When to visit New York City without the crowds
New York City (New York, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, September and October: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January and February: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jan–Feb & Mar
When everyone heads home
The first week of January.
Tip
January to early March, hotels cost half and Broadway shows have seats.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 4 °C (40 °F)8 rainy days · ~17 cm of snow | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 6 °C (43 °F)9 rainy days · ~22 cm of snow | Presidents Day |
| March | 2/5 · calm | 10 °C (50 °F)9 rainy days · ~7 cm of snow | |
| April | 3/5 · moderate | 15 °C (60 °F)9 rainy days | |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 21 °C (69 °F)10 rainy days | Memorial Day |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 26 °C (79 °F)9 rainy days | Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 30 °C (85 °F)11 rainy days | Independence Day |
| August | 3/5 · moderate | 28 °C (82 °F)10 rainy days | |
| September | 2/5 · calm | 24 °C (76 °F)8 rainy days | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 19 °C (66 °F)7 rainy days | |
| November | 3/5 · moderate | 12 °C (54 °F)7 rainy days · ~1 cm of snow | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (late Nov), New York City Marathon (early Nov), Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 3/5 · moderate | 6 °C (43 °F)9 rainy days · ~11 cm of snow | Christmas & New Year's Eve in Times Square |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Snow (Jan–Feb): about 17–22 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 5 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 44 cm on Jan 23, 2016). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (National Park Service, Statue of Liberty, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit New York City without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually February (crowds 1/5). In February the average high is 6 °C (43 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, September and October.
When is New York City most crowded?
The busiest season is July. The first week of January.
What is the weather like in New York City?
Average highs range from 4 °C (40 °F) in January to 30 °C (85 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025). It rains most in July (about 11 days) and least in October (7). It snows most in February: about 22 cm in a typical month (estimated).
What should I know before going to New York City?
Snow (Jan–Feb): about 17–22 cm in a typical month; in 10 years there were 5 days with over 15 cm (the biggest, 44 cm on Jan 23, 2016). Estimated from Copernicus ERA5.
What festivals are there in New York City?
The main ones: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (late Nov) (November); New York City Marathon (early Nov) (November); Christmas & New Year's Eve in Times Square (December).
More places in New York
- The Hamptons & Montauk calm in January, February, March, April, May, October and December; busiest in July, August and September
- Lake Placid & Adirondacks calm in March, April, May, June, October, November and December; busiest in July and August