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Original poster

Am I mad going to NYC in February?

31 replies

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 18:40

Cheaper
Less crowds
Hate hot weather anyway
Love the dark nights with all the lights
Will wrap up warm
Will purchase woolly hat

Am I missing anything? Is it THAT cold? Is everything open? Is it safe to walk around alone at night?

OP posts:

Original poster

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 19:08

OP posts:

FloopyZebra · 06/08/2023 19:09

Could be very very cold! There is a reason it's cheaper then.

TropicalTrama · 06/08/2023 19:12

I think it’s absolutely fine but then I spent 3 years living in Chicago so I have all the city winter clothing (you want one massive coat and not layers because it’s warm indoors). Also my judgement of what counts as properly cold maybe a little iffy ie I’d consider -5 Celsius or above a must take full advantage of and take the kids to the playground weather!

Hellocatshome · 06/08/2023 19:12

We went in February half term. There was a little snow on the ground in places like Central Park but we had packed thermal base layers and bug winter coats and hats and after the first day we got rid of the thermals and for the most part my kids didn't bother with coats just hoodies, gloves and hats. It can of course be a lot worse than that its just luck of the draw. We had one day when it rained non stop but we just did indoor things and made use of the subway.

Philandbill · 06/08/2023 19:13

We went last summer and there was a heatwave. Loved the city but if we went back I'd go in winter as being outside in heat and high humidity was very tiring. Wrap up warm and you'll be fine. Top tip, buy some silk socks to wear under your normal socks and your feet will be toasty warm. (I used to live somewhere cold 😁)

Sprintfinish · 06/08/2023 19:14

I've been to NY in January and March. The January trip was cold but manageable. The March trip was the coldest I've ever been. With wind chill it was -15c a couple of days. I had thermals, warm coats, hats etc but it was hard going as you tend to walk a lot there. Plus whenever we went into a warm restaurant, shop etc we had to strip off some layers.

Original poster

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 19:16

It will be February 2nd for 5 nights

OP posts:

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 06/08/2023 19:17

I went towards the end of January and it was amazing. Freezing but amazing. Seeing central park in the snow was fantastic, just like Love Story!

It is a great time to go, but take really warm clothes. A long duvet coat, warm boots and socks, a hat, scarf and gloves are essential. I hardly ever wear hats but needed one in NYC, make sure it pulls down over your ears and that you can wrap your scarf round your face and cover your nose, the cold air hurts!

implantsandaDyson · 06/08/2023 19:19

I've been to NY twice, both times in January. It was very cold but doable. We did everything we wanted to incl lots of walking, outdoor sightseeing. Coats, hoodies, hats and gloves were grand.

chipsandpeas · 06/08/2023 19:19

i was in NYC at end of jan last year and it was -17 one day with the windchill

its cold but manageable if you have the right clothes/gloves

Grapejam · 06/08/2023 19:30

No its the perfect time to visit. I have been 5 times once at xmas (far too busy for me but beautiful ambience) once in april was like a heatwave and other 3 times always go in january middle to end.(just been this year) Manage to stay longer ie approx 2 weeks or slighty more) as its much cheaper. I also hate the heat so in my eyes its the perfect time to visit the city. Its so much quieter but still busy as NYC always is. The sights and ferries etc are always much quieter. You can really spend time at the attractions etc as you dont feel so rushed. I always manage to get a pic on brooklyn bridge (my fav place )under the arches with noone else in the picture. That would never happen if you went in summer or say from april onwards. Yes all the places are open late. Thankgod its not like my town where everywhere shuts at 5pm! Depending on the area you stay places may shut earlier . I always stay in fidi and on last visit i noticed that most bagels shops etc were shut from 3pm as obv im guessing a lot of people still WFH now. But other areas everywhere was the same. Yes it can be cold but as long as layers are your friend you will be fine. I found it totally safe to walk around but then im not really into the times square area i much prefer a quietier life hence staying downtown in fidi. You will have an AMAZING time

MidsummerMimi · 06/08/2023 19:31

You will be fine.
Good warm clothes will make a big difference.I have lived in Canada, but know NYC well.
There has been a change in the city since Covid and some shops etc have been lost.
The lovely food court under the Plaza Hotel is now closed.
I have seen more homeless people as far in as 34th Street and a lot of evidence of drug addiction.
I used to walk alone after dark around these streets pre Covid, but I would avoid them now at night.
However it is a great city, really exciting and so much to see and do.

Original poster

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 19:38

Thanks for all advice so far! One thing... I'm finding the subway network so confusing! Is it as complicated as it seems to be? A train this, 1 and 2 that. Mind is blown

OP posts:

Elmers · 06/08/2023 19:40

I went in February and it was perfect. Cold, but did so much walking we never got the chance to really feel cold and it was much less busy than other times. We did get a sprinkle of snow on our last day but just enough to make it a memorable walk round Central Park than anything horrendous.

Hellocatshome · 06/08/2023 19:45

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 19:38

Thanks for all advice so far! One thing... I'm finding the subway network so confusing! Is it as complicated as it seems to be? A train this, 1 and 2 that. Mind is blown

Honestly the subway is easy once you get the hang of it. Loads of apps around you just out in where you are and where you want to go and it tells you what train to get and where to get it from.

My 1 tip for the subway is look confident and don't stare at anyone no matter how oddly they are behaving. If you are lost just confidently get off the subway as if you know where you are and wait until you are in an above ground public area before you look at your map.

I realise I have just made it sound scary but honestly I used the subway with my 8 and 11 year old boys and didn't have any problems at all.

Littlefish · 06/08/2023 19:48

I was there just after New Year, this year.

It was freakishly warm on a couple of days - we had to strip down to long sleeve T shirts!

We also had a couple of incredibly wet days.

But no really cold days at all.

Doggymummar · 06/08/2023 19:51

It was fine when I went, about -10 and beautiful dusting of snow. Never used subway just walked and got cabs.

budgiegirl · 06/08/2023 19:53

It's completely pot luck! I've been at Christmas and it was minus 18 - it was the coldest I've ever been, but we managed. I've been in February and it's been around 0, with snow, which was just lovely. Just go prepared and you'll be fine.

ohyesohyesoh · 06/08/2023 20:09

Just back from nyc...we found the subway very easy to navigate. What is it you are struggling with ?

Lapflop · 06/08/2023 20:11

It can get really cold but it's fine if you're prepared! As for safety at night it depends where you go like anywhere really!

Original poster

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 20:12

ohyesohyesoh · 06/08/2023 20:09

Just back from nyc...we found the subway very easy to navigate. What is it you are struggling with ?

The whole effing thing! 🙈

OP posts:

Maddy70 · 06/08/2023 20:13

It will be really really cold and dark

ohyesohyesoh · 06/08/2023 20:17

OP, fair enough honestly , it was fine. We found the nearest station to our hotel , decided where we were heading. And worked it out by colour first then decided which number train.
Off the top of my head it was green 4 for example.
We used it everyday to get from the hotel to where we wanted to start then worked back towards the hotel , if that makes sense.
There was always polite staff in the stations , who helpfully told us we could load a travel card with x amount.
It honestly was as easy as the tube in London , I thought.

LaurieFairyCake · 06/08/2023 20:26

I've also been in winter

If it's dry cold then a top/jumper/hat/gloves are fine as it's INSANELY over heated in shops

You want to take off the hat/gloves and put them in your bag and tie your jumper round your waist

Or one giant coat you can then carry

No layers

You find you're going in and out of places quickly and it takes a while to get cold

Original poster

NewYorkFirstTimer · 06/08/2023 21:49

I am so excited!

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