Words: Zackary Peck
Every month we look forward to bringing you a list of the great happenings of New York, but with how highly we regard the coming season in the city, we implore you to step out into the concrete jungle and simply get lost in it. Give yourself the time to walk from Houston to Central Park, taking in the steam rising from streets juxtaposed against the neon lights of restaurants old and new. Or perhaps the cityscape as seen from the walk across Williamsburg Bridge is more up your alley? Whatever you decide to do, it’s autumn in New York and you can’t make a wrong decision. The selections below will only serve to enhance your experience.
U.S. Open
Defending champion Novak Djokovic is expected to return to the U.S. Open this year alongside his historical rival and the master of clay, Rafael Nadal. Having been defeated by Novak during the Paris Olympics, we expect Nadal to be fiercely competitive in his redemption. Serena Williams might be unretiring herself according to a cryptic tweet she posted saying “I’m ready to hit some balls again”. However, the new generation of tennis greats are making their name and we’ve got our eye on Jannik Sinner, currently the number one ranked tennis player in the world.
When? August 19, 2024 - September 8, 2024
Where? USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Queens
How much? From $233
Le Diner en Blanc
The location of this “picnic en masse” is a secret. The dress code is all white. The theme is “masquerade ball”. If you’re looking to dine extravagantly, look no further. Though picnics normally bring a sense of domesticity to mind, this is a much more opulent experience. As the location is only announced mere minutes before the event actually begins, the descent of guests clad in all white itself is a remarkable visual. Following the meal, there will, naturally, be a dance floor set against a backdrop of fireworks. After all, why wouldn’t the fireworks match the dress code?
When? September 26, 2024
Where? Secret location
How much? TBC
Hans Zimmer
What Hans Zimmer brings to cinema is a Midas touch. It’s hard to imagine that Interstellar, though we adored the film, would have had the same gravity without his auditory influence, or that Inception would have been as moving. While he creates an appropriately distinct soundtrack for each production that he’s a part of, the common theme of his work is its epic and grandiose scale, perfectly suiting the venue he will be playing at this September: Madison Square Garden.
When? September 12, 2024
Where? Madison Square Garden
How much? From $314
McNeal on Broadway
Robert Downey Jr. is finally making his Broadway debut. We once came across an interview where he discussed being “allergic to paper,” alluding to the ample amount of improvisation he’s known for when acting on a set. Given the required rigidity of sticking to script when acting on stage, we’re eager to see RDJ rise to the challenge and once again, raise the bar for what an acting performance can be. As for McNeal, the protagonist is a tortured writer struggling with family and obsessed with artificial intelligence. We’d go so far as to argue that this character is even more suitable to Downey than Tony Stark.
When? Previews begin September 5, 2024
Where? Lincoln Center Theatre
How much? From $155
Union Square Farmers Market
Though the Union Square Farmers Market is open year round, we’d recommend getting yourself there while it’s still warm enough to mosey. Having been dubbed “the Olympics of farmers markets,” it’s not the type of place that you want to duck in and out of for an eggplant. You’re much better off seeing the greatest the farming community has to offer. You’ll be surrounded by NYU students, Michelin-starred chefs, and everyone in between. If you’re looking to concoct a decadent and delicious menu for your next dinner party, this is the only spot to source your ingredients.
When? Weekends
Where? Union Square
How much? Prices vary
The Nightmare Before Christmas at NYBG
The New York Botanical Garden and Tim Burton have joined forces to bring a Nightmare Before Christmas-themed Light Trail to the grounds of the estate. The NYBG is so intricately maintained by both horticulturalists and scientists that the 250-acre garden inspires an otherworldly sensation. Paired with Tim Burton who has time and time again given us a masterclass in creating vivid worlds, this light trail will encourage you to escape the confines of your own reality. It’s a privilege just to see his films but even they can’t compare to physically walking through Halloween Town.
When? From September 27, 2024
Where? New York Botanical Garden
How much? From $39
INTERnet
Unsurprisingly, the INTER_ museum in New York made our list of things to do in New York back in March 2024 when it opened. And it’s making a well deserved second appearance on our list, owing to a new exhibition that’s simply too cool to ignore. This August, they’ve created an interactive rope exhibition encouraging you to find your inner monkey and climb away. It’s called the INTERnet and takes the form of a hand-woven jungle gym, with different weaving styles that pay homage to modern technology. Take for instance, “the quantum leap,” allowing guests a moment of free fall, or “the social network,” designed as a community hangout within the net. As for the aesthetic, it’s totally mesmerising, filled with neons and blacklights.
When? Now open
Where? INTER_, Soho
How much? From $35
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