If you want a totally unique take on visiting NYC, you should seriously consider planning your trip during the cold, harsh and snowy winter months. Things like crowds, itinerary planning, packing, travel expenses and of course weather conditions are completely different to visiting any other time of year. Don’t get us wrong there are some downsides, but we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many amazing benefits there are to being in the city in December, January or February.
In this guide we walk you through the 10 most important things to know about visiting New York City in winter, based on our extensive experiences.
Our Experience
What do we know about visiting NYC in those harsh winter months? Well, we lived there for 4 months between December 2020 and April 2021. So, quite a lot actually! Kristen’s a New York native and together we’ve been to the city more times than we can count. It’s one of our favorite places in the world and we’ve spent a lot of time there in every season, so we have the reference points.
There were a lot of truly fantastic pros to living in the city throughout the depths of winter. Mainly, it gave us a unique opportunity to explore attractions and neighborhoods around Manhattan and Brooklyn without the crowds. Sure, we’ll admit it was constantly cold. But we also got our bucket list Central Park snow day! Read more about us.
1. Weather
Weather conditions are likely you’re biggest concern when considering a trip to NYC in winter. And rightly so, we can tell you from experience that it is perpetually cold. January and February in particular are brutal, we didn’t take our heavy fur-lined coats off once in two months! Whereas December can see surprising temperature swings into the balmy low 60’s (just look at Christmas Day in 2020).
Average Temperatures
December:
- Low – 34F (1C)
- High – 45F (7C)
January:
- Low – 29F (-2C)
- High – 40F (4C)
February:
- Low – 30F (-1C)
- High – 42F (6C)
Source: Weather Spark
We spent months walking around New York with our cameras in sub-zero temperatures. There were some challenging sunrises, sunsets and night photo shoots for sure. But we want to reassure you these cold conditions are one of the only serious negative aspects to visiting in winter. If you don’t mind the cold or you prefer to wrap up in oversized hoodies and wooly hats, you’re going to love it.
Will It Snow?
We know what you’re thinking: it would be perfect if you timed your trip during a downpour of fresh crunchy snow. Well, we might have to burst your bubble. We had to wait a long time to get our dreamy snow day. It wasn’t until February 7th that we finally had one of those fairytale hallmark movie style snow dumps. Everyone in New York beelined for Central Park and we went Home Alone 2 movie scene hunting.
Each year snow will fall in NYC, that much is almost guaranteed. Occasionally November and March will get snowfall but it’s not worth planning a trip around. It’s important to know that some years can see far more or far less than average amounts of snow in New York through December, January and February.
Average snowfall volume:
- December – 4.4 inches
- January – 12.9 inches
- February – 11.8 inches
Average amount of snow days:
- December – 1.1 days
- January – 2.6 days
- February – 2.5 days
Days with over 1 inch of snow on the ground:
- December – 2.9 days
- January – 7.9 days
- February – 9.1 days
Source: Current Results
So why do you always seem to see NYC covered in snow? It’s because the temperatures often stay below zero after snowfall, which means ground snow tends to stick around. Now, ground snow means you get to see the city white over, but it’s not the same as experiencing actual snowfall. We recommend planning your trip for late January or early February if your main priority is a New York City winter snow day.
READ: Visiting New York City in April
2. Crowds
Take a look at this pdf showing that NYC is getting close to pre-covid annual visitor numbers, receiving 62.2 million tourists in 2023. Sounds like a lot of people, right? Well, January and February are New York City’s low season months. They might be the coldest months, but they’re also the times of year you can pick up the best deals on flights, hotels, shows and just about anything because demand is lower.
Here’s one thing we can tell you from experience: there are far fewer crowds at New York’s top tourist attractions in January and February. We’ve been up Top of the Rock at sunset in summer when it’s like a theme park and we’ve walked across Brooklyn Bridge at night in summer when it’s like being at a music festival.
In winter we basically had the freedom of the city. We turned up at most museums, observation decks, pizza joints or broadway shows and walked straight in. And trust us, that’s not something you should take for granted. It’s a solar system-sized perk.
Now, December is actually considered a peak month for NYC because it’s one of America’s most desirable travel destinations in the lead up to Christmas. But even in December it doesn’t get anywhere near as busy as it does in June, July, August and September at attractions like Empire State Building or Statue of Liberty. Crowd numbers will be higher than January or February, but it won’t be as noticeable as you might think.
3. Travel Expenses
Okay let’s not beat around the bush, New York City is an expensive place to visit. Flights, hotels, eating out and attractions quickly add up. We know, we’ve done it a bunch of times. And every time we go, we inevitably spend a small fortune. But the truth is, there are some things you can do to visit NYC on the cheap. And one of those things is visit in winter.
As travel experts we’re always looking at flights and hotels. What we know for certain is that flights (domestic and international) and hotel prices are the cheapest they’ll be all year in January and February. Planes and hotels don’t shut up shop in winter, so there’s still a lot of seats and beds to fill. With less demand, prices are slashed to tempt us into booking.
