The Best Times to Visit New York City for Lower Prices and Fewer Crowds (2024)

Broadway shows, dramatic holiday light displays, and world-famous film festivals are just some of the reasons why visitors are drawn to the Big Apple.

The best time to visit New York City ultimately depends on your personal travel goals and preferences. Summertime festivals attract the masses in near-perfect weather, while winter means better discounts on lodging and fewer crowds if you're willing to withstand the cold. Unless there's a seasonal event you'd like to attend, aim for a visit sometime in the spring or fall during the shoulder seasons, when the weather is just right and the city isn't too busy. Here's a look at New York City’s main tourism seasons:

• High Season: Late May through early September and November through December
• Shoulder Season:April through mid-May and mid-September through October
• Low Season: January through March

Ready to plan your trip? These are the best times of the year to visit New York City for every type of traveler.

Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds

According to luxury travel advisorRachel Soleil Lerch of Steuber Travel Group, the best times to visit New York City for smaller crowds are in mid-winter (January and February) and late spring (late March through late April). “In these quieter periods,” she says, “slip on a cozy jacket or a stylish rain poncho and take the opportunity to see a more intimate side of NYC.” In other words, visiting during these times allows you to experience New York City alongside the locals. As a bonus, you can also take advantage of lower rates on lodging and score incredible deals on some of New York City’s best hotels — but we’ll dive deeper into that in a bit.

Best Times to Visit for Good Weather

According to Fora co-founder and travel advisor Henley Vazquez, the best time to visit New York City for good weather depends on what you’d consider to be good weather. “I love the summer because there are outdoor concerts and you can walk everywhere," she says, noting that many people may not be fans of the heat. In that case, it’s best to visit in the fall, says Vazquez, when “the leaves are changing and the air is crisp.” During the autumn season, travelers can still partake in outdoor activities and cozy up inside the city’s best restaurants and bars.

Soleil Lerch echoes these sentiments regarding good weather in the fall, but also recommends visiting in springtime, with the “delightful weather” being “ideal for immersive exploration on foot — the best way to experience its vibrant neighborhoods.”

Best Times to Visit for Lower Prices

Budget-conscious travelers — and pretty much anyone who loves a good deal — should plan to visit New York City in mid to late winter. Not only can travelers snag great hotel rates —NYC Hotel Week typically takes place in January —they can also enjoy lower airfares and cheaper tickets to attractions like Broadway shows.

Don’t feel like bracing for the cold but still want to enjoy an affordable vacation to one of America’s top cities? If the answer’s yes, consider a late summer trip. According to Soleil Lerch, that's when “locals seek respite from the city's heat, creating more breathing space (and walking room!) for visitors, resulting in more favorable rates.”

Best Times to Visit for Festivals and Events

New York City is known for its many annual events and festivals, which rightfully attract travelers from all over the world. After all, as Vazquez says, the city is “a true melting pot of cuisines, architectural styles, and things to do.”Soleil Lerch agrees, adding that “the convergence of cuisine, art, and cultural experiences creates an atmosphere that crackles with a raw energy that has to be experienced to be believed.”

Movie buffs should plan trips around the Tribeca Film Festival, which takes place in early to mid-June, or the New York Film Festival, which happens in late September to mid-October. In springtime, nature lovers can admire blooming cherry blossoms at Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, which holds pop-up events on weekends from late April to mid-May. Foodies and culinary connoisseurs, on the other hand, may prefer to plan a trip for the end of October to attend the New York City Wine & Food Festival.

In the summer months, you'll be able to enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities, events, and concerts. From May to mid-October, the City Parks Foundation's SummerStage puts on 85 free musical performances in 13 parks around the five boroughs. Bryant Park hosts 25 free outdoor music, dance, and theatre presentations as part of its Picnic Performances program as well as Movie Nights on select summer evenings from late May to mid-September. Theater-goers, meanwhile, can look forward to Broadway in the Park in Bryant Park, and to Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park when it returns in 2025.

During the holiday season, it's all about festive family-friendly events. The legendary Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting is a major draw for visitors of all ages, while you'll also find incredible Christmas light displays, ice skating rinks, and cheery holiday markets throughout the five boroughs —Bryant Park’s Winter Village and Union Square’s Holiday Market are two of the largest and most popular.

Worst Times to Visit

New York City offers an abundance of things to see and do all year round, meaning there really is no “bad” time to visit. It just depends on the kind of trip you want to have. If it’s warm weather you’re after, steer clear of the city in the winter. What’s more, "a snow-covered city is only beautiful for a few moments before people and cars mess it up," says Vazquez, and “it’s not usually pleasant to be out and about.”

However, that’s not to say the city isn’t worth visiting then — especially if you’re craving an affordable and (virtually) crowd-free escape. With this in mind, Vazquez recommends counteracting the cold weather by taking advantage of the city’s many museums, shops, and indoor spaces like the Oculus and Brookfield Place, which are connected underground. Conversely, while a summer trip to New York City means warm, sunny weather, you can certainly expect to pay significantly higher rates for hotels and attractions — and face lots (and lots) of tourists.