Day 16: World Series Game 6

Yankees at the World Series—does it get any better than this? Of course watching live from the new stadium would have been something, but with bars on every corner there was just as much fun to be had staying local, swigging down beers with the neighbors, fingers crossed that the Yanks would clinch it. There wasn’t so much in the way of nail-biting suspense, with New York 7 Philly 1 at the bottom of the fifth, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t cheering. In the end, it was a win, the 27^th title in franchise history. The Yankees… just another reason to love New York.  

www.newyork.yankees.mlb.com

Day 10: Pumpkin Carving Contest at Kettle of Fish

It’s agreed that Halloween wouldn’t be the same without jack-o-lanterns, right? Sure there’s the mess—the guts, the seeds, the slimy hands that come with carving, but it really is fun and it only comes around once a year. Village tavern Kettle of Fish has been hosting an annual pumpkin carving contest now in its 23^rd year. They provide the pumpkins and the tools, the rest is up to contestants. Aside from the fact that hanging out at Kettle feels like hanging out in a friend’s living room, it’s the best of both worlds, arms elbow-deep in a pumpkin with a Freaktoberfest pint on the side. Brings back the memories of childhood with a grown-up sort of spin. After three hours of carving judges pick their faves in categories that happen to fit with the final works of craftsmanship. This year a Most Seductive pumpkin, a Biggest Suck-up, Best Use of Props and always the All-Around Best in Show. 

Day 6: Brooklyn Brewery

If you’ve never tried it, surely you’ve at least noticed the catchy company logo on beer taps not only in New York but across the world. It’s the famous B, designed by Milton Glaser (the genius behind that ubiquitous I Heart NY logo). Not bad, right! In case you haven’t figured it out, the B stands for none other than Brooklyn as in Brooklyn Brewery. And by Brooklyn, we’re talkin’ right across the river in Williamsburg, which means, a weekend visit is totally doable. Admission is free and beer tokens are $4 each…or even better, six for $20. Sit for a brew at communal tables in the bar area and then take a guided tour around that brick building—a former matzo factory—to learn a bit about the company’s history and the brewing process. With three great seasonal beers on tap—the Oktoberfest, the Black Chocolate Stout and the Post Road Pumpkin Ale, fall is a great time to visit, though, do we really need a reason to drink beer all day?

www.brooklynbrewery.com

Day 4: Oktoberfest at Zum Schneider

So Munich was out of the question, but over in Alphabet City there was some really good Oktoberfest fun over at Zum Schneider—so much so some are probably second-guessing the need to head to Deutschland for next year’s celebration. Guys in lederhosen, girls in dirndls, singing, dancing and shouting from tabletops, plates of bratwurst and wiener schnitzel, and of course the German bier. After knocking back a mighty stein or two, with a little imagination it was a party right there in Bavaria. Sadly Zum Schneider’s Oktoberfest festivities end tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great place to go any day. The real party ended in Germany weeks ago, but that doesn’t mean the Germans have stopped drinking, does it? Prost to that, ja? 

www.zumschneider.com/