Does London have better weather than New York? Initially, we thought it has to be in New York. I mean, it’s America vs the UK, obviously, it’s hotter in New York. But then we thought, in the winter it generally snows more in New York, and because of the Skyscrapers there, it could be colder than London. Anyway, we decided to look into this into a bit more detail and here’s what we found.
So, London or New York – Which city has better weather?
London generally has warmer weather than New York in Winter, Spring, and Autumn. New York is however warmer in Summer months.
| Season | London | New York |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | 4 °C (39.2 °F) to 12 °C (53.6 °F) | -2 °C (28.4 °F ) to 7 °C (44.6 °F) |
| Spring (Mar-May) | 7 °C (44.6 °F) to 21 °C (69.8 °F) | 7 °C (44.6 °F) to 18 °C (64.4 °F) |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 13 °C (55.4 °F ) to 23 °C (73.4 °F) | 16 °C (60.8 °F ) to 29 °C (84.2 °F) |
| Autumn (Fall) (Sep-Nov) | 13 °C (55.4 °F ) to 23 °C (73.4 °F) | 13 °C (55.4 °F ) to 23 °C (73.4 °F) |
This information has been referenced from the Met Office and Google Weather.
Depending on the weather and what there is going on, both New York and London will be great places to visit at any time of the year. But is one city better than the other? Or does it depend on the time of the year? How do London and New York stack up if we compare them by season and things you can do? Well, let’s find out!
London vs New York: Which has a better Summer? – This one is tight, but New York clinches it!
It’s actually a very close call. We rave about London in our article How to enjoy London like a Local – Ssh!, but for the purposes of this comparison let’s get a bit more analytical about this.
Let’s get categorizing. If we compare the cities by sights, events and things to do, I think we’ll be able to able an informed decision here.
| Category | London | New York |
| Sights | Tower Bridge Big Ben The London Eye | Empire State Building Ground Zero (Site of Twin Towers) |
| Events | Wimbledon (Tennis) British Summer Time Music Festival Notting Hill Carnival | US Open (Golf) Make Music New York 2020 4th July Fireworks and Parade |
| Things to do | London Zoo Cutty Sark Picnic at Greenwich Park Gelato Festival | Midsummer Night Swing Waterslide at summer streets NYC Multicultural Festival |
Sights in London and New York in Summer
London
Tower Bridge – It’s absolutely iconic, and a special moment watching the drawbridge go up. It also houses the crown jewels, which gives it extra appeal for sure. Here’s a link you can use by Free Tours by Foot if you want to book a tour.
Big Ben – Called Big Ben because of the sound of the great bell (not sure why) it’s an important monument in London, you have to see it. You can take a tour of Big Ben. We found this post by Strawberry tours really useful if you are looking to book it.
London Eye – A relatively new structure, but a must in the summer. The very best views in London are in the summer on the London Eye. For ticket prices, opening and closing times, visit the official London Eye website here.
Insider Tip. If you plan to go on the London Eye around 7 pm, you’ll be about to see the sunset as you go round. It’s great!
Binge Travelling
New York
Empire State Building – Don’t know why but I always think of King Kong when I hear the name. Anyway, it’s a world-famous landmark built-in 1930. The summer is a good time to go, but probably worth going early as queues can get crazy! Here’s a link for ticket prices, opening and closing times, visit the official Empire State Building website.
Ground Zero – A somber experience for most, but a special one. The site of the twin towers. It’s free to go. With twin reflective pools, names of all 3000 victims and beautiful trees, it’s a lovely way to pay your respects.
For Ground Zero tour information, here’s the official site to 911 ground zero for more information.
Events in London and New York in Summer
London
Wimbledon – Only the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, London is alive with tennis mania at this time of the year. You can go and watch a game, or you can picnic on Murray Mound. Even if you go to a pub around the area, it’s great. Here’s a useful guide of what to do during the Wimbledon championships by London Toolkit Blog.
British Summer Time Music Festival – Hyde Park, probably London’s most famous park and London’s largest Royal Park hosts a music festival every year. Attracting the likes of Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder, and The Black Eyed Peas, its one to look out for!
You can book tickets using this site Carnifest.com and they also have useful information on how to get to the festival as well.
