When you’re planning out a time to go on vacation you don’t only need to consider where to go, but also when to go. You’ll want to go on your trip during a time when the weather is suitable for your desired activities. If you, like many others, decide to go on a trip to New York, consider the climate for each season before selecting dates.

New York weather experiences all four seasons, which is one of its many benefits. The coldest season of the year is winter. New York experiences winter technically from the end of December until the end of March, but it’s possible that you’ll see snow anywhere from October to May. Winter weather is very unexpected in New York and ranges from basic snow flurries to lake-effect snow blizzards that drop more than a foot of snow in a single night. The average winter temperature in New York state ranges from 26 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. You won’t see much rain but you will see plenty of snow. During an average winter, New Yorkers expect anywhere from 30 to 50 inches of snow.

Spring follows winter and is typically hit-or-miss when it comes to temperature and weather conditions. A typical spring day ranges in temperature from 45 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s not uncommon to go from below freezing temperatures one day to sweatshirt weather the next day. The evenings are typically cool, and you should expect plenty of rain because the phrase “April showers brings May flowers” extends beyond just rain in April. The average monthly rainfall from March to May is 3.4 inches.

Summer is the exact opposite of winter in New York state. It’s warm and humid due to its close proximity to bodies of water. In New York City, the Atlantic Ocean greatly impacts the weather and summer days can be hot and sticky. When going upstate, the Great Lakes contribute to humid conditions. The average daily temperatures from June through August range from the lows of 64 to average highs of up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers are not completely dry though, and thunderstorms should be expected on occasion as the average monthly rainfall is at 4 inches.

The climate cycle completes with fall. Autumn is when temperatures begin to drop and the leaves fall from the trees as they prepare for winter. It’s still relatively warm, so don’t pull out all your winter gear just yet because average temperatures range from 40 to 54 degrees. It’s also wet during autumn, with average monthly rainfall totals at 3.7 inches a month.

If you’re set on New York as your destination you should ideally choose to go in either winter or summer, depending on the activities you want to carry out. If you want to go for a swim, camp or enjoy nature, stick with July or August. If you want to see plenty of white snow and don’t mind a cold day, January and February are prime vacation months.

photo by Ed Yourdon

Weather

May offers some of the best weather for visiting New York: it’s warm enough to spend time walking around but cool enough not to be bothered by the heat.
Pack a jacket and a sweater as the evenings are still cool. Make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes.

Some temperatures
Albany avg high 69.4F (20.8C) / avg low 48.9F (9.4C)
Buffalo avg high 66 F (18C) / avg low 47 F (8C)
New York City avg 70.6F (21.4C) / high avg low 53.3F (11.8C)
Niagara Falls avg high 64F (18F) / avg low 44F (7C)

>>read more about Weather in New York

Facilities

While you cannot expect to find an abundance of airfare deals in May, it’s still possible to get decent airfare , especially if you book your tickets in advance. Check the low cost airlines and also you could make use of any travel miles saved.

When it comes to hotel prices in New York in May, they are not as high as during the peak travel season, but definitely higher than during the low season, such as right after the winter holidays. If you are on a lower budget, hostels are good choices even if you want privacy as you can choose a private room.

Read more about:
>>Hotels with a view of Central Park
>>Hotels in Chelsea
>>Hotels in the Upper East Side
>>Hotels near Union Square
>>Hotels near Times Square
>>Hostels near Times Square

Things to do

There are quite a lot of things to do in May in New York, even though the summer events are not yet in full swing. Cinco de Mayo is a good reason to eat Mexican food, even if you are in New York, while the Dance Parade brings together the dance culture and ethnicities in the city. It begins on Broadway at 1 p.m. and can keep you interested for a while.

Or you can attend a food festival. Should you crave wine, worry not for there’s a wine festival as well in May (up to 500 varieties of wines to be tasted).

Should you come to New York by the end of May, everyone else might have left the town to enjoy Memorial Day and the start of summer.

May offers good weather for sightseeing so make sure to pack comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothes for the weather. With the camera in one hand and the map in the other, explore the well known places such as Central Park, Ellis Island (with the Statue of Liberty), the unusual museums , galleries and churches.

>>read more about Free Things to Do in New York

Photo credit

Although neither is as popular among travelers as New York City, visiting both cities is an interesting option for those passionate about architecture and arts. Plus, both cities offer gateways into nature reserves and other interesting things to do.

>>read more about Things to do in Buffalo

Quick summary

For the budget traveler – if traveling alone or with someone else – the best option is to get a train ticket for $46 one way and travel between Albany and Buffalo in about 5 hours, during the day. If there’s more than two in the party, then it’s a good idea to consider renting a car and driving the 288 miles between the two cities.

