with the Brooklyn Bridge as your backdrop while sipping on warm cider from Tin Building…it’s so festive.

Plus, they’re hosting a tasty food festival, Taste of the Seaport, where you and your date can feast on participating restaurants like the legendary Delmonico’s, Andrew Carmellini’s Carne Mare, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s The Fulton and Tin Building, and the late, great James Kent’s, Crown Shy. Learn more about all of the romantic fall happenings at Seaport here!

6. Admire fall foliage on a hike

Take your fall date to new heights with a scenic hike near NYC! The crisp autumn air and vibrant foliage of places like Breakneck Ridge and Storm King State Park make it a great activity to challenge a couple while also taking in breathtaking views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains.

The best part of autumnal hikes too is there’s differently difficulties based on the vibe you’re going for…from a heart-pounding climb or a gentle stroll, you can totally choose how rigorous you want the date to go!

See our list of our favorite fall hikes near NYC with our complete guide.

7. Go ice skating at Bryant Park

Believe it or not, NYC’s super romantic Bryant Park Winter Village returns this fall, starting October 25! This ultimate winter wonderland is everything you could want in a date spot— from the 17,000-square-foot free-admission ice rink to the cozy igloos and curling cafe! Sure this could be categorized as a winter date idea, but there’s nothing wrong with checking it out during the fall. Learn more about the Bryant Park Winter Village with our complete guide.

8. Grab tickets to the New York Comedy Festival

Get ready to laugh together this fall when the New York Comedy Festival rolls through the city, bringing some of comedy’s most hilarious names to the Big Apple. If you and your partner love to giggle, be sure to snag tickets to the festival which is happening November 8 – 17! This year’s lineup features comedy juggernauts like Bill Maher, Matt Mccusker, Tracy Morgan, and so many more…so if you and your partner have a favorite jokester, they may be coming to an NYC venue! Check out the full NYCF schedule of events and how to book tickets via their website.

9. Spend a day in Central Park

You can spend an entire day here on a date, especially during the fall when Central Park is full of fall foliage. Start with leaf peeping at iconic spots like The Mall and Bow Bridge for a few hours before either having your own picnic or having a meal at the Central Park Boathouse! Then rent row boats and set sail along the park’s water to capture some intimate and romantic moments amongst the golden hues of the park. End your date by viewing the Conservatory Garden and Belvedere Castle, two romantic landmarks that add to the unbelievable scenary!

10. Explore the Bronx Zoo after hours at Pumpkin Nights

Stroll through the Bronx Zoo this fall as their annual Pumpkin Nights returns for its second annual iteration! You and your date can walk through a half-mile trail in the zoo that features more than 5,000 animal-themed jack o’lanterns and enjoy all sorts of local food trucks, refreshments, outdoor games, photo ops, live pumpkin carvings, and more! It’s a cute way to explore the zoo during spooky hours and also endulging in some festive fall activities!

The event runs Thursdays through Sundays from September 26 to October 13 from 7-10pm and October 17 to October 27 from 6:30 – 10pm, and tickets start at $34.95! Learn more about Pumpkin Nights with our complete guide.

The post 10 Best Fall Date Ideas In NYC To Plan This Year appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

If you’re looking to escape New York City this fall, why not visit one our country’s beautiful national parks? The National Park Service is offering free admission to all the national parks on September 28th to honor National Public Lands Day (NPLD).

Celebrated annually every fourth Saturday of September, National Environmental Education Foundation puts on NPLD to celebrate the largest-single day volunteer effort for public lands in the nation. It’s an opportunity to appreciate, honor and conserve our public lands. Last NPLD, volunteers contributed 41,500 hours of service. This year’s theme for NPLD is “Together for Tomorrow.”

Here are some of the closest national parks to NYC that you can visit on NPLD, September 28th, 2024.

1. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

From wildflower fields to rushing waterfalls, Shenandoah National Park stretches 200,000 acres of protected land. In the day, you can spend your visit hiking to the summit of Old Rag and at night you can catch an incredible view of the constellations glittering in the open sky.

5 hours 20 minutes

2. Acadia National Park, Maine

Home of the highest rocky headlands along the United State’s Atlantic coastline, Acadia National Park boasts 7 miles of historic motor roads and 158 miles of hiking trails. In fact, Acadia National Park is one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the country. And since off-season begins in November, there’s no better time to get a visit in this season than on NPLD.

8 hours 56 minutes

3. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary starting this September. Come celebrate by admiring the park’s beautiful fall foliage or follow along the rushing Cuyahoga River.

7 hours 33 minutes

4. New River George National Park, West Virginia

Speaking of rivers, you can river raft on one of the oldest rivers on Earth at New River George National Park. The New River spans 53 glorious miles between Bluestone Dam and Hawk’s Nest Lake and is definitely a must-see feature of the park. Not a fan of water activities? New River George National Park offers 70,000 acres of land to bird watch, hike, picnic and more.

8 hours 38 minutes

5. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee

Hike along ancient mountains at America’s most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. On the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, you can get a taste of what’s left of true Southern Appalachian mountain culture. Whether you’re camping or roaming along trails, just be sure to stay out of any bear’s way!

