Best Time of the Year to Travel to New York City

We would all agree that there is no bad time to visit New York: day, night, any time of the year. However, New York is a city that is characteristically very cold in the winter months and very warm in the summer. Therefore, a good time to enjoy it to the fullest are spring and autumn.

However, you also have to take into account other factors for your trip, such as price and tourist saturation. Here's what you need to know to make the best possible planning for your trip to New York.

Considering the weather and the hours of sunshine, the best time to visit New York is in spring and autumn, i.e. April, May, early June, September and October, when temperatures are moderate and the days are long enough to make the most of your visit.

However, there are other very special times to travel to New York. For example, if you go in December, despite the cold, you can enjoy the magic of Christmas, and if you go to New York in January, February and March you'll find some deals you won't see at other times of the year.

In the summer months, on the other hand, prices are higher and the city is very uncomfortable because it's overcrowded from a tourist's point of view. There are lots of queues and you won't be able to move around as much.

High and low season in New York

• The low season in New York is January, February and early March. During these months temperatures are very low (between -5 and 4°C), days are short, and there is virtually no tourism. In New York in February you will find that there are virtually no tourists.
• The high season in New York runs from late June to mid-September. During these months there is a lot of tourism and prices, both for flights and hotels, skyrocket.

The cheapest months to travel to New York are January, February and March as, although travelling to New York is always expensive, it is more feasible to find bargains on your trip at this time of year due to the extreme temperatures.

The cheapest months for shopping are May and October, as these are the months of the year when there are fewer tourists and prices are lower. If you're heading to New York at the end of October, be aware that Halloween may push up prices for that weekend.

If you're going to New York with kids, I highly recommend you to visit Manhattan at Christmas time. It's a unique time to visit this city, as Christmas in New York is in full swing. Besides, you can enjoy the skating rinks, the Christmas markets and see the lights and the best Christmas trees. It will be an unforgettable experience for the little ones at home!

Another great plan with kids in New York at this time of year (or any other) is to go to a Broadway musical, you'll have a great time in an unforgettable show.

If you're sure you want to enjoy and book a New York cruise, don't hesitate to go in April, May, September and October when temperatures are moderate.

If you're a photography lover looking for a dream photo album, don't hesitate to visit New York in April, May, September or October.

These are months when the city is not overcrowded with tourists and you'll be able to shoot your camera in comfort. Moreover, at this time of year there are still enough hours of sunshine to allow you to take more photos throughout the day.

Everyone agrees that the best time to travel to New York is in the spring and autumn months, especially from mid-September in New York and also in October, because the temperatures are more moderate, there aren't many tourists and the days are longer for the most comprehensive schedule possible.

If you want to travel and make the most of every day, I would definitely recommend going to New York in June. The opening hours of the attractions and museums have already been extended and the days are longer so you can make the most of your trip. Also, there won't be as much tourism as in the middle months of the year, so you'll be able to get around more quickly without being interrupted by crowds of tourists.

However, it all depends on your budget, what you want to see and your resistance to extreme temperatures. From my point of view, New York is a trip you shouldn't miss and the time of the year should not be a factor. It's an unforgettable trip!

Visiting New York in summer is not a good option, as it is very hot and humid. Plus, the city is very touristy and you can't see it as calmly as in other months of the year.

Even so, it has a number of advantages: the days are longer and the opening hours of the attractions are extended. In addition, there is a wide range of outdoor activities on offer.

Here is the post 10 things to do in summer in New York.

Advantages of visiting New York in summer

• Temperatures: Summer temperatures can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. As in the south of Spain, where temperatures are usually very high, there can be days that wake up with moderate temperatures and are ideal for walking and outdoor activities.
• Outdoor activities: At this time of year there is a wide range of outdoor activities on offer: street markets, concerts, shows and summer cinemas...
• The days are longer: During these days it gets dark at around 20:30 h. and, in addition, the attractions extend their opening hours, so you will be able to make the most of your days. Unlike in winter, when everything closes much earlier and you can't schedule as many activities in a single day.
• New York Beaches: I guess it's something you haven't thought about, the possibility of swimming at a New York beach. These days, people take the opportunity to visit Coney Island, City Island or Staten Island and take a dip to escape the heat.

