Weatherwise May is certainly one of the best times to visit
New York City. Temperatures reach pleasant
highs of 72°F (22°C) and the
sun now shines for an average of 9 hours a day. If you are planning a lot of outdoor activities do also bring some rain gear as May is the rainiest month in New York City with an average of
9 rainy days. Also pack a jacket as temperatures can still reach
lows of 54°F (12°C).
After having checked out the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, the
Brooklyn Bridge and
Manhattan Skyline during the day, you can dive into the world of theatre and music whilst enjoying a
broadway show in the evening. Head to New York City in early May if you would still like to experience an opera at the
Met Opera before the summer break. Foodies would also love the
9th Avenue Food Festival.
Best Time to Visit New York City
New York City is certainly worth a visit any time of the year- each season actually has its own charm. You would have the most pleasant temperatures in spring (April until June) and fall (September/October). During those times it’s wonderful enjoying the splendid outdoor activities that New York has to offer.
Probably the least pleasant months to visit are July and August when temperatures rise to the high 80s F (30°C). But even then you have so many air conditioned museums, malls and skyscrapers to visit!
The winter months, even though very cold, have something very special in New York City. New York City with all its Christmas lights, decorations and sparkle offers a very special atmosphere in the time running up to Christmas.
Things to know about New York City
New York City… the Big Apple… the city that never sleeps… if there were to be a capital of the world and a city that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, then it is New York City!
Best sights and activities in NYC
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For the full New York feeling in one go head to Time Square and stare at the spectacle of lights and advertisements on the huge LED walls. Whether you like all the hussle and bussle and neon colours or not, a New York trip wouldn’t be complete without seeing it.
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The Brooklyn Bridge is the most famous chain bridge in New York and one of the most important sights of the city. The bridge connects Manhattan with Brooklyn, hence its name. A walk across the bridge is a must during your visit. It’s particularly beautiful to walk from Brooklyn towards Manhattan as you get the most amazing views of the Manhattan skyline. Head there early to avoid the crowds. Combine the bridge with a visit to the Brooklyn Bridge Park and Jane’s carousel- an original carousel from the 1920s.
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Whether hot or cold, Central Park is worth a visit at any time of the year. The 2.5 mile long park offers a green oasis in the middle of all the high rises. You will find many lakes and bridges as well as the John-Lennon-memorial called Strawberry Fields. In the winter you can ice skate on the Wollman Rink in the south of the park.
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The Highline Park is one of the newer sights in NYC. On the 1.5 mile long, elevated park on top of a former train line you can observe the Manhattan skyline as well as some stunning murals from above. Have a snack at the hip Food Court at Chelsea Market before starting your walk.
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Fifth Avenue is probably the most famous shopping street in the world. Over miles it hosts all the world renowned luxury boutiques as well as famous department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue and many more. Near Fifth Avenue you will also find some of the great architectural masterpieces of NYC- check out the Rockefeller Center and its top floor observatory, the Empire State Building, the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Radio City Music Hall, the New York Public Library as well as the Flatiron.
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East of Central Park (aka Upper East Side) you will find one of the most famous museums of the world- the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Within its unique spiral architecture is the home of some of the best pieces of modern art. If you don’t want to pay the entrance fee, just have a look inside the foyer or the museum shop or visit on Saturdays between 5-8pm for the ‘Pay as you wish’ hours.
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The structure of the Flatiron building is certainly reminiscent of the shape of an iron. You will find this unusual skyscraper on 23rd Street, where 5th Avenue crosses Broadway. If you feel hungry around there check out Eataly, a unique Italian food court.
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If you like to spend some time amongst books, you should pay the New York Public Library a visit. Its most famous outlet is the fantastic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building which was built in the early 19th century. Its most famous room is the Rose Main Reading Room. It’s free to visit and wonderful to enjoy the peace and quiet in the center of the town. It’s also a great place to warm up when it’s cold outside!
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The Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world and one of the most important sights of the city. Whilst walking through the enormous Main Hall you should look up the green ceiling covered with stars. Also check out the Whispering Gallery where you can send your echo from one corner to the other.
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It’s also worth seeing the nearby ‘Oculus’. Within this futuristic building you will find many shops as well as the PATH train station.
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Also South of Manhattan you will find Ellis Island, a small island that became a symbol of the wave of immigration in the 19th and 20th century. 12 million immigrants who hoped for a better live in the United States had to go through checks there. Today you will find an interesting museum. The ferry boat which takes you to Ellis Island also stops at Liberty Island with its famous Statue of Liberty. If you want to just look at the Statue of Liberty from the water, take the Staten Island Ferry.
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In Downtown Manhattan you will find the place which on 9/11/2001 became known for the saddest reasons. Before the terror attack it was home to the World Trade Center. Nowadays you will find huge memorials which might leave you with a shiver but visiting is still a must. The 9/11 memorial contains 2 huge water tanks in the same plot of the original Twin Towers. On the side walls you will find the 3000 names of people who lost their lives during the attack. There is a museum which opened in 2014 and tells the story of 9/11. Around the memorial, aka Ground Zero, you will find the newly built World Trade Center. Its tallest tower, the One World Trade Center, is 1,776 feet (541m) tall and hosts NYC’s highest observation platform at its top.
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Not one of the classic NYC sights but highly recommended is a visit to the alternative districts of SoHo, Little Italy, Nolita and Chinatown. Here you will find it feeling much less touristy. In SoHo you will find some great coffee shops, restaurants and shops. It’s also known for its fantastic street art such as the murals of Audrey Hepburn and the one of a tiger.
One of the highlights of your New York visit would certainly be the view from high above. The most famous skyscrapers offering the best views are:
Probably not! It’s highly recommended to plan ahead and think about which sights you really want to visit. Depending on that, do the numbers. Also be aware that the passes which promise you ‘Fast Track Entry’ actually only help you to avoid the waiting time at the ticket counter. You still have to queue at the second, most of the time much longer line which actually takes you into the sight.
Manhattan is much bigger than you might think it is. For example, it would take you around 1.5 hours to walk from Central Park to the Brooklyn Bridge. So you will likely need some other method of transport.
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