Fall is here, time to visit NY!

Why visit NY in the Fall? This was actually a great time for me this year. Usually going to NY in Summer or Winter, so this time the opportunity came along to do some work in NYC and get to visit again, so my partner and I jumped on a plane and spent ten fantastic days in NY.

We kind of started trying to be bi-coastal for many purposes, spending time between San Francisco and New York so the opportunity was perfect to actually give it a try with work, family, and more. But, what made it so special and different from other times? These are the reasons why I strongly suggest you visit in September or October:

1. Airfare was very reasonable. With families sending kids back to school and the end of the Summer, airlines reduce their airfares and you can fly to NY for the least amount of money. This was the cheapest airfare I've paid flying to NY in the last three years (kayak.com)

2. The Summer crowds are gone from NYC. We spent quite some time in the "touristy" areas and there were far less people than Summer months. It's much easier to get tickets and see different attractions without long lines.

3. Even though hotels are busy during this time of the year, if you look deeply you can snatch a very decent deal on room rates. The average was about $400 a night but keep looking deeper and you'll be surprised to find better rates.

4. Weather is the best! Seriously, not hot or humid like in Summer, and right before the cold winds start rolling down, September was just perfect, average 70 degrees. You may get some occasional rain but won't last long. Nothing that an umbrella can't help with. There were several sunny days perfect to lay down on the lawn of Bryant Park or Central Park.

5. The city was surprisingly clean, super clean. Not sure why, but streets, public areas, bridges, and all were clean. Something that SF could learn from.

6. Right after Fashion Week, the city came to a new start. It was like a pause in between the seasons and people trying to figure out Fall plans, so I guess that helped to truly enjoy the city, even public transportation, and I mean the Subway not Uber, was really easy to take, no crowds again. Not to forget the Metro North trains between the city and Westchester County, efficient, on-time, super clean, not crowded.

7. Sales. Yes, Fall is coming so all stores are advertising their sales. A lot of merchandise from the Summer needs to be depleted, so expect to find some good sales on retail.

The experience upstate should be the same as in the city. Although the weather could be a little cooler, still pleasant and warm, maybe a light jacket. But it's incredible how similar the weather patterns are between SF and NY at this time of the year.

Many hotels and restaurants in Westchester County are gearing up for their Fall and Winter seasons, saying goodbye to a warm and pretty nice Summer, it's time to start thinking about Fall, with Halloween and Thanksgiving, merchandisers make sure you're aware of this. Even the restaurants menus changing, incorporating some Fall vegetables to their menus. Make sure to visit the Inn at Pound Ridge, I wrote about this place earlier this Summer and once I got back this month I remembered even better how cool of a place this is, with a great menu and impeccable country-chic-style decor (theinnatpoundridge.com)

Another great find from this trip was The Martha Washington Hotel in Chelsea, which we stumbled upon during a walk in the evening and decided to have dinner there. The whole experience was super cool, very trendy and nice space with cozy and modern furniture, the cocktails were spot-on, not to mention the food, which I think was more on the healthier side with more protein and less carbs (www.chelseahotels.com/us/new-york/martha-washington/about).

It was overall a great experience that really exceeded my expectations as a local San Franciscan trying the bi-coastal experience of living and working in these two cities. I expect more of this to continue in the coming months with work and family so I'm ready to go back and experience the city in a different month. See you soon Central Park!