Disadvantages of visiting New York in summer

• Heat: If you can't stand the heat, I recommend that you don't go in July and August as temperatures are high and the high humidity makes it feel more stifling.
• High prices: The prices of flights and hotels are the most expensive at this time of the year, along with Christmas.
• The city is crowded: While New Yorkers leave during these months of the year, tourists invade the city. It is more uncomfortable to see the attractions, as they are overcrowded, and it is common to have to wait in long lines to get in.

The best thing

The days are longer and there is a wide range of outdoor activities on offer.

The worst

It's very hot and humid in New York in July and August. Also, flights and hotels are more expensive than in other months of the year.

If you visit New York in winter, you should be aware that it's very cold. And when I say very cold, I mean very cold. So you'll need to be well prepared with warm clothes and shoes with thick, non-slip soles, as it can get icy at times.

Still, the advantage of going to New York in December is that you'll be able to enjoy the magic of Christmas. Also, if you go from the beginning of January to mid-March you can find deals that are not available in other months of the year.

Here is the post 10 things to do in winter in New York.

Advantages of visiting New York in winter

• Enjoy Christmas: Travelling to New York in December has its advantages, as you will be able to enjoy Christmas in the month of December. Enjoy the Christmas decorations in the shop windows of Fifth Avenue, Manhattan or the peculiar neighbourhood of Dyker Heights; visit Christmas markets such as Winter Village in Bryant Park or Grand Central Holiday Fair in Grand Central Terminal; ice skating at the Rockefeller or Bryant Park rink; or see the Christmas trees in Rockefeller Center, Madison Square Park are magical plans that you can only experience at this time of the year.
• Lower prices: Another advantage of travelling from the first week of January to mid-March is that from the end of the Christmas holidays until Easter, prices for travel to New York drop considerably, as do hotel stays.
• Affordable shows: In winter, not only will travel be cheaper, but also tickets to shows and restaurant menus are cheaper.
• The beauty of snowy New York: In January you can also see the city in snow: its parks, skyscrapers... and I can assure you that it has a special charm.
• Comfort: One of the most important factors to take into account when going to New York in winter is that you will have the opportunity to see the city comfortably. New York is a city with a lot of tourism and only at this time of the year you will have the city to yourself and you will be able to enjoy all the attractions without any inconvenience.

Disadvantages of visiting New York in winter

• Low temperatures: The biggest drawback of visiting New York in January and February is the freezing temperatures, which can reach three to four degrees below zero, as well as the humidity, which makes it feel even colder.
• Shorter days: Around 4.30pm and 5.30pm it starts to get dark in winter, and you don't have the chance to make as much use of the days as you would on a trip at other times of the year, as some attractions close an hour or even two hours earlier than usual.
• More expensive prices: If you go in December around Christmas time, prices are higher and the crowds of tourists will not allow you to see the city comfortably. Even so, it's worth visiting at this time of year, as the city looks like something out of a fairytale.

Recommendations if you visit New York in winter

• Bundle up: If you're going to New York at this time of year, I recommend that you take warm, insulating clothing, thick-soled, non-slip shoes and polar coats, along with hats, earmuffs, gloves and any other winter accessories that come to mind.
• Plan your visit well: Another tip to keep in mind if you're travelling during these months is to combine outdoor activities with a visit to the museums where you can warm up. The MoMa, the Natural History Museum, the Wax Museum, the options are numerous.

The best thing

Enjoying the magic of Christmas and the cheap prices you can find between January and the beginning of March.

Worst

The cold temperatures.

