Month guide · New York City · United States
New York City in May
What May is really like in New York City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fcb981 ; Eric Baetscher (attribution required), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit New York City. Expect average highs of 22°C (72°F), lows of 13°C (55°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 14.4 hours of daylight. Warm and green — one of the best months for walking, rooftop bars and outdoor dining.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 22°C (72°F) / 13°C (55°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Sea temperature
- 12°C (54°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in New York City: days average 22°C (72°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 13°C (55°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with April (17°C (63°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:39
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:06
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Sea
- 12°C (54°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, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
- Five Boro Bike Tour (usually early May)
- Fleet Week (usually the week before Memorial Day, late May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, 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 22°C, lows near 13°C and 11 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit New York City?
One of the best months to visit New York City, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are April, June and September–October. Compare every month.
New York City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit New York City?
It is one of the best months to visit New York City. Warm and green — one of the best months for walking, rooftop bars and outdoor dining.
+How warm is New York City in May?
Average highs are around 22°C (72°F) and lows around 13°C (55°F).
+Does it rain a lot in New York City in May?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.