The mother of the modern city, to which in one way or another every other city in the world is compared. Always something to do here (if not everything), but it's generally the best idea to visit in fall or spring, when the city's weather and appearance are at their greatest. Summer, particularly August, would be a no-go: not only is it hot and humid, but a lot of people have gone on vacation, so there's comparatively less to do. If you have to go in summer, try anywhere from late May to early July. I'd recommend, among a hundred thousand other things, kayaking on the Hudson River — don't worry, it's clean, not to mention it's free.
Jack: "I went to New York in August and it sucked."
Jill: "No wonder, you fool; you went in August when it's hot and nasty and everyone's out of town. You might as well have gone to Calcutta. Come back in the fall and you'll enjoy yourself."
Two months later...
Jack: "I went back to New York and it kicked ass! I'm glad I listened."
Jill: "See? I told you."
Jack: "Let's go back next year!"
Jill: "Okay."
Jill: "No wonder, you fool; you went in August when it's hot and nasty and everyone's out of town. You might as well have gone to Calcutta. Come back in the fall and you'll enjoy yourself."
Two months later...
Jack: "I went back to New York and it kicked ass! I'm glad I listened."
Jill: "See? I told you."
Jack: "Let's go back next year!"
Jill: "Okay."
by NYC >>>>>> everything, except *maybe* in August August 25, 2004