The Ultimate NYC Fall Bucket List for Dog Lovers

Goodbye summer, hello fall! Fall is arguably one of the best seasons in New York City. The air crisps up, sweaters come out, and your dog has a much better time spending time outdoors when the oppressive NYC heat subsides. Luckily, there’s plenty to keep you both occupied and happy before the dreadful New York winter rolls in. Here are the best dog-friendly things to do in New York City this fall. 

There’s nothing like autumn in New York! 

If you’re not in New York, no worries! Check out our guide to celebrating fall with your dog, no matter where you are. 

Go Apple Picking

Nothing screams fall like biting into a crisp, red apple. 

Luckily, you won’t have to settle with a bag or plastic wrapped piece of fruit from your local bodega. You can go apple picking and pluck your own right from a tree!

There are loads of dog-friendly apple orchards just a short car or train ride away from New York City. We’ve compiled a list of them here.

Don’t forget to snag some fresh apple cider and apple cider doughnuts while you’re out there. 

See a Scary Movie

Prepare yourself for Halloween by watching some ghouls, ghosts and goblins on the big screen. 

You can snuggle up in a blanket to Netflix & Chill, or venture into the great outdoors for an in-person fright night at a drive-in or outdoor movie. 

Manhattan

If you’re in Manhattan, you can head to the Big Screen in the Public Square & Gardens of Hudson Yards to enjoy movie night! This is FREE and open to the public, and seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. Movies start at 6:00pm, and play throughout October. Head to the Hudson Yards website to see the line up.

Brooklyn

If you’re a Brooklynite, check out the Skyline Drive-In in Greenpoint. You can listen to the movie’s sound through your car’s stereo or via Skyline Drive-In’s rentable radio. If you don’t have a car, no worries, you can still bring your own chair or even rent one.

Queens

For those in Queens, there’s The Bel Aire Diner, in Astoria, where the 55-year-old diner transformed its parking lot into a drive-in. There’s also Nightout, a drive-in experience that has movies, Halloween installations, theatrical music performances and more. Get tickets on their websites.

Scary not your scene? No worries! There are tons of movies to get you into that autumn feel and shoot fall vibes straight through your eyeballs.

A few of our favorites include:

• You’ve Got Mail
• Hocus Pocus
• When Harry Met Sally
• The Nightmare before Christmas

Get your Pumpkin on

Pumpkin spice, pumpkin butter, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pies, pumpkin scones…! There’s a pumpkin explosion every autumn when these bright round gourds are suddenly around every corner. They’re carved, eaten, decorated and the list goes on and on. 

For those who don’t favor pumpkin, it sucks, but for those of us (like me!) who love it, it’s time to relish in these orange globes of magic. 

So how to make the most of pumpkin season? Here are a few ideas:

• Get a pumpkin spice latte and a puppuccino for your pup. 
• Make these pumpkin spiced dog treats  – easy and only three ingredients! 
• Order a Pumpkin Keg filled with Southern Tier Imperial Pumking Ale at Loreley Beer Garden (7 Rivington St, Manhattan). 
• Visit a pumpkin patch (Hint: many of the apple orchards linked above allow you to pick your own pumpkins).
• Go to Trader Joe’s and buy one of each pumpkin product on the market, then have a pumpkin party at home. 

Check out the Fall Foliage

Autumn is when Mother Nature puts on her best display, with leaves in hues of orange, green, red and yellow. 

Give your eyes a feast and check out the colorful foliage right in the city. There are wonderful parks in each borough that love to put on a show each year.

Manhattan

For Manhattanites, Central Park is the place to be. The Central Park Conservatory shares a map of peak foliage spots all around the park in their annual fall guide. Each year, approximately 18,000 trees transform, making it one of the most photogenic times in the park. 

Other Manhattan parks worth visiting include Highbridge Park, (the trail that runs along the high ridge, above Harlem River Drive, is a treat in the fall!), and Inwood Hill Park, where the blue trail is best, with gorgeous views of the Hudson River and the Palisades.

Brooklyn

For those in Brooklyn, there are technicolor trees in Prospect Park too. Their park alliance shares different walking routes that’ll have you wandering through the best of what their trees have to offer. 

Honorable mention goes to Fort Greene Park and Owl’s Head Park.

