How to Enjoy Fall in NYC: Haunted Houses, Cruises + Spooky Cocktails
- JAHLEAH SANTIAGO
- Oct 8
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 14
As the city slips into sweater weather, New York transforms into a playground of cozy indulgence, seasonal flavors, and festive fun. From candle-lit harvest dinners to hauntingly glamorous nights out, here’s your definitive guide to the best of fall in the city.
Grab or Smash Pumpkins & Enjoy Seasonal Bites at The Cityside Pumpkin Patch
The Cityside Pumpkin Patch returns this season, transforming The Summer Club rooftop (8-08 Queens Plaza S, Queens, NY 11101) into Long Island City’s ultimate escape to enjoy Fall in NYC . Set high above the city, this sprawling 25,000-square-foot rooftop will be reimagined as a festive fall wonderland filled with over 10,000 pumpkins sourced from upstate New York, creating the perfect backdrop for seasonal celebrations and Instagram-worthy moments. Guests of all ages can immerse themselves in the magic of the season with interactive photo ops, fall-inspired treats, and signature attractions like the Smash-o-Lantern Zone, Scarecrow Archery, Pool of Pumpkins, Carnival Games, Face Painting, and Tarot Card Reading. Whether you’re snapping photos, sipping cider, or simply soaking up the crisp autumn air, the Cityside Pumpkin Patch offers the most enchanting rooftop experience of the season — blending Halloween fun with the cozy charm of fall.
Enter If You Dare: BloodManor Returns as the Perfect Scare Attraction to Enjoy Fall in NYC
Now – November 8 | 359 Broadway NYC’s most infamous haunted attraction is back with all-new rooms, effects, and costumes — plus a chance to join the cast for a night and scare guests yourself. Expect Hollywood-level thrills, twisted characters, and pulse-pounding fun. Tickets: bloodmanor.com
Sightseeing Experience with Statue City Cruises
With the fall travel season in full swing, there’s no better time to experience two of New York’s most iconic landmarks — the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — with Statue City Cruises, the official ferry provider for the National Park Service. Autumn’s crisp air and brilliant foliage set the perfect backdrop for sailing from Liberty State Park, offering breathtaking views of Lady Liberty framed by the changing leaves. The season’s mild temperatures and smaller crowds make for an ideal sightseeing experience, whether you’re soaking in the skyline from the deck or exploring the historic grounds up close. It’s also a wonderful time for families — students returning to school can bring history lessons to life with an inspiring visit to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. For a dose of travel inspiration, follow @statuecruises on Instagram. Tickets can be booked exclusively at cityexperiences.com, via the City Experiences App, or in person at the box offices in Battery Park and Liberty State Park.
Art at Arlo Midtown's Live Room Gallery Featuring Works From Cabell Molina
This fall, Arlo Midtown unveils its newest Living Room Gallery installation, spotlighting the striking works of Cabell Molina. Known for her evocative “deconstruct and reconstruct” technique, Molina reimagines mid-20th-century fashion and advertising imagery through a contemporary feminist lens — peeling back layers of nostalgia to reveal nuanced reflections on the female experience in postwar America. A former advertising art director with studies at San Diego State University and Art Center College of Design, Molina’s work has been exhibited internationally and featured in CNN Styleand The Cut. Curated by Arlo Hotels’ art curator Jasmine Arakel in partnership with Agora Gallery, the Living Room Gallery transforms Arlo’s public spaces into accessible, collector-grade art destinations. This brandwide initiative — spanning Arlo properties in New York City, Chicago, Miami, and Washington, D.C. — celebrates both emerging and renowned artists, with previous exhibitions featuring icons like Damien Hirst, Tyler Shields, and Andy Warhol. At Arlo Midtown, Molina’s installation continues this tradition, inviting guests and locals alike to engage with powerful, conversation-starting art in a warm and welcoming setting.
Shop the Season: Grand Bazaar NYC Turns 40
Every Sunday | 100 W 77th St. at Columbus Ave | 10 AM – 5 PM The city’s largest curated market celebrates four decades of supporting local makers. Every Sunday, discover over 150 artisans, designers, and food purveyors offering everything from handmade jewelry and glassware to vintage finds and one-of-a-kind art. Bonus: 100% of proceeds support local public schools.More info → grandbazaarnyc.org
The Cosmic Counter with Maraschino Tarot at The Standard High Line (Biweekly Thursdays, 7 PM)
Step into the mystical side of The Standard High Line with The Cosmic Counter, where tarot meets dessert in a delightfully otherworldly ritual. Hosted biweekly on Thursdays at 7 PM in The Living Room, guests can enjoy spiked floats, sweet predictions, and whimsical, spirit-stirring sips. This Halloween season, destiny has never tasted so delicious.
