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 live a Valentine's Day movie. Here is a list of activities that you can't miss during the month of February.

1. Delight yourself with 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 celebrate the New Year on January 1st and New York is no exception. But, in addition, New Yorkers can say that they celebrate the year twice because when February arrives it is time to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

This event in the Big Apple is celebrated in style, as this city is home to one of the largest Asian communities on the planet. Specifically, the best place to enjoy the celebration is Chinatown. It is undoubtedly the best time to visit this peculiar neighborhood.

The ceremony is based on fireworks and a colorful parade. And for the most hungry, in the following article I tell 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 movie 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 hosts Valentine's Day, and in New York they celebrate it with a movie. The city is decked out with the most amorous shop windows and showcases according to the most romantic day of the year. The color 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's better than a date on one of the famous bridges of the city? But you can also:

Book tickets for Broadway

3. Take advantage of the tranquility of Wall Street

In honor of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and George Washington (February 22), the third Monday of February is President's Day. You know how patriotic they are in the United States, and this is one of the days when their American streak comes out.

Being a national holiday, schools, banks and many other businesses close their doors, but the main attractions of the city are open.

You can not miss the opportunity to see the city without the hustle and bustle and the typical routine of the city that never sleeps. The Wall Street area in the Financial District will be especially 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. Feel the Super Bowl atmosphere up close

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

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

Here is a link so you can buy tickets for the NFL. You can also go to the nearest pub and watch the game. Without a doubt, knowing in first person how New Yorkers live the experience will blow your mind! 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, either at Madison Square Garden or at the Barclays Center, home of the Nets.

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 the fact that in their winter routine they have to survive snowfalls that are usually of low intensity storms, but that come to form inches of snow in the city.

It is an ideal time to visit some of the best parks in New York such as Central Park, as well as to protect yourself from the cold in one of the museums of New York. For my taste, the MET Museum, the MoMA and the Museum of Natural History are among the most recommended.

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

Book tickets to the Natural History Museum

6. Go on sale in New York

Taking advantage of the New York sales| ©Gustavo Fring
Taking advantage of the New York sales| ©Gustavo Fring

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

On this day you can find discounts of up to 65% in a variety of stores and products, ideal if you want to get products that you can't find in Spain for an incredible 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 know other lesser known places where you can do vintage or antique shopping.

Book a shopping tour in New York

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 are closed and transformed into catwalks where models parade in haute couture. The fair is held only twice a year so if you visit New York in February you can not 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 at Bryant Park| ©xacobeo4
Frost Fest at Bryant Park| ©xacobeo4

Frost Fest is a festival held in the famous Bryant Park, in the heart of Manhattan. All kinds of activities take place here such as learning workshops to knit wool, bumper cars on ice (called bumpers) or you can even rent igloos.

If you want to see all the activities of Frost Fest, I leave you the website so you can book the activity you want, it's worth it!

9. Taste a hamburger at 5 Napkin-Burgers

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

The origin of the hamburger is in the United States and Germany. That is 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 not miss if you visit the Big Apple.

In February, 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 the best restaurants in New York have more time to dedicate 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. There you can also eat sushi or other dishes, but the best is their "Original" burger, with special cheese and homemade sauce. It is a very big and consistent burger, so much so that finishing it is a challenge.

Traveller Tip

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

10. Come to the Winter Jam in Central Park

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

And to wash down the hamburger... A little sport! But don't worry, in this activity we are not going to encourage you to jog around Central Park, which you could also do, but this time you will visit the park to attend the free winter sports festival.

You can snowshoe, sled, ski or snowboard. It is a good opportunity to learn if you have not practiced any of these sports, or to improve your technique in one of the most peculiar scenarios for these winter sports.

Also, for those who prefer to watch the show rather than star in it, there are cabins that offer 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. For this reason you should prepare your suitcase well so that neither the cold nor the snow catches you unawares.

In addition, you can prepare activities to do indoors in case your body asks you to take shelter from the cold. It is also interesting that you take a windbreaker, especially in open spaces like the Brooklyn Bridge, the winds can make the cold penetrate to the depths.

A tip! Travel with lots of layers so you can shed them at times when visiting something indoors.

The tourist flow in NYC 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 vacations due to the increased number of holidays. This includes President's Day and, on the other hand, Valentine's Day.

Since 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 frigid weather, you can save on your trip but without cutting back on the dose of adventure!