September in New York City
The kids are back in school, the weather is still warm, and the sun is still shining, making New York City an ideal destination in September. Catch a baseball game at Yankee Stadium, dine in Little Italy during the San Gennaro Festival, or grab a bottle of water and explore the city on one of the many available walking tours.
New York Yankees and Mets baseball games
Sports fans visiting the city in September should attend a Yankees or Mets game, particularly as both teams have moved into brand new, state-of-the-art stadiums. Baseball fans looking to delve into the rich history of the game will enjoy the behind-the-scenes tours available at Yankee Stadium, including a visit to the dugout, the New York Yankees Museum and Monument Park, which showcases the greatest icons of baseball, including Babe Ruth and Mickey Manto. New York Mets fans can catch a game at Citi Field, which replaced Shea Stadium. Yankee Stadium is located in the Bronx on East 161st Street at River Avenue (across from the original stadium) and Citi Field is located at 126th Street and Roosevelt in Queens. For game schedules and information on how to purchase tickets, visit the official Yankees and Mets sites.
Festival of San Gennaro – The feast of San Gennaro
With its vibrant parades, delicious food, and the famous cannoli-eating competition, this event draws more than a million people from around the world to the streets of Little Italy in Lower Manhattan each September. Mulberry Street is closed for this colorful festival, which begins on the second Thursday in September and celebrates San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. The event has a long history, having been first celebrated in 1926 by immigrants from Naples. Mass is held at the Church of the Most Precious Blood on Mulberry Street, which houses the San Gennaro shrine, and then a religious procession carries his statue through the streets of Little Italy. The festival takes place along Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets. A performance stage hosts live entertainment and street vendors offer delicious treats at every turn. Visit their official website for a festival map, schedule of events, and a list of recommended Little Italy restaurants and cafes.
Walking tours of New York City
The best way to truly experience the sights and sounds of New York City is simply to walk its streets. September is an excellent month to sign up for a walking tour, as it is still quite sunny and warm, but generally less humid than July and August. Guided walking tours are an especially good way to see Ground Zero, the memorial site for those who died in the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. The Ground Zero/Lower Manhattan walking tour offered New York City Vacation Packages will take you to the site of the former World Trade Center as well as the FDNY 9/11 Memorial Wall with a licensed tour guide.
Walking tours are great activities for travelers who want to learn more about neighborhoods like the famous East Village or the Lower East Side, but don’t know where to start. New York City’s neighborhoods are steeped in history that a guide can provide as you wander the streets and take in the sights. Some walking tours include Alphabet City, Five Points/Chinatown and even the Gangsters, Murderers and Weirdos walking tour, which covers the escapades of the likes of Al Capone and Bugsy Siegel.