What to Wear in NYC in Spring: My Packing List + What I Actually Wore
Figuring out what to wear in NYC in spring can be a little difficult because the weather changes so much throughout the day. What feels perfect in the morning can easily feel too warm by the afternoon, so packing the right layers makes a huge difference.
When we visited New York City in early April, the mornings were pretty cold, but by the afternoon it usually warmed up and got sunny. I quickly realized that having a good spring jacket with lighter layers underneath was the best combination. Most mornings I needed a jacket while walking around outside, but later in the day I was comfortable in just a long sleeve shirt or lighter top.
Since we were walking a lot, taking the subway, and spending most of the day exploring different neighborhoods, comfort was my top priority when choosing what to pack and wear each day.
If you’re still planning your trip, you can also check out my 3-day NYC itinerary where I share exactly what we did each day and how we structured our time in the city.
In this post, I’m sharing exactly what to wear in NYC in spring, including what the weather was like during my April trip, what I packed in my carry-on, and what I actually ended up wearing each day.
NYC Spring Weather: What to Expect in April
Spring weather in NYC can vary a lot, especially in April. The biggest thing I noticed during my trip is how much the temperature changed throughout the day.
When we visited in early April, mornings were usually in the high 30s°F to low 40s°F, so it definitely felt cold enough to need a jacket. By the afternoon, though, temperatures warmed up into the high 50s°F and low 60s°F, especially when it was sunny, and I was usually comfortable in lighter layers without my jacket.
Once the sun started going down in the evening, it cooled off pretty quickly again, and I was always glad to have a jacket with me.
We also got really lucky with the weather because we didn’t have any rain during our trip. That said, spring in NYC can definitely be rainy, so I still packed a lightweight rain jacket just in case. I brought a packable one that folds into a small pouch, which was nice because it didn’t take up much space in my suitcase.
Another thing worth keeping in mind is that spring weather in NYC can change really quickly week to week. The week after our trip, temperatures jumped into the mid to high 70s°F. So if you’re visiting later in April or into May, you might end up with much warmer weather than we had.
What to Wear in NYC in Spring (Outfit Basics)
The biggest thing I learned from this trip is that your outfits need to be comfortable and easy to layer. You will probably be walking a lot every day, so make sure to pack clothes and shoes that you feel comfortable in.
We were usually walking anywhere around 25,000 steps a day, taking the subway, and spending most of our time outside, so I was really glad I focused more on practical and comfortable outfits.
When deciding what to pack for NYC in spring, I would focus on:
- Comfortable outfits you can walk around in all day
- Layers for the colder mornings and evenings
- Pieces that are easy to mix and match
- Lightweight jackets instead of bulky winter coats
➡️ If you’re trying to plan your budget, I also broke down exactly how much a NYC trip costs based on what we actually spent during our 4 days in New York City.
Jackets for NYC Spring Weather
A good spring jacket is probably the most important thing to pack when deciding what to wear in NYC in spring.
Even though it’s technically spring, mornings and evenings in early April were still pretty cold, so I definitely needed a jacket every day. That said, I never felt like I needed a heavy winter coat. A lighter spring jacket with layers underneath worked perfectly for the weather we had.
I packed two lightweight jackets:
- Old Navy Full-Zip Harrington Jacket
- Old Navy Oversized Lightweight Water-Resistant Quilted Jacket
- Here is a similar jacket on Amazon!
I liked having two options because I could switch depending on the outfit, weather, or what we were doing that day.
➡️ If you want to explore beyond Manhattan, my One Day in Brooklyn guide covers my favorite neighborhoods, coffee shops, viewpoints, and places to eat.
Tops to Pack for NYC in Spring
I kept my tops pretty simple and focused on pieces that were easy to layer and rewear throughout the trip.
For a 4-day trip, I packed:
- 2 long sleeve/casual tops
- 1 lightweight sweater
Best Bottoms to Wear in NYC in Spring
I brought two pairs of jeans for this trip, but realistically I only ended up wearing one pair the entire time.
If you’re trying to pack light, I honestly think one comfortable pair of jeans is enough for a short NYC trip as long as you don’t mind rewearing them a few times.
