Month guide · New York City · United States
New York City in October
What October is really like in New York City: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Christopher Down, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit New York City. Expect average highs of 18°C (64°F), lows of 11°C (52°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Crisp, sunny days and autumn colour in Central Park, usually peaking late in the month or in early November.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 18°C (64°F) / 11°C (52°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea temperature
- 17°C (63°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in New York City: days average 18°C (64°F) against a yearly average high of 17°C (63°F), and nights fall to about 11°C (52°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with September (25°C (77°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 12°C (54°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:07
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:16
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea
- 17°C (63°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm September days, crisp October weather and autumn colour in Central Park, with high hotel prices around the UN General Assembly and Thanksgiving.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in May). Book accommodation early: October is one of the pricier months.
Events in October
- Open House New York weekend (usually mid-October)
- Village Halloween Parade on Sixth Avenue (31 October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
With frequent rain, 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 18°C, lows near 11°C and 10 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October 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. Compare every month.
New York City in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit New York City?
It is one of the best months to visit New York City. Crisp, sunny days and autumn colour in Central Park, usually peaking late in the month or in early November.
+How warm is New York City in October?
Average highs are around 18°C (64°F) and lows around 11°C (52°F).
+Does it rain a lot in New York City in October?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.