Month guide · New York City · United States
New York City in January
What January is really like in New York City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Corey Seeman, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of -3°C (27°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. The coldest month, often below freezing at night with occasional snow; hotel prices are at their lowest after New Year.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / -3°C (27°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 5°C (41°F)
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in New York City: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about -3°C (27°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with December (7°C (45°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:18
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:52
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Sea
- 5°C (41°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, January rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in May). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
- Winter Restaurant Week set-price menus (usually late January to February)
- Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown and Flushing (late January or February)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Upper East Side
Metropolitan Museum of Art
A Met ticket also covers same-day entry to The Met Cloisters in upper Manhattan.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
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Historic site · Financial District
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Two square reflecting pools sit in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with the names of the 2,983 victims of the 2001 and 1993 attacks inscribed around them.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Gallery · Midtown
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Go straight to the fifth floor for the most famous paintings before the crowds, then work downwards.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Museum · Upper West Side
American Museum of Natural History
Dinosaur halls with a towering Barosaurus and T.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
- Iconic
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near -3°C and 11 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 January a good time to visit New York City?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events 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 January a good time to visit New York City?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. The coldest month, often below freezing at night with occasional snow; hotel prices are at their lowest after New Year.
+How warm is New York City in January?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F).
+Does it rain a lot in New York City in January?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.