It's finally fall—when thoughts turn to crisp autumn walks, spiced drinks, and spooky activities galore.
Here are five ways to enjoy that and more in Harlem, Washington Heights and beyond. And, yes, each is 100% The Curious Uptowner-approved:
1. Sip on a fun fall drink. Swing by uptown's indie coffee shops for a fun selection of seasonal drinks like the Chipped Cup's S'mores Latte, Manhattanville Coffee's Maple Spice Latte, and NBHD Brûlée's Buttascotch Cold Brew.
2. Take a walk through the beautiful Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum. Explore the leafy grounds of this historical cemetery where notable figures such as naturalist John James Audubon, Mayor Ed Koch, novelist Ralph Ellison and others are buried. The cemetery's excellent self-guided map lists all the major stops.
3. Enjoy an Oktoberfest-style lager in the Bronx Brewery's Backyard. Head to the sunny backyard at this craft brewery in the South Bronx where you can order seasonal beers like the Oktoberfest-inspired Das Bronx and pair it with empanadas from on-site partner Empanology.
4. Check out Harlem's spookiest mansard roofs. Many of Harlem's most beautiful blocks feature homes with mansard roofs, a style that surged in popularity during the post-Civil War era—and is now practically synonymous with all things macabre. Kick off your walk with TCU's self-guided tour.
5. Plan a private ghost tour at the Morris-Jumel Mansion. Manhattan's oldest surviving residence is at its scariest in the fall when it hosts a series of after-dark Candlelight Ghost Tours and Paranormal Historical Investigations. While most of the public investigations are already sold out (join the wait list and try your luck), you can still book a private Paranormal Historical Investigation for a group of up to 10 people. You can also visit the mansion's leafy gardens any day of the week (10am-5pm) and simply enjoy the fall vibes—there's an apple tree or two right in front of the house.
