Things to Do in New York in March

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March in New York is a coin flip. You might get a 15°C (59°F) afternoon where the first crocuses push through in Central Park and everyone spills onto restaurant patios along the West Village sidewalks. You might also get a late-season nor'easter that dumps 20 cm of wet snow on the city and shuts down the subway. The 5-year average high sits at 11.4°C (53°F), but that number hides wild day-to-day swings. Early March still feels like winter. Late March starts to hint at spring. The middle two weeks could go either way.

That said, March has real draws. St. Patrick's Day on the 17th turns Fifth Avenue into a sea of green, with a parade that has run since 1762. The Orchid Show opens at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, and The Armory Show brings the international art world to the Javits Center. Hotel rates sit well below the December and summer peaks. You'll find shorter lines at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim compared to what you'd face in June.

Mind you, this is still a cold, grey, damp month for a city that does cold, grey, and damp with particular intensity. The wind between Midtown towers can drop the feels-like temperature by 5-8°C. Rainfall reaches 139 mm across about 10 days, often arriving as a raw, persistent drizzle rather than quick showers. If you want guaranteed pleasant weather for walking the Brooklyn Bridge or eating in outdoor markets, wait for May. If you want lower prices, fewer crowds, and you own a good coat, March works.

Why visit in March

Hotel rates in Manhattan typically run 25-35% below summer and December peaks, with midweek rooms in Midtown averaging noticeably less than the same properties charge in October
The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden runs from late February through mid-April, with peak blooms in March across 7,000+ orchids in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory
St. Patrick's Day (March 17) is one of the city's largest annual spectacles, with the Fifth Avenue parade drawing roughly 150,000 marchers and over a million spectators
Lines at major museums like the Met, MoMA, and the American Museum of Natural History are significantly shorter than peak season, and walk-up tickets are more reliably available
Late March brings the first real spring energy to the city. Crocuses and daffodils appear in Central Park's Conservatory Garden, and the Union Square Greenmarket starts carrying early spring greens

Worth knowing

Weather is genuinely unpredictable. A 14°C sunny Tuesday can be followed by a 2°C sleeting Thursday, making it difficult to plan outdoor activities with any confidence
March is one of the wettest months in New York at 139 mm of rainfall, and the rain tends to be cold and persistent rather than the quick summer thunderstorms that pass in 20 minutes
Wind chill between Midtown high-rises can feel brutal. The sustained wind along avenues like Park and Sixth funnels between buildings and cuts through anything lighter than a proper winter coat
Trees are still bare through most of March, so the city lacks the green canopy that makes neighborhoods like the Upper West Side and Brooklyn Heights so appealing from May onward

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 11° / 1°C 139mm rain · 10 rainy days · 65% humidity rains perceptibly ~1.8h/day · 87% of mornings dry

Crowds medium

Pack Layer a thermal base under a medium-weight sweater, topped with a windproof and waterproof outer shell. Temperatures swing 10°C within a single day, so removable layers matter more than one heavy coat. Bring a compact umbrella and waterproof boots or shoes with good traction for wet sidewalks.

March weather in New York tends to be raw and changeable. Early March still belongs to winter, with morning lows near 1°C (35°F) and highs that struggle past 8°C (46°F). By late March, afternoon temperatures might reach 14-15°C (57-59°F) on good days, though 7°C (45°F) with drizzle is equally likely. The 139 mm of monthly rainfall makes March one of the wetter months, and the precipitation often arrives as a persistent cold drizzle or, in early March, as wet snow that melts on contact. Humidity averages around 65%, which is moderate but feels clammy in combination with the cold. Wind is the real factor. Manhattan's grid channels gusts down the avenues, and the waterfront along the East River and Hudson River Greenway can feel 5-8°C colder than sheltered streets in Greenwich Village.

