Best time to visit New York City

By Andrew Martineau

New York City is a fun and exciting place to visit any time of year. This sprawling city of more than eight million residents offers world-class shopping, sporting events, restaurants, and museums. It's also home to some of the most iconic American landmarks and attractions including the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

However, some seasons in New York are better suited to different interests than others. Below are just a few suggestions on when you should visit based on what New York events and attractions you plan on experiencing during your visit.

The best time of year to visit New York City for sightseeing

New York weather can be fickle and sometimes make it difficult to navigate the city streets to see in the sights. That's why it's important to choose a seasonable time in order to make your sightseeing more enjoyable. The temperate New York weather in April, May, September, and October is perfect for walking tours of the city and taking in such sights as the 9/11 Tribute Museum, Top of the Rock, and the Empire State Building. Image of City, Urban, Building, Cityscape, Metropolis, High Rise, Outdoors, Person, Handbag, Downtown,

Best time to visit New York for foodies

Food festivals abound in New York City during the summer. The annual Taste of Times Square food festival takes over the theater district for a week every June. June also brings the annual Big Apple BBQ Block Party to the Madison Square neighborhood.

Early July brings French Restaurant Week to the city, and, at Coney Island, you can witness the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest on July 4th. In addition, farmers' markets set up all over the city from May through September.

Best time to visit New York for shopping

While there is really no bad time to visit New York City for shopping, some times of year are a little better than others. The holiday season, which begins in the city around the middle of November, brings a variety of gift items and seasonal merchandise.

After Thanksgiving, the department store windows add a festive air to Fifth Avenue, Third Avenue, and Herald Square. For bargain hunters, January and February is sale season in New York, with white sales and discounts on holiday merchandise.

Image of City, Person,

Best time to visit New York for shows

For ticket availability, visiting New York City in January/February or September/October is desirable. The city is less crowded during these times of the year and you're more likely to be able to get tickets to top shows. For ticket bargains, check out Broadway week, held in both January and September. You can get 2-for-1 tickets to more than 20 shows during these weeks.

Best time to visit New York City for museum hopping

While New York's hundreds of museums are fascinating to explore any time of year, they are less crowded during winter, when there are fewer tourists and locals are more inclined to stay home where it's warm. Escape the winter weather by spending a day at The Met - you still won't see all this wonderful and extensive museum has to offer.

Or, museum hop along Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, with stops at the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, and The Frick Collection.

Image of City, Office Building, Urban, Car, Vehicle, Person, Metropolis, Road, Walking,

About the pass

One of the best ways to get the most out of your trip to New York City is to purchase a pass for New York by Go City that allows you to experience a variety of attractions for a single price. We make it easy. You choose the pass that best matches your interests, load it to your mobile device or print a hard copy at home and show it for admission to more than 90 NYC attractions. Plus, you'll avoid waiting in line at the ticket counters. Get your pass for New York today and start making huge savings on sightseeing.

