New York, USA

Best Things to Do in New York in February 2026

January 22, 2026

If you’re planning a trip to New York in February and wondering whether there’s actually much going on, let me stop you right there. February is one of the most underrated times to visit the city. It’s so much quieter after the holiday/Christmas rush, hotel prices are often wayyyy lower and there’s still plenty happening if you know where to look. Here’s the best things to do in New York in February and why each of these is worth adding to your itinerary.

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NYC Must-See Week

NYC Must See Week is one of the best reasons to visit New York in February, especially if it’s your first time or you’re planning to tick off a few iconic attractions. For a limited time you can get two for one deals across some of the city’s most popular experiences, which can save you a lot if you’re travelling on a budget. Participating attractions often include places like the Empire State Building, QC Spa, The Friends Experience and even Central Park bike rentals. It’s a great way to experience the classic New York sights without paying full price and the offers usually cover a mix of sightseeing, wellness, and fun activities.

If you’re visiting for a short trip this is one of the easiest ways to pack more into your days while keeping costs down. For Broadway shows you can get 241 tickets on popular productions like Wicked, The Lion King and Chicago. Just make sure you use the discount code NYCBW250 when booking online.

For attractions there are also 241 deals available on experiences such as The Friends Experience, Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building. To access these offers, use the discount code MSW26 at checkout when booking your tickets.

Valentine’s Movie Night at the Empire State Building

February in New York leans hard into romance and this Valentine’s Day experience at the Empire State Building is about as iconic as it gets. On 14th February, the ESB is hosting special screenings of Sleepless in Seattle, the rom-com that famously features the building itself as part of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks’ love story. Tickets include the movie screening, complimentary non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and access to both the 86th and 102nd Floor Observation Decks once the film ends. Last year’s screenings sold out so this is one you’ll want to book early if you’re visiting New York around Valentine’s Day. Tickets start from $135 per person with two showings available at 4:30pm and 7:45pm.

Louis Vuitton Hotel-Style Pop Up in Soho

If you’re spending time in Soho this February, this is one of those things that’s easy to miss but really worth popping into. To celebrate 130 years of its Monogram, Louis Vuitton has opened a hotel-style pop up (located on 104 Prince Street) that feels more like an exhibition than a shop. The space is designed as a fictional hotel, guiding you through different rooms that each tell a story about travel and how the brand’s bags evolved alongside the way we move.

You’ll walk through themed rooms inspired by iconic pieces like the Keepall, Speedy and Neverfull, with each space styled to reflect different eras of travel. There’s a real focus on craftsmanship and functionality rather than selling, which makes it feel surprisingly calm for such a central location. The pop up is open through April, making it an easy and free stop to add to your February itinerary while exploring Soho or Nolita.

The Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden

The Orchid Show at The New York Botanical Garden is one of my favourite February events in New York. When the city is still deep in winter, stepping into the conservatory feels like a complete reset. Think vibrant colours, tropical flowers and carefully designed displays that make you forget how cold it is outside. The show runs from February 7th to April 26th, with tickets starting from $35. It’s perfect if you want something a little slower paced and it’s a great option if you’re travelling with friends who want a break from sightseeing. If you’re into photography or just want a calm afternoon away from Manhattan, this is absolutely worth the trip uptown.

Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival

The Lunar New Year Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural Festival is one of the most vibrant events happening in New York in February. Taking place on February 17th at Sara D. Roosevelt Park, this celebration marks the Lunar New Year with traditional performances, cultural displays and of course the iconic firecracker ceremony.

The atmosphere is lively and it’s a great way to experience New York’s cultural diversity while learning more about Lunar New Year traditions. You don’t need to plan too much around this one either, as you can easily pair it with exploring Chinatown or grabbing food nearby. If you’re visiting New York in February and want to experience something that feels local and meaningful, this is a great addition to your plans.

Lunar New Year Celebration at Bryant Park

Bryant Park’s Lunar New Year Celebration takes place on February 21st and is a lovely way to experience the festivities right in the heart of Manhattan. The event includes ribbon dancing classes, Lion Dance performances and cultural showcases by the New York Chinese Cultural Center. One of my favourite parts of this event is the wishing trees, where visitors can write wishes for the year ahead. It’s a small detail but it makes the experience feel thoughtful and personal. Because it’s held at Bryant Park, it’s easy to fit this into a day of sightseeing. You can pair it with a walk through Midtown, a visit to the New York Public Library or even a coffee stop nearby.

New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week runs from February 11th to February 16th and brings a completely different energy to the city. Even if you’re not attending runway shows you’ll feel it in the streets, hotels and restaurants around Manhattan. Tickets for select shows and events start from around $150, but there are also pop ups, brand activations and fashion focused experiences happening across the city during this time. It’s a great excuse to dress up a little more and lean into the style that New York does so well.

Send an Anonymous Love Letter

If you’re in New York around Valentine’s season this is one of those quietly special things that’s easy to miss unless you know about it. You’ll find bright red mailboxes popping up all over the city inviting people to leave anonymous handwritten love letters to New York. You can write about a person a place a memory or the city itself then drop it into one of the boxes and walk away with no name attached. The best letters are later turned into floral art and displayed as part of the Love Letter Gallery which opens on February 7th for a one day exhibition.

