Best Time To Visit New York - Travel Tips For Every Season

As a sophisticated metropolis, New York City naturally offers awesome sightseeing opportunities throughout the entire year. Here are some insights on the best time to visit New York.


New York City’s Magical Holiday Season In The Winter

New York City turns into an urban wonderland during the peak holiday season that roughly runs from Thanksgiving to the beginning of the new year. You can easily get into the holiday spirit in plenty of districts in Midtown Manhattan.

For example, the upscale shops on the iconic Fifth Avenue are decorated with stunning Christmas-themed accents during the holiday season. Jingles and other holiday-themed songs can also be heard from some of the outdoor speakers and other audio installations on this famous avenue.

If you’d like to celebrate the Christmas season with some premier entertainment, reserve tickets to iconic events at the historic Radio City Music Hall. The legendary Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes is one of the most popular shows in the Big Apple.

Located just around the corner from this performance venue, the Rockefeller Center offers plenty of other wonderful attractions during the winter season. The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is installed every year with a stunning array of lights and decorations.

Open to the public for a fee, the ice skating rink at the Rockefeller Center epitomizes the magic of winter in NYC. This popular ice skating is also just steps away from cafes and restaurants with casual or upscale menus. Here are some other exciting attractions at the Rockefeller Center:

  • Top of the Rock Observation Deck

  • The Channel Gardens

  • Flags at the Lower Plaza

  • Bronze statue of Prometheus

  • Man at the Crossroads fresco inside the lobby of 30 Rockefeller Center

When you visit New York City during certain times of the winter, you can find affordable hotel prices. After new year’s eve, lodging rates in Manhattan drop significantly. Therefore, the cheapest time to explore the Big Apple is usually in January and February.

With possible snow and freezing temperatures, you should explore some of New York City’s top indoor attractions on Museum Mile. You can comfortably admire artwork inside the cozy galleries of the Met, Guggenheim Museum, and several other popular museums in the posh Upper East Side.

Holiday Decorations In New York City

 

Pleasant New York City Weather In The Spring

As temperatures slowly rise in the spring season, hotel prices will also increase accordingly. You should visit NYC in March or April in order to find great lodging rates in the heart of Manhattan.

The spring season unofficially comes to an end in NYC on Memorial Day. Here are some popular destinations for celebrating the holiday weekend and the final weeks of the spring in NYC:

  • Coney Island in Brooklyn

  • The Rockaways in Queens

  • Jones Beach State Park in Nassau County

  • Long Beach in Nassau County

At this time of the year, the average temperature in the city is in the 60s and 70s on the Fahrenheit scale. The promenades along the Hudson River and East River are also ideal for enjoying such ideal weather.

You might even catch a refreshing breeze along the riverfront walkways in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Brooklyn Bridge Park and Battery Park also have plenty of open space for absorbing some sunshine in mild weather.

Spring Weather In New York - Best Time To Visit New York City

 

Visiting NYC In Summer

Summer is perhaps the best time to go to New York City. You can enjoy some of the city’s best offerings from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. The average temperature in the Big Apple may be in the high 80s and low 90s during the hottest months.

With plenty of daylight and warm weather, you can easily explore some of New York’s top attractions in outdoor settings. Expect to encounter huge summer crowds along the wide avenues that run through Times Square and other districts of Midtown Manhattan.

The summer crowds also like to take cruises on the Hudson River, East River, and New York Harbor. Fortunately, the skyscrapers in Manhattan might provide plenty of shade for pedestrians. Here are some popular NYC events that typically occur every summer:

  • National Puerto Rican Day Parade

  • Dominican Day Parade

  • Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks

  • NY Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks

  • Summer at Lincoln Center

  • US Open Tennis Championship

Visiting New York City In Summer - Hottest Season In New York

 

Fall Foliage And Scenic Settings In The Big Apple

Central Park is essentially a scenic sanctuary in the middle of Manhattan. This historic park offers some of the most beautiful scenery in NYC during the fall season. You can easily admire the breathtaking foliage and other natural landscapes in Central Park.

Miles of trails provide great opportunities for taking in the crisp air and picturesque views of this urban oasis. You’ll also find beautiful foliage at the Conservatory Garden on the north end of the park. Additionally, the iconic Strawberry Fields usually attract huge crowds during the fall.

Central Park Fall Foliage - Visiting New York City During The Fall Season

 

Take A Cruise On The Hudson River In Any Season

Regardless of the season, you can explore New York’s top attractions with ease. When you decide on the best time to visit NYC, you can book a private boat cruise with Monty’s Ark Adventures.

We cater to the LGBTQ+ community with great trips, food, and views. Visit NYC with a fun cruise in any season!

The Hudson River

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
3 to 6

Fishing Charter

The fish are biting and Monty's Ark Adventures can bring you to them. Come book a spot on our open boat fishing charter. Tickets are available and sold on a per person basis. Charters are available mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

Duration
Group Size
Up to 6

Manhattan Skyline Tour

Enjoy a view of the Manhattan Skyline that can only be experienced from the water. Tours will embark from and return to Pier 25 in Manhattan, the Town Dock in Port Washington, NY, Worlds Fair Marina in Queens, or Jersey City, NJ and are three to four hours in duration depending on embarkation point. Embarkation point is one per tour and on a first come basis. Cruisers can enjoy the sights on both sides of each river, the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers. Pricing is per charter with a maximum capacity of 6 passengers.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
Up to 6

Port Washington Dock and Dine

Enjoy a great meal at Louie's Shore Restaurant

This is a 1 and a 1/2 hour ride to Port Washington where you can enjoy a great meal at Louie's Shore Restaurant. Pricing reflects a maximum of 6 passengers. For smaller groups, call for a quote.

Departures are from Pier 25 in Manhattan and provide a scenic view of the skyline of Manhattan, New Jersey, Brooklyn, and Queens. See airliners landing and departing from LaGuardia. Cross under the Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges and into Long Island Sound. Pass City Island to Port and Stepping Stones Lighthouse to Starboard and onward to Manhassett Bay. Louie's dock is at the east end of the bay.

Roosevelt Island
Duration
4 hours
Group Size
Up to 6

Manhattan Skyline Tour

A four-hour circumnavigation of Manhattan

Enjoy a view of the Manhattan Skyline that can only be experienced from the water. Tours will embark from and return to Pier 25 in Manhattan, the Town Dock in Port Washington, NY, Worlds Fair Marina in Queens, or Jersey City, NJ and are three to four hours in duration depending on the embarkation point. The embarkation point is one per tour and on a first come basis. Cruisers can enjoy the sights on both sides of each river, the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers. Pricing is per charter with a maximum capacity of 6 passengers.

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
Up to 6

Plan Your Own Excursion

A half-day or full-day excursion tailored for you. Call for a quote!

Duration
4 hours
Group Size
Up to 6

Professional Development and Recognition

Employee team building and recognition. Call for Quote!

Monty's Ark Professional Development and Recognition cruises offer a unique opportunity for executives and managers to bring their team to a secluded environment to discuss and plan for ways to enhance team performance. Bonding with teammates outside of the workplace is a recognized way of successful professional development.

You can also reward team members by offering this unique opportunity for a day on the water.