Best Time to Visit New York City in 2023

This article serves as a guide for picking the best and, consequently, the worst times to visit New York City. We provide a month-by-month comparison as well as the cheapest and best weather times.

April through June and early November are the best months to visit New York City because of the great weather and reduced crowds. Depending on your planned activities and budget, the summer and the winter may also be good times to travel.

When is the Best Time to Visit New York City

The best times to visit New York City are from April to June and from early September to mid-November when the weather is pleasant and there aren’t as many other tourists around. For the best overall experience, visit in the summer or winter if you’re traveling with kids or on a budget.

While there are many things to do in New York City all year long, the time of year you choose to travel to the Big Apple will depend on your personal priorities and interests. Here’s my breakdown of the best times to visit New York City depending on your preferences:

When to Visit New York City for Good Weather

Although New York City’s weather can be erratic, September and May are typically pleasant and comfortable. Due to the mild weather, you can enjoy the vibrant foliage and lovely blooming trees and flowers in Central Park. See our guide to what to do in Central Park to plan your visit.

I’ve found that between September and May, you can mix indoor and outdoor activities to your heart’s content. In addition, you won’t have to deal with the city’s summertime humidity or the bitterly cold winters. No matter the season, there are always things to do in New York, which we’ll cover later in the article.

Cheapest Time of Year to Go to Nyc

The following is a summary of a longer post on visiting New York City at the most affordable times of the year, in which we also discuss when it is most affordable during the peak travel season.

The short answer, however, is that it is unquestionably the most affordable time to visit New York City from early January to early March.

The best deals and reductions on lodging, Broadway-style performances, and travel are available during this time.

Early November through the first week of December is the second cheapest timeframe.

Cheapest Hotel Prices

During this time of low tourism, average hotel rates—which typically hover around $300 per night—fall to about $190 per night citywide.

Based on comments from the members of our Facebook group, our post on where to stay in NYC offers reasonably priced options all over the city.

Additionally, although it isn’t apparent from the graph, it is also generally cheaper to travel to New York City between November 1 and early December.

Cheapest Flights to NYC

The best time to book a flight to New York City is typically from early January to early March.

In the height of the Christmas rush, the average 5-day round-trip, non-stop flight from London to NYC can cost as much as £1200, per Google Flights.

However, if you wait until after the holiday travel season, a round-trip flight from London will cost you on average more than 4 times less.

When to Visit New York City With Families and Kids

It’s a wonderful experience to explore New York with children and see the city in fresh ways. The best time to travel to New York City with family and children is during the summer months because of the warmer weather. Considered to be the city’s peak season, Memorial Day through Labor Day, it’s crucial to make advance plans.

If you intend to visit New York City during the summer, there are a number of family-friendly events. The Bronx Zoo, boat tours, playground exploration, music classes, and outdoor concerts are a few of the more well-liked things to do in the city parks. Other popular things to do are to go to The Bronx Zoo. Keep in mind that temperatures can rise to triple digits, plus humidity, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.) towards the end of the summer season in late August.

Summer weekends are prime time for exploring because many residents venture outside the city. The Christmas season is a wonderful alternative if traveling with your family during the summer is not possible.

When to Visit New York City to Avoid Crowds

It should come as no surprise that the less expensive months of January and February are also some of the least crowded when traveling to New York City. Contrary to the busy summer months, there are significantly fewer tourists in the winter thanks to the subfreezing temperatures.

Pack your warmest layers because low-thirties temperatures are to be expected, along with the possibility of snow and ice. Nothing is more enchanted than Central Park in the wintertime.

The shoulder season will also have lower hotel rates. Spend those savings on classic New York restaurants, ice skating in Central Park or Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Garden games, or other fun activities.

When to Visit New York City for Broadway Week

Twice a year, in September and January, there is a Broadway week. You can purchase theater tickets for matinee and evening performances to make the most of your visit, but keep in mind that the majority of theaters are closed on Mondays.

This is the ideal time to visit New York City and catch new shows and performances before tickets sell out since the Broadway and performing arts seasons typically begin in September. Find less expensive tickets in January by taking advantage of two-for-one offers. In addition, the drop in tourism has made it simpler to find tickets for well-liked New York performances.

