HOW TO HAVE A NYC NOVEMBER

Words and Photos BY Sarah loGan

Now that spooky season is over, college students have started preparing for Thanksgiving Break, finals, and eventually the New Year. Fall is a beautiful and perfectly balanced season for many reasons. The weather prevents you from over-sweating with its nice cool breeze but stays warm enough that heavy coats are not needed. In addition to the superb weather, there are many activities that come with the autumnal season and endless opportunities to enjoy the reds, oranges, and yellows that give the New York City skyline life. To fully immerse yourself in the fall season, I’ve come up with a list of autumnal activities that you can partake in during the month of November.

Park Visits The little pieces of nature scattered throughout the Five Boroughs are often forgotten about until you are actually in them. Public parks allow New Yorkers to visit areas that are a cross between the natural and urban lifestyle. Not only are parks incredibly beautiful and immersive, they are free to visit and enjoy. Here is a list of three parks, from most to least urban: Prospect Park/Grand Army Plaza: Brooklyn’s well-known park is a good place to see fall foliage while also viewing a man-made structure. Grand Army Plaza is similar to the Washington Square Arch as well as the Manhattan Bridge Arch and Colonnade. Looking beyond the towering structure, trees scatter the area. Alley Pond Park: this park, located in Queens, is the second-largest park in its borough. Here you can find beautiful oak and hickory trees, both colorfully vibrant during the fall months. This park also has designated hiking trails, the Alley Pond Adventure Course, and a zipline! High Rock Park: Staten Island is home to many forests filled with tall trees and winding trails. High Rock Park is one that is known for a hill with a scenic view. Because of its topology, it is the perfect hike for someone who is looking to get some exercise in while taking in the ambiance of the autumn season.

Museum Trip A new Museum of Modern Art exhibit will be open for viewing on October 21st. This innovative mix of art will allow you to enjoy creativity while strolling through one of NYC’s most prolific museums. To fully take advantage of this opportunity, go on a Friday for free admission from 4 to 8pm, or simply use your school ID. The Whitney, another modern art museum, is also enjoyable to walk through during the fall season. Connected to its exhibit are balconies where you can look out and see the Manhattan skyline while also looking over onto the Hudson River out into Hoboken, New Jersey. It should be noted, though, that this option is a little bit pricey, starting at $18 for student admission. After walking through the museum, you can walk the length of the Highline from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street. The Highline is located right next to The Whitney on Gansevoort Street.

Support Fellow New Yorkers On November 3rd 2019, the New York City Marathon will be taking place throughout all five boroughs of NYC. Cheering on and encouraging those who are participating is a unique and fun experience that is truly unforgettable. To see where you can support the runners, go to https:// help.tcsnycmarathon.org/customer/ en/portal/articles/2053698-racecourse for a map of the whole course. There are many more things to explore in New York City during the fall season! The options are endless. Now go out and enjoy your November by exploring New York City while staying close to home!