Seasonal caution

Late-season nor'easters remain possible through mid-March and can dump 15-30 cm of heavy, wet snow on the city within 12 hours, disrupting flights at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark and slowing subway service
Early March mornings can dip below 0°C (32°F), with wind chill dropping the feels-like temperature to -5°C (23°F) or lower along the waterfront and on elevated platforms like subway stations in Queens and the Bronx
Black ice forms on sidewalks and crosswalks during overnight freezes, particularly on shaded streets in neighborhoods with older, uneven sidewalks like the West Village and Brooklyn Heights

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for New York
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	4	-3	97
Feb	6	-3	86
Mar	11	1	139
Apr	16	6	113
May	22	12	114
Jun	27	17	82
Jul	30	21	140
Aug	29	20	117
Sep	25	16	140
Oct	19	10	142
Nov	12	4	63
Dec	7	-1	112

Headline events

Citywide Free

St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 17 (held on March 17 every year regardless of day of week)

The oldest and largest St. Patrick's Day parade in the world, running annually since 1762. Roughly 150,000 marchers proceed up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street past over a million spectators. The parade draws marching bands from across the US and Ireland, along with political figures and Irish cultural organizations. The surrounding days turn neighborhoods like Woodlawn in the Bronx into extended community celebrations.

#NYCStPatricksDay

Best things to do in March

The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden

nature

The NYBG's annual Orchid Show fills the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the Bronx with over 7,000 orchids arranged into elaborate themed installations. The conservatory itself is a Victorian-era glass structure that stays warm and humid regardless of the weather outside, which makes it feel like stepping into a different climate entirely. Peak bloom tends to hit in mid-March.

The show runs late February through mid-April, but March typically delivers peak blooms and the full installation before any displays start to fade.

Booking tipWeekday mornings see the lightest crowds. Timed-entry tickets are required and tend to fill up for weekends, so book at least a week ahead.

Broadway Theater

entertainment

March falls in the late-winter window when Broadway houses are less packed than they'll be from April onward. The TKTS booth in Times Square, which sells same-day discounted tickets, tends to have wider selections on Tuesday through Thursday afternoons. You'll see both long-running shows and newer productions that opened in the fall season.

Late winter is historically one of the lower-demand periods for Broadway. Ticket availability improves and the TKTS booth carries more variety.

Booking tipThe TKTS booth in Lincoln Center tends to have shorter lines than the Times Square location, with a comparable selection.

Museum Visits Without Summer Crowds

culture

The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue, MoMA in Midtown, and the Whitney Museum in the Meatpacking District all see lighter foot traffic in March. The Met alone holds over 2 million works across 17 acres of gallery space. At MoMA, you can linger in front of Starry Night without a crowd three-deep. The Whitney's top-floor terrace gives you views of the Hudson even when it's too cold to stay long.

March falls between the holiday surge and the spring-break wave. Walk-up tickets are more reliably available, and galleries feel spacious rather than cramped.

Booking tipMost major museums offer free or discounted admission windows on specific evenings. Check each museum's website for current schedules.

Explore Chinatown and Flushing

food

New York's two main Chinatowns reward cold-weather visits. Manhattan's Chinatown, centered on Canal and Mott Streets, has dim sum restaurants that fill up on weekend mornings with the steam from bamboo baskets fogging the windows. Flushing, Queens, along Roosevelt Avenue, runs bigger and feels more like an Asian city center than a neighborhood enclave. The food courts in the basement of New World Mall hold dozens of stalls.

Indoor food halls and steaming soup dumplings are at their most appealing when the weather is raw. March cold makes these neighborhoods' density of indoor dining feel like an advantage rather than a compromise.

Walk the High Line Before It Greens Up

outdoors

The High Line, the 2.3 km elevated park running from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street on Manhattan's West Side, is a different experience in March. The designed plantings are dormant, grasses are tan and dry, and the steel structure shows through. It's starker and more architectural than the lush green tunnel it becomes by June. You can see the structural bones of the park and the surrounding Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards buildings more clearly.

Lighter crowds and dormant plantings mean you can appreciate the landscape architecture and the views of Chelsea galleries and the Hudson River without competing for bench space.

