Are you thinking about visiting New York City, New York? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is New York City worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for three to seven days. We first visited New York City in early childhood and then visited many times over the years. During our time here, we fell in love with its atmosphere as an international and diverse city with iconic buildings, beautiful parks, and award-winning restaurants. It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in U.S. News Worlds Best Places to Go in 2023. New York City is one of the most iconic cities in the United States. It is filled with its own energy and personality, and visitors will enjoy exploring the unique neighborhoods and seeing world-renowned landmarks. The city is divided into 5 boroughs, with most visitors spending the majority of their time in Manhattan. Manhattan has high skyscrapers, world class shopping, and countless entertainment options such that there's never a dull moment.
New York City
Reasons to Visit New York City
Museums
The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.
Theatre Productions
Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.
Food
The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.
Nightlife
Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.
Music
Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.
Shopping
The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.
Christmas Markets
There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.
Is New York City worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in New York City is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat. NYC is a popular destination in the summer, but it can be a bit hot and crowded.
The weather in New York City is fairly warm during summer, and stays around 25°C (77°F). But it can get as warm as 30°C (86°F) at times, too. It's also quite rainy during this season, so be prepared.
The activities of the city are numerous, and this is a great time of year to explore all of them. From family-friendly attractions to romantic getaways, as well as budget-friendly things to do, there's something for everyone. Famous landmarks, museums, tours, and more are all available. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, and the nightlife.
Summer Weather in New York City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| August | 24°C (76°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| September | 20°C (68°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
Is New York City worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 14°C (57°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in New York City, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll want to make sure you set aside some time to visit the Christmas markets during the holiday season! This is one of the main attractions this time of year. Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery, wander through the museums, and visit the Christmas markets. Also, you'll be able to enjoy the city's energy and listen to some live music.
Autumn Weather in New York City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 14°C (57°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| November | 8°C (47°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| December | 2°C (36°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
Is New York City worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the high season for travel in New York City, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat. Although it's cold, winter in NYC is beautiful and both Christmas and New Years Eve attract a crowd.
The weather in New York City can be quite cold during winter, and averages around -1°C (31°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to browse through museums, spend an evening at the theatre, and enjoy a meal at a restaurant. Also, you can experience the nightlife, the live music, and the big city activities.
Winter Weather in New York City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | -1°C (31°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| February | 1°C (33°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| March | 6°C (42°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
Is New York City worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in New York City. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 11°C (52°F).
During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the gorgeous scenery. Also, you can listen to some live music and dance the night away.
Spring Weather in New York City
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 11°C (52°F) | 98 mm (3.8 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| June | 22°C (72°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting New York City
Lots of Tourists
New York City sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, New York City might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for New York City here or see if New York City is expensive here.
Related
What is New York City most famous for?
New York City is most famous for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. People visit this impressive city for its great museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, and shopping. It is also known for its great christmas markets. It is often described as cosmopolitan, one-of-a-kind, vibrant, and energetic.
What is the most famous sight in New York City?
The most popular sight in New York City is The Statue of Liberty. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in New York City on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Statue of Liberty and other attractions here.
How touristy is New York City? Is it a popular city to visit?
New York City is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Central Park PAW Pedicab Tour: $120
- New York City Historic Walking Tour of Hamilton and Washington: $50
- NYC Central Park Pedicab Tours: $43
- Hidden NYC Foodie Tour: $99
- Flavors of NYC Chinatown Food and History Walking Tour with FNYT: $84
- Central Park Photography Tour with Local Photographer: $100
- Central Park Highlights Running Tour: $44
- Brooklyn NYC Food & Walking Tour with a 5th Generation New Yorker: $68
How long should I spend in New York City?
The ideal length of time for a trip to New York City is at least three or as many as seven days. Since New York City has a variety of activities such as nightlife, music, shopping, and museums, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in New York City?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in New York City?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in New York City?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.