Is New York in July a bad idea?

[Swallowedbyasnake]

Thinking about taking my 10 year old and 8 year old there in mid July this summer, but I am wondering if it is likely to be unbearably hot? They were fine in Florida which was in the low 30s last October, but we had lots of pool time, so I don’t know if this is a really bad idea!

It'll be hot. And some of the old buildings won't have modern air conditioning, just window units. As for being out and getting too hot though, all the modem places will have the air con on so you can nip in a catch your breath.

I've been to New York in July, it was stifling, smelly and everyone just looked miserable, I wouldn't go for choice or a holiday in July. I've lived in Florida and currently live in Brazil so I can handle hot but New York in July, no no.

Best time of year in April or October.

Seconded. July is way too hot, Feb is freezing, Nov is ok but a bit colder/changeable. So April/May or Sept/Oct would be my vote 😁 NYC is lovely, but to see the best of it you want to be out and about and walking, so you need mild temperatures 15-25 ish and no rain, otherwise it's stinky and miserable IMO.

I've been to New York in July or August many times as my brother and his family live there. His DC survive living there, my DC enjoy visiting. We have done plenty of sightseeing in July. I think it's fine.

I've been in the summer. It was hot but perfectly manageable. But we do prefer warm weather over cool weather, and cope with the hotter and more humid Florida July/August weather too.

It will be extremely hot, I prefer Autumn or Spring personally. It won't be as humid as Florida is though, it depends on what you fancy doing. If you did a boat trip out to Liberty or the Open top bus ride, or walked in Central Park or High Line would be OK. Shops would be air conditioned. The streets can be incredibly hot. You will always find shade on one side of the road, but get wafts of hot, smelly air from subway vents regularly!

We have been many times in July. Last year it was very hot indeed.

I prefer it to Florida hot as it's not as humid. It's really not unbearable and air conditioning is your friend.

The heat is stifling. All those tall building keep it in so no air circulation throughout the city.

Against the grain here but we struck it lucky 3 years ago. We arrived just after a heatwave and had beautiful 27 degrees each day and low humidity. We walked miles and enjoyed the playparks and water areas with our 3 and 7 year old. I recommend the beacon hotel with kids, great location and loads of space!

It will be nothing like a Florida holiday with a pool, think more like wandering around polluted central London in an extreme heatwave. If that’s something you’d do and you’d be ok with it then book away. But personally I’d prefer to go in Autumn; October half term would likely be nice.

Having lived there previously, it makes sense why New Yorkers get out of the city in July/August - it's incredibly hot and unbelievably stinky! The Hamptons are gorgeous that time of year...

Still not sure what to do, but thanks for all the comments!

We're thinking of going for a week in August before time on Cape Cod. Would it really be that horrendous?Surely many New Yorkers don't have the cash to upsticks to the Hampton's every summer and cope.

I’ve been in July. Much too hot for proper sightseeing.

Toomany - Cape Cod is where Bostonians go to escape the heat in the height of summer . Boston is bad in the summer, NY is even worse. You might strike it lucky and have a couple of nice days where it's not too stifling, but you can't guarantee it. Depends how well you cope with the heat - I'm Ok, my DH is not

Which would be better,end of July or end of August?

Actually end of July/ middle Aug?

We were there (DD’s aged 8 & 120 for 6 days last July before flying down to Florida and had a brilliant time. It was hot but it really didn’t cause us any issues and my DH and DD2 aren’t particularly good in the heat. There were lots of stops for ice lollies and drinks etc but that was part of the fun. We absolutely loved getting to experience NY in the summer and loved using all the parks, eating outside and going up onto the roof of the Met for drinks with the most amazing views. I guess my advice is not to try to do every single tourist attraction in New York and take time to enjoy the city. We stayed on the upper west side in NYLO which was great but I’ve also heard good things about the Beacon which was nearby. Great location close to the park and natural history museum and some great places to go and get a slice of delicious pizza to take back to your room at the end of a long day. Greenwich Village was great with a long stop in Washington Square Park and the DD’s joined in with the other kids running through the fountains. We took the Staten Island Ferry out and straight back again to see the Statue of Liberty from the boat which is completely free. Wandered the upper East side and went to the Guggenheim and Met Museum which were both unbelievably good and the DD’s enjoyed them despite their protests about being dragged into museums. Also managed to see Grand Central Station, Empire State Building, 9/11 memorial and we went up the Rockerfeller tower to see the sunset (so touristy but fab!) We also loved going into some of the massive Whole Foods stores which are everywhere and all choosing something delicious to eat from the multiple fresh food counters and eating it in one of the parks.

Can you tell that I loved it - you must go!

We went in August with a 3 year old and 8 year old. We opted for 2 nights in New York and then 3 nights in Long Island. For the New York days it was very hot, but not unbearably so, and we managed it by making sure we didn't rush around too much to see everything. We just picked the things most important to us (and what we thought the boys could cope with) - central park, statue of liberty on one day and empire state building, museum of modern art the next. We then picked up a car and drove to the North Fork of Long Island (cheaper and less busy than the Hamptons on the south of Long Island). We stayed in place called Greenport (3 hour drive from Manhattan), in an apartment, with a pool and beach access. It was amazing, really chilled after the busy first two days. Also felt like we had seen a massive contrast of big city life and small town America. I would recommend it to anyone, it was the one holiday we have had were we felt the balance between being active and relaxed was perfect and the whole family loved it. It was cooler in Long Island too, which made sitting on the beach or by the pool very pleasant.

Swallowedbyasnake :

Take them to Boston, a lot nice than NY and way cooler.
Me personally I find NY in July/August unbearable, stifling and a miserable place. The subway is hot and crowded.

I went in July/August and it was so dry and hot that my contact lenses withered up and died.

Don't do it! It's a great city, loads to do, you won't get the best out of it in the stifling heat.

My dds are very keen to go to NY, we also thought about it for this summer but decided the heat would spoil it for them.

We'll probably go in October either this year or next.