Jahleah Santiago Jahleah Santiago

A Ghoulish Guide to Fall Fun in New York City!

A guide of fun things to do and see this fall in New York City.

Between horror movie marathons, pumpkin spiced everything and haunt-tacular things to do, what’s not to love about New York City in the fall?!

Aside from a huge list of events and limited time to get around to them all, it’s a recipe for making memories and checking out the greatest of seasonal fun. We’ve personally rounded up some places to go, things to see and wonders to taste if you’re trying to get your frolic on. Here’s our guide to ghoulish fun in the Big Apple right now.

Pick & Paint Pumpkins at Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch

Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch

If you’ve never been before, prepare to have your heart warmed by Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch, a family friendly, family-run business bringing ghostly joy to the Greenwood Park Beer Garden at 555 7th Avenue now through October 31st. Explore a massive selection of pumpkins and fancy gourds of all shapes and sizes perfect for adding a bit of spirit to your desk or kitchen table. From hand painted mini pumpkins to carving kits and tons of Halloween decor, there is something special for everyone.

  • Tip: Attend the special child-friendly and adult pumpkin painting workshops and make time to experience Instagrammable photo opportunities, hay bales and corn stalks throughout.


Discover Seasonal Vintage Gems at Grand Bazaar NYC

Whether you need to revamp your wardrobe, spruce up your home or find a special something for a loved one that adores the season, Grand Bazaar NYC has everything you need. Located at 100 W 77th Street for more than 40 years, this indoor and outdoor market showcases over 150 curated vendors rain or shine, making it the city’s longest-running and largest market. Every Sunday, the iconic Upper West Side sells everything from vintage fashion, designer bags, antiques, and one-of-a-kind jewelry to artisan home goods, upcycled finds, and other classic treasures.

  • Tip:  Plan to explore the market during one of their upcoming seasonal weekends including the Spooky Spectacular Bazaar on October 25th. ‍


Celebrate Fall with Fornino During the Harvest Festival

Fornino at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6

Delight in a wood-fired pie from Fornino while you take in sweeping waterfront views during Brooklyn Bridge Park’s annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 17th from 11 AM to 3 PM at Pier 6. This free and family-friendly celebration will feature a mini pumpkin patch where kids can pick and decorate their own pumpkins, fall-themed arts and crafts activities, face painting, games, live music, a stiltwalker, and educational activities from the park’s horticulture and education teams. Guests can watch professional pumpkin carver Lenny Calvin in action and enter a giveaway for the chance to take home one of his creations. Free coffee and lattes will be available from In The Raw and Brooklyn Roasting Company, while additional refreshments will be available for purchase from Fornino.

  • Tip: Wear your best Halloween costumes for festive photo opportunities on-site.


Face Thrills & Terror at BloodManor

New York City’s long favored haunted attraction BloodManor is back this season, and brings with them two decades of expertise in delivering spine-chilling scares. Located at 359 Broadway, BloodManor is a Halloween season staple, known for delighting and terrifying millions of visitors over the years. This year promises an unprecedented level of horror with new rooms, eye-catching costumes from Abracadabra, and a terrifyingly talented team of actors, set designers, make-up artists and more!

  • Tip: If you’re looking for something more immersive, opt in for BloodManor’s Scare Actor Experience, a ticketed option which allows attendees to go behind the scenes in monster make up and a costume to scare guests throughout the night.


Clinton Hall Celebrates Oktoberfest with Themed Bites and Stein-Hoisting

Oktoberfest at Clinton Hall

Clinton Hall is going all out for Oktoberfest this year with festive food and drinks at all of their Manhattan locations, now through October. Visitors can play themed games like Pretzel Toss or Beer Pong with Steins, and witness Clinton Hall's annual Stein-Hoisting Contest which will take place weekly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 PM with a $50 gift card up for grabs each go around. Expect Oktoberfest-themed music, a rotating fest beer flight for $20 and fun oversized bites like their jumbo pretzels, German Burger served on a pretzel roll, 'wurst' tots, and the Wurstfest Oktoberfest Platter ($35). There will be plenty of photo-worthy moments to capture—from giant pretzels and wurst platters, to stein-hoisting triumphs.

  • Tip: Guests looking for a challenge can take on Clinton Hall’s Challenge Burger which features a 20 oz signature beef patty, nueske's bacon, yellow and white american cheese and toppings like barbecue chicken tenders, crispy onion rings and CH sauce on a sourdough roll and bed of french fries served with a 16oz Gigawatt beer. Finish it and it’s FREE.


