New York City in April: Weather, Packing List, Unique Things To Do in NYC
Wondering if you should visit New York City in April? April in New York City is warm and exciting, with warmer weather, flower blooms and sporting events happening. This April in New York City guide shows you what the weather is like, best things to do and what to pack for New York City this month.
With the Easter holiday as the unofficial start of spring, April in New York City is when the weather becomes consistently warmer, greener, and prettier. With the start of spring, all the outdoor activities, concerts, sporting events also come back to New York City, making it an exciting and interesting month to visit.
If you are wondering how warm (or rainy) New York City is in April, and whether there are seasonal specific events, festivals or things to do, then you are in the right place.
As a New York City local, I’ve spent the last 10 Aprils in the city, exploring and capturing different aspects of the city, so I can give you a practical and useful April in NYC travel guide. So without further ado, let’s explore the beautiful April here.
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How is the Weather in New York City in April
Overall, April is not a bad time to visit New York City in terms of weather. You can expect warm(ish) weather, with some rain showers. The weather is not too hot or humid, making it ideal for outdoor activities. Flowers start blooming in April and everywhere turns green.
April Temperature in NYC: Daily High
The average daily high in April (based on 2023 data) is between 60 to 73 F (15.5 to 23 C) throughout the month.
Honestly, the weather in April is all over the place, with some days super hot whereas other days much cooler. Therefore it is a bit difficult to dress for April since you just don’t know what you are going to get.
In general though, you can expect to not wear a thick jacket during the day, especially under the sun.
April Temperature in NYC: Daily Low
The average daily low in April in NYC (based on 2023 data) is between 42 to 52 F (5.5 to 11.5 C) throughout the month.
As you can expect, you can expect warmer days as it gets closer to May.
There are occasional heatwaves in April, making the days feel like summer, but only to be brought back down by 10 to 20 F a few days later.
Again, always prepare for colder evenings in April when you are in New York City.
Is New York City Humid in April?
Humidity is not an issue at all in April for New York City. In fact it is one of the most comfortable months to travel to New York City.
Even on warm days, you won’t experience much humidity, making it ideal to explore the city all day long and engage in outdoor activities.
Does it Rain a Lot in April in New York City
New York City can be rainy in April, but it ultimately depends on your luck.
In fact there is a 30% chance of rain throughout the month of April. The saying “April showers bring May flowers” is quite accurate when it comes to New York City.
On average, you can expect about 3.7 inches of rainfall in April, which is actually not too bad compared to the summer months of July to September. There will be days that rains nonstop and other days with completely clear and sunny skies.
Therefore, it would be good to bring a small umbrella with you when visiting New York City in April, but know that it’s usually not a downpour in April.
What to Wear and Pack for April in New York City?
Since April weather can be all over the place and temperature can vary as much as 20 degrees (F) or 11 degrees Celsius in a matter of days, you need to pack for both hot weather and cold weather.
Jacket for New York City
You need a jacket for spring in New York City, but it should be a somewhat warm jacket since early mornings and evenings can be quite chilly in April. In fact there have been days that I wore my winter parka last April!
You don’t necessarily need to bring a winter jacket, but I would recommend bringing a fleece jacket or a quilt jacket and maybe a leather jacket with you.
If you are not sure what type of jacket you should bring, check out this, this, and this jacket for some inspiration.
Long Sleeve Shirt or Thin Cardigan
Even if you have a thin jacket and the days are cold, you can still stay warm with layers!
My favorite go-to for April outfits include cardigans and long sleeve shirts, as they are both versatile and can be cute.
I would not recommend bringing thick sweaters with you for an April trip, since you probably will be sweating in that.
Short Sleeve Shirt
When it comes to April, there can be days that feel like summer (without the humidity). Instead of sweating in your long sleeve, always be prepared with some short sleeves as well. Yeah I know, April is really annoying to dress and pack for!
Cute Dresses
April is when cherry blossoms bloom all over New York City and what better way to take photos with them than to wear a cute dress?
Even though it can still be cold in April, you can always wear a maxi dress (or wear a thick coat over your dress and take it off just for photos, like what I did)!
Personally, I would recommend wearing light colored dresses (better if it’s a long sleeve dress) if your goal is to photograph cherry blossoms.
Tights
If you really want to wear a dress or skirt but are too worried about the cold (there are still more cold days than hot days in April), then bring a pair of tights!
While there are always the fleece lined fake sheer tights, you might want to wear some thinner ones like this with cute patterns on them.
Jeans
Jeans can never go out of style and it is the perfect pants to wear in April in NYC.
