United States · Updated 2026
Best time to visit New York
Late April to early June and mid-September to early November
New York is a year-round city, but spring and autumn bring mild days, walkable weather and the best park scenery. Summer is hot, humid and sticky, though packed with free outdoor events, while January and February are cold and grey but offer the cheapest hotels of the year. The holiday season from late November to New Year is magical but crowded and expensive.
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Photo: Patrick Tomasso / Unsplash
Quick answers
- Best overall
- May, September and October
- Best weather
- Late September to mid-October
- Cheapest
- Early January to February
- Avoid
- Late July to August for oppressive humidity, and the week between Christmas and New Year for crowds and prices.
New York month by month
Average temperatures, rain, crowds and hotel prices. Hotel links open with dates in that month.
January
Mixed4° / -3°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- Low
Bitterly cold, sometimes snowy, and quiet after New Year. Best for budget travellers chasing museums, Broadway deals and restaurant bargains.
Events: NYC Winter Restaurant Week · Winter Jazzfest
Hotels in JanuaryFebruary
Mixed6° / -2°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Low
- Prices
- Low
Still cold and grey, with occasional snowstorms. Cheapest hotels of the year; ideal for indoor culture lovers and bargain hunters.
Events: Lunar New Year Parade in Chinatown · New York Fashion Week
Hotels in FebruaryMarch
Good10° / 2°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- Medium
Changeable weather, from late snow to first mild days. Spring break crowds build; good value for flexible, layered-up travellers.
Events: St. Patrick's Day Parade · Macy's Flower Show
Hotels in MarchApril
Great17° / 7°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- High
Blossoms everywhere and pleasant walking weather, though showers are common. Great for parks, neighbourhood strolls and first rooftop drinks.
Events: Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival · Sakura Matsuri at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Hotels in AprilMay
Ideal22° / 13°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Arguably the finest month: warm, green and lively without summer humidity. Suits everyone, especially first-timers who want to walk all day.
Events: Fleet Week · TD Five Boro Bike Tour
Hotels in MayJune
Great27° / 18°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Long, warm days and outdoor season in full swing, with humidity creeping in. Ideal for festivals, rooftops and evenings in the parks.
Events: Tribeca Festival · NYC Pride March
Hotels in JuneJuly
Good30° / 21°C
- Rain
- High
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- Medium
Hot, humid and prone to thunderstorms; the subway is a sauna. Suits heat-tolerant visitors who love free concerts and Shakespeare in the Park.
Events: Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks · Shakespeare in the Park
Hotels in JulyAugust
Good29° / 21°C
- Rain
- High
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- Medium
Sticky and sultry as many locals escape to the beach. Tourists fill Midtown; good for families on school holidays and tennis fans.
Events: Summer Streets · US Open Tennis Championships
Hotels in AugustSeptember
Ideal25° / 17°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- Medium
- Prices
- High
Warm, golden days as humidity fades and the city returns to energy. Excellent for all visitors, though UN week sends hotel prices soaring.
Events: US Open Tennis Championships · Feast of San Gennaro
Hotels in SeptemberOctober
Ideal19° / 11°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Crisp, sunny and colourful, with autumn leaves in Central Park. Perfect walking weather for couples, culture seekers and photographers.
Events: Village Halloween Parade · Open House New York
Hotels in OctoberNovember
Great13° / 6°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Cool and increasingly festive, with late foliage early in the month. Great for marathon fans and holiday-season kickoff seekers.
Events: TCS New York City Marathon · Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Hotels in NovemberDecember
Great7° / 1°C
- Rain
- Medium
- Crowds
- High
- Prices
- High
Cold but dazzling with lights, windows and ice rinks. Crowded and pricey, especially late in the month; ideal for holiday romantics.
Events: Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting · Times Square New Year's Eve Ball Drop
Hotels in December
Timing tips for New York
- Book hotels three to four months ahead for May, September to October and December; prices spike sharply during UN General Assembly week in late September and around Thanksgiving and New Year.
- Use January and February for value: hotels can be half their autumn rate, Restaurant Week offers prix-fixe deals and Broadway discount tickets are easier to get.
- In summer, plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings, retreat to air-conditioned museums in the afternoon, and carry an umbrella for sudden thunderstorms.
FAQ
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