New York in April is the real start of spring: around 17 °C (62 °F) in the afternoon and 7.5 °C (46 °F) at night in Central Park, 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain over the month and trees in blossom in the parks. Verdict: ✅ a good month, especially in the second half. Caveats: the weather stays changeable, with some cool, rainy days, and crowds build during spring holiday periods.
April is much more pleasant than March (under 10 °C, 50 °F, in the afternoon) and a little cheaper than May and June. It is a good month for walking around Manhattan and enjoying parks and rooftop bars as soon as the first fine days arrive. This page covers the month in detail; for the whole year, see our page on the best time to visit New York.
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New York in April: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ mild, blossom, changeable weather
- Temperatures: 16.6 °C (62 °F) in the afternoon, 7.5 °C (46 °F) at night in Central Park
- Rain: 104 mm (4.1 in) over the month, in showers or grey days
- Crowds: heavy, with medium to high prices
- Easter 2027: 28 March, so the Easter Parade falls in March this year
- Time difference: New York (US Eastern) is 5 hours behind London in April, once both countries are on daylight saving time
Weather in New York in April
| Indicator | March | April | May |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max | 9.9 °C (50 °F) | 16.6 °C (62 °F) | 21.9 °C (71 °F) |
| Min | 2.1 °C (36 °F) | 7.5 °C (46 °F) | 12.8 °C (55 °F) |
| Rain | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 101 mm (4.0 in) |
April is the month of the biggest jump: temperatures gain nearly 7 °C (12 °F) compared with March. The start of the month can still be cool, even cold on some days, while the end of April often feels like May. Rain is spread across the month, with no dry season, so a compact umbrella is essential. Evenings stay cool, at around 7 to 8 °C (45 to 46 °F).
Comparing with other US cities
| City | April max | April rain |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 16.6 °C (62 °F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Washington | 20.0 °C (68 °F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Miami | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Los Angeles | 22.4 °C (72 °F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
Things to do in New York in April
- Blossom: trees flower in Central Park and at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, generally during April depending on the year.
- Walking: the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village and lower Manhattan, in mild weather.
- Museums: the ideal plan for rainy days (the Met, MoMA, the American Museum of Natural History).
- Viewpoints: observation decks and rooftop bars, when the sky is clear.
- Sport: the start of the baseball season, with the Yankees and the Mets.
What to avoid in April
- Leaving without warm layers: a day at 20 °C (68 °F) can be followed by one at 10 °C (50 °F).
- Planning every activity outdoors: keep indoor options in reserve for rain.
- Booking late over spring holiday periods: Manhattan hotels fill up quickly.
Events in New York in April
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Easter Sunday (28 March in 2027) | Easter Parade, a procession of decorated hats | Fifth Avenue |
| April, depending on the year | Cherry and magnolia blossom | Central Park, Brooklyn Botanic Garden |
| Early April | Start of the baseball season (MLB) | Yankee Stadium, Citi Field |
Crowds and prices in April
Crowds are heavy and prices rise through the month, without reaching the peaks of December or Thanksgiving. Spring holiday periods bring many families. Book flights and your hotel 2 to 4 months ahead. Remember that sales tax and tips are not included in displayed prices. Customs are explained in our country-by-country tipping guide.
Entry requirements and practical info
- Entry: US citizens are travelling within their own country, so there are no entry formalities. British citizens need either an ESTA or a visa before travelling to the US (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026). Details are on our page on entry requirements for the United States.
- Time difference: New York is on US Eastern time (UTC−5, or UTC−4 in daylight saving time). In April it is 5 hours behind London.
- Currency: the US dollar; estimate your budget with our currency converter.
What to pack for New York in April
- Layers: T-shirts, a sweater, a sweatshirt
- A waterproof mid-season jacket
- A compact umbrella
- Good walking shoes, ideally water-repellent
- A scarf for evenings and windy observation decks
Itinerary idea: 5 days in April
- Day 1: Midtown, Times Square, an observation deck late in the day.
- Day 2: Central Park and a major museum on the Upper East or West Side.
- Day 3: the High Line, Chelsea, Greenwich Village.
- Day 4: lower Manhattan, the Staten Island Ferry, the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Day 5: Brooklyn (the botanic garden when the blossom is out, Dumbo, Williamsburg).
Our tips for a stay in April
- Aim for the second half of April: afternoons are more often mild and the trees are in blossom.
- Check the forecast every morning and swap museum and park days depending on the rain.
- Stay near a subway line with a direct link to Midtown to cut travel time, even outside Manhattan.
- Avoid spring holiday weeks if your dates are flexible: hotels cost more.
If April does not suit you
May is one of the best months of the year (22 °C, 72 °F), but more expensive. March is still cool and changeable. For low winter prices, see New York in February, colder but cheaper.
Other destinations in April: Miami, already summery, Los Angeles, almost dry, or all the ideas on our page where to go in April. To plan your trip, read our New York travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in New York in April?
Mild but changeable: around 17 °C (62 °F) in the afternoon and 7.5 °C (46 °F) at night in Central Park, with 104 mm (4.1 in) of rain over the month according to NOAA.
Is April a good month to visit New York?
Yes, especially the second half: blossom, mild weather and prices a little lower than in May and June.
Is it cold in New York in April?
Evenings stay cool (7 to 8 °C, 45 to 46 °F), and some days in early April can be cold. Pack a jacket and layers.
Does it rain a lot in New York in April?
About 104 mm (4.1 in) over the month, in showers and grey days. Keep some indoor activities in reserve.
Is New York expensive in April?
Prices are medium to high and rise through the month, especially over spring holiday periods. They are generally lower than in December and at Thanksgiving. Book 2 to 4 months ahead.
What should I pack for New York in April?
Layered clothing, a waterproof mid-season jacket, a compact umbrella and good walking shoes: temperatures vary a lot from one day to the next.
When is the Easter Parade in 2027?
On Easter Sunday, which is 28 March 2027, so it does not take place in April this year.
Our sources
- NOAA / National Weather Service: 1991-2020 normals for Central Park, Washington (Reagan National), Miami and Los Angeles (Downtown)
- Entry information read in October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for the USA (GOV.UK, updated 18 August 2026)
- Data taken from our page on the best time to visit New York
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
