NYC Fall Guide 2013

Oh Fall, I love when you show up right after my birthday. As any New Yorker will tell you, it's the best season in Manhattan.  I am obsessed with your crispy weather, leaves that change, pumpkin flavored treats (food or delicious smelling candles), and Autumnal fashions. Inspired by my friend Deborah's recent post on her blog "The Sunday Blog" and my NYC Summer Guide, I decided to create my own NYC Fall Guide for some great activities to take advantage of this season all around the city. What are some things that you like to do in the city in the Fall?

 1. The 51st New York Film Festival will take place September 27th - October 13th. This is North America's second oldest film festival, running 17 days, continues to introduce audiences to the most exciting, innovative and accomplished works of world cinema. Two films to keep your eye out for are Ben Stiller's directorial debut The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Spike Jonze's Her with an all-star cast inclusive of Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, and Rooney Mara.

2. After you check out the NYFF, make sure to swing by the New Yorker Festival running October 4, 5, and 6. The program this year is filled with some phenomenal guests - Tavi Gevinson, Michelle Williams, Ethan Hawke, and Malcom Gladwell. The program I am most excited about is Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig talk with Ian Parker about their amazing film Frances Ha.

3.  Fall Theater season always brings its A-Game. Movie musicals continue to strut their stuff on the great white way and this season two of my favorite films are making their Broadway debut. My girlfriends and I have tickets in October to see Little Miss Sunshine at Second Stage Theater. Directed by the ever-so-talented James Lapine and starring the power house vocals of Stephanie J Block and Will Swenson. This is sure to be a hilarious and warm-hearted new musical. I am also excited to see Big Fish the Musical directed and choreographed by the award winning Susan Stroman.

4. Just before the drab, colorless winter months, MOMA PS 1, will hang some color in its halls. The museum is hosting the largest exhibition of Mike Kelley's work to date beginning October 13th and running through February 2nd. This exhibition will feature 200 works, including early pieces from the 1970s and my favorite Care Bear explosion.

5.  What to check out the behind-the-scenes of some of the most famous Big Apple buildings, make sure to pencil in Open House New York between Oct. 12 and 13. The participating buildings will be listed in early October. Some of last year's open houses included the Phillip Johnson-designed The Four Seasons restaurant and Grand Central Terminal.

6.  Bust out your inner Nancy Kerrigan and get ready to brace The Rink at Rockefeller Center. There is plenty of time to practice your double axles and triple loops because it is open from October 12th and running till April 2014. I love ice skating and will definitely be checking this out this season, especially because it is open late, late night session anyone (10:30pm - midnight)??

7. From October 15 - 19th over 1,000 bands will grace NYC's indie music scene for the annual CMJ festival.  Besides just music, there will also be an assortments of seminars, parties, meet-and-greets and panels. I will definitely be checking out my favorite acts Dan Croll and Panama Wedding.

8. If you missed the PUNK: Chaos to Couture exhibit this summer at the MET, fret no more, because the Brooklyn Museum is housing a spectacular exhibit this Fall. The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk will be on display from October 25th thru February 23rd 2014. This will showcase over 140 haute couture and prêt-à-porter ensembles, from the designers earliest to his most recent collections. 

9. One of my favorite activities in the Fall is to go Apple Picking. Grab a few friends (it helps when one of them has a car) and check out this guide for the top 11 farms located an hour or less outside of NYC. You usually can also pick up a pumpkins to carve for Halloween.

10. A neighborhood favorite will also take place this season. Next weekend, October 5th-6th and the following weekend October 11th and 12th the annual Lincoln Arts Autumn Craft Festival is taking place. Everyone can get an early start on their holiday shopping and support local artists and vendors.