When to avoid NYC?
 

We were planning a trip to New York City in May, but may now go in April instead. <BR>Other than Easter, is there any other really busy time to avoid, that I do not know about...ie...speacil conventions?

Hi Laura: <BR>Come and Enjoy! There is NEVER a bad time to visit NYC. Easter is a lovely time to be here. <BR>Conventions go on all the time, you just never know where because we are always busy. <BR>Parades close the avenues now and then but that is just part of city's charm. <BR>Welcome to NYC!

If you dislike huge crowds I suppose New Year's Eve, 4th of July night and a few other key occasions wouldl dictate that you avoid some areas (e.g midtown on NY Eve or areas where the fireworks may be viewed on July 4). Otherewise, as was mentioned, any time is a good time. I tend to enjoy the spring and fall the most because the weather is usually temperate enough but not hot and muggy.

NYC is always busy but can be very festive and spirited during holidays. The main thing to avoid is arriving or leaving the same time as a presidential appearence. Other than that you'll be fine.

Thank you all for the input. I suppose my main concern was the availability of hotels and increase costs if one weekend was known to be exceptionally busy. <BR> <BR>Thanks again!

don't know of any large conventions and/or special events that would require many many hotel rooms (although i'm not too tuned in to that kind of stuff). check in expedia.com or travelscape.com to compare availability and cost of rooms. if you do have some flexability you might as well see what works out the best. It will be fun in any case.

I would avoid NYC during the dog days of summer - it's hot, humid and dirty. Then again, it's not as crowded then.

Just keep in mind that NYC has the highest hotel occupancy rate of any US city. That doesn't mean you can't get a bargain, but you've got to shop around. Spring and fall are the busiest seasons, summer and winter not as much, relatively speaking--except for around the Christmas/New Year's season.

april can be a little chilly here, bring clothes you can layer. It can be a great time to visit the central park, the bronx botanical garden and the brooklyn botanical garden (which is easily accessible on the 2 and 3 subway lines). In early may the cherry trees are in bloom, which is really lovely. I believe there's an Easter parade--you might want to check that out.