Last Updated on April 4, 2024
Estimated reading time: 21 minutes
By Jim Ferri
New York doesn’t close down in the winter. In fact, for many visitors to New York, winter is the best time to visit since you’ll find many things to do and prices are lower.
And the crowds – at least after the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays – are smaller than in the warmer months, which means less waiting at major attractions and restaurants.
Tickets for top Broadway shows are also more available in New York in the winter, and many museums bring in new exhibits in early January and February.
So while April – November can be wonderful in New York, you may also want to think outside the seasonal box. Here are 20 things to do in New York that continue to be quite enjoyable when the temperature drops.
Go for a Walk on the High Line in New York in the Winter
Undeniably, New York’s High Line has become dear to many New Yorkers (as well as visitors in the know). It’s an elevated linear park, a 1.45-mile-long walkway, and parkland on Manhattan’s West Side, built atop an abandoned elevated railroad spur.
Straightaway, I’ll tell you I’ve walked it in the spring, summer, and winter. And, believe me, it’s terrific during any season.
Take a stroll along it and go back down to street level to visit Chelsea Market for lunch, or visit the new Whitney Museum at its southern end on Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District.
The High Line’s northern end is on West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues. Here you’ll find the old Hudson train yards, now a modern clutch of condominiums, shops, and restaurants. Adjacent to it is the spectacular Vessel, an open-air, honeycomb-shaped 16-story structure with 80 landings designed for visitors to climb.
Where to Go:
Access the High Line on Gansevoort Street, 23rd Street, or 30th Street on the West Side of Manhattan. You can walk either north or south. Admission: free.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is an incredible tribute of remembrance, honoring the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. The attacks took place at the World Trade Center site in New York City, near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. It also honors the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing on February 26, 1993.
The Memorial is free and open to the public seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The 9/11 Museum is open to the public six days a week (closed Tuesdays) and requires an advance ticket purchase. Museum tickets range from $15-26, and an additional $20 for a guided tour. The tour is the best way to experience the museum and understand its many exhibits.
A visit to the Memorial and Museum is a moving experience, especially for those old enough to remember the horrific day.
Where to Go:
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is located at 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007.
Enjoy Central Park and a Winter Carriage Ride
New York’s Central Park doesn’t close in the winter – it just takes on a different, beautiful aura.
Yes, some facilities, such as boating on the lake, close for the season, but its roads and trails remain open for the myriad of walkers and joggers who continue to take advantage of this mid-city oasis.
It’s also a great time to take a carriage ride through the park, bundled up under a heavy blanket. You’ll find the horses and their carriages lining 57th Street from Fifth Avenue to Columbus Circle.
If you’re on a budget, just be aware rides are $50 for the first 20 minutes and $20 for each 10-minute increment afterward.
Where to Go:
Any season, winter included, you’ll find horse-drawn carriages on the corner of Fifth Avenue and West 59th Street near the Plaza Hotel.
In New York in the Winter, Times Square is Still Abuzz
It’s one of New York’s clichés that you must visit Times Square because it is the “Great White Way.” But you need to see it at night to feel the overwhelming nature of the neon and giant screens all about you.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve been in Times Square, and I’ve found that it always seems to be at its gaudiest-best in New York in the winter when the air is clear and sharp.
If you want the best view of the “Crossroads of the World” for a photo op, climb the red stairs above the TKTS Booth at the square’s southern end.
Where to Go:
Times Square is in Midtown Manhattan at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Subways stopping in Times Square include the N, Q, R, S, W, 1, 2, 3 and 7 trains.
The Rockefeller Center Skating Rink Comes Alive in New York in the Winter
Winter is one of the most popular times to visit Rockefeller Center. Only then can you see the massively beautiful Christmas tree (late November to early January) and the famous skating rink.
Tickets for skating range from $11-73, depending on the day and time. Skate rental is an additional $12.
For a less-costly option, go to the Bryant Park Winter Village behind the main building of the NYC Public Library. It’s the only free-admission ice skating rink in New York City and is open daily through March 5, 2023.
