By Marjorie Flannigan MacLachlan, BHS Manhattan Broker
"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” — Nora Ephron
If you have been away, this autumn is the perfect time to return to New York City. If you are still here—there is plenty to enjoy! Here is a roundup of what to look forward to this season, from live performance to dining and nature adventures..
Fall for Dance
Back for their first live fall season since 2019, New York’s best dance companies are making their long-awaited return.
The ever-extraordinary New York City Ballet will be performing a host of must-see shows, and the American Ballet Theatre has a glorious season planned as well.
Harkness Dance Center will also offer a variety of performances both live and digitally. Plus, New York staples for modern fare include the Joyce Theater, New York Live Arts, and BAM.
Broadway Lights
Irving Berlin once wrote, “I got lost but look what I found.” Well, look no further, Broadway shows are back on. Even the discount-ticket box office TKTS is open again!
For romance, check out Tony Award-winning "Moulin Rouge." "Hamilton" is also back and still offering its daily $10 lottery tickets. If you need to laugh for at least two hours, try "Book of Mormon."
The Armory’s 2019 epic hit, "The Lehman Trilogy" is finally on Broadway for a limited run. Always check in with Playbill for the latest news on Broadway.
Additionally, here are the 20 best Off-Broadway Shows to see right now.
If you cannot get to the theater, don't worry! The Musical Lover’s Guide to Streaming is sure to help.
Music to Your Ears
New York City has so many talented musicians, it can be daunting to decide which shows to attend. Among the best venues, of course, is Carnegie Hall, which features a robust calendar of great orchestras, new music, jazz, and more.
Speaking of jazz, here is a list of the best jazz and blues performances, as well as the 13 best jazz clubs to visit right now. There is even a luxe jazz brunch awaiting you at a historic Greenwich Village carriage house dating from 1794.
Opera buffs are thrilled that the Metropolitan Opera opened its grand doors on September 27. The Met kept us all enthralled by streaming performances every night during lockdown, which you can still access on demand.
Last but not least is the Madison Square Garden line-up. What a perfect time to hear Billy Joel sing “New York State of Mind” in concert.
Nature in New York
There is no need to leave town to experience nature and outdoor fun. Here is where to see the best fall foliage in New York City. You also might want to try one of these six romantic fall walks in NYC.
Additionally, the New York City’s Parks Department has a miles-long events calendar to keep the budding birder, gardener, farmer, painter, yogi, and more busy as bees throughout the five boroughs.
For adventure-seekers in search of more rugged experiences, the New York Times has scoped out the five best hikes in New York City.
Dine in Style
For food and refreshments following any of these events, visit one of the 50 best rooftop bars in the city, or explore one of the 15 hottest new restaurants in Manhattan.
Also, see these lists for the best outdoor dining, even featuring restaurants and cafes right in Central Park.
Few also realize that you can dine at some of the city’s best museums. Visit the Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park for al fresco dining, visit midtown to dine at the for MOMA. Those exploring the Highline can also re-fuel at The Whitney while enjoying world-class modern art and scenic views.
As P.G. Wodehouse wrote in My Man Jeeves, "I'm bound to say that New York's a topping place to be exiled in. Everybody was awfully good to me, and there seemed to be plenty of things going on …”
Marjorie Flannigan MacLachlan is a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker at BHS Manhattan. You can learn more about her and see her current listings here.