New York in August? Will it be to hot and busy?

[Don'tcallthepolice]

Hi a bit of advice from those who have done the tourist trail in manhattan in August?

It will be me DH and DD 13.

We were thinking of going in October but would prefer it timewise to go in summer.

If you did your New York trip at this time would love to know the pros and cons.

Thank you 😁

Although there are Augusts that are just warm, for the most part it can be quite unpleasant. The heat just radiates off the buildings and asphalt and the humidity makes it even worse. October is much more pleasant. Remember, you'll do a lot of walking there.

October is much more pleasant. August is humid and unpleasant and the city is overrun with tourists.

OP. I was there this October half term and it was 25 degrees and horribly sweaty walking around.. I'd hate to be there in the proper summer.

I've been in September and it was unbearable most of the time, the subway was horrifically humid. I would go again in cooler weather considering you spent a lot of time walking around

August will be hot but nearly everywhere is air conditioned. It is humid in New York but again, air con helps with that. Just make sure you have it in your accommodation.

We went for a week in August back in 2017. It was warm (not unbearably so) and we also had a day of heavy rain and one overcast miserable day. I'd say its quite similar to London weather - unpredictable! I loved it and would visit in August again.

I live in New York, it will be very hot, but it won't be very busy as most New Yorkers clear out of the city for big chunks of the summer.

It depends how much time outdoors you might like to spend. Indoors will be air conditioned. Outdoors will be hot and humid. The summers have been getting hotter and hotter and the humidity is dreadful. This August it was about 30C or higher for roughly a third of the month. October is a wonderful time to visit. You can actually enjoy Central Park.

I went to New York in August back in the 80s 😎. It was incredibly hot some days. In remember having a cold bath to cool down and becoming obsessed with iced tea. Still managed to get out and about though.

I went in August with DC. It was hot most days although one day was windy and rainy ! But we didn’t find it too hot at all and it didn’t stop us doing anything. Did lots of walking, baseball game , all the usual sights. Booked well in advance for most things and it didn’t feel too overcrowded. The good weather was a definite advantage for the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty and for other outdoor things such as the Highline park walk and. Brooklyn bridge . The only disadvantage was the smells (rotting rubbish, cannabis) which were worse in the heat! 🤢 ) but that is the only negative i can think of .

I have to go to NYC every summer with my children. I never find it so unpleasant heat and humidity wise that I regret being there. Yes it can be very warm but everywhere is air conditioned. I use Uber to get around longer distances and just walk the rest (never been a fan of the subway). The tall buildings also mean that one side of the street is always in the shade.

The one thing that I do hate in the warmer weather though is the smell of weed. It seems so much worse in the heat.

Been in August and found it fine! It’s New York.. it’s great

I’ve been twice in mid September and it was just about ok but I wouldn’t want to go in full on summer. One year Central Park was fine to wonder round but the next time it was just too damn hot to not be in shade. But that could be anywhere if you get the weather conditions I guess. You can’t predict it.

it’s New York it’s always bustling but I’ve never found it overwhelming when I’ve been. But I love a busy city…..

We went early November and the weather was perfect with jumper , jeans and a light jacket. And no rain!
We saw all the queue barriers for 9/11 museum, empire state museum etc and can imagine it would be super busy in the summer. It was busy enough for us in November. I always think city breaks are good in spring or autumn

Boiling hot. OK if you can cope. October much better time.

Insufferably humid in August IMO. October is really lovely though.

Oh god definitely go in October you can. Even if you tolerate heat and humidity well the air is dirty so it sticks to your skin and hair in ways it wouldn't elsewhere.

Along with the humidity there's the garbage smell although it could be argued that's part of the authentic experience 😁Subway cars have ac but not the platforms and they're stifling.

Thanks for all your replies. October it is! I just hate the idea of not having a usual holiday in August though we will be fine I think with an autumn break, can't wait!

OP when I read your heading I had a flash of Summer in the City Joe Cocker,
wish I knew how to load a link, this would certainly give you a feel for what you
are asking, traffic noise, helicopters, taxi horns, bright sunshine, dust, gritty discomfort, do it !

I go every other August for 4-5 weeks. It's very very hot and humid, but like others have said everywhere is air conditioned, there are lots of parks, lots of ice creams etc, if you're there long enough you can take trains or subways to the beaches or upstate to lakes... I quite like summer in the city!