By: Stefanie DiMartino

It’s officially fall! The travel ban is being lifted in November. And, what’s especially exciting? Broadway and live entertainment is back! The city is making its comeback and is thriving. So, if you’re looking for all the best things to do, the best exhibits, and the best in entertainment, then here are my top picks of the best things to do in NYC October 4-10.

Watch my NYC autumn/winter guide for 2021-2022 here: 

The Top 7 Best Things to do in NYC October 4-10

THINGS TO DO

BROOKLYN DINER: NEW YORK, NEW YORK A MUSICAL REVUE

Friday & Saturday nights | 7-8pm | $40+

Brooklyn Diner, 155 W 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036

There really is no place like New York. And the Brooklyn Diner and New York, New York proves just that.

Food

The food at Brooklyn Diner is absolutely amazing. It’s not the usual food you think of when you hear “diner.” The menu features a great variety with a lot of comfort food to choose from! I personally enjoyed the pre-fixe menu. For my appetizer, I chose the hummus plate. It was seriously the best hummus I ever had – creamy and flavorful. The eggplant parmigiana was my entree choice and it did not disappoint. The sauce wasn’t overpowering and it was delicious with a nice crisp to it. And what better way to end your meal than with strawberry cheesecake? It is so good and is a strong competitor to Juniors’ cheesecake! There are also specialty cocktails such as the “Brooklyn Bridge,” an interesting (and delicious) twist on a Moscow Mule, and the “Cyclone,” a spiked milkshake! 

Entertainment

As if the food wasn’t good enough, you also get to enjoy “New York, New York A Musical Revue” which is a 1-hour show while dining! It’s dinner theater meets Broadway! The cast features 4 extraordinarily talented Broadway stars and performers. They are full of energy and charisma along with incredible singing chops! They belt out fan favorite tunes such as Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York,” Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind,” Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” and of course, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.” The cast sings these timeless songs as an homage to New York, the greatest city in the world. And, the show is interactive – you get to be a part of all the fun! You can sing and dance along and really experience this show.

Overall, this is a must-see and makes for a wonderful night out with family, friends, coworkers – anyone! New York, New York is truly one of the best things to do in NYC October 4-10.

Call 212-265-5400 to book your seats today and don’t miss out!

Note: As with all indoor entertainment, activities and dining in NYC, proof of vaccination is required.

THE ESCAPE GAME

Ongoing | Mon-Thurs, 10am-12am, Fri-Sun, 8am-1am | $41.99+

The Escape Game New York, 295 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10004

The Escape Game is in the heart of midtown, located right near Grand Central. Talk about a convenient location! The Escape Game is the perfect group activity! It is an immersive and interactive experience where you and your team work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and ultimately complete a mission. And what is that mission? Of course, to “escape” the room in time!  

You get one hour to escape and it’s a really fun challenge! There are a ton of different themed rooms you can choose from like “Prison Break,” “The Playground,” and “Gold Rush”. But, we chose to retrieve a stolen painting from an art curator’s office in “The Heist.” 

If you’re looking for a cool activity to do with friends and family this autumn/winter, definitely keep The Escape Game in mind. Surely, it’s one of the best things to do in NYC October 4-10. And, be sure to reserve in advance to get your spot because it is a very popular place and can get booked up real fast! 

Note: Per the “Key to NYC” requirement, guests 12 and older will need to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO.

SEA THE CITY: HOT TUB BOAT TOUR

Liberty Landing Marina, 84 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City, NJ 07305

If you aren’t ready to let go of summer, then you must join a Sea The City hot tub boat tour. You read that right – a hot tub ON a boat! Truly, this is such a unique and fun experience that you do not want to miss! Even though the weather will start getting cooler, you can still enjoy the warmth of the hot tub while taking in those NYC views!

This boat has two full size hot tubs on it and sails to the Statue of Liberty and back, offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. I went with about 20 friends (10 per hot tub). The ride is BYOB and 90 minutes long. Coolers, Ice, and Cups are provided free of charge.

PS: For FREE towels on your tour, write FUNK TOWELS in the booking comments and let them know that you got the idea from me!

