With both the temperature and the humidity at relatively moderate levels, it's a pleasure to visit New York City in September. You can take in special seasonal events or visit places like botanical gardens that are available other times of year but are particularly enjoyable in the early fall. Think about taking one of the harbor cruises, too. It's a great chance to get an overview of the city when the temperature is just right.
Join the locals for a fun festival or parade in September. The West Indian American Day Parade & Carnival features calypso and reggae music, corlorful parade participants and delicious edible treats such as jerk chicken. The Feast of San Gennaro has religious aspects, including Mass and processions, but it also offers fun, festive parades, food and music.
On a somber note, New Yorkers and out-of-towners gather at many locations to remember the tragedy of Sept. 11. You can join in memorial concerts and other events or visit the Tribute WTC Visitor Center.
September is a delightful month to visit New York City's public gardens. Stop by the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG.org) to marvel at its conservatory, rock garden, forest area and orchid display. Also, don't miss the 52 acres of greenery and flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG.org). The whole family will enjoy the sights and scents of the Queens Botanical Garden (queensbotanical.org), plus the fun learning experiences covering everything from bees to compost.
Baseball fans have their choice of two new stadiums---Citi Field (the Mets' new home) and Yankee Stadium. Visit both in September and compare the seats, the gift shops, the food, and, of course, the games.
Take a boat tour on a beautiful day. You get a great view of the city, and you have your choice of how long you want to spend on the water. Circle Line, for instance, offers 75-minute, 2-hour and 3-hour tours, plus a 30-minute speedboat ride that's great for the younger set.
If the weather changes, you might have to spend a day inside, and there's no better way than to visit one of New York's magnificent museums. (Check the museum websites to find out what's on for September.) Take in part of the grand, far-reaching Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org) or its smaller location, The Cloisters, which features medieval art and architecture. Visit the Museum of Modern Art (moma.org) for its fabulous display of modern and contemporary work, or spend time at the Guggenheim (guggenheim.org), with its wonderful spiral architectural.
