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10 Things to Do in New York in February

Just because February is the shortest month of the year doesn't mean it's the month with the least things to do. New York doesn't rest and fewer days only makes it even more intense.

Carmen Navarro

Carmen Navarro

9 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 even learn how to knit, ice skate and much more. Don't let the cold of winter in New York stop you!

Not to mention the star event of this month, in the city that never sleeps you can experience a Valentine's Day movie. Here is a list of activities 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 celebrating 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, also called Spring Festival or Lunar Year.

This event in the Big Apple is celebrated in style because in this city resides one of the largest Asian communities on the planet. The ceremony is based on fireworks and a colorful parade that will leave you with your mouth open. And for the most hungry, in the following article I tell you where to eat in Chinatown.

The best place to enjoy the celebration is none other than the streets of the Chinatown district, where you can be amazed with floats, dances and even dragons! Without a doubt it is the best time to visit this peculiar neighborhood.

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

That February is considered the month of love is marked by Valentine's Day, and in New York they celebrate it as 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 better than a date on one of the famous bridges of the city? You can also enjoy a walk hand in hand through Central Park, a kiss at the Bethesda Fountain... you're spoiled for choice!

Another thing you can do during Valentine's Day is to go for a meal at a restaurant with a special Valentine's menu or a passionate night in one of their spectacular hotels, they even decorate the rooms for the occasion!

Take a night cruise with dinner on the Hudson River, go up to the Top of the Rock at night or see one of the best Broadway musicals are great plans that will make your evening the most romantic date you've ever had.

Book tickets for Broadway

3. Take advantage of the President's Day Sale

Taking Advantage of New York Deals| ©Gustavo Fring
Taking Advantage of New York Deals| ©Gustavo Fring

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

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, a day like this in which at least rest!

The Wall Street area of the Financial District will be especially quiet so it might be a good time to explore Ground Zero and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Book a New York shopping tour

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, 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. That's why you must experience the game as a fan. Here we leave you a link so you can buy tickets for the NFL

Enter the nearest pub and watch the game and the spectacle of the halftime show where the most expensive ads of the year are paid. Without a doubt, getting a first-hand look at how New Yorkers experience the game 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 is 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. Catch a free movie at the Lower Manhattan Film Festival

CIne Night| ©Tima Miroshnichenko
CIne Night| ©Tima Miroshnichenko

Going to the movies is one of the most common plans in the United States. They have what is surely the most powerful film industry in the world. That's why one of the plans you have to make is to go see a movie at the cinema. In February, you can also enjoy seeing a movie for free thanks to Pictures Under the Palms, in Brookfield Place (Lower Manhattan).

The festival offers films of the caliber of Guardians of the Galaxy and Midnight in Paris, plus a movie of the audience's choice. You can also enjoy a DJ session playing before the film starts and the best part is that the seats include free popcorn!

You can get more information on the official website of Pictures Under The Palm

6. 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. New York is one of the fashion capitals, and it is at its best during this time of the year.

Entire streets are closed and transformed into catwalks where haute couture models parade. The fair is held only twice a year so if you visit New York in February you can not miss it. The number of people who move this celebration are not only models and the best designers and designers of the moment, but also photographers from around the world as well as celebrities and fashionistas of the most recognized.

You can enter the web and look for tickets to Fashion Week, you can get them in "Open to the Public", with which you will not need an invitation to attend. It's one of the most interesting events to do in February so you can't miss it!

7. Explore the wintry Big Apple

Central Park covered in snow| ©Mack Male
Central Park covered in snow| ©Mack Male

Just like January, February is one of the months where 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 they can get to form inches of snow on the streets of the city and its most important tourist spots such as Central Park, which is dressed in winter for the last time before spring arrives.

Taking advantage of your visit to one of the best parks in New York, do not rule out protecting yourself from the cold in one of the museums in New York. For my taste, the MET Museum, the MoMa and the Museum of Natural History are among the most recommended.

8. Whether you go with kids or not, 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. There are all kinds of activities such as workshops to learn how to knit wool, bumper cars on ice (called bumpers) or you can even rent igloos in which you can stay 90' at a temperature more typical of summer than winter.

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 100% American burger 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's why in their cities you can eat some of the best in the world. And New York was not going to be less. So tasting one of them is undoubtedly one of the activities that you can not miss if you visit the Big Apple.

In February, cold season, eat a hot New York hamburger and is that in few months you can enjoy it so much. You know the saying: "the good things are cooked over low heat"? 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!

For that you have several places where you can taste the delicious ingredients and find probably the best burger you've ever tasted. For this, you can go to the restaurant "Five Napkin Burger" one of the top 5 and for many considered the best restaurant to have a New York burger.

There you can also eat sushi or other dishes, so if there is someone who wants to take something softer you can do it without problem. The best of this restaurant 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.

The good thing is that they have several locations throughout the city so you will most likely be able to find a table, especially in February which is a month in which tourism is not too overwhelming in New York. For this, it is always better to make a reservation. You can do it here. And you, do you dare with the best burger in the world?

10. Go to the Winter Jam winter sports event in Central Park

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

And to wash down the burger... 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's 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 huts that offer snacks and hot chocolate to combat the cold.

Come to the Bandshell area of Central Park and enjoy the 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 because especially in open spaces like the Brooklyn Bridge, the winds can make the cold penetrate to the depths. A tip! Travel with plenty 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 take 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 for this last holiday before everyone goes back to school or work, more people than usual will flock to New York City.

So it's low season, you can find cheaper flights than the rest of the year and hotel and restaurant reservations are somewhat more affordable to facilitate off-season tourism.

If you're able to combat the frigid weather, you can save on your trip but without lowering the dose of adventure!