Oktoberfest NYC: Your Guide To The Night

By Dom Bewley

  • Oktoberfest started back in 1810, when Bavarian Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen.
  • Her name was so long that people despaired, drinking hideous amounts of beer. Not really. They were simply celebrating the wedding.
  • Alongside the beer consumption, they also danced, ate traditional Bavarian cuisine, donned their best lederhosen, and danced around for 3 days.
  • In the US, we celebrate from September through to October because October can be quite cold. And if your precious constitution can't take a bit of October chill, you can still get involved. And where better to spend Oktoberfest than NYC, the (at times) coldest city on Earth (at least it feels like it)?

So now that you're caught up, you'll be wanting to know when and where you can party. Never fear, our guide to Oktoberfest NYC is just a scroll away. Eyes down, bottoms up, and make this Oktoberfest the best Oktoberfest you could possibly imagine.

OktoberFest New York

South Street

And we start with, well, an entire, month-long festival dedicated to Oktoberfest. If you want an authentic Oktoberfest, definitely check out OktoberFest.

Expect all of the traditional German beer your stomach can hold, authentic food (lots of sausage and pretzels, you know the drill), and masskrugstemmen: stein-holding contests, to the uninitiated. Alongside these, expect some very American games with a Bavarian twist. Volley pong, corn-in-the-hole, and ping pong are all there to be played. There's also music if the beer inclines you to strut your stuff. Best of all, entry is free. Not the beer, sadly. Standard steins should set you back about ten bucks. Not too bad for New York. Don't know what that says about our fair city, but you roll with the punches kiddo.

Munich on the East River

Zum Schneider

New York's first original Bavarian Bierhaus welcomes you to a week of de-beer-auchery in the East Village. For the last few years they've been celebrating Oktoberfest in style. They erect a huge tent with original Bavarian furniture, an Oompah band stage, and even VIP seating if you want to feel extra special on the big day.

There will be beer. Lots of beer. HB Traunstein Festbier and Andechs Festbier, both exclusive to Zum Schneider in New York, will of course be overflowing in Masskrugen (1 litre steins). But if for some reason you want to celebrate sans beer (Prince Ludwig will be spinning in his grave), they also have wines, ciders, and bottled water. Gross. Who celebrates such a beery time with water? Don't even think about it.

Staten Island Oktoberfest

Richmond

Wanna drink copious amounts of beer while helping a good cause? Of course you do, sinner. Get some soulful brownie points at the Staten Island Oktoberfest, which supports the country's heroes. It's only ten bucks to get in, which also gets you a free drink. And feel free to buy as much food and drink while you're there, as all proceeds go to Veterans In Need.

Staten Island Oktoberfest also styles itself as a family-friendly affair, so those of you with little munchkins will find lots to do. There's a bouncy house, rides, and other entertainment to keep them busy while you celebrate the day in a more over-21 way.

Bohemian Beer Hall Oktoberfest Party and Scavenger Hunt

Astoria

If you want to add a little spice to your beer-drinking, head over to the legendary Bohemian Beer Hall for a different kind of Oktoberfest in NYC. With a good old fashioned scavenger hunt! Everyone's split into team of 3-5 people, and then you're off, solving clues and all the rest.

After 45 minutes, you can get your precious beer, a bite to eat, and wait to see who won what. After the winners are announced, and you inevitably claim first prize, you can continue the merriment with live music and other assorted entertainment for the rest of the afternoon. Plus beer. Obviously, there will be more beer. Calm down, fiend. You'll get your beer.

Bangtoberfest

Williamsburg

If you want to celebrate Oktoberfest in NYC a little less authentically, why not go to a dance party of the more modern variety? It starts at 9am, and the bar is free til 11am. So, get there early and get ready for a heavy one.

Costumes are recommended. Take that how you will. And the even ends at a reasonable 4pm, so if you have work the next day you've got plenty of time to sleep it off. Or do a duvet day and stay in bed all day, feeling sorry for yourself. Flashbacks of your terrible dancing and wardrobe malfunctions might be more than enough to call in sick. And why not play some video games set in the Big Apple while you're recovering?

Them's our picks for the best things to do for Oktoberfest in NYC. Any other events tickling your fancy, or did these pique your interest? Let us know below, and have a good one.