11 hours 18 minutes

All the details about free admission on NPLD can be found on the National Park Service website.

The post National Parks Are FREE On This Special Day — Visit These 5 Spots Near NYC appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

Believe it or not, the holidays are around the corner already, which means Bryant Park’s iconic Winter Village is about to come back. 

Although the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park doesn’t open until October 25, you can actually make your reservations online now to avoid missing out on some of the most popular activities. Here’s how.

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First thing’s first: You don’t need to make a reservation to actually attend the market and enjoy the more than 170 small businesses that will be selling holiday-related wares at the Village. But you do need to reserve tickets for ice skating, booking an igloo, or snatching your spot at the coveted Curling Café, where for $338 dollars you can play iceless curling, eat and drink with three other people and then cozy up in your own private heated dome.

Ice skating at the rink with rental equipment will cost you anywhere between $25-$30—or free if you bring your own skates. Meanwhile, the igloos, which are heated and perfect for intimate gatherings like small birthday parties, will cost you $242.69 per group of 4, or $485.36 for a group of 5 to 8 people. You can reserve your spot for any of those activities here. 

Next to the famous 17,000-square-foot skating rink, The Lodge, a big food hall and bar, will offer seasonal food and beverages like apple cider. The Lodge will also have two full-service bars with festive cocktails and major holidays vibes next to the rink. 

The Winter Village will be open from 8am until 10pm from October 25 until March 2, 2025. Ice skating will be available rain or shine, except in the case of heavy rain or extreme weather. Bryant Park recommends booking an ice skating session in the early morning during weekdays, before Thanksgiving or after New Year to avoid the worst of the holiday crowds. 

* This article was originally published here

Ready the streamers and balloons: Serendipity3, NYC’s beloved dessert spot, is turning 70.

What better way to celebrate than honoring how it all began? The Upper East Side eatery decided to throw things back to the good ‘ol days with a $1 price tag for its iconic dessert, and the one-day-only perk will take place on Wednesday, September 18th.

The famed treat from 1954 is unlike the rest of the hot chocolate in NYC…for obvious reasons. Needless to say, it’s a chilled version of the wintertime staple served with whipped cream and chocolate shavings — a meal in itself.

But according to Forbes, it’s truly unlike the rest: It’s been served more than 25,000,000 times (no, that’s not a typo), and it’s a favorite amongst celebs like Cher and Marilyn Monroe. Even though the dessert has garnered an A-list clientele, if you can believe it, Jackie Kennedy was denied the secret recipe!

Since the dessert is so beloved and iconic, why not enjoy it at a discount? Plus, it’s the perfect sweet drink to sip during this time of year when we’re in between seasons.

Here’s how to get Serendipity3 NYC’s $1 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

A few things to note if you’re thinking about taking part in the birthday festivities:

• Book a reservation on Wednesday, September 18th at either the Times Square or UES locations
• Order any entrée.⁠
• Receive a $1 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate with your meal

If you’re on the go like any good New Yorker and can’t sit down for a meal, you can get the $1 perk on Resy for the original Upper East Side location or the new Times Square location. But don’t delay, as spots are filling up quickly.

Oh yeah, and did we forget to mention there’s now a second location in Times Square? Two times the opportunity to enjoy something sweet, if you ask us!

Upper East Side: 225 E. 60th Street
Times Square: 157 W. 47th Street

The post Sip $1 Frrrozen Hot Chocolates For Serendipity3’s 70th Anniversary appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

I know, I know, we think we’re the best at everything—but we really are! And a forecast from AccuWeather exclaiming that Upstate New York will have the best fall foliage on the Northeast only further proves our point. So forget about your cottage trip to Vermont, and book a cozy Airbnb in none other than New York State!

In their fall foliage forecast, AccuWeather confirms that Upstate New York, alongside Northern Pennsylvania, will show the most beautiful fall colors along the Northeast, especially in areas like the Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes.

So what makes for great fall foliage? According to AccuWeather, the perfect ingredients for beautiful fall foliage start with rainfall and sunshine. Precipitation is kind of a Goldilocks situation: too little rain can cause a drought, which can result in dull leaf colors and early shedding, while too much rain can lead to mold growth and a surplus of insects. Moreover, sunny days and cool nights make for the most vibrant colors as this combination accelerates the breakdown of green chlorophyll, which is responsible for a leaf’s gorgeous colors.

Fall foliage only remains at its peak for a very short period of time so it’s important to catch the colors while you can. “Plan your trip ahead of time. Get to those places because they fill up fast,” advises meteorologist Paul Pastelok. “Beating the crowds is also key, so experts suggest arriving at parks and hiking trails early in the day.”

Experts continue to predict that New York’s fall colors will reach peak foliage as soon as late September through mid-October. However, NYC tends to be on the later end of the spectrum, with peak colors as late as early November. You can track the status of NYC’s fall foliage with I Love NY’s weekly foliage reports.

The forecast also suggests which areas of the country will experience less color change. With their prediction of a “second summer” across the eastern states, New England through the southern Appalachians are expected to lack their usual luster of autumn colors this year. The humid conditions and tropical moisture could likely cause the aforementioned mold and insects, echoed Pastelok.