When to Visit New York City for Restaurant Week

Restaurant week in either the winter (January) or summer (July) is a fantastic time to experience fine dining in NYC. A great way to experience new restaurants while saving money is to take advantage of the over 300 restaurants that offer deals for lunch and dinner, frequently including multiple courses.

You should plan your trip accordingly if you’re a foodie with a specific meal in mind because these deals are only available during the week. Considering how quickly these places fill up, be sure to make reservations in advance! The “week” now runs over a period of three weeks in There are many opportunities in January and February to eat delectable food and dessert.

When to Visit New York City for Sporting Events

New York is the best city to watch a game (or two) if you’re a sports fan. Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are just a few of New York’s many sporting venues. It’s worth going to a game even if you’re not a huge sports fan (like me); the local team spirit is contagious!

Baseball season (Go Yankees!) starts in To catch a home game at Yankee Stadium in the month of April, a springtime visit is ideal. Do you prefer basketball more? Attend Match Madness at Madison Square Garden to watch the NY Knicks and other teams. The NY Rangers ice hockey team, whose season starts in October, is also based at MSG.

Having a Giants’s hat on? To get to Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, board a train at Penn Station, which is close to the Empire State Building. In a technical sense, New York is not the home field. Of course, the US Open, held in Queens, New York, in August-September, will feature tennis stars at the net.

When to Visit New York City for the Holiday Season

In the weeks preceding Christmas, many people travel to New York City specifically to experience the holiday spirit. One of my favorite things to do in the middle of December is to stroll through midtown Manhattan at night to admire the extravagant Christmas decorations, seasonal windows, and light displays.

Holiday performances like the Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center and The Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall are perfect activities for anyone visiting NYC during the holidays!

Plan your visit for early January if you want to avoid the holiday rush and crowds. The majority of the holiday decorations will still be up, but travel is down in the weeks following New Year’s Eve and the busy holiday season. You can extend the holiday season a little bit longer because hotels will be less expensive and attractions will be less crowded.

When is the Off-season for Visiting NYC?

Given the gorgeous weather, long days, and abundance of outdoor events and concerts, May, June-July-August, and September-October are the most popular times to visit NYC. As a result, these months are typically considered to be high season.

High season also includes any holiday weekend, when domestic travelers can take trips to New York City and enjoy three-day weekends from work. The popular travel weekends MLK Day weekend, Presidents’ Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, July 4th weekend, Labor Day weekend, Veteran’s Day weekend, the second half of December leading up to Christmas week and New Year’s, and then New Year’s Day weekend are all included in this list.

With the exception of those holiday travel weekends mentioned above, January to April are when you’ll find the majority of off-season discounts! In the less busy travel months, you might find discounts on tours and other excursions. We discovered and demonstrated that the middle of the week is always the best time to find deals when we visited the nearby towns of Montauk and the Hamptons.

Most Expensive Time to Visit NYC

Christmas and New Year’s, along with the lovely and busy spring, summer, and early fall seasons, are the priciest times of year to visit NYC. It’s a fantastic time to visit NYC during the holidays since many Americans take time off from work, school, and university between Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Popular holiday weekends, as I mentioned above, are the other pricey times to visit. If a holiday falls on a Monday, for instance, hotels that offer three-day weekends may apply weekend rates to the Sunday night of the holiday weekend. The fact that Labor Day is always on a Monday means that hotels may charge a higher rate for all three nights of a holiday weekend, from Friday to Monday.

New York City Travel Seasons

Winter (December-March)

Although the winter is the least expensive season to visit New York, it is also the season with the most consistent cold. The average high is in the 30s, and Central Park occasionally receives a dusting of snow. Warm up with a hot chocolate, then visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see famous artwork and unique exhibits.

Even though the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marks the official beginning of the holiday season, things really pick up in the first few days of December. Here are some of my favorite winter events and activities you just can’t miss:

• Christmas Markets: There are a few different Christmas markets located throughout Manhattan, but Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, and Union Square host the largest ones. There are food and beverage booths to fuel your holiday shopping in addition to fun accessories, exquisite jewelry, and clothing.
• Holiday Events: The holiday season in New York City is unparalleled. Visit the enormous tree at Rockefeller Center, take in the light display in front of Saks Fifth Avenue, and purchase tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular if you really want to get into the holiday spirit. A fun night out can be had by all because these three attractions are close to one another.
• Broadway Week: Even though the Broadway season doesn’t really begin until September, the Broadway week in January is a great opportunity to save money on tickets and see several productions. Choose the performances you want to see during your trip from the 20 to 30 shows that typically offer discounted tickets.
• Chinese New Year: Every February, celebrations of the lunar new year take place in all five boroughs. The lunar new year parade in Manhattan’s Chinatown is a wonderful occasion that allows locals and guests to partake in the cultural celebration.

