Month guide · New York City · United States
New York City in February
What February is really like in New York City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 6°C (43°F), lows of -1°C (30°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 10.6 hours of daylight. Cold and grey with the best chance of snow, but quiet museums and good hotel deals.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 6°C (43°F) / -1°C (30°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 10.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 4°C (39°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in February
February is the 11th-warmest month in New York City: days average 6°C (43°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -1°C (30°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 28 days. Compared with January (4°C (39°F)), February is warmer; by March highs climb to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 06:50
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:30
- Daylight
- About 10.6 hours
- Sea
- 4°C (39°F)
Winter (December–February). Festive December lights and ice rinks give way to cold, sometimes snowy January and February, the quietest and lowest-priced months.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in May). That makes February one of the better-value months to book.
Events in February
- New York Fashion Week (usually February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Gallery · Upper East Side
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Frank Lloyd Wright's white spiral on Fifth Avenue, opened in 1959, is a work of art in itself: a continuous ramp climbs around a central atrium to a skylight.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Market · Chelsea
Chelsea Market
Come for an early weekday lunch; at weekend lunchtimes the corridor is shoulder to shoulder.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Museum · Lower East Side
Tenement Museum
Guided tours through restored apartments on Orchard Street tell the stories of real immigrant families — Irish, German, Italian, Jewish, Chinese and Puerto Rican among them — who lived in these tenements from the 1860s into the late 20th century.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
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Park · Central Park
Central Park
Walk or cycle from Columbus Circle to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, then leave by the Met on Fifth Avenue.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Couples
What to pack
For highs near 6°C, lows near -1°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit New York City?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
New York City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit New York City?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and grey with the best chance of snow, but quiet museums and good hotel deals.
+How warm is New York City in February?
Average highs are around 6°C (43°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F).
+Does it rain a lot in New York City in February?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.