Season guide · New York City · United States

New York City in winter

December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.

Updated 23 October 2026By the AMZBooking editorial team

Quick answer

Festive December lights and ice rinks give way to cold, sometimes snowy January and February, the quietest and lowest-priced months. Expect highs up to 7°C (45°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F), with about 32 rainy days across December–February.

Months: December–February
Temperatures: -3°C (27°F) to 7°C (45°F)
Rainy days in the season: About 32
Sea: 4°C (39°F) to 8°C (46°F)
Crowds: Moderate
Hotel prices: Average

Weather in winter

New York City in winter: month by month
Month	High	Low	Rainy days	Daylight	Crowds
January	4°C (39°F)	-3°C (27°F)	11	9.6 h	2/5
February	6°C (43°F)	-1°C (30°F)	10	10.6 h	2/5
December	7°C (45°F)	0°C (32°F)	11	9.3 h	5/5

Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 6°C (43°F) against a yearly 17°C (63°F), and 32 of the year's roughly 124 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.

What's on in winter

Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.

January: Winter Restaurant Week set-price menus (usually late January to February)
January: Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown and Flushing (late January or February)
February: New York Fashion Week (usually February)
December: Holiday markets in Bryant Park, Union Square and Columbus Circle (usually November to December)
December: New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square (31 December)

Good choices for winter

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 · Fort Tryon Park

The Met Cloisters

The Met's branch devoted to medieval Europe is built from parts of French and Spanish monasteries and set in Fort Tryon Park above the Hudson River.

Time needed: 2 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Art
History
Off the beaten path
Views

Museum · Lower East Side

Tenement Museum

Pair a morning tour with lunch at one of the Lower East Side's historic delis or appetizing shops nearby.

Time needed: 1.5 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

History
Off the beaten path
Rainy day

Museum · Upper East Side

Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection spans 5,000 years, from the Egyptian Temple of Dendur in its glass-walled hall to European paintings by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Van Gogh, arms and armour and the American Wing.

Time needed: 3–4 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

Iconic
Art
History
Rainy day

Historic site · Financial District

9/11 Memorial and Museum

Visit the free memorial pools first, then allow two hours for the museum, which is emotionally intense.

Time needed: 2–3 hours
Cost: Mid-priced

History
Iconic
Rainy day

Day trips in winter

Washington, D.C. (About 3 hours by train) — A long but doable day: the National Mall's monuments and the free Smithsonian museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, are within walking distance of Union Station.
The Hamptons (About 2 hours 30 minutes by train or coach) — The villages of Long Island's South Fork — Southampton, East Hampton and Montauk at the tip — have wide Atlantic beaches, farm stands and the Montauk Point Lighthouse.

What to pack

A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers
Shoes with good grip for icy pavements
A packable rain jacket for showers
Comfortable walking shoes

Other times of year

Questions travellers ask

+Is winter a good time to visit New York City?

It is a trade-off: Festive December lights and ice rinks give way to cold, sometimes snowy January and February, the quietest and lowest-priced months. The best months overall are April–June and September–October.

+What is the weather like in New York City in winter?

Highs of up to 7°C (45°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F), with about 32 rainy days over the season.