Since it’s become very popular, you must reserve your skate time in advance. Each skater is allowed one 55-minute session per day. Skate rentals are from $18.
You’ll find additional ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park and Rooftop skating at Pier 17.
Where to Go:
The Rink at Rockefeller Center is located at 600 5th Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets.
Tour Rockefeller Center
If you’re at Rockefeller Center for skating or sightseeing, visit the buildings of Rockefeller Center to admire their spectacular art-deco interiors. The tours, conducted by expert historians, take place daily from 11am – 7pm. Visitors are shown Rockefeller Center’s most significant buildings, gardens, and spaces, including Radio City Music Hall.
Unfortunately, they don’t show you the most historical office in the complex. During World War II, the highly secret SIS (Special Intelligence Service), the precursor of today’s CIA, had its headquarters in room 4332 at 30 Rockefeller Center. They ran all of the American spies in Europe and around the world.
All the spy stuff was there – fake bookcases disguising doorways, etc. The name on the door was Importers and Exporters Service Company. Unfortunately, the office no longer exists since it was destroyed to provide an area with an open floor plan.
Where to Go:
The large Rockefeller Center complex is located between 48th and 51st Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues in New York City.
Enjoy a Show or Concert in Radio City Music Hall
See the annual Christmas Show with the famous Rockettes at the Radio City Music Hall for a unique New York winter treat. If your timing isn’t right for the Christmas show, many other concerts and events are held there every year.
Also, take a backstage tour if you can. Like the SSI Headquarters across the street, Radio City Music Hall also has secrets from World War II. These secrets relate to its huge movable stage, in which a series of elevators are powered by hydraulics. The system was so innovative that the U.S. Navy used identical hydraulics to construct World War II aircraft carriers.
Where to Go:
Radio City Music Hall is located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas and is part of Rockefeller Center.
On a New York Winter Day Visit Fifth Avenue’s Shops
Unquestionably, one of the things to do in New York is to see the fabulous (and fabulously expensive) stores along Fifth Avenue…Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Tiffany, et al.…all along the stretch from 39th to 59th Streets.
During the winter holiday season, many of their windows are filled with beautiful seasonal decorations you’ll find nowhere else.
At any time of year, visit the towering Neo-Gothic St. Patrick’s Cathedral right across the street from Rockefeller Center.
Where to Go:
Although there is shopping all along Fifth Avenue, the leading upscale stores (Saks, Ferragamo, Tiffany’s, Bergdorf Goodman, etc.) are located between 49th and 59th streets.
In New York in Winter Visit a Museum…or Two…or Three
New York City is museum heaven, and during the winter months, it’s heaven on earth. That’s not only because they’re a great refuge from the cold but also because, in January-February, many museums also bring in new exhibits.
If you’re on a budget, you’ll find that some of the most well-known museums, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Natural History, among others, only have suggested entrance fees, allowing visitors to pay whatever they’d like. They’re great for families (if you can keep the kids entertained).
While the city lists 80+ museums scattered throughout the five boroughs, there are also many more small, niche institutions.
Where to Go:
There are museums scattered all about New York City. In each of its boroughs, you’ll find a grouping of them. In Manhattan, for example, you’ll find the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, the Neue Galerie, etc., all located along “New York’s Museum Mile.” The “Mile” is on Fifth Avenue between 82nd Street and 105th Street.
Major Sites in New York Have Fewer Crowds in the Winter
Undoubtedly you’ll want to go downtown and visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on the World Trade Center site. You’ll likely find it to be an incredibly moving experience.
In winter or any season, your visit soars to new heights when you go to the observation deck at One World Trade, also known as the “Freedom Tower.” It is the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere and contains the fastest elevator in the hemisphere. It’s an incredibly smooth and quiet ride, whisking you up 102 stories in one minute.
The view from the top is incredible – and best seen in New York in the winter since that’s when the air is clearest. Tickets are $32 per adult, $26 per child, and $30 for seniors.
