A few years ago, when my fiance first moved to New Jersey from Bermuda, I was adamant about taking him around to experience the autumn. He had never really experienced the fall and the changing of leaves or anything like it, so I took him to one of my favorite spots in New York City, the Riverside Church. At Riverside, you can get a tour of the Church itself, which is FULL of history, art, culture and everything you could crave for your nerd fix! The best part of a tour of the Church is the trip to the top of the church, where you can look out across parts of Manhattan and across the Hudson River to New Jersey. When looking across the river, you are looking directly at the New Jersey Palisades, and during the autumn time, this view is phenomenal. The color bursts of the trees are breathtaking and the photos you can take here are incredible. The crisp air atop the Church is refreshing as well, and you re able to see Grant’s Tomb and various famous buildings in Manhattan as well from that height. There was a vendor near the Church last time that we were able to purchase fresh roasted peanuts and pecans from and he actually was selling some hot apple cider, which was just perfect for the occasion. We actually have taken our friends there since going the first time together and go every year with someone new so they can have the excellent experience.
Posts Tagged ‘fall’
Colors of NYC
I am not from the city of New York City, or even the state of New York, but a while back a family friend moved to New York City and my husband, sons and I have loved our trips there to visit them. Fall, I must say is the most beautiful time to visit New York City! The colors are so vibrant and beautiful. Not only in the parks, but everywhere in the city. The city comes alive in the Fall; even the air in New York City smells amazing. I have never actually felt a season before but once I spent a week in New York City during the Autumn season I can honestly say that I felt the fall. I felt the Fall wrap its arms around me while we were there visiting. I could smell it, and see it and deep down feel it. The leaves, trees and plants turn brilliant colors and those colors reflect and show off of the buildings and in the shops and stores. Everything becomes Autumn friendly. My husband, the kids and I had never in our lives had a fall picnic until our friends took us to one in Central Park. It was the best experience I had ever had in the fall and I was so very surprised to see that a Fall picnic in New York City was common place. There were many other families and people picnicking in the park as well that day. We had wonderfully delicious treats including everything apple and pumpkin to fit right with with our Fall day and Autumn feeling. I just love New York City in the Fall, and with fall upon us now I am really hoping we can plan a get together with our family friends very soon!
Fall Fashion, Styles, and Events
As the fall unravels, New York enters a different season. This is a beautiful season in NYC. Yet another college year begins for some, while others continue on with their jobs. Personally, I love fall. It is like a new beginning of a year. It is not just a new season of the year, it is a new season for all the operas and ballets. I anxiously wait the whole summer to finally be able to see the gala opening of the metropolitan opera, the first concerts in Carnegie Hall with the help of my student rush tickets, and the New York City ballet season opening in the beginning days of the fall.
Fall foliage is an amazing beauty to see. In the fall, I pick various places to hike in nature where everything looks so beautiful. Central park, the cloisters, and prospect park are just a few of many places I like to visit to witness the beautiful fall foliage.
New York is great for its variety of events in the fall. Fashion week is definitely on the top of the list. Bryant Park was a great place to see models, celebrities,and designers coming out with the hottest trends. It is always exciting for me to look at the fashion magazines and the Thursday Styles section in the New York Times around this time of the year. This year (2010), fashion week is in Lincoln center.
A Fall in New York
I love to go to New York in the fall. Coming from San Francisco, I usually take a red-eye flight and arrive at JFK in the morning. I take the subway from the Jamaica Station (after a quick tram line from the airport terminal) and emerge from underground into the heart of Manhattan. Usually, I have a lot of time since I can’t check into my hotel until early afternoon. I immediately start to get myself situated to the autumn cold – something we don’t have in California. I grab a quick bite at one of the many Europa Delis and head down to the Ticket Agency at Times Square to see what Broadway shows are available at half price. Usually I can find one for that afternoon and sometimes for that evening. I’m always amazed that I can see major performers like the kid who plays Harry Potter or Bernadette Peters live on stage. After buying my tickets for that night’s play, I head off to my hotel which is a Bed & Breakfast Inn in Chelsea. I love the place because it’s decorated with movie posters and each room has a movie theme. The staff is really cool and let me take my room even when it’s an hour or so early for normal check in. I take a quick shower – all that traveling leaves you feeling kind of icky – and then I take a nap. A few hours later I go to see the hottest new play in town!
Food, Glorious Food
One of the best things about fall in New York City is the San Gennaro festival . Each year, for the past 84 years, the streets of Little Italy fill with people. The feast is in honor of the Patron Saint of Naples, and the festival packs the streets of Little Italy. There are dozens of vendors selling food and drinks, with every delicious, delectable Italian morsel better than the last. The smells fill the streets of lower Broadway. There is also a mass held each year at the Most Precious Blood Church on the actual date of the death of the Saint on the 19th. People spill into the streets as a statue of the beloved saint is carried and people kiss it and attach dollar bills hoping to attract money to themselves. There are various bands and performers and the surrounding restaurants open their outdoor areas for more feasting. The experience is quintessential New York; there is no NYC fall activity like the 10-day long San Gennaro festival. One of the best days to go is the first day when The Blessing of the Stands takes place. The local priest blesses each restaurant, so that they will have a successful feast. The parade day is also a magical day and great for families with children.