There is no single best time, only the time that fits you. Here is what each season is actually like.
Spring (April to June)
In our view the most comfortable stretch of the year. Mild temperatures, Central Park coming into flower, and the days getting longer. April is wet and unsettled, which is the trade-off.
Summer (July and August)
Hot and humid, and subway platforms regularly exceed 100°F. But summer also has the most going on: outdoor films, free concerts, the beaches. If you can handle the heat this is the city at its liveliest.
Fall (September to November)
The best all-round season, and no local would argue. Dry air, superb color in late October, and clear light that photographs beautifully. In exchange it is the most crowded and the most expensive time to stay.
Winter (December to March)
December brings the holiday atmosphere — window displays, lights, skating rinks. January and February are the coldest and quietest, with noticeably cheaper flights and hotels, and museums you can walk straight into.
- Most comfortable: May, June, September, October.
- Cheapest: mid-January through the end of February.
- Busiest: early December and July.
- Needs the most preparation: January for the cold, July for heat and hydration.
An easily missed detail
In winter the sun sets around 4:30pm. If your plans lean heavily on outdoor sights, you have far less usable daylight than you might assume.
