New York City is one of our favorite vacation destinations for plenty of reasons. Sports fans will appreciate the strong athletic history of the city, just as artsy folks will love the museum, theatre, and gallery scene. Those who crave adventure and excitement can opt for any number of cruises, tours, bike rides, excursions, and more. Of course, what you might do on your NYC vacation probably depends on the time of year, and the weather. New York weather can be unpredictable, but it’s also fairly consistent depending upon the time of year. There are advantages to traveling to NYC pretty much any time of year, but you may wish to carefully consider any potential drawbacks before making your travel plans. To make your vacation planning a little bit smoother, we’ve put together this all-weather guide to New York. You can’t predict the weather in NYC, but you can make a few plans to make sure that you’ll have a blast regardless of the temps.
New York Weather in Spring
Spring is one of the best times to visit NYC. The temperatures range from chilly to pleasant, and many of the outdoor attractions like cruises that have been closed from the previous winter will start to open up again. Some of our favorite things to do in New York during the spring include: riding a bike through Central Park, walking the High Line, exploring the burgeoning blossoms at the New York Botanical Garden, or simply enjoying a good lunch on a patio. Keep in mind that you will need to dress in layers, and be prepared for unexpected rain. You should have a light jacket and/or sweater, umbrella, and good shoes. Avoid sandals, as the spring rains could make the streets pretty dirty.
New York Weather in Summer
Summer is among the more popular times to visit New York, with many families taking advantage of the summer vacation to explore the Big Apple. The temperatures can get quite hot in NYC in the summer, so it’s important to prepare for a lot of direct sun. If you’re looking to stay cool in the summer in NYC, we like the idea of a cruise. The cool breezes will make the heat more bearable, and it’s a fun way to get unique vacation photos. Take a landmark cruise around Manhattan to see all the best sites, or hop aboard the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. If it should get too hot to be outdoors at all, cool off with a few hours wandering around the Met and scoping out their vast artistic and cultural collections.
Credit: Anthony Quintano (license)New York Weather in Autumn
Fall in New York is one of our favorite times. The leaves of Central Park are changing color, the air is crisp, and everything is celebrating the flavors of the season. And while many folks are back to work and school, it’s actually a top time for school trips and weekend getaways. See the fall foliage from above with a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. Or, if the weather isn’t too chilly, try a Central Park Tour to see the leaves up close. You could also enjoy a cruise or two before they close for the winter. Autumn also ushers in a bevy of new special exhibits at the city’s best museums, from the American Museum of Natural History to the MoMA.
Try ice skating in Central Park for a memorable winter New York City activity.New York Weather in Winter
Don’t be scared away from visiting NYC in the winter. It’s true that the air is cold, the snow can pile up (and often in very inconvenient places on the sidewalk), and certain attractions like cruises won’t be operating. At the same time, this is your opportunity to see the city with fewer crowds and more space to explore. Snap photos with your favorite celebs at Madame Tussauds, tour Madison Square Garden (or take in a Knicks game), or check out the Top of the Rock Observatory. If you’ll be visiting around the holidays, join up with this holiday market walking tour or try your hand at ice skating. Keep in mind that NYC is very busy during the December holidays, but it’s worth the congestion to see the gorgeous store windows and the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
Tips for Visiting New York in All Kinds of Weather
- Wear sunblock. Even if it’s winter, if you’re walking around at all you’re going to be exposed to sunlight and it’s important to protect your skin.
- Carry an umbrella at all times. A small collapsible one will save you when it starts to suddenly downpour in the summer or winter.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and avoid sandals. You’re going to be walking quite a bit, whether you’re strolling the sidewalks or poking around indoors at a museum, and you’ll need the support.
- Bring layers, even in warm weather. If you’re hot outside in the summer, you’re going to freeze inside in the air-conditioning.
- Plan back-up transit. If it does suddenly rain, get windy, or start snowing, walking may not be the best way to get between attractions. We like the hop-on-hop-off Big Bus tour for linking many attractions together.
- Check the weather on an app before your trip, and regularly during the trip. While East Coast weather is less fickle than in other places in the country, it can still be unpredictable. You’ll want to be sure to keep up on the most current forecast.
- Reserve some indoors activities for colder, rainy, or otherwise unfavorable days. Check out our recommendations for things to do when it rains in NYC.
- If you’re visiting in winter, we recommend waterproof boots. While it may not have snowed in a while, half-melted piles of slush can stick around for quite some time.
Save on New York Attractions Year-Round
Whenever you’re making your trip to NYC, be sure to bring a Go New York pass with you. Save up to 50% on admission to nearly 100 of the city’s best attractions. With something that’s just perfect for any time of year, we’re sure you’ll make the most of this money-saving pass.
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