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This post lists the top things to do in New York in March, updated for 2023.

March is a good time to visit New York City as there is always something to do inside or out, daylight or nighttime.

Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.

Regarding New York weather, it's possibly too early for a light jacket. Winter coats, scarves, and gloves are best, at least for the evenings.

Afternoons have an average high around the mid-40s early in the month, and the low to mid-50s in late March.

There are also around 10-11 days on average that have precipitation. It might be worthwhile to pack a small umbrella or to have a water-resistant coat.

March runs close to 80% humidity on average. Read more about March weather here.

Below we list free, nighttime, as well as family-friendly events and activities that can be found in New York City this month.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

This is our list of the ten best events and things to do in NYC in March. 

For even more suggestions, see our comprehensive guide to things to do in NYC.  

Several of the items below are already included for free with the purchase of a tourist discount pass.

For tips on the most popular activities in NYC, check out the following posts:

1. Go to a Concert

There are several well-known rock bands and musicians scheduled to perform in New York City this March.

If you're interested in seeing some of your favorite artists live, this is an excellent month to visit NYC.

The top concerts of March include:

Check out the full list of March concerts.

2. Go to the Metropolitan Opera

The Metropolitan Opera will be performing several classic productions throughout the entire month.

No matter what your favorite opera is, chances are you'll have an opportunity to see it live this March.

Here are some of the planned productions:

  • La Traviata
  • Falstaff
  • Tosca

Check this list of Metropolitan Opera performances to find one you might want to see this month.

3. Attend a Performance of the New York Philharmonic

The New York Philharmonic will be performing several times this month, and this is an excellent opportunity to hear some of the best musicians in the world.

Best of all, they will be playing some of the best classical music ever composed!

Guests can expect the chance to hear the works of Schubert, Bach, Stravinsky, and other master composers.

All of this takes place in the new David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center.

Purchase tickets to performances here.

4. Take a Walking Tour with Free Tours by Foot

March is a good month to take a walking tour.

The weather is agreeable and we begin to run more tours than we do in the winter.

Consider a Pedicab tour of Central Park where you can see early spring foliage in bloom.

New York Walking Tours

Our guided walks are free to join and operate on a pay-what-you-like basis.

This means that you decide what a tour was worth or what you could afford (even free) when the tour is over.

We also offer self-guided and GPS-enabled audio tours of every neighborhood that you will likely visit as a tourist in NYC.

5. See a Broadway Show

Most Broadway shows have returned to their full rotation as of 2023, so there should be plenty of great musicals to see during the month of March.

While there aren't many new productions to see, you will be able to see some of the most popular shows of the last few years.

Here are just a few of the best Broadway musicals this month:

Be sure to read our posts on how to get cheap Broadway tickets and use the TKTS Booth for tickets.

We list several ways you can save money on what is sure to be a fun night out. 

New York Travel Tips

6. See a Stand-up Comedy Show

There are a lot of famous comedians scheduled to make an appearance in New York City throughout the month of March 2023.

If you're in need of a good laugh, this is a great time to visit the city!

Here are a few of the best comedians to see in March:

New York

Connecticut

For even more opportunities to chuckle, check this list of live stand-up comedies in New York City this March.

7. See a Sports Event

There are several sporting events planned for the month of March 2023.

You can head over to Barclay's Center to see the Brooklyn Nets, to Madison Square Garden to see the New York Rangers, and so much more.

Basketball

Basketball is in mid-season, so why not head out to Madison Square Garden or the Barclays Center to catch a game?

A few East Regional NCAA Tournament games will be taking place at Madison Square Garden as well, on March 23rd and 25th.

Ice Hockey

See what other sports events are on in March here.

TIP: If you are curious to learn more about MSG, take a tour of Madison Square Garden.

8. Attend a Family Friendly Show

If you're looking for a family-friendly show to take your kids to, there is a big one taking place in the New York area in March 2023.

Jurassic World Live, an action-packed show that brings the "wonder and thrills" of Jurassic World to the stage.

Included are more than 24 "film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs... operated by animatronics and performers".