And in case you’re wondering what weather to expect for winter, let’s just say it’ll be…well, something.

The post New York To Top New England For The Best Fall Foliage In The Northeast, Meteorologists Say appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here

In July, the Northern Lights were visible from across large swaths of the U.S. thanks to a massive and rare solar flare. If you missed your opportunity to see them and gave yourself a hard time about it, we have some good news: The Northern Lights might be visible again from New York City throughout the week.

That’s because the sun is currently going through something called Solar Cycle 25, which means there will be intense flares that result in more wide reaching northern light displays. Of course, like most celestial phenomena in light-polluted New York, you’re going to have to plan and put some intention and effort in if you really want to see the northern lights. Here’s everything you need to know about how to see this rare and coveted natural occurrence.

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Where can you see the Northern Lights in New York?

Although the strongest of the magnetic storm happened on Sunday and Monday nights, the effects of the storm could still be visible tonight and for the next couple of days. In New York state, you’re more likely to see them more clearly the further north you go. The northern lights will also be visible throughout Wisconsin and other northern states. 

When will they be visible again?

The northern lights are most likely to be visible between 10pm and 2am, according to NOAA. Your best bet is to try to find a park, beach, or somewhere as far as possible from bright city lights. Once you find a spot, give your eyes time to adjust to the darkness. 

There is a chance of overcast skies over New York City tonight, which would further reduce the chances of seeing northern lights. It’s worthwhile to note that even if you do get a glimpse, they won’t look exactly like they do in pictures that were taken in places like Alaska or Iceland—If you try to see them in New York, they’re likely to appear pretty faint with the naked eye.

However, this is likely not the last time we’ll get a chance to see the northern lights in the city. Solar Cycle 25, which is seeing extensive sunspot activity, is peaking now and will remain powerful until summer 2025, per the Space Weather Prediction Center. Be on the lookout for latest news on solar flares and when the northern lights might be visible again on NOAA’s website. 

* This article was originally published here

Are you afraid of the dark? After exploring Dark Matter, a new immersive art exhibition at Mercer Labs in Lower Manhattan, you just might be. 

The exhibition, running on select evenings from October 4 to 30, is the brainchild of experimental artist Roy Nachum, Mercer Lab’s co-founder and creative director. Through immersive visuals, interactive displays, audio installations, oil painting and robots, Dark Matter explores the depths and darkness of the human psyche and paranormal expression. The show is available from 8pm-midnight in October; get tickets here for $52/adult.

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In creating the exhibition, Nachum drew on his own nightmares for inspiration; “the exhibit explores surreal and hypnotic themes of darkness and the human psyche and the unsettling realm of nightmares, inner demons and paranormal occurrences,” he tells Time Out.

“Since the beginning of human existence, darkness has been a constant presence,” he continues. “Nightmares are manifested fears, where the subconscious grapples with panic, uncertainty and the unknown, a universal phenomenon we share as humans. Inspiration is both personal and has a foundation in art and art history. The nightmare and the supernatural drive the powerful audio-visual narratives, inviting visitors to confront their fears, explore darkness and to understand how darkness has shaped art, culture and the human experience.”

So, yes, expect this to be scarier than your traditional haunted house with ghosts and jump scares. 

The multi-sensory, PG-13 experience consists of 15 diverse installations. Throughout Dark Matter, an audio-visual dialogue highlights strong contrasts between light and dark, through the use of groundbreaking technology, 8K projections, infinity installations, painting and robotics. A series of compelling works and immersive installations, invite “a contemplative trip into the unseen, to face our deepest fears and imaginations,” Nachum said. 

Since the beginning of human existence, darkness has been a constant presence.

Budget about 60-90 minutes for the walk-through museum experience. 

Dark Matter dives into the concept of darkness through many facets: The darkness that resides with in us all, the subconscious, and the intangible phenomenon of dark matter or invisible forces. That concept, both unsettling and fascinating, fits into the mission of Mercer Labs, NYC’s newest immersive experience space. 

With 36,000-square feet of space, Mercer Labs opened in early 2024 at 21 Dey Street inside a bank building that used to be part of the now-nextdoor Century 21. Nachum, the artist behind Rihanna’s famous 2016 “Anti” album cover, created Mercer Labs with his business partner Michael Cayre, a real estate developer. The boundary-pushing space focuses on interactive and thought-provoking programming. 

“The exhibition’s exploration of fear and the unknown also taps into the museum’s mission of creating immersive, reflective, and transformative experiences encouraging deeper connections between art, technology, and human emotions,” Nachum adds. “By presenting these complex themes in a way that stimulates both intellectual curiosity and emotional responses, Dark Matter fulfills the museum’s goal of expanding the visitor’s understanding of art while challenging their perceptions of reality through advanced technology and creative expression.” 

In addition to Dark Matter, Mercer Labs continues to feature Limitless, Nachum’s inaugural exhibition. Open daily, Limitless delves into the intricate relationship between narrative and abstraction, inviting visitors to discover a new dimension of artistic interaction through technology and conceptual elements. The evolving experience invites participants to explore the world through another point of view. 

* This article was originally published here