Hi friends! I’m so excited to share this post because not only is it the final episode of my Halloween in New York City mini-series on YouTube, but it also happens to be one of my favorite seasonal walks I’ve taken around the city in a while.
Today, we’re heading to the Upper West Side — a neighborhood that might not always be top of mind for Halloween decorations, but oh wow, it really should be. Whether you’re a local looking for some festive inspiration or someone who just loves vicariously walking around NYC in October (I see you 👀), you’re going to love this one.
👉 Watch the full video below to follow me on this walk IRL!
(You’ll get all the vibes: warm fall sun, epic decorations, my new bangs debut, and some very spooky stoops.)
Wait, Where Exactly Is the Upper West Side?
I get it — if you’re not from NYC or don’t visit often, all these neighborhood names can start to sound like Harry Potter house names. So let’s get you situated:
📍 The Upper West Side is located in Manhattan, bordered by 59th Street to the south, 110th Street to the north, Central Park to the east, and the Hudson River to the west.
It’s a leafy, residential neighborhood that feels like a cozy movie set. Think: wide sidewalks, brownstones with iconic stoops, and that slower-paced, storybook NYC energy.
The Unexpected Origins of a Halloween Tradition
Here’s something I found so interesting and had never heard about until researching this episode: the Halloween decorating tradition on the Upper West Side can actually be traced back to 1971, and it all started with a Broadway star named Gwen Verdon.
She lived on 69th Street and Central Park West, and wanted a safe place for her daughter to go trick-or-treating (very much not the NYC vibe in the 70s). So she convinced her neighbors to decorate their block and hand out candy. That little idea has grown into a full-on tradition, and now West 69th Street is one of the most iconic Halloween spots in the city.
The decorations have expanded to streets all around the neighborhood — and not just for the kids who live there. Now, families from all over NYC come to trick-or-treat here. It’s kind of amazing to think how one mom’s idea turned into such a beautiful (and spooky) city-wide tradition.
Let’s Talk Decorations: Spooky, Sweet, and Everything in Between
While filming this, I noticed three big things that made the Upper West Side feel a little different than the other neighborhoods I explored for this series:
1. They love scary decorations here.
Full transparency: I’m not a horror girl. I get scared so easily, so walking past bloody hands, skeletons climbing townhouses, and ghost children in windows… was A LOT for me 😅. But I kind of loved that they really lean into the spooky here. If you’re into haunted houses and creepy vibes, you’d be obsessed.
2. Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins.
Everywhere you look, there are pumpkins. On stairs, in flower pots, carved and uncarved. And it’s not just the big, perfect orange ones — I saw a lot of creative pumpkin setups, including cute carved ones that definitely looked like a family project.
3. It feels more handmade.
Compared to other areas (like the Upper East Side, where some decorations look like a professional stylist came in), here the decor feels personal. You get the sense that families did this together, that it’s a labor of love. It’s charming in a very wholesome way. Some decorations even repeat year after year — like families store them away and bring them out each fall, which made it feel even more lived-in and sweet.
Quick Historical Fun Fact
If you’ve ever walked past a townhouse and wondered how people enter their homes when the whole stoop is covered in decorations — here’s the tea: most of these homes have two entrances. The main stairs (often decorated) and a lower, garden-level entrance off to the side, usually down a few steps. Originally that level was meant for staff back in the day, but now it’s just a second entrance. Pretty clever, right?
Also… Yes, I Cut My Bangs ✂️
I couldn’t write this post without acknowledging the other big star of the video: my new bangs 😂. Yes, it’s real. I went to Rob Peetoom in Williamsburg, which has been my go-to spot lately. I didn’t vlog this haircut (it was a chill self-care moment), but if you want to see the last time I filmed a cut + color there, I’ll link that video in the description of the YouTube episode.
This haircut feels very “fall Flor” and also a little nostalgic — I had a very similar style like 8 years ago!
One Last Love Letter to NYC in October
I said it in the video, and I’ll say it again: October in New York City is magic. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, the decorations are out, and there’s something so romantic about just walking around with a coffee and seeing what each block has in store.
If you ever find yourself in the city around this time of year, carve out a few hours to stroll the Upper West Side. Start around 69th Street, walk up to the 90s, cut across Central Park, and explore the Upper East Side too (I’ve got a whole episode on that!). It’s such a beautiful way to experience the season.
More Halloween in NYC 🎥
If you enjoyed this post, you might want to check out the other episodes in my Halloween series:
Both were filmed during my first-ever visits to those neighborhoods in October, and I loved getting to experience the decorations for the first time with all of you.
Thanks for Being Here 💛
This little YouTube series has brought me so much joy — not just because I got to walk around beautiful neighborhoods with my camera, but because I got to share these moments with you. I love when we can explore NYC together, even if it’s virtually.
If you haven’t yet, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, give the video a thumbs up, and say hi over on Instagram at @flopereira. We’re super close to hitting 3,000 subscribers, which would be such a fun way to end October!
As always, thank you for reading, for watching, and for being part of this little corner of the internet. 🧡
See you in the next one!
Love, Flor.
Find me on: Instagram
