New York City Weather in September: Fall Begins with Warm Days & Cool Nights

New York City is always an icon, no matter when you come here. New York City weather in September, though? It is perfect! And the Flatiron District will give you a chance to make the most of your time here.

We begin to feel the city turn into a Fall wonderland, trees turning beautiful shades of orange and red. It is common for people to just walk around taking photos while sipping seasonally flavored coffees since the weather is finally cooling.

There are many things to do in town, starting at the Flatiron District with one of the city’s biggest postcards.  And this district is going to be the best place to set up camp because it lets you get anywhere in town.

September is a perfect background for your trip, especially because peak travel season is well behind us. We can do it all without dodging people at every step.

This article is going to help you make the most of each day you spend here, helping you understand the weather to plan accordingly. And also telling you why the Flatiron District is your best accommodation bet!

Top photo: Jemmy’s Dog Run in the Flatiron District.

Average Temperatures in New York City in September

September marks the moment our year begins to walk away from hot summer days, with temperatures lowering as October gets closer. Carrying an extra layer becomes a need since evenings become chillier.

September’s average high in New York City is around 76°F (24.6°C), while the average low is about 62°F (16.8°C). Temperatures generally become cooler as the month progresses.

The Flatiron District is a perfect area to grab a pumpkin spice latte to sip while sightseeing.

Is the New York City Weather in September Rainy?

Even if September marks a change in seasons, the weather remains remarkably stable despite that. We don’t have increased chances of rain when comparing it to the last few months.

It is so little rain that it hardly is worth stopping your day for it; just be sure to carry your travel umbrella or a windbreaker to power through.

How Much Does It Rain in September? 

If you want to avoid the peak of hot weather and as much rain as possible, this is the perfect time to be in New York. September averages about 4.31 inches (109 mm) of precipitation in Central Park, with measurable precipitation occurring on about 9 days during a typical September.

This is one of the driest months of the year, but we still need to have some plans for when it inevitably gets a little wet. Thankfully, we won’t need to leave the Flatiron District to have an incredible day.

Best Things to Do in New York City When it Rains

Rainy days don’t have to be boring, and the Flatiron District gives you plenty of opportunities to do the slow kind of programs these days ask for.

• 🖼️ Visit a Museum: NYC is a city that constantly breathes culture, and rainy weather is perfect for going to a new museum or exhibition. The Flatiron District has great ones for family fun, like the MoMath, and the Museum of Sex is perfect for adults-only fun.
• ☕ Grab a Coffee at Devoción or Birch Coffee: New seasons are all about those seasonal drinks! Take advantage of rainy weather to sit down at either Devoción or Birch Coffee. These local cafés have great selections to celebrate Fall.
• 🍽️ Eataly Flatiron: Would you like to sample your way through the best of Mediterranean cuisine? Eataly Flatiron has people coming from throughout town to spend time browsing ingredients, try small bites, and even have dinner while watching beautiful sunsets.
• 🛍️ ABC Carpet & Home: Depending on how you’ve arrived in town, it might be worth going to this incredible local store for some great home decor finds you won’t find anywhere else.
• 📚 Rizzoli Bookstore: One of NYC’s most iconic places, Rizzoli Bookstore is perfect for you to visit when it rains. There are countless books on every topic you could imagine. Come here with room in your bag for when you inevitably buy something.

We could easily spend a whole rainy day without leaving the Flatiron District, but if you want to go any further, New York has plenty of indoor spaces we can visit. Just hop on the subway at the 23rd Street station and go wherever you want.

Is it Hot in New York City in September?

September is generally cooler than July and August, but warm or hot days are still possible, especially early in the month! I’d say it is perfectly cozy until the last few days when it gets a little chilly.

How Cloudy is New York City Weather in September?

Even though this month marks the beginning of fall, the skies remain mostly clear. We have a 37% chance of spending cloudy or overcast days.

How Humid is it in New York City in September?

Humidity generally becomes more comfortable as September progresses, although warm and humid days can still occur, particularly early in the month. Humidity stays close to 72%, but it can feel a little drier early in the mornings.

How Windy is it in New York City in September?

While September isn’t the rainy kind of seasonal change, it does get windier than previous months. Wind speeds historically stay close to 11.4 mph (18.3 kph), and it can make you feel cold depending on where you are. Carry a light layer just in case!

When are Sunrise and Sunset in New York City in September?

Exact times for these vary a lot, but we can easily predict a window when they happen in NYC during September:

• Sunrise: 6:20–6:50 AM
• Sunset: 7:30–6:40 PM

September is one of the last months with mostly clear skies, so enjoy that while it lasts. Head to rooftop restaurants like Flatiron District’s Serra by Birreria for sunset drinks when your day is done!

Is the Water Warm in New York City in September?

Ocean temperatures remain relatively mild in early September, but they gradually cool during the month. If you plan to swim, check current beach conditions, lifeguard availability, and NYC Parks guidance before entering the water

How Warm is the Water in New York City in September?

