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New York Winter Packing List: What to Wear in NYC
Winter is a fun time to visit New York City. December brings festive holiday decorations and activities. January and February are a magical, winter wonderland.
If you’re planning a winter vacation to NYC, make sure you pack accordingly so you can stay warm and have the best time exploring this fantastic city.
As someone who is always perfecting her packing skills and loved her time in New York in February, you’ll find my packing recommendations below.
Keep reading for the ultimate New York winter packing list, what to wear in NYC in winter, from December through February.
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Winter Weather in New York
Winter temperatures roll into New York City in November and continue on through February and sometimes well into March. It can dip into the low 20s in New York City, but it can also reach the mid 40s even in the middle of winter.
The coldest months are January and February which are also both the snowiest months, though NYC doesn't get as much snow as places like Chicago in winter. In fact, you might not see any snow if you visit NYC in the winter.
You might catch some light snowfall in NYC if you visit in November or December, but it’s usually more like a sleet and doesn’t stick to the ground for long. You likely won’t get caught in the snow until January, which even then might not happen.
I do recommend packing for snowy conditions as weather is unpredictable if you plan on visiting New York any time from November through February, and pack extra layers for January and February.
Below are the average temperatures in New York City in the winter months, November through March so you can get an idea of how cold it gets and when it’s generally the coldest. In my experience, when I visited in February, it was chilly, but there was no snow.
What to Wear in NYC in Winter
If you’re wondering what to pack for NYC in February, or maybe you’re visiting during the holiday season in December, here’s what you need to wear to stay warm and stylish in the cold as well as other packing essentials to help make your trip the best possible.
Sweaters
Long Sleeve Shirts
Winter Coat
Wool Pants or Jeans
Thermal Set or Fleece Tights
Boots
Comfortable Sneakers
Thick Winter Socks
Gloves
Hat (Beanie)
Scarf
Tank Top/Short Sleeve to Layer
Sweaters
My go-to tops for winter are always sweaters. Knit sweaters, fleece, wool, all of the above. Sweaters come in so many different colors and styles. Find a groovy vibrant pattern sweater to match your personality, or keep it calm with a stylish neutral colored sweater while exploring NYC in the winter.
Shop my recommended sweaters below. Opt for a fun, bright patterned sweater or go for a timeless turtleneck sweater.
Long Sleeve Shirts
In January and February when it’s the coldest in New York City, pack a long sleeve shirt or even a turtleneck long sleeve to wear under your sweater for extra warmth. When it’s really cold out, I love layering a thin shirt under my sweaters to keep me warm all day.
Turtlenecks offer a cute style change to a loose sweater, or pack a v-neck long sleeve to avoid the neckline showing under your sweater if you prefer. Shop my recommendations below.
Shop: Basic Long Sleeve Tee |