New York City - What to Wear in May [Outfits and Weather]

May is a lovely time to visit New York City, with warm, mild temperatures and plenty of things to do. It’s a great month to visit NYC and enjoy outdoor attractions as well as museums, shopping, outdoor dining, rooftop views, and nightlife.

May is warm and mild with some rain and cooler temperatures at night. This guide will help you figure out what to pack and what to wear so you can stay comfortable and stylish on your spring trip to New York City.

We’ve been living in New York City for over a decade and May is one of our favorite times of the year. In a city that has very extreme cold and hot temperatures, May is a time when we get a respite and can enjoy mild weather.

However, there are a few essential things you need to know before visiting:

What to pack/which clothes to bring
What to wear
The weather (rain, temps)

SHOP NOW: Buy the latest TRENDY spring outfits on Amazon

In case you consider visiting the city during another spring month or in early summer, make sure to check out our guides for:

Special Tip: Must-Visit Attraction in May

Please, don’t miss this experience! The Edge Observation Deck is the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, and it offers the most stunning views of the city. The experience is thrilling, with a glass floor that gives the illusion of floating above the city.

Outfits: Bring a light jacket, especially in the mornings and evenings, as it’s windy and colder up there

Now, let’s dive into our May outfit guide for NYC:

Weather

May is a warm and mild month in New York City. There may be some cooler temperatures at night, so be prepared with a light jacket or hoodie to enjoy nighttime adventures. New York can be a windy city so a light jacket or hoodie is usually a good idea in May.

Here are the average high temperatures:

Early May: 67°F (19°C)
Mid-May: 70°F (21°C)
Late May: 75°F (24°C)

A Typical Day

A typical day in May in NYC is warm, with the highest temperatures in the mid to late afternoons. There may be some breeze from the waterways, and nighttime can get cool at times, so a light jacket or hoodie will keep you warm.

Early May has slightly cooler temperatures than late May, which starts to feel more like summer. A jacket, short-sleeved shirt, jeans, and walking shoes are your best bet for most during this time in the city.

Later in the month, it gets very warm and you might want to wear tank tops or shorts if you are visiting at the end of May. Comfortable walking shoes are a must so you can enjoy all the city has to offer without getting sore feet.

We will get into more details on what to wear during your time in the city later.

A sunny but windy afternoon in late May.

Daily temperature progression on a typical May day in New York City:

Morning (8 AM): 60°F
Afternoon (2:30 PM): 70°F
Evening (10 PM): 63°F

Rain

May usually has quite a few rainy days, with an average of 11 days of precipitation during the month. To prepare for the rain, pack rain boots, an umbrella, and a poncho or rain jacket. More details about that later!

However, rain won’t last too long most of the time and you still have almost 20 sunny, or partly sunny days at this time of the year.

What to Wear / What to Pack

It can get windier and slightly cooler in the evening.

When you’re packing for your New York City May trip, include jeans, short-sleeved shirts, a light jacket, and comfortable shoes for walking.

The first half of the month is slightly cooler, so you will be more likely to need your jacket at this time. Nights can be cooler any time though, so a jacket is perfect to stay warm on the go at night.

In New York City May during May, you wear jeans, short-sleeved shirts, a light jacket, and comfortable shoes for walking. The first half of the month is slightly cooler, so you will be more likely to need a jacket at this time.

Nights can be cooler any time, though, so a jacket is perfect to stay warm on the go at night.

💡 May is a mild time of year in NYC, with warm days and slightly cooler temperatures in the early mornings and at night. It is very rarely cold in May, but it does rain occasionally, so rain gear and light layers will keep you comfortable.

By the end of the month, temperatures are warmer and you may want to wear tank tops or even shorts.

Shoes

NYC is the biggest walking city in the country, so you will want to wear comfortable shoes. Make sure you “break in” your sneakers and walk in them regularly for about a week before your visit. Since it usually rains several times, you should also pack water-resistant shoes like rain boots.

Women’s Outfit Tips

For women visiting New York City in May, pack for warm weather with light layers, including short-sleeved shirts, jeans, a jacket, a hoodie, and rain gear. If you are traveling to the city in late May, you should also bring tank tops and skirts or shorts for summery weather.

💡 Be prepared for the rain with rain boots, an umbrella, and a poncho or rain jacket for spring showers. Tip: If you pack a light rain jacket, you won’t need to bring any other jacket.