Now, it’s important to know that prices are significantly inflated during the two weeks around Christmas and New Year. But earlier in December you’ll find that prices are surprisingly affordable considering it’s the build up to the holidays. And it’s not just flights or hotels that you’ll save on.
Broadway shows struggle to fill theaters around Times Square during the winter months because there are far fewer punters in town. So it’s the perfect time of year to pick up discounted broadway tickets, or at the very least pay the going rate rather than a peak season rate. Similarly, you’ll find that certain attractions put on winter deals, or attraction pass companies put on big discounts.
So overall, you can expect to spend a lot less on a trip to the Big Apple in December, January or February compared with spring, summer or fall months. Then you can spend those extra dollars on the things that really matter like pizza and wine!
Tip: Take a look at our guides on how to book cheaper hotels and how to book cheaper flights to save even more money.
4. Booking Hotels
Continuing with the theme of hotels, let’s figure out where you’re going to stay. If it’s going to be your first time in NYC, it’s important to choose the right location. And the beauty of visiting in winter is that you’ll benefit from significantly less demand, which leads to higher occupancy rates and lower hotel prices across the city. So you can really cherry pick a fantastic place to stay.
We’ve booked a ton of hotels in New York and it’s really obvious to see options dwindling and prices skyrocketing in peak months. But scouring through the endless list of hotels in January or February always makes us gawp at nightly prices beginning with a 1 instead of 3! And that’s at hotels with top ratings and amazing locations.
We recommend booking a hotel somewhere in Midtown South if it’s your first visit. The closer to Bryant Park the better because you’ll have easy access to lots of subway lines and the touristy areas in Midtown Manhattan. But if you want more residential, go for the likes of Greenwich Village, Lower East Side or Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Our advice is to shop around and put a bit of effort into finding the perfect location for your plans. Winter is the only time of year you’ll be able to pinpoint a location and get a great deal on a great hotel, so make the most of it. Just be aware that hotels in the last 2 weeks of December book up a long way in advance, so they’re more expensive when left until the last minute.
Here are four hotels we often recommend to our friends and families (priced low to high):
Tip: Read through our where to stay in New York City neighborhood guide or our guide to the top 30 hotels in NYC on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere to see what’s on offer.
5. Eating Out
Sampling local delicacies is one of the most important things about travel. And in New York City you’ve got to try cheap on-the-go foods like bagels, pizza slices and hot dogs. Every time we go back to the city we overindulge on all three because they’re amazing. But everyone else knows it too, so the lines are always huge.
That’s not even counting restaurants spanning the quality range from basic to best-in-class that require reservations in peak months. But guess what happens when you visit New York City in winter? That’s right, lines at the bagel and pizza places are non-existent. Restaurants reservations are rarely required. Coffee shops are quiet and calm. It’s easy to get to the bar for a beer. And there’s another massive perk to being in the city in January or February: Restaurant Week.
Since 1992, Restaurant Week has celebrated New York’s world famous culinary culture by allowing the average local or tourist to taste luxurious food samples from high end eateries and the best chefs in the city at bargain bin prices. If you’re currently thinking man, I hope our trip falls into restaurant week, you’ll be happy to know that it actually lasts for a full month (around Jan 20-Feb 20).
Tip: Read our guides on the top NYC pizza joints and the top NYC bagel spots so you know where to go.
6. Central Park
Central Park is one of our favorite places to visit in New York, no matter the season. We’ve seen it with cherry blossoms in spring, emerald green leaves in summer and rustic burnt foliage in the fall. But there’s just something so special and nostalgic about Central Park in the winter, especially on a snow day.
We’re sure you have Central Park near the top of your NYC bucket list. You’ll see locals running, cycling and walking dogs as other tourists set about exploring every nook and cranny of the diverse landscape in thick winter coats, gloves and hats. Don’t forget to stock up with a nice hot coffee before you arrive and we recommend planning a route so you don’t end up aimlessly walking around in the cold.
If you need a bit of a hand here’s the route we recommend: start with The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, The Ramble, Belvedere Castle and end at The Met (one of our favorite museums in town). This is an efficient route through the park that hits the highlights and gets you back into the warmth in good time.
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View NYC Guidebook7. Things To Do
New York is one of the most attraction-heavy cities on the planet. Over the years and seasons, we’ve seen and done just about everything there is to see and do as a tourist in Manhattan. And one thing we loved about being in the city during the winter was that all attractions were open and fully operational, just like they would be in summer. The difference? A tenth of the crowds.
