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Weather in New York
The city that invented being a city
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About New York
New York defies compression. The skyline still stops you when you round a corner and there it is. Central Park is larger than Monaco. The food is every cuisine on earth done better than you expect. Broadway, MoMA, the High Line, Brooklyn — every neighbourhood is its own city.
Best months to visit
June, August, September
Things to do in New York
Central Park
Brooklyn Bridge
MoMA
Broadway show
Statue of Liberty
Food hall hopping
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
4C
Cold, with occasional showers.
February
5C
Cold, with some rainy days.
March
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
April
15C
Cool, with some rainy days.
May
21C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
Recommended
June
26C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
July
29C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
August
28C
Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.
Recommended
September
25C
Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.
October
19C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
November
12C
Cool, with occasional showers.
December
7C
Cold, with some rainy days.
New York City is the most cinematic place on earth and yet nothing prepares you for the actual scale and energy of it in person — the canyons of Midtown, the pulse of the subway system carrying eight million people in every direction, Central Park defying logic by existing at all, and a food culture that represents every cuisine on the planet within walking distance. It is simultaneously exhausting and thrilling, impossible and absolutely essential. You could spend a lifetime here and still find something new on every block.
Best areas to stay in New York
Manhattan Midtown
The iconic core of the city — Times Square, the Empire State Building, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, the High Line, and most of New York's major museums.
Brooklyn
New York's most vibrant outer borough — DUMBO's waterfront views, Williamsburg's craft beer bars, and the Brooklyn Museum offer a less tourist-saturated NYC experience.
Lower East Side & East Village
The most culturally dense neighbourhood in Manhattan — exceptional food, eclectic nightlife, street art, and the Tenement Museum telling the story of immigrant New York.
Harlem
The historic heart of African-American culture — world-class jazz venues, the Apollo Theater, and increasingly excellent restaurants and cafés in a neighbourhood undergoing vibrant renewal.
Getting to New York
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Flights
JFK, Newark (EWR), and LaGuardia (LGA) serve New York from the UK; British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American, and Delta operate direct daily services from London, with many UK regional airports also offering direct flights.
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From London
~7–8 hours direct from London
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Getting around
The NYC subway is cheap, 24-hour, and covers all five boroughs — buy an OMNY contactless card at any station. Yellow taxis are iconic; Uber and Lyft are widely used and often faster.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit New York?
April to June and September to November offer the most comfortable temperatures for sightseeing. Summer is hot and humid but buzzing with outdoor events; December has festive magic but cold temperatures and Christmas crowds.
Do I need an ESTA to visit New York?
UK citizens need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to visit the US, obtainable online at the official cbp.gov site for US$21. Apply at least 72 hours before travel and check the current validity requirements.
Which neighbourhoods are best to stay in?
Midtown Manhattan is most convenient for major sights; the Lower East Side and Brooklyn offer more authentic neighbourhood character; the Upper West Side is quieter and family-friendly. All Manhattan options involve walking everywhere.
What is the best view of the New York skyline?
The Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) gives the best 360° panorama including the Empire State Building; the Empire State Building offers the most iconic view; Dumbo in Brooklyn gives the classic bridge-and-Manhattan shot.
How do I get from JFK to Manhattan?
The AirTrain to Jamaica station and then LIRR or subway is cheapest (~£10). Uber/taxi costs £45–£70 in traffic. The NYC Airport Express bus to Grand Central is a reliable middle ground. Avoid unlicensed taxis.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
New York in October is electric — Central Park in full autumn colour, perfect temperatures for walking, and the city still buzzing. The food tour of the Lower East Side was one of the best things I've ever done on any trip anywhere.
Jessica P. · October 2024
★★★★☆
Christmas in New York is genuinely magical — skating at the Rockefeller Center rink, the shop windows on Fifth Avenue, and hot chestnuts from street carts. Expensive in December but the festive atmosphere is worth every extra dollar.
Marcus J. · December 2023
★★★★★
Spent a week in Brooklyn and barely crossed the bridge — Williamsburg, DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Museum kept us thoroughly entertained. The New York foodie scene is on a completely different level, particularly for breakfast.
Kate W. · May 2024
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