Queens

If you’re in Queens, choose from Alley Pond Park, Cunningham Park, Forest Park, and Kissena Park. Don’t forget Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where you can hike the Pat Dolan Trail at Willow Lake and see some amazing colors.

The Bronx

At the Bronx River Greenway you can explore the Bronx River Forest, one of the oldest forests in New York City. Don’t sleep on Van Cortlandt Park, a park with three ecologically-distinct forests. Check out the the Putnam Greenway while there, a paved 1.4-mile trail with scenic views of a lake. And don’t forget Pelham Bay Park, where you can meander through a nature sanctuary on the Kazimiroff Trail.

Staten Island

Nothing says fall vibes like the Greenbelt, which features 35 miles of walking trails that run along the crest of the Serpentine Ridge.

Theres also Clove Lakes Park, Blue Heron Park, Silver Lake Park, and Wolfe’s Pond Park.

Get Blessed at the Blessing of the Animals

In honor of the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals and ecology, many churches allow patrons to bring in their animals to be blessed by a priest. The celebration includes all animals, whether furry, scaly, slimy, or feathery. It’s a fun tradition that’s a sight to be seen, whether you’re religious or not.

While the official feast day is October 4, the Blessing of the Animals events usually take place during the first two weeks of October. A list of churches that take part includes:

• St. Ignatius Loyola (980 Park Avenue, Manhattan)
• Trinity Church (89 Broadway, Manhattan)
• Cathedral of St. John the Divine (1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th St, Manhattan)
• St. Francis of Assisi (135 W. 31st St, Manhattan)
• St Clement’s Episcopal Church (423 W 46th St, Manhattan)
• John Street United Methodist Church (44 John St, Manhattan)
• The Episcopal Church of Our Savior (48 Henry St, Manhattan)
• St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church (157 Montague St, Brooklyn)
• Assumption Parish Church (55 Cranberry St, Brooklyn)
• Saint Patrick’s Church (9511 4th Avenue, Brooklyn)
• Saint Ephrem’s Animal Blessing (929 Bay Ridge Avenue, Brooklyn)
• St. Philips’ Church (1072 80th St, Brooklyn)
• St. Finbar Church (138 Bay 20th Street, Brooklyn)
• Saint Anselm Church (356 82nd Street and 4th Avenue, Brooklyn)
• St. Athanasius Roman Catholic Church (6115 Bay Pkwy, Brooklyn)
• Our Lady of Angels Church (7320 4th Ave, Brooklyn)
• Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (110-06 Queens Blvd., Queens)
• All Saints’ Episcopal Church (43-12 46th St, Queens)
• Queens of Angels (44-04 Skillman Ave, Queens)

Take a Hike

Fall is the perfect time to enjoy colorful hikes and scenic trails. The temperature has dropped, and your dog can finally be outdoors for longer periods of time and enjoy themselves without overheating. 

There are 22 National Parks in New York State, and 10 of them are right here in New York City! 

If you want to stay within the five boroughs, check out our list of 5 Dog-Friendly Hikes in NYC, one in each borough. 

The NYC Parks Department also hosts fall foliage hikes through parks in every borough. Their Urban Park Ranger naturalists lead you through urban forests, explaining the science behind the kaleidoscope of colors you’ll see. 

For those able to venture out of the city, check out the epic hiking to be done in the nearby Hudson Valley and the Catskills. They’re just a car ride or a dog-friendly Metro North or Amtrak ride away. 

Sit on some Spooky Stoops

A great way to get in the Halloween spirit is to check out all of the spooky stoops that pop up around the city. 

These are usually festive brownstone or townhouse stoops that have decorated for the holiday, with pumpkins, ghouls, ghosts, and goblin decor. 

Neighborhoods known for their spectacular spooky stoops include: the Upper West Side, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Astoria and the West Village.

If you’re interested, we share a #SpookyStoops tour of different neighborhoods on the @dogsofnyc Instagram page. It’s a fun way to spend a fall afternoon. 

Heads up: don’t miss the best dressed house in all of NYC. A  Victorian Queen Anne-style house located at the corner of Albemarle Road and Argyle Roadhe in Prospect Park South goes all out every year, with the best Halloween decorations in all of New York City. Don’t miss it!