Attend A Spooky Movie Night & Sip Seasonal Cocktails at Foxtail

Get cozy and spooked during Freaky Movie Fridays, a monthlong activation at Foxtail located within Arlo SoHo’s “Living Room” at 231 Hudson Street. The speakeasy atmosphere and themed cocktails and bites will help guests get into the Halloween spirit while enjoying films like Hereditary on October 16th, The Craft on October 23rd, and The Shining on October 30th. This series coincides with the release of Foxtail’s new Fall Espresso Martini Flight featuring a Roasted Pumpkin Spice option topped with a pumpkin cookie.

  • Tip: Make it a nostalgic dinner and a movie experience by ordering their Spooky Deal which includes a sandwich, chips, and cookie for just $19.


Pumpkin Carving & A Beer Festival in Dumbo at TOMNY

Time Out Market New York located in Brooklyn at 55 Water Street is hosting a lineup of fall festivities on their DUMBO waterfront. Start with the upcoming 5th Annual Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, October 24th, which offers beer lovers an afternoon of live music, a variety of brews to sip and a chance to explore the market’s local eateries while taking in views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and city skyline. Check out the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Workshop from October 27th to 30th, offering a hands-on experience to make jack-o’-lanterns during a 90-minute workshop. On Halloween morning, families can enjoy a Children’s Halloween Concert featuring Suzi Shelton, presented in partnership with Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW, which takes place on the market’s fifth floor at 10 AM and is suitable for young kids and babies. Later that evening, the Halloween Horror From Above party runs from 9 PM to 2 AM featuring host and media personality Ken Starr (@kenstarrz) (Hot 97 / Revolt TV / Seeing Starz), alongside a special lineup of friends bringing authentic NYC energy all night long.

  • Tip: There will be a $100 gift card prize for the best costume so prepare to wow judges with your killer look.


Dance the Night Away During Taylorween, An Eras Night Dance Party at Slate

Taylor Swift fans can indulge in an evening of dancing and Swiftie mayhem at Slate (54 West 21st Street) in Chelsea during Taylorween, An Eras Night Dance Party from DJ Ricky and Ricky’s House Presents on Monday, October 26th! This 21+ Halloween celebration invites party-goers to arrive dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes and spend the evening singing along to Taylor Swift’s most popular hits, spanning every era. Taking place from 7:30 PM to 11 PM, Taylorween offers a pop-fueled way to kick off Halloween week with a full night of music, costumes and dancing in the heart of Manhattan.

  • Tip: Plan to explore the venue’s 16,000 square foot space with mini bowling, arcade games, ping pong, pool, Skee-Ball, social darts, gaming simulators, and Slate's iconic 20-foot slide.


Attend Harry Styles Themed Harryween Parties at Golden Child

Harry Styles super fans can celebrate Halloween with Golden Child, located atop Hotel Park Ave. at 444 Park Ave S on October 30th and 31st. The special themed cocktail menu with showcase three $18 Harry Styles-inspired cocktails including The Golden Styles, a honeybee hive cocktail made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Beehive Honeydew, wildflowers, Prosecco and lemon; Sunflower, a bright, sunny sipper featuring Great Jones bourbon, apple, lychee, matcha and lemon; and Sign of the Times, a romantic cocktail made with Tom Cat Gin, mango and cardamom. Kick things off on Friday, October 30th, during a Harry-ween Costume Contest, with those dressed as their favorite Harry receiving their first drink on the house, valued up to $22.

  • Tip: Dress to impress since the best costume will win a free dinner for two at Park Rose, a modern Italian American restaurant at the hotel, valued at up to $150.


Nightmare on Broadway takes over Elsie Rooftop

Get your frights in while indulging in skyline elegance during Nightmare on Broadway at Elsie Rooftop at 1412 Broadway. On Friday, October 30th on the 25th floor, guests can attend a Halloween party above Midtown Manhattan. Inspired by actress and decorator Elsie de Wolfe, the all-season rooftop pairs Art Deco touches and plush seating with panoramic skyline views, making this a frightful and fashionable festivity. Guests can expect a night of costumes, music and dancing, with signature cocktails flowing and indoor spaces enclosed and heated for comfort. Costumes are encouraged for an evening of Halloween revelry high above the city lights near Times Square.

  • Tip: Get there a bit before the 9 PM start so you can check your coat and show off your costume.


Pregame Ahead of the Halloween Action at TOMUS

Get into the Halloween spirit with a fun pre-game at Time Out Market Union Square, located at 124 East 14th Street, from 7 PM to 11 PM on October 31st. Arrive in costume, bring your friends and order cocktails to kick things off before departing right into the heart of the city. It’s the perfect place to launch your arrival to parties or grab a good viewing spot of the NYC Village Halloween Parade.

  • Tip: Make sure to come hungry since vendors like Kam Rai Thai and BKLYN Wild offer delicious bites to fuel your fun all night long.


