You want to visit New York City and wonder if March is the right time for your trip? New York is a city where there is a lot to do at any time of the year, but with its ever-changing weather and the many events that take place throughout the year, it's not always clear when to go to New York.
What is the weather like in New York in March? What to do in the city during that month? Why go to New York City at this time of the year? You can find the answers to all these questions in this post! 😊The climate in New York City in March
New York City's climate is subtropical, with very cold winters and fairly hot summers – and a very wide temperature range between the two seasons. February is the coldest month of the year in New York, but around March, the temperature gradually rises over the weeks and the sun begins to shine. March marks the return of sunshine, warm weather and spring, as the cold weather gives way to more pleasant temperatures 🙂
During the first third of March, the weather is still really cold in New York City and it may even still snow quite regularly. By March 10, temperatures have already risen by a few degrees, to an average of 7°C in the middle of the day. The days get longer and last about 12 hours, with an average of 9 hours of sunshine. Towards the end of March, as the sun comes out and spring arrives, the climate becomes much sunnier and the temperature is more pleasant 🌞
Rainfall is relatively low, with an average of 7 rainy days during the month ☔ As for the water temperature, it does not exceed 10°C, so it is not yet the right time to enjoy a swim at one of New York City’s beaches – unless you do not fear the cold!
Overall, the weather conditions are better than in January or February, but they can still be unfavourable due to the cold and the rain both. It goes without saying that you will still need to pack warm clothes if you plan to travel to New York in March. However, as we will see in the rest of this post, travelling to New York in March has some advantages that can make it interesting for tourists 😄Looking for things to do in New York City? 🚁
You’re planning to spend a few days in New York City and are still wondering what to do in the City That Never Sleeps? No worries – whether it's cultural visits, family outings or romantic activities, New York is the city where everything is possible 😀 You can for example climb on observation platforms, visit parks or, for the bravest, take a helicopter flight over the city 🤩 Just remember to book your activities in advance to be sure you can do them once you're there.
What to do in New York City in March?
Discover the city's attractions
All of New York City's major must-see attractions are open in March. You'll need to dress accordingly for outdoor activities to visit New York, and you can right away forget about going for a swim. But as far as indoor activities are concerned, March is a perfect time to visit New York! 😀
Some of the things you can do include:
- Visit the city's museums, which by themselves are reason enough to go to New York. There are over 150 museums of all kinds in the city, and some like the Met, MoMa and Guggenheim Museum are simply not to be missed.
- Take in the sights of New York City from one of the great observation platforms such as the Top of the Rock, the Empire State Building or the Summit.
- Enjoy New York's ice rinks (at Rockefeller Center and Central Park, for example), which are still open for a few days in early March ⛸️
- See shows and musicals on Broadway and in other New York theatres. If you're looking for activities to do with your family, Broadway is the perfect place to see a show and have a great time 🙂
- Go see sporting events in one of the city's iconic stadiums. During the month of March, you will have the opportunity to attend an NBA (Knicks and Brooklyn Nets), MLB (Yankees and Nets), NHL (Rangers, Islanders and New Jersey Devils), NFL (Giants and Jets) or MLS (Red Bulls and New York City FC) game almost every day.
Attend major events in March
- St. Patrick's Day is an event that is properly celebrated in New York, since the city is home to a very large Irish community. This festival, which is in honour of Ireland's patron saint, is the occasion to attend large parades through the streets of Manhattan and towards Saint Patrick's Cathedral, but it is also the perfect time to party in a pub 🍺
- The Macy’s Flower Show usually takes place in March. This event, organised by one of New York's most famous department stores, is a large flower festival, entirely free of charge, where visitors can admire beautiful floral arrangements💐
- The Big East Tournament is a major Big East Conference college basketball tournament held at the Madison Square Garden. This is the opportunity to discover the future stars of the NBA. Great players such as Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin and Kemba Walker were discovered during this tournament 🏀
- The Easter Parade takes place on Easter Sunday, usually in April although it can sometimes be at the end of March. This large parade passes through the centre of Manhattan, particularly on the 5th Avenue, and for the occasion many inhabitants wear a wide variety of disguises.
My favourite place to stay in New York City ❤️
Hotel Indigo is located 800 metres from the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, and less than a mile from the Brooklyn Bridge. Its location is ideal for quickly getting to all of the city's major attractions.
The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, with a coffee machine in each room. The staff are friendly and the hotel’s cleanliness is impeccable. For a night in this hotel, you can expect to pay at least £180.
Why go to New York City in March?
As you can see, with the possibility of visiting all the great museums and historical monuments and attending all the great events, going to New York in March is already very attractive. But there are also a few additional reasons that are particularly interesting and that could well end up convincing you to visit the Big Apple in March 😁
Avoid peak tourist periods
From April to December, the number of tourists visiting the city is very high. With big peaks in August, September, October and December, March is a month with fewer visitors.
And this lower tourist presence may allow you to enjoy more peace and quiet during your visits. As such, you will be able to visit New York's museums more easily, and quickly access the major tourist sites such as the observation platforms – which will be quite enjoyable 😉
But you will also find it easier to book a table in a fancy restaurant, to avoid having other people in your pictures on the Brooklyn Bridge or to relax in Bryant Park without being bothered by crowds. Some streets and neighbourhoods even look different outside the peak tourist season. Fifth Avenue for one, one of the most famous avenues in the world, is home to many shops and monuments and looks very different when it's not crowded 👍
Save money on your trip
The other advantage, which is directly related to the fact that there are fewer tourists at this time of year, is that prices are lower. New York is a high-cost city, so saving money on airfare and hotel rooms never hurts! 😄
As for airfare, the prices will be just as interesting, since on a London/New York return ticket, you can easily save up to £130 per person. And if you are careful enough to book your flight and hotel much before your departure date, you can make even better deals! That’s because the closer the dates you choose, the higher the prices – so don't leave it to the last minute!
Even everyday expenses during your stay will sometimes be cheaper. I'm thinking of the price of a rental car in particular, but also that of tickets for certain shows and sports events.
Save on your visits with the New York CityPASS
There is also one last way to save money on your visits: the New York CityPass. This multiple ticket can be very interesting in March, though also at any time of the year😃
With this pass, you can save money while enjoying no-queue access to some of New York City’s attractions!
Valid for 9 days, this pass will allow you to visit 5 of New York's greatest attractions:
- The Empire State Building, with access to the 86th floor observatory,
- The American Museum of Natural History, one of the largest museums in the country – immortalised in the movie Night at the Museum.
- The Guggenheim Museum, one of the world's greatest modern art museums OR the Top of the Rock, the city's most popular observatory atop the Rockefeller Center.
- A visit to the iconic symbol of New York: the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island OR a cruise around Manhattan, around the statue or in a speedboat.
- A visit to the 9/11 Memorial, on the site of the World Trade Center OR a visit to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a museum dedicated to the history of aviation and space conquest.
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