New York: The Best Time to Visit & Tourist Attractions

by Elliott Troop Marketing Manager

From what time of the year to what attractions to visit, here is a complete NYC Guide...

“The city that never sleeps”, truly if you have been to New York, you know what it means. From the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building, the breathtaking skyline, the vibrant atmosphere of the city can be felt even while walking on the streets of NYC. New York has this charm and energy that it attracts travelers from all across the world, not just once but again and again. A modern city with residents from all across the globe, New York is the world’s top business and financial hub. NYC has companies from all across the world, be it technology, banking, finance and of course fashion. Even if someone has not been to New York, finding one who doesn’t know about New York is pretty rare. From “Friends” to “Wolf of Wall Street” we have all seen the Big Apple in television shows, movies and documentaries.

One of the most iconic travel destinations in the world, New York attracts millions of tourists (65 million in 2018) from all across the globe. And not only among leisure travelers, but the unique characteristics of the city also make business travelers staying a few days extra. The center of art, culture and architecture, one can explore the city by walk and subway. From bustling Times Square to Wall Street, world-class museums to parks and sprawling green areas with lakes, This city is never-ending. This multicultural city offers global cuisine with more than 20,000 restaurants both dine-in and takeaway food stalls. So, if you are one of those who loves to explore diversified food options, you will definitely be spoilt with choices.

If you are traveling to the Big Apple for the first time then this blog will help to plan where to find serviced apartments in New York, the best time to go to New York and what all to see there.

When Should You Visit New York?

New York has a continental weather, which means winters are extremely cold and summers are very hot. So, you can decide the best time to go to New York-based on what you wish to see. The so-called tourist season for New York is June to August, but you can plan it any time of year. If you wish to visit NYC during the snow but not extreme cold and soak the sun in Central Park then March to May is the best time to go to New York. However, to help you make a better itinerary based on your interest here is the season-wise list:

June - August - The peak season for tourists, New York has pleasant and sunny weather in these months. Walking on the street and exploring the various attractions of the city, visiting places close to New York and Long Island is best during this season.
September - November - You can enjoy the scenic beauty in crimson and golden hue during this season. The end of September and the first half of October has mild weather which is apt for tourists. October ends onwards the cold breeze starts and you can witness the season's first snowfall in November.
December to February - If you want to experience snow in the mountains and the city, this is the best time for you. For someone who likes skiing and exploring nature parks, this time of the year is apt. Most of New York is covered in snow and there is a festive vibe everywhere during this time.
March to May - Spring is also one of the seasons when one can visit New York. You can witness snow in April as well, however, the weather remains pleasant during this time. For outdoor activities and sightseeing, this is a good time to visit New York.

What Should You See in New York?

Home to more than 8.5 million people, New York has so much to do and see that one cannot cover it all in a 4-5 days trip. Hundreds of museums, tourist spots, parks, games areas and many more, NYC has a lot to offer. A food lovers paradise, you can get confused over thousands of restaurants with cuisines from all around the world. Seeing everything in New York is just not possible at once, however, you can try to cover the most famous and must-see ones.

Multiple companies offer guided walking-tours and few of them are available for free of cost. Start your day early with breakfast and that must include coffee, your day in New York cannot start without coffee. There are different genres of walking tours available in NYC, however, a typical 1-day walking tour will contain 5-6 tourist destinations. You can get a New York City Pass which covers entry for most of the top tourist attractions. Also, another pass you can pick on your way to the city from the Airport is a weekly subway pass which gives access to roam around easily. Now, as said before, covering everything is really difficult in your 4 days trips to NYC. However, here is a list of day-wise destinations based on their locations, so you can plan accordingly. You can definitely skip a few of them if it doesn’t match with your interest.

