10 Things to Do in New York in February

New York in February does not rest and the fact that it is a month with fewer days only means that it is even more intense than usual.

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

8 min read

10 Things to Do in New York in February

Manhattan in the Snow | ©John Gillespie

During this month, the American calendar is marked by events such as the Super Bowl, Fashion Week and other festivals where you can learn to knit, ice skate and much more. Don't let the cold of winter in New York stop you!

But, without a doubt, the star event of this month in the city that never sleeps is that you can experience a Valentine's Day movie. Here's a list of activities you can't miss during the month of February.

1. Enjoy the Chinese New Year Parade in Chinatown

Chinese New Year Parade| ©Howard Brier
Chinese New Year Parade| ©Howard Brier

In the West we are used to celebrating the New Year on January 1st and New York is no exception. But New Yorkers can also say that they celebrate the year twice, because when February comes around, it's time to celebrate Chinese New Year.

This event in the Big Apple is celebrated in style, as the city is home to one of the largest Asian communities on the planet. Specifically, the best place to enjoy the celebration is Chinatown. Without a doubt, it is the best time to visit this peculiar neighbourhood.

The ceremony is based on fireworks and a colourful parade. And for the hungry ones, the following article tells you where to eat in Chinatown if you come to see the celebration. However, if you don't want to go alone, you can always book a tour of Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown and go with company.

Book a tour of Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown

2. Experience a cinematic Valentine's Day in New York City

Romantic walk across the Bow Bridge| ©David Ohmer
Romantic walk across the Bow Bridge| ©David Ohmer

February is considered the month of love because it's Valentine's Day, and New York celebrates in style. The city is decked out in the most amorous shop windows and window displays for the most romantic day of the year. The colour red will be the protagonist of streets, avenues, squares and, of course, shop windows.

If you are going with your partner during this time of the year, what could be better than a date on one of the **city'**s famous bridges? But you can also:

Book Broadway tickets

3. Enjoy the quiet of Wall Street

In honour of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (12 February) and George Washington (22 February), the third Monday in February is President's Day. You know how patriotic the US is, and this is one of the days when they get their most American streak on.

As it is a bank holiday, schools, banks and many other businesses close their doors, but the city's main attractions are open.

You can't miss the opportunity to see the city without the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps. The Wall Street area of the Financial District will be particularly quiet so it might be a good time to book a tour of Wall Street and explore Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Book a tour of Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial

4. Get up close and personal with the Super Bowl atmosphere

Super Bowl New York| ©Caleb T. Gomez
Super Bowl New York| ©Caleb T. Gomez

Along with basketball and baseball, football is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and come February, the Super Bowl brings the atmosphere to the city. The season comes to an end and with it the last game of the year that will proclaim the champion.

Here is a link where you can buy tickets for the NFL. You can also go to the nearest pub and watch the game. No doubt you will be blown away by how New Yorkers experience the game! Here are some of the best places to eat and drink in New York.

And while we're in sports mode, take advantage of the NBA season in full swing and don't miss an NBA game in New York, whether it's at Madison Square Garden or the Nets' home stadium at the Barclays Center.

Book NFL tickets

5. Explore the wintry Big Apple

Snow-covered Central Park| ©Mack Male
Snow-covered Central Park| ©Mack Male

As in January, February is one of the months when you have the most opportunities to see the city under the snow. New Yorkers are used to their winter routine of having to survive snowfalls, which are usually light storms, but which can dump inches of snow on the city.

It's a great time to visit some of New York' s best parks such as Central Park, as well as take shelter from the cold in one of New York's museums. For my taste, the MET Museum, the MoMA and the Museum of Natural History are among the most recommended.

In particular, if you go with children, I recommend you to book tickets to the Museum of Natural History, as it is the one they tend to like the most.

Book tickets to the Natural History Museum

6. Go on sale in New York

Take advantage of the New York bargains| ©Gustavo Fring
Take advantage of the New York bargains| ©Gustavo Fring

In the United States there are some very specific dates for big sales and one of them luckily falls in February, specifically the third Monday of the month, President's Day, which I've told you about before.

