10 Things to Do in New York in September

September marks the beginning of autumn. An ideal time to enjoy baseball games, festivals and many other plans. Discover New York this season!
10 Things to Do in New York in September

More about: 10 Things to Do in New York in September

September is the ideal time to explore New York's most impressive streets and places. The heat is no longer a problem, and the intense cold has not yet arrived. For this reason, many important and eagerly awaited events take place at this time of year.

A variety of festivals, sporting competitions, and art exhibitions fill the city, and you can attend whichever celebrations you like. You just need to know what they are to decide which ones to attend, or even go to all of them if you have time. Here you will find a description of the most popular and interesting ones so you can compare them and not miss out on the ones that catch your eye.

1. See a real musical on Broadway itself

Start of Chicago The Musical| ©Karen & Drew Attanasio
Start of Chicago The Musical| ©Karen & Drew Attanasio

Tickets for famous Broadway musicals are not cheap, but they are worth seeing. If you want to fulfill your dream of seeing this kind of show, be sure to take advantage of the special Broadway Week.

During that week, which actually lasts more than seven days, many theaters offer special deals to the public. This only happens twice a year, so don't miss out on this offer, which is valid in September.

The offer consists of buying two tickets for the price of one. This will save you 50% of what you would spend on the actual price of the two tickets. Some of the best musicals you're sure to enjoy on Broadway are:

Get tickets now for your favorite musical

2. Experience the thrill of watching a live NFL game

American football in New York| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney
American football in New York| ©Joaquín Montaño - Midjourney

If you agree that American football is one of the most exciting sports, visit New York in September. This month marks the start of another season of the National Football League (NFL), allowing you to see a game.

Feel the adrenaline and passion of watching a game live in person. Join the New York Jets or New York Giants fans, because the city has two teams. You choose which one to support to ensure you win and celebrate victory!

Buy NFL tickets

3. Don't miss a baseball game

Yankees Stadium ticket| ©Andrés Alvarado
Yankees Stadium ticket| ©Andrés Alvarado

When you arrive in New York in September, you'll still have a chance to attend a local baseball game. The season will be coming to an end, as it finishes in October, but you'll still have a chance. It's one of the main sports nationwide, so the stadiums are usually full.

As if the excitement of the game itself weren't enough, the atmosphere in the stadium is great. Join in the euphoria, the cheering, and the fast food fun by going to support one of the teams. Again, you have two options to choose from: the Mets or the Yankees, both of which are from New York.

How much you spend will depend on where you want to sit and what you buy inside. Tickets cost between approximately $10 and $500. Because of this, you can choose where you will watch and cheer on the game without going over your planned budget. In any case, if you can't afford a game, you can also visit Yankee Stadium or Brooklyn Nets Stadium.

Buy baseball tickets

4. Enjoy the grand finale of the tennis tournament

Practicing for the Grand Slam| ©R Boed
Practicing for the Grand Slam| ©R Boed

The US Open Tennis Championship is another major sporting event. It is held every year in New York in September, specifically at the beginning of the month. The well-known Flushing Meadows Park, in the northern part of Queens, is where it is held.

If you are one of those people who love this sport, take advantage of your visit to the city of skyscrapers. You can use this occasion to have the exceptional opportunity to see world-renowned professional tennis players in action. But hurry up and buy your ticket for the US Open Tennis Championship because they sell out fast.

Buy your ticket for the US Open Tennis Championship

5. Experience the eagerly awaited Labor Day

Shopping Day| ©Ksenia Chernaya
Shopping Day| ©Ksenia Chernaya

Every first Monday of the month, Labor Day, or Workers' Day, is celebrated in style. This happens in New York in September, although it is also a holiday throughout the United States. This holiday is considered the unofficial mark of the end of summer.

On this day, you're likely to see lots of people out and about in the parks. But best of all, you'll find sales, deals, discounts, and promotions at various stores. Believe me, if you like the idea of shopping in New York, this is one of the best days to do so without spending too much. Book a shopping tour of New York and let yourself be carried away.

Book a shopping tour of New York

6. Attend a free photography festival

Smile at Photoville| ©Suraj Bajaj
Smile at Photoville| ©Suraj Bajaj

Do you consider photography to be an art form that should be valued? Join Photoville (a festival full of workshops, nighttime storytelling, artist talks, and demonstrations) without paying a dime.

It takes place in Brooklyn Bridge Park, under the famous Brooklyn Bridge, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors. There you can appreciate what artists from around the world have to show. The fact that they are not famous does not detract from their excellent work, which is undeniably attractive.

One of the unique features of this festival is the use of shipping containers that serve as photo galleries. Come and spend a beautiful autumn afternoon viewing these photographic works that convey profound messages! If you're left wanting more, here's a link to everything you need to know about the Fotografiska museum in New York; I'm sure you'll want to visit it.

Book your ticket to the Fotografiska Museum

7. Visit an art exhibition in a historic museum

Entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York| ©Patxi Moraleda
Entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York| ©Patxi Moraleda

You shouldn't leave New York without visiting the MET, a museum of global importance. The museum's extensive collection includes over 2,000,000 pieces, some of which date back 5,000 years. Why in September? Because the high season of July and August has just ended and tourists are taking a break from crowded places like this museum, which can also be a good refuge on rainy days, which are becoming more frequent.

