NYC in the Fall?
 

Hi All - we had a trip planned for this past weekend in NYC and had to cancel at the last minute due to a family emergency...I am now looking at the calendar to try and reschedule. My husband has suggested Fall...anyone have a recommendation? Events, etc. to try and avoid or incorporate into the trip?

The earliest we could likely plan a trip is the end of May but not sure we could get the time off at this point...I would prefer not to be there in the summer heat, so that puts us into Sept, Oct, Nov. I'd rather not get into the holidays due to crowds and cost. TIA!

What kind of events, etc. do you like?

This is the itinerary from the trip we just cancelled. I would guess it will be similar when we come back...We are planning to arrive Thursday evening, having dinner with friends then doing ESB late night. Friday I plan to shop some of the local consignment places and then see Wicked that night and then out after that to a bar, speakeasy, etc. Sat all day in lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, Peter Lugar's, Brooklyn ice cream, walk the bridge back, 9-11 memorial, etc. Dinner at John's pizza that night. Sunday AM stop at Tiffany's wander CP, then tea at the Plaza, then the afternoon to see more CP, a carriage ride, wander midtown, etc. Dinner out somewhere nice for a b-day celebration Sunday night. Monday we will leave about 1pm so not sure what we will do in the AM more than just eat before heading to the airport.

After reading some other posts, I think I want to try and add a food tour on Sunday as well...I could skip the plaza for this: http://www.foodsofny.com/greenwichvillage.php

September tends to have the best weather, but you could also come in the first half of October, but hotel rates start going up after Labor Day.

Thanks! I'll look at Sept into early Oct...I already anticipate higher hotel cost than what we had previously booked:( Such a bummer...

Hotel rates will be very high for the US Open (tennis) weeks then get a little more reasonable for a few weeks - then head into high season - so I would go as early as you can in Sept - but do be prepared for hot weather.

September is always crazier in NYC when the UN new session opens and leaders from around the world come to hear themselves talk. This year it starts Sept 22. It creates one of the worst gridlock weeks of the year.

Yes, Labor Day weekend tends to be a bit more expensive, but the rates at most hotels don't change much for the opening of the UN (though I think you'll find a lot of east side luxury hotels sold out then). The gridlock we experience is not usually a big deal for tourists who get around by subway, but those who opt for ridiculously expensive, time-wasting double-decker buses will certainly feel the pain.

Interesting, Doug. I've spent Labor Day weekend in the city several times and gotten great hotel rates. And the city is very quiet -- I think all the locals head out to the beaches and there are NO conventions or business people. Then it seems prices jump the next weekend.

It's just the US Open that weekend, and while that brings some crowds, they don't tend to affect hotel prices too much.