Last updated on April 13th, 2024 at 10:31 pm
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I recently had the chance to visit New York for the first time. New York is one of the most exciting cities in the world and would be amazing to visit at any time of year. However, there are definitely pros and cons to visiting New York in February. In this post, I will go over everything I learned about visiting New York in February.
Overall Pros and Cons of Visiting New York in February:
Pros
- New York is less crowded in February, since this is not a popular month to visit
- Hotels and flights will likely be cheaper in February than in peak months
Cons
- New York can get pretty cold in February
- Outdoor activities, such as enjoying Coney Island or a park, may not be enjoyable at this time of year
With that, let’s get into the specifics:
Weather
The weather in New York in February can be a bit unpredictable. While I was there it got up to 15°C (about 60°F). It also snowed a few days later! The average high is 6°C in February. so definitely be prepared for cold weather, and check the forecast before you go.
New York is a city that you will probably plan to do lots of walking in- so if there is snow on the ground, you will have a difficult time if you haven’t packed proper shoes and clothes. It can also be a little cold for outdoor activities in general. I still took the ferry to Liberty and Ellis islands, walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, and explored Central Park, but I had to bundle up! I would definitely recommend packing gloves and a toque if you are going to visit New York in February, or you might find yourself pretty uncomfortable.
Crowds
One clear benefit of visiting New York in February is the lack of crowds. It is one of the least popular months to visit, so most tourist attractions will not be nearly as busy as if you visit in the peak months. I hardly booked any of my activities ahead of time, and had no problem getting tickets for any attractions. Even just out and about on the streets, the crowds were not too bad. If you’re willing to brave the cold, February is a great time to visit for that reason.
Activities
The time of year you visit New York will affect the activities that are available. In the winter, you can enjoy outdoor ice skating and hockey games. Some outdoor activities, like boat tours and exploring parks, will definitely be less enjoyable in the winter. In my opinion, New York has so many museums and other indoor activities that it would be difficult to get bored, even in the winter.
Here are some of my absolute favourite activities that I did in New York in the winter:
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck– This observation deck on top of the Rockefeller Center offers stunning views of Manhattan, particularly the Empire State Building
- American Museum of Natural History– a classic NYC museum, and a great activity for a cold winter day
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island– a must see when visiting New York, even in the cold!
- Exploring Central Park- it was cold, but it was absolutely beautiful in the snow
Conclusion
I enjoyed my trip to New York in February. The weather can definitely be a hindrance, but if you are prepared, I think you can still have a great time in New York in the winter. Definitely the check the forecasts, and make sure your bucket-list NYC activities are available in the winter!
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