NYC in December
Holiday lights, the tree and the busiest weeks of the winter.
Month guide
New York in January: cold, quiet and cheaper
January is one of the two quietest months in New York and the cheapest for hotels, but it is also the coldest. If you can accept short daylight and a proper coat, you get the museums, restaurants and neighbourhoods without the queues.
Typical high / low39°F / 28°F (4°C / −2°C)
Rain daysAbout 11 a month
CrowdsQuiet, except the first few days of the year
What's onRestaurant Week; the holiday season winds down
DaylightAbout 9½ hours
Checked 2 November 2026. Prices, opening hours and transport details were verified against official sources. Things change — confirm before you book. How we check.
The short version
The city at its quietest
January strips New York back to its residents. The holiday crowds have gone, the museums are calm and the restaurant reservation you could not get in December is suddenly available.
The cold is real but manageable: average highs sit around 39°F (4°C) and lows around 28°F (−2°C), and the wind between the buildings makes it feel colder. Days are short, so plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day and save museums for the morning and late afternoon.
The first week is the exception: the Rockefeller Center tree stays lit into early January and the holiday visitors linger. After that the city empties, hotel rates drop and Restaurant Week arrives in the second half of the month.
Weather
What January weather feels like
Cold, often windy and darker than you expect; snow is possible but not guaranteed.
| Measure | Typical |
|---|---|
| Average high | 39°F (4°C) |
| Average low | 28°F (−2°C) |
| Rain days | About 11 a month |
| Daylight | About 9½ hours |
| What it feels like | Cold and windy, with short days and occasional snow; layers matter more than one heavy coat. |
| Best use | Museums, galleries, Broadway and long indoor lunches. |
What's on
What is on in January
The month is defined by the holidays ending and Restaurant Week beginning.
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Until about 9 January — The Rockefeller Center tree
The tree stays lit into the first week of January. Go early in the day; the evening crowds are heavy until the season ends.
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Late January — NYC Restaurant Week
Prix-fixe menus at $30, $45 and $60 at restaurants across the city. Book as soon as reservations open.
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All month — The cheapest Broadway
January and February are the cheapest months for Broadway, and midweek performances are the best value. TKTS sells same-day seats at up to half price.
How to spend it
How to spend a January day
Stay warm by moving between indoors and outdoors rather than committing to one or the other.
Morning
A museum at opening
The Met, MoMA or AMNH are calmest in the first hour. January is the easiest month to see them without a crowd.
Midday
A park walk in the light
Use the middle of the day for Central Park or the High Line; the low sun is at its warmest and the paths are quiet.
Evening
A long dinner
Restaurant Week menus, a neighbourhood bistro or a Broadway show; the city is at its most comfortable indoors in January.
Practical
January planning notes
Crowds are lowest after the first week, which makes January a good month for museums, restaurants and anything you would otherwise queue for. Hotel rates are at their cheapest, though the first few days of the month still carry holiday pricing.
Pack a proper insulated coat, a hat, gloves and a scarf, plus warm layers you can remove indoors. Waterproof boots with grip are worth the luggage space for snow and slush; museums are heavily heated, so a light sweater works better than a heavy one.
Other months
The rest of the year
NYC in February
The coldest weeks, quiet museums and Restaurant Week's final days.
When to visit New York
Weather averages, events and holiday trade-offs across the year.
Questions
Month questions
Is January a good time to visit New York?
Yes, if you want low prices and no queues and can handle the cold. After the first week it is the quietest month, with the cheapest hotel rates and easy museum entry.
How cold is New York in January?
Average highs are around 39°F (4°C) and lows around 28°F (−2°C). Wind makes it feel colder, and snow is possible but not guaranteed. A proper coat, hat and gloves are essential.
What is there to do in January?
Museums, Broadway, Restaurant Week and long indoor lunches. Central Park and the High Line are quiet and beautiful in the low light if you dress for the cold.
Does it snow in January?
Sometimes, but heavy snow is not guaranteed. January is one of the likeliest months for it; waterproof boots are more useful than waiting for a snow day.