September has always felt like a particularly exciting time to be in New York. The city returns to its full rhythm after summer, galleries unveil their autumn exhibitions, fashion takes over Manhattan, and the US Open brings the world’s finest tennis players to Queens. This year, the cultural calendar is especially compelling, with The Armory Show, Sotheby’s at the Breuer and a host of September events offering plenty of reasons to visit New York City.
For guests of The Lowell, the appeal is being perfectly placed at the heart of it all: a quiet, intimate luxury hotel on East 63rd Street, within easy reach of Museum Mile, Madison Avenue and Central Park.
Our Majorelle Outdoor Café remains open while the weather allows, inviting you to linger a little longer and savour the final days of summer on the Upper East Side. Here are some highlights of the month that shouldn't be missed.
The US Open Final: New York’s Grand Sporting Finale
The US Open is one of the defining events of New York’s late summer, bringing an unmistakable energy to the city as the tournament builds towards its finals at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.
The 2026 tournament runs through September 13, with the women’s singles final on September 12 and the men’s singles final on September 13.
This year’s tournament has already delivered plenty of intrigue. For visitors, the US Open is about more than the tennis itself. It is the atmosphere of New York at its most international — the crowds, the fashion, the restaurants and bars filled with fans, and the feeling that the entire city is following the action.
After a day at Flushing Meadows, return to Manhattan and settle in with a martini at Jacques Bar.
The Armory Show: The Art World Arrives in New York
Few events signal the beginning of New York’s autumn cultural season quite like The Armory Show. Taking place from September 24–27, 2026, at the Javits Center, the fair brings together leading international galleries and an ambitious programme of modern and contemporary art.
This year’s edition places a particular emphasis on Caribbean perspectives, alongside exhibitions, performances, installations and new museum acquisition initiatives. With galleries arriving from around the world, The Armory Show offers an opportunity to see both established names and artists whose work is shaping the next chapter of contemporary art.
Sotheby’s Moves Into the Breuer
Closer to The Lowell, one of the most intriguing developments on the Upper East Side is Sotheby’s new home at 945 Madison Avenue, in Marcel Breuer’s iconic former Whitney Museum building. Sotheby’s moved its New York headquarters into the landmark Breuer Building in 2025, bringing one of the world’s great auction houses directly onto Museum Mile and closer to The Lowell.
The building itself is worth the visit. Breuer’s distinctive architecture — monumental, sculptural and unmistakably modernist — provides a striking setting for Sotheby’s exhibitions, auctions and cultural programming.
From September 24–27, the Breuer will host Independent 20th Century, a fair dedicated to art made between 1900 and 2000. International galleries will fill the building with presentations designed to reconsider the history of 20th-century art — making it a natural companion to a visit to The Armory Show.
For guests staying at The Lowell, this is one of September’s great pleasures: experiencing world-class art without leaving the neighbourhood.
New York Fashion Week
September also marks the return of New York Fashion Week, when designers, editors, collectors and fashion enthusiasts descend on the city for the Spring/Summer 2027 collections.
The official CFDA schedule runs from September 10–15, with approximately 70 runway shows and presentations. Ralph Lauren opens the season with its Spring 2027 collection, while names including Carolina Herrera, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Khaite and Anna Sui feature throughout the week.
The Upper East Side is particularly well suited to fashion week days: mornings can begin with a walk through Central Park, afternoons can move between Madison Avenue and Midtown, and evenings naturally lead back to the neighbourhood’s restaurants and bars.
Broadway Week: A Perfect September Evening
For those looking beyond the art world, NYC Broadway Week returns September 8–20, offering 2-for-1 tickets across 25 participating Broadway shows.
It is an ideal way to experience the city after a day of exploring. Choose a matinee and leave the evening for dinner, or make an evening performance the centrepiece of a classic New York night.
From The Lowell, Broadway is close enough to feel effortless while still allowing guests to return to the calm of the Upper East Side afterwards.
September, the New York Way
What makes September particularly special is the combination of experiences. In one week, you might find yourself admiring contemporary art at The Armory Show, stepping inside Marcel Breuer’s extraordinary building for Sotheby’s, watching a new collection come down a runway, taking your seat at a Broadway theatre and ending the week with world-class tennis.
And through it all, the Upper East Side offers a more intimate way to experience the city.
At The Lowell, September begins at the doorstep: Central Park in the early morning, Museum Mile and Madison Avenue during the day, and the city’s great cultural events unfolding all around.
Our Concierge Team can work closely with you to organise your stay and make it a very memorable September!