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Macy's Parade

Thanksgiving is on the horizon. You can tell because every turkey is on edge. Crossing their claws that they'll be the ones pardoned by the President this year. Thanksgiving is a time to, well, give thanks. Thanks for what we have. It's a time to celebrate too. Unless you're a turkey. And if you're in new york and you're wondering how to spend your well-earned day off, why not go see Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? And when it's over, why not check out Macy's department store. You can have 11% off your purchases, just from us. Here's everything you could ever possibly need to know about it. You are very welcome. We'll start with a little history. History of Macy's Parade The parade started way back in 1924, when the world was black and white, if you believe your TV. Over the last 95 years, the parade has gone from strength to strength. In that time, the parade has only been called off three times. In 1942, 1943, and 1944 due to America's involvement in World War 2. The event was first televised in 1939, and as of today attracts around 50 million TV viewers a year. That's a lot of ad revenue, folks! Over 3.5 million people attend the event in person every year, to see over 8000 people, including celebrities and even some Macy's employees, take part. Viewers will see over 4000 costumes, and the whole shebang takes up over 50,000 hours of labor to put together at Macy's Parade Studio. Where is Macy's Parade? The parade is held every year in New York City. Manhattan, to be exact. It starts at 77th Street and Central Park West, before making its way down to 34th Street and ending at Macy's Herald Square. Why not also check out some attractions you can get in nearby, completely free of charge? And don't forget, you can have 11% off your Macy's purchases with us. When is Macy's Parade? Why youngun, it's on Thanksgiving! That'd be November 28th for all you out-of-towners. Celebrations kick off at 9am sharp, and the parade usually ends at around 12:30pm. It's recommended that you get to the route at around 6am if you want a great spot to watch the proceedings. It might seem early, but you could always stop and get some coffee to perk you up beforehand! What can I expect? Lots of massive balloons along with 26 floats, broadway performances, marching bands, and a whole lotta good times. Planning on going to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year, or even taking part? Let us know what you're looking forward to most in the comments below.
Dom Bewley
Aerial view of New York, Central Park
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Discover the Best Parks in New York City

