United States, North America

New York City in November

Early November is a quiet sweet spot around the marathon. Thanksgiving week flips the city into full holiday-crush mode.

TradeoffsCool, highs near 54F (12C)

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

The straight answer

November is a month of real tradeoffs in New York City. Early November is a quiet sweet spot around the marathon. Thanksgiving week flips the city into full holiday-crush mode.

Weather: Cool, highs near 54F (12C)
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What November is like in New York City

November is cool, with highs near 54F (12C). Early in the month, around the NYC Marathon, the city is in a quiet sweet spot with fall color and fewer crowds. Then Thanksgiving week flips everything into holiday mode, with the Macy's parade, crowds, and higher prices. The holiday season kicks off late in the month.

It suits travelers who want the city between seasons, or families who want the parade and holiday start. Note that many museums and restaurants close on Thanksgiving Day. If you want calm and lower prices, aim for early November.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about New York City this month.

NYC Marathon

The five-borough race turns the city into a cheering section in early November. Book hotels early for that weekend.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Giant balloons float down Central Park West on Thanksgiving morning. Watch the balloon inflation the evening before for a calmer experience.

Holiday season begins

The Rockefeller tree and store windows appear late in the month. The city starts to sparkle.

What to pack for November

A warm coat
Hat and gloves for early mornings
Comfortable walking shoes
Layers for heated indoor spaces

Our timing tip

For the parade, claim a spot along Central Park West by dawn, or skip the crush and see the balloon inflation the night before.

Book New York City for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in New York City
Opens a hotel search for New York City in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
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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 November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

Lit on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving and on display into January, usually until about the middle of the month

New York's giant spruce, a Swarovski star, and a skating rink, lit from the week after Thanksgiving into January.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Thanksgiving morning, late November

The giant balloons down Central Park West. Claim a spot by dawn, or watch the balloon inflation the evening before, a great lower-key tradition.

Holiday season

Late November through early January

The Rockefeller tree, department-store windows, and ice rinks. The most crowded, most expensive, most sparkly weeks of the year.

NYC Marathon

Early November

The five-borough race turns the whole city into a cheering section. Book hotels early for that weekend.

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.

New York City in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit New York City?

November is a month of real tradeoffs in New York City. Early November is a quiet sweet spot around the marathon. Thanksgiving week flips the city into full holiday-crush mode.

What is the weather like in New York City in November?

Cool, highs near 54F (12C).

Is New York City crowded in November?

New York City is busy in November, though mornings and late afternoons stay workable.

What is happening in New York City in November?

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (thanksgiving morning, late november); Holiday season (late november through early january); NYC Marathon (early november).