Best Shoes for Walking in New York City
You will be walking a lot in New York City, and since weather will be nice in April, you can expect to spend most of the days exploring the city.
Walking shoes are essential for New York City and trust me, cute shoes like Converse are not great for your feet when there is a lack of arch support.
In general, if you are looking for comfortable walking shoes for NYC, I would recommend the following based on personal experience (hint: they are comfy but not sexy):
- Hoka: Hoka is one of the most discussed shoes out on the market and for good reasons. They are super comfortable (even my podiatrists recommended them) but they are not cute.
- On Cloud: Another New Yorker favorite, super comfortable and trust me, your feet will thank you at the end of the day.
- ASICS: This is another recommendation from my podiatrist (he was in fact wearing them).
Of course, if you already have a pair of really comfortable walking shoes, bring them to New York! The best advice I can give you regarding shoes is to never wear a new pair of shoes to a new city. Wear what works for you and don’t wear heels!
Other Things to Pack for Spring in New York City
- External Phone Battery: External phone battery is absolutely essential when you are out and about all day exploring New York City. Most likely you will be taking a ton of photos and videos, you really don’t want to run out of battery. You can buy here.
- Sim Card: Wifi is not everywhere in New York City as you would expect. If you want to get directions and search for things in general, you need to have the internet on your phone. You can always get a eSim card or buy a physical sim card once you land.
- Umbrella: April can be quite rainy so you might want to bring a small umbrella with you. You can always buy one from the street when it rains but those would cost you at least $15.
- Anti-theft Bag: I have heard many stories from friends who lost their wallets and phones in NYC (especially at bars). Consider getting an anti theft bag like this one.
- Hand Sanitizer: Most likely you will be taking the subway around New York City and you don’t want to know how dirty that subway pole is if you need to hold onto it.
- Lotions and skin moisturizer: Even though spring in NYC is less harsh on the skin than winter, it is by no means moisturizing. If you are used to more humid weather or your skin gets dry easily, bring lotion and moisturizer (or you can always buy them from Sephora).
- Reusable water bottle: You can always buy bottled water from random street vendors in New York City, but I would highly recommend bringing your own water bottle (like this one). New York City has one of the best tap waters in the world, it is clean and great tasting (better than some bottled water).
How Expensive are Hotels in New York City in April?
April is when hotel prices start to creep up, leading to peak summer high and tend to remain high for the rest of the year.
Using Riu Plaza New York Times Square as an example, which is super popular place for visitors to stay in NYC, below are the prices for the same Thursday every month:
March 14 (Thur): $279 for deluxe family king
April 18 (Thur): $359 for deluxe family king
May 16 (Thur): $427 for deluxe family king
June 13 (Thur): $399 for deluxe family king
This was the price that I got when I tried to price this hotel back in January. When I checked the price again a month later, the April price had already gone up to $400 for the same room.
As you can see, April hotel prices are about 29% higher than March (which is already more than February). The closer to the actual date of staying, the more you can expect the price to go up.
Fun Things to Do and Festivals to Attend in April in NYC
Now you know about the weather and price in New York City in April, it’s time to see what are some unique things to do this month.
With the warmer weather, you have a lot more options to do things outside. It is also the perfect time to visit NYC if you are into flowers since everything will be blooming.
Outdoor Events in New York City in April
Catch Cherry Blossom (or Attend a Cherry Blossoms Festival)
New York City is known for its beautiful cherry blossoms every spring from the end of March to the end of April. Depending on your luck and the particular year you are visiting, you may be able to see these beautiful flowers popping up as you explore the city.
There are different types of cherry blossoms all over New York City, with the white ones generally blooming much easier than the dark pink ones. Some of the best places to catch cherry blossom at the end of march and early April include:
- Roosevelt Island
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park
- Central Park
- Washington Square Park
Each year, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden hosts an annual cherry blossom festival in April, this is the perfect weekend to check out the bloom and picnic under these beautiful trees.
Besides cherry blossoms, another beautiful flower in New York City is the magnolias. They pop up generally around the same time as cherry blossoms, and you can find some of the best ones at Washington Square Park and Central Park.
Read my complete guide on where to see cherry blossoms in New York City for more information.
Tulip Festival at West Side Community Garden
Aside from cherry blossoms and magnolias, New York City also has a number of beautiful places to see tulips in April.
One particular place to celebrate the blooming of tulips is West Side Community Garden, located on the Upper West Side on 89th Street one block away from Central Park.
There are over 13000 tulip bulbs being planted every year, so it’s the perfect place to see tulips and celebrate spring.