SARAHFUNKY NYC TOURS

Saturdays, Sundays, Custom day/time | $49-$599

Tourism is finally ramping back up in NYC! And, there’s no time like the present to book a SarahFunky NYC tour. Rated 5-stars on TripAdvisor, you certainly do not want to miss out on any of these one-of-a-kind experiences! 

There are quite a few tour options to choose from to fit your interests and your budget!

For a truly unique experience, book a custom designed private tour with either Sarah, Luis, Marcus, Gary, or Nicola! For the best of both worlds, with food and sightseeing, consider joining the Best of New York Food Tour with Luis- offered onSunday mornings. The tour includes four epic spots and behind the scenes experiences! Another option is to join A Secrets of New York Tour on Saturday mornings and visit hidden locations in lower Manhattan and learn secrets most New Yorkers don’t even know! Each guide is an NYC expert and enjoys showing others around the city they love, so be sure to book today!

And be sure to stay tuned for my seasonal tour offerings – coming soon!

And now, you can also get expert help with planning your dream NYC vacation with FunkyTours Concierge! You can make your NYC trip and experience more special with custom-designed plans that fit your budget and your unique interests.

MUSEUM/ART EXHIBITIONS

SHOWSTOPPERS! SPECTACULAR COSTUMES FROM STAGE AND SCREEN

Now – October 31 | Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-10pm | $

234 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036

Calling all theater and film fans! If you’ve ever wanted to see costumes up close, then this exhibit is a must for you! Showstoppers is an “immersive maze featuring more than 100 of the industry’s most beautiful and complex garments. As guests make their way through the exhibit, they will get to see up close the detail and craftsmanship typically only seen far away on stage or screen. Costume makers and experts will be on-site demonstrating their techniques and skills and interacting with guests, and multimedia elements will provide a rare opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at the process. This one-of-a-kind, immersive exhibition can only be seen in New York City’s vital Theatre District. All proceeds from the exhibition will raise money for the Costume Industry Coalition Recovery Fund, which continues to support one of the hardest hit sectors of the entertainment industry.” – Showstoppers!

Note: All tickets holders 12 years of age and older are required to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use by the FDA or WHO. All guests are required to wear a mask throughout the exhibit. 

BROADWAY/SHOWS

CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

Now – January 9, 2022 | $49+

The Roundabout Theatre, Studio 54, 254 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019

After the longest time without live performances, theater is finally back! For a limited time (just 13 weeks), audiences can witness Sharon D Clarke’s Olivier Award-winning performance in Caroline, Or Change.

“A musical masterpiece makes its long-awaited return to Broadway. Caroline Thibodeaux is a Black woman working as a maid for a Jewish family in 1963 Louisiana, as the civil rights movement is transforming America. Clarke brings this indelible heroine to “incandescent” life (Time Out London), in a production that launches to “the titanic dimensions of greatness” (The New York Times). From Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Kushner and Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori comes the show that pulses with the urgency and passion that’s shaping the world today.” – Caroline, Or Change

Note: For everyone’s protection and peace of mind, Roundabout is requiring proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with an FDA or WHO-authorized vaccine for our audiences—as well as artists and staff. We will require proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test for anyone under the age of 12 and those who are unvaccinated due to a disability or religious belief.

WAITRESS

Now – January 9, 2022 | $79+

Barrymore Theatre, 243 West 47th Street, New York, NY 10036

Waitress is back on Broadway! “Waitress tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker stuck in a small town and a loveless marriage. When a baking contest in a nearby county offers her a chance at escape, Jenna fights to reclaim a long-forgotten part of herself. Through the support of her fellow waitresses, and an unexpected romance, Jenna begins to find the courage to take a long-abandoned dream off the shelf. Waitress celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose and the beauty of a well baked pie.” – Waitress

Note: The theatre has established COVID-19 safety measures including, but not limited to, a requirement to show proof of being fully vaccinated within at least 14 days of the show and a requirement to wear a mask at all times inside the theatre regardless of vaccination status.

In conclusion, these are the top 7 best things to do in NYC October 4-10. Have fun and most importantly, stay safe!