Best Times to Visit New York City

The best time to visit New York is anytime. Each season in the Big Apple gives visitors good excuses to come. Early fall offers crisp breezes, bright sun and comfortable temperatures while late fall and winter make merry with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday decorations. Deep winter -- January and February -- is cold, but you might find some hotel deals. Spring is glorious, and New Yorkers celebrate the thaw by taking to the streets, shopping at outdoor markets, frolicking in Central Park and dining outside. Summer is hot, but hey, so are lots of places, and at least this is New York.

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September-November	If we had to pick our favorite time in New York, it'd probably be early fall. High average temperatures in the 60s and 70s make visiting a joy -- just keep in mind the hotel rates aren't that happy. If you book your vacation in November, making a wide berth around the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, you could pounce on some sweet hotel deals. But November also brings lower temperatures -- bring a coat. Key Events: New York Film Festival (September) Haunted Halloween Carnival (Brooklyn–October) ING New York City Marathon (November) Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (November) Lighting at Rockefeller Center (November)
December-February	From Rockefeller Center's massive tree to the dressed-up windows along Fifth Avenue, there's nothing quite like Christmas in New York. The hotel prices are pretty awe-inspiring too, and by that, we mean they're skyscraper high. Skip the holidays, and visit in late January and February: You'll have to endure temperatures in the 20s and 30s, but you're sure to save on a hotel. Key Events: Times Square New Years Eve (December) Chinese New Year (February) Westminster Kennel Club Show (February)
March-May	Spring ushers in warmer weather -- high average temperatures range from the upper 40s in March to the upper 60s in May. This is another beautiful time in New York, but make sure to pack some rain boots and an umbrella. Showers are very common. Key Events: St. Patrick's Day Parade (March) Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus (March) Easter Parade (April) Burt's Bees Earth Day (April) Ninth Avenue International Food Festival (May) Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit (May)
June-August	The hottest season in New York, summertime is also a hugely popular time to visit, especially among families whose kids are out of school. Hotel prices remain pretty steady, but the humidity gets heavier and heavier. Wear some cool clothes for sticky days that skim 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Key Events: Belmont Stakes (June) Lesbian & Gay Pride March (June) Shakespeare in the Park (June) Metropolitan Opera in the Parks (June–July) July Fourth (July) Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors (August) New York International Fringe Festival (August)