The best parks in New York – what not to miss! by Mia Russell New York, New York! The city that never sleeps may conjure images of a concrete jungle full of skyscrapers, but it’s also home to some beautiful parks and green urban spaces. Nestled along the Hudson River and tucked between towering buildings, the city’s parks offer a tranquil refuge from the continuous hustle and bustle of the city. There are over 1,700 parks spread around the five boroughs, each with its own character and charm. From the exquisitely landscaped, sprawling beauty of Central Park to the neat High Line on the Lower West Side, New York’s parks are cherished gems that provide a quiet oasis in the heart of the city. Whether you are looking for a place to walk your dog, do some exercise, enjoy a picnic, or simply take in the fresh air, these parks offer all that and much more. Head outdoors with this list of the best parks in New York City. Central Park, Manhattan One of New York’s most recognized attributes, Central Park is the lush green heart of Manhattan. Designed by the award-winning landscape architect team, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the park spans 843 acres and is home to everything from a lake to an ice-skating rink. You could spend days in the park without seeing everything. Hike the winding trails amidst rocky streams in the 38-acre wilderness area known as the Ramble. Rent a rowboat from the picturesque Loeb Boathouse and spend a few hours paddling on the lake. If you prefer someone else to do the work, enjoy a gondola tour followed by lunch at the boathouse. Rent a bike and explore Central Park on two wheels! Use your pass to rent a bike from Central Park Full Day Bike Rental, along with a helmet, a bike basket/bag, a bike lock, and a map of the park. Spread a blanket at Sheep's Meadow and enjoy a picnic while watching the world go by and wander through Strawberry Fields in search of community theater troupes rehearsing Shakespeare. Explore the historic Belvedere Castle, visit the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art, and go wild at the Central Park Zoo. The park also hosts major events like the New York City Marathon, Shakespeare in the Park, and outdoor SummerStage concerts where you can dance the night away under the New York sky. Riverside Park, Upper West Side For spectacular sweeping views down the Hudson River, Riverside Park in the Upper West Side is the park to be. Stretching for four miles along the Hudson River from 72nd to 158th Streets, this scenic waterfront park is home to stately trees and sloping lawns, and unrivaled views of the city skyline and the river. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, of Central Park fame, Riverside Park has loads to do from meandering bicycle paths on the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway to tennis courts and a skate park. Children’s playgrounds are peppered throughout the park, as well as some of New York’s finest monuments like the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument and Grant’s Tomb. Grab a delicious picnic pack from Perfect Picnic with your pass and spend a few hours relaxing in Riverside Park, eating great food and soaking up the beautiful river views. Prospect Park, Brooklyn Another Olmsted and Vaux marvel, Prospect Park is the crown jewel of Brooklyn. Sprawling across 585 acres in Brooklyn, the park is flanked by some of Brooklyn's most historic neighborhoods with beautiful old brownstone houses that have been standing for over a century. A tranquil oasis in the heart of Brooklyn, the park is home to a 60-acre lake and beautiful landscapes with stately trees like the Nethermead and Long Meadow. Iconic landmarks such as the 1857 Litchfield Villa, the Grand Army Plaza, the Picnic House, and the magnificent Boathouse on the Lullwater. You’ll need a few hours to explore and enjoy all that the park has to offer. Take a pedal boat ride on the lake and wander around the Prospect Park Zoo. Stroll through the Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Use your pass to get free entry into the gardens! Go roller skating or ice skating at Lakeside and catch a summertime show at the Prospect Park Bandshell. If you haven’t had your fill of spectacular greenery, pop into the nearby New York Botanical Garden to see some incredible fauna and flora. Wander around the old-growth Thain Family Forest and admire the stunning designs of the herbaceous and mixed borders in the Jane Watson Irwin Perennial Garden. Get lost in the Arthur and Janet Ross Conifer Arboretum and smell the roses in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden. Don’t forget to use your pass to get free entry into the New York Botanical Garden. Bryant Park, Midtown West Tucked behind the New York Public Library, Bryant Park is the beating cultural heart of Midtown Manhattan. Located on 42nd Street and surrounded by buildings, this 9.6-acre park is a well-cultivated retreat where New Yorkers gather at any time of day. Lovely lawns and tall, shady trees make this the perfect spot for escaping the office or taking a break from sightseeing for a breath of fresh air. Bryant Park is a mecca for arts and culture and hosts a dizzying array of engaging activities and events throughout the year. Join a free yoga, tai-chi, and dance class in the park, or enjoy a game of boules or Kubb (Scandinavian lawn bowling). Relax over a board game and take in a movie at the outdoor classic film festival on Monday nights in summer. Enjoy free wireless access around the park. Winter brings wonderful offerings to the park like the pop-up Bank of America Winter Village and an ice-skating rink. Don’t miss having a photo at the mythical Bryant Park Fountain with its curiously shaped icicles. Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village Washington Square Park is the symbolic heart of Greenwich Village. Marking the park’s north side entrance is the iconic white Washington Arch, honoring George Washington, and making the park one of New York city’s most recognizable public spaces. The park has long been a hotbed for counterculture and creativity from a gathering place for the Beatnik movement and the hippies, and today, avant-garde artists and students from NYU. There’s always something happening in the park from diehard chess enthusiasts battling it out in the corner to a dance group performing in front of the arch. Lounge on the grass and listen to musicians play their tunes; eat lunch on the steps of the fountain and watch street artists perform. Why not use your pass to visit Washington Square Park and explore the surrounding neighborhood on a Greenwich Village Walking Tour ? Enjoy a two-hour guided tour of the ‘birthplace of American Counter-Culture’ where you’ll visit Washington Square Park, discover film locations (Friends and Mozart in the Jungle), and learn about the area's famous residents like Edgar Allan Poe and John Wilkes Booth. The High Line, Chelsea From a disused railroad track to one of the top attractions in the city, the High Line in Chelsea is a much-loved treasure. Stretching from the Meatpacking District to the Hudson Rail Yards, the 1.5–mile long public park was built on an abandoned elevated railroad high above the streets below. This verdant floating garden passes through some of New York City's most historic neighborhoods in the Lower West Side of Manhattan. Enjoy a High Line, Chelsea & Meatpacking District Walking Tour with your pass! Begin at the trendy Chelsea Market where you can sample some of New York’s gourmet goodies. Head up to the High Line and meander along the pedestrian walkway, passing tranquil pools and modern sculptures. Take in the art installations and admire some of New York's most famous buildings, including the Empire State Building and Frank Gehry’s IAC Building. Explore the regentrified Meatpacking District, an industrial area that was transformed into one of New York’s most affluent neighborhoods. Learn about the legends of Death Avenue and the tales of the West Side Cowboys. If you have the time, use your pass to pop into the world-renowned Whitney Museum of American Art to see some amazing artworks. Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Nestled beneath New York City's oldest suspension bridge, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an idyllic spot for escaping the crowds and soaking up some beautiful views over lower Manhattan. With the iconic New York skyline as a background, the park is a popular spot for enjoying outdoor activities like basketball, football, and volleyball. Use your pass to rent a bike from Brooklyn Bridge Bike Rental and explore the park and the beautiful bridge. Enjoy a leisurely ride along the scenic, waterfront greenway, and admire innovative artworks woven into the natural landscape of the park. Expansive green lawns are perfect for picnicking, and a water play area offers cool respite from the city heat in summer. Ride the beautifully restored 1920s Jane’s Carousel or rent a kayak and hit the Hudson. Hop on the seasonal ferry at Pier 4 to visit nearby Governors Island, which has its own share of green space to explore. The Hills at Governors Island, Governors Island Escape from the non-stop hum of New York with a short trip to the green oasis of Governors Island. A quick ferry ride from Brooklyn takes you to the shores of this peaceful isle where you’ll find lush green hills offering breathtaking city views. The once abandoned military base in New York Harbor was transformed into a magnificent park where city dwellers can escape to enjoy outdoor recreation. Designed to pay homage to the lush, hilly landscapes of pre-colonial Manhattan, the island features four man-made grassy knolls boasting panoramic views of the harbor. Use your pass to rent a bike from Surrey Bike Rental and explore the island. Pedal around the 172-acre isle and take in the spectacular sights. Check out the art installations dotted around the island including Day is Done, the Cabin sculpture, and Yankee Hangar. Delve into the island’s military past at Fort Jay and Castle Williams and get your hands dirty at the Island’s Urban Farm. Take in the breathtaking views of the New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Lower Manhattan skyline. When you’re done, head to Hammock Grove or Picnic Point for a laid-back picnic.
Go City Expert
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Village Halloween Parade