Catch a Knicks or Rangers Game at Madison Square Garden

sports

March is late-season for both the NBA's Knicks and the NHL's Rangers at Madison Square Garden on 33rd Street and 7th Avenue. Games carry playoff implications and the energy in the arena reflects it. The Garden sits directly above Penn Station, making it one of the most accessible venues in the city by transit.

Both the NBA and NHL regular seasons are winding toward April playoffs. Late-season games with postseason stakes tend to have higher intensity and a more engaged crowd.

Visit the Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park

culture

The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park at the northern tip of Manhattan houses medieval European art and architecture in a building assembled from elements of 5 medieval French cloisters. The hilltop setting overlooks the Hudson River and the Palisades cliffs of New Jersey. In March, the bare trees open up sight lines that the summer canopy blocks.

Lighter crowds than any other season, and the bare winter trees reveal panoramic Hudson River views that disappear once the canopy fills in during May.

What to eat in March

On menus now

Corned Beef and Cabbage
St. Patrick's Day on March 17 makes this the peak month for corned beef across the city. Irish pubs in Woodlawn (the Bronx), Sunnyside (Queens), and along Second Avenue in Midtown serve it with boiled potatoes and mustard. The tradition is more Irish-American than Irish, but it's been a New York institution for over a century.
Irish Soda Bread
Bakeries across the five boroughs produce Irish soda bread through March, with particularly well-known versions at bakeries in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Woodlawn in the Bronx. The traditional version uses buttermilk, caraway seeds, and raisins, baked into a dense, slightly sweet round.

In markets

Ramps
Wild leeks foraged in the northeastern US appear at the Union Square Greenmarket and on restaurant menus across the city in late March. Chefs throughout the Lower East Side and Williamsburg treat them like gold. The garlicky, onion-sharp flavor shows up in pastas, pestos, and pickled alongside charcuterie. The season lasts about 4 weeks, and by mid-April they're gone.
Maple Syrup
The sugaring season in upstate New York and Vermont runs from late February through March. Fresh syrup appears at the Union Square Greenmarket and specialty shops like Sahadi's in Brooklyn. The flavor of early-season syrup tends to be lighter and more delicate than the darker grades that come later in the run.

Regular events in March

The Armory Show

One of the most significant international contemporary art fairs in the US, held annually at the Javits Center on 11th Avenue. Over 200 galleries from roughly 30 countries exhibit work across painting, sculpture, video, and installation. The fair has run since 1994 and typically anchors a full week of gallery openings and events across Chelsea and the Lower East Side.

Early to mid-March (typically a Thursday through Sunday run)

New York International Auto Show (Preview)

While the full Auto Show runs in April, press previews and industry days begin in late March at the Javits Center. The show floor covers nearly 100,000 square meters and features vehicles from over 35 manufacturers. Concept cars and new model reveals draw significant attention.

Late March (press days; public opening typically early April)

NYC Half MarathonFree

The annual United Airlines NYC Half Marathon follows a 21.1 km course that starts in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, crosses the Manhattan Bridge, runs through the Lower East Side, up through Times Square, and finishes in Central Park. Roughly 25,000 runners participate, and the course passes through several neighborhoods that are fun to spectate from.

Mid-March (typically a Sunday)

Macy's Flower ShowFree

Macy's flagship store at Herald Square on 34th Street fills its main floor and windows with elaborate floral installations during the annual Flower Show. Over 5,000 plants and flowers transform the retail space. The event has been running since 1946 and typically coincides with the transition to spring merchandise.