Flights from Albany (airport code: ALB) to Buffalo

Although both cities are served by airports , Albany by Albany International Airport (ALB) and Buffalo by Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF), there aren’t any direct flights between the two cities.
Still, you can fly from one point to another , making 3 stops along the way and spending a total of 9 h 30 min traveling. The price? $127 one way per person.

Trains from Albany to Buffalo

AMTRAK runs the Empire Service which connects New York to Niagara Falls. This is the same line which goes through Albany and Buffalo. The cheapest ticket costs $46 one way. The travel time is between 4 h 50 min and 5 h 16 min.
There are departures from Albany daily at 10:03 a.m. , 1 p.m., and 3:55 p.m.
There are departures from Buffalo daily at 4:18 a.m., 7:43 a.m. and 1:13 p.m.
Tickets can be bought online.

Buses from Albany to Buffalo

Grayhound runs buses between Albany to Buffalo. There are five departures per day every day, starting at 12:25 a.m. The last one is at 9:45 p.m. Tickets cost $66.50 one way for an adult. The travel time is between 5h 30 min and 7 h 25min (with a connection).
Tickets can be bought online.

Driving from Albany to Buffalo

The shortest driving route – according to Google Maps – between the two cities is 288 miles on I-90 W. You should be able to cover it in about 5 hours. So , rent a car , pack some healthy snacks for the road and enjoy the road trip.

View Larger Map

Photo credit

Weather

The weather is warm to allow for sightseeing without having to hide somewhere and warm up. Bring a sweater because evenings are still cold. It’s also possible to rain, so a light rain coat or an umbrella should be in your bag. Wear comfortable shoes. If you plan to attend concerts , movies or have a picnic in the park, make sure to also pack a picnic blanket.

Some temperatures
Albany avg high 78.7F (25.9C) / avg low 58.6F (14.8C)
Buffalo avg high 76 F (24C) / avg low 56F (13C)
New York City avg 79.4F (26.3C) / high avg low 62.6F (17C)
Niagara Falls avg high 75F (24C) / avg low 55F (13C)

>>read more about Weather in New York

Facilities

When you need to book a flight to New York , always check all the offers available. Many low cost airlines offer sales but you need to take a decision pretty quickly in order to benefit from the discounts. Likewise, you can wait and book your flight at the last minute. Typically, the best fares can be found 4 to 6 week prior to the departure.

By June the hotel prices are almost reaching the highest value, but if you book the room ahead of time you can get away with paying slightly less than if you were to wait until couple weeks before departure. Choose to stay close to the sights – Manhattan is a good choice – but opt for budget accommodation. Hostels are also good choices especially when you are on a tight budget.

Read more about:
>>Hotels with a view of Central Park
>>Hotels in Chelsea
>>Hotels in the Upper East Side
>>Hotels near Union Square http://www.newyorklogue.com/hotels-near-union-square.html
>>Hotels near Times Square
>>Hostels near Times Square

Things to do

June weather is perfect for the many walking tours available in the city. It is also a good time to explore other cities in the state, so rent a car and plan some road trips. Stop and enjoy the nature, take hikes and sample the cuisine.

There are plenty of summer concerts and outdoor film festivals taking place in the city and most of them are free. Some of them start in June and continue all summer long.
And if you don’t happen to be in the city for a concert, then pack a picnic basket, a blanket and some goodies and enjoy a day in Central Park .

Should you plan your visit in New York in mid-June, don’t miss the Gay Parade, one of the most important events in history to honor the lesbian and gay rights. The events mostly take place in the West Village. It includes the Pride Rally, Rapture of the River: A Women’s Dance, The March, PRIDEfest, Dance on the Pier: Dance 25 and , new in 2012, the VIP Rooftop Party.

June is a lovely month to explore the city so take the ferry Ellis Island , take a tour of the museum, see the Statue of Liberty and once you are back on Manhattan , go to Little Italy for an Italian lunch.
Take the subway to Rockefeller Center and go up to the observation deck. If the weather is nice and the sky is clear, the panoramic views are definitely worth it.

Spend some time visiting some of the museums and , if you still have time, you can relax while you shop for bargains.

>>read more about Free Things to Do in New York

Photo credit : Central Park ; Gay Parade

Anyone who has seen at least a movie set in New York, already know that everyone eats pizza, bagels or hot dog, but if these don’t appeal to you – or your diet doesn’t accommodate such items – you’ll be happy to know that that’s not all you can eat here. If you look at the variety of cuisines served in the New York restaurants, you can easily taste the cuisines found in every country of the world.

Here is a brief roundup of some of the most famous New York foods.

New York Pizza

A New York Pizza has a thin crust, plenty of cheese and various toppings. The slice is absolutely huge, so do what the others do to tackle it: fold it length-wise and try to jam it into your mouth.
There are plenty of pizzerias all over the city and the taste doesn’t differ much from one to other, so it doesn’t really matter where you get it from, but who you are share it with.
And yes, if you stay out late and you are hungry on the way home, you can bet there’s at least one pizzeria open to settle your craving.

