City Breaks: Why Visit New York in September?

September is one of the best times of year to book a city break to New York.

Not only do the temperatures drop to a more manageable 23-24°C after the heat of the summer, but September sees the city come alive with events and festivals covering everything from fashion to sport. With the crowds thinning out and the kids back at school, it’s also a good time to see more of the city on foot.

Labor Day Weekend (2-5 Sept)

Labor Day weekend kicks off the month on the 2nd this year. If you’re heading to the city at this time, expect it to be brimming with parties and events as the locals celebrate the three-day public holiday. Also, get ready to do some serious sale shopping: most of the stores will be open and discounting their stock.

US Open (26 Aug-9 Sept)

If you missed Wimbledon this summer, you can catch the last Grand Slam tournament of the year in Queens. The US Open takes place on the courts of the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. Starting at the end of August, the annual two-week event includes household names such as Roger Federer, Andy Murray and the Williams sisters. To view the full schedule, check out the official website.

West Indian American Day Carnival (2 Sept)

New York’s answer to the Notting Hill Carnival, the West Indian American Day Carnival is a great way to top off your ‘Labor Day’ weekend which marks the end of summer. Taking place in the heart of the city’s bustling Brooklyn neighbourhood of Crown Heights, the parade celebrates the area’s rich Caribbean community with calypso beats, themed floats and costumed dancers on stilts. Also, don’t forget the street food – with vendors serving up some local favourites from jerk chicken to curry goat and rice and peas. Tip: We don’t recommend wearing the usual white Labor Day ensemble to these festivities as spillages can occur!

New York Fashion Week (5-12 Sept)

If you’ve got that passion for fashion, you’ll know that September in New York means watching the catwalk in Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Taking place at the Lincoln Center, if you can’t get a ticket, you’ll still be able to experience the buzz throughout the island as the country’s top designers show off their Spring 2014 collections to the world. For more info regarding this chic affair (sponsored by Mercedes Benz, no less), visit the official site here.

Dumbo Arts Festival 2013 (27-29 Sept)

This three-day arts event celebrates Brooklyn’s contribution to the world of art, music and dance on both a local and international level. Attracting more than 200,000 people each year, the 2013 festival is set to feature 500 artists from all different genres across 100 studios and 50 galleries and stages. If that’s not enough, the back drop of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge is bound to tempt you. Check out the official site for the full list of times, venues and schedules: http://dumboartsfestival.com/

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