United States, North America

New York City in April

Cherry blossoms in Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Pack layers and a rain plan.

GoodSpring proper, highs near 62F (17C), rain likely

Manhattan skyline, New York City — New York CityPhoto: Superbass, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

April is a good month to visit New York City. Cherry blossoms in Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Pack layers and a rain plan.

Weather: Spring proper, highs near 62F (17C), rain likely
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What April is like in New York City

April is spring proper, with highs near 62F (17C) and a good chance of rain. Cherry blossoms bloom in Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and the city spends more time outside. Crowds and prices sit in the middle of the range. Weather can change fast, so pack layers and have a rain plan.

This month suits couples, families on spring break, and anyone who wants blossoms with the city. On rainy days, museums carry the load. If you want warmer and steadier weather, May is the step up.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about New York City this month.

Cherry blossoms

Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden bloom in April. Go early on a weekday morning for the calmest walk.

The High Line in spring

The elevated garden walk starts to bloom. Early morning or after dark are the least crowded times.

Brooklyn Bridge on mild mornings

Walk from Brooklyn toward Manhattan with the skyline ahead of you. Before 8am you share it mostly with joggers.

What to pack for April

A packable rain jacket
Light layers and a warm sweater
Comfortable waterproof walking shoes
A compact umbrella

Our timing tip

Blossom timing varies by year, so check bloom reports a week or two before your trip and visit gardens on weekday mornings.

Book New York City for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New York City
Opens a hotel search for New York City in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in New York City
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in New York City
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in New York City for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in New York City

Full guide

Central Park

Enter at 72nd Street for the Bethesda Terrace core. Weekday mornings feel local; the North Woods feels like another state entirely.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Too big to finish, so do not try. Pick two wings and go at opening or on Friday and Saturday evenings when it stays open late.

Tickets and tours →

A Broadway show

Book marquee shows weeks ahead; same-day rush, lottery, and the TKTS booth cover the rest. January and September have the best availability.

Tickets and tours →

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO

Walk it from Brooklyn toward Manhattan for the skyline in front of you the whole way. Before 8am you share it with joggers, not crowds.

Tickets and tours →

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Reserve crown access months out. The Staten Island Ferry is the free drive-by alternative with skyline views thrown in.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

The High Line and Hudson Yards

An elevated rail line turned garden walk through Chelsea. Least crowded early morning or after dark, when it is lit and lovely.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Flip the icons to the edges of the day: Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square before 8am, the Met at opening, the High Line after dark. Midday belongs to neighborhoods, not landmarks.
In December, see the tree and the windows on a weeknight before 6pm or after 10pm, and spend your daytime hours downtown or in Brooklyn where the holiday crush thins dramatically.
Book observation decks for sunrise or the last night slot; midday sells the same view with triple the elbows.
Museums have quiet valves: Friday and Saturday evenings at the Met, weekday afternoons almost everywhere. First-Friday-type free hours draw the biggest lines of the week, so know the trade.

Know before you go

New York genuinely never closes seasonally. There is no off season for the museums, theaters, or restaurants; the calendar shifts what is on, not whether the city is open.
Thanksgiving Day and December 25 are the two days that actually shut most of the city: many museums and restaurants close, though Chinatown famously does not, and Broadway typically plays on December 25.
Some Broadway shows go dark on Mondays, and most museums close one weekday, commonly Monday or Wednesday. Check the specific show and museum before building your day.
January through early February brings the year's best availability: restaurant reservations, Broadway seats, and hotel deals that are fantasy in October or December.