Boo at the Zoo

“Boo at the Bronx Zoo” is an annual Halloween event held at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. It is a family-friendly event that takes place during the Halloween season, this year from September 30 to October 29. Boo at the Bronx Zoo offers a variety of festive and spooky activities for visitors of all ages. Activities include Halloween decorations, and costume parade, and trick or treating throughout the zoo. There are also haunted houses, mazes, and animal enrichment activities. 

https://bronxzoo.com/boo-at-the-zoo?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw6p-oBhAYEiwAgg2PgulLnWDAHprUrIZL2qKUjVsdHGTlHu23OFRh7fLgSaI-3F9XB6JPkhoCNYgQAvD_BwE

See Fall Foliage

While New York City may not be as well-known for its fall foliage as some more rural areas, there are still several places within the city where you can enjoy the changing colors of autumn. Here are some of the best places to see fall foliage in NYC:

1. Central Park: Central Park is a fantastic spot to witness the fall foliage within the heart of Manhattan. You can stroll along the park’s winding paths, visit the Central Park Conservatory Garden, or take a rowboat on the lake to enjoy the vibrant autumn colors.

2. Prospect Park: Located in Brooklyn, Prospect Park offers plenty of wooded areas and meadows that turn into a beautiful tapestry of red, orange, and yellow leaves during the fall season. The Long Meadow and the Ravine are particularly picturesque.

3. Green-Wood Cemetery: This historic cemetery in Brooklyn is known for its picturesque landscapes and is a popular spot for autumn walks and foliage viewing.

4. Fort Tryon Park: In addition to The Cloisters, Fort Tryon Park itself is a great place to appreciate fall foliage. It offers several vantage points with sweeping views of the Hudson River and the changing leaves.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/where-to-see-the-best-fall-foliage-in-nyc

Visit a Haunted Location

New York City has a long history and is home to various haunted locations and ghost stories. If you’re interested in exploring the spooky side of the city, here are some haunted locations in NYC:

1. Merchant’s House Museum: This historic home in Manhattan’s East Village is said to be haunted by the Tredwell family, who lived there in the 19th century. Visitors and staff have reported eerie occurrences and ghostly sightings.

2. The Morris-Jumel Mansion: This historic mansion in Washington Heights is the oldest surviving house in Manhattan and is rumored to be haunted by various spirits. It’s been featured on paranormal investigation shows.

3. The Algonquin Hotel: Known for its literary history, the Algonquin Hotel has tales of haunting by the ghosts of famous writers who used to frequent the hotel, such as Dorothy Parker and George S. Kaufman.

New York Film Festival 

An annual treat that shows off the city’s cinematic good taste in a classy way, the New York Film Festival hosts many fantastic movie screenings and events that you won’t want to miss. The annual New York Film Festival dates back to 1963 when it established a mission of bringing the best work from around the world to Lincoln Center. Excitement is already in the air for this year’s 61st edition, thanks to the announcement of this year’s main slate lineup which will include Cannes prizewinners. The festival runs from September 29 to October 15, 2023 and tickets will be available via the official festival website.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/movies/new-york-film-festival

Shop at a Halloween Store

New York City offers a variety of Halloween stores and costume shops where you can find everything you need for Halloween costumes, decorations, and accessories. Some of the best Halloween stores in NYC include:

1. Abracadabra NYC: This costume superstore in the Flatiron District has been serving New Yorkers for decades. It offers an extensive selection of costumes, masks, wigs, and makeup.

2. Screaming Mimi’s: This spot is flush with clutch vintage digs. If you’re going to a blast-from-the-past bash and want to wear legit old school threads, then you should pop in here.

3. Gothic Renaissance NYC: When all the other stores don’t go dark enough, you can count on Gothic Renaissance. This East Village haunt sells edgy, alternative wear but also corsets, vampire swag, cool handmade masks, gigantic platform boots, and custom pieces.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/halloween/best-halloween-stores-in-nyc-for-halloween-costumes-makeup-and-decorations

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day represent two perspectives on the history of the Americas.

Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of October, commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas on October 12, 1492. Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937. Since Columbus was an Italian explorer, the holiday has traditionally been celebrated as a way to honor Italian-American heritage and to recognize the historical significance of Columbus’s journey. His voyage is often seen as the beginning of sustained contact between Europe and the Americas during the Age of Exploration. However, over time, the holiday increased discussion about the negative impacts of European colonization on Indigenous populations in the Americas. As a result, there has been a growing movement to adapt the holiday to also acknowledge and honor the history and contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day focuses on the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples in the Americas and it was officially observed for the first time on October 11, 1992. It seeks to acknowledge and honor the diverse Indigenous cultures that existed before Columbus’s arrival and to raise awareness about the historical injustices and atrocities inflicted upon Indigenous communities during and after European colonization. This holiday is seen as an opportunity to acknowledge the resilience and enduring cultures of Indigenous peoples. It is also intended to promote a more inclusive and accurate understanding of American history.

The choice between the two holidays often reflects local attitudes, values, and historical perspectives and many cities continue to observe both holidays.