OK, so the last time I went to Manhattan was back in 2001ish. Had a great time and am now looking to go back with my better half. Will it be stupidly cold in January? What are the current 'must dos'?
Ta!
I'd guess at sub zero most days. Been there in early Feb and it was quite nippy - snow on the ground etc.
It can be seriously cold there in Jan, the coldest month of the year. Much more so than here. Probably not very fun.
We popped over the NY to use up some airmiles a few years ago a that time and it was rather chilly. Plenty to do, though, that doesn't need you to be outside all the time.
Don't do what my ex gf did though and complain to the hotel about the poor TV reception until they come up to the room to explain that the [i]reason[/i] the TV signal is poor is that the transmitter was on the very recently destroyed North Tower... oops - slightly red faced gf...
Rachel
It's the kind of cold that's fine when you're on the move but as soon as you stop, eg to cross a road, suddenly you're absolutely freezing. As long as you have properly warm 'outdoors' wear you'll be fine--and it'll be nice and toasty indoors. New York's great all year round 🙂
You may die yes, but you'll most likely be very cold first.
I've been there in January when it's been freezing, when it's been snowing and when it's been pleasantly mild.
Had a great time on each occasion, wouldn't stop me going!
Chicago, on the other hand, with the wind blowing off the lake, cccccccccold
It is cold, but wrap up and you'll be fine.
It is a pain though when you go inside as they are always warm and you need to start peeling off layers of clothes.
NY in winter is magical, it almost feels cleaner when it snows.
Wear gloves and a hat.
I went in Jan a couple of years back. Drove down with the Mrs from Boston, roads will all be clear as will pavements in the city generally but expect snow.
It will be below 0 every day probably, I had a T Shirt, Hoody and north Face Nuptse on to keep warm! Especially if you're going up high or out to see the statue.
A couple of relatives have both been at that time and said it was paralysingly cold and would never go again
Apparently the open topped bus ride is a challenge
We were there last Christmas. A bit of snow on the ground in outskirts of the city but it was fine in town. Walked around quite happily. Hat and gloves weather but hardly the Arctic
8.4 million people manage to live in new york. I think you'll be alright...
[quote=jam bo ]8.4 million people manage to live in new york. I think you'll be alright...
That
jam bo » 8.4 million people manage to live in new york. I think you'll be alright...
That
Phew, thank goodness for that. We were really worried!
😀
Been there early Feb. Wrap up warm and good shoes and you'll be fine. Streets and pavements get cleared and unless it's a blizzard nothing shuts
Wear gloves and a hat.
Great advice for someone going to somewhere cold. 😉
This thread is fantastic. You're going to NY, not Siberia.
Yeah, in Siberia you'd be better off doubling up on socks too.
My mate went in January and it dropped to minus 20. He coped (obviously, see above re. millions live there) but, given the choice he strongly advises against it. There's loads of great "New York" stuff that either isn't on or is paralysingly awful for more than 2 minutes, central park, time square, tall building viewing platforms etc. I'd go somewhere else in Jan and Manhattan in Autumn, I did, it was bloody splendid. 8)
Ah, if we were going to Siberia I'd probably have thought to take a scarf too.
Come on pictonroad, play the game, your reply is far too sensible and helpful!!
😉
Some of the most uncomfortable days of my life were spent in NY over new year a while back.
A calamity of stuff:
Fell off a boat on Oahu and broke a rib
then picked up a chest infection
the violent coughing was painful enough with a broken rib, but then led to chostal chondral separation (my rib came off my sternum)
I then had a long haul flight in economy to NYC where I couldn't get comfortable enough to ease the pain
then had to move around in freezing temps, sliding around in the snow, with a broken rib, chostal chondral separation and a chest infection.
🙂
I was there in Janaury a couple of years ago. I think the day time temperature was around -12 degrees most days. It did snow towards the end of the stay which meant it warmed up a bit. I was there on an architecture tour, so we did spend most of the time outside looking at buildings. As long as you take the right clothes it isn't too bad.
As long as you take the right clothes it isn't too bad.
What, like a hat, a scarf, shit like that?
peterfile - Member
Some of the most uncomfortable days of my life were spent in NY over new year a while back.A calamity of stuff:
Fell off a boat on Oahu and broke a rib
then picked up a chest infection
the violent coughing was painful enough with a broken rib, but then led to chostal chondral separation (my rib came off my sternum)
I then had a long haul flight in economy to NYC where I couldn't get comfortable enough to ease the pain
then had to move around in freezing temps, sliding around in the snow, with a broken rib, chostal chondral separation and a chest infection.
Jeez Peter, bet you wish you'd gone to Siberia instead!!
😆
I went in February in 2006. It was -15 to -20 every day with savage, biting, painful wind.
It was a long time ago but I remember wearing many, many layers. I remember trying to take pictures and being unable to use my fingers but the camera wouldn't switch on anyway. Most of all I remember the pain. The stabbing, stinging pain in any exposed skin.
Yes, we survived. But I'd never go back in Winter.
EDIT: Just checked the average temperature for Siberia February. It's -14.7 so NYC can outdo it easily.
Jeez Peter, bet you wish you'd gone to Siberia instead!!
The front line in Afghanistan would probably have been more comfortable, but with less Oxycodone and wine 🙂
(in all seriousness...take some walking boots with you for winter)
Just checked the average temperature for Siberia February. It's -14.7 so NYC can outdo it easily.
That's like saying Dubai gets hotter than the Sahara though.
It's not that much of a problem when you can just nip inside when it all gets a bit too much 🙂
My brother was there early last year. It was so cold a pigeon fell out of the sky frozen and landed at his feet. OP unless you are a pigeon I think you'll be fine.
Go to an ice hockey game, NY has 2 teams, The Rangers & The Islanders, hockey is much easier to understand than American football AND you can make your mind up whether violence is ever justified. 8)
