New York City in March begins to shed its winter blanket, offering a mix of mild, brisk days. Locals and tourists alike can enjoy the vibrancy of the city in a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the peak tourist seasons. The crowds that venture into the city during this month take advantage of lower hotel rates and shorter lines at all the attractions. Celebrations for the festive St. Patrick's Day parade add a lively touch to the streets with green-clad revelers and bagpipe music filling the air. There's a lot to see and explore, and this guide will tell you all about it.
What makes New York in March special?
- Great weather: March beckons with its milder climate, offering a sweet spot between the biting cold and summer heat. There is just the right amount of snowfall to try out winter sports like ice skating.
- Sparse tourist crowds: As most tourists prefer avoiding the winter months in NYC, the city sees fewer tourists in March, allowing you to roam about the city freely.
- Cultural events: March brings the unique thrill of cultural festivities that are a hallmark of the city's diverse heritage. Among these, the St. Patrick’s Day parade stands out, drawing thousands to the lively procession.
New York Weather in March
New York in March is a transition period between winter and spring, with the temperatures gradually increasing towards the end of the month. The average minimum temperature ranges from -1°C to 3°C, while the maximum temperature ranges from 7°C to 11°C. You can expect a moderate amount of snowfall and maybe some untimely rainfall too.
New York in March: Top Experiences
1
Central Park
Central Park, with its lushness, numerous ponds and sculptures offers a refreshing contrast to the skyscrapers of NYC. The park offers a peaceful retreat with its walking paths, boating opportunities on the lake, and the chance to witness the natural beauty as it transitions into a more colorful landscape. It's a time when the park is less crowded, ideal for photography, leisurely picnics, and enjoying the outdoors
March Timings
Open daily from 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York, NY
USA
Getting There ›
2
9/11 Memorial & Museum
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum serves as a poignant tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The reflecting pools and survivor tree stand as moving symbols of resilience and remembrance.
March Timings
Daily 9 AM to 7 PM
Closed on Tuesdays
Z180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007
USA
Getting There ›
3
Empire State Building
A visit to NYC is incomplete without taking in the phenomenal panoramic sights of the city from the 86th floor of the Empire State Building’s open-air observatory. As March provides clearer skies and relatively fewer tourists, the experience becomes even more memorable. Beyond the view, interactive exhibits share the storied history of this architectural marvel.
March Timings
Daily 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001,
USA
Getting There ›
4
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is an American military and maritime history museum with a collection of museum ships in New York City. Here, you can examine original artifacts used in the past, view historic video footage and explore interactive exhibits. If you penchant some American marine history, this is a great choice.
March Timings
Daily 10:00 AM to 5:45 PM
Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036,
USA
Getting There ›
5
Take A New York Helicopter Tour
Explore the length and breadth of New York with the New York Helicopter Tours that will allow you to see some of the most iconic landmarks that make up the skyline, like the George Washington Bridge, the Yankee Stadium, and the Palisades Cliffs.
March Helicopter Tour Timings
9:00 AM -12:00 PM
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Helicopter Flight Services Inc, Downtown Manhattan Heliport pier 6
New York, USA
Getting There ›
6
Go On A Circle Line NYC Landmark Cruise
Rejoice in the glamour of Manhattan with a scenic Manhattan Island Cruise. You'll glide past famous landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline, each story narrating a different chapter of the city's rich history.
March Timings
From 29 October to 10 March the cruise is available at 12:00 PM daily.
From 10 March to 27 April the cruise is available at 10 AM and 1.30 PM daily.
Pier 83, West 42nd Street , New York City
USA
Getting There ›
7
Catch a Broadway Show
Choose any Broadway show of your liking and brace yourself to be utterly and hopelessly spell-bound! New productions often start previewing around this time, offering a first look at potential new hits. Tickets are easier to obtain and sometimes more affordable.
March Timings
Timings Vary Depending On The Show & Availability
Theater District
New York, NY
USA
Getting There ›
8
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, New York's most iconic symbol soars to a height of 305 ft. on Liberty Island. There's no leaving NYC without setting eyes on this gigantic cobalt structure. For spectacular views of New York, climb up to the crown of the statue and bask in the city’s skyline.
March Timings
Daily 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM
New York, NY 10004,
USA
Getting There ›
9
The Morgan Library & Museum
Originally the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, the Morgan Library as we know it has been expanded to include a museum, performance hall, library, galleries and more. The museum holds exquisite works of art, and the library holds rare books, historical manuscripts and even the original copy of the Declaration of Independence.
March Timings
Tue – Thu: 10:30 AM–5:00 PM
Fri: 10:30 AM–9:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Sun: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016,
USA
Getting There ›
New York in March: Events to Look Out For
Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
17 March, 2024
The New York City St. Patrick’s Parade is the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the world, held annually on 17th March in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Approximately 150,000 people march in the parade drawing about 2 million spectators.If you're visiting New York in March, make it a point to be a part of this parade and don't forget to wear shades of green!