If you choose spring to visit New York you won't regret it. It's a wonderful time of year as the temperatures are ideal for strolling and enjoying the city outdoors. Plus, the city has a special light.

Most importantly, it' s not crowded with tourists and you can see it comfortably and, finally, during these months of the year, the outdoor season begins. You'll love discovering New York's best parks with their wildlife at its best.

Advantages of visiting New York in spring

• Weather: The biggest advantage of visiting New York at this time of year is undoubtedly the weather. In June temperatures can reach up to 20 degrees Celsius and in April in New York (and also part of May) it will be between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius, so you'll need warm clothes, but you can comfortably enjoy the outdoor activities and attractions which are plentiful.
• Longer days: Days are longer, due to the time change in the first week of March. Specifically, in this month it starts to get dark at 19:00 h. and, since May in New York, it gets dark around 20:00 h. By extension, the opening hours of museums and tours begin to extend, so you'll be able to make the most of your days.
• The essence of spring: From the beginning of March in New York and the beginning of April, with the arrival of spring, flowers start to bloom and the city's parks take on a special colour and aroma. I recommend that if you go during these months of the year, take a long walk through Central Park, Bryant Park... and enter all the parks and gardens that you find on your way.
• Season of outdoor activities: In the spring, outdoor activities such as concerts, cinemas and street markets that are suspended in the winter months start up.
• Enjoy the city by bike: You'll be able to enjoy the city by bike, something you can't miss if you go at this time of year.

Disadvantages of visiting New York in the spring

• Rainfall: April and May see the most rainfall. So bring an umbrella, a mackintosh and good shoes if you're travelling during these months.
• Low temperatures: If you go between March and May, you'll need to bundle up because temperatures are still very low. Even so, you'll still be able to walk comfortably in the open air.

The best thing...

The temperatures aren't as cold, the days are longer and outdoor activities such as markets and concerts begin.

The worst...

You may be surprised by rain on your outdoor visits.

The autumn months are also a great time to visit New York, especially in September and October when temperatures are moderate and the crowded summer months are over.

In addition, in autumn there are key dates such as Halloween and Thanksgiving when you can enjoy a unique experience and, from late October-November, it smells like Christmas. The ice skating rinks open and the season of markets, so typical of this time of the year, begins.

Here is the post 10 things to do in autumn in New York.

Advantages of visiting New York in autumn

• Moderate temperatures: September is an ideal month to travel to New York in terms of temperature, as temperatures are still warm and you can comfortably enjoy the city outdoors. In October it will start to cool down, but both October and November in New York will be warm enough and you can still take advantage of the outdoor activities.
• The arrival of autumn: As in spring, the parks in autumn have a special colour from mid-October onwards. If you have the chance to go at this time of year, take as much of a stroll around these enclaves as you can.
• Halloween: Yes, haven't you thought about it? If you go at the end of October you will be able to enjoy Halloween, the pumpkin and skeleton decorations that we have seen so many times on television and that we are gradually adopting in Europe. Believe me! It has nothing to do with it. It's worth enjoying this holiday in New York.
• Thanksgiving: Right at the end of November you can enjoy this date marked in the American calendar and that means the starting signal for Christmas.
• Skating rinks: The skating rinks are open from mid-October, so if you're there in mid-October you can enjoy some ice racing.

Disadvantages of visiting New York in autumn

• Temperatures: If you choose to visit New York in September, you'll be able to enjoy an ideal temperature for your trip, but in November the thermometer is already below freezing and you'll need to be prepared for the cold.
• Shorter days: In November, the time changes, it gets dark from 4.30pm and attractions have shorter opening hours.

The best thing...

The preamble to Christmas with the opening of the ice rinks or key dates such as Halloween or Thanksgiving.

Worst...

The days are shorter and temperatures are very low from the end of October onwards.

Finally, here's a summary of the pros and cons of each season in New York. Whenever it is, the city that never sleeps awaits you!