Notting Hill Carnival – If you’re a fan of street parties, great food, and great music then this is the place for you. A two-day Caribbean celebration where major roads are closed off in Notting Hill for this brilliant parade.
The carnival is free but here are some great tips on how to prepare for it by Visit London, if you are thinking of going.
New York
US Open – London may have Wimbledon, but the US Open is on par in terms of prestige in the golfing world. With so many options available in terms of spectating, tickets are relatively easy to come by if you book early enough.
Even if you’re not a golf fan, it still may be worth checking out. Try everything once we say! Here’s the official US Open link to find out more!
Make Music New York 2020 – ‘For the People, by the People’. This may be one of the best music festivals in the world. It’s a free concert, with over 5,000 amateur musicians who take to the stage. Where did this idea come from?
It was inspired by France’s “Fête de la Musique,” a national musical holiday inaugurated in 1982. Ever since the festival has become an international phenomenon and is celebrated simultaneously in over 750 cities in over 120 countries on the same day!
Here’s a link to the official Make Music, if you want to find out more.
4th July Fireworks and Parade – America’s Independence Day. Probably the most American holiday of the year. The 4th of July Fireworks happen all over the city. It’s definitely a spectacle. Lucky for you, there’s plenty of places to choose in order to get a good view.
Here’s what you’re in for!
Things to do in London and New York in Summer
London
London Zoo – It’s the oldest zoo in the world with basically every animal going. A must visit if you’re visiting the capital in the summer. You also have the option of sleeping with the lions! Yes, you read that correctly. Here’s a link for London Zoo, for prices and opening time information.
Go see Cutty Sark and picnic at Greenwich Park – When the sun is out, there is no place better to picnic. Not only can you take a stroll through the Greenwich Observatory to see how Greenwich Mean Time or GMT was invented.
You can take in history with one of Londons famous ships – Cutty Sark. The park is a perfect place just to get some rays. Here’s a link to the Greenwich observatory, to find out more.
Gelato Festival – One of the foodie events of the year. For two days, London becomes the Gelato capital of the world. The city hosts around 16 of the best gelato artisan makers in the world.
The best part is you can try everything! For ticket prices and more information here’s a link by Timeout London.
New York
Midsummer Night Swing (link by Timeout New York) – We’ve never seen an event like it. If you’re a fan of dancing, swing salsa, even silent disco this is the place to be. The best part is it’s all outside. For three weeks this summer, you can dance under the stars to jams provided by incredible live bands and artists.
Waterslide at summer streets – Every year in August, a few streets in New York are closed off for activities like zip lining, rock climbing, and a water slide! The best part is that all of these activities are free. LOOK AT THIS SLIDE!
Definitely one to get involved in if you’re looking for something different to do. Here’s a link to the official summer streets websites for more information.
NYC Multicultural Festival – This annual multicultural festival takes place over a couple of Saturdays in May. The festival features live music and performances as well as some pretty awesome food! Here’s a link to the official Multicultural website for event details.
London vs New York: Which has a better Winter? New York Wins
Both cities, New York and London are cold in the winter. But, strangely that’s part of their charm at this time of the year.
Both cities are lit up, and have lots going on by way of Christmas festivities and other entertainment but which one do you think is better?
Let’s compare again.
| Category | London | New York |
| Sights | Oxford Street Lights Illuminated River The Shard | Frozen Waterfalls Rockefeller Center |
| Events | Winter Wonderland Chinese New Year Celebrations | Lake Saranac Winter Carnival |
| Things to do | River Boat Cruises | Time Square |
Sights in London and New York in Winter
London
Oxford Street Lights – People all over England flock to Oxford Street in December to see the Christmas lights. The iconic angels are just beautiful this time of the year.
Illuminated Bridges – If you are thinking of taking a riverboat cruise or just going for a walk, which is awesome by the way, as you are traveling, take some time to look at the bridges which are illuminated at night. Stunning! Key bridges are London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, and Connon Street Bridge.
The Shard – We recommend this trip with slight hesitation as you do have to pay for the view here. Don’t get us wrong, we like the Shard. This skyscraper does have great views and wonderful restaurants and is good for Afternoon Tea as well as mentioned in our High Tea vs Low Tea article.
