Best time to visit · New York City · United States
The best time to visit New York City
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
The best times to visit New York are late April to June and September to early November, when the weather is mild and the parks are at their best. December is festive but crowded and expensive, while January and February are cold but the lowest-priced months. July and August are hot and humid, though summer brings free outdoor concerts and events.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March and November–December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 29°C (84°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 4°C (39°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~11 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
New York has four distinct seasons: hot, humid summers near 30°C, cold winters around freezing with occasional heavy snowstorms, and mild, changeable springs and autumns. Precipitation is spread evenly through the year, and the remnants of tropical storms occasionally bring heavy rain from August to October.
March–May
Spring
Cold snaps give way to blossom in the parks and mild walking weather by May, with frequent showers and rising hotel prices.
June–August
Summer
Hot and humid, with Pride, Fourth of July fireworks, free outdoor concerts and theatre, and busy beaches.
September–November
Autumn
Warm September days, crisp October weather and autumn colour in Central Park, with high hotel prices around the UN General Assembly and Thanksgiving.
December–February
Winter
Festive December lights and ice rinks give way to cold, sometimes snowy January and February, the quietest and lowest-priced months.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C | -3°C | 11 | 5°C | 9.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 6°C | -1°C | 10 | 4°C | 10.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 10°C | 2°C | 11 | 5°C | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 17°C | 8°C | 11 | 8°C | 13.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 22°C | 13°C | 11 | 12°C | 14.4 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| June | 27°C | 18°C | 11 | 18°C | 15.1 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| July | 29°C | 21°C | 10 | 22°C | 14.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 28°C | 21°C | 10 | 23°C | 13.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 25°C | 17°C | 9 | 21°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| October | 18°C | 11°C | 10 | 17°C | 11 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| November | 12°C | 5°C | 9 | 12°C | 9.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| December | 7°C | 0°C | 11 | 8°C | 9.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Winter Restaurant Week set-price menus (usually late January to February); Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown and Flushing (late January or February) |
| February | New York Fashion Week (usually February) |
| March | St Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue (17 March) |
| April | Cherry blossom at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (usually April); Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival on Fifth Avenue (Easter Sunday) |
| May | Five Boro Bike Tour (usually early May); Fleet Week (usually the week before Memorial Day, late May) |
| June | NYC Pride March (usually the last Sunday in June); Tribeca Festival (usually June); Museum Mile Festival (usually early June) |
| July | Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks (4 July); Free summer concerts and Shakespeare in the Park (usually June–August) |
| August | US Open tennis in Queens (late August to early September); Summer Streets car-free days on Park Avenue (usually August) |
| September | Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy (usually mid-September); UN General Assembly high-level week (usually late September; heavy traffic and high hotel prices) |
| October | Open House New York weekend (usually mid-October); Village Halloween Parade on Sixth Avenue (31 October) |
| November | New York City Marathon (usually the first Sunday of November); Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (fourth Thursday of November); Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting (usually late November or early December) |
| December | Holiday markets in Bryant Park, Union Square and Columbus Circle (usually November to December); New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit New York City?
The best times to visit New York are late April to June and September to early November, when the weather is mild and the parks are at their best. December is festive but crowded and expensive, while January and February are cold but the lowest-priced months. July and August are hot and humid, though summer brings free outdoor concerts and events.
+When are hotel prices lowest in New York City?
Usually in January–February. The coldest month, often below freezing at night with occasional snow; hotel prices are at their lowest after New Year.
+What is the rainiest month in New York City?
January, with about 11 days of rain on average.
+How hot does New York City get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 29°C (84°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).