You have decided to visit New York and are you wondering what is the best time of year to see the city? Keep calm! New York is one of the few cities in the world that is always interesting and beautiful, at any time of the year. In fact, the influx of tourists is present at all times of the year.
However, there are better times than others to visit the city. These can vary based on various factors: rates, climate, tourist flow and personal tastes of the traveler.
When to visit New York: best time
Choosing when to visit New York will depend on many factors. For example, for many June and July are the best time to see New York, since the city in these months is full of free activities everywhere, but on the other hand, it is also a holiday period for many, and the prices of flights and housing will be expensive. In addition, in July the heat is quite strong.
On the other hand also the Natale a New York it is a wonderful time that allows you to immerse yourself in a fairytale atmosphere. For its part, autumn offers postcard views, with the colorful trees of Central Park and certainly there Halloween in New York, it will be one of the best experiences of your life.
To be honest, every time you visit New York you will be amazed, it is a city to live 365 days a year.
To decide when to visit New York you need to keep these factors in mind:
- what you want to see and visit
- when you can take a vacation
- how much can you spend.
The climate of New York
When traveling, one of the key factors is knowing the time your destination has on the dates of your visit so you can plan what clothes to pack. But then you will have to check the weather forecast a few days in advance to make an even more specific choice.
At New York conditions vary a lot between the different seasons of the year. The city has a humid continental climate and experiences all four seasons. Summer, from June to September, has hot and humid days.
In autumn, from September to December, the days are cooler. Spring and autumn are unpredictable and can range from cold to hot, although they are generally mild and with low humidity. In winter, from December to March, it is cold and on some days it can even snow.
However, as a rule in New York in the summer it is very hot and the winters are usually very very cold, but you cannot guess exactly what the weather will be like during your vacation.
The average temperature in New York ranges from 3 ° C in January to 29 ° C in July. However, temperatures in winter can drop as low as -18 ° C and in summer temperatures can go as low as 38 ° C or slightly higher.
The temperature in each season is quite variable and it is not unusual to have a sunny day of 16 ° C in January followed by a snowy day of -3 ° C.
New York may also be prone to snow storms and nor'easters (large storms similar to a tropical storm), which can discharge up to 60cm of snow in 24-48 hours. Although blizzards are a normal occurrence during the winter months, snow rarely blocks the city for more than a few days.
Tropical storms can also hit New York in the summer and early fall.
Just to get an idea, here are the average temperatures in New York:
- January - max 4 ° C, min -3 ° C, strong gusts of wind
- February - max 6 ° C, min -2 ° C, strong gusts of wind
- marzo - mass 11 ° C, min 2 ° c
- aprile – mass 18° C, min 7° C
- May - max 22 ° C, min 12 ° C
- June - max 26 ° C, min 18 ° C, usually raining
- July - max 29 ° C, min 20 ° C
- agosto - mass 29 ° C, min 20 ° C
- settembre - mass 25 ° C, min 16 ° C
- October - max 18 ° C, min 10 ° C
- November - mass 13 ° C, min 6 ° C
- December - max 7 ° C, min 0 ° C, strong gusts of wind
Keep in mind that in the United States, temperature is usually measured in degrees Fahrenheit.
What to pack
It is very important to choose well what to pack. If you are traveling on a low cost flight and you will travel only with hand luggage you have to decide well what to pack, because you have limited space.
If, on the other hand, you travel with the scheduled companies and it is also included in the checked baggage you can bring many more things and you can then decide in New York day by day what to put.
The climate as we have seen is very variable from day to day, but also during the same day. If you go out early in the morning and plan to spend a lot of time outside wear comfortable shoes, even using public transport always the walk can be quite relevant.
Another element to keep in mind is that the buildings are excessively acclimatized, while in winter they are too hot, in summer the air conditioning is set to maximum, which gives a very marked change with the outside temperature.
How to dress in winter
If you visit New York in winter, the temperatures should not be underestimated and you must wear warm and good clothes.
The area where you spend most of your time is on the island of Manhattan, which is located between the Hudson River and the East River, and where a strong and very cold wind blows. Perhaps this is why winter in New York is the most problematic time. In addition, in addition to the wind and low temperatures, it is very likely that there will also be snow during the trip.
To face the cold of winter in New York I recommend you dress in layers and add them according to the resistance you have. Wear a warm, waterproof, and possibly knee-length coat. It is important to protect yourself from wind, snow and rain. Regardless of the type of pant you wear, you will need thermal leggings to put underneath.
Of course, don't forget your hat, scarf, lined gloves, and headphones. For extra warmth, put thermal socks under your socks. And finally, lined and waterproof boots.
How to dress in New York in spring and fall
If you visit New York in the spring or fall know that the weather is quite unstable. So, it's a good idea to dress in layers and bring both light and warm clothes in your suitcase. A mix of short-sleeved and long-sleeved t-shirts must not be missing.
New York City is colder in late fall and early spring than many people realize. It's best to have a sweater or cardigan on hand to wear under your jacket and then a wind chill hat, light scarf, and gloves depending on how cold it will be. And don't forget to take an umbrella, it is quite likely that it will rain.
What to wear in the summer
Summers in New York are usually extremely hot and humid, so be prepared to pop into stores very often to enjoy the air conditioning. Wear comfortable clothes, made with light fabrics and above all take a change with you when you walk, because if the days are very hot you sweat a lot.
Don't forget, of course, water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
There are many free public pools in NYC, so pack your bathing suit just in case.
It is always advisable to bring a jacket or a large scarf, because the air conditioning in closed places is usually very high.