Take part in a dog-friendly Halloween party

It’s the spookiest time of the year! When it comes to dogs and Halloween, NYC does not disappoint.

There are so many dog-friendly Halloween contests, parades, and parties, you won’t be able to keep up!

Check our NYC dog-friendly event calendar to stay in the loop, and be sure to hit up these big ones:

Tompkins Square Dog Halloween Parade

The party of the year happens annually at Tomkins Square Park, when thousands of costumed canines and spectators get together for the biggest dog costume parade in the world.

Even if your pup doesn’t want to dress up, this time honored tradition is worth going to. Creative pooches of all sizes and ages come to battle it out for best costume and to take home epic prizes. There are thousands of participants, spectators, and even celebrity hosts and judges. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

The Great Pupkin

If you can’t make the Tompkins Square Halloween Parade, no problem – head to one of the many other dog-friendly Halloween parties happening throughout the five boroughs. That includes The Great Pupkin in Fort Greene Park.

Sponsored by Fort Greene PUPS, the Great PUPkin is Brooklyn’s largest and most outrageous dog costume contest. Scads of dogs enter and ruthlessly compete for the coveted Great PUPkin rosettes for the top pups!

Sit on the monument steps and watch the action unfold on stage. It’s free to attend and all proceeds from entries go to support Fort Greene PUPS, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Be sure to register ahead of time if you plan to compete.

Dog Day Halloween

Washington Square Park turns into a party during their annual Dog Day Halloween event, with a full on parade, with a band playing of course, and a costume contest featuring hundreds of dogs!

Get there early so you get a good spot in the crowd. Don’t forget to pre-register either and get some swag.

Go on a Ghost Tour

Can dogs see ghosts? Find out when you take a dog-friendly ghost tour. 

It’s the best way to learn some New York history and get in the spooky spirit. 

Boroughs of the Dead offer a variety of spooky tours to choose from, including Witches of Old New York, and the Magic and Mysticism of Central Park. They’re found all over the city, with tours in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Roosevelt Island. They’re a woman-owned boutique-sized business that is locally and independently owned and operated. As with most city walking tours, all of their stories are told in outdoor areas in public places such as parks and sidewalks. They also have virtual tours! 

Haunted Manhattan offers four different ghost tours, all around different parts of Lower Manhattan. Each tour lasts 90 minutes and has 13 stops. 

If you’re on a budget or just want to go solo, consider the Sidewalk tour. They offer a self guided ghost tour, where you meander through the streets of Greenwich Village and learn about 400 years of murder, plague, greed, scorn and poetry. Their tour has you explore the dark histories of haunted churches, taverns, firehouses, parks and even a subway station.

There’s also Free Tours by Foot, a pay-what-you-wish company that offers three different ghost tours in Manhattan. 

If you’re taking a tour, always ask if your dog is welcome and give the tour guide a heads up beforehand. 

Visit the Farmers Market

When you can’t escape the city, the next best thing is a Farmer’s Market, with their bushels of apples, hot apple cider, and apple cider doughnuts. 

Farmers Markets are a great place to hit up for fresh produce, fall vibes, and some cool weathered strolling and people watching. 

Grow NYC has over 50 green markets and 15 farm stands all throughout the five boroughs. Over 200 local farmers, fishers and bakers sell what they grow, raise, catch and bake themselves, directly to consumers – no middle men or brokers allowed!

Our favorites Farmers Markets around NYC include:

• The Union Square Green Market – open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket – open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Plan a Fall Photoshoot

In the fall, the city comes alive with Halloween spirit, and pumpkins and skeletons start popping up all over the place. 

There are spooky stoops (listed above), but also so many other places for great Halloween photo ops. Here’s a few places to get the perfect spooky pooch photos:

• Industry City’s Pumpkin Spice Courtyard (274 36th St, Brooklyn)
• Pier 17 Pumpkin Arch – Bonus: they usually host a Yappy Hour Halloween bash every year, check our dog calendar. (89 South St, Manhattan)
• Crest Hardware & Urban Garden Center (558 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn)
• Mansion Restaurant (1634 York Ave, Manhattan)
• The Highline Hotel (180 10th Ave, Manhattan)
• Carnegie Diner & Cafe (57th Street and 7th Avenue, Manhattan)
• Your local bodega.