Late March through mid-April (approximately 2-week run)

Best places this March

New York Botanical Garden
nature
The 250-acre garden in the Bronx is home to the annual Orchid Show in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Even outside the show, the grounds include 50 distinct garden areas and an old-growth forest. The on-site café overlooks the garden and serves decent lunch options.
Bronx
Metropolitan Museum of Art
museum
Over 2 million works spanning 5,000 years, with March bringing noticeably lighter attendance than the summer months. The rooftop garden doesn't open until May, but the Egyptian Temple of Dendur and the European paintings galleries are reason enough. The museum occupies 17 acres of gallery space along Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street.
Upper East Side
Chelsea Gallery District
art
Roughly 200 galleries concentrated between 10th and 11th Avenues from 18th to 28th Streets. March openings tend to align with Armory Show week, making this one of the busiest gallery months of the year. Most galleries are free to enter and open Tuesday through Saturday.
Chelsea
Grand Central Terminal
landmark
The 1913 Beaux-Arts terminal at 42nd Street and Park Avenue is worth a visit for the architecture alone. The main concourse ceiling depicts a Mediterranean sky with painted constellations. The lower level holds a food hall with a dozen or so vendors, and the Oyster Bar has been serving since the terminal opened.
Midtown
Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO
landmark
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge takes about 30-40 minutes and delivers Manhattan skyline views that are still striking even under grey March skies. The DUMBO side (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) has waterfront parks, the Time Out Market food hall for warming up, and cobblestone streets framed by old warehouse buildings.
DUMBO
The Cloisters and Fort Tryon Park
museum
The Met's medieval art branch sits on a hilltop in Fort Tryon Park in Washington Heights. The building incorporates stones from 5 medieval French cloisters, and the collection includes the famous Unicorn Tapestries from around 1500. March's bare trees mean clear views of the Hudson River and the Palisades.
Washington Heights
Smorgasburg Winter Market
food
The winter edition of this popular outdoor food market moves indoors at Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, running on weekends through March. Around 30-40 food vendors offer everything from ramen burgers to Thai rolled ice cream. Industry City itself has shops, galleries, and a brewery.
Sunset Park

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Windproof, waterproof outer jacketManhattan's avenue-channeled winds cut through anything that isn't wind-rated. A shell with sealed seams handles both the wind and the cold drizzle that defines March.Shop
Compact umbrellaMarch rain tends to be persistent drizzle rather than heavy downpours. A compact travel umbrella fits in a day bag and saves you from buying an overpriced one from a sidewalk vendor.Shop
Layering pieces (thermal base, fleece or wool mid-layer)Temperatures can swing 10°C within a single day. A thermal base plus a removable mid-layer lets you adjust between a heated subway car and a windy sidewalk.Shop
Waterproof boots or shoes with gripWet sidewalks, puddles at crosswalks, and potential slush from late-season snow make waterproof footwear with decent traction a necessity. You'll walk 10-15 km a day in New York.Shop
Warm hat and glovesUseful in early March and on windy days throughout the month. The wind along the waterfront in DUMBO and Battery Park can make bare hands painful within minutes.Shop
Scarf or neck gaiterWindchill along the avenues can drop the felt temperature well below the thermometer reading. A scarf blocks the gusts that funnel between buildings.Shop
Portable phone chargerCold weather drains phone batteries faster. If you're navigating by phone and taking photos, a backup battery keeps you from going dark mid-afternoon.Shop
Comfortable walking shoes (backup pair)A dry backup pair for evenings is worth the suitcase space. Wet shoes from daytime walking make restaurant dinners uncomfortable.Shop

Insider tips

The TKTS booth at Lincoln Center (Broadway and 65th Street) sells the same discounted same-day Broadway tickets as the famous Times Square booth, but with significantly shorter lines. It's open Tuesday through Saturday.
For the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, the best viewing spots are on Fifth Avenue above 60th Street, where the crowds thin out compared to the packed blocks near St. Patrick's Cathedral at 50th Street. Arrive at least 90 minutes before the noon start.
The underground concourse connecting Times Square, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Terminal lets you walk roughly 10 blocks without going outside. Useful on the worst weather days.
Many Chelsea galleries hold their spring opening receptions on Thursday evenings during Armory Show week (early March), typically with complimentary wine. Check gallery websites or the Art in America listings for the schedule.
The Roosevelt Island Tram, which departs from 59th Street and Second Avenue, gives you an aerial view of the East River and the Queensboro Bridge. It runs every 7-15 minutes and takes about 4 minutes each way. Most visitors walk right past it.
Central Park's Conservatory Garden at 105th Street and Fifth Avenue is one of the first spots in the park where early spring bulbs appear in late March. It's also one of the quieter sections of the park, away from the tourist-heavy southern end.

