Fall in New York City is one of the best times to visit. With streets full of spooky Halloween decorations, fall events, and festivals, there is much to see and do with your pup. If you are planning to visit with your dog, here are the twelve best things to do with your dog in NYC this Fall.
Before I continue, keep in mind that your pup will be walking on concrete pavement all day, so make sure you put on some paw balm for protection before heading out!
12 Best Things to do with your Dog in NYC This Fall
1. Visit a Greenmarket
The best place in NYC to grab fresh apple pie, doughnuts, hot apple cider, or pumpkin spice everything is at one of NYC’s Greenmarkets. The most popular Greenmarket is in Union Square. We visit here frequently, and it’s also a great place to buy affordable organic veggies that are in season. Get there earlier in the day for the best selection of your favorite treats and to avoid the large crowds.
If you are in the Brooklyn area, visit the greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza.
- 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.
2. Cozy Up with your Dog at a Coffee Shop
What’s better than sweater weather with a hot beverage and cozying up to your pup? Some dog-friendly cafes even have space for your dog to roam around and socialize with other New Yorker canines. Here are a few dog-friendly cafes in NYC. Our goto is Boris and Horton.
Boris and Horton
195 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009
This is hands down the best dog cafe in NYC. Enjoy coffee and brunch here, buy your pup a few treats and toys, and socialize with other dog parents while your pup roams free.
The Bean
54 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
With several locations in Manhattan, The Bean loves dogs like Boris and Horton, though it is not as exclusive. They welcome dogs as long as they are well-behaved.
Sweetleaf Coffee
4615 Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11109
Stop by my neighborhood! Sweetleaf Coffee is located in Long Island City, right over the East River of Manhattan. They serve coffee and lattes during the day and cocktails at night. Although your pup is not allowed inside, plenty of outdoor seating is available. If you’re in Manhattan, hop on the NYC ferry to Long Island City for an epic view of the NYC skyline.
Black Lab Cafe
420 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10024
Recently opened in March of 2022, the Black Lab Cafe is located on the Upper West Side of NYC. Come here for fresh pastries, coffee, or a casual glass of wine. Your pup has a menu, and they can choose their meal from Clean Bowl Club NYC.
3. Visit Chelsea Market
Chelsea Market is an iconic culinary destination in NYC! While dogs are not allowed in any of the food establishments, they are allowed to stroll through the outside restaurant spaces of Chelsea Market. There are usually lots of Halloween decorations throughout the concourse so it’s worth a visit! Gatsby and I always stop by Damselfly Flowers and Anthropologie and then we grab food on the go.
4. Enjoy the Fall Foliage at Central Park
Central Park during the Fall is gorgeous! Spend your day strolling around with your pup or have a fall picnic. Take some beautiful photos with the deep orange and red colors in the background.
Some of the most iconic places for fall photos in Central Park are:
- Bethesda Fountain
- Bow Bridge
- The Mall, a pedestrian promenade leading to Bethesda Fountain
Are you looking for a complete guide to Central Park with your dog? You can read my ultimate guide to dog-friendly central park attractions.
5. See a Scary Movie
Drive to Skyline Drive-In and watch a scary movie with your pup in your car! This place also offers killer views of the Manhattan Skyline. Listen to the movie’s sound through your car’s stereo or use Skyline Drive-In’s rentable radio.
If you are visiting NYC without a car, no worries! You can bring your own chair or even rent one.
6. See Spooky Stoops
The decorations and atmosphere during Halloween in NYC are mind-blowing! Visiting these decorated brownstone homes is an absolute must with your pup!
Neighborhoods known for their amazing spooky stoops are:
- Upper East Side
- Upper West Side
- Cobble Hill
- Brooklyn Heights
- West Village
7. Tompkins Square Halloween Parade
Even if you and your pup won’t want to wear a costume, this traditional parade is worth going to! You get to check out dogs of all sizes and ages wearing super creative costumes. They all come to battle it out for best costume with hopes of taking home epic prizes. There are tons of contestants, spectators plus celebrity hosts, and judges.
8. Washington Square Park Ghost Tour
They say that dogs can see ghosts. Do you believe that? Find out for sure at a dog-friendly haunted ghost tour. The story has it that in the late 1700s, Washington Square Park was used as a burial ground, and this area is supposedly haunted now!
9. Go Pumpkin Picking
Take a mini-day trip and drive out of NYC to go pumpkin picking with your pup. Many farms set up special fall festival events, so that’s your opportunity for photo ops with your dog and the perfect place to try fall foods like apple cider donuts, pumpkin spice coffee, and seasonal pies.
Waterdrinker Family Farm is less than 1 hour away from NYC, and it’s our go-to! They have events all year round, such as their tulip and sunflower festivals, and their winter wonderland is so much fun! It’s a must-visit and a perfect place for photo ops.
10. Pick Some Apples
Apple picking is fun with your pup! Gatsby loves to walk through the orchards, and our favorite apples to pick are fuji apples. Here are a few places we’ve visited near NYC:
- Hurds Family Farm – Pick your own apples and have lunch at their farm-to-table cafe, or take a hike on one of their nature trails.
- Wright’s Farm – They have 453 acres producing 100,000 bushels of apples annually. They also grow other produce, like peaches, berries, and cherries.
- Apple Dave’s Orchards – There’s a lake, a nature walking trail, an herb garden, and wagon rides.
- Barton Orchards – Pick-your-own apples, fruits, and vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, beans, and squash. There’s a petting zoo, corn maze, and a tap room where you can drink local craft beers, hard ciders, and wine. There’s even a dog park for your pup to run free! There’s a separate play area for large and small dogs, water stations, shade areas, and benches.
- Twin Star Orchard (Brooklyn Cider House) – This spot is a must go with your pup! There is more than apple picking here! You can pick strawberries and pears. This is also where Brooklyn Cider House is located and they’re known for their hard ciders in the Hudson Valley area. After you’re done exploring the area, relax by having some hard cider, and enjoy some wood fired pizza, burgers or BBQ. Then, head over to the farm market and bring some apple cider donuts home. I think Twin Star Orchard and Brooklyn Cider House is going to be our go-to from now on!
11. Take Your Dog On a Hike
Bear Mountain in the Fall is perfect if you want to hike and see fall foliage with your pup but don’t want to drive too far. About 1.5 hours away from NYC, it’s a good day trip.
Want more locations to hike with your dog near NYC? Read my post on Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near NYC.
12. Have a Fall Photoshoot With Your Dog
Photoshoots with your pup during this time of year is so fun. From pics at the spooky stoops to halloween costumes, it will get you all in the Fall vibes.
Here are two places to definitely stop by for an Instagram worthy photo or reels!
- Industry City’s Pumpkin Spice Courtyard (274 36th St, Brooklyn)
- Pier 17 Pumpkin Arch
You see, there’s so many things to do with your dog in NYC this Fall. Gatsby and I are definitely stopping by the green markets to get our pumpkin spice fix and of course you’ll spot us doing a photoshoot somewhere! Which activity are you planning to do first when you arrive in NYC? Let me know in the comments below!
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I’m glad I came across this blog. I was scouring blogs on PetCareRx and Petco for ideas of fun things to do with my Husky in the city. Thanks for putting this list together.