Go Wine Tasting

Wineries, with their rolling hills, cheese platters, and delicious booze, are a great place to relax, spend time with your dog, and watch the vibrant colorful trees.

Grab your puffy vest and flannels and head to a vineyard. If you’re lucky, there’ll be live music and food trucks to go with your bold reds and chilly whites. 

Here’s a list of dog-friendly wineries in the Hudson Vally. 

If wine isn’t your thing, check out a cidery or brewery. Bad Seed Cidery is open through October, with outdoor seating and food trucks, and Twin Star Orchards, open through November, has apple picking and wood-fired pizza. 

For breweries, check out our list of dog-friendly breweries right in New York City. 

Check out the Pumpkin Flotilla in Central Park

For the past 30 years, the Harlem Meer in Central Park turns into a flotilla – a naval term meaning a formation of ships – of floating pumpkins! Over 100 glowing pumpkins set sail at twilight, making for a super spooky scene. You can even bring your own carved pumpkin to include in the parade!

This year, the event is happening on Thursday, October 26th between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Sail starts at dusk.

Space is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Pumpkins will be accepted until 5:30 pm or until all spots are filled, whichever comes first.

Feast on Halloween Dog Treats

What’s Halloween without a few sweet treats? Luckily oyur dog can join in, guilt free! Grab them some Halloween dog goodies and watch their tail wag.

maison de pawZ makes a whole slew of Halloween themed dog treats, pictured above. They’re almost too cute to eat! They also offer Spiced Apple Tart dog biscuit, a low calorie crunchy treat that has my dogs drooling.

Over in Brooklyn Little L’s Pet Bakery is cooking up turkey and pumpkin pupcakes, as well as a fall harvest dog soup and apple cinnamon donuts.

If you’d rather bake at home, try making these pumpkin spiced dog treats  – they’re easy and only three ingredients! 

Get Spooky at Haunt O’ Ween

Haunt O’Ween is an immersive and interactive Halloween adventure a car ride away in Holmdel, New Jersey. It features a 200,000 square ft outdoor venue covered in 35,000 pumpkins. There are games, rides, food, drinks, trick or treating and thousands of pumpkins!

Tickets start at $40, and you can stay as long as you like! Well behaved leashed dogs are welcome.  

Party at Pumpkin Fest

Every year the Seaport throws Pumpkin Fest, a celebration of Fall and all things pumpkin. Harvest spice is sprinkled all throughout the area, from Fulton St. to Pier 17, with special events, autumn decor, and lots of fun to be had.

Check out the pumpkin arch, a bountiful seasonal frame of pumpkins with scenic views of the Brooklyn Bridge behind it, and don’t miss their Barktoberfest party, a parade of dressed-up doggos. There are outdoor restaurants selling delicious grub and the Hester Street Fair happening on most weekends.

Get Spooked at New York’s Annual Village Halloween Parade

The annual Village Halloween Parade is a spooky spectacle, with amazing costumes and music that spread an infectious Halloween spirit that’ll knock your socks off. This year there will be performances by The Brooklyn United Marching Band and some surprise guests.

The parade can get crowded, so this is a good time to bust out your dog backpack or carrier and find a good spot along the parade route to watch the action. Leave dogs who dislike loud noises and scenes at home.

Sip a Hot Drink while Walking your Dog

As temperatures drop, cozy Fall drinks are in order! They can spice up any normal dog walk.

Warm your hands in the crisp Fall air and head to your local coffee shop (psst… find some with order windows on Urban Sniffs). Grab yourself a hot cocoa, hot apple cider, or a pumpkin spice latte. Throw a bandana on your dog and get into an autumnal groove.

Gorge Yourself at the Feast of San Gennaro

Every September since 1926, the Feast of San Gennaro is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of Naples.

This year, it runs from September 14 through September 24! It takes place in Little Italy, located along Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston Streets.

There’s a cannoli-eating contest, delicious food, a parade, and live entertainment. The festival stage is located on the corner of Grand and Motts Sts and features live entertainment starting at 6:30pm each night.

Be warned – it can get very crowded!

How do you and your dog like to celebrate fall? Let us know in the comments!

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