On this day you can find discounts of up to 65% in a wide variety of shops and products, which is ideal if you want to get products that you can't find in Spain for an unbelievable price.

And if you are one of those who like to go shopping when you travel and the sales have not been enough for you, I recommend you to book a shopping tour in New York to discover other lesser known places where you can go vintage or antique shopping.

Book a New York shopping tour

7. Experience fashion in one of its capitals thanks to Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week| ©Peter Duhon
New York Fashion Week| ©Peter Duhon

Fashion Week is one of the most famous fashion events in the world and New York, being one of the fashion capitals, is at its best at this time of the year.

Entire streets close down and are transformed into catwalks where models parade in haute couture. The fair is only held twice a year, so if you visit New York in February you can't miss it. You can go to the Fashion Week website and look for tickets.

The amount of people that move this celebration are not only models and the best designers of the moment, but also photographers from all over the world as well as celebrities and the most renowned fashionistas come to the city.

8. Have a great time at Frost Fest!

Frost Fest in Bryant Park| ©xacobeo4
Frost Fest in Bryant Park| ©xacobeo4

Frost Fest is a festival held in Manhattan's famous Bryant Park. There are all sorts of activities going on here such as learning how to knit wool, bumper cars on ice (called bumpers) or you can even rent igloos.

If you want to see all the activities at Frost Fest, I'll leave you with the website so you can book the activity of your choice - it's well worth it!

9. Taste a burger at 5 Napkin-Burgers

The original Five Napkin burger| ©Ross Bruniges
The original Five Napkin burger| ©Ross Bruniges

The hamburger originated in the United States and Germany. That's why in their cities you can eat some of the best in the world. So tasting one of them is undoubtedly one of the activities you can't miss if you visit the Big Apple.

In February, the cold season, eating a hot New York burger is one of the best plans. Do you know the saying: "good things come to slow cooking"? Well, in February, tourism is much lower and New York 's best restaurants have more time to devote to their creations. Believe me, it shows!

"Five Napkin Burger" is one of the top 5 and for many the best restaurant to have a New York burger. You can also have sushi or other dishes, but the best is their "Original" burger, with special cheese and homemade sauce. It's a very big burger, so big that it's a challenge to finish it.

Traveller Tip

Five Napkin Burger has several locations around the city so you're likely to be able to find a table, especially in February. However, it's always best to book. You can do so here.

10. Come to Winter Jam in Central Park

Central Park Winter Jam| ©Dave Bledsoe
Central Park Winter Jam| ©Dave Bledsoe

And to wash down the burger... A bit of sport! But don't worry, in this activity we're not going to encourage you to go jogging in Central Park, which you could do, but this time you'll be visiting the park to attend the free winter sports festival.

There's snowshoeing, sledding, skiing and snowboarding. It's a good opportunity to learn if you haven't done any of these sports, or to improve your technique in one of the most unique settings for winter sports.

And for those who prefer to watch the show rather than star in it, there are huts offering snacks and hot chocolate to combat the cold. Head to the Bandshell area of Central Park and enjoy Winter Jam NYC!


Weather in NYC in February

Winter in Manhattan| ©John Gillespie
Winter in Manhattan| ©John Gillespie

February is one of the coldest months of the winter in New York as temperatures range from -2ºC to 6ºC. That's why you should pack your suitcase well so that neither the cold nor the snow catches you unawares.

You can also prepare activities to do indoors in case your body asks you to take shelter from the cold. It's also a good idea to pack a windbreaker, as especially in open spaces like the Brooklyn Bridge, the winds can make the cold get in deep.

Here's a tip! Travel with plenty of layers so you can shed them when you visit something indoors.

NYC's February tourist crowds in February

Celebrating Valentine's Day| ©Gary Barnes
Celebrating Valentine's Day| ©Gary Barnes

February is the cheapest month to travel to New York. Many children have February school holidays due to the increased number of public holidays. This includes President's Day and, on the other hand, Valentine's Day.

As many people want to get out of town before everyone goes back to school or work, it's the off-season and you can find cheaper flights, hotels and restaurants - if you're able to combat the chilly weather, you can save on your trip without cutting back on the adventure!