April in New York: what to do, weather, what to wear and more!
April is the month when the city truly starts to leave behind its winter look and welcome a new season — the beloved spring! If you’re traveling to New York in April, this post is for you. Enjoy the read!
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’s the weather like in New York in April?
As I mentioned above, April is when we really start to feel the transition from winter to spring. Overall, the weather tends to be quite pleasant, with a mix of warmer and cooler days. The average temperature usually ranges between 46°F and 59°F (8°C to 15°C). You might get a few rainy or colder days, especially at the beginning of the month, but it’s generally much milder than January through March. I always recommend checking the weather forecast during the week of your trip — especially the “feels like” temperature.
Is April a busy month in New York?
April is generally considered a low season month, but during the second and third weeks, Spring Break happens in the U.S., so it’s still common to see longer lines during that time. That’s why I recommend planning ahead and booking your tickets online to secure your preferred dates — and to have the freedom to cancel for free if your plans change! By clicking the image below, you can book in advance and get a 10% discount using the code NYABOUT10OFF.
When do cherry blossoms start blooming in New York?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions by those visiting in the spring — and the good news is that they don’t all bloom at the same time in every place. So there’s a good chance you’ll be able to see them from mid-March to mid or late April in different parts of the city. To check if they’re blooming, I recommend visiting the official websites or social media pages of the parks — they usually have a “Cherry Blossom Tracker” or CherryWatch, which shows the current status of the blooms and where to find them. Like this one HERE for the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx or this one HERE for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Also keep an eye on the social media of the main parks — they often share real-time updates about the cherry blossoms too.
To find out where to see cherry blossoms in New York, check out the full post HERE!
What to Wear in New York in April
The ideal approach for April is to be prepared for both chilly and milder weather, so it’s always a good idea to carry a jacket or sweater with you. The weather can vary a lot from the beginning to the end of the month. It’s usually not cold enough to require thermal clothing or heavy coats (unless you prefer to wear a lighter jacket on a chilly day), so go for comfortable outfits that are easy to layer or swap out if it warms up in the middle of the day.
Attractions and things to do in New York in April
Macy’s Flower Show
The Macy’s Flower Show, which usually takes place in March, will start in April and run through May in 2025. It’s a free spring festival organized by Macy’s Herald Square, one of New York’s most iconic department stores. The event focuses on floral arrangements throughout the store, but they also offer other attractions for visitors, such as live music performances, kids’ activities, and seminars. One of the coolest parts is that every year, Macy’s presents a different theme for the exhibition.
2025 Information:
– Dates: April 27 to May 11, 2025
– Cost: Completely free
– Location: Macy’s Herald Square (151 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001)
The Orchid Show
The Orchid Show is an annual festival at the New York Botanical Garden that features thousands of orchid species. If you’re a flower lover, I highly recommend visiting! In addition to the beautiful floral displays, you can also enjoy some exciting evening attractions, like light shows and live music. Food and drink vendors also take part in the event! In 2025, the show will take place from February 15 to April 27, and you can find more information on the official website HERE.
Doing a photo shoot
How about taking advantage of the spring weather to do a photo shoot in New York? It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo, with family, or with friends, a photo shoot is always an excellent investment. I may be biased, but I love photos and capturing my travels, as they are special moments I want to remember forever. As a photographer here in New York, I have the pleasure of doing the same for countless people every year.
By the way, it used to be quite difficult to find a photographer outside of Brazil, but now with Fotos na Mala, everything has become much easier! For those who don’t know, Fotos na Mala is a website that brings together Brazilian photographers from all over the world, including New York. It’s quicker, cheaper, and more convenient to book your photo shoot in over 100 destinations worldwide. And blog readers get an additional special $10 discount on photo shoots in NY with me or other photographers from my team using the code NYANDABOUT10. Just visit the website, choose your favorite photographer, and enter the code in the contact form. With the code NYANDABOUT5, you’ll get $5 off in the local currency at any destination on the site. It’s totally worth it!
Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival
April isn’t a month known for public holidays, but just like in Brazil, Easter often falls during this period. While Americans don’t typically celebrate Good Friday, Easter Sunday is full of celebrations. One of the highlights is the Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival on 49th Street — a fun and quirky parade where people wear decorated Easter bonnets. Anyone can join in, and it usually draws a big crowd! In 2025, the event will take place on Sunday, April 20, from 10 AM to 4 PM. The best viewing spot is in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral (on Fifth Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets).
Smorgasburg
Smorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in America! In New York, it takes place in various areas of the city. The 2025 season starts on the first weekend of April (April 5 and 6) and runs through October, operating every weekend until then. Find more information and the exact locations HERE.
Watch an MLB Baseball Game
The MLB season starts in April and runs until October. New York is represented by two teams, and you can watch games from the Yankees or Mets. The games are highly interactive, and for those who enjoy the sport, it can be a worthwhile experience!
You can purchase tickets with or without a discount HERE, HERE, or get $20 off your first ticket over $50 using the code BLOGNY HERE — or even HERE, among many other options!
Visit botanical gardens
Some of the best places to visit in New York during the spring are the botanical gardens. The city offers several options, such as the New York Botanical Garden, with over one million plants; the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms (usually between March and April); and the Queens Botanical Garden, known for its rose gardens.
I always highly recommend visiting them, especially in the spring when the trees are in full bloom and the grass is lush and green. Unlike parks, botanical gardens aren’t always on the radar for first-time tourists. So, if you love nature and are looking for an off-the-beaten-path activity, be sure to add these spots to your itinerary.
Oh, and don’t forget to check the official websites of the botanical gardens before visiting—there’s almost always a fun event going on. Stay tuned for updates so you don’t miss out!
– Where is the Brooklyn Botanic Garden located?
990 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225.
Visit the official website HERE.
– Where is the New York Botanical Garden located?
2900 Southern Blvd, The Bronx, NY 10458.
Visit the official website HERE.
– Where is the Queens Botanical Garden located?
43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY 11355.
Visit the official website HERE.
Strolling Through the Main Parks
It may sound cliché, but one of the best things to do in New York City during the spring is to explore its parks. And I’m not just talking about the famous ones like Central Park and Bryant Park! The city is full of green spaces, such as Battery Park, Prospect Park, Riverside Park, Washington Square Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the High Line, Hudson River Park, Madison Square Park, Astoria Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, and many others.
The list is huge, but I mentioned 5 great parks in New York on the blog to get you started—and my favorites are also included in my New York guide (HERE!).
During the spring, you can enjoy the parks’ colorful scenery to take photos and enjoy outdoor activities like biking, running, having a picnic, playing ball, or whatever you like most! I highly recommend the experience.
Watch a Broadway Show
And of course, this couldn’t be left out! Broadway shows are one of a kind and make any trip even more special! And for those who skip it thinking it’s too expensive, there are several ways to get discounted tickets—click HERE to find out more!
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 for the playoffs in April and May aren’t exactly cheap, but I recommend keeping an eye out because sometimes you can snag last-minute deals at a better price.
How to buy basketball game tickets in New York? There are several websites that sell and resell tickets. One of the most popular is SeatGeek—and with the code BLOGNY you can get $20 off your first ticket purchase over $50! – But you can also find tickets on other websites like this one HERE, HERE, or platforms like Ticketmaster (always check there too), StubHub, HelloTickets, and others (like Gametime, although I haven’t used it yet).
isit One of New York City’s Observatories
This is an experience everyone should have when visiting NYC! It’s an incredible feeling to see the city from above. Through the links below, you can buy tickets with discounts and free cancellation—super helpful in case your plans change or the weather isn’t great during your trip week!
- Empire State Building (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to get 10% off, or click HERE or HERE to buy in installments)
- Top of The Rock (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to get 10% off, or click HERE or HERE to buy in installments)
- One World Observatory (use the code NYABOUT10OFF to get 10% off, or click HERE or HERE to buy in installments)
Another tip is to buy attraction passes—depending on the one you choose, you’ll get access to 4 out of the 5 main observatories (Summit is not yet included in the best attraction passes as of 2024). I talked more about the best attraction passes HERE!
To discover more attractions and tips on things to do in the spring, check out 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!
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 April 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!
