New York City in December

April through June brings perfect weather and blooming flowers in Central Park. Hotel prices stay reasonable and you can actually enjoy walking around without sweating through your shirt. Fall hits different in New York. September through November gives you crisp air, changing leaves in Prospect Park, and that back-to-school energy that makes the whole city feel renewed. Winter means cheaper hotels and fewer crowds, but also means trudging through slush and dealing with subway delays when it snows. December brings holiday markets and ice skating, but also holiday prices. Summer gets brutal. July and August bring 90-degree heat that bounces off concrete and makes the subway platforms feel like saunas. But rooftop bars open up and you can catch free concerts in Central Park. Here's the thing about NYC weather: it changes fast. Pack layers no matter when you visit.