Bottomless Boos Brunch & Dinner at The Mean Fiddler (Every Friday–Sunday)
Every weekend this Halloween season, The Mean Fiddler invites guests to indulge in its Bottomless Boos Brunch & Dinner, featuring 90 minutes of spooky, bottomless cocktails for just $30 with the purchase of an entrée. Sip on themed favorites like Twisted Broomstick Frozen Margs, Monsteritas, Boo-linis, and Skeleton Sours, plus enjoy a complimentary round of Eyeball Shots for the table. The festive special is available Friday through Sunday from 12 PM to 10 PM, making it the perfect pre-party or post-haunt hangout spot.
Raise a Stein: Oktoberfest at Clinton Hall
Now through October Grab your lederhosen — Oktoberfest takes over Clinton Hall with festive food, games, and their annual Stein-Hoisting Contest. Expect pretzels the size of your face, wurst platters, schnitzel sliders, and an ice-cold grab bag of surprises.
Midweek Magic: Jazz & Burlesque with Richie Nuzz at Elsie Rooftop
Wednesdays | 1412 Broadway Sip champagne, take in skyline views, and lose yourself in velvet vocals and vintage glamour as crooner Richie Nuzz brings Sinatra-style jazz with a modern twist. Add a touch of burlesque, and you’ve got a midweek escape worthy of Fall in Manhattan.RSVP → Velvet Brass at Elsie Rooftop
Beetlejuice on Broadway Presents “41 Days of October”
The ghost with the most is back! Beetlejuice on Broadway is celebrating its triumphant return with “41 Days of October,” a jam-packed lineup of spooky season activations from October 1 through November 10. Fans can look forward to costume contests every Thursday, giveaways every Tuesday, talkbacks and singalongs on select nights, and more devilishly fun surprises. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the Halloween season in Broadway’s most spirited theater.
Pick the Perfect Pumpkin at Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
Now through October 31 | Greenwood Park Beer Garden, 555 7th Ave. A Brooklyn favorite returns! Greg’s Trees transforms Greenwood Park into a fall wonderland with pumpkins, gourds, and family-friendly fun. Enjoy pumpkin painting, hay bales, photo ops, and festive decor — cider in hand, of course.
Where to Dine Now: NYC’s Most Exciting Fall Openings
Carnegie Diner & Cafe — Diamond District 1185 Avenue of the Americas The fast-growing Modern American diner expands its footprint with a new Diamond District location this October. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Chef & Owner Stathis Antonakopoulos serves all-day favorites, oversized salads, burgers, sandwiches, pastas, plant-based options, and indulgent desserts like the iconic 24-layer chocolate cake.
Isla & Co. — Williamsburg 66 Grand St. Opening this month, Isla & Co. brings Australian-inspired brunch and dinner to Brooklyn. The menu features creative brunch dishes, seasonally driven dinner plates highlighting quality cuts of meat and vibrant vegetable-forward options, alongside craft cocktails, specialty coffee, and natural wines in a relaxed yet stylish setting.
Park Rose — Nomad 444 Park Avenue South, inside Hotel Park Ave Debuting on October 23rd, Park Rose offers elevated modern Italian-American fare within a stunning art deco space. Highlights include housemade pasta, seasonally special pumpkin ravioli, a can’t-miss meatball sub, and Rome-style pizzas, complemented by tableside vermouth service for a truly immersive dining experience from the Renwick Hospitality Group team.
Dear Margo — Upper East Side 961 Lexington Avenue Opening in late October, Dear Margo invites guests to a casually cozy Mediterranean retreat. The menu features shareable mezze plates, grilled skewers, and thoughtfully curated seasonal dishes, making it a perfect new spot for laid-back yet elevated fall dining.
Where to Drink Now: Fall Cocktails + Spooky Sips
Nightmare on 33rd St. — The Bronze Owl (52 W 33rd St.) A boo-zy delight that tastes like fall in a glass, The Bronze Owl’s Nightmare on 33rd St. mixes vodka and Pumpkin Spice RumChata with coconut milk and chocolate bitters, topped with cinnamon and a toasted marshmallow. Served in an adorable ceramic ghost mug, it’s a treat that’s as photogenic as it is delicious.
