Is there a somewhat consistent time with regard to when the leaves start changing for autumn in New York City? September? October? We'd like to spend a week in Manhattan in fall...but want to ensure we see the leaves changing and falling from the trees in Central Park.

Manhattan is warmer than the surrounding countryside and leaves don;t change until later October- sometimes even early November before everything is changed. (But a week of cold weather can make a difference.) For changing leaves in Sept you need to go to Canada.

Hmm...then NYC is basically same as Chicago...inconsistent. Some years we get the leaves changing in September, other years October, and if its rainy, the time flcutuates even more...

I live in Chicago but grew up in New York. One year in late November I went to New York and the taxi drove through Central Park. I realized that the leaves were still on the trees whereas in Chicago the trees had been quite barren by Halloween. Similarly, green grass and leaves arrive about three weeks earlier in New York in the Spring.

No - the leaves will NEVER be changed in NYC in Sept. The earliest you will get is the last week of October - but it can extend into November. For September leaf peeping you have to go way further north - either Canada or northern Maine. For Mass, VT and NH the best time is usually the second week in Oct.

yes, but what about the weather mid Sept - does it start to get cooler - i have no idea what clothes to pack?!

Who can say this far in advance what the weather will be especially this year? You can start checking that about 15 days before you go on accuweather.com

wunderground.com has a trip planner that will give historic temps for any location/dates. Leaves change late Oct./early Nov. The first Sunday in Nov. is the NYC marathon so hotel prices can be high at that time.

mid September can easily have highs in the 90's - although this summer so far has been cool (I think only 1 90+ day and wet) or you may get highs in the 70s and possibly need a sweater at night. But don't count on Sept to be chilly - vey unlikely.

Thanks!
Oh, and DMG, much more economical to book a flight months ahead of time, then a couple weeks prior to departure, thus my request regarding historic times the leaves drop in NYC...so we could plan on booking the flight accordingly.

I responded to "what should I pack" as you will not know the exact temperature months in advance. Look at this summer in Chicago; many July days felt more like Autumn! Just remember that New York's Fall usually is about one month later than Chicago's.