It’s my favorite time of year in NYC. The weather starts to change (not that summer was more than a few weeks), opening of eateries and exhibits, events and happenings all over town. Lots to do. Like what, you ask? Like this!

I vaguely knew there was something called National Park Week but I didn’t actually pay attention but now I am. Why? Hello – the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island at night? FABULOUS and a bargain to boot. $29 per person per night covers round-trip ferry access as well as dinner on the island. The Ellis Island trip is 9/24 and the Statue of Liberty trip is 9/25. Looks as if reservations are required so go now!

Which reminds me – has anyone booked tickets for the statue’s crown since it reopened? Just curious. I wouldn’t because I find the idea of paying like that absurd. But someone might?

But you don’t have to wait that long for fun. Coming up this weekend you can see Broadway on Broadway (9/13).  Singing, dancing, and Times Square. All for free. What more could you want. Well, you might want good weather since – remember – it’s outdoors!

If you are in more an uptown mood than a Times Square frame of mind, grab a seat on this special Monday edition of the Gossip Girl Tour from On Location Tours. Actually, this would be a great week to go – just in time for the Season 3 premiere. As I may have mentioned, I don’t watch the show but the cast and crew are always around here filming so they have become very much part of my reality (as have the hordes of teenage girls who seem to follow them from location to location.)

You can attend any number of NY400 events. Did you forget it was NYC’s 400th birthday? shame on you and you didn’t even bring flowers. Still, NY does not hold a grudge (much) and invites you to

• grab a bright orange bicycle (still free until 9/12)
• grab a bite and taste of Holland during NiEuW Amsterdam Restaurant Week (but beware – NewYorkology reported some disconnect between the list on the site and the reality on the ground with some restaurants saying they were not participating)
• Grab a look at Dutch Fleet Week otherwise known as the visit of the two Dutch Naval Frigates leading up to Harbor Day (9/13). If you prefer your ships with a bit more old-fashioned charm, you can visit a replica of the Henry Hudson’s Half Moon (Halve Maen) which re-creates the original 1609 voyage up the Hudson River every year.

Speaking of New York and 400, the Museum of the City of New York has compiled a list of 400 movers and shakers who have made a difference in the 400 years since Hudson arrived in 1609. It’s their much more democratic take on the Gilded Age’s movers and shakers known as “the Four Hundred” (because that’s how many people would fit in Mrs. Astor’s ballroom – Caroline, not Brooke). Oh there are still Astors ON the list. New York would hardly be New York without them but they are rubbing side by side with Miles Davis, Joe DiMaggio and Betty Friedan. As usual with lists like this, it’s subjective. I don’t feel Seinfeld has made a difference in New York particularly. I mean, presumably they mean his show which wasn’t like any New York I’m familiar with. But *shrug* no one asked me.

Well, there’s tons more going on but these were a few things I wanted to point out before throwing myself into my massive To-do list. More to come….