Frozen Vampiro — Limusina (441 9th Ave.)At Limusina, the Frozen Vampiro brings a Jalisco street classic to Midtown. This chilling cocktail blends tequila with grapefruit and pomegranate sangrita for a tangy, slightly spicy sip that’s bright red and devilishly refreshing — the perfect cocktail bite for any vampire at heart.
Skull Duggery — Nothing Really Matters (210 W 50th St., in the subway) Hidden beneath Times Square in one of NYC’s coolest subterranean speakeasies, Skull Duggery is a smooth, seasonal cocktail crafted with pumpkin purée, hazelnut, and vanilla. Head mixologist Cyllan Hicks describes it as “not too sweet, with hints of the holiday season” — a cozy yet mysterious pour fit for the underground.
Halloween Bonbon Quartet — Sweet Graffiti (51 W 32nd St.) At Sweet Graffiti, Halloween goes haute with the Halloween Bonbon Quartet, featuring four limited-edition, hand-painted confections: Peanut Butter Cup (Monster), Gingerbread (Ghost), Candy Apple, and Pumpkin Spice Latte. Each one is as beautiful as it is decadent — a grown-up twist on Halloween candy that’s almost too pretty to eat.
Savor the Season: Lindens’ Fall Harvest Dinner Party
October 11 | Lindens, 2 Renwick St. | 6 PM Toast autumn at Lindens’ four-course harvest dinner featuring squash tempura, honeynut ravioli, and pear burrata — paired with seasonal wines. A caviar cocktail hour sets the tone for this evening of fall decadence.Reserve → Lindens NYC
The 15th Annual Taste of Sunnyside
October 12 | 46th St. between Queens Blvd & Greenpoint Ave | From 3 PM Celebrate community and cuisine as more than 60 local restaurants serve up tastings along a lively open-air block party, complete with live music and art.Tickets → tasteofsunnyside.com
Cheers to Fall: Foxtail’s Autumn Cocktail Party
October 14 | Arlo Soho, 231 Hudson St. | 7–9 PM Foxtail debuts its new fall cocktail lineup at this intimate soirée. Expect cozy vibes, inventive drinks by Bar Director Razel Rustia, and the signature charm of one of Soho’s most stylish bars.More info → foxtailnyc.com
Isla & Co. Williamsburg Grand Opening
October 15 | 66 Grand St. | 6–8 PM Celebrate the debut of Isla & Co.’s newest location with live music, espresso martini flights, and Australian-inspired bites in a breezy, all-day brasserie setting.Details → isla-co.com
Sip the Islands: Nerina’s Ionian Wine Dinner
October 15 | 35 Commercial St. | 7 PM Travel to the Ionian Islands for one night with a five-course Greek tasting menu and rare coastal wines. Expect seafood, duck stifado, and yogurt with carrot spoon sweet.Reserve → Resy
Midnight Feast at Paradise Club (October 16–18)
This Halloween season, Times Square’s Paradise Club invites guests to indulge in Midnight Feast, an exclusive three-night-only immersive performance in collaboration with London’s acclaimed Nude Noir. Taking place October 16th, 17th, and 18th at 9 PM, the black-tie affair blurs the lines between theater, cabaret, and erotic ritual in a sensually charged celebration of freedom, vulnerability, and desire. Guests are drawn into a vampiric, countercultural narrative hosted by an ensemble of commanding dominatrixes, unfolding through artful choreography, evocative storytelling, and multi-sensory encounters that invite audience participation. Set against flickering wax light and enveloped in intoxicating movement, Midnight Feast offers a transportive evening designed for those who crave a night with a pulse — an audacious escape into polished darkness and refined glamour. To heighten the experience, Paradise Club will debut a limited menu of bespoke cocktails and a decadent dessert finaleconceptualized by the culinary team at John Fraser Restaurants. Guests are encouraged to dress in black-tie and gothic ball attire — think silk and velvet, lace and leather, corsets, high collars, and tailored coats — for an atmosphere of elegant nocturnal splendor. Tickets are available [here], with entry limited to this three-night engagement. Prepare for an evening that dissolves the boundaries between spectator and spectacle — an unforgettable descent into desire at one of New York’s most daring venues.
