New York in July

May through June gives you perfect weather without summer crowds. Central Park blooms, outdoor dining returns, and hotel prices haven't hit peak season yet. Expect 70-degree days and cool evenings perfect for Broadway shows. September and October bring fall foliage upstate that rivals New England. The Hudson Valley turns gold and crimson, while the Adirondacks offer some of the East Coast's best leaf-peeping. Book accommodations early — this is peak season for upstate tourism. Winter means cheaper hotels in the city but brutal cold upstate. Lake Placid transforms into a winter sports paradise, but temperatures drop to -10°F regularly. The holidays bring Rockefeller Center's tree and ice skating, but also massive crowds and $500+ hotel rooms. Summer brings perfect weather but also peak prices and tourism. The Hamptons become playground for the wealthy, Coney Island fills with families, and upstate lakes offer swimming and boating. Just know that August in the city can be swelteringly humid.