New York is called the "City That Never Sleeps" for a reason: There's always something happening here. No matter what time of year you visit, you'll find activities to keep you busy. Deciding the best time of year to visit depends upon your main interests and your tolerance for different weather conditions.


New York City is composed of five boroughs.

New York City is composed of five zones called boroughs; think of them as very large neighborhoods encompassing lots of smaller communities. The five boroughs are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Most visitors will be familiar with Manhattan, as it's the borough featured most frequently in television shows and films. Manhattan also is where most hotels and famous attractions are found. It's easy to forget that Manhattan is an island, hemmed in by the Hudson and East Rivers. This fact is important because it influences the temperature of the city; winter winds can be especially chilly, for example.


Spring is the best time to enjoy New York's parks in bloom.

Spring in New York is one of the most beautiful times to visit the city. For all of its concrete and glass, the city actually has vast amounts of parkland. Fourteen percent of the city, or 29,000 acres, is overseen by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, and the city government is committed to "greening" New York by planting 1 million new trees by 2020. This means that the city is spectacular with springtime blooms, which can be seen during a stroll through Central Park or at one of the city's botanical gardens. Other spring highlights include the annual Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue, the Tribeca Film Festival and the opening of the Major League Baseball season. Temperatures average from the 60s to the mid-70s.


The Hudson River Park is a 550-acre waterside park.

Summer temperatures can get as high as 100 degrees, but this is the best time for travelers on a budget or who love active recreation and outdoor entertainment to visit. Free outdoor plays, concerts and movies abound; the most popular are Central Park's SummerStage and Shakespeare in the Park, as well as Celebrate Brooklyn!, a summer-long performing arts extravaganza in Prospect Park. The Hudson River Park offers free kayaking lessons, as well as bike rentals, batting cages, a skate park and sailing lessons.


Fall sunsets in New York tend to be spectacular.

If you're an arts and theater aficionado, fall is the best time to visit New York. Locals have returned from summer vacation, which means that major museums and theaters debut their headline exhibits and shows. The weather is also exceptional; summer's oppressive humidity disappears and a string of lovely, crisp autumn days spools out for a precious short time. Big events that have made New York famous also occur in the fall, including the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy and the New York City Marathon.


Winter can be punishing in New York if you're sensitive to the cold, but that doesn't stop the crowds that descend upon the city to experience Christmas and New Year's here. Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue transform their shop windows into Christmas-themed dioramas so elaborate that people line up to see them. You can also experience ice skating at one of several outdoor rinks, including at Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Hang around for the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, a celebration so famous it needs no explanation.


About the Author


Photo Credits

Suggest an Article Correction