If you’re like those of us here at C&J, the summer’s extreme heat has you daydreaming about cooler weather. Perhaps you’ve even beginning to plan a vacation to properly enjoy that moment when temperatures dip into the 60s and lower. Thankfully, autumn and winter are right around the corner, and with the change in seasons comes a host of new reasons to visit New York City.
Here, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite NYC winter attractions and fall must-visits when you take your next trip to Manhattan via the C&J bus.
Oktoberfest in Central Park
If you can’t get to Munich, New York City is a very good substitute. While there are events throughout September and early October celebrating beer, dancing, and the best wursts, getting to Central Park on September 16 will put you in the center of the liveliest celebration this side of Germany. For maximum enjoyment, purchase and pack lederhosen.
Feast of San Gennaro
If you’re looking to enjoy a little Italian culture and a lot of great Italian food, the feast is the way to go. Held every year over 11 days in September, the celebration fills Little Italy with music and the mouth-watering smells of meats, pasta, and pastries. Swing by for parades and performances or stay for cannoli and meatball eating contests, and experience everything Little Italy has to offer in the process.
Queens County Fair
Chances are you’ve been to a county fair before, but have you ever been to a county fair in the heart of the city? For a few days each fall, the Queens County Farm Museum transforms from a surreally serene space in NYC to a livestock wrangling spot with a three-acre corn maze that will make you feel like you’ve traveled into quiet, rustic upstate New York.
Haunted Lantern Tour
If Halloween festivities are more your speed, try this historic dive into Water Battery Gate. You’ll be led through the Fort Totten Park landmark with nothing but a lantern to guide your guide by a park ranger only too happy to share spine-tingling tales of ghost sightings in the fort with you.
Skating in Rockefeller Plaza
It’s a popular pick for a reason, and that’s because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Lace up your skates and coast through the crowds with skyscrapers looming over you and the hustle and bustle of NYC streets temporarily forgotten. For added impact, quote your favorite lines from Elf and re-live a little movie magic.
Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting
There’s something about seeing lights wink on for a giant tree that warms the spirit, and the Rockefeller Center tree is more impressive than most. Carefully selected for that classic shape and standing over 75 feet tall, the tree will be covered in thousands of twinkling holiday lights and a star you’ll see from blocks away. Even if you miss the lighting ceremony on Wednesday, November 28, you’ll want to swing by Rockefeller Center to snap a photo of this awesome holiday sight.
Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular
Featuring the Rockettes, phenomenal staging and more Santas than you’ll ever see in one place, this popular holiday show is a treat for the senses and one of the best ways to get into the swing of the season in New York City. We recommend taking dinner and a show for the best possible experience.
Winter Jazzfest
This festival began as a one-day celebration, but now it’s more than a week of brilliant jazz music and history. Beginning January 4 and stretching through the 12th of the month, the festival is one of the premier NYC winter attractions for anyone who loves the art form or wants to learn to love it.
Empire State Building Run-Up
The adventurous and the motivated will love this February 7 sprint, which has you running up 86 floors in the Empire State Building in one go. Not only will you be able to give yourself a speedy, self-guided tour of one of America’s most famous landmarks, but you’ll also get one heck of a workout rapidly climbing all those stairs.
If the exercise doesn’t interest you, plan your visit to the Empire State Building for that day and do some people watching instead.
Westminster Kennel Dog Show
If you’re a dog lover or just someone who enjoys a spectacle, you’ve probably watched some this world-famous dog show on TV. You may not have realized that you can also attend it in person on February 12 and 13, giving you an up-close and personal look at determined trainers and their adorable pups as they compete for prizes.
Of course, getting to New York City for these fall and winter adventures is half the battle. Thankfully, C&J makes travel easy by taking you right into the heart of Manhattan on a comfortable bus with legroom to spare, entertainment options galore, and multiple trips per day. That means all you have to do is get off the bus and find your way to the attractions we’ve listed above.
If you’re ready to start planning your next fall or winter trip to NYC, buy tickets with C&J today!
