Here’s a quick list of things and tips to be mindful of while planning a trip to the city in the month of January.
1.What’s the weather in January?
January is the coldest month in New York with average temperatures dropping to as low as -3°C. The average maximum temperature reaches up to 4°C with snowfall expected on about 4 days on average.
2.What to wear?
Heading over to the city in these cold winter months requires you to bundle up and stay nice and cozy. Warm jackets are a must to braze the harsh weather. Additionally, make sure to pack cold weather boots, earmuffs, hats, gloves, and scarfs.
3.Getting around the city
Public transportation is the cheapest and most easily accessible way to get around in New York. The subway is open 24 hours a day with rides being as cheap as $2.75 per ride. You can opt for the city hop on, hop off buses to get a better view of the places you cross and cover all major attractions, or the famous New York yellow taxis in cases of excess luggage. The minimum initial fare for the taxi is $2.50 with 50 cents added every one-fifth of a mile.
4.Things to do in January
If you are spending New Year’s in New York, New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square is the event to be at to celebrate and usher in the coming year with fireworks and performances by global artists. There’s ample to do if you are planning to stay for the rest of the month. Central Park gets adorned by a layer of white snowy cover and looks like a winter wonderland straight out of a disney movie. Heading over to the park for a quiet afternoon seems a good idea! The weather provides an amazing chance to indulge in ice-skating at various locations in the city. The Rink at Rockefeller Centre is good to check out if you wish to enjoy the sport along with the Rink at Bryant Park. Niagara Falls, though cold in this weather, continues to be majestic and a wondrous delight to see with its frozen icicles. Of course, visiting the Statue of Liberty or the numerous museums in the city and catching a broadway show if it gets too cold to be outside are some of the other options that can be explored while in the city.
5. Events to look out for in January
- Winter Jazzfest- Got a musical bone in your body and happen to be in New York City in January? Definitely check out the Winter Jazzfest bringing together exceptional artists from the industry to perform and entertain large crowds of people. Alice Smith, Anna Webber, Ben Williams, Braxton Cook, among others, have previously graced the stage with their fabulous pieces.You will even find a show planned especially for kids along with marathon nights.
- Asian Film Festival- Programmed and operated by New York Asian Film Foundation, the festival takes place in mid-weeks of January. It features a wide collection of contemporary and classic Asian films, and occasional special appearances by artists. If you are a movie buff, this might be of interest to you!
- Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show- Lasting from the first week of January up until the very last few days of the month, the Holiday Train Show offers a beautiful view of New York’s major landmarks and attractions in the model train version of the Big Apple made out of natural materials.
- The Winter Antiques Show- The Park Avenue Armory holds the seasonal Winter Show featuring over 72 top experts in fine and decorative arts. You will find work dating from the ancient times up to the modern era here. It is one of the leading art and antiques fairs in the country and worth checking out if you are a fan of such work!
- Three Kings Day Parade- A tradition of almost four decades, Three Kings Day Parade commemorates the Feast of the Epiphany. The procession features colourful floats, music and dance and is an example of art meeting history and culture. Be a part of this glorious event which takes place in January every year.
6. Enjoy New York’s Restaurant Week
New York’s Restaurant Week is a biannual event wherein a number of top-notch restaurants participate and offer prix fixe menus at as low as $26 for lunches and $42 for dinners. Michelin-starred Gramercy Tavern, seasonal Italian eatery by Albert Di Meglio, and various other eateries have been on the official list for Restaurant week in the past. It is quite an enjoyable and cost-efficient way to savour the city’s cuisine.
New York City has as much to offer in the month of January as during any other time of the year. With the celebrations of the new year, a host of events are usually lined up for tourists to partake in and enjoy their stay. The snow-covered landscape further adds on to the magical glow of the city, making it the perfect picturesque site to spend your holidays at!