Fall in New York

Enjoying a chill fall breakfast in New York City with sweet goodies from Magnolia Bakery

USA

Fall in New York

Destinations, New York, North America, Travel, USA

I’m just back from another great weekend in NYC and I never seem to have enough of exploring the city that never sleeps. Fall in New York was absolutely beautiful! This time I walked in Manhattan from West to East, hence discovering the West Village and East Village as well as everything in between, including the Greenwich Village. If you want to learn more about what there is to see and do in these neighborhoods, keep on reading.

Table of Contents

New York is a bustling city and its various neighborhoods have something for every taste. During the fall season, the falling leaves and colorful trees become the perfect backdrop.

Fifth Avenue is perhaps the most famous avenue in NYC

West Village

On Saturday, I started my itinerary in the West Village by getting off at the 8th Ave & 14th St. subway stop, an area close to the Hudson River. My first stop was Magnolia Bakery (at their location on 401 Bleecker St), a famous bakery chain that I got to know thanks to the series ‘Sex & the City‘. After a good breakfast in the park next door, I wandered around until I found Carrie Bradshaw’s house in the show. The famous doorstep is located at 64 Perry St, although in the fiction Carrie lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

According to 'Sex & the City', this is where Carrie lived — According to ‘Sex & the City’, this is where Carrie lived

Greenwich Village

Walking towards the East side of Manhattan, I arrived to Greenwich Village, also simply known as ‘the Village‘. Although this neighborhood was popular for being a bohemian haven and home to many writers, artists and musicians, today it is a quiet, residential area with tree-lined streets and neighbors walking their dogs. The area is very lively at night though, reinforced by the presence of New York University.

A cute shop window from Greenwich Letterpress — The Northern Dispensary in the Village

It is also a popular gay zone, and is close to the trendy Meatpacking District.

When it comes to landmarks to see in the Greenwich Village, the Jefferson Market Courthouse is the most significant one. Built as a courthouse in 1877, it is currently used as a public library. Not far from there is Washington Square: this is the heart of the Village and Fifth Avenue starts right here. The marble arch that presides over the square commemorates the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration as the first President of the United States.

The Jefferson Market Library is one of the landmarks in the Greenwich Village of New York

Washington Square Arch with the Freedom Tower in the background

Nearby, on Leroy St & Hudson St, you’ll find St Luke’s Place, a street of stately homes lined with incredible trees. I continued exploring the Village until I reached the famous apartment from the Friends series, on the corner of Bedford & Grove St. To be honest, I didn’t expect it to be that small!

East Village

Finally, after walking through Manhattan from West to East, I reached the East Village.

In the 60s, this area welcomed hippies and in the 80s it became a kind of new SoHo, gradually opening up restaurants and fashion stores.

Surrounding Astor Place is Cooper Union, one of the most prestigious universities in the country and once the first free coeducational college in New York. Ukrainian shops and restaurants predominate along 1st and 2nd Avenues, hence the nickname Little Ukraine. Not far from there is located St Mark’s Church-in- the-Bowery.

New York Midtown and Queens

How beautiful is the fall foliage in Central Park?

On Sunday I walked around areas of New York City I had already visited previously, mainly in Midtown. The first stop was Times Sq, which is always buzzing with tourists. On my way to the Rockefeller Center, I passed Diamond Row (also known as Diamond District). This stretch on 47th Street near Fifth Avenue is full of jewelry stores. When I arrived to the Rockefeller Center to check on the Christmas preparations, I noticed the famous ice rink was already in full swing whereas the huge tree was still being set up.
After that, I headed to Central Park for a peaceful walk to admire the autumn scenery. To top off the weekend, I went to Queens to gaze at the Manhattan skyline at night.