Admission to the Reflecting Pools at ground level – each set within the footprints of the original Twin Towers – is free; entrance to the National September 11 Memorial Museum is $24 per adult, $15 per youth (7-17 years), and $18 for seniors, veterans, and college students. Admission is free on Tuesdays after 5 pm.
Where to Go:
Subways to the World Trade Center include the A, C, E, 2, and 3 lines. Other nearby stations include the 4 and 5 at Fulton Street station at Broadway and the J, M, and Z subway lines at Fulton Street station at Nassau and Ann streets.
Visit the Financial District
Walk around the Financial District to see Federal Hall and the New York Stock Exchange – an easy walk since the street is now a pedestrian area – and take a photo of the famous bull on Wall Street.
Afterward, walk down the block to beautiful Trinity Church, and then a few clocks over to Pearl Street and visit Fraunces Tavern, the historic restaurant where Washington bid farewell to his officers. It’s also a good place to take a break and have lunch especially on a New York winter day.
If you go up the stairs at the entrance to the small museum on the second floor, you’ll see the actual room in which Washington made his speech.
Where to Go:
The New York Stock Exchange, in the heart of the Financial District, is at 11 Wall St. Nearby is historical Trinity Church at 89 Broadway and Fraunces Tavern at 54 Pearl Street, about an eight-minute walk south from either.
Take a Ride on the Staten Island Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry, described as “the cheapest ocean-going ride in the world,” is free.
It’s certainly a great ride that provides spectacular views of lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, and well worth the half-hour it will take you in each direction.
If you’re visiting New York in the winter, for an extra-special ride, time your “cruise” for late afternoon, when you’ll have both a beautiful sunset view and a fantastic view as Manhattan’s buildings light up.
The boats to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty are nearby.
Where to Go:
The State Island Ferry is at the southern tip of Manhattan. It is reached via several subway lines: #1 (Broadway – 7th Avenue Local to South Ferry), #4 and 5 (Lexington Avenue Express) to Bowling Green, J and Z (Nassau Street Express) to Broad Street, and the R train (Queens Boulevard – Broad – 4th Avenue Local) to Whitehall Street station. During the day, the ferry operates every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends – totally free!
Visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Many New Yorkers have never been to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. I’ll admit I was once one of those New Yorkers. In fact, I never went to either until I returned to New York City on a visit years later. And now, I’d enjoy going back.
Do you need a (very) short history lesson? Here it is: the Statue of Liberty was given to the American people in 1884. The gift commemorated the friendship between the people of the United States and France. It was shipped to New York in 1885. Its actual name is Liberty Enlightening the World.
It is 151 feet, 1 inch tall, and was the tallest structure in the U.S. when it arrived. The statue sways 3 inches (7.62cm) in the wind; the torch sways 5 inches (12.7cm). Be sure to visit the museum to view the statue’s original torch and other memorabilia.
The Ellis Island National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island is also an incredible place, especially for Americans. Here you’ll find voyages to America, perhaps including your ancestors, come to life through a stunning collection of artifacts. Visit the American Family Immigration History Center on the first floor to discover if your family arrived in the U.S. via Ellis Island.
Remember that during the winter, it will be cold on the islands, so dress appropriately.
Where to Go:
You reach the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island from Castle Clinton, in Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan island, or Liberty State Park in New Jersey. The ferries from both locations stop at the Statue of Liberty before continuing to Ellis Island. Your round-trip ferry ticket includes stops at both islands, entrance to the museums on both, and audio tours in 12 languages. Prices are $31 per adult, $25 per senior (62+), and $19 per child (4-12 years).
Have a Bagel
In the winter or anytime, New Yorkers (as well as many others) love bagels, and you can’t get them as good or tasty anywhere else in the world.
Although you’ll find them in just about every bakery, restaurant, or diner throughout the city, the two places reputed to have the best are Zabars on the Upper West Side (2245 Broadway, at 80th Street) and Murray’s Bagels (242 8th Ave at 22nd Street). They’re also sold from many food carts, and are popular with many New Yorkers on the go.
Wherever you get your, order it “wid a schmear” if you like cream cheese.