Andrew Martineau
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Blog

Best Art Galleries in New York 

Ranking right alongside San Francisco and Los Angeles, New York is recognized as one of the leading art capitals of the United States. For many years, curious travellers have flocked to the city to visit the renowned cultural amenities housing some of the country’s most significant and expansive art collections. Whether you’re looking to view contemporary masterpieces in beautiful spaces or quirky smaller repositories, we’ve got you covered with the best that the area has to offer. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Big Apple, have a read through our list of some of the top art galleries to check out whilst you’re there! We promise you won’t leave disappointed. See the Classics We couldn’t write an article about the best art museums in New York without mentioning the Guggenheim. Almost as famous for its structure as it is for its collection, the bold swirling building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1959 and stands as an emblematic city landmark. Upon entrance, visitors can enjoy special exhibits of impressionist, post-impressionist, modern and contemporary pieces by artists from across the globe. Presenting world-class artworks in a beautiful space, this internationally renowned institution provides a profound cultural experience for you and your loved ones. If modern art just isn’t your thing, then head over to the Cloisters to take a fascinating trip back in time. Part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, this highly-revered a long-established institute seeks to display European medieval art and architecture in all its glory. Visitors can view beautiful carvings, awe-inspiring stained-glass windows, and intricate tapestries, all housed inside a medieval-inspired space overlooking the Hudson River. Come for the magnificent artworks and leave with a deeper sense of how the world around you came to be. Another one of our favorite art galleries in the city is El Museo del Barrio. Since its founding in 1969 in a public-school classroom in Spanish Harlem, the museum has grown to become one of the leading Latin Cultural Institutions of the United States. Standing out among other elite establishments in the city, the museum specializes in Latin American, Caribbean and Puerto Rican art. There’s no doubt you’ll be wowed by the institute’s impressive permanent collection, which features over 10, 000 paintings, sculptures and photographs and more. Through interpreting works across different cultures, the museum provides a unique educational and visual experience for those of all ages. Get Cultured New York owes its development and celebrated heritage to generations of influential creatives and distinctive social facets, all of which are displayed in the city’s top galleries. Combining art with culture, the Africa Center documents the contemporary African experience through a range of outstanding exhibitions, events and lectures. Upon entrance, visitors can view evocative paintings, and exhibitions on fashion, furniture, ceramics, and more. What we love most about this place is that it’s virtually impossible to leave without having learned something new. One of the coolest things about New York is that it presents such a fantastic array of things to see, no matter where your interests may lie. Situated on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the American Folk Art Museum seeks to preserve, present and interpret the artworks of contemporary self-taught artists from America and abroad. Walking around the institution, visitors can view a first-class collection of over 8,000 objects spanning over 300 years. It’s undoubtedly one of the more unique and interesting experiences that the city has to offer. The Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art is one of the top places to visit in New York for creative types. Situated in Downtown Manhattan, the institute is dedicated to collecting, preserving and spotlighting art concerning LGBTQ+ themes, issues and people. Standing as the only museum of its kind in the world, the museum displays an outstanding collection of 22, 000 works. However, the establishment’s main draw is its fantastic permanent collection, featuring works by David Hockney, Andy Warhol and Berenice Abbott. The perfect way to spend a quiet afternoon, the repository delivers a unique visual experience like no other. Try Something New Whilst many of the city’s top museums focus on still pieces, the Museum of the Moving Image explores the art, history, technique and technology of digital media in all its facets. A total cinephile's dream, the institute presents a wide range of topics, from every stage of the development, promotion, and showing of moving images. Through interactive exhibitions, animation workstations, and a full schedule of screenings, visitors can learn more about the transformative impact of image and sound technologies on our lives. Featuring a broad collection of technical equipment, film prints, and costumes, this place will leave you mesmerized for hours. The city presents an impressive wealth of cultural institutions across all creative expressions. Since its founding in 1974, the International Center of Photography has become known as the world’s leading establishment for lovers of visual culture and captured light. Visitors are sure to be dazzled by the various styles of photography held at the museum, ranging from black and white pieces and vintage film stills to paparazzi snaps and social media uploads. In addition, the institute offers various classes and workshops for those who are interested in picking up a camera. As inspirational as it is fascinating, the institute provides a comprehensive look into the history and development of this particular artform. Those who are looking for something a little different might want to check out the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum. A constituent of the Upper East Side’s Museum Mile, the institute stands out as America’s only repository devoted solely to historic and contemporary design. The museum delivers a fun and fascinating experience with its extraordinary collection of over 210,000 design objects spanning over thirty centuries. With so much to see and learn, spending an entire day here certainly wouldn’t be out of the question. New York is well-recognized for its vibrant and inimitable creative scene. Whether you’re interested in viewing medieval carvings, contemporary sculpture, or vintage film stills, the city’s most revered cultural institutions and hidden gems should keep you busy for hours on end. Choose from a wide range of diverse spaces to maximize your sense of discovery and wonder. And now, you don’t have to miss a thing - to get the most out of your trip, try Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook.
Sarah Harris
How to get SNL tickets
Blog

How to Get Saturday Night Live Tickets

Since its premiere in 1975, Saturday Night Live has been one of the most popular comedy shows in the world. SNL fans shouldn't miss seeing a live taping - it's one of the top things to do in New York.
Casey Makovich
Blog

