Things to Do in New York in May: Events and Weather

New York in May is beautiful. Spring is showing off, there are flowers on every corner, the days are longer and warmer (but it can also rain, and a lot!), and since high season hasn't started yet, you'll get to enjoy the attractions of New York in comfort.

Things to Do in May in New York

With the good weather, the parks of New York, the patios and the streets fill with life, so there's plenty to do. Without a doubt, it's one of the best months to travel to New York (April in NYC is too, if you can handle a bit more cold and want to see the cherry trees in full bloom):

See Manhattanhenge 2025

Write down the exact date and time of Manhattanhenge 2025 so you don't miss one of the most photographed natural events in New York:

The sunset will line up perfectly with the Manhattan street grid on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 8:12 pm.

You can read all the details about this phenomenon in the article Manhattanhenge, or the Manhattan Solstice.

During Manhattanhenge the sun aligns with Manhattan's east-west streets and creates a spectacular view at sunset. It happens twice a year, generally in late May and mid July in Manhattan.

The exact dates shift slightly from year to year because of the changing tilt of the Earth's axis.

Catch a Yankees or Mets Game in May

The MLB season (Major League Baseball) continues in May. If you're a baseball fan, take the chance to see a New York Yankees game or a Mets game. The earlier you buy your tickets, the cheaper they'll be.

Don't let this one slip by, since there are several games a week and cheaper tickets if you book ahead.

Visit Governors Island

May is one of the best times to explore Governors Island. Its gardens will be full of trees in bloom.

From this little island in New York Harbor, you'll get unbeatable views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

Visit Luna Park During New York in May

The Luna Park amusement park in Coney Island is already in full swing in May (the season started on March 29).

There you can ride its classic boardwalk attractions, including the oldest roller coaster in the United States.

You can't leave New York without seeing this Brooklyn neighborhood frozen in time.

Bike Month in New York

May is an ideal month to explore New York by bike. There are several events, like the Five Boro Bike Tour, happening on Sunday, May 4, 2025. That day thousands of cyclists ride through all 5 boroughs of NYC.

If you want to take part, you need to sign up on the event page to reserve your spot.

Another idea is to rent bikes and see the huge Central Park on wheels, or rent bicycles for a day to visit other parts of the city.

In the guide to renting bikes in New York I go over the different ways to rent a bike, book guided tours, and tips for using the Citibike system.

MET Gala 2025

The MET Gala 2025 takes place on Monday, May 5. It's an annual fundraising dinner for the Costume Institute at the Met, held every first Monday in May since 1948.

This is one of the most lavish and expensive fashion events of the year. Last year a single ticket cost $75,000! To put that in perspective, $50,000 is the average salary in the United States.

Artists, celebrities, models and politicians attend the Gala in extravagant looks built around the year's dress code theme.

This year the theme of the MET Gala 2025 is Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.

As you can see, the MET Gala is invitation only, and seats run up to $75,000! But if you get there early and stake out a spot near the Met's monumental entrance, you might spot a star in person 🤩 or catch Anna Wintour live (remember Meryl Streep's character in The Devil Wears Prada?)

Frieze New York 2025

Frieze New York is an art fair aimed at collectors. During the event you can discover new trends and emerging artists. It has also become a major social event in New York City, packed with parties and special happenings.

Frieze New York takes place at The Shed in Hudson Yards, from May 7 to 11, 2025. You can read more details and buy tickets on the event page.

Memorial Day

The last Monday in May is Memorial Day in the United States. It's a public holiday honoring all war veterans.

There's a parade, and people usually have picnics in Central Park or escape to the beach or out of the city. In fact, this day marks the start of beach season in New York, which runs from June through mid September, weather permitting.

For New Yorkers, unofficially, this day marks the arrival of summer in New York and the good weather that comes with it.

Tourist attractions will be open, and if you want to shop the deals in New York, take advantage of the Memorial Day sales, running from May 28 to 31.

If your trip doesn't line up with those sales, you can shop Woodbury Common Outlets year round for premium, first-quality brands with discounts of up to 70%.

Guided Tours in New York

May's good weather is perfect for exploring New York with local guides.

The New York contrasts tour, for example, takes you in just a few hours to key spots in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. There's a lot of New York outside Manhattan.

Or how about visiting other destinations near New York, like Washington, Philadelphia or Sleepy Hollow?

You can also check out other NYC tours with great traveler reviews.

Do all the free tours!

Did you know there are free guided tours in New York? They're short walking tours where it's customary to tip the guide, depending on how much you enjoyed the experience 😀.

You can sign up for all the free tours! The important thing is to book your spot ahead of time (they fill up fast):

🏙️ Free tour of Downtown Manhattan

🇮🇹 Free tour of Chinatown and Little Italy

🍎 Free tour of Midtown Manhattan

🏢 Free tour of Manhattan's Village

⛲ Free tour of Central Park (it's new!)

See a Broadway musical in May

No trip to New York would be complete without seeing a musical at one of the famous Broadway theaters.

Here are a few recommendations:

🧙‍♀️ Wicked: you'll find out what happened in the Land of Oz before Dorothy arrived from Kansas.

👞🎶 At MJ the Musical you'll get to know the life and musical legacy of Michael Jackson.

🔵 Blue Man Group: an off-Broadway show you should see at least once

🦁 The Lion King: the box office record holder, perfect for the whole family

🎩🇺🇸 Hamilton: the famous Lin-Manuel Miranda musical told through hip-hop.

Weather in New York in May

The weather in New York in May is lovely. It's peak spring in New York, with warm days, though the temperature drops at night, so bring a light jacket.

The April rains are behind you, but you might still run into the occasional drizzle.

Average temperatures range from a low of 12°C to a high of 22°C.

The days keep getting longer, so you'll have plenty of daylight to make the most of (sunrise around 6 am, sunset around 8 pm).

What to pack for New York in May

For a visit to New York in May, just like during April in NYC, I recommend packing light layers you can put on and take off easily. It can be warm at midday, but as soon as the sun goes down the temperature drops.

Bring a jacket for cool evenings and an umbrella or a raincoat, since it can rain in May.

As always in New York, remember to bring comfortable shoes because you'll be walking a lot.

Looking for a place to stay in New York in June?

Here's a selection of recommended central, affordable hotels for visiting New York in May.

You can also check out the 5 most booked hotels by the NewYorkando travel community 😉:

📍 West Side YMCA on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

📍 HI New York City Hostel also on the Upper West Side.

📍 NY Moore Hostel very well located in Brooklyn.

📍 Pod Times Square in the heart of Manhattan.

📍 Holiday Inn Chelsea in one of NYC's most iconic neighborhoods.

Traveling to New York at another time of year?

Read up on what to do each month in New York, so you can decide the best time to travel based on your interests and how you handle the weather.

If May didn't work out for your trip, June in New York is fantastic. It's not too hot yet, and all sorts of wonderful free activities start up on the streets.