Avoid these mistakes

Packing for one season. March in New York can deliver sunshine and 15°C on Monday and sleet at 2°C on Wednesday. Visitors who pack only spring clothing end up buying emergency layers at inflated tourist-area prices.
Underestimating walking distances. Manhattan blocks are short north-south (roughly 80 meters) but long east-west (roughly 275 meters). What looks like 5 blocks on a map can be a 20-minute walk against the wind.
Trying to see the city from open-top bus tours in March. The wind chill on the upper deck of a double-decker bus moving through Midtown can be genuinely painful. Save the open-air sightseeing for May or later.
Skipping the outer boroughs. Manhattan is the default, but the Bronx (Botanical Garden, Arthur Avenue for Italian food), Queens (Flushing for Chinese and Korean food), and Brooklyn (DUMBO, Prospect Park, Williamsburg) reward the trip on the 4, 5, 7, or L trains.
Standing in Times Square TKTS lines for over an hour when the Lincoln Center TKTS booth on 65th and Broadway typically has wait times under 20 minutes for the same discounted tickets.

Practical tips for March

March in New York requires planning around the weather more than any other variable. Check the 10-day forecast before packing and again 2-3 days before departure. Layers are non-negotiable. A thermal base, wool or fleece mid-layer, and waterproof shell will handle the full range from 1°C mornings to 14°C afternoons. Carry a compact umbrella daily. Subway delays increase during nor'easters and heavy rain, so allow extra transit time and download the MTA app for real-time service alerts. Museum visits work well as weather-backup plans, but check closing days (the Met is closed Monday, MoMA is closed Wednesday). Restaurant reservations are easier to secure in March than peak months, but popular spots in the West Village and Lower East Side still fill up on Friday and Saturday evenings. Book 3-5 days ahead for weekend dinners. Broadway matinees on Wednesday and Saturday tend to be easier to get than evening performances. If you're visiting for St. Patrick's Day on March 17, book your hotel well ahead. It's one of the highest single-day hotel demand spikes of the year.

FAQ

Is March a good time to visit New York City?

March is a fair-to-decent time to visit, depending on your tolerance for cold and unpredictable weather. Temperatures range from around 1°C (35°F) at night to 11°C (53°F) during the day, with the possibility of both late-season snow and early spring warmth. The trade-offs are real. Hotel rates run 25-35% below peak season, museum lines are shorter, and restaurant reservations are easier to get. But outdoor activities are limited by the cold and rain, and the city's parks and trees are still bare.

What should I wear in New York in March?

Dress in removable layers. A thermal base layer, wool or fleece mid-layer, and a windproof waterproof outer shell will cover the full temperature range. Waterproof boots with good traction are important for wet sidewalks and potential slush. Bring a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf for windy days, especially if you'll be near the waterfront or crossing bridges. You'll likely adjust layers multiple times per day as you move between heated interiors and cold streets.

Does it snow in New York in March?

It can, particularly in the first half of the month. Late-season nor'easters have dropped 20-30 cm of snow on the city as late as mid-March in recent years. Snow in the second half of March is less common but not unheard of. When it does snow in March, it tends to be heavy and wet, and it usually melts within a day or two in the city. Flights at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark can be disrupted for 12-24 hours during a nor'easter.

How crowded is New York in March?

March sits at a medium crowd level, well below the peaks of summer (June through August) and the December holiday season. You'll notice shorter lines at major attractions like the Statue of Liberty ferries, the Met, and the Empire State Building. The exception is St. Patrick's Day week around March 17, when Midtown and the pub districts fill up considerably. Times Square and the Broadway theater district are busy year-round regardless of season.

What events happen in New York in March?

Day trip — 6 hours, free cancellation.

via Viator

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