New York Bagel

The New York Bagel cannot be compared to anything else in the world. It is doughnut-shaped , with a chewy interior and an outer crust. It arrived in New York with the Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe and many can argue that New York Bagel is the best in the world.
You can get bagels anywhere in the city, but stay away from the tourist sites. So go to Brooklyn in your search for the perfect New York Bagel. Go early so that they are warm and straight from the oven.

New York Deli Sandwich

This is another food brought by the Jewish immigrants to New York. If you like beef or pastrami, then this is the food for you.

New York Hot Dog

Anyone want a “dirty water dog”? Yes, that’s how the locals call the hot dog, which is sold all over the city by vendors with their pushcarts. Choose one with everything or just go for your favorite topping (mustard, ketchup or relish).

New York Cheesecake

This lovely desert has been made famous by Lindy’s and Junior’s deli in New York. The rich and consistent cake made with cream cheese, eggs and heavy cream is a must try after any meal. Of course, now everyone makes it and wants to eat it. But for the real one, just go to the Junior’s.

Chinese food

Chinatown is loaded with places where you find Chinese food but it’s not the best place to go for this type of food. Instead , go in any other Manhattan neighborhood and you’ll find excellent quality and low prices.

Italian food

Pizza might be of Italian origin, but you can go to Little Italy and try other Italian food, as well. This area of New York has shrunk down to three blocks of Mulberry Street but there are enough choices for the visitor. The quality is good and the prices are low, thanks to the competition.

Buffalo Wings

To try this famous local food, you need to get out of New York City and go to …exactly, Buffalo. We all know what these are and probably many of us have made them at home already, but the best ones are to be found where they were invented. By the way, when you order them here, ask for “chicken wings”.
Traditionally , the chicken wing section is fried un-battered and the sauce is added after that. The classic sauce is the cayenne pepper hot sauce and butter. They are served with celery sticks and ranch dressing.

Photo credits :
Nick Sherman on Flickr ; Panduh on Flickr ; Mistercam on Flickr ; Joeymanly on Flickr ; Dearbarbie on Flickr ; Wallyg on Flickr ; _PaulS_ on Flickr ; Old Shoe Woman on Flickr

Take a walk in the city

With the camera in one hand and the map in the other, take a walk in the city and take photos of the most important buildings: Albany City Hall (Romanesque style), the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Empire State Plaza , or the New York State Capitol.

See the city from above

Go to the 42nd floor of the Corning Tower Observation Deck to get the best view of Albany and the surrounding area. It’s free and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Visit the New York State Museum

It is the largest state museum in the USA , home to some very interesting collections. The museum offers about 12 new expositions each year and you can find details on their web page.
It is free to visit and is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Sunday).

Take a scenic ride on the Saratoga and North Creek Railway

The scenic railway is open between the end of July and the end of October. It runs between Saratoga Springs and North Creek. A one way coach adult ticket costs $13. Children ticket cost $9 one way.
You can choose between trips on the New York Express or the Hudson Explorer. The sites along the way are breathtaking so don’t forget to take your camera.
Once you get to North Creek, check out the North Creek Depot Museum.

Taste the local wines at the Altamont Vineyard & Winery

During spring and summer it is possible to tour the vineyard and winery. The Tasting Room is open over the weekends (Fri to Sun) from noon until 5 p.m. Visit the Gift Shop if you want to take something back home.
Should you plan your visit by the end of October, don’t miss the Annual Hallowine Fest, a celebration of fall and everything it has to offer.
Another option is the Saratoga Winery & Tasting Room , which is open every day of the week (except on Monday).

Spend a day in nature at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve

The inland pine barren is maintained by controlled fires. The trails (18 miles in total) within the preserve can be used year-round. Most trails are easy to moderate. Aside from hiking, you can also try cross-country skiing during winter, horseback riding or mountain biking. Maps can be obtained upon request (there’s an email on their website).

Spend a day enjoying snow at the Maple Ski Ridge

The entire family can have fun at the Maple Ski Ridge. Whether you enjoy skiing, snowboarding or just playing in the snow, plan your vacation in Albany during the ski season and the fun will be guaranteed. You can rent the equipment here.
Should you visit in early October, then you must attend the Annual Maple Ski Fall Festival Craft and Car Show.

Attend a concert

During summer, there are free concerts taking place at the Empire State Plaza, in Washington Park and in the Albany Riverfront Park on the Hudson River.