New York in February

Wondering what to do in New York this February? Don’t worry – we've got you covered with the most exciting events, activities and attractions to make memories that should last a lifetime. Whether you’re looking to see the sites, attend a film festival, or go ice skating right in the center of Central Park, there’s more than enough to keep you busy. If you’re planning to make the trip, have a look through our comprehensive guide of all that the city has to offer. Make the best out of your travel experience with our All-Inclusive pass and Explorer pass. With Go City, you can see more, for less. See the Sites Don’t let the cold weather keep you stuck inside! The city is home to some of the most revered cultural amenities in the world. Built into an authentic subway station that was shut down in 1936, the New York Transit Museum is the biggest repository in the United States dedicated to public transportation. A great stop for history buffs, the museum houses a unique collection of archival artefacts, old photographs and reading materials explaining how the city’s transit system has changed over the years. Fascinating and unique, the institute is a great educational experience for those of all ages. Why not warm up this wintertime by visiting some of the best museums that New York has to offer? Situated in Lower Manhattan, the Museum of Chinese in America seeks to present the living history, heritage, and diverse experiences of the city’s largest minority culture. Interesting yet not overwhelming, the museum houses a unique collection of ancient pottery, black and white photographs, and works by renowned fashion designers, all pertaining to Asian American history. Through immersive exhibitions, educational programs, and Chinatown walking tours, visitors can learn more about how Asian immigrants have contributed to the American narrative. One of the best things to do on a chilly New York afternoon is to go to visit a quintessential landmark up close. Situated in a district of the same name, the Flatiron Building is most certainly a sight to behold. Designed by Chicago architect Daniel Burnham and constructed in 1902, the building’s distinctive triangular shape originally served to allow it to properly fill the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway. Today, the dramatic structure stands as an iconic symbol of the city, drawing in millions of visitors each year. Get Cultured Since New York is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the United States, it's no surprise that the area presents many great festivals celebrating the area’s diversity in culture. A spectacular fiesta of fun and festivities, the Lunar New Year parade marches down Mott and Canal Street each year, eventually culminating at Sara D. Roosevelt Park. Lively and totally over-the-top, the event features stunning floats, traditional dancing, and delicious food. With its incredible atmosphere and so much to see, we couldn’t think of a better way to experience the city. If you’d like to experience the cultural prowess of New York City on your trip, we recommend looking into Off-Broadway Week. That’s right – in the wintertime, one of the city’s most famous creative amenities spreads its wings to offer theater fans something a little different. Running from the beginning of the month, visitors should be able to find a wide array of interesting performances taking place at intimate New York venues. From comedies and dramas to musicals and Cirque du Soleil performances, there’s a little something for everybody here. February is Black History Month, with many of the city’s best cultural institutes celebrating in style. Running for three weeks, the Lincoln Center hosts its New York African American Film Festival, recognizing the community’s finest creatives and resounding resilience through the arts. Showing a broad selection of classic fictional narratives, short films, and documentary pieces, there's more than enough to choose from. Those who are particularly interested in African American filmmaking can also attend workshops, public talks, and discussions with the filmmakers. Find Fun Activities Another one of our favorite things to do for the month of February in New York is attending Winter Jam NYC. Totally admission free and set against the urban wonderland that is Central Park, this annual snow sport extravaganza is the perfect family day out. As joyful as it is memorable, the extravagant pop-up includes ice-skating, sledging, snowboarding and more. In addition, eventgoers can enjoy live ice carving, a sculpture garden and bobsled and snowcat photo opportunities right in the city center. Hey, what’s not to love? New York is well-renowned for its delicious culinary offerings. To grab a slice of the action, check out New York Restaurant Week. Running from the start of the month, the event grants visitors with the opportunity to eat at favorite NYC restaurants at bargain prices. A total dream for any gastronome, the festival features a broad array of cuisines including French, Korean, Mexican and much, much more. Whether you’re looking to try out one of the city’s fine dining establishments or grab a bite at a unique Brooklyn bistro, you’ll be able to find some great deals. Amateur Night at the Apollo is the ultimate New York entertainment experience. Since its establishment in 1934, the classic talent competition has gained wide recognition for launching the careers of many world-renowned performers, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, and Machine Gun Kelly. Eclectic and serious in its intentions, the competition attracts performers from all around the globe working across a wide variety of art forms – meaning you never know what you might get. Here’s how it works: artists take to the stage and are subject to the harsh critique of the audience. If people applaud, they continue. However, if the public boos, they must leave the stage. Presenting an incredible atmosphere and a fun interactive experience, there’s no way you’ll want to miss out on this one! The air is brisk, the nights are long, and the crowds have thinned out – but that’s never stopped New York from having a good time. Sure, the colder months aren't exactly known for music festivals and hitting the shores, but February brings a whole host of interesting activities, exciting events, and world-class attractions for you and your loved ones. Whether you’re looking to see a play, taste some of the finest cuisine in the area or crush the cold at one of the city’s famous museums, New York offers so much to do well beyond the holiday season. Make the most out of your travel experience and create unforgettable memories with our All-inclusive pass and Explorer pass. To find out more, check us out on Instagram and Facebook.
Sarah Harris

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

Thick check Icon