September marks the beginning of New York's spectacular fall season, when the city's parks transform into colorful canvases and nearby orchards beckon with apple picking opportunities. Central Park begins its annual color show by mid September, with the Mall's elm trees turning golden yellow and the Conservatory Garden showcasing autumn blooms. The Ramble's winding paths offer intimate settings for leaf peeping, while the Reservoir provides panoramic views of the changing canopy. Early morning visits offer the best lighting for photography and fewer crowds for peaceful autumn contemplation.

Brooklyn and Queens provide their own stunning autumn displays that rival Manhattan's famous parks. Prospect Park's 90 acre Long Meadow becomes a tapestry of autumn colors, with maple, oak, and sweet gum trees creating spectacular displays, while the Brooklyn Botanic Garden features not only changing leaves but also late blooming flowers and specially designed autumn landscapes. Green Wood Cemetery offers some of the city's most spectacular fall views with its rolling hills and mature trees. In Queens, Flushing Meadows Corona Park's diverse tree population creates extended fall color seasons, with different species changing at various times throughout September and October, and the Queens Botanical Garden offers curated fall displays and educational programs about autumn ecology.

Apple picking adventures become accessible through several orchards within reach of NYC public transportation, offering authentic autumn experiences beyond the city limits. Hudson Valley orchards like Fishkill Farms and Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm provide scenic settings with Manhattan skyline views in the distance, featuring additional activities like hayrides, corn mazes, and fresh cider tastings that make full day autumn adventures. The Metro North Hudson Line provides easy access to numerous orchards and fall festivals, with stations in Cold Spring, Beacon, and Poughkeepsie offering connections to orchards that provide shuttle services or are within walking distance.

Urban autumn activities bring the season's bounty directly to the city through greenmarkets and neighborhood celebrations. NYC's greenmarkets showcase the season's harvest with local apples, pumpkins, and autumn flowers, with the Union Square Greenmarket becoming particularly festive in September through vendors offering everything from apple cider to handmade crafts. Many neighborhoods host fall festivals and harvest celebrations that bring suburban autumn traditions to urban settings, while the city's bridges provide elevated perspectives of autumn foliage, with the Brooklyn Bridge offering iconic views of both fall colors and skyline.

September's autumn preview offers the perfect introduction to New York's fall season, combining the convenience of city parks with the adventure of nearby rural escapes. September weather in NYC can be unpredictable, with warm afternoons and cool evenings requiring layered clothing for outdoor activities and comfortable walking shoes for both city exploration and orchard visits. Many NYC restaurants and cafes embrace autumn with seasonal menus featuring local apples, pumpkins, and other fall produce, while farmers markets offer opportunities to purchase fresh picked apples and other autumn specialties, making it possible to combine apple picking trips with visits to local breweries and cideries that celebrate the season with special autumn beverages.