I realized one thing when I moved to the US. Americans either go big or go home. This applies to a lot of industries, sectors and aspects of life. Just have a look at drink sizes in McDonalds. The UK large is a US small. When it comes to Halloween, they do not kid around either. Especially New York City. The Big Apple takes Halloween very seriously.
This is especially noticeable all around the city the moment the calendar hits October 1st. Spooky season starts and everybody loses it. Houses become haunted, brownstones are covered in cobwebs, pumpkins pop out everywhere. Big landmarks, monuments or regular housing, nobody does things half-way. Which is great for those of us who are always looking for a good photo opportunity.
Especially around fall, when we want our feed to be all autumnal and spooky. If you think you’d be getting away with just a few pumpkins on your feed, you’d wrong. Again, NYC does not know half measure. Do not believe me? Here are the 15 best Halloween decorations in New York City.
Be ready to travel because Halloween decorations and Instagrammable Halloween displays are all over the city. The West Village, Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Chelsea and Midtown will have you ready for fall while Brooklyn also knows how to throw some good spooky displays.
121 E 38th St, Murray Hill
First on the list of the 15 best Halloween decorations in New York City is this giant clown head in Murray Hill, close to Bryant Park and Grand Central. You would not notice it on your daily commute but it is there to scare passers by. Yes, it laughs when you walks by but it has the intended effect.
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Rockefeller Center, Midtown Manhattan
Since we are on the topic of Midtown, know that Rockefeller Center is not too far. Usually known for its massive Christmas tree that lights up on December 1st and great Holiday photo spots, it also knows how to set up a nice Halloween display. It may not be spooky but we do feel that fall vibe with all the pumpkins.
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East 74th Street, Upper East Side
Let’s move up to the Upper East Side. Walk along E 74th St until you get to this huge Halloween display. Don’t be shy, come closer. While people usually hang out around here for a glimpse of Holly Golightly’s apartment, they can now enjoy some skulls and pumpkins comes fall.
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Grove Court, West Village
Let’s head down to the West Village to find one of the cutest Halloween decors in New York City. Grove Court is a private residence with gates. You can’t come in but you can still take pictures from outside through the gates. The pumpkins are always the cutest.
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Washington Pl, West Village
On the topic of the West Village, not too far is Washington Place, which also coincidentally has some of the best Halloween decorations in New York City. Fall leaves, spiders, bats and fashionable skeletons, the stairs of this brownstones are spooky and ready to scare you all.
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LoveShackFancy, West Village
While not strictly speaking spooky, LoveShackFancy on Bleeker Street is always a treat when it comes to floral displays in New York City. The decorations change with the season and even though this one is prettier than scary, we do still love to take photos there.
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314 W 22nd street, Chelsea
What about we head over to Chelsea now? A more artsy yet still spooky, Hatchi Studio creates every year one of the most beautiful Halloween decorations in New York City. We especially love the “peace and love” sign covered in fall leaves along with the flowers and pumpkins.
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Pier 17, Seaport District
Let’s move east now and walk south. Right by the East River is Seaport District, which is home to a lot of ferry departures and nice restaurants. If you walk down a little bit more, you’ll end up at Pier 17. Each year you can admire and come take pictures at this gorgeous pumpkin arch.
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W 94th St, Upper West Side
Next on our list of the 15 best Halloween decorations in New York City is in the Upper West Side. This Halloween display is particularly spectacular and thank god the spider is not real. Can you imagine facing a beast that size in real life? It does look amazingly spooky!
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W 87th St, Upper West Side
Let’s walk a few streets down to W 87th St. A bit less spiders, a bit less cobwebs but a lot more skeletons and tombstones for an effect oh-so Halloween. We love that residents of the Upper West Side take Spooky Season so seriously. There even are skeletons coming out of basement windows!
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W 82nd St, Upper West Side
A few most streets down and you’ll get to W 82nd where you’ll find some more Halloween decorations. A bit less spooky, a bit more floral but perfect for the season nonetheless. If you like ghosts and skeletons hanging out around flowers in your pictures, then this is the place for you!
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W 81st St, Upper West Side
One last Halloween display in Manhattan before we move to the other side of the East River. The Upper West Side is the perfect place to find a lot of scary Halloween decorations in New York City. You will not be disappointed! The variety of displays is always incredible!
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Industry City, Brooklyn
Let’s say goodbye to spiders, skeletons and ghosts for a short while as we head over to Industry City in Brooklyn. They have a beautiful display that is more fall than scary but still an amazing backdrop for all your autumn pictures. Your Instagram feed will love it!
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Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
If you cycle 20 minutes north from Industry City, you’ll end up in Cobble Hill. Yes, the houses and buildings are amazing. Know that the residents also do take Halloween very seriously. That is why you can find some of the best Halloween decorations in New York City there.
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Prospect Park South, Brooklyn
Last but not least, you can find some of the best Halloween decorations in New York City… by Prospect Park in Brooklyn. Some houses will go so big they turn into haunted manors. While they look very fun during the day, make sure to come by at night. The effect is stunning!
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What do you think of all those Halloween displays? Which one is your favorite? Do you usually look out for Halloween decors once October starts? Are there any more places you know of that have nice spooky vibes?
Thanks a lot for stopping by. I hope you liked this post.
See you soon,
Love,
Corinne.
