The best time to visit New York City is any time!
The city that never sleeps puts on a good show for tourists at any time of year. The most comfortable seasons weather-wise for sightseeing are Spring (April – June) and Fall (September – early November), when you can enjoy mild and pleasant temperatures.
The Festive period between Thanksgiving and New Year is hugely popular with visitors to New York thanks to its magical Christmas atmosphere. If you visit New York at this time of year, you can expect higher prices at New York hotels and longer queues at popular restaurants and attractions.
The summer months of July and August are another peak period for tourists to New York.
January and February are generally the quietest months thanks to the bitterly cold winter temperatures at this time of year and the lull after the festive season. If you are visiting at this time of year you can hope to find some good hotel deals and enjoy shorter queues at restaurants and attractions.
- Spring in New York is March to May.
- Summer in New York is June to August.
- Autumn in New York is September to November.
- Winter in New York is December to February.
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Spring in New York (March – May)
Spring blossoms in March, bringing warmer weather – and with it lots of rain. By May the sun begins to put in a more consistent appearance and the city ramps up its energy in anticipation of the coming summer. Spring is a colourful month in New York thanks to the spring flowers, particularly notable in Central Park and the celebrated cherry blossom of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
If you are in New York on 17th March, be sure to dress in green and try to catch the St Patrick’s Day parade, or join in a street party somewhere.
Although not peak season in New York, spring is a popular time to visit and you can expect corresponding high prices and queues for popular attractions.
Memorial Day at the end of May marks the unofficial beginning of Summer.
Summer in New York (June – August)
Summer is a great time to be in New York. There are exciting events taking place all over the city, including free outdoor concerts, festivals and movies and everyone enjoys the warm weather and sunshine. Summer in New York is time for picnics in the park, taking in a ball game or Shakespeare in the Park, and walking the High Line with an ice cream in hand.
Many locals leave the city during the school holiday months of July and August. Don’t expect this to make the city any quieter though as these summer months are peak season for tourists from Europe and other parts of the world. If you are visiting New York in the summer, you can expect high hotel rates and long queues at the popular tourist attractions.
Click here to read some of our favourite things to do in New York with kids.
Fall in New York (September – November)
Labor Day marks the end of the summer season and the beginning of Fall. New Yorkers return to the city, discard their summer clothes and head back to work and school.
Although the temperatures dip, they remain pleasant and Fall weather in New York usually consists of crisp days and blue skies, making this a popular time of year for sightseeing. Visitors will also get to enjoy the stunning fall foliage in Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens.
Notable celebrations to look out for in the Fall in New York include Oktoberfest in Central Park, Halloween and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
Winter in New York (December – February)
Nowhere does Christmas quite like New York City and the lead up to Christmas is a magical time to visit New York. All the department stores compete to produce the most impressive window displays. There are Christmas markets, Christmas trees, Christmas carollers and the opportunity to meet Santa at every turn.
And let’s not forget the Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree and the Central Park skating rink that are on every Christmas visitor to New York’s bucket list.
New York attracts a huge number of visitors during the festive season, so expect high prices, and be prepared to book ahead for restaurants and join long queues for popular tourist attractions.
January and February can be bitterly cold in New York, and the city hunkers down after the extravagances of the holiday season. For tourists, this can mean cheaper hotel rates, shorter lines at tourist attractions and a better chance of getting into those hard-to-book restaurants.
If you are planning on being in New York in the winter, plan on spending a lot of time indoors.
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Family guide to the best times to visit New York City with children and what to expect in each season