We also, however, mention Heron Tower and it’s free panoramic views in our article on Why Does London Have So Few Skyscrapers? It’s worth visiting for a dining experience, but for views – Heron Tower all the way!
New York
Frozen Waterfalls – We didn’t expect to see stunning waterfalls in New York, and the frozen phenomenon that occurs every winter is worth checking out for sure. We found a great resource that you can check out here from the I love NY blog.
Christmas Tree Outside Rockefeller Center – We all know this tree. For all of you Home Alone fans, it’s the tree in New York where Macaulay Culkin is reunited with his mother. It gets very busy at this time of the year though so make you check it out at the right time! Here’s a link to the official Rockefeller Center website for more information.
Events in London and New York in Winter
London
Winter Wonderland – Hosted in Hyde Park – London hosts probably the largest German Christmas Market in the UK at this time of the year. There’s lots of fairground activity as well as live music. We’d recommend going in the early afternoon as it can get pretty busy. Here’s a link to the official Winterwonderland site for more information.
Chinese New Year Celebrations – London’s Chinatown is famous for its authentic Chinese food. Whether you’re after a bubble tea or some dim sum, this is the place to get it. Chinese New Year is a great time to be around this part of London. You are guaranteed to see a dancing dragon and have a whole lot of fun.
New York
Lake Saranac Winter Carnival – This is a 10-day festival held in January – February, consisting of a giant Ice Palace that’s re-built every year, parades, skiing, and firework displays. It’s purposely celebrated close to Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. How Patriotic. Here’s a resource, from the official Saranac Winter Carnival Website if you’re looking for more information.
Things to do in London and New York in Winter
London
River Boat Cruises – We mentioned riverboat cruises above, but they need a bit more detail. The evening cruises are our favorite. With live music, pianos, and saxophones as well as a three-course meal, it’s a really fun thing to do. You can go in the afternoon as well, but the evening ride is the one to go on. For costing and times to go check out this link, from City Cruises.
New York
Time Square – During winter Time Square is just an explosion of light and color. Just walking through, grabbing a bite to eat before going to watch a Broadway show is recommended at this time of the year.
London vs New York: Which has a better Spring? Another Close Call… But it’s London
So now it’s time for Spring. The season of flowers and Easter bunnies. The bitter cold is starting to wane a bit and it’s getting warmer. So it’s time for London and New York to go head to head again.
| Category | London | New York |
| Sights | Houses of Parliament Sky Garden | Statue of Liberty Brooklyn Bridge |
| Events | Regent’s Park open-air shows | Pillow Fight NYC -International Pillow Fight Day |
| Things to do | Kew Gardens | Central Park Boat Ride |
Sights in London and New York in Spring
London
Houses of Parliament – One of the world’s oldest democracies and important buildings in the UK and London, this is a perfect time to visit. You can even visit whilst parliamentary sessions are in progress. Given the crazy politics going on in the UK at the moment, you may even get the inside scoop on something interesting. Here’s a link to UK parliament’s official website where you can book a tour.
Sky Garden – Literally a Garden in the sky. What better time is there to visit London’s highest public garden and you can go for free! Entry to the Sky Garden is free, but make sure you book online and in advance as they go fast! Here’s the link to the official Sky Garden website that you can use to book.
New York
Statue of Liberty – If you are going to New York, you have to visit the Statue of Liberty. A present from the French to the US following World War II. The statue is a symbol of peace and new beginnings for the country.
In the summer, the statue is heaving with visitors. It will still be busy in the spring, but if you go early, you may avoid a super long queue. You can book your tickets in advance through Statue of Libery tickets.
Brooklyn Bridge – It goes without saying that you should visit Brooklyn Bridge. Once the longest steel suspension bridge in the world, and over 1.3 miles long, it’s not too much of a chore to do. It’s also free!
The Bridge itself has some pretty cool history too. For instance, did you know that wine used to stored in compartments of the Bridge? And its founder bribed government officials to secure funding for it to be built. We found a post that’s got some pretty cool facts on Mental Floss. You can read it here.
Events in London and New York in Spring
London
Regent’s Park open-air shows – If you like the theatre and parks, this is for you, and if the weather’s good – it’s even better. Experience much-loved classics like 101 Dalmatians or more traditional plays like Romeo and Juliet outside in the middle of Regents Park.
