Are you thinking of visiting New York City in March? You’re making a smart decision, considering how the city offers unique and pleasant experiences during this time. Let’s look at a guide for wise travelers that will help you enjoy exploring the city without the huge crowds.
Examining NYC’s Shoulder Season: How March Modifies the City Experience
March is a pocket-friendly shoulder season in NYC, with fewer crowds at major landmarks. The weather conditions can be unpredictable, since it’s a transitional month, bringing relatively warmer days and up to seven hours of sunshine, along with sudden cold bouts and moderate rainfall.
There are several leading events held here in this period, including the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden, Japan Fest, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It is an ideal time to enjoy Broadway shows, while Central Park shows some early signs of spring, with its blooming maples.
Manhattan’s Calm Mornings: How Early-Day Planning Transforms Everything
Early-day planning changes the entire game when you’re in NYC in March. You’ll get a quieter experience earlier in the day, helping you beat even the sparse crowds at spots like the Brooklyn Bridge and Central Park. You can also visit the High Line before the city wakes up for a wonderful experience. In fact, walking the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan in the early hours helps you enjoy gorgeous views.
The weather is also pleasant enough for walking in the early morning, before the temperatures start rising later in the day. Get your coffee and pastries near the Grand Central Station, visit the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock when they open, and then walk the stretch along SoHo or West Village to enjoy a lovely ambience before the shops open their doors.
Underrated March Experiences Most Tourists Miss
March in New York City gives you several unique yet underrated experiences that most tourists miss. Some of them include:
- Orchid Nights- You can explore the fascinating Orchid Show held at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Witness innumerable flowers with drinks and music in the evenings.
- Japan Fest (March 29th)- It is a delightful East Village food festival offering the best matcha, ramen, and Takoyaki.
- The Met Cloisters & Gardens- You will love this medieval-era branch of the MoMA (Metropolitan Museum of Art) for a quieter vibe.
- The Morgan Library & Museum- It is a cozy and stunning spot that is ideal for colder March days, with its artworks and rare books.
- Green-Wood Cemety- You will fall in love with this historic Brooklyn spot with gorgeous architecture and views to savor.
- Tenement Museum- It will take you deeper into the fascinating histories of immigrant families staying on the Lower East Side.
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 17th)- This is one parade that you shouldn’t miss, especially along the Fifth Avenue in Midtown.
- Women’s History Month Tours- There are mostly free and exclusive tours that happen in Central Park that you can check out (hosted by the Urban Park Rangers).
- The North Woods in Central Park- This is a quiet experience in Central Park that you can savor as a getaway from the city.
Balance Between Indoor and Outdoor Spaces: Seeing Well-Known Locations at Unknown Hours
March is the ideal time to balance between outdoor and indoor spaces, viewing the former in the early mornings and shifting to the latter in the afternoons or evenings. Outdoors, you can view the sunrise at Brooklyn Bridge or Central Park between 6.30 AM and 7.30 AM, enjoying the skyline with negligible crowds. Times Square late at night is another experience altogether, between 11 PM and 1 AM, while Fifth Avenue is suitable for an early morning stroll between 7 AM and 8 AM.
For chillier days and afternoons, you can get away to the MoMA and the Museum of Modern Art, particularly on rainy days. Visit Edge at Hudson Yards, the highest outdoor sky deck, or even Top of the Rock for indoor viewing choices. The Grand Central Terminal is a great place to explore in March with its food and architecture. You can even taste dim sums in Chinatown or frequent the charming cafes in the West Village. Book your furnished apartments for rent NYC strategically to stay near these spots.
Borough Escapes: Venturing Outside of Manhattan’s Crowds
In fact, it’s not just the crowds and bustle of Manhattan in March; you can easily escape outside this zone to explore various other places. Choosing well-connected apartments which are perfect for short-term rentals in NYC or long-stay accommodation (depending on your needs) will help you quickly plan getaways to many other destinations. You can get away to Dumbo in Brooklyn, famous for its lovely waterfront views from the Brooklyn Bridge Park. You can take a ride on the 1922 Jane’s Carousel and find amazing photographic spots to capture the Manhattan Bridge in all its glory.
You may also visit the Time Out Market to feast on fabulous food or check out the craft beers on tap at the Evil Twin Brewing NYC. You can also check out Empire Stores for its rooftop beer garden and multiple fascinating shops. The Bronx will take you into the home of hip hop and you’ll also find the New York Botanical Garden here for the Orchid Show. The Staten Island Ferry offers an exhilarating experience (free 24-hour ferry) for lovely views of the Manhattan skyline and The Statue of Liberty. Another choice is Roosevelt Island or Queens, where you can take the Roosevelt Island Tram for some wonderful city views.
Why In March NYC, Flexible Scheduling Is Better Than Fixed Plans
It’s always important to be flexible in your schedules than chalking out fixed plans when you’re visiting NYC in March. Book furnished rentals with flexible leases, helping you stay as long as you like in spacious home-like environments with great amenities, hotel-style services, competitive rates, and prime locations. Why stay flexible? It’s because the weather in early spring is unpredictable, ranging from sunshine and sudden chills to slush and rain. Flexibility helps you explore some areas without the crowds early on, while shifting to indoor zones later on when the weather changes.
Staying flexible also helps you bypass crowded subways and peak-hour traffic, while you can choose the most productive hours to get some work done (if that’s your thing) before you start your sightseeing tours. The unpredictability of early spring in NYC requires a bit of flexibility for a wonderful experience during your trip.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