The list of attractions and activities is too long to mention everything, but here are our top recommendations:
- Go up New York observation decks
- Take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty
- Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Explore Central Park
- Walk around trendy neighborhoods
- Visit the top NYC museums
- Walk The High Line
- Relax in a rooftop bar at night
Here’s the kicker: if you visit in winter you get the added benefit of Christmas festivities that you won’t get any other time of year. Here’s what you can only do at this time of year:
- Visit the legendary Rockefeller Christmas Tree
- Take a tour of Dyker Heights wild Christmas decorations
- Watch the ball drop in Times Square for New Years
- Go ice skating at Wollman Ice Rink, Winter Village or Rooftop Skyline Ice Rink
- See holiday displays at Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue
- Watch the Radio City Rockettes Christmas special
- Enjoy Broadway Week (2 for 1 tickets) Jan-Feb
READ: 50 free and cheap things you can’t miss in NYC
8. Itinerary Planning
Are you worried about having to adapt your dream NYC itinerary if you decide to visit in winter? You really don’t need to be concerned. Everything is the same as it would be any other time of year, with the two major differences being colder weather and far fewer crowds.
Yes, you have to put up with icy temperatures which could potentially impact your plans in the sense that you might end up taking more subways than walking. But at the same time your itinerary can flourish because you won’t have to factor in time for waiting in long lines at attractions. Trust us, you can easily lose two prime time hours just waiting in line to go up an observation deck in peak season.
We actually found it easier to get around, plan our days efficiently and execute our daily itineraries when we lived in the city during winter. Our advice is to thoroughly plan your itinerary down to the hour, so you don’t lose time aimlessly walking around in the cold. That’s when things can quickly take a negative turn. Knowing your route, next destination and means of getting there is the simple solution.
9. Christmas
Are you planning a New York City Christmas vacation? It’s a hugely popular time for families and couples to visit, so expect a spike in prices for flights and hotels. Our top tip is to reserve restaurants well in advance, before you leave home. The last thing you want is to miss out on a place you really want to eat because you weren’t organized.
The build up to Christmas always has a unique buzz and New York takes it up a notch. We enjoyed the festive spirit at shops on Fifth Avenue, taking a romantic holiday season walk around Central Park and ice skating in Bryant Park. Don’t miss rooftop bars like 230 Fifth during the lead up to the big day, they’re so much fun because everyone comes together from all around the world.
Expect to see plenty of Christmassy marriage proposals if you visit places like Bethesda Fountain in Central Park or Jane’s Carousel in Brooklyn. There were days we saw two or three proposals in the space of a few hours. It is New York City at Christmas, after all. And if you want to watch the ball drop in Times Square for New Years, make sure you arrive early to get a good spot.
10. What To Pack
Packing for New York in the winter isn’t easy because you’ll need lots of large items. You know it’s going to be cold, so start trying on all your heavy sweaters, hoodies, coats, jeans and pants. Remember to only pack items that are multi-use and nothing that might only get one use. You don’t have enough space in your suitcase for if, buts or maybes. Everything must be functional.
The key things are a huge thick coat (we wouldn’t have survived without our enormous fur lined coats), gloves, scarves and hats. Also, seriously consider your footwear. Comfortable running shoes might work any other time, but you might need heavier water and wind proof boots to stay warm. And don’t forget to throw in thick socks to go with those boots. Imagine if it snows and you have ankle socks with running shoes.
Don’t think that base layers are too much. We wore ours all the time underneath heavier layers. Remember to pack sunglasses because the sun is low in the sky and you’ll need them on clear days. The key is to stay warm but also be comfortable. When you go inside a museum or restaurant you’ll need the ability to take a layer off, so carefully plan your packing.
Finally, this might sound like a contradiction, but you never know when a warm front is going to arrive. You might luck out with temperatures in the 50’s or 60’s throughout your trip. So it’s worth having one eye on what you’ll wear if this happens, knowing that it’s unlikely but stranger things have happened!
The Morgan Conclusion
What we like: The best benefit is a toss up between no crowds and saving a ton of money on flights and hotels. They’re both huge perks. And even more money can be saved at broadway week or restaurant week later in the winter. It’s easy to get around, get into attractions and eat out. Finally, we loved seeing New York’s major landmarks covered in snow.
What we don’t like: The obvious one is the cold, which we’ll admit can be brutal at times. But something else to consider is issues with flights due to snow or ice. We’ve had plenty of cancelled flights and nights spent at JFK over the years and it’s not fun. It didn’t snow as much as we expected, which was fine because we lived there and just had to wait for it but it’s near impossible to plan around. Finally, NYC has an addictive feel good aura in warm weather, which is buried in winter.
Is it worth visiting New York City in winter? Yes! The winter months are a fantastic time to visit NYC because hotels and flights are cheaper, attractions are crowd free and the city has fun winter-only activities like ice skating, Christmas lights and shows. As long as you don’t mind the cold, it’s a great time to freely explore the city.
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Want more NYC information? Head over to our New York City Travel Guide for help with planning your first visit.
We hope this ultimate guide to visiting New York City in winter helps with planning your dream trip to NYC around Christmas!
Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments below.
Happy Travels,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.