Where to Go:
You can buy bagels from many street carts or in most diners/luncheonettes. Zabars (2245 Broadway, at 80th Street) and Murray’s Bagels (242 8th Ave at 22nd Street) are two popular shops for bagels.
Visit a NY Deli in New York in the Winter
For many deli aficionados, there’s nothing else in the world quite like a New York Jewish Deli.
They are where you can get a thick, delicious sandwich (pastrami is perennially popular, but there’s quite a selection) that’s almost too thick to eat. It’s one of those quintessential New York experiences regardless of the season.
Unfortunately, only a few of these famous institutions are left, including the 2nd Avenue Deli, Katz, Barney Greengrass, and Carnegie.
Where to Go:
See this popular review of the best famous delis in New York City.
Enjoy Great Dumplings in Chinatown
New York’s Chinatown is as world-renowned as the dumplings you’ll find there.
So why not turn your New York in the winter lunchtime into an adventure by searching for the best dumplings in Chinatown, as we did in our “Quest for the Best Dumplings in Chinatown“?
The best thing to do is just wander about Chinatown until you find a restaurant to your liking. If you want to make your visit extra special in any Chinatown in North America, visit during Chinese New Year.
Where to Go:
In lower Manhattan, Chinatown borders the Lower East Side to its east, Little Italy to its north, Civic Center to its south, and Tribeca to its west.
Take a Tour of Grand Central Station
The city’s most famous transportation hub, Grand Central, is a magnificent and historic building in Midtown.
It’s instantly recognizable by the zodiacs on its ceiling and the famous information booth in the center, which is still one of the best meeting points in the city.
Whether it’s in the winter or any other time of year in New York, take a tour of Grand Central. You’ll learn about its history and operations (the 75-minute tours depart daily at 12:30 p.m. from the Terminal’s Main Concourse and are led by docents trained by the Municipal Art Society; the cost is $25 for adults, $20 for children, and seniors).
Before or afterward, you can grab a bite in the plethora of small restaurants and cafés on its lower level, or in the late afternoon, join commuters for a drink in its famous Oyster Bar or in one of the balcony bars.
Where to Go:
Grand Central Station is on East 42nd Street and Park Avenue.
Visit a Church in New York in Winter
If you want to visit a place of worship in New York City, you’re in luck. In the City, you’ll find thousands of Christian churches, about 1,000 synagogues, 100 mosques, dozens of Hindu and Buddhist temples. There are also more than a dozen Christian Science Reading Rooms, two Quaker meeting houses, and many others.
It’s also home to the colossal Cathedral of St. John the Divine, known locally as “St. John the Unfinished.” Its construction began in 1892 and continues to this day.
Above all of these, however, are two famous churches you should visit if you’re in their neighborhoods: St. Patrick Cathedral and Trinity Church.
St. Patrick occupies a city block directly across Rockefeller Center on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets. The mid-19th-century cathedral is the largest Gothic Revival Catholic cathedral in North America. It’s a beautiful church worth seeing if you’re strolling about Rockefeller Center or spending the kid’s inheritance in the stores on Fifth Avenue.
Also worth visiting, especially from a historical perspective, is Trinity Church in lower Manhattan. Initially constructed in 1698, it’s at the intersection of Wall Street and Broadway. (Historical records state that the tackle for hoisting the stones for its construction was lent to the church by Captain William Kidd from his ship.) Today’s church, however, was built in 1846 and was the tallest building in the United States until 1869.
Where to Go:
St. Patrick Cathedral is located on 5th Ave between 50th/51st Streets; Trinity Church is at 89 Broadway near Federal Hall.
Enjoy Great Theater in New York in the Winter
New York is synonymous with great theater, and Broadway shows are especially popular in the winter. And although theater tickets can be ridiculously expensive for some shows (think of a number followed by a comma and three zeros for prime seats at hit shows), there are ways to cut costs.
You’ll find good and much less expensive shows off-Broadway, for example. And you can purchase cut-rate tickets for top shows which are up to 50% off. Purchase the latter at the popular TKTS Discount Booths in Times Square, South Street Seaport, and Downtown Brooklyn.