As I said, the water is still warm enough to swim sometimes! The exact temperature range is from 68.1°F (19.2°C) to 71.9°F (23°C), depending on the weather.

What to Wear in New York City in September

September weather is some of the best you will get if you’re the kind of visitor who likes to do it all. Your clothes need to be comfortable for lots of walking but still transition nicely into dinner or a night out, so here are some items to bring, no matter what:

👚 Neutral base layers – A good outfit begins with great basic pieces like loose shirts and denim pants.  Uniqlo on Fifth Avenue is a great place to get them if you need to get some things while traveling.
🧥 Lighter outer layers – Evenings in September can get chilly, so lighter jackets will be a must-have in case your plans stretch into the night.
🧤 Sunglasses, hair clips or ties, and a reusable water bottle are still going to be super necessary even if it isn’t so hot anymore. Days are still sunny, so get ready to enjoy them.
👢 Waterproof shoes – It isn’t even because of the rain.  NYC’s sidewalks and streets tend to accumulate water, so waterproof shoes will help with avoiding wet socks.
🎒 Comfy backpacks or totes – Going out in New York City means you will never go home empty-handed! Backpacks or totes will be super useful for keeping your hands free!

Unique Things to Do in New York City in September

New York City weather in September is the start of fall days. So why not make Flatiron your starting point and do some unique things in September?

Attend the Feast of San Gennaro:

Take the subway downtown for the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, an 11-day celebration held in September! The Feast of San Gennaro is a cultural and religious festival to celebrate the patron saint of Naples. Hop on the subway during one of the eleven days to enjoy amazing food and activities.

Take Advantage of Broadway Week:

Who wouldn’t like to watch a great play or musical on Broadway for half the usual price? Look out for Broadway Week! It happens twice a year to help as many people as possible cross off shows from their NYC bucket list. Just get tickets through your usual channels with that extra discount. 

Find One of the Many Oktoberfest Celebrations:

Although traditional Oktoberfest celebrations happen in October, New York hosts various Oktoberfest-themed events in September and October, so check the current event calendar for dates and locations. I am sure you will be able to find one even in the Flatiron District, so you can enjoy all the different brews and still walk home.

Climb to the Top of the Empire State Building:

While climbing to the top of the Empire State Building can be done every month, there is something special about sunsets during Fall. So why not watch it from one of the city’s highest points? You could easily get your tickets online and head over on foot from your Flatiron home base.

New York City in September: Ultimate Travel Guide

New York City weather in September is so good, you will want to make the most of it! Here is an ultimate travel guide to help with all that planning:

Is New York City Safe to Travel To?

New York City is a major urban destination, so visitors should use the same basic precautions they would in any large city.

Our first step to being safe is always going to be research. We do it in the place we’re staying, whether it is a major hotel chain or a cozy Airbnb. We also need to look into the neighborhood around it, just to know where to get necessities. And if you’re staying at a hotel, use their concierge service to book tours or other tickets. 

Another step to safety is to always use safe methods of transportation, like ride-share apps or the subway, keeping in mind that traveling to places might not be the best option late at night. And some places we visit, like churches, may have some rules we should follow in order to be respectful.

A safe trip begins and ends by keeping our loved ones informed of our plans all the time, even if they’re far away. Tell them every step, just to keep your mind at ease. Traveling to NYC is amazing when you plan your time!

Where is New York City, USA?

NYC is one of the most important cities in the United States, even more so when we’re talking about the East Coast. It is a place where a lot of the US’s modern history happened, so there is no going wrong with a trip here.

What State is New York City In?

New York City is in southeastern New York State, at the mouth of the Hudson River. It consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. The state goes as far as Canada in some points! You can find Niagara Falls in this shared international border.

How to Get to New York City, USA?

Because New York City is so well located in the northern US, it can be easily accessed by both air and road:

By Air: The three major airports serving the New York City area are John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens, and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey.

By Road: New York City is connected to the US incredibly well by different highways. You can rent a car, go there by bus, or hire a private transfer to get where you need to go from your airport.

Best Places to Stay in New York City in September

NYC is a spread-out city, with so many different places to explore; because of that the best place to stay is definitely going to be one giving you the best access to everywhere else. In  NYC, that place is the Flatiron District, no matter the month you come to NYC.

Is there Uber in New York City?

There is Uber, and other rideshare apps that work just as well here. The only thing we need is a good internet connection to make sure they work properly.

New York City in September: Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Visiting New York City in September

The New York City weather in September is absolutely perfect for travelers who want to visit the city without dealing with the weather extremes of hot or cold. And it gets even better because peak travel season is over and done, leaving fewer crowds around!

Every day is going to give you the perfect balance of warmth, with almost no chance of rain, which lets you plan a trip with peace of mind. You can go pretty much anywhere, starting at the Flatiron District!

Lesser crowds and mild weather make for a perfect trip!

Dive into even more early fall planning ideas over on our home page.