Month guide · New York City · United States
New York City in March
What March is really like in New York City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ingfbruno, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
March is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 10°C (50°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.8 hours of daylight. Changeable, with cold snaps and the first mild days; spring break brings more visitors late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 10°C (50°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Sea temperature
- 5°C (41°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in New York City: days average 10°C (50°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (6°C (43°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 17°C (63°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 07:08
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 19:03
- Daylight
- About 11.8 hours
- Sea
- 5°C (41°F)
Spring (March–May). Cold snaps give way to blossom in the parks and mild walking weather by May, with frequent showers and rising hotel prices.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 3 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in May). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in March
- St Patrick's Day Parade on Fifth Avenue (17 March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Landmark · Midtown
Empire State Building
Late-evening visits are often quieter than sunset and show the city lights at their best.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Architecture
- Kids
Viewpoint · Midtown
Top of the Rock
The observation decks at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza look south straight at the Empire State Building and north over the full length of Central Park — a view many prefer to the Empire State's own.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Couples
- After dark
- Iconic
Landmark · Lower Manhattan
Brooklyn Bridge
Take the subway to Brooklyn and walk back towards Manhattan, so the skyline is in front of you; go early to avoid the crowds.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Views
- Photo spot
- Active
Landmark · Midtown
Times Square
The junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue is lit around the clock by giant digital billboards, and its pedestrian plazas fill with crowds, costumed characters and street performers.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- After dark
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 10°C, lows near 2°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 March a good time to visit New York City?
A shoulder-season month, 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 March a good time to visit New York City?
It is a shoulder-season month. Changeable, with cold snaps and the first mild days; spring break brings more visitors late in the month.
+How warm is New York City in March?
Average highs are around 10°C (50°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in New York City in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.