When to Go

New York City weather is a study in extremes. Much of winter brings bone-chilling winds and an occasional traffic-snarling snowfall, but you're just as likely to experience mild afternoons sandwiched by frigid temperatures.

In late spring and early summer, streets fill with parades and street fairs, and free outdoor performances pop up from river to river. Late August is often sweltering, sometimes bringing subway station temperatures over 100°F (thankfully most of the trains themselves have air conditioning). This is why autumn brings palpable excitement, with colorful foliage complementing the dawn of a new cultural season. Between October and May, museums mount major exhibitions, most Broadway shows open, and opera, ballet, and concert seasons begin.