The weather, the prices, the event – is it worthy to visit New York in February? Of course it is worthy!
The view from Top of the Rock when there’s no fog in NYC
If was our first visit to New York and we did it in February, 2020. Actually we were lucky to realize it before all the borders were closed because of Coronavirus epidemic. We had two option when to visit New York: for New year or for my birthday in February. We chose the second option notwithstanding all the information we read that February is the worst period for this city.
The only thing I planned in advance was the list of restaurants, bars, brunch places to visit as I do love good food and various cuisines.
Where to live in New York City
The Vessel
As this part was on my husband, the approach was completely different than the girl’s one. What do ladies need? To have a nice brunch location near, a Sephora shop and movement around. Men select the location for the distance from the Times Square or a Central Park.
As a result, we chose Club Quarters Grand Central 4* hotel on Lexington avenue near the Grand Central station in Manhattan. This location allows to be in 5 minutes walk in Fifth avenue, in 5 minutes in Times Square, couple of more avenues and you find yourself in “Hell’s Kitchen” neighborhood plenty of all cuisines of the world and where the view completely changes after business quarter skyscrapers.
To understand how and where to choose a hotel in New York is a very personal experience I guess. To find 9 points rate and more on Booking is not an easy thing. Even the most expensive hotels do not always boast of such ratings. Indeed, if you read on Google, New York hotels do not enjoy good fame. Because in any time this city is desired and no bad hotel rating will stop people to visit it. The most important characteristic are small rooms. Very small.
Prada boutique in SoHo, love the showcases in NYC, completely different from Italian ones
In our Club Quarters there was a bar on the 27th floor with a view and an unlimited coffee, which is very pleasant. Usually I don’t notice such things, but since a cup of espresso far from being tasty costs $ 3.5 in New York, having an unlimited at the hotel was a positive thing. And it turned out to be the most delicious coffee in the city. Sorry, yes we are boring and yes we have the best coffee in Italy, which costs 0,90 cents :)
An overall experience was good. But the hotel is mostly used for business trips and not for vacations according to people I saw in common spaces. It seemed like you were a useless subject entering to take a cup of coffee during some morning group meeting. But, yes, we were on vacation.
Which location I’d choose for the next trip? Maybe I would opt to take a cosy apartment in Soho or maybe in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, which is what I like having noticed the quantity of trendy places in this hipster-chic NYC neighborhood.
Any recommendations regarding nice apartments?
The view form CQ Grand Central, 27 floor
By the way, did you know that Brooklyn and Manhattan often have the same addresses, same street names. So it is necessary to precise which part of New York your are talking about when fixing an appointment :)
How to get around in New York City. Taxi prices
During the whole week we haven’t used the subway. From JFK Airport to Midtown we got on a yellow cab for $ 60. Around Manhattan we moved by foot or using Uber. If you choose a single normal trip it turns out in around $18 for 3-5 km. But if you choose the Uber Pool option, then you will travel about 15 minutes for the same money. Once we made an attempt to use the subway from DUMBO in Brooklyn to the Wall Street, but with Uber pool the trip costed us exactly as much as 2 tickets by metro.
SoHo neighborhood
How does Uber Pool work? Go to the application, select this option and be sure to indicate the quantity of passengers. Depending on this, a driver who has these seats available will respond. Also, the application will tell you where you will need to go to find a car. Usually, taxi drivers stop on the main streets, without turning to your exact address, following the main route. Therefore, you can be dropped off at a corner 200 meters from your address. It was really convenient to move around Manhattan with Uber.
4 advantages of a New York City trip in February
Times Square, February 2020
- Lots of events! It is said that February is not the best month to visit the city, because of the terrible cold and wind. But! In fact, in February there are a lot of events happening:
1) New York fashion week – from February 6 to 12.
Near Springs studios
2) Restaurant week – from February 21 to February 9. This is when restaurants make a special menu for guests at a special price. It turns out profitably and attracts more customers to learn about new places.
3) Broadway week – January 21 to February 9. 2 tickets for the price of one for various performances.
4) Chinese New Year … Well, this year it was somehow reluctant to watch it because of Coronavisrus. But in general, I think it is beautiful celebration with dragons and other traditions.
- Hotel prices. Given to a low season, hotels have lower prices, which can not but rejoice in an expensive New York.
- There are no crowds of people in the streets, in shops and museums. In MoMa, we even didn’t need to pre-purchase tickets. The largest congestion was only at the entrance to the Top of the Rock. At the same time, restaurants are 100% full with New Yorkers on any day of the week. Reservations are always required.
- It was super comfortable to walk without any heat.
And of course the main reason of coming here was to celebrate birthday. :)
4 disadvantages of a trip to New York in February
- It can be very cold, so you won’t get out because of the wind. But we were very lucky! It was only rainy. And even then, we continued to explore the city.
- Some museums close a part of their spaces to equip new installations. This happened to us at the Solomon Guggenheim Museum. The ticket price was also reduced. So check the museum websites before visiting.
The view on Manhattan from DUMBO waterfront
- You will not be able to walk along the Brooklyn Bridge and might miss some best views on the NYC observation decks due to fog or rain. On sunny days, we literary ran to observation decks and walked the streets, enjoying the atmosphere, watching breathtaking views and people. Also you will not be able to admire the Central Park as it is all gray.
- You will miss the atmosphere of the DUMBO neighborhood in Brooklyn, as people choose this area to make a walk along the waterfront or have a brunch with a view on Manhattan when the weather permits.
DUMBO neighborhood – the area under the Brooklyn Bridge
We planned our 7 days in Manhattan in this way: one day – one part of Manhattan, possibly one museum, one observation deck, one-two cool gastro places.
What would I note as a must visit as for me:
- Top of the rock. Ticket: $38/person; endless queue; but then nothing will ruin those emotions and the view! Just breathtaking.
- MoMa. Ticket: $25/ person. Enormous concentration of the Contemporary art.
- If you go in the summer, visit DUMBO which is a part under the Brooklyn Bridge. It looks like spaces made of former factories. Lots of cafes, shops and a beautiful view from the waterfront on Manhattan island.
- West Village neighborhood in the area of Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment. It is not so crowded and chaotic like Soho. More relaxed with cool brunch spots and shopping.
- Unfortunately, we didn’t visit the Museum of Natural History. But we left it for sure for the next visit.
- “Sleep no more” performance, The McKITTRICK Hotel – a very cool experience! (I will write more about it in a separate post). It’s just something you’ve never seen before. Tickets costed us $ 234 for two with all taxes.
- Be sure there is a weekend when you will be in NYC! This is a completely different spirit of the city. Local people are all out hanging out, brunching, visiting markets, flea markets.
Just remember to book all the restaurants and spots in advance in New York, even in February. Where we had great lunches and dinners and how we loved the performance “Sleep no more” I share in the next post.
But all these are just details. When there is a good mood and a good company, the desire to see, try, discover., everything else is trifles! After all, you are in New York!
And what is your favorite place in New York City?
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