By: Stefanie DiMartino

The weather is getting cooler, but activities are heating up! If you are looking to explore NYC, there are lots of things to do and see. Of course, while maintaining safety! Below are my top picks for the best things to do in NYC October 26-November 1. 

The Top 9 Best Things to Do in NYC October 26-November 1

EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT

GHOST SHOW

November 2 and 4 | 7:30pm | $50

The Museum Of Interesting Things, 177 Prince Street, 3rd fl., New York, NY 10003

“Mister Dusty Rose takes audiences on an evening of history, mystery, and the supernatural in this modern take on a Victorian ghost show. This special performance includes private access to The Museum Of Interesting Things collection of spiritualism artifacts and rare films and private reception.” – Ghost Show

CANDLELIGHT OPEN AIR SPECIAL: FEATURING HALLOWEEN FILM SCORES AND CLASSICS

October 30 and November 4 | 6pm, 9pm | $175+

Mondrian Terrace, 444 Park Avenue South, New York, NY, 10016

“This Halloween, gather up your courage and enter a beautiful venue turned eerie for a special concert featuring thrilling soundtracks from iconic films such as The Walking Dead, Nightmare before Christmas, and more! By the dim glimmer of candlelight, our eyes are tricked—and treated. Shadows flicker on the walls, accompanying the violins’ ominous yet melodic heralding of All Hallows’ Eve; this thrilling combination of sound and sight heightens all of our senses, preparing us for whatever may be lurking around the corner. For a sweeter treat, a balcony suite + overnight stay tickets includes an overnight stay at the Mondrian Park Avenue, the Candlelight concert, and one bottle of Prosecco.” – Candlelight Fever

FLORAL BASICS AND BEYOND CLASS

Fern Botanica New York, 30-36 41st Street, Astoria, NY 11103

For a different kind of experience, you can venture to Queens and take a floral class. “Learn the techniques and secrets for creating a chic, swoon-worthy arrangement! Due to COVID-19 and understanding you don’t want stranger danger, we are offering petite distanced classes of up to 8 in our studio or via Zoom for you and your crew. Book a lesson for you and your friends! (Min. 3 students).  We will email you directly to schedule your date & time.” – Fern Botanica

BRYANT PARK WINTER VILLAGE

Opening October 30

Holiday Shops: October 30 – January 3, 2021 | M-F, 11am-8pm, Saturday & Sunday, 10am-8pm

The Lodge Deck: October 30 – March 7, 2021 | 8am-10:30pm 

Bryant Park, 40th – 42nd Street, 5th – 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10018

The Winter Village at Bryant Park is the perfect place to visit to get into the holiday spirit. And, this year, they are opening earlier than ever. Yes, before Halloween! It’s been an upside down year, so who says you can’t start celebrating Christmas before Halloween? That’s why this is on this top 8 best things to do in NYC October 26-November 1 list! Truly, the Winter Village is a winter wonderland, with shops, ice-skating, and dining! Because of COVID-19, the winter village will be exclusively outdoors. There will be many safety measures in place and guidelines to be followed (social distancing and wearing masks) to ensure it is an enjoyable experience for all! The Lodge Deck, which was previously enclosed, will now be a completely outdoor experience where you can enjoy festive cocktails and tasty food while watching the ice skaters and gazing at the beautiful the Christmas tree. 

Note: Be sure to dress warmly for the colder weather since the entire experience is outdoors

PRIVATE NYC TOUR WITH SARAH, LUIS, OR TOM

Custom day/time | $299+ 

If you have been wanting to tour NYC, now is the perfect time to book a custom designed private tour with Sarah, Luis, or Tom. They are all NYC experts and enjoy showing others around the city they love. Also, you can customize the tour to fit your own personal interests. You do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind experience!

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MUSEUM/ART EXHIBITIONS

HÉCTOR ZAMORA: LATTICE DETOUR

Now – December 7 | NY, NJ, CT – pay what you wish | $25

Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028

The rooftop at The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers amazing views of the city and of Central Park. Be sure to check out the latest rooftop garden commission by Héctor Zamora. “Zamora is known for works that engage public spaces and the built environment. In his practice, Zamora reinvents and redefines conventional exhibition spaces, generating friction between the common roles of public and private, exterior and interior, organic and geometric, real and imaginary.” – The Met

ORDER AND ORNAMENT: ROY LICHTENSTEIN’S ENTABLATURES

Now – November 16 | $25

The Whitney Museum of American Art, 99 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014

The Whitney Museum has reopened and is following guidelines to keep everyone safe. While visiting The Whitney, you can be sure to check out Roy Lichtenstein’s Entablatures exhibit. This exhibit features colorful works that are inspired by Manhattan’s architecture. 

DRINKS/DINING

FESTIVÁL CAFE

1155 2nd Avenue New York, NY 10065

If you are looking for unique drinking/dining, you must visit Festivál – NYC’s only farm-to-bar cocktail cafe. Festivál focuses on a “100% local menu with selections that change on the seasons and celebrate local purveyors, farmers, fisheries, and orchards. The cafe will serve coffee and patisseries during the day and at night, transition into a fully functioning cocktail bar with beautifully presented, seasonal bites and snacks until 2am. Guests will come for the elevated cocktails and stay for the shareable, snackable bites!” – Festivál 

THE STAND COMEDY CLUB AND RESTAURANT

116 E 16th Street, New York, NY 10003

For food and laughs, look no further than The Stand Comedy Club and Restaurant. It’s a restaurant, cocktail bar, and comedy club all in one, offering a contemporary menu. You can enjoy lunch and dinner and try some menu favorites like their chopped cheese sandwich and the B.E.C pizza. You can also enjoy brunch daily, with a side of jazz offered on Sunday’s! And, for $99, you can get cocktail kits that you can make at home that include a bottle of the liquor featured in the cocktail, additional ingredients, and even some swag from the liquor brand! Kits are available on delivery platforms such as Postmates and Grubhub.