It's coming up to Halloween, the spookiest time of the year. Feel free to start dusting off your moth-eaten Ghostface outfit from college. Or maybe go as something different this year. Variety is the spice of life. And while you're at it, how about doing something more exciting this year? We will be. There's only so many times we can lose the Halloween costume competition. If you're in NYC, there's one event in particular that should be top of your list: the Village Halloween Parade. So play our little quiz below to discover your best costume, and read on champ. Here's everything you need to know about the Village Halloween Parade. What is the Village Halloween Parade? Let's start there, ay? It's the event in Greenwich Village. Every year, over 50,000 costumed revelers take to the streets. Including dancers, puppets, and 35 bands. However, to join them on their spooky procession, you'll need a costume. And no, a bit of blood on your mouth ain't gonna cut it. Go big or go home. Sorry. In this, it's 46th year, the theme of the Village Halloween Parade is 'Wild Thing'. So err, make of that what you will. You've got some room to get creative. Their suggestions? 'Mudman, GreenMan and Scarecrow'. I don't know what at least two of them are. Where is the Village Halloween Parade? It runs up 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street in Manhattan. How much more precise do you need? When is the Village Halloween Parade? Doy, it's October 31st. You know, Halloween. As for times, you're looking at around 7pm til 10:30pm. How do I get involved? As I mentioned before, you'll need a slick costume. Thankfully, as it's free to march in the parade, you can put any entrance fee money toward making it the slickest costume imaginable. Or simply above average, if you prefer. However, if you wanna feel special and march on the themed section, you can pick up a ticket for $35 a skip the line. Otherwise, simply be at 6th Avenue and Canal Street at 6:30, in full attire. Then stagger out into the night, you little ghoul. If you're running late, you can still join up with your fellow shamblers at either East Broome, Sullivan or Canal Street east of 6th Avenue. I hate dressing up but want to watch other people dress up. Alright, buzzkill. You can still have your fun. Get to 6th Avenue early, and get a sweet spot to watch the procession. It might even get you in the mood to get involved next year. And that's everything you need to know about the Village Halloween Parade. Let us know if you're going, and what you're dressing up as, below. And after the festivities are over, why not go grab a burger? Better yet, take the day off and get in a spooky mood with a Catacombs by Candlelight tour beneath the city.
Dom Bewley

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