NYC Tartan Week and Tartan Day Parade
New York City is a diverse city with different people, culture and traditions. One of the most celebrated traditions in April is the Tartan week, which recognizes and celebrates Scottish heritage and culture.
April 6 is the official National Tartan Day (as recognized by the US senate), to recognize the contribution of the Scottish community to the US. During this week, there is a series of Scottish themed celebrations and ultimately a parade on Sixth Avenue between 44th St and 55th St.
Earth Day in NYC (April 22, 2024)
Launched in 2016, Car-Free Earth Day initially transformed designated Manhattan streets into vibrant public plazas and car-free havens, welcoming pedestrians, cyclists, and local businesses.
Over the years, this initiative has evolved, extending its reach to encompass various locations across the five boroughs, integrating Open Streets and plazas, and seamlessly connecting to New York City’s extensive Bike Network spanning over 1,000 miles.
In addition to the car free day on several streets, there are also many other events happening in honor of Earth Day, such as the educational efforts at Urban Oasis at One World Observatory, and other volunteer opportunities at parks and beaches in New York.
MLB Season Starts in April
If you are a baseball fan then April is a great time to visit New York City! MLB Season starts in April and goes until October. In case you didn’t know, New York City has not one, but two baseball teams, doubling the fun!
Both Yankees and the Mets are based in New York City (each with their own stadium). You can see their schedules and buy tickets online.
Yankee Game Tickets are free with the New York Attraction Pass by Go City.
Visit the Outdoor Observation Decks in New York City
There are 5 observation decks in New York City and each is unique in its own ways. While some have more indoor exhibits and views, others are more built for an open-air outdoor experience.
Assuming the weather is good and it’s not foggy (usually it’s not in April), you have 3 outdoor observatories to choose from:
While the Empire State Building is the most iconic building in New York City, you actually get a much better view from the Top of the Rock (since you can see the Empire State Building and Central Park).
The Edge, on the other hand, is totally unique with its outdoor deck. In fact I think the Edge has the largest outdoor deck of the 5 observatories in NYC.
All 3 observatories also have their own unique special activities.
- The Empire State Building allows you to go up to the 102nd floor in addition to its outdoor 86th floor observatory
- The Edge has City Climb, a thrilling outdoor open-air ascent 1200 above ground
- Top of the Rock has the Beam, a new attraction that allows you to recreate the iconic photos of sitting on a beam above New York City.
All 3 observatories are included with the Go City New York Passes. With Go City, you also have one hour early access at the Edge before it opens to the public, allowing you to capture the best photos.
Indoor Events for Rainy Days in April
There are PLENTY of things to do in doors in New York City on a rainy day in April. Don’t worry, you really won’t run out of things to do in the Big Apple (one reason why I still live here)!
Mayc’s Flower Show (March 24, to Sunday, April 7)
In case you miss the cherry blossoms (I bet you won’t since they essentially bloom for the whole month), you can always see beautiful flowers inside at the annual Macy’s Flower Show. In 2024, the show will be featuring DIOR. In case you weren’t in NYC December 2023, the DIOR window display at Saks Fifth Avenue was breathtaking and timeless, so you can bet this Flower Show will be beautiful.
The Flower Show will transform the Herald Square flagship store into a flower wonderland. You do not need to pay to see the Macy’s Flower Show, simply see the beautiful window displays and walk inside to experience this beautiful two week event.
New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show (Feb 17 – Apr 21, 2024)
The Orchid Show is another exciting flower event in New York City in the spring. Every spring, the New York Botanical Garden hosts this wonderful flower show featuring different themes.
invites designers to help design the orchid show based on a theme and the theme for 2024 is fashion, so you can see that all the designs center around clothes.
Aside from the day time Orchid Show that is open to everyone, if you are 21 and older, you can also attend the Orchid Nights, which has, as you guessed it, alcohol, food and music.
Spend Time at World Renowned Museums
Museums are one of the best things to do on a rainy April day in New York City. We have so many world class museums it’s hard to pick just one or two, but some of the best museums in NYC include:
Unique Museums in New York City include:
- Tenement Museum: where you can learn more about the lives of immigrants
- New York Transit Museum: located inside an old subway station, this museum lets you learn more about how the NY subway system was constructed and you can get on old subway cars
- The Morgan Library & Museum: a beautiful research library that has some of the most rare books and materials.
- Intrepid Museum: The Intrepid Museum is a military history museum where you can see fighter jets and military helicopters, get inside a real submarine and the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid. You can also see a real space shuttle inside the museum.
- Museum of Illusions: This fun museum has a ton of fascinating illusions that play tricks on your mind. This museum is not only fun for adults but also the perfect place for kids.