Macy’s Flower Show
End of March
New Yorkers and out-of-towners alike flock to this floral-filled exhibition, where jaw-dropping arrangements decorated to fit a specific theme are on display for two weeks. This annual spingtime show witnesses more than a lakh visitors. The show consists of live music, seminars and beautifully curated gardens that burst with colors and scent.
Orchid Show at Botanical Garden
17 February - 21 April, 2024
Stroll through this gorgeous display of luscious blooms at the Victorian-style Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden. This year’s show features designs from three visionaries who'll highlight the importance of sustainability and climate change. The special theme of this year is "walk the orchid runway" and on select days you'll also see last year's installation "Orchid Nights".
Flamenco Festival
1 March to 17 March, 2024
The Flamenco Festival presents Spain’s finest dancers and singers together for a celebration of flamenco that is stirringly authentic while challenging the conventions of the form. This year you'll see 150 Flamenco artists from Spain join 80 artists from New York across 13 venues in the city.
NYC in March : 7-day Itinerary
5-7 Days in New York Itinerary
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NYC March Essentials
NYC Accommodation In March
The city of New York welcomes over 60 million visitors every year. Surely, accommodation is not one of the things you’ll need to worry about when in the city. Look for discounted rates on accommodations in March. The city offers places to stay that can fit all kinds of budget.
- Luxury Hotels - The Whitby Hotel, The Towers at Lotte New York Palace, Crosby Street Hotel
- Mid-Range Hotels - Library Hotel by Library Hotel Collection, The Sherry-Netherland Hotel, The Langham New York Fifth Avenue
- Budget Hotels - Hotel 50 Bowery NYC, NobleDEN Hotel, EVEN Hotel Times Square South
NYC Packing List March
The first advice we should give you is to stay indoors. But if you absolutely can’t, layers are your best friends. Pack plenty of insulated clothing and wear multiple layers of them before stepping out. Keep your feet well warm as that can go a long way in ensuring your comfort. Carry waterproof clothing as well. New York gets an average of 7 days of rain or snow in March.
Getting Around New York in March
- Subway and Buses: The New York City's rail and bus system is one of the most well-connected transportation systems in the world. Running throughout the five boroughs of the city, the buses and trains are frequent, making it one of the most convenient ways of traveling around the city. You can use the same MetroCard for both the buses and the trains, which operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Cab : The city’s fleet of yellow taxicabs and green Boro Taxis are licensed and regulated by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission. Cabs make for a convenient option if having to switch trains or buses does not appeal to you.
- Bike : Many bike rental services are available throughout the city, offering you a low-cost and environment friendly option of traveling across city at your pace.
New York in March: Seasonal Delicacies
When it comes to pasta, New Yorkers love gnocchi, and both rustic and modern versions are available city-wide. Oozing with cheese, potato and maybe some meat this dish will have you drooling for more.
Going out for ramen is perfect for cold or rainy days in New York. The Japanese staple of wheat noodles in a meat or fish-based hot broth is typically flavored with soy sauce, miso, or garlic oil and heightened with toppings like sliced pork belly, dried seaweed, bamboo shoots and soft-boiled egg.
While Pizzas in the Little Italy neighbourhood are undoubtedly the best, the dollar slice pizzas you get in all of New York is lip smacking good too. NYC Pizzas boast a thin crust topped with sweet marinara sauce flecked with heaps of oregano and a heavy hand of mozzarella. Grab a slice from a street-side restaurant and walk around the city
Another favourite among New Yorkers is the good ol' hot dog. Traditionally made of ground pork, beef or both, these frankfurter-style sausages are flavored with garlic, mustard and nutmeg before being encased, cured, smoked and cooked. Pick up a hotdog at the street carts on city corners.
A dish that is synonymous with NYC is the New York Cheesecake. Made with rich cream, cheese, eggs, flour and sugar, your dining experience in the city is incomplete without trying this simple, yet mouthwatering dessert.
Tips for Visiting New York in March
- Flight tickets and hotels are likely to cost less in March, be sure to take advantage of these by booking well in advance.
- NYC has a host of Walking Tours and Food Tours, so if you're looking to meet up with like-minded travelers and spend time with locals ; sign up for these tours.
- If you're staying in New York for over 2 day, buying the New York Explorer Pass or New York Attraction Pass. They help save time spent in queues outside attractions and help cut costs on tickets and experiences around the city.
- Download the map of the NYC subway to easily navigate through the subway network.
- Tipping is customary in NYC. As a general rule of thumb, tip 15-20% of your bill for waiters and bartenders.
Discover New York Through The Year