If you are thinking of visiting New York in August, it's best to be prepared. The Big Apple can be quite warm and humid in the summer months, with temperatures reaching as high as 90°F (35°C).
This can make spending time outdoors a little uncomfortable, but it's the perfect time of year to sip cocktails on a rooftop bar, stop by a museum or art gallery, or visit one of the many parks in the city. Summer also comes with exciting free concerts and plays held in Central Park.
What Is The Weather Like in New York in August?
August in New York is hot and humid. The average high temperature is around 83°F in the day, with lows of 68°F towards the evening.
The city regularly experiences heat waves during this month, with temperatures that can climb to 100°F and beyond.
August is typically one of the driest months, with lower precipitation levels than the rest of the year, although the National Weather Service puts the average rainfall for the month at around 4.5 inches.
Thunderstorms are common during this month, so pack your umbrella if you are concerned! Most days will be sunny, with occasional cloud cover.
New York isn't too windy in August, with an average wind speed of around 10.4 mph compared to the average wind speed in March of 15.5 kph.
While New York is notoriously cold in winter (with an average snowfall of 25 inches), even the evenings are pleasantly warm in summer.
Is August a Good Time to Visit New York City?
August is a good time to visit New York City, but it depends on what you'd like to do and see during your trip. The warmer months attract the most tourists, which can lead to a spike in hotel prices.
You'll also find more crowds at the popular attractions, so you'll need to plan all of the activities for your New York trip well in advance if you don't want to miss out.
A walking tour will become uncomfortable quite quickly in the heat (especially when the summer streets are crowded with like-minded tourists), so take advantage of the many indoor events as well.
Cool off at Coney Island, visit the Guggenheim Museum or American Museum of Natural History , or take in a few Broadway Shows when the temperatures start climbing.
What Can You Do in New York in August?
There are plenty of things you can do in New York City in August, including:
Visiting the parks: Many residents head for the park during summer. Check out the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Brooklyn Bridge park, the Hudson River Park, and of course, Central Park. You can have a picnic or even explore one of the city's lakes.
Cool off at Brighton Beach: New York isn't known for its beaches, but there is no better place to cool off than Brighton Beach near Coney Island. You can swim, rent jet skis, play volleyball or relax in the sun. The sea is much calmer in Brighton than it is in Long Island.
Attend an outdoor performance: If you don't have the budget for a Broadway show, why not take advantage of the free concert series that takes place for the entire month of August? You can see free Shakespeare performances or watch a band play in one of the many participating parks.
Take in some art: New York City is the beating heart of the American art scene. Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the Museum of Modern Art to get your cultural fix.
Take the ferry to Ellis Island: Hop on a ferry to enjoy the best views of the city and the Statue of Liberty.
Events in August in New York City
There is always something happening in NYC, the city that never sleeps. Here are just a few of the free and paid events you can enjoy when you spend your August in New York City:
- The US Open Tennis Tournament : The US Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis events held annually in late August at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, NYC.
- Summerstage: If you missed out on tickets to the Lion King, don't worry. Summerstage is a citywide festival that offers free admission to outdoor concerts, dance performances, and even theater productions held at Central Park and other popular venues.
- HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: Catch outdoor screenings of popular films in Bryant Park all summer long. Visit bryanpark.org to view the line-up.
- Feast of San Gennaro : Is there anything more fun than partying with the Italian community in Little Italy? This 11-day-long festival celebrates the patron of Naples with great food vendors and music.
- Black Heritage Day and Harlem Week: This annual celebration of African American culture, music, and art takes place in Brooklyn. You can also celebrate Harlem week, which usually takes place in the first half of August.
- New York City Triathlon: Thousands of competitors join in this adrenalin-fueled swim-bike-run course that starts and finishes in Central Park.
- Shop on Fifth Avenue: The stores on Fifth Avenue never disappoint. Whether you want something vintage, classic or luxurious, you'll find what you are looking for in one of the many large department stores.
August in New York City is packed with paid as well as free activities, from jet skiing to Shakespearean plays, the Guggenheim museum to Coney Island. August is warm, with little or no cloud cover and just a small chance of rain, ensuring that your next trip to New York City will be a great one.
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