Photo credit: Albany City Hall , Scenic train ride , Pine Bush Preserve

Itinerary assumptions

• the 3 days itinerary focuses on Manhattan as this is where most of the sights are located
• during your stay, you will use the subway to get between the sights
• on day 2 or 3 you can also add a sightseeing tour to the itinerary
• choose one of the hostels near Times Square if you want to stay in Manhattan

Day 1

Once you land in New York, get on the public transport and head to the hostel. Check in and grab a map of New York . You will need it during the stay here.

Take the subway to 59 St. (Columbus Circle) or 5 Av / 59 St. You’ll be right by Central Park . Spend your time walking in the park and if you have enough time on your hands you can also visit the Zoo.

Get back to the hostel and enjoy dinner.

Day 2

Don’t leave the hostel without eating breakfast. You’ll need the energy as this second day is busy with a lot of sightseeing.

Take the subway to 5 Av / 59 St. and walk on 5 Av until you get to the Metropolitan Museum of Art . Pay whatever you want to get in (as a rule of thumb, if you plan to stay for more than 3 hours, pay the full price, otherwise $5 is enough). The museum is always crowded. There are over 2 million works in the permanent collection.

Get on the subway and stop at Bowling Green. Take the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (combined ferry ticket $12). Ferries leave every half hour from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The security to take the ferry is similar to the one at the airport, so take as little as possible with you. Consider taking a guided tour of the Ellis Island in order to learn about the facility.

Take the subway to Canal St. and enjoy lunch in Little Italy ; the area is filled with coffee shops which serve decently priced pastries.

Take the subway to World Trade Center and the walk to the National 9/11 Memorial. Ground Zero is located in the western part of the Financial District.

Get on the subway and get off at 49 St. Walk to Times Square . Just relax and take photos of the billboards. Since most of the restaurants are overpriced here, it’s best to get back to the hostel and have dinner.

Day 3

Take the subway and get off at 34 St. walk to the Empire State Building . If you are on a budget, you’ll be forced to stay in line 1-2 hours to get the ticket and another 1-2 hours to get to the 80th floor (otherwise, get a “fast pass” for $42). Enjoy the skyline and take load of photos.

Another option to see the New York Skyline is from the Rockefeller Center’s Top of the Rock . An adult ticket to the observation deck is $23 and a child ticket is $15 (age 6-12).

Should you have enough time before your flight back home, get on the subway and stop at Chambers St. From here, walk on Brooklyn Bridge. It’s one of the most dramatic walking routes in New York City. As you cross it, make sure to snap photos of Downtown Manhattan.

Photo credit : Central Park ; Statue of Liberty ; Skyline from Empire State Building

Weather

April can be a rainy month but the warmer temperatures are surely worth taking the chance of being rained on. So, make sure to pack an umbrella or a waterproof jacket. Don’t forget the sweaters either, as it can be quite cold at night. Bring water resistant , comfortable shoes.

Some temperatures
Albany avg high 57.3F (14.1C) / avg low 38.3F (3.5C)
Buffalo avg high 55 F (12C) / avg low 36 F (2C)
New York City avg high 59.5F (15.3C) / avg low 43.1F (6.2C)
Niagara Falls avg high 55F (13C) / avg low 35 F (2C)

>>read more about Weather in New York

Facilities

The downside of visiting New York in April is that during the school break it can get quite crowded as it’s a popular vacation time for the families . Still, the prices in April are much cheaper than during the high season (winter holidays or peak summer months) so it’s totally worth your time.

When booking the airfare to New York , check various airlines and make sure to avoid flying over the weekends. Make sure to book your ticket 4-6 weeks in advance to get the best rates.
New York City hotels has some of the lowest rates at this time of the year. It’s worth it to book ahead though, especially if you plan to stay in a hotel close to an attraction. For those on a lower budget , the hostels offer a good alternative to the hotels.

Read more about:
>>Hotels with a view of Central Park
>>Hotels in Chelsea
>>Hotels in the Upper East Side
>>Hotels near Union Square
>>Hotels near Times Square
>>Hostels near Times Square

What to do

April is the month when nature comes back to life in Central Park , as well as in the country side. So, with the camera in one hand and the map in the other, start exploring. Also, rent a car and plan a day trip in the state. You can spend a night at one of the hotels in Niagara Falls, for example.

The Easter Parade is a good chance to see something that only happens in New York. In 2012, it takes place on Sunday, April 8. Grab a spot in the area around St. Patrick’s Cathedral and see the parade which starts at 10 a.m. You can see the various Easter bonnets and costumed pets, but it won’t keep you entertained for too long.

April is a good month to explore the city’s attractions. Just make sure you are prepared for some rain. The museums are a good choice if you are passionate about history, culture or arts, but they can also be the way to take a break from the cold or rain. Or you can look for bargains and check out the shopping opportunities.

Take the ferry to Ellis Island and learn about its history. Make sure to great Lady Liberty , as well.

Photo credit