While there is no bad time to visit NYC, we thought it would be helpful for you to plan your trip around some of the best events and happenings in the city! With the hustle and bustle of such a busy city, it can be hard to track down where and what to do. Keep reading for our guide on some of the top attractions to keep in mind while planning your NYC trip.
Best Time for Shopping
Believe it or not, there is a week known as “Shopping Week” in NYC! The first week in December is considered Shopping Week, as most tourists and locals come into the city to complete their Holiday shopping. Make sure to visit the Bryant Park Winter Village as well as the Union Square Holiday Market for all holiday goodies. For those who like a good sale, try to come around July 4th, when retailers offer the most sales. We also recommend taking a trip to Woodbury Commons Outlet if you have enough time. It’s an hour bus ride outside of the city, and you’ll find that the outlet stores will have the best sales. And for the fashionistas, Fashion Week takes places in mid-February and early September – so keep your eyes peeled on the latest trends.
Best Time for Restaurants
Twice a year there is something called “Restaurant Week” where hundreds of restaurants around the city offer discounted pre-fix menus for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The best part is, it’s more like 2-3 weeks that Restaurant Week goes on for, so you have plenty of time so squeeze in as many foodie destinations as possible! This occurs in late January into early February, and then again in late July into early August.
Best Time for Families and Kids
There are a couple of holidays that ring special to families in New York. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both popular times to come into NYC for day outings. Whether it’s brunch, a picnic in the park, or a broadway show, it’s a great place to have family time. The State Fair is also held at the nearby Meadowlands around this time as well. The weather in May and June is also typically pleasant and warm, making this time a popular one. Families also tend to visit during Thanksgiving and throughout the holidays in December, all the way until the New Year. New York really lights up (literally) during the holidays, with flows of tourists coming to see the holiday lights and decorations. We recommend the Thanksgiving Day Parade, Lord & Taylor Christmas Decoration, and the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting as the best options to take your family to – but only if you don’t mind the big crowds.
Best Time for Couples
The city of love. There are many times to come here and enjoy as a couple, one of them of course being Valentine’s Day. You will find restaurants and hotels with special packages around this holiday (including Arlo!). For those seeking warmer weather, you may want to come during the Frieze Art Fair in May, where you can people watch trendsetters and spend hours viewing modern art in a way you have never experienced before. The US Open is also an experience that will leave a memory for a lifetime, which happens during Labor Day weekend. Spend a day at the courts, dressed in your best polo and sun dress, sipping mimosas.
Best Time for Friends
If I could say summer twice, I would. The summer is the ultimate time for friend groups to head to the city, and outside of it. The Governor’s Ball Music Festival in June is a 3 day long festival that is tons of fun, as well as the 1 day long Panorama Music Festival in July. Come during Memorial Day, July Fourth, or Labor Day and see the locals head out for the long weekend, which makes the city less crowded and typically drops hotel rates. Or, head out east (The Hamptons) with the locals and rent a house! For those who wish to come at other times of the year, St. Patrick’s Day in March is always a busy one at all bars. The Holi In the City Festival of Colors Party in March is also a celebration of friendship and a lot of, you guessed it, color!
Best Time for Athletes
New York is all about it’s sporting events year round. Come anytime during the winter and catch a Rangers or Islanders game, or a Knicks and Nets game. Come during the spring to see the Yankees and Mets. The Big Ten Men’s 2018 Basketball Tournament is also a crowd favorite, which takes place from the end of February into early March. For those who wish to participate in a sport – come for a few of the marathons that happen year round. The United Airlines Half Marathon occurs in March, Shape Women’s Half Marathon is in April, The Popular Brooklyn Half is in May, and big TCS New York City Marathon is in October. For a lesser impact activity, and for a good cause, come in September for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure – where you can choose to run or walk and donate to a cure for breast cancer.
Best Time for Great Weather
The most comfortable weather in NYC is definitely from May – October. The summer months of July and August can get a bit hot and muggy, but that just makes it better for all the summer outdoor activities. The fall is a beautiful time to walk around and see the colors on the trees changing – the best times are typically at the end of September into early October.
