If there are any questions that come up time and time again, “When to go to New York” has to be in the top five! Even though New York is located at the same latitude as Madrid, the climate is quite different from the Spanish capital.
When is the best time to discover New York?
There is really no better time to travel to New York. Since New York has four distinct seasons, the weather theme can be a key criterion in one’s choice. Winters can be very harsh and summers can be stifling.
Nevertheless, as there is always something new to do or discover in New York, each season has its own specific interest. Let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of these different times of the year.
In Winter
Winters are generally very cold. It is increasingly common for temperatures to drop to -30°C. Security agencies issue warnings to residents to stay at home on certain days when it is too cold or very snowy.
However, December remains one of the most expensive times to fly to New York. It is true that the celebration of Christmas is sumptuous, as you can see by admiring the windows of the department stores or by going to the Rockfeller Centre to contemplate the most famous Christmas tree in the country. The extreme cold is a greedy reason to warm up with a hot chocolate and a brownie.
In February, Valentine’s Day is celebrated with joy. The shops are once again very busy and the posh restaurants are all sold out.
In March, a long green procession takes over 44th Street and 5th Avenue. This is the famous Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which attracts over 250,000 people. To see the crazy Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade, sit in the grandstands between 62nd and 64th Streets, but be sure to make your reservation as early as possible, as seats are reserved, limited and highly sought after.
In Spring
Spring is a recommended time to discover New York. The temperature is mild until mid-April (15 to 20°C) and it is then a pleasure to stroll the streets of the city in your shirt sleeves. In the evenings, however, there is some risk of showers. In all the major city parks, the vegetation is green and flowery, especially in the alleys of Central Park.
In April, don’t miss the Easter Parade, a fun parade that many people enjoy for the original beauty of the hats. This is also the month of the Tribeca Film Festival.
June is the time to go to the first summer festivals and listen to the great free public concerts.
In Summer
Temperatures rise very quickly in NYC and by the beginning of July, it can be unbearably hot. In fact, spring, which is a very pleasant time, does not last very long. In August, it is usual for the authorities to alert the population to the risks of heat waves.
While summer is a month when it is too hot to enjoy New York, it is still the time when the general public can attend the most events. The 4th of July is the United States’ bank holidays. It commemorates the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776. On this day, there are fireworks displays all over the country. People take advantage of this holiday to have a barbecue, to go on a picnic in the parks, to go to the stadiums and watch baseball games…
In New York City in the summer, there are countless free festivals, concerts and street entertainment. Summer Stage, the Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks or the famous Shakespeare in the Park are among the most popular.
During the day, the sun is so strong that you will need to protect yourself with sunscreen and regularly wear sunglasses and a cap or hat
In Autumn
Autumn is an excellent time to discover the city. The temperatures and weather conditions are mild and pleasant. It is often referred to as New York’s Indian summer. In addition, air tickets from Paris to New York are very affordable and there are many special offers at low prices.
Most of the tourists have left, so the museums and historic sites are quieter. In the restaurants, you will feel the sudden, soothing tranquillity. But very soon the city is back to its intense atmosphere, because on the first Sunday in November the streets are given over to the most popular and famous race in the world, the New York Marathon. It’s a great way to see the city as the 42km race passes through each of New York’s five boroughs.
The big family event of the autumn is of course Halloween. In the United States, this is a very important holiday. Houses and gardens are specially decorated for this neighbourhood festival.
When going to New York is not an easy choice but a personal one
Any time of the year is a good time to visit New York. The choice you make about when to visit will tell you what kind of clothes you should pack. And if you like your first visit to New York, you can come back another time, and in another season, to get to know the city in all its aspects.
To help you find the right answer to your question about when to go to New York, here is a histogram with the rainfall in mm in blue and the average temperature curve, be careful, the latter can fluctuate from plus to minus 10°c around the curve 😉