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Food & Drink, Events Lauren Wire Food & Drink, Events Lauren Wire

The Best Ways to Celebrate Halloween in New York City

Courtesy of Bucketlisters & Nevermore

The leaves are changing, and temperatures are dropping, it’s officially Halloween season. Get in the spirit with New York City events that promise frights and thrills, humans and pups adorning costumes, and ghoulish theatrical extravaganzas.  

Dreams of Dracula:

New York is a city filled with world-class immersive theater. The newest is Dreams of Dracula: An Immersive Masquerade Experience which brings to life a Vampire Masquerade. Presented by Bucketlisters and Never More Immersive, step into the seductive tale of Dracula as you’ve never experienced before.

An immersive theatrical event, you’ll saunter through the darkness of Castle Dracula and enter a choose-your-own adventure journey that details Bram Stoker’s original classic vampire novel. You’ll find yourself mingling with Dark Romantics, Lord Byron, John William Polidori, and Mary Shelley as you all step into the dreamtime – the shadow world between sleep, nightmares, and ecstasy.

Join a secret society of the dark arts and explore a world beyond the borders of your conscious reality and knock around the limits of your hypnotic dreams. Rendezvous in the salon with the intoxicating Oscar Wilde or slip into the Alchemical Study of Sigmund Freud. Just be warned! Hypnosis, tarot readings, scary tales, darkness, flashing lights, thunder, and lightning will all be a part of this experience.

Written and directed by Jonathan Albert and Nicole Coady. Choreography by Arianne Meneses. Music composed by Dian Shuai. The experience takes place on two floors and within four rooms that spans 25,000 square feet.

Friday and Saturday evenings are for the most elegant guests with black-tie attire as a requirement for admittance. For all other immersions into this dreamscape, basic black will get you past the velvet ropes and you’ll be provided with masks. Be sure to come thirsty and indulge in specialty cocktails. *opening photo curtesy of Bucketlisters

Courtesy of Bucket Listers

Photo Curtesy of Bucketlisters & Nevermore

Bucketlisters presents Cityside Pumpkin Patch

Pretend you are Upstate in a field of pumpkins with the Cityside Pumpkin Patch. New York City's most expansive Halloween extravaganza has been created at The Summer Club rooftop with sweeping views of Manhattan. The rooftop has undergone a complete metamorphosis into a family-friendly, Halloween-themed experience, where the boundary between reality and Halloween magic dissolves

Grab your camera and feel the enchantment of this fully operational patch. All of the pumpkins on are up for grabs and included in most ticket packages or available for purchase.  Besides a bevy of pumpkins that come in all sizes, there is a frenzy of fall activities.

The Smash-o-Lantern Zone is space for releasing stress as you smash a pumpkin to smithereens. Test your aim at Scarecrow archery, see what your future holds with Tarot Reading and get your face painted. Fall photo opportunities are around every corner at the Midnight Mausoleum, the Sleepy Hollow Graveyard, Dexter’s Deadly Display, the Ringmaster’s Circus and a Pool of Pumpkins.

Special treats and potions are also available so come hungry. Nosh on Pumpkin seeds, Carmel Dipped Apples, NY Style Pretzel, Sweet Potato Pretzels, Thanksgiving Sandwich and more. Sips include beers from Sam Adams and specialty cocktails like Frankin-Rita, Gravedigger, Black Magic Mulled Wine and Triple Hot Chocolate. The Beer Fest, Fear Fest presented by Sam Adams challenges you to face your biggest fear - Cenosillicaphobia (the fear of having an empty glass when drinking.)

BloodManor Celebrating 20 Years of Terror

BloodManor is celebrating 20 years as New York City’s premier haunted attraction with three new themed rooms and all new costumes created by NYC's ultimate Halloween store, Abracadabra NYC. The last two decades BloodManor has been oozing spine-chilling scares and thrilling entertainment, becoming a staple in NYC for the Halloween season.

This years’ experience leaves visitors more afraid with elevated horrifying attractions, mind-bending theatrics, and bone-chilling surprises. BloodManor's most hair-raising attractions have returned – revamped and amplified to intensify the fear factor. Visitors confront their deepest fears through dark, sinister corridors filled with twisted characters causing jump worthy scares at every turn. Every moment is elevated thanks to state-of-the-art special effects, bringing realism to the haunting experience and blurring the lines between reality and fiction. From cursed mansions to abandoned asylums, each attraction within the “house” is based on carefully crafted, original storylines. Visit now through November 4 and with October the 13th falling on a Friday, BloodManor will be hosting a night of fright party.

Photo credit Union Square Advertising

Photo curtesy of Union Square Advertising 

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