NYC in August
The US Open arrives and the last of the summer heat.
Month guide
New York in September: the best month of the year
September is the safest answer to when to visit New York: warm days, cool evenings, the lowest rain count of the year and the summer crowds heading home. It is also when the US Open finishes in Queens.
Typical high / low77°F / 63°F (25°C / 17°C)
Rain daysAbout 9, the driest month
CrowdsBusy early, calmer later
What's onThe US Open in early September; the best-weather window
DaylightAbout 12½ 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
Summer without the heat
September keeps the warmth but loses the humidity and the crowds. Days are still in the mid-70s, evenings are cool enough for a jacket, and the light softens into the best walking weather of the year.
Average highs reach 77°F (25°C) with lows around 63°F (17°C), and the month averages fewer wet days than any other. Daylight is about twelve and a half hours, and the parks and waterfronts are at their most comfortable.
The first week still belongs to the US Open in Queens, and the start of the school year marks the point when the city exhales. From mid-September the museums, restaurants and neighbourhoods are easier, which makes it the best all-round month for a first trip.
Weather
What September weather feels like
Warm days, cool evenings and lower humidity than midsummer.
| Measure | Typical |
|---|---|
| Average high | 77°F (25°C) |
| Average low | 63°F (17°C) |
| Rain days | About 9, the fewest of any month |
| Daylight | About 12½ hours |
| What it feels like | Warm days, cool evenings and lower humidity than midsummer. |
| Best use | Everything outdoors: parks, waterfronts and long neighbourhood walks. |
What's on
What is on in September
The US Open finishes, and the city enters its best-weather window.
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Early September — The US Open
The tennis finishes at Flushing Meadows in the first half of the month (2026: 30 August–13 September); check the official site for current dates.
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September to early October — The best-weather window
This is the second of the year's two best stretches; book the outdoor sights and restaurant terraces.
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From mid-September — The city calms down
Once the school year starts, the summer crowds thin and museums and restaurants become easier to book.
How to spend it
How to spend a September day
This is the month for long walks: park, waterfront and a late outdoor dinner.
Morning
Central Park
The park at its best: warm but not hot, with the first hints of autumn colour.
Midday
The High Line or a waterfront
September is the month for long outdoor walks; the High Line and Brooklyn Bridge Park are at their best.
Evening
Outdoor dinner
Terrace season is still open and the evenings are cool and comfortable.
Practical
September planning notes
September starts busy with the US Open and the last of the summer visitors, then calms noticeably from mid-month. The later weeks are one of the best combinations of good weather and manageable crowds in the year.
Light layers, comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket for the evening. September can still deliver a hot afternoon, so keep a summer layer too.
Other months
The rest of the year
NYC in October
Crisp walking weather and the start of the foliage season.
When to visit New York
Weather averages, events and holiday trade-offs across the year.
Questions
Month questions
Is September the best month to visit New York?
Many would say yes: warm days, cool evenings, the fewest rain days of any month and smaller crowds after mid-month.
How warm is New York in September?
Average highs are around 77°F (25°C) and lows around 63°F (17°C), with lower humidity than July and August.
When is the US Open?
It normally finishes in the first half of September; the 2026 edition runs 30 August–13 September. Check the official site for current dates.
Is September busy in New York?
The first half is busy with the US Open and late-summer visitors; from mid-month the city becomes noticeably calmer.