Spring (March-June)

My favorite season in New York is without a doubt the spring. After dark winter days, the city begins to come to life as trees and flowers bloom in the parks.

To fully enjoy the pleasant weather in the early spring, eat outside or stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge. By visiting before the peak season, you can avoid larger crowds at New York’s top attractions. Just remember to pack an umbrella because April is the wettest month in New York City! Below are some of the most notable springtime events in New York:

• March Madness: If you love basketball, this might be the most exciting time of the year for you. There are lots of sports bars throughout the city where you can watch with other fans if you can’t make it to Madison Square Garden for a game. Throughout the season, locals frequent many teams’ own specialized bars every week!
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade: The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which takes place on March 17 every year, is the oldest parade in existence for the occasion. Is it true that the first parade ever took place in New York City’s streets in 1762? The event is a staple of NYC and attracts a huge audience. Starting exactly at 11:00, the parade moves up 5th Avenue from 44th to 79th Street. Wear your green!
• Cherry Blossom Festival: Midway through March, the cherry blossoms in New York City begin to bloom, bringing in tourists from near and far. The west side of the Reservoir in Central Park and Roosevelt Island are my top picks for cherry blossom viewing. In late April to early May, the blossoms usually reach their height. A fantastic place to see trees and other springtime flowers and plants is the New York Botanical Garden (or Brooklyn Botanic Garden).
• Fleet Week: In New York City, Fleet Week in late May marks the unofficial start of the summer season. Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and US Navy personnel are honored during special events held throughout the five boroughs over the course of the seven-day celebration.

Summer (June-September)

There are many free events happening all over the city and outer boroughs, despite the fact that the summer can be expensive due to the peak travel season and summer crowds. Although the nights can get chilly, keep in mind that the average high temperatures can get as high as the mid-80s. The summer heat can be oppressive.

Due to school breaks and time off, early June to mid-August is when the city sees the most summer visitors. Here are some popular summer events to add to your New York City summer trip:

• Governors Ball: If you enjoy attending music festivals, Governors Ball in June has a great lineup of performers. This year, Citi Field in Queens will host the event.
• Shakespeare in the Park: Shakespeare in the Park, which takes place from July to September, is one of the most well-liked free events during the summer. Tickets are provided free of charge a few days before each performance at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, which is the venue for performances. Grab a bagel and an iced coffee, then head over to the box office to try your luck. Theater fans begin to queue up for tickets as early as 6:30 am.
• Pride: In NYC, June is celebrated as pride month, with the annual Pride Parade taking place on June 26. One of the most popular summertime events in support of the LGBTQIA+ community is the pride march, which was held for the first time in 1970.
• July 4th Fireworks: On the Fourth of July every year, Macy’s puts on an incredible fireworks display. The best vantage points are near the water or from a rooftop.

Fall (September-November)

The ideal season to visit New York City, in my opinion, is fall. The temperatures are more bearable, townhouse stoops are decked out in festive Halloween decorations, and the park foliage is unparalleled.

Even though there are many events for both locals and tourists after Labor Day, there are fewer crowds throughout the early fall. These are some of the most popular things to do and see during the fall:

• Feast of San Gennaro: Four days in September are dedicated to this yearly celebration in Little Italy. The winding streets are lined with food stalls, and there is a ton of free entertainment. Arrive early to avoid waiting in line.
• Halloween Parade: The annual Halloween Parade in the Village is one of this popular NYC neighborhood‘s best (and spookiest!) events of the year. The parade on October 31 will take place for the 49th time this year. Costumes are required for all participants, and the route ascends Sixth Avenue.
• New York City Marathon: In support of the annual marathon, the entire city turns out. There are over 60,000 runners from all over the world. All five boroughs are filled with runners racing, and the enthusiasm is contagious. I enjoy cheering on runners who need extra encouragement during their final push from mile 17 on the Upper East Side and mile 24 on Fifth Avenue.
• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: There is a reason why it has become customary. The parade route extends from Central Park West all the way down to Herald Square at 34th Street, with hundreds of balloons, floats, and performers. Arrive early to the line or watch TV.

