MUSEYON BOOKS Smart City Guides for Travel, History, Art and Film Lovers
Today marks the vernal equinox — better known as the first day of fall to the non-mystical among us. It’s our favorite season here at Museyon HQ, and what better way to celebrate than with one of the season’s best — ‘Autumn in New York‘. The film may be a May-December love story between a playboy restaurant owner (Richard Gere) and a terminally ill young woman (Winona Ryder), but, Razzie nomindation aside, we like to think of it more as a love letter to Manhattan in all of its autumnal glory.
See the city through the film (plus tons of free fall stuff to do) after the jump…
The film may have gotten some bad reviews, but even its harshest critics had to give props to its glamour shots of NYC. To start your fall tour, head to Central Park, the perfect place to take in the cool breeze and maybe even scope some changing leaves — without even spending a dime.
The best spot to start a tour is at the park’s southern end, by the famed Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South), which little ones will recognize as home to a mischievous girl named Eloise. You’ll find the hotel at the edge of the park at the intersection of 59th Street and Fifth Avenue (also known as Grand Army Plaza), directly across the street from Bergdorf Goodman (745 Fifth Ave.) if you’re in the mood for some window shopping. (Read all about The Plaza in Nisha Gopalan‘s guide to Manhattan in Film+Travel.)
Central Park South in Autumn
Another swanky city landmark featured in the film is Rockefeller Center (48th through 51st streets between Fifth and Seventh avenues), Midtown’s Art Deco masterpiece and home to NBC, including the hit shows ‘30 Rock‘ and ‘Saturday Night Live‘. Plan ahead and it’s easy to score some free tix to a taping of the ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon‘, just check the site for details.
Rockefeller Center also where you’ll find Radio City Music Hall, the Top of the Rock observation deck — which may be a bit touristy, but the stunning views of the city make it worth the trip — and the famed Ice Rink featured in the film. The Rink opens for the season on October 9, but New Yorkers know that if you want to skate, you’ve got to wait. That’s because on November 6, The Pond at Bryant Park opens for free ice skating through January 24, 2010. Head to the park — located from 40th to 42nd streets between Fifth and Sixth avenues — and skate for free weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. until midnight!
image: Central Park South by _PaulS_/Flickr
