Best Time to Visit New York, United States

When to go to New York

New York runs four real seasons. The two soft shoulders (late spring and early autumn) are the only times the city is genuinely comfortable to walk for hours. Summer is theater-AC weather. Winter is windbreaker weather. Plan for the shoulders if you can.

Seasonal overview

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Dry season

No real dry season

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Rainy season

Year-round, with summer thunderstorms

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Periods to avoid

January and February (bitter cold) and August (humid heat + crowds)

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Best month: May

Mid-May to mid-June, and late September to mid-October. Mild, alive, every patio open.

12-month overview

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Best weeks to visit New York

✨ May 15 to 28

✨ October 1 to 15

Tips for New York

NYE in Times Square is a tourist crush. Rooftop bars in Brooklyn beat it.
Macy's Thanksgiving balloons inflate the night before on the UWS, mostly empty.
August humidity often hits 80%. Plan museums, not park days.

Plan your trip to New York

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Best time to visit New York