January in New York: What to do, how to dress, the weather, and much more!

January in New York: What to do, how to dress, the weather, and much more!

The year has started, and if you’re arriving in New York in the first month of the year, it’s good to prepare for everything the city has to offer. In this post, I’ll explain everything about what January is like in New York! Enjoy reading!

Are you coming to New York? You can follow more from here on my Instagram, which is @marthasachser, and my YouTube channel. If you have a trip planned to New York, don’t forget to join the NY tips group on Facebook HERE, Telegram, or WhatsApp! And to buy my New York guide with a ready-made itinerary and save even more time and money, click HERE!

What is the weather like in New York in January?

Get ready for some intense cold! January and February are typically the coldest months and the peak of winter here in New York.

If you’re not a fan of the cold, I recommend choosing another time to visit, as temperatures during this period are usually low, with highs around 4ºC and lows around -3ºC (but this is just an average, and temperatures can vary, especially as we’ve been having more atypical winters in recent years with less snow and milder temperatures). However, one very important factor to consider is the wind chill; since it’s often very windy in New York, the wind makes it feel even colder. You can check the wind chill daily through weather apps.

There are some milder days, but like anywhere, there may be rainy days, which combined with the cold, aren’t ideal for certain activities like park walks or boat tours. For this reason, I highly recommend buying tickets for attractions and tours with free cancellation through Tiqets. This way, you can secure your desired date and change if the forecast doesn’t look favorable closer to the day. Click HERE to buy New York’s top attractions, passes, and Broadway tickets with a 10% discount and free cancellation using the code NYABOUT10OFF.

Also, remember that due to winter, the days are shorter. It’s normal for it to start getting dark around 4:30 PM. Oh, and since it’s winter, there’s a higher chance of snow, of course!

Is January a busy month in New York?

The city isn’t as crowded as in December (when it gets FULL), but there is still a significant amount of activity due to school holidays in some countries during this time (including in Brazil!). It tends to be quieter after the first and second weeks. Still, New York is a popular city, so I suggest planning ahead and booking your tickets online to secure your desired date and have the freedom to cancel for free if plans change! By clicking on the photo below, you can purchase tickets in advance with a 10% discount using the code NYABOUT10OFF.

Does it snow in January in New York?

Yes, but it doesn’t snow as frequently as many people think. In recent years, we’ve had very little snow. So, I wouldn’t recommend counting on snow when planning your trip for January, as it’s unpredictable. Even when snow is forecasted, it sometimes doesn’t happen at all. #disappointed

But winter is still beautiful, and it’s the perfect time for a photo shoot to make the most of your time here! Want to book your photo shoot with me in New York? Be sure to check out and book through Fotos Na Mala, a site that brings together Brazilian photographers in the most amazing cities. Booking there is usually cheaper, and blog readers can get a $10 discount with the code NYANDABOUT10.

Access and book your photo shoot through the site by clicking HERE.

How to dress in New York in January?

To stay warm and protected from the cold during your time in New York, I obviously recommend opting for thick coats, long-sleeve or thermal shirts, pants, gloves, hats, scarves, waterproof shoes, etc. If you don’t have these options, I recommend checking out this post HERE where I mention the best stores to buy winter clothes in New York. I also made a list of stores to buy winter footwear, which you can check out here.

A good tip is to layer your clothes (thermal shirt—powerful depending on the weather—regular long-sleeve shirt, or no shirt, thermal leggings under regular pants, and a warm coat), but think about practicality since some establishments like stores and restaurants tend to be well-heated. Another option is to buy a “powerful” coat where you don’t need to worry about wearing thermal clothes or removing too many layers. I love the coats from Noize, a brand designed to withstand extremely cold temperatures without using animal-derived products—it’s cruelty-free and vegan! I own two of their coats and love them. But don’t forget to check the temperature tolerance of each coat to avoid overheating—it can get too warm if your coat is designed for temperatures as low as -30°C, which is too much for New York’s winter cold.

Another popular brand is UNIQLO, which has several stores in NYC, and there you can find many thermal clothing options for both adults and children. There are also cheaper stores (mentioned HERE) for those who don’t want to invest too much.

Attractions and things to do in New York in January

Restaurant Week

This is an event that happens twice a year, and one of them is in January and February! Various high-quality restaurants offer fixed menus at more affordable prices for approximately two weeks. This year (2025), it will take place from January 21 to February 9.

You can check the list of participating restaurants and get more information by clicking HERE.

Broadway Week

Every year, Broadway Week takes place, and you can buy two tickets for the price of one!

It also happens twice a year, one of which is in January. It’s quite popular, so keep an eye out.

This year (2025), it will run from January 21 to February 9, and you can get more information by clicking HERE.

Ice Skating

New York has no shortage of ice skating rinks. My favorite is the Wollman Rink in Central Park (reserve HERE), which I think is the perfect size and surrounded by nature and buildings, creating a lovely atmosphere. My second favorite is the rink at Bryant Park (reserve HERE), but it tends to be more crowded—though it’s a great option for those who want to grab a bite to eat and enjoy a more urban vibe. The Rockefeller Center rink (reserve HERE) is also a classic, worth visiting, but it’s the most expensive. There are several other rinks, but I think these are the most classic for the occasion. Check out this post HERE for other rinks around the city.

Doing a photo shoot!

