What the weather is like in March
March warms to 10°C afternoons, but nights stay near 2°C and snow is still possible: Central Park averages 5 inches in March. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade fills Fifth Avenue on 17 March, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s first cherry trees usually begin to flower late in the month.
Against February, March runs 4°C warmer with 28mm more rain and 1.1 hours more sun a day.
These March averages are station normals for Central Park (NOAA NCEI normals, 1991-2020); other parts of New York City vary. Full sources below.
New York City in March, on the ground
March is the turn from winter to spring: milder afternoons and cold mornings, with snow still possible. By the end of the month the first cherry trees are flowering in Brooklyn.
Crowds and prices in March
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade fills Fifth Avenue on 17 March, a Wednesday in 2027. Easter falls on 28 March in 2027.
What to do in March
- Look for the first cherry blossoms at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which usually begin to flower in late March.
- Walk the High Line or the Brooklyn Bridge on a mild afternoon.
- See a Broadway show: Evita opens on 25 March in 2027.
Before you book: Pack for both seasons: a warm coat for cold mornings and layers for milder afternoons.
What to pack for New York City in March
- Warm layers and a proper coat
- A scarf for chilly mornings
- A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella
What's on in March
- NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Fifth Avenue, Manhattan) — The parade runs up Fifth Avenue from 11am on 17 March (a Wednesday in 2027).
Is March the right month?
New York City's best month, May, is two months after March; the toughest, January, is two months before. If your dates can move, April is the nearest best-season month. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for July. See the full month-by-month breakdown for New York City, or where else to go in March.
Where to stay in March
March is shoulder season in New York City: good conditions, at lower prices than the peak.
- Midtown Manhattan$$$First visits, Broadway, the big sightsCentral for Times Square, the theatres, Central Park and the main subway lines; the busiest and priciest area.See hotels in New York for 12–18 Mar 2027
- Lower Manhattan (Financial District)$$The harbour, ferries, 9/11 MemorialNear the 9/11 Memorial, Battery Park and the Statue of Liberty ferries, with many subway lines.See hotels in New York for 12–18 Mar 2027
- Downtown Brooklyn$$Lower rates, a short subway ride to ManhattanAcross the river from Lower Manhattan, close to the Brooklyn Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge Park.See hotels in New York for 12–18 Mar 2027
Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Mar 2027; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
Book the rest of your March trip
Tours and tickets
Day trips, attraction tickets and guided tours in New York City.
Browse New York City on KlookAirport transfer
A fixed-price car from LaGuardia Airport (JFK is 15 miles from Midtown, LGA) to your hotel, booked before you land.
Book a transfer on KiwitaxiMobile data
An eSIM for US installs before you fly, so you have data when you land. Check your phone supports eSIM first.
See US plans on Airalo
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Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in New York City in March?
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How does March compare with February in New York City?
Sources: NYC Tourism + Conventions: weather and climate · NYC Tourism + Conventions: NYC Restaurant Week · NOAA NCEI normals: Central Park, 1991-2020 · NOAA sunshine, Central Park, 1961-1990 · National Weather Service New York · Brooklyn Botanic Garden: cherry blossoms · NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade · Port Authority of NY & NJ: 2025 Airport Traffic Report. Full provenance on the New York City guide.
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