Therefore, you will most likely need to make several visits in order to see and appreciate it in its entirety. As its name suggests, this metropolitan art museum has art of various types.

There are pieces of different shapes and sizes from Asia, the East, Egypt, the Islamic world, the United States, the Middle Ages, and more. So be sure to follow MET Museum in New York: Tickets and Tours, a must-see for anyone with an eye for art.

Book a guided tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

8. Have the best day in a park with many attractions

Zipline in New York| ©Diane Greene Lent
Zipline in New York| ©Diane Greene Lent

Taking advantage of the ideal weather in New York in September to visit a park is an excellent idea. There are parks with multiple attractions that you will definitely want to try, such as the tall roller coasters. Although these are usually the main attractions, there are also zip lines, boardwalks, and carousels.

Of course, there are many others, because more and more different attractions are being added. On the other hand, there are theme parks, which you will love if you are a fan of certain popular movies or series. Being in one of these will be like stepping into and experiencing the stories you love so much. One option is the Nickelodeon Universe theme park at American Dream. Book your ticket and enjoy yourself like a kid!

Book your ticket to Nickelodeon Theme Park

9. Admire works of art at an outdoor exhibition

Walking through the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit| ©Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival
Walking through the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit| ©Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

There is another completely free event on the list of things to do in New York in September. It's called the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, and it lasts not just one weekend, but two. The streets near Washington Park are the nerve center of this art exhibition.

That's why it's known by the above name. Numerous artists from different parts of the New York metropolitan area and across the United States gather here. You may even encounter international artists who decide to participate in this casual art exhibition.

The origin of this event can be traced back to an idea conceived by Jackson Pollock around 1931. It continues to be held today, and admiring all the works in this outdoor setting won't cost you a thing. Of course, if you want to take one home as a souvenir, you'll have to buy it. And, of course, art floods every corner of New York in each and every one of its museums. Here's an article on the best museums in New York if you want to focus your visit on art and culture.

10. Celebrate a week full of fashion thanks to a luxury event

New York Fashion Week| ©Peter Duhon
New York Fashion Week| ©Peter Duhon

Are you interested in fashion and enjoy reading magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Marie Claire? If so, you'll love being in this world capital of acclaimed fashion during the famous Fashion Week. It is held there only twice a year, one of which is during the first 15 days of September.

During this time, there are multiple exclusive fashion shows, high-profile events, and glamorous parties that you will love. For this event, a huge number of designers, world-renowned celebrities, models, and journalists come to the Big Apple.

So, without a doubt, it is a great time to be in this metropolis of the fashion world.

What are the temperatures in New York in September?

Rain in New York| ©Josh Hild
Rain in New York| ©Josh Hild

September marks the transition from summer to fall in New York City. Thanks to this, the prevailing temperatures are quite pleasant, making the month slightly warm. The minimum temperature that could occur is 16ºC, ideal if you are someone who feels the cold easily.

Meanwhile, the average temperature is 20ºC and the maximum would generally only approach 30ºC. In addition, there are usually around 9 days during that month when it rains moderately in the city. Now, if you want to see for yourself what the weather is like, start planning your trip to experience it.

Book a tour of Central Park

Tourist numbers in New York in September

Visiting New York| ©Samson Katt
Visiting New York| ©Samson Katt

The number of tourists who decide to visit the Big Apple is higher during the summer months. Therefore, by September, the high season will be over and tourist traffic will decrease.

Being different from the rest and planning your New York vacation for that month can be an excellent plan. That's because, with fewer tourists during that season, your stay and your outings are sure to be more comfortable.

In addition, you already know about the events you can enjoy, many of which only happen during that month. There's sure to be more than one that catches your attention and you don't want to miss out on.

Book a tour of New York

Prices in New York during the fall

Paying for purchases| ©Jack Sparrow
Paying for purchases| ©Jack Sparrow

September comes after two months of very high prices in New York. So, compared to those expensive months, prices improve for tourists during this month. But you will see the real significant drop in prices in the final days of the month.

The most tempting offers will be available during that time. However, everything will go back up again for the much-anticipated Christmas season, when many people visit the big city. So, it's not a good idea to delay your visit too long or let September pass you by. Want a money-saving tip? Book one of the New York tourist passes that will allow you to visit a large number of attractions at a discount and enjoy all the things to do and places to see in New York

Book your New York City Explorer Pass

Pack your bags and travel to New York in September!

Ready to Travel| ©Alexandr Podvalny
Ready to Travel| ©Alexandr Podvalny

Now you know what the weather will be like if you travel to this popular city during this autumnal month, full of golden colors. If you want some extra help deciding what to pack and what to leave at home, here it is. The following items of clothing are essential for your luggage:

  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes, such as ankle boots and Converse.
  • A jacket made of thin fabric, which will come in handy in the evenings and mornings.
  • A long-sleeved sweater that is not too warm and T-shirts.
  • Jeans, preferably long ones if you usually feel cold very quickly.
  • A thin scarf or neckerchief that you can wrap around your neck and easily remove when you want to.
  • Raincoat and shoes suitable for a rainy day, which will probably occur during your stay.

Book a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island