Holiday (December)

Despite the crowds and potentially chilly temperatures, the holiday season is one of the busiest times of year for tourists in New York.

If you’re visiting NYC during the busy holiday season, be sure to take advantage of some of the holiday classics that adults and kids alike will delight in:

• Holiday Performances: Family outings with kids or a festive date night out are both ideal occasions for special performances to mark the holiday season. My favorite performances are the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes and The Nutcracker Ballet at Lincoln Center.
• Holiday Decorations: To celebrate the winter holidays, department stores and apartment buildings go all out with their holiday window displays. For the most lavish decorations, stroll down Fifth Avenue to Tiffany’s and Bergdorf Goodman.
• Ice skating: Renting skates at Bryant Park’s winter village is free. Skates are also available for rent at many outdoor locations around the city, including Wollman Rink and Rockefeller Center.
• New Year’s Eve: That’s right, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in New York is broadcast live from Times Square! To witness the ball drop and celebrate the start of a new year, people wait in line for hours. A prix-fixe dinner menu and festive drinks are available at many bars and restaurants.

New York City Weather and Climate

With a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, New York City’s weather and climate are very distinct during each of the four seasons. An average of 119 days of rain fall on New York City each year, and 25 inches of snow are typically covered by wintertime.

Summer weather is best described as “swampy”, with temperatures in the mid-70s to upper-90s plus extreme humidity and occasional thunderstorms. NYC is at its hottest during the months of July and August. Wintertime temperatures typically range from the low 20s to the 40s, with frequent windchill and ice. For this time of year, make sure to bring sturdy, warm boots!

Because the weather and temperatures will be most predictable and comfortable, spring and fall are the best times to visit NYC. Springtime highs typically range from the mid-40s to the low-70s (plus rain), and autumn lows typically fall between the low-50s and the mid-70s. No matter the season, it is imperative to pack layers when visiting New York City.

Tips for Visiting New York City

Make Restaurant Reservations in Advance

The busiest restaurants are always fully booked weeks in advance, no matter what time of year it is. Make reservations in advance if possible, or plan on finding a substitute restaurant in case the wait is too long. If you are traveling with children, this is especially crucial.

Dress in Layers for Comfort

Layer your clothing for maximum comfort because the weather can be erratic. The intense temperature changes during the early spring in New York have led to the urban legend that you can experience different seasons every day.

If there is a chance of rain, check the weather ahead of time and make sure to pack an umbrella so you are not caught unprepared. Depending on the season, I suggest bringing jeans, T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, a warmer layer (fleece or a similar item), and a coat or jacket. Additionally, you must wear comfortable shoes!

Plan Your Budget Early

Let’s face it: New York can be very expensive, especially if you’re unprepared. Create a budget before your trip so you can plan your activities accordingly. Booking far in advance can sometimes result in better deals and long-term savings.

Make separate budgets for eating out, entertainment, shopping, and any other trip-related expenses. If you don’t worry about spending too much money the entire time, you’ll be able to enjoy your trip more.

Prioritize Your Activities

In New York City, there are countless options for things to do throughout the year. Prioritize the activities on your itinerary that are most crucial to your trip. Recognize that you might not be able to complete everything on your list, but doing so will help you stay within your budget as well.

Familiarize Yourself With Public Transportation

If you’re traveling between locations, it might be tempting to call a rideshare or hail a taxi, but any New Yorker will tell you that the most efficient way to get around is by taking the subway. Furthermore, the cost of cars and cabs can rise rapidly.

Before your visit, familiarize yourself with the available options by downloading free transportation apps to aid in your planning. On a steamy summer day, there is no better time to appreciate the wind from an approaching subway train!

Conclusion

I sincerely hope that this guide will be useful to you as you plan your trip to New York City! You can’t go wrong with the timing of your visit because every season offers fresh, new activities and events.

FAQs About the Best Time to Visit New York City