No doubt this year I had the best Halloween ever, as I have celebrated it in the country where they take it really seriously! Furthermore, it was for the first time when I took the dressing up thing seriously myself! Please read the article to find out the top 5 most fun things to do in NYC during this spooky time. These are the tips you can use every year when you are planning to travel to the Big Apple during Halloween.
1.GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR COSTUMES AND HAVE A PHOTOSHOOT WITH MANHATTAN BACKGROUNDS.
We have decided that we want to have a themed couple outfit and We thought it would be super cool to dress up like they do during the Mexican Day of the Dead ( Día de Muertos ). Initially I was thinking of doing some collaboration with a local make-up artist, I found plenty on IG who could help you create something cool on your face. But Owen expressed his desire to do it, saying that he did make-up and body art during his previous photo shoots. We have checked Pinterest for some inspiration and we have decided to go for a reddish sugar skull look for me and black and white for him. We did some shopping before the trip and bought accessories and make-up tools and face paint.
We have started our preparations in our first hotel in NYC – Le Meridien Central Park (you can check my detailed review in the link) and it took Owen about one hour and a half to complete this art creation for both of us. Would never think my boyfriend can do a better job on my face than I do, maybe he should create his own YouTube tutorial channel.
Fully equipped to march the streets of The Big Apple we have started our photo shoot at Le Meridien Hotel using their lobby as background and heading to Lower Manhattan afterwards.
2. WALK IN THE ANNUAL PARADE.
Organisers call it the nation’s “most wildly creative, largest public participatory event in the greatest city in the world.” After getting done with your photo shoot show up with your creative costume and join the parade, but note that only people in costumes can march, otherwise you can join many others watching the parade on the sidewalk. This year was unbelievably cool to see that many Jokers and Maleficent in one place! Owen in particular was very proud to be part of the marchers as lots of locals were complimenting his work of art direction. Initially when people were approaching us they were expecting a girls work behind it all, but nope haha.
Cheers to New York Pizza!
3. HAVE FUN AT THE LOCAL THEME PARTY.
After having a couple of slices of delicious cheap New York pizza, two beautiful monsters ended up having a great time at a tiny underground club in Soho with great music and stylish crowd.
The city has lots of themed celebrations you can join but I would suggest if you have friends in town to put you on the list on a more exclusive and smaller party where you could mingle with the locals.
4. WALK DOWN THE STREETS FOR INSPIRATION.
Halloween in NYC does not end with just a parade itself but lasts for few days with various activities across town. For people who are in the US for the first time, it is super fun just strolling along the streets of New York and watch the decorated houses of it’s residents. Locals love this holiday and put lots of efforts into decorating their houses in the most creative way. My favourite neighbourhoods were the Upper West Side where we discovered Mr Trump-pumpkin (see picture) as well as the cute Greenwich village itself.
5. PUMPKIN FLOTILLA AT CENTRAL PARK.
On 30th of October a day before the parade in Central Park you can watch the pumpkin parade – 50 floating jack-o’-lanterns. Anyone interested in having their pumpkin on the water must have brought a carved pumpkin at 4pm and see it sail across the Harlem Meer at twilight. The flotilla later was followed by kids marching proudly in their costumes.
All the images are taken by Thitiphol Owen Charoensri.