Photo: Nicole Freezer Rubens

This week brings big changes, beloved rituals, and a few can’t‑miss moments. Hearts of Gold hosts its gala next week, supporting moms and kids to transition out of shelters. For weekend fun, pumpkin activities on Governors Island await. We know your holiday calendar will fill fast—make sure to add our 3T Annual Holiday Lunch , tickets now on sale. Big changes are coming to Central Park South, with The Plaza closing for four years and the horse carriages disappearing—take our poll below. Some traditions stay: The Rink at Rockefeller Center is now open, the tree arrives Nov. 7, and our roving photographer spotlights her favorite NYHS exhibits.

This Weekend. An October Getaway on Governors Island

Pumpkin Point brings one of the city’s most charming fall traditions back to Nolan Park on Governors Island this weekend, transforming the historic green into a cheerful, pumpkin‑lined escape that feels miles away from Manhattan. It’s the kind of easy, low‑stress day trip that delivers maximum autumn vibes with minimal effort: rows of bright orange pumpkins, crisp harbor breezes, and the simple pleasure of wandering under changing leaves with a hot cider in hand.

Families, couples, and anyone craving a seasonal reset can browse hundreds of pumpkins, enjoy kid‑friendly activities, and take in the island’s quiet, car‑free atmosphere. With its mix of cozy fall décor, local food vendors, and plenty of space to roam, Pumpkin Point turns Governors Island into a picture‑perfect October getaway—no long drive required. GET THE DETAILS.

Oct. 29. Hearts of Gold Fundraising Gala

Hearts of Gold, founded by Deborah Koenigsberger in 1994, is an amazing organization that is helping to get women and children out of NYC shelters. Through your generous donations to The Three Tomatoes and Glow Beauty Magazine Giving Circle, in partnership with She Angels, we have awarded two $5,000 grants to Hearts of Gold. But much more is needed. Please consider attending their upcoming gala, which includes a vintage fashion show and so much more. If you can’t attend, consider making a donation.

For 32+ years Hearts of Gold has been dedicated to helping these vunerable moms and their children rebuild their lives and create a brighter, more stable future for themselves and their children, having impacted over 43,000 lives. They provide these families the support, resources, and opportunities they need to regain their independence, restore their confidence, and move forward with dignity and hope. Emergency Food Kits, Fresh Start Bags (household essentials), back-to-school supplies and backpacks, winter coats, toys and holiday celebrations, meals throughout the year, employment at their Fresh Start University Program, TTH Vintage Boutique, their Learning Center’s year-round tutoring and after-school programs, and more programs that can be explored on our website www.heartsofgold.org. BUY TICKETS TO THE GALA HERE.

The Best Holiday Party This Season

Last year’s luncheon was a delight — a festive three‑course Italian feast, music from the Rick Bogart Trio with Tomato performers, special guests, and fabulous raffle prizes. But the true magic was Tomatoes celebrating together. This year, we’re ready to top it. Join us for a joyful, can’t‑miss holiday luncheon and be part of the season’s best celebration. GET THE DETAILS.

Rockefeller Center: The Rink Opens for Its 90th Anniversary Season

If you’re craving a classic NYC moment this weekend, The Rink at Rockefeller Center is now officially open for its 90th anniversary season, inviting skaters back for one of the city’s most iconic traditions. General admission starts at $22, making it an easy add-on to any fall outing. The season kicks off alongside Kenny Scharf’s bold and playful public art installation, Scary and the Dancers!, on view throughout the plaza through November 1. And the holiday magic is right around the corner: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree arrives November 7, with the beloved lighting ceremony set for December 2, transforming Rockefeller Plaza into the heart of New York’s festive season. GET THE DETAILS.

Roving in the New York Historical Society

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens, writes:

The New York Historical Society is a hidden gem inside a simple building, quietly perched on Central Park West hiding its grand staircases and monumentally beautiful galleries. The museum is a repository for all things New York City, devoted to its history and charms shown through the lenses of art, sociology, politics and overall energy. Our past is preserved through a vast array of mundane and extraordinary artifacts.

The exhibitions I enjoyed the most included You Should Be Dancing: New York, 1976 and Beyond, which explores urban culture through the evolution of its past music and dance scenes. Walk With Me is part of The Weitzman Shoe Museum that invited contemporary artists to dream up their intricate and whimsical interpretations of the shoe. My favorite gallery by far was the impressive space showcasing New York, New York: The Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld Collection. This couple, a real estate developer and a physician, began collecting art focused on NYC in the 1970s, with examples including Mark Rothko and Wayne Thiebaud’s rare renditions of our city. Finally, one should never leave The New York Historical Society without wandering through its renowned Gallery of Tiffany Lamps, one of the largest and most impressive collections.

With a recent addition, there is more to explore than ever before. Every local and tourist should uncover what city treasures are gently tucked inside 170 Central Park West, honoring and saluting the most interesting city in the world.

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of the soon-to-be-released photo essay book, NEW YORK AND NOT NEW YORK.