Although these shows are targeted towards the summer season, it’s a good idea to go for the shows at the end of spring, to guarantee tickets and enjoy the park at it’s best! Here’s a link to the official Regents Park Open-air shows website for more information.
New York
Pillow Fight NYC – One of New York’s wackiest events of the year, yes it’s international pillow fight day. Every year, locals and tourists gather in New York to whack each other with Pillows. the event goes on until…well everyone’s tired. Held in early April all over the city, it’s become known as ‘Pillow Fight Day’. Check out this post from Rove.me to learn more.
Things to do in London and New York in Spring
London
Kew Gardens – This is the best time to visit the UK’s most famous botanical gardens. In the spring, this place is in full swing. With diverse selections of plants from all over the world, you also get to experience different climates too, from the desert to the Tropics! Here’s a link to the Kew Gardens official website to find out more.
New York
Central Park Boat Ride – Going for a boat ride in the spring is always fun. Central Park is a great place to do it. Not only are all the flowers and trees blooming at this time of the year, but it’s in a central location too!
I’m thinking about Friends (the TV show) right now. Anyway, moving on. Here’s the link to the Central Park Boathouse for more information.
London vs New York: Which has a better Autumn (Fall)? A Forgotten Season…London takes it!
Autumn (Fall) is an interesting one. It’s not cold enough for winter activities, or warm enough for spring or summer activities. So how do London and New York keep tourists happy? Well, let’s find out!
| Category | London | New York |
| Sights | St Pauls Cathedral | Hudson Valley |
| Events | Diwali Festival | Macys Thanks Giving Parade |
| Things to do | See a Champions League Game | Go see a Base Ball Game – The New Yankees vs The Mets! |
Sights in London and New York in Autumn (Fall)
London
St Paul’s Cathedral – London’s most famous Cathedral and the site of Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s wedding.
It’s actually the fifth version of the Cathedral built on this site. In any case, it’s worth taking a stroll past this building at this time of the year as historical projections are cast on to the building at night. It’s pretty cool. Here’s a link to a post by londonist.com to see more.
New York
Hudson Valley – New York City is great but if you’re looking for something a little different and take in some fresh air, Hudson Valley is a good option. It’s pretty rural, to be honest, and about an hour from the main city. Check out what to do here from travel bloggers, travel collecting.com, who we think have the best resource on this.
Events in London and New York in Autumn (Fall)
London
Diwali Festival – the UK is one of the most multicultural countries in the world and is home to a massive Hindu community. Every year in November Trafalgar Square is alive with dancing from people all over the country and the very best Indian street food! See more here on the official Diwali in London website.
New York
Macys Thanks Giving Parade – This parade is famous all over the world. With giant character balloons, marching bands, musical performances, and Santa Claus you don’t want to miss it if you are in New York this time of the year. Here’s a link to the official Macys USA Parade page if you want to see more.
Things to do in London and New York in Autumn (Fall)
London
See a Champions League Game – Football (Soccer) season in full swing at this time of the year. London is fortunate enough to be home to some major football clubs all taking part in Europe’s premier football competition, The Champions League.
This time of the year is a great time to catch a mid-week game and tickets are usually quite easy to come by. Viagogo UK is a ticketing website you can use to check availability. Here’s a link.
New York
Base Ball Season is in full swing (mind the pun) at this time of the year. New York has tow of the biggest Baseball clubs in the country. An ideal time to catch a game and enjoy the atmosphere. Here’s a link to the New York Yankees official website to find tickets.
In Summary…
Which City is actually better, for us – weighing up everything, it’s London. That’s not just because we live here.
We just think to look at all of the activities, London offers more variety in terms of sights, things to do and events.
Not taking anything away from New York, it’s obviously an incredible city. We’re fortunate that they both exist. In reality, it doesn’t really matter which one is better. Go to both!
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Wow! This is a really thorough review of two incredible places. I’ve always wanted to visit both and, after reading your article, I’m now even more unsure if which city is top of the list!
I think, however, that London had a richer history and there are many activities that is like to do there. So I’ll put London on top as I think about this more.
Thanks for the review!
Thanks Kyle. They’re both great places. Ideally visit Both!. Thanks for your comment!