This list of what to wear in New York City in April was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
If you’re planning a trip to New York City in April, you’re in luck. The city is slowly breaking free from gloomy weather and chilly days to make room for sunny afternoons and prolific cherry blossoms.
With the long gray days of winter in the rearview, what to pack for New York City in April becomes less daunting. If you need a bit of guidance, here’s what living in NYC for the past 8 years taught me about what to wear in NYC in April, let’s dive in!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Visiting NYC in April (Average Weather)
Full of warmer days and pretty spring blooms, visiting New York City in April can sometimes feel like a dream. But you know the drill: “April showers bring May flowers” and that rings true for NYC as well. Brace for chilly weather in the early mornings (and after sunset), but (generally speaking) the daily temps are quite mild.
Expect average temperatures ranging from the 45-60°F (4-15°C), with the occasional rainfall. Late April marks the true arrival of spring, with average temps moving up to 50-70°F (10-21°C). This guide was created to help make packing easier and find the right outfits for early and late April in NYC!
What to Wear in New York City in April
Table of Contents: Packing for NYC in April
Table of contents: New York City April Packing List
Packing List for Early April
Typical Daily Temps (April 1 through April 15): Range from 45-60°F (0-10°C). Rainy days are not uncommon!
#1. Trench Coat & Blazers
Between the chilly mornings, breezy evenings, and unpredictable rainfall, it’s safe to say packing an outer layer when deciding what to wear in NYC in April is crucial. Unless you run cold, leave the puffer at home and opt for more fashionable pieces like a blazer or trench coat instead.
Something lightweight that can easily be shed when the afternoon sun comes out will be key. If interested, here’s my go-to trench coat (it’s a great deal for the quality).
#2. Comfortable Sweaters
During the early days of April in NYC, a cozy sweater will likely be your go-to item. Look for something breathable to avoid discomfort from sweating, yet warm enough to wear alone or with an additional layer.
Try to bring two reliable sweaters you can mix and match with the rest of your outfits, something you feel comfortable wearing throughout the day. This gem is my tried-and-true staple, and has gotten me through many springs in New York City.
If helpful, here’s the exact sweaters I have on rotation in my wardrobe:
#3. Base Layers
One major takeaway when it comes to packing for New York City in April is that layering is key. My two-cents? Stick to basics. By packing basic tees and long sleeve shirts, not only do you have room to play with outfits, you’ll also have more space in your suitcase thanks to the minimal space they take up.
As much as you want to tell yourself you’re going to wear that nice blouse you’ve been saving for a special day, trust me, you won’t. The added benefit to sticking with basics is that you’re able to mix and match your spring outfits. And you can re-wear pieces and switch up the look with accessories and jackets.
#4. Accessories
Speaking of accessories, when visiting New York City in April consider packing sunglasses a non-negotiable. Being outside for a long time without protection from the sun can get to be a bit too much. Pair the sunglasses with a crossbody bag that can be worn both day and night to save you space in your luggage.
Lastly, similar to sunglasses, a baseball cap is a great spring item to pack when visiting NYC in April. Whether you’re trying to hide dirty hair or just like the look, it’s an added layer of protection from the sun and it’s super stylish. You’ll find everyone rocking one of these on the streets in April!
#5. Comfortable Walking Shoes
Repeat after me, comfort. over. everything.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news but those cute new sandals you can’t wait to wear in NYC this April are going to be the bane of your existence after one day. It’s not uncommon to walk five to ten miles a day when visiting the Big Apple, there’s so much to see!
Prepare as best as you can and pack those reliable sneakers or boots you know you can wear for hours. Now this isn’t to say you can’t pack the sandals, but set a realistic expectation and wear them to a nice dinner or a Broadway show instead.
If you’re keen to look fashionable while visiting New York City in April, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more stylish and comfortable shoe than the original Adidas Samba.
You May Find This Helpful: 10 Best Shoes to Wear for Walking Around New York City (by Season)
Visiting NYC in Late April
Typical Daily Temperature (April 16 through April 30): Lows: 40°F to 55°F to highs in the mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit (4 to 21°C). Less rainy days than at the beginning of the month but not uncommon.
#1. Bottoms & Basics
Spring in New York City is when your inner fashionista gets to come out and play. By mid to end of April, packing for NYC shouldn’t be difficult. With average temperatures teetering in the 60s and 70s (Fahrenheit), your outfits won’t be limited by the weather.
Plan to pack jeans, fun trousers, or cargos that you can reach for daily. Pro tip, pack a pair of bottoms that can easily be taken from day to night by swapping out the shoe. Sticking with basics and interchangeable pieces makes the transition from a day of sightseeing to a nice dinner seamless.
#2. Light Sweaters
By the time late April rolls around, odds are you can ditch the cozy sweater and instead opt for a light cardigan. If you’re visiting New York City in the latter half of April I suggest packing something that covers the shoulders and gets you through the mornings, but by noon can be tied around your waist or tossed in a bag.
#3. Denim Jacket
The other option is leaving the sweaters behind altogether and bringing one go-to jacket to wear in NYC in April. For me, nothing beats a denim jacket! It pairs with any spring outfit and can be fancied up with a dress or made casual with a pair of fun pants. Another item to pack is a fashionable blazer that can help elevate your look.
#4. Dresses & Jumpsuits
You can’t visit NYC in April without packing at least one dress, that goes against every girl instinct we have! When the sun is out, there is no better outfit than a spring dress. Not to mention the ease of picking just one piece of clothing to wear is an underrated time-saver.
If flowy dresses don’t do it for you, jumpsuits are a great alternative. Both pieces can be dressed up with a jean jacket and block heels or can be made casual with a sneaker and cardigan.
#5. Shoes
If you’re unsure what shoes to wear in New York City in late April, allow me to help. As tempting as it may be to pack sandals when visiting NYC in April, closed-toed shoes are going to get you further. It’s important to mention that New York City can be quite dirty.
If you spend the day walking around in open-toed shoes, expect your toes to be anything but clean when you take them off. All in all, when you’re deciding what to pack for NYC in April, bring a pair of reliable sneakers you can walk in all day. If you feel the need to pack a nice shoe, do something realistic and keep the heel small!
Post Summary (What to Pack for NYC in April)
Early April NYC Packing List
- Trench Coat & Blazer
- 2-3 Comfortable Sweaters
- Base Layers (Long Sleeve Shirts & Basic Tees)
- Accessories: Sunglasses, Crossbody Bag, Baseball Cap
Late April NYC Packing List
- Denim Jacket & Blazer
- 2 Light Sweaters/Cardigans
- Fun Bottoms(Jeans, Trousers, Cargos)
- Shoes: Close-Toed Sneakers, Small Block Heel
You might enjoy reading: What to Wear in New York City in the Spring (Packing List & Outfit Ideas)
And there you have it, the complete guide on what to pack for New York City in April. As always, let us know if we missed anything — we love to hear from you.
Cheers!
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