New York October — autumn foliage in Central Park

New York · USA

October

New York in autumn is genuinely unrivalled — crisp air, spectacular foliage, and the city at full creative energy.

Best match

#1 of 12 months

October is one of the best times to visit New York.

Climate

High

18.5°C

Low

10.4°C

Rain

78mm

Sun

7hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How October scores in New York

Weather
Outstanding
Value
Above average
Crowds
Average
Events
Very good
Atmosphere
Outstanding

What you gain in October

  • Central Park foliage peak (late October): reds, oranges, and golds that rival New England
  • New York Film Festival brings major world-cinema premieres and street energy
  • Halloween in Greenwich Village and the West Village: one of the world's best costume parades (31 Oct)

What you sacrifice

  • October's growing reputation has pushed prices well above the shoulder it once was
  • Leaf-peeping crowds mean Central Park weekend paths genuinely busy
  • Rain still occasional: 78mm average, though generally manageable

October in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within New York, not across destinations. Methodology →