What Is the Best Time to Travel to New York City?
The best time to visit New York City is in the spring or fall. The busiest times to visit are the summer and around the holidays.
Written by David Ghanizadeh-Khoob
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
While
New York City
’s main attractions are popular year-round, each season has its own unique draws. The most popular time to visit the city is the summer and around the holidays, but the best times to visit for weather are the spring and fall. The Big Apple is the most visited destination in America, and it's no wonder why. America’s most iconic city is lively and lovely all year, no matter the weather. You’ll have no problem filling your time, whether you are hoping to go to the major attractions like Times Square or Central Park, museum-hop from MOMA to The Met, or try out amazing international food.
To help you narrow down when you should book your tickets and hotels, the
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The best times of year to travel to New York City
There really is no bad time to visit New York City. The “city that never sleeps” has events year-round, particular draws for each season, and a nightlife that doesn’t stop just because it’s the “off-season”.
That said, the most pleasant times of year to visit are the spring and fall, particularly May-June and September-October. During these “shoulder seasons,” the weather is the most stable and pleasant, events are plentiful, and you’ll miss a lot of the lines and crowds that you see during the summer and holiday seasons.
Peak season: July to August and mid-November to December
The good: Lots of outdoor events in the summer, one-of-a-kind festivities over the holiday season
The bad: Hot weather, long lines, huge crowds, full subway cars
The weather: Summer: high 60s to low 80s; Holiday season: low 30s to mid-40s
There are really five seasons in New York City—with the holidays drawing so many visitors, the period from Thanksgiving to the New Year ought to be considered a season of its own.
The holidays bring endless festivities and events to the Big Apple, starting with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and culminating with the iconic
Times Square New Year’s Eve
celebration. Even if you miss these big-ticket events, the lights, decoration, and general ambiance of the city is a spectacle in itself.
The summer, of course, brings high temperatures and sweltering humidity but also tons of outdoor events, like the
Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival
and New York International Fringe Festival
. The heat also tends to push locals out of the city on weekends, which means lines are a bit less busy than around the holidays. Fewer people also means you can take advantage of deals offered as business slows, like cheaper
Broadway tickets
over Fourth of July weekend.Pro Tip Book your flights and accommodations as far in advance as possible as things book up quickly during the busy seasons.
Off-season: January to March
The good: Plenty of events with lower prices
The bad: Cold and snowy weather
The weather: Mid-20s to low 40s
If you’re looking to beat the crowds and travel on a budget, then visiting NYC during the winter might be the move for you.
Most activities tend to move indoors during the winter, but if you want to get outside, there is plenty of opportunity to skate in the parks around the city at places like
Rockefeller Center
and Wollman Rink
.If you are more keen to stay inside, then winter is an ideal season to visit the Big Apple.
Restaurant Week
provides discounted meals, Broadway Week
offers 2-for-1 tickets, and the iconic NYC museums have far smaller queues. February also marks the Lunar New Year
celebration, with a parade and tons of events throughout the city.Music lovers won’t want to miss the
Winter Jazzfest
, which draws over 500 musicians over 10 days of sweet, sweet jazz. Shoulder season: April to June; September to mid-November
The good: Great weather, plenty of activities, less busy than the peak seasons
The bad: More expensive than visiting in the winter
The weather: Low 40s to mid-70s
Listed here as the shoulder season because it is less busy, but the spring and fall are actually the best times of year to visit NYC. Visiting during these seasons gets you the draws of summer (i.e. outdoor activities and events) with better weather and fewer crowds.
There is so much to do during these seasons. In addition to the normal attractions and businesses that are open year round, you get the most pleasant conditions to enjoy NYC’s parks and a whole host of unique events.
Do you love theater? There's another
Broadway Week
in September, the New York Film Festival
in the fall, and the Tribeca Film Festival
in the spring. Want to appreciate art and architecture? May hosts the
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit
and in October you can gawk at one-of-a-kind architecture during Open House New York
. Looking for food events? Catch the
Ninth Ave International Food Festival
in May or the Feast of San Gennaro
in September.Finally, Halloween in NYC is a smashingly good time. Put on your gloves and scarf and get ready for
events
like a spooky bar crawl, costume party, or haunted cruise. The cheapest time to travel to New York City
If you are looking for the absolute cheapest time to visit New York City, then you’ll want to visit in January or February. The cold weather tends to scare off a lot of tourists, so flights and accommodations are at the cheapest.
As a result of the slow season, you also get discounts for events like Broadway Week and Restaurant Week to help you save more money.
Compared to most other destinations, staying in New York City is expensive year-round. Fortunately, a lot of the major attractions are free to see. There are also plenty of
museums and activities
that have free or cheap exhibits, like the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Public Library. Pro Tip If you want the NYC experience on a budget, check out the thrift shops on the Lower East Side instead of shopping in Soho, and go skating at free rinks likeBryant Parkinstead of the more touristyRockefeller Center.
Find the best month for your visit to New York CIty
Check out the table below to help you narrow down the right month for your trip to the Big Apple based on activities of interest.
Activity | Best month to visit | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Live Music | Summer | Outdoor festivals like Opera in the Park, Out of Doors Festival, and Electric Zoo Festival |
Theater | September | Broadway season, Broadway Week, and the New York Film Festival |
Food | August | Restaurant Week, less competition for reservations, Coney Island |
Visual Art | May | Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit and pleasant weather to explore exhibits |
Outdoor Recreation | June | Best weather for walking, biking, and park recreation |
Skating | January/February | Lots of open rinks with the smallest crowds |
Family Fun | Summer | Schools are out, lots of activities, nice weather |
Architecture Tours | October | Open House New York provides in-depth looks at the city’s iconic buildings |
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FAQs
What is the worst time to travel to New York City?
The best and worst time to visit New York will depend entirely on personal preference. A lot of people will say the height of summer is the worst time to visit because the heat and humidity can be unbearable.
How much time do I need for a trip to NYC?
You’ll need at least five days if you want a full look at NYC (especially if you’re going to travel beyond Manhattan), though a weekend trip may be enough if you only have a few things on the agenda.
