New York in Feb with kids

[Doublebubblegum]

Has anyone been in Feb (ish) time with kids? Found an amazing deal mid February which coincides with half term - kids will be 8 and 10 ! I think they will love it but am also a bit concerned it'll be so cold then that we will all be miserable all the time. Has anyone been then? I'm not sure we could ever afford a family trip at a better time of year.

Thanks

I've been a few times February due to the cheaper flights. It is really really bitterly cold there at that time of year (the coldest place I've ever been) but as long as you are prepared for this its doable. Wear thermal underwear, long pants, a few layers on top, a good coat plus hat / gloves and its fine. Bear in mind the children may resent having to pile on all those layers - I have a child who hates wearing coats and hats!

The place is still beautiful and full of life at that time of year, with loads to see and do both indoors and outdoors. You kind of have to treat it as an expedition though rather than a normal holiday! Make regular stops for hot drinks and food and you'll be fine.

Have to factor in that you could get flight disruption due to the weather. Last time I went in Feb we were the last flight that was allowed to land at JFK before they closed it due to snow. We were lucky, but it could have screwed the holiday.

P.s also wear warm comfortable walking boots - you will walk for miles there is so much to see, and you don't want your feet getting slushy / wet and cold.

Aah thank you. I'm having second thoughts now!! Don't want to go all the way there and just have wet, moaning children 😬

It can be reasonably mild or pretty cold.
You should all have snow boots and thermals in case but you might not need them.
You won't be walking along the high line or picnicking in Central Park but there is still lots to do.
At least you won't be a hot sticky mess which would be visiting in summer.

I haven’t been in Feb, but have been in Dec and Jan.

Dec trip was much less cold than we anticipated and we all ended up hot because we had too many layers on!

Jan trip, it snowed and it really made the holiday. It doesn’t grind to a halt like the UK. Snow ploughs appeared from nowhere, streets were cleared and it carried on as normal. We all remember that trip for the snow and it made it a bit more special, and again, it really wasn’t as cold as I’d have imagined. We were fine in decent coats, hats and gloves.

It can be bitterly cold in Feb, although it can also be okay. I lived there for several years and like anywhere you get cold snaps and milder snaps, so you could get lucky. But if you go, definitely take warm clothes. A really good coat that is windproof, hats, scarves, thermal gloves, warm boots and you'll be fine. Millions of New Yorkers live through Feb every year

I have been in November and March, and both times it was bone-chillingly cold. Plan for waterproof shoes and lots of layers.

We ended up leaving our March trip a day early because we'd heard reports about an incoming snow storm, schools closing, etc and lucky we did - we were on the last BA flight out of JFK before everything else was grounded. We had been stuck on the tarmac for ages while they de-iced the wings, too.

To be totally honest, it wasn't huge fun walking around in such freezing weather and I was very glad it wasn't our first time there, so there was no pressure to see the sights. One day it was so cold, we went to the cinema just to get some heat! Plenty of people wrap up warm and crack on without complaint, though, I'm just more of an indoor cat

We went in early March 2020 and didn't even need winter coats/gloves. Also been in December when it snowed and was -11. It's hard to say! I am very warm blooded, OH not as much as me but not a particularly cold person. We enjoyed it in the cold and seeing central park in the snow was magical. I have a friend who really feels the cold who I can imagine would have struggled.

I would go for it unless you all really feel the cold. Embrace it and enjoy hot chocolates and diners if you need a break.

Was there mid February this year 16/18 degrees every day bar the afternoon on our last full day which was a Friday and the Saturday of our flight home.

The Friday afternoon the weather just changed. It was really strange. It was cold. Saturday was one of those beautiful but freezing cold days.

It can be cold, but plenty of people survive winters in NYC so you’ll be just fine if you’re well prepared and will benefit from attractions being quieter!

I went in Feb just before covid lockdown and it was relentlessly cold! We had beautiful clear blue days, but it was extremely cold. I cannot imagine it being enjoyable for children I’m afraid! A good coat, windproof thermals etc will be a godsend if you do decide to brave it!