Most of the popular museums in New York City are free with the New York Pass and Sightseeing Pass.
Drink and Play Shuffleboard at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club
One of the most unique bars in New York City is the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club in Brooklyn. This is a place that only New Yorkers know about and you won’t see any tourists around.
This beach themed bar and shuffleboard club allows you to get a drink, chill with friends, play shuffleboards and try a variety of food from its 19 rotating food trucks. You can also host a cabana party if you have a large group for a special event.
Besides shuffleboard courts, you will also find other games, including board games here.
See Cool Cars at the New York International Auto Show (Mar 29 to Apr 7, 2024)
The annual New York international auto show is an event not to be missed for any car enthusiasts. While it is hard to be enthusiastic about driving in New York City (if you haven’t done it, don’t attempt), the cars themselves are always great to check out.
Held in the massive Jacob Javits Convention Center, this annual event brings you the newest and coolest cars, as well as concept cars and fancy sports cars you would rarely see on the street.
Contrary to popular belief, the New York International Auto Show is great for families and kids as well, with interactive elements, freebies, and fun cars to sit in.
Get Coffee From a Flower Cafe
Not sure if you’ve noticed but the theme of April is all about flowers (well, at least for me). If you are not sick of seeing flowers everywhere yet (and I sure hope you don’t have crazy seasonal allergies like I do), then you would love to grab coffee or tea from one of the pretty floral coffee shops in New York City.
There are a number of cute flower and plant themed coffee shops in New York City (and more and more are opening up every month). The biggest worry you have would be how to choose one from so many options.
Check out my complete New York City Flower Cafe guide to see all the cute cafes in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn.
New York City Q&A
If this is your first time visiting New York City, you probably have a lot of questions you want answered. I am here to make things easier for your trip planning, so here are some practical things you should know before visiting New York City.
How to Get Around New York City
New Yorkers rely on public transportation to get around the tristate area (that includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut). The New York City public transportation system include:
- The notorious subway
- Bus
- Ferries
- Roosevelt Island Tramway
You can also get around the tristate area with trains, such as the Long Island Railroad, Metro-North Railroad, New Jersey Transit, and Amtrak.
The New York City subway and buses are 24/7, one of the only 24/7 public transportation systems in the world. However, this also causes delays in inspection and infrastructure works on the subway system.
You can pay for the New York City subway and bus by purchasing a Metrocard, or just simply use your Apple Pay, Google Pay or contactless credit card to tap and pay at the reader.
You can also take a hop on hop off bus tour if you want to see the streets of NYC and to popular tourist attractions. This is included in the New York Pass and Explorer Pass.
Where to Stay in New York City
Midtown is the most popular area for tourists to stay in New York City, and this includes Times Square, Herald Square, and Fifth Avenue area. Many other tourists choose to stay in Chelsea, Soho, and the Financial District if they want a quieter and potentially cheaper place to stay.
While I am not a fan of Times Square (I don’t think any locals are a fan of Times Square), I totally understand why tourists, especially first time visitors, choose to stay there.
If you do decide to stay in Midtown, the best hotels (based on what I heard from other tourists), include:
- Riu Plaza New York Times Square
- Radio City Apartments
- The Cloud One Downtown
- M Social Hotel Times Square
How to Save Money in New York City
New York City is not cheap and you will be spending a good amount of money traveling here. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be a budget traveler to enjoy the city.
While I always advocate to get an attraction pass for New York City if you are planning to do touristy things, you can also save money by:
- Taking the subway and bus
- Taking food to-go instead of dining to save on tips
- Picking a hotel that include breakfast
- Grabbing cheaper food like falafels, slices of pizzas, chicken rice, dumplings, and from food carts
Is it Safe to Take the Subways in NYC
Yes, it is safe to take the subways most of the time. This question is highly debatable since there are always those that believe the subway is safe no matter what time of the day and others that don’t feel comfortable taking the subway late at night, especially for a solo female traveler.
Therefore, this is entirely dependent on your personal level of comfort. Personally, I don’t like taking the subway late at night but I have no problems taking it during the day or even early in the morning.
Is April a Good Time to Visit New York City?
Now, the ultimate question you may have is whether you should visit New York City in April.
April is a very good time to visit NYC due to its warmer and dry weather, the beautiful cherry blossom and other flower blooms, opportunities for outdoor activities and moderate prices before the summer surge.
In fact April, May, September, October and December are the best months to visit New York City.
Check Out My Other New York City Blogs
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- Pier 57 Market & Rooftop Park Guide
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