There are a lot of great things about New York City, but one of the best things is that there’s always something to do. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s always a festival or event going on. But if you’re looking for the best time to visit New York City, we recommend late spring or early fall. Here’s why:
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Wintertime in the city is magical, with the Christmas lights and decorations up everywhere
Wintertime in the city is magical! You see it on the faces of children as they stroll in the winter wonderland, oohing and aahing at the colorful Christmas lights and decorations up everywhere.
In Rockefeller Center, excitement over their tree with the busy skating rink below is so intense, NYPD has to block traffic on 5th Avenue as crowds spill out. But that’s not a positive because how can you enjoy anything while in real danger of being trampled?
Even the winter snow that collects so quietly on rooftops and windowsills sparkles with a special kind of magic. Whether or not you are a winter person, it’s hard to deny that wintertime in the city really does bring out a special kind of cheer.
But winter doesn’t stop at just decorations – the winter sports scene is alive with excitement. Ice hockey leagues fill arenas despite sub-zero temperatures, figure skating clubs twirl around in unison on ice rinks full of laughter and holiday music.
And the shopping is packed with specials and bargains. Shoppers pass holiday displays as they head into Macy’s giant department store.
Wintertime isn’t complete without a sprinkle of cheer, and for New York, New Year’s swells with it. Times Square fill for blocks with mostly tourists and not always sober young adults, waiting in the cold for hours to watch the ball drop at midnight.
That’s more exciting on TV, though, if you can stand the flood of commercial breaks because nothing’s worse that eight hours made sorta safe by adult diapers.
Spring is a great time to visit as well when the weather is starting to warm up and the flowers are blooming
Whoever said spring is in the air has obviously never been to Central Park, where spring is very much down-to-earth — literally.
As soon as spring arrives, flower blossoms and herbs push through the soil, reaching for the sun with open petals and vibrant colors. The cooler spring mornings are often fresh and fragrant with the scents of blooming buds. The scene is repeated in all five boroughs.
But not only is spring a season of growth above-ground; in the spring rain, dormant life under the soil awakes to a new season.
It’s an amazing experience to see spring at its finest. Plants come alive, birds build nests with feathers painted in spring colors; it’s a sight that cannot be described in words alone.
For New York, late spring becomes the very best time because the tourist’s are not back yet but the weather is perfect. Sunny and mild, it wins hands down over the burdensome heat of summer.
Trees all around town fill out, and the genuine New York accent dominates. Until June, after Memorial Day, when the tourists come and New Yorkers, if they can, leave.
Summertime is also lovely, although it’ can be’s quite hot and humid
Summertime is the perfect time to get a little crazy and have some summer fun, if not for everyone. Yes, summerare hot and humid, but that’s all just part of the summer experience.
Whether you’re on vacation or at home, summer offers expanded opportunities for outdoor activities that can bring happiness and relaxation. From lying on a beach, swimming in a pool, relaxing in a hammock or heading out for an evening picnic, summertime is the best time for enjoying all the days that are longer and warmer than usual.
In the City, Shakespeare in the park is free if you can stand in line long enough. And the New York Philharmonic goes on a tour of City parks, also free.
Broadway is packed with shows as well as the tourists driving prices out of range for many. It maybe exciting, but it makes New York more like an amusement park than living city.
Because so many New Yorkers leave town for Long Island, the Catskills and Hudson River towns, the atmosphere is a lot less city life. But everyday life isn’t what most visitors come to town for, is it?
Fall is a wonderful time to visit New York City when the leaves are changing color and there’s a crispness in the air
Visiting New York City in the fall can be like stepping into the great metropolis in a way you never imagine; the leaves change from vibrant summer greens to golden yellows and reds, shading Central Park with fall’s warm hues.
Crowds thicken gradually as visitors lean in toward Thanksgiving and the season that follows. Meanwhile, fall’s crispness lingers in the air, kept cooler by a light breeze that keeps things just chilly enough for sweaters and warm drinks.
With fall comes smaller wait times for tourist attractions, such as the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock observation deck – perfect for capturing breathtaking views of fall foliage blanketed over parts of Manhattan.
And it’s easier to find deals for broadway shows, and thinner crowds make peace with Central Park. It’s a great time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and appreciate New York’s best views.
Of course, no fall visit would be complete without checking out iconic neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village or Brooklyn Heights while the sidewalks are clear enough for strolling with a friend.
Tourist thin after Labor Day and don’t fully return until Thanksgiveing approaches, making this the best time for dropping in on the Big Apple.
No matter what time of year you visit, New York City will always have something to offer!
New York City is never a dull place, no matter the time of year. From New Year’s Eve in Times Square to the Statue of Liberty Fourth of July celebrations and even a New York City winter wonderland, there’s always something exciting to see in the Big Apple.
During the summertime, visitors can take advantage of New York’s many outdoor attractions such as Central Park, enjoy Broadway shows or catch a baseball game with some tasty New York City hot dogs.
Come wintertime, New York City kicks it up a notch. Tourists and locals alike can dine at world-class restaurants and sample New York’s wide array of ethnic cuisine before taking in breathtaking displays of holiday lights around the city.
And even if everything has closed down due to inclement weather – which is rarer than you might think – New York offers indoor activities like art galleries and museums that can keep you occupied until spring rolls around again.
Whatever season you visit New York City, there are always chances for memories and experiences that will last you a lifetime!
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