What's The Weather Like in New York in May?
Things really start to warm up in New York, USA in May, when the spring season is in full swing.
Is New York City Cold In May?
At this time of year, the average temperature for the city is 16°C which is made up of highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C
Hottest and Coldest May Temperatures in New York
The highest temperature which has ever been recorded in the city during this month is 35°C, and the coldest is 3°C.
How Much Does It Rain In new York In May?
Across the month, New York receives an average of 103mm rainfall divided between 15 wet days.
Does It Snow In May In New York?
Even though the odds of snowfall are practically non-existent, there is a 2% chance of seeing some early in May.
Average Sunshine Hours In May
New York boasts nine hours of sunshine every day.
Is New York Windy In May?
New York is relatively breezy throughout the year. In May, typical wind speeds fall between 0 m/s (calm) and 7 m/s (moderate breeze), rarely rising above 10 m/s (fresh breeze). The average daily maximum is 6 m/s (moderate breeze).
New York Hotels in May
NH New York Jolly Madison Towers
When it comes to central accommodation, NH New York Jolly Madison Towers is ideal. Situated on Madison Avenue in midtown Manhattan within walking distance of Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building and loads of boutiques, bars and restaurants, this hotel is designed with a blend of Italian elegance and Art Deco style.
Accommodation is provided in the form of standard rooms, superior rooms, deluxe rooms and junior suites, each of which features air conditioning, WiFi access and cable TV with film channels.
Within the hotel, you'll find Caffe Buongiorno which serves a daily continental breakfast buffet and Whaler Bar which offers 50% off all drinks 6 pm-7 pm. Although there aren't many facilities available within the hotel, you'll find museums, art galleries, shops, spas, beauty salons, gyms and many landmarks in the local area.
Comfort Inn Central Park West
For something more budget-friendly, check out the Comfort Inn Central Park West. Located near the Lincoln Centre, close to the area's top attractions, such as Central Park, the American Museum of Natural History, and Broadway, this European-style boutique hotel provides accommodation in the form of double rooms with double or king-sized beds, with the option to add an extra single bed for an added fee.
Here guests enjoy free daily breakfasts with meat, eggs, yogurt, cereal, fresh fruit, and waffles, as well as complimentary in-room coffee and free WiFi access. Although onsite services and facilities are limited, the cheap rates reflect this and you'll find plenty more bars, restaurants, shops, and attractions in the local area.
Holiday Inn New York City
Holiday Inn New York City is another great alternative when it comes to affordable accommodation in New York. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood yet still within walking distance of attractions such as Central Park, the Lincoln Centre, Carnegie Hall, and loads of shopping streets, this hotel is ideal for travelers who want to explore but also want a good night's sleep.
Accommodation is provided in the form of guest rooms, executive club-level rooms and suites, each of which comes with free local phone calls, newspapers and WiFi access, satellite TV and coffee making facilities.
Within the hotel you'll find the Gotham Café which serves international cuisine for breakfast and lunch plus American and Italian specialities for dinner, Mercury Bar which shows live sporting events and the Skylight Lounge which is open until midnight, plus a fitness centre, rooftop pool and gift shop.
Hotel 31
Hotel 31 is another budget hotel in New York. Situated in the heart of Manhattan, close to several department stores, world-class entertainment, fine restaurants and bars, this hotel offers guests double and family rooms, each of which features free WiFi access, cable TV and bathroom amenities although not all rooms come with a private bathroom.
There are no facilities available onsite, but you'll find three coffee shops within one block, as well as bakeries, ice cream parlours and Asian, Italian, Mexican and American restaurants. Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building, Rockerfeller Centre, Times Square and Herald Square are also nearby.
Bars and Restaurants
Pearl Oyster Bar
When it comes to the finest oysters in New York, you can't beat Pearl Oyster Bar. Open for lunch Monday to Friday, noon until 2.30pm and for dinner Monday to Saturday, 6pm-11pm, this restaurant is like an upscale lobster shack, with classic beach-style seafood dishes served in sophisticated surroundings.
The menu features items such as lobster rolls, fried oysters, chowders, clams, mussels and scallops, with no options available for those who don't enjoy fish seafood. There is an extensive drinks list available, with red, white and rose wines, plus champagnes, spirits and draught beers.
Keens Steakhouse
If you prefer hearty steaks and chops, consider dining at Keens Steakhouse. Open Monday to Friday 11.45am-10.30pm, Saturdays 5pm-10.30pm and Sundays 5pm-9.30pm, this eatery is known for its giant mutton chops which come highly recommended.
If you don't fancy mutton, the menu also features sirloin steak, rib of beef, T-bone steak, porterhouse steak to share, chateaubriand, lamb chops and chicken, as well as a raw seafood bar, salad appetisers and lobster for diners who want something lighter.
There are over 15 different options to choose from for dessert, with everything from ice cream and chocolate cake to fruit sorbets and cheese boards.
The Little Owl
The Little Owl is one of the best places to go in New York for Mediterranean food. Open for brunch Saturday and Sunday 9am-2.30pm, lunch Monday to Friday noon until 2.30pm and dinner Monday to Saturday 5pm-11pm and Sundays 5pm-10pm.
This restaurant offers a seasonal menu with a few signature specialities, such as the pork chops and gravy meatball sliders, as well as daily appetiser and seafood specials.
Dishes here are usually quite simple, but cooked in an extraordinary way, with the golden top cod served with squash mousse, Brussels sprouts and red cabbage relish being the perfect example.
Things to do in New York in May
Bryant Park
Make the most of the spring sunshine and spend a few hours at Bryant Park. Situated in Manhattan between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, this privately-owned park is home to gardens, monuments, open-air reading room, fairground carrousel, an art cart which provides visitors with free art materials, playing areas for petanque, ping pong, chess, backgammon and a putting green.
Throughout May, domino matches, scrabble competitions, card games, boggle matches, board games, party games, mah jong contests and kids' games are held on specific days.
There is also the Bryant Park Café which serves American cuisine and doesn't require a reservation, plus the Bryant Park Grill which offers a more sophisticated dining experience and accepts reservations.
New York Public Library
New York Public Library boasts more than 53 million items, making it the second largest library in the US. The most popular branch of the library is found in Manhattan and houses the largest circulating collections of the library, with books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, newspapers and online databases available.
One of the highlights of the New York Public Library for family is the children's zone on the lower floor which features the original Winnie the Pooh toys that appeared in the first books.
Gran Central Terminal
Grand Central Terminal is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city, making it a must-visit during your holiday in New York. With 44 platforms and 67 tracks, this train station is the largest in the world and is the place to go if you want to travel to the Dutchess, Putnam or Westchester counties in New York State, plus the New Haven and Fairfield counties in New Haven.
There are two tours for those who want to learn more about the station the self-guided audio tour which focuses on the architectural highlights and history of the station, with interesting facts and little-known bits of information, plus the grand tour, which is a guided walking tour that teaches you about the station's state-of-the-art design and construction.