Greg’s Halloween Paw-rade
October 18 | Greenwood Park Beer Garden | 1–4 PM NYC’s cutest costume contest returns as pups strut for prizes in categories like Best in Show, Funniest Costume, and Best Celebrity Look. Dog owners can sip, mingle, and shop seasonal finds at Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch.
Eros Unbound: Erotic Readings + Confessions
October 23 | The Red Pavilion, 1241 Flushing Ave. | 8:45–11 PM Step into Bushwick’s neo-noir dreamscape for an intimate evening of sensual storytelling, soundscapes, and creative expression. Expect whispered secrets, artful performances, and a night of unapologetic passion.Tickets → Viewcy
Pitch & Pair NYC: The Anti-Speed Dating Event
October 24 | Slate, Chelsea | 6:30–9 PM Bring your single bestie and take the mic — literally. Pitch & Pair flips dating on its head as friends present their favorite singles to the room. Expect laughter, mingling, and maybe even a love story.Tickets → Eventbrite
Halloween at The Standard Biergarten (October 26 & October 31)
Celebrate spooky season at The Standard Biergarten, where Halloween fun unfolds across two festive days. On October 26 and October 31, guests can shop for pumpkins (get one free with a Pumpkin Ale purchase), join the pumpkin carving contest (4–6 PM), and compete in costume contests starting at 8 PM. Winners take home Ski Shots and Biergarten tickets redeemable for food and drinks. With festivities for kids, tricks for grown-ups, and plenty of seasonal brews, it’s an all-ages Halloween bash with a downtown twist.
Elvis Duran’s HallowSCREAM at BloodManor
October 28 | 359 Broadway | 6–9 PM Join Danielle Monaro and the cast of Elvis Duran and The Morning Show for a night of scares and celebrity fun at NYC’s most legendary haunted house. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.Tickets → z100.com
The Black Lodge Ball: Halloween with Cinema Paradiso
October 31 | The Red Pavilion | 7–9:30 PM Enter the surreal world of David Lynch at this haunting masquerade featuring live jazz-noir performances and cinematic soundscapes. It’s Halloween elegance — with a twist of terror.RSVP → Viewcy
The Forbidden Palace at Slate
October 31 | 54 W 21st St. | From 8 PM End the month in style at Slate’s Halloween party featuring a one-hour vodka bar, DJ sets, and a costume-filled crowd dancing late into the night.Tickets → Slate NYC
Tansy’s Polite Society: A Haunting Affair at So & So’s (October 30, 8–10 PM)
On Thursday, October 30, So & So’s Neighborhood Piano Bar and Restaurant hosts an enchanting, one-night-only experience — Tansy’s Polite Society: A Haunting Affair. The candlelit venue transforms into an intimate cabaret, where internationally acclaimed burlesque artists deliver a spellbinding mix of storytelling, seduction, and laughter. Guests can sip on devilishly crafted cocktails and savor decadent fare while enjoying a glittering, unpredictable night of Halloween magic in velvet-draped elegance.
Vampire Saloon at Desert 5 Spot NYC (October 30–31)
This Halloween, Desert 5 Spot trades its signature honky-tonk charm for something a little darker with its Vampire Saloon, a two-night transformation inspired by cult classics like From Dusk Till Dawn. On October 30th and 31st, the rooftop bar becomes a wild haunt for undead cowboys, biker gangs, and nocturnal misfits, complete with live music each night. Expect special guest performers on Thursday and a headline set by The Whiskey Biscuits on Halloween night. Entry is ticketed, with early-bird pricing and table packages available — just don’t forget your fangs.
Joanne Trattoria - The Dead Dance Costume Ball October 31
The intimate speakeasy dinner theater on the Upper West Side (70 West 68th Street) will host The Monster Ball. Hosted by Drag Me to Joanne's Creator and Producer Jupiter Genesis, the evening will feature pop-up shows from guest drag and cabaret artists, including a sing-along of throwback hits and pop classics by resident artist Grace Romanello, and music from DJ SamBryWil. Attendees of the Monster Ball are strongly encouraged to arrive to dinner dressed up as there will be a costume contest, where the grand prize will be two tickets to a future Mayhem Ball show. Doors open at 5:45 PM, with the show starting at 6 PM. Tickets are available via OpenTable or by texting "Dead" to 212-721-0068
