My Perfect Autumn Day in Brooklyn

I wouldn’t say I get homesick too often, but if I do it tends to be this time of year. When you call Brooklyn home, it’s hard not to pine away for autumn in New York even on an incredible trip. A city like NYC comes to life when the temperatures drop and everyone can comfortably be outside. It’s like a golden, glorious calm before the hecticness of holiday events and freezing wind tunnels mean winter has arrived. In fact, I’m convinced all the people who designed this city did so with fall foliage in mind! Don’t you think the brownstones in Brooklyn look best when the leaves are red and yellow? 

Anyway, since I was just away on a trip and am excited to come back to see fall has fully arrived, I thought I’d share my perfect autumn day in Brooklyn. This is what I was dreaming of doing on my plane ride home!

My Perfect Autumn Day in Brooklyn

7:00 AM: Breakfast at Vato

Vato is a spot in Park Slope famous for their Northern Mexican-style burritos. Order the burnt ends burrito at the counter and then sit outside on the back patio. Fluffy, scrambled eggs and cheese stuffed with charred pieces of brisket all wrapped up in a homemade tortilla — HEAVEN!

8:00 AM: See the Dogs Leash Free in Prospect Park

Once you’re done at Vato, walk two blocks over and you’ll be in Prospect Park. The park is pretty massive, so it’ll make for a great morning hike especially when the autumn foliage is at its peak! For a special morning treat, follow the signs towards Long Meadow, Nethermead, and Peninsula Meadow. This is where dogs can be off leash and allowed to run free until 9:00 AM. It’s pure canine joy!!

Expert Tip: If you sit down, those adorable dogs come to you!

Mid-Morning: Peruse Community Bookstore

A perfect fall day, of course, involves perusing a local bookstore. And I don’t have any specific time frame to do this because, really, petting dogs and browsing books should never have a time constraint!

Once you’re finished in Prospect Park, head back out, and you’ll find Community Bookstore back on 7th Avenue. It’s been a mainstay in Park Slope since 1971 and is actually Brooklyn’s oldest operating bookstore.

Additional Option: If you want an additional bookstore, head over to 5th Avenue for The Ripped Bodice. It’s a mecca for romance lovers and has the prettiest interiors.

Mid-Morning Continued: Get Adult School Supplies at Mr. Boddington’s Studio

Just a few stores down from Community Bookstore, Mr. Boddington’s Studio is one of the most charming stores I’ve ever been to. They’re an independent stationer and have an absolute treasure trove of whimsical supplies and delightful gifts. I’ve been collecting notebooks and pens for years, and I just love this shop.

Late Morning: Enjoy the Stoops!

Like I said, I swear the brownstones in Brooklyn were designed with fall in mind. If you’ve never heard of them before, they’re essentially rows of townhouses made from sandstone, so they all have this beautiful, earthy exterior. They’re all around the city but particularly ubiquitous in Brooklyn. They’re especially lovely in Park Slope, which is where fall morning has taken place, so I recommend winding along the streets to enjoy them. 

A fun bonus? People will always leave free stuff out outside! There’s an unspoken rule in NYC – if it’s on the curb or stoop, it’s free to take. I’ve seen people find everything from books to toys to full blown furniture. There’s even a Stoop Sale at the end of September every year!

Early Afternoon: Head to Coney Island

For the afternoon, we’re changing scenery! Grab the D train down to Coney Island and head first to Luna Park. The amusement park is open until November 1st, which means you can ride the famous Cyclone roller coaster (causing back pain since 1927)! And you won’t have to wait in line; this time of year, the crowds are long gone.

Lunch: Grab a Nathan’s Hot Dog

You’ve probably seen a “Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs” logo in a grocery store, but did you know it comes from Coney Island? Yep, it’s a classic and the original store is still here at the corner of Surf and Stillwell!  

Come for a hot dog and then stay for what is, in my opinion, some of the best people-watching and eavesdropping you’ll find anywhere in New York City. By October, it’s pretty much only locals and you’ll hear “fuhgeddaboudit” in the wild, not in just some movie. 

Afternoon: Enjoy Coney Island

Once you’ve had your hot dog at Nathan’s, spend as long as you’d like enjoying Coney Island. The boardwalk makes for a nice stroll and has a lot of historic architecture and quirky shops. The area was developed to be a huge seaside town in the 1800s, and the buildings reflect that. Oh, and check out Williams Candy for a sweet treat. Now’s a great time to get their candy apples.

Additionally, bring the book you may have just bought this morning and enjoy reading it on the beach. 

Dinner: Check out Mercado Central

It’s hard to do something totally unique in Brooklyn and this small gourmet Spanish market nails it. Think tinned fish, jamon, cheeses, olive oils… Its real draw, though, is the tiny six table tapas bar in the back. Enjoy a glass of vermouth and order everything on the menu.

And there it is, the perfect autumn day in Brooklyn I daydream about. Let me know about yours!