Free Curling at Bryant Park

From February 6th-26th curling lanes will be set up just next to the skating rink as part of Bryant Park’s Winter Village. There’s no booking required and no minimum spend. It’s first come first served so you can turn up, give it a go and move on whenever you’re ready. You don’t need any experience and that’s kind of the point. It’s relaxed, social and one of those winter activities that actually feels very New York.

Bay Ridge’s Holiday House

Bay Ridge’s famous Holiday House might be known for Christmas, but in February it gets a Valentine’s Day makeover and it’s just as fun to see. You’ll find it covered in hearts, pink lights, and romantic decorations which makes it a quirky stop that feels very New York. You’ll find it located at 635 79th Street in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and it’s best paired with a wider Brooklyn day. The neighbourhood itself is lovely to walk around and it’s a nice reminder that New York isn’t just Manhattan. It’s also free to visit which makes it a great budget friendly activity to do.

A Century of The New Yorker

If you’re visiting New York in February and want something indoors that still feels very New York, this exhibition is such a good one to add to your list. A Century of The New Yorker brings the magazine’s history to life through original covers, cartoons, manuscripts and behind the scenes stories from the people who shaped it. It looks at how The New Yorker has reflected and influenced culture over the last 100 years, from politics and social change to art, fiction and journalism. It’s open through February 21st and you find it inside the New York Public Library, and best of all it’s completely free.

Bumper Cars on Ice

Bumper Cars on Ice are exactly what they sound like and they’re surprisingly fun. It’s set up as a seasonal winter attraction and is a playful way to embrace the colder weather instead of fighting it. It’s great if you’re travelling with friends and want something light hearted that breaks up a day of sightseeing. You don’t need to spend hours here but it’s a fun memory and something a bit different from the usual New York attractions. You’ll find the Bumper Cars in Bryant Park until 28th February and it will cost $22.88 per person,

MoMA Mart Pop-Up

MoMA Mart runs from 6 January through 29 March 2026 and is a playful, art led pop-up experience created by the Museum of Modern Art. Rather than being a traditional market, it is set up like a fake grocery store, where the shelves are stocked with artist designed products that explore themes around consumerism, food culture and everyday life. You can walk through the space browsing items that look familiar at first glance, but quickly realise they are part of the exhibition rather than things you can actually buy.

MoMA PS1 (Now Free for Everyone)

MoMA PS1 is known for its focus on contemporary and experimental art, and visiting feels very different from walking through more traditional museums in New York. The space is large and industrial, with galleries spread across multiple floors, and exhibitions often include immersive installations and video art. You can expect to see rotating exhibitions by both emerging and established artists, many of which explore current social, political and cultural themes.

As of 1 January 2026, MoMA PS1 became free for all visitors for the next three years, making it the largest free museum in New York City.

Pink Pier at Pier 15

If you love anything pink, this is one you will want to add straight to your list. Pink Pier is a bright, playful installation set along the East River that completely transforms the waterfront into an all pink experience. You can dine inside an all pink waterfront igloo, sip pink cocktails and enjoy menu items designed specifically for the pop-up. There are plenty of photo moments throughout, including a giant pink photo frame positioned perfectly in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, which is one of the main highlights.

Pink Pier runs from 9th January to 1st March, with prices starting from $17, making it a fun and fairly affordable winter activity.

The Morgan Library & Museum (Free Friday Evenings)

The Morgan Library & Museum is best known for its beautiful historic library spaces, rare manuscripts and intimate gallery rooms. Originally the private library of financier J. Pierpont Morgan, the building itself is one of the highlights, with ornate ceilings, dark wood shelves and some of the most impressive interiors in the city. It houses rare books, handwritten manuscripts, drawings, and letters from well-known figures across literature, music and history.

The Morgan offers free entry on Friday evenings from 5 to 8pm, with live music beginning at 5pm, though reservations are required and tickets are released one week in advance.

New York Aquarium (Free After 3pm on Wednesdays)

The New York Aquarium is located in Coney Island, Brooklyn, right by the waterfront and makes a nice change of pace from central Manhattan sightseeing. Inside you can expect a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits, featuring animals such as sea lions, penguins, sharks, jellyfish and colourful tropical fish. It offers free admission after 3pm on Wednesdays, including throughout January, although timed tickets must still be reserved online in advance. These free slots are popular so it’s worth booking as soon as they become available (which is usually 3pm the Monday before and you can reserve up to 4 tickets in total).

The Guggenheim - Pay What You Wish

The Guggenheim is best known for its iconic spiral shaped interior, which is an experience in itself even before you start looking at the art. Inside exhibitions are displayed along the curved ramp, so you gradually move through the space as you explore rather than walking through separate rooms.

The Guggenheim offers Pay What You Wish admission on Sundays and Tuesdays from 4 to 5.30pm, including January, where you can pay what you like with a minimum of $1. These time slots are popular so booking in advance is recommended.

Thank you so much for reading and I hope this guide on the best things to do in New York in February has given you plenty of inspiration for your own trip. If you need anymore NYC planning inspo, don’t miss my ultimate travel guide I wrote which you can find here.

Hi there, I'm Mandeep

Founder of The Girls Trip To and I’m so glad you are here! My mission is to get YOUR girls trip out of the group chat by providing you with all the best travel guides, tips + deals!