Day 1

Prospect Park - Start your day with a stroll in Brooklyn’s Central Park. 500-acres of sprawling green area with a lake, Prospect Park is a good place for a picnic or some family time or a quick jog.
Brooklyn Bridge - If you want to click some good pictures of the city you can get it from Brooklyn Bridge. It has some spectacular views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and other city landmarks.
City Hall - This place is the house of the New York City Government. Take a tour of the building to understand more about the architecture, history and culture. City Hall Park is a great place to sit and relax, however, getting a seat here might be difficult during lunchtime.
Empire State Building - Your New York trip is incomplete without visiting the Empire State Building. The famous art deco building is one of the iconic architecture of New York. Though the Empire State Building is not the tallest in NYC anymore, the New York skyline is incomplete without it. Even if you find a long queue to the observatory, make sure you visit and spend some time there, the view from the top is outstanding.
Grand Central Terminal - The historic train station that we all have seen in movies, the Grand Central Station is one of those places where you get to feel the busy New York life.
Rockefeller Centre - If you like to capture more of the city skyline, you can get that here. A happening place with movies, shows and snacks, you can spend some time in the evening here.
Times Square - Though there is no specific time to visit Times Square, the evenings with lights, screens and hustle-bustle are better to get the New York vibe. You can do shopping here or just roam around and enjoy various food options.

Day 2

The Statue of Liberty - The Lady Liberty, popularly known as the Statue of Liberty is a gift from France on America’s 100th Birthday. One pro tip, reach early to Battery Park to avoid the queue for the ferry. You cannot miss the spectacular view from the top so book well in advance.
Battery Park - Come here to relax after your trip to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. There are music and street performances that keep happening here and a good place to relax and enjoy with your friends and family.
Wall Street - If you want a picture with the famous bull of Wall Street, you can visit this place. There is nothing much to do here for a tourist but a quick walk to the streets of New York’s famous financial district won’t do any harm.
Federal Hall - Located just opposite the New York Stock exchange, the Federal Hall is one of the overlooked museums in NY. It's a quick tour so won’t take much time, but definitely worth it.
Trinity Church - One of the oldest churches in America, Trinity Church was rebuilt after it was burnt down in 1776. The Gothic-style architecture is famous for its colonial graveyard.
World Trade Centre 9/11 Memorial - The Freedom tower is a must-visit for tourists in NY both because of the panoramic view of the city and the 9/11 memorial. The bottom of the Freedom Tower has a museum showing the significance of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

Day 3

Central Park - One of the most popular picnic spots in New York, Central Park is a great place to relax from the city crowd. Start your day with a walk in this park, spend a great time with your family and friends, watch some free concerts or shows or just roam around in the pathway.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art - One of the biggest museums in the world, this museum is the place for art and history-lovers. Keep enough time for this place as it's huge and stores a lot of historical artifacts, photographs, art and many more exhibits.
The Museum of the City of New York - If you want to know more about NY, this museum exhibits all. The architecture, culture and various tourist sites, this is one of the best history museums in NY.
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) - Only if you understand and love modern and contemporary art, then visit this place. MoMA is a must-visit for art lovers but someone who is not keen on this subject might find it boring.

Day 4

The Bronx Zoo - One of the oldest and biggest zoos in the US, this is spread across 300 acres and a great place for kids. You need to head north so try to start your day early. Also, there are more than 650 different species and it takes time to roam around here.

American Museum of Natural History - Have you seen the movie, ‘Night at Museum’? Yes, this is the same one. It’s quite expansive, so, do not expect a quick visit here. One of the best places to explore human history, nature and marine life, this museum is a really interesting visit for kids and even for adults.
The Guggenheim Museum - Considered as one of the most important architectural designs of the 20th century, this museum is a paradise for art enthusiasts. There is a huge collection of impressionist, post-impressionist, early modern, and contemporary art here.

There are many more places to visit and a lot more to do in New York, it's really never-ending. However, if you are traveling on a tight schedule, these are tourist attractions you should cover in NY. For a more relaxed and enjoyable vacation, a 7-days trip to NY is a must. You can pick accommodation near the tourist attractions or stay near your workplace, there are plenty of options available. Subway, cabs (Uber & Lyft) or yellow taxis are the popular way of traveling in New York, however, the best and affordable pick is the subway. If you skip a few of the tourist attractions mentioned above or have time in the evening, wait, there is more for you. If you like sports, you can enjoy a match at Yankee Stadium with your friends. The theatre capital NY is also home to many famous TV shows, so why not enjoy a show at Broadway or a TV show here in the evening? This is a unique experience and New Yorkers love to do this, so plan and book your tickets in advance. Another popular place among travelers is Ellen’s Dinner, which also gives a unique dining experience with musical performances. From street shopping at Madison Avenue to brand and boutique stores at SoHo, there are plenty of places available for a shopping spree. One of the most popular travel destinations in the world, NYC has a lot to offer anyone and everyone. You can decide as per your interests and plan your trip well to cover most of it.