I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s always worth repeating. For me, there’s no better way to make winter in New York even more special than with a photo shoot to truly capture the beauty of the city and make sure no one misses out on the photos! Be sure to check out and book through Fotos Na Mala; the site features Brazilian photographers in the most incredible cities around the world, and booking there is always cheaper! Blog readers also get a $10 discount with the code NYANDABOUT10.

Visit and book your photo shoot on the website by clicking HERE.

Watch a Broadway show

And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without this! Broadway shows are unique and make any trip even more special! For those who don’t include it in their plans because they think it’s expensive, there are several ways to try and buy tickets at a discount. Click HERE to learn more!

Take a guided city tour in Portuguese

New York offers plenty of guided tour options, and I know that the demand for services in Portuguese is high. This is a great way to get to know the city better, learn more about its history, culture, and curiosities, and optimize your time in New York. There are several Brazilians who offer this tour, and I’ve mentioned the main ones in this post HERE!

Watch a basketball game in New York

One of the coolest experiences you can have in New York, whether you’re a basketball fan or not! Tickets aren’t always cheap, but I recommend keeping an eye out because every now and then, you can get last-minute tickets at a decent price.

How to buy tickets for basketball games in New York? There are several websites that sell and resell tickets. One of the most famous is SeatGeek – and with the code BLOGNY, you can get a $20 discount on your first ticket over $50! – You can also buy tickets for basketball games on other sites like Ticket Network HERE and/or search on sites like Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, Stubhub, and Hello Tickets.

Skiing

Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, or having a great time doing snow tubing, New York offers several options with mountains and resorts relatively close by to entertain the whole family. In this post HERE, I listed 3 of the most popular ones! The drive to get there is quite pleasant and a “very American” experience, which I love—even though I’m not into skiing, I enjoy the experience and snow tubing, which is also a fun activity. It’s not a very cheap experience, but it’s one of those things worth doing once in a lifetime if you like the cold.

Photo: Mountain Creek

Explore the (many) museums

Although it’s one of the most popular destinations on rainy and cold days, it’s worth remembering that there are many, many, many museums in New York. Some are free, others are paid, and some have a suggested price where you pay what you wish. I talked about the museums and their free hours in this post HERE. If you have my New York guide, it also includes the main museums organized in the itinerary!

To check out more attractions and activity tips for winter, see the full post HERE!

Attractions and discounts in New York

I’m sure that exploring the city while saving money is your choice! That’s why my tip is to get one of the discount passes, which offer savings on various observatories and attractions around the city. My favorite pass for those who want to enjoy many attractions and services is the Sightseeing PASS (I talked all about it HERE!). It includes 4 of the 5 observatories in the city and offers many other tours and discounts! You can also buy it with a 10% discount HERE using the code NYABOUT10OFF.

What other discount passes for attractions in New York do I recommend?

My suggestion is to list the attractions and tours you really want to see and do in New York and see which ones fit into your itinerary. After that, check which pass offers everything or almost everything you want (it’s worth noting that the Summit observatory, one of the most sought-after attractions, is not included in the main passes, but you can buy it HERE with a discount and free cancellation using the code NYABOUT10OFF).


I’ll list below my favorite passes and how to buy them with a discount!

Attractions and Discounts in New York

Where to Buy Your Discount Passes for New York Attractions:

CityPASS at regular price on the official site HERE!

CityPASS with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF)

The Sightseeing PASS at regular price on the official site: HERE! (one of my favorites)

The Sightseeing Pass Flex at regular price on the official site: HERE! (one of my favorites)

The Sightseeing Pass Flex with a 10% discount: HERE (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)

Go City New York Explorer Pass: with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)

Go City: The New York Pass with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)

And just a reminder, I shared in this post HERE how to choose the best pass for you to save even more on your trip.

How to Save Money in New York:

I’ve put together some posts with various tips on how to save:

Accommodation:

Hotels: Click HERE to check out the post on the best value hotels in Queens and HERE for general hotels.

Airbnb: Check out apartments with Brazilian hosts offering discounts for blog readers in New York and surrounding areas! Click HERE!

Transfer:
Brazilian Driver – Special discount for readers: Alex is the official driver for the group and offers discounts on services for you! Contact him via WhatsApp: (917) 656-7299 or on Instagram HERE!

SIM Cards:
America Chip: Use the code: america10 for a 10% discount! Click HERE.

Meu Chip: Use the code: MARTHASACHSER to get 15% off. Click HERE.

Airalo (digital SIM): Use the code: NYANDABOUT10 for a 10% discount! Click HERE.

For more tips on how to save money in New York, check out the full blog post HERE.

Coming to New York? Get a well-organized itinerary by region! Download the official guide from the blog!

One of the most challenging parts of traveling is deciding when, where, and how to visit the main attractions and sights of your destination. To make your trip easier, I highly recommend the New York guide from the blog, which features ready-made itineraries sorted by region or by day.

The guide is fully organized by region, with a step-by-step plan of where to go, eat, shop, visit attractions, film and TV show locations, and MUCH more. It’s all neatly organized so you can explore every corner of New York and return home feeling like a true New Yorker! There are 16 itineraries you can follow exactly, combine regions, or use as a base for your own itinerary. It also includes options for itineraries by day.

You can download the official guide HERE in eBook format and receive a 10% discount with the code GUIANOVO10, or purchase it on Amazon with delivery available to Brazil HERE!