NEW YORK—While many places are already inviting people to sharpen their skates and step onto the ice rink, there’s still time to enjoy the fall foliage in the city’s parks. Take a nature walk with an expert naturalist at Fort Tryon Park, or head to Union Square for their annual Autumn Fair. A fun event for the family is the Astronomy Project at Wolfe’s Pond Park in Staten Island, where you can learn all there is to know about stargazing and the best spots in the city to bring out the telescope.
Winter Village
November–March
Location: Bryant Park
It’s time to get out your skates and head to the park for this season-long installation of an ice-skating rink at Bryant Park. The admission is free, along with locker space, but skate rental will cost you some. There will also be holiday shops, shows, and more happening in the area. Check hours of operation here.
Union Square Autumn Fair
Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Location: Broadway from 14th to 23rd Streets
This annual autumn celebration attracts hundreds of American and international vendors displaying antique and current merchandise, restaurants, arts and crafts displays, and cultural exhibits. Entertainment is also promised.
An Afternoon With Eleanora Antinova
Saturday 2–4 p.m.
Location: The Wallach Art Gallery 8th Floor, Schermerhorn Hall, Columbia University
The New York photographer, author, and artist who is now professor Emeritus at the University of California will talk about her work—focusing specifically on her videos, photographic series, drawings, and installations that express different sides of “selves.”
The Music of the Kennedy White House: 1961–1963
Saturday 2:30 p.m.
Location: 40 Lincoln Center Plaza
A local musical trio consisting of a pianist, a cellist and a violinist, will play the music fancied by the first lady including such composers as Mendelssohn, Gershwin, Bernstein, Debussy, Brubeck, Casals, and Copland. The concert is in remembrance of president John F. Kennedy and his support of the arts.
Astronomy
Saturday 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Location: Wolfe’s Pond Park Comfort Station, Staten Island
Urban Park Rangers will guide visitors to the solar system by discussing science, history, and folklore of the universe. Learn about light pollution and discover the best places in the city for amazing views of the sky—telescopes and binoculars will be available.
Reflecting on Reflections Quilt Show
Sunday 12 p.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Lefferts Historic House, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
These borrowed quilts exhibited are said to be the best eclectic quilts that belong to the group show curated by The Quilters’ Guild of Brooklyn. Members of the Guild used the theme of “reflections” to inspire their original creations, including both traditional and contemporary designs.
Wilderness Survival
Sunday 1 p.m.
Location: Inwood Hill Park, Isham Street at Seaman Avenue
It never hurts to have skills and knowledge of how to survive in the wilderness. Learn hands-on tips and tricks during these outdoor activities, recommended for ages 8 and older.
Alley Pond Adventure Course
Sunday 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Location: Alley Pond Park Adventure Center, Queens
This is an outdoor adventure that includes a zip-line, a climbing wall, a trust fall station, swings, nets, leaps and balance platforms—everything needed to build trust, teamwork, and problem-solving skills for children ages 8 and up.
Nature Walk With Leslie Day
Sunday 9–10:30 a.m.
Location: Fort Tryon Park, Broadway and Bennett Avenue
Learn to identify and value the flora and fauna of Fort Tryon Park with author and expert naturalist Leslie Day. The walk includes learning about geology of cliffs, trees, mammals, birds, and flowers. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars.