I also wore leggings a lot during this trip, especially on travel days and on days when I was wearing a longer jacket or oversized top. They were really comfortable for walking around all day.
I would recommend packing:
- 1 comfortable pair of jeans you know you can walk in all day
- Old Navy Curvy High-Waisted OG Loose Jeans – my favorite jeans that are comfortable to walk around in
- Optional: a second pair of jeans if you want more outfit variety
- Leggings for more casual days or travel days
- Lululemon Align leggings are my favorite!
- The CRZ Yoga leggings from Amazon are a good, cheaper alternative.
➡️ If you’re planning your trip, you can also check out my 3-day NYC itinerary, where I share exactly how we spent our time, what we did each day, and how we planned our route around the city.
Best Shoes for Walking in NYC
Shoes are probably the most important part of deciding what to wear in NYC in spring because you will be walking a lot.
I wore my Hoka Clifton 9 every single day of the trip, and they were perfect. We were usually close to 25,000 steps a day, and my feet never felt uncomfortable.
If you have extra space, I do think it’s worth bringing a second pair of shoes if you want something slightly nicer for dinner or evenings out. But overall, I would prioritize comfort first.
I personally would not recommend bringing sandals or heels for spring in NYC. The weather can still be chilly, and they won’t be very comfortable for longer walks.
➡️ If you’re still planning your trip, my where to stay in NYC guide breaks down the best neighborhoods and hotel options depending on your travel style and itinerary.
What I Packed for NYC in Spring (Carry-On Only)
Everything I packed for this trip fit into a carry-on suitcase and a travel backpack as my personal item.
I personally love using a hard-shell suitcase because I feel like I can fit more into it while still keeping its shape enough to fit easily into the overhead bin.
I also used my favorite travel backpack in the XL size, and I seriously love this backpack for travel. The main compartment opens almost like a mini suitcase, which makes packing and organizing everything so much easier. It also fits a surprising amount while still fitting under the airplane seat, even when I have it packed completely full.
4 Bottoms
- 1 pair of jeans (I fully support rewearing jeans 🤷♀️)
- 3 Pairs of Leggings
- Lululemon Align leggings – my favorite leggings!
- CRZ Yoga leggings – cheaper alternative
2 Jackets
3 Tops
Other Clothing
- 1 pair of pajamas
- Socks and undergarments
- 1 pair of shoes – Hoka Clifton 9 are my favorite!
Travel Outfits
- What I Wore on the Way There
- What I Wore on the Way Back
Travel Essentials to Pack for NYC in Spring
- Portable Charger – This is absolutely essential for NYC. My phone battery drained really fast from constantly using Google Maps and taking photos. I used my portable charger every day, and it lasted me the whole day.
- Kindle – I always bring my Kindle when I travel because it barely takes up any space compared to physical books. I used it on the plane, at the airport, and at night in the hotel before bed.
- Toiletry Bag – I packed both mine and my husband’s toiletries into one toiletry bag to save space, and it worked really well for a shorter trip like this. It has a hook, making it easy to hang on the back of the bathroom door to save counter space.
- Crossbody Bag – I used my Uniqlo crossbody bag every single day in NYC and loved it for walking around the city. It holds way more than you would expect while still being lightweight and comfortable to wear all day. I kept things like my portable charger, wallet, phone, and hand sanitizer in it. This one on Amazon is similar to the Uniqlo one I have.
- Packing Cubes – These made it much easier to stay organized while packing carry-on only. I also genuinely feel like I can fit more into my suitcase when I use packing cubes.
- Laundry Bag – This ended up being really useful for separating dirty clothes from clean clothes throughout the trip. It also made packing everything back up at the end much easier.
Final Thoughts on What to Wear in NYC in Spring
Overall, what to wear in NYC in spring really comes down to layering, comfort, and being prepared for how much the temperature can change throughout the day.
You don’t need to overpack or bring a huge wardrobe, but you do want outfits that can easily adjust from cold mornings to warmer afternoons while still being comfortable enough for long days of walking around the city.
For me, keeping things simple made a big difference. A good pair of walking shoes, a couple of lightweight layers, and easy mix-and-match outfits were really all I needed for the trip.
Check out my other NYC blog posts to help you plan your NYC itinerary!
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