Where to Go:
The TKTS Booth is in Times Square at Broadway and West 47th Street.
New York in the Winter – a Perfect Time for a Hot Chocolate or Hot Toddy
While you can order hot chocolate in many places in New York, why not do something special?
Instead, enjoy a Viennese hot chocolate in the beautiful Old-World Café Sabarsky in the Neue Galerie. It’s an excellent small museum at 1048 5th Avenue, across from the Metropolitan Museum.
And if you’re in New York in the winter, you’ll find a hot toddy an excellent way to ward off those winter chills. You’ll find them in many high-end bars in the city.
The King Cole Room in the St. Regis Hotel is a popular place to enjoy yours in a spectacular setting. Its atmosphere will make your drink all the more pleasant.
Where to Go:
The King Cole Room in the St. Regis Hotel is at Two E 55th Street, on the corner of Fifth Avenue.
I was there for the storm and it was not nearly as bad as they made it out to be on the news. Midtown was snowy but not two feet worth – it was walkable and ok except the snow blowing in your eyes walking eastward. The bummer of it was that everything was closed and my tickets for the theatre had to be refunded and rescheduled.
The one thing I noticed is that NYC does need to take a lesson from snow emergency plans in Minneapolis and St. Paul – the roads there are a mess even days after. Planes, trains and automobiles are still feeling the effects but on foot, all you need is a waterproof pair of boots.
Oh, you hearty Mid-Westerners! You can teach us Easterners a thing or two about coping with the fury of winter. I hope you had as good a time there as I did, despite all the closures.
Winter season is my favourite, every year we plan an outing in the winters as it is the best season to enjoy. I really liked reading this post and going through the pictures, the winter experiences mentioned in the post are worth experiencing whenever we visit New York. Thank you for the inspiration.
I’m glad you enjoyed it Afreen. Each season in New York is unique.
Hey, you have a knack of writing. Very nice and informative article. Keep up man 🙂
Jim,I think visiting NYC in winters is a great idea. There will not be too much touristy rush plus I will love to see the city in snow. The sandwich in the photo looks ginormus! Thanks for the post.
New York can be fun any time of year. The sandwich is typical of the old New York Jewish delis. Yum…
I just wanted to tell you that your 15 great NYC experiences post is wonderful! (your whole blog is great, actually! I’ve been living vicariously through your posts haha!)
As a mother of 3 boys (Lord help me HA!) we recently took a family trip to visit my sister in law in New Jersey over Labor Day weekend. Being from Ohio, we had never been to NYC before…our boys (12, 9 and 7) are finally at the age where I thought they could appreciate it, so we wanted to do a family sightseeing tour to get the full experience. I didn’t know where to go or what to do, so your page definitely gave us some ideas. Thanks again!
I also wanted to pass along this NYC tour company that we ended up doing – https://www.topviewnyc.com/
My oldest son, Kyle, was actually the one who found it for us! (His Scout leader recommended it when he heard we were going to NY!)
It was fantastic. They have these big red buses (like you see in England!) that are open on top and they drive you around and give you a tour. As someone who has never done the NYC tourist thing, it was wonderful. My boys couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had. They felt like they were in the movies LOL!
I didn’t see it on your site, but I thought you might want to add it to your list of ‘if you go’ resources…I think other families would love it too!
Anyways, thanks again for your help in planning our trip! I’ll definitely be coming back to your page the next time we head to the city!
Thank you Sarah! I’m glad I was able to make your trip a bit easier and (hopefully) more enjoyable.
And thank you Kyle for the good tip on TopView. I’m going to try it during my next trip to NYC! And thank your Scoutmaster for me also.
Winter season is my favorite, every year we plan an outing in the winters as it is the best season to enjoy. I really liked reading this post and going through the pictures, the winter experiences mentioned in the post are worth experiencing whenever we visit New York. Thank you for the inspiration.
New York is great in any season. And you’ll find each NY season is unique. Glad you liked the post.