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When to Visit - Arts, Events, Weather

New York City can boast an artistic representation second to no other city on earth, and its renowned centres for the arts have become tourist attractions in their own right. Along with London's West End, Broadway is a prime district for theatre. There are around 250 legitimate theatres in New York, not to mention the countless ad hoc venues.

Music lovers are also catered for with immense diversity and choice. Not only does the city pose the world's oldest symphony orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, but it is a principal stopping point for the world's greatest ensembles and soloists. In addition, New York City is a Mecca for the opera with, among others, the magnetic Metropolitan Opera (at the Lincoln Center). Visiting balletomanes will find their passion indulged by two influential, powerhouse companies: the New York City Ballet and the American Ballet Theater. It is also incredibly unlikely that any touring pop or rock act will not stop at one of New York's many concert venues. Several hundred celebrations and festivals are held annually in New York.

Barely a day goes past without a special event taking place somewhere in the city. Events are as diverse as the rest of New York and range from a marathon reading of Moby Dick to race days at Saratoga Springs. There are over 6000 places of worship here, with Catholicism the most widely practised religion, and Buddhist temples, mosques and kingdom halls form a large part of the city landscape.

The early months of the year bring plenty of retail bargains as stores offload surplus Christmas stock, but January and February are often cold and windy, partly alleviated in Chinatown by the Lunar New Year firework celebrations. Pleasant Spring weather and generally lighter crowds (apart from during St Patrick’s Day parade) make March to May excellent months to visit. The city’s famous alfresco festivities begin in earnest in June, whilst for those willing to endure humid temperatures during July and August, hotel prices are frequently reduced – and diners may find it a little easier to get last minute tables at popular restaurants during the main vacation season. September and October are choice months to visit, with late summer warmth often continuing through the Fall season, and the Arts season moving into full swing. Prices begin rising and temperatures falling in the months leading up to Christmas, when New York is at its most exciting, hectic and expensive.

New York Tipping Advice

Service charges are not included on restaurant bills throughout New York. A standard gratuity of between 10% and 20% tends to be the norm. For other service personnel such as doormen, valets and baggage handlers, a tip of USD 1.00 per service is recommended. Taxi drivers are a legendary part of New York and should be tipped according to the service received. As a guide, adding 10% onto the fare is acceptable.