Things to Do in NYC in the Winter for Tourists
It may be cold outside, but you'll have a great time in New York City. In fact, winter is a great time to visit the Big Apple. Imagine seeing Central Park lightly dusted with freshly fallen snow. Or catching an event that only occurs a few times a year. Indeed, winter in New York City is a magical time to visit, and there are lots of things to see and do. Here are some of our favorites:
- The Museum Mile
- Restaurant Week
- Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
- Fashion Week
- Madison Square Garden
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum
- New York Botanical Garden
- and more!
Free Entry with The New York Pass®
Free entry to many of these popular New York attractions and activities are included on The New York Pass®. Used by over 3.5 million travelers, the New York Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass, which includes admission to 90+ attractions, Fast Track Entry at select attractions, a free guidebook, & much more. Learn more about the New York Pass benefits & how to save up to 70% off attractions.
Experience world-class art along the Museum Mile
The Upper East Side's bevy of art museums offers shelter from cold temperatures and a chance to see some of the finest artwork collections in the world. Along the Museum Mile you'll find world-renowned cultural institutions including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Jewish Museum, the Museum of the City of New York, the Museum of African Art, the National Academy Museum, Neue Galerie, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum and El Museo del Barrio. Admission: Museum of the City of New York tickets, Guggenheim tickets, and the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum tickets are included with The New York Pass; admission to the MET, the Jewish Museum, the Museum of African Art, the National Academy Museum and Neue Galerie is separately ticketed and not included with The New York Pass.
Treat yourself during Restaurant Week
Each winter, some 400 of New York City's finest restaurants offer three-course, prix-fixe menus that allow you to experience fine dining at a fraction of the cost. The Restaurant Week promotion is usually held in late January and early February. If you can't get to the city for Restaurant Week, you can get a taste of New York flavor with a Food on Foot tour. Visit iconic neighborhoods that specialize in specific cuisines and experience all the different flavors that make New York such a culinary delight! Admission: Guided Food on Foot Tour tickets are included with the New York Pass.
See Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum
A tourist favorite, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum features likenesses of the biggest names in pop culture. Located in Times Square, the museum features more than 200 life-like wax figures. You'll find everyone from Marvel superheroes to Marilyn Monroe to Abraham Lincoln to Serena Williams. You should also plan to see Madame Tussaud's immersive exhibits like Kong: Skull Island, the Ghostbuster's: Dimension hyper-reality experience or the Fashion Experience where you can design clothing alongside Heidi Klum. Admission: Madame Tussauds tickets are included with the New York Pass.
Explore a legendary venue in the Winter
Some of the most notable sporting events and concerts take place right in New York City. As a result, the venues themselves are legendary in their own right. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Madison Square Garden that's hosted everything from boxing matches to presidential birthday parties. Get the scoop on what really happens backstage at Radio City Music Hall, or go behind the scenes at your favorite baseball team's home field during a tour of Yankee Stadium. Admission: Madison Square Garden Behind-the-Scenes Tour tickets, Radio City Music Hall Tour tickets, and Yankee Stadium Tour tickets are all included with The New York Pass.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum
September 11, 2001 was a turning point in the United States. Located on the grounds of World Trade Center, the memorial and museum pays tribute to to the 2,983 people who were killed in the terrorist attacks. No visit to New York would be complete without a visit to the 15,000 square foot museum. You'll get to view the exhibits and artifacts that tell the story of this defining moment in American history. Admission: 9/11 Memorial and Museum tickets are included with the New York Pass.
Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour
Jump on the Big Bus and let a knowledgeable tour guide show you around the city. If something sounds interesting, get off for further exploration. When you're done, you can catch the next bus and continue along the route. On colder days, you can grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit in the open air for a birds' eye view! Alternatively, you can also sit inside the heated cab on the lower level. Admission: Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off Tour tickets are included with the New York Pass.
See where your favorite show was filmed
Many television shows and movies are filmed in the Big Apple, so check out some of the more iconic settings. A walking tour of Central Park will reveal many spots you'll recognize from films like Home Alone or Gossip Girl. Head right to the doorsteps of favorites like Seinfeld and How I Met Your Mother on a bus tour that travels north of Times Square. Admission: Guided When Harry Met Seinfeld Bus Tour tickets and Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour tickets are included with the New York Pass.
Get glamorous during Fashion Week
Each February, New York City buzzes as high-end fashion designers show off their latest creations during Fashion Week. The clothes are great; the people watching is better! If you can't make it to a runway show, consider a walking tour that explains why New York has become the fashion capital of the world and get the inside scoop on your favorite designers' places to shop! Admission: Fashion Windows Walking Tour tickets are included with The New York Pass. Please note: admission to Fashion Week shows are separately ticketed and not included with the New York Pass.
Explore a botanical garden
Yes, even in the winter, there's plenty to see and do at the city's botanical gardens. With interactive activities, learning experiences and one-of-a-kind treasures, the New York Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Garden are hot spots, even when it's cold outside. Admission: New York Botanical Garden tickets and Brooklyn Botanic Garden tickets are included with The New York Pass.
Come aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
One of the most interesting museums in the city floats in Hudson River. Visitors can view the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, a WWII-era aircraft carrier that doubles as home to exhibits, educational programming and really cool aircraft and historic artifacts. The boat has also been home to several notable concerts since 1982 when it was moored at its current location. Admission: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum tickets are included with the New York Pass.
Get lost in the American Museum of Natural History
Where else can you see a Titanosaur other than the American Museum of Natural History on the Upper West Side? With 2 million square feet of space, the museum is one of the largest in the world. The space is made up of 28 interconnected building featuring 28 exhibit halls, a library, and a planetarium. You can easily spend the day here! Admission: American Museum of Natural History tickets are included with the New York Pass.
Remember to Save on Attraction Admission
If you're traveling to New York during the winter, then you may want to take some time to visit the wonderful indoor attractions in the city. You'll get a chance to view historic museums and tour iconic theaters throughout the boroughs. However, there's a lot of attractions to visit in New York so you'll want to stretch your dollar as much as possible. Purchase a New York Pass to save money on your trip and gain free entry to over 90 attractions in NYC. Click here for more information.