The show takes place in both Elmont, NY, and Newark, NJ between March 4th and 19th.

Tickets can be found here.

9. View Photos of New York

The Museum of the City of New York is hosting an excellent exhibition called Celebrating the City.

"Striking recent images with work by some of the 20th century’s most important photographers" make up the exhibits, with works that capture New York and New Yorkers.

Timed tickets can be purchased here.

You can also learn where to take the best photos in New York.

NOTE: Admission to the Museum of the City of New York is included on several New York tourist passes.

10. Look into Getting a Tourist Discount Pass

A tourist discount pass offers discounted admission into most of NYC’s popular attractions.

Passes themselves aren’t free, but with some advanced planning, you can create an itinerary where you will end up paying nothing for one or two attractions each day.

There are several different types of passes, so be sure to read our comparison post to learn about how you can save the most money on your trip.

If you've already decided which pass works best for your purposes, one can be purchased here:

All Inclusive - Go City New York | Explorer - Go City New York | Day Pass - New York Sightseeing | Flex Pass - New York Sightseeing

best time to visit new york

Honorable Mention: Attend the Orchid Show

The Orchid Show returns for its 20th year, this year bringing artist Lily Kwong's artistic vision to the crowds.

The show runs from February 18th - April 23rd at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory of the New York Botanical Gardens.

There will also be nighttime events with food, cash bars, and music for those aged 21 or older.

Tickets and additional information can be found here.

Visit Some New York Institutions

A visit to New York City wouldn't be complete without a visit to at least some of its best-known locations.

A few of them are:

A number of these are in Midtown Manhattan so you won't have to go far to see quite a lot.

If you only want to visit just one observation deck, our post could help you make your decision. We also have a post on free museums in NYC.

THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN MARCH

Here are some suggestions for things to do at night in March. 

These are in addition to the items in the top 10 section above, such as seeing a Broadway Show, a nighttime sports event or a concert.

You can find many more after-dark activities from our full post on things to do in NYC at night.

Take a Night Walking Tour

In March, we begin to run some of our night tours. Our offerings include:

See what is available in March by looking at our full calendar.

Walk Over the Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge can be walked over 24 hours a day.

While we don't recommend a 4 am stroll, a sunset or twilight tour is ideal to see the city's sparkling skyline.

For those who want some guidance to enjoy the Bridge after dark, read our guide to walking across the Brooklyn Bridge.

Or join us for our 911 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge Night Tour. 

It runs Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 7:30 pm from March through October.  

Eat New York City's Iconic Foods

You've probably got a list of NYC foods to try like pizza and bagels. But you might not know where to get the best of these foods.

Our pay-what-you-wish food tours offer you the chance to sample delicious and cheap highlights of NYC food. 

See our Food Tour offerings here. 

When in NYC, read our post on 8 classic foods to try. You might also like our posts on: 

Grab a Drink

St. Patrick's Day is on March 17, 2023.

Extend the festivities to any night of the month by visiting one of several historic New York City bars, including McSorley’s Old Ale House.

If history isn't your thing, check out one of NYC's rooftop bars, many of which are enclosed and heated on chilly nights. 

As long as Covid-19 numbers continue to drop in NYC, bars should remain open until at least 11 pm.

Remember to look at our things to do in NYC at night post for more ideas.

FREE THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

Here are just a few of the many free things you can do in New York City in March.

For year-round free things to do see our comprehensive post, Free Things to Do in NYC. 

Also, be sure to check out the other sections of this post, as many of the activities and events are listed, such as taking a pay-what-you-wish walking tour.

Macy's Flower Show

For two weeks annually, this famous New York department store showcases garden installations created by leading floral experts. 

The free show includes beautiful, bright floral arrangements as well as special events including live music, and kids' activities.

There are also tours running every 20 minutes.

For more information, click here. 

Saint Patrick's Day Parade

This annual parade draws thousands of people from all over who come to celebrate their Irish heritage. . 

The parade route starts on 44th St. 5th Avenue and continues to 79th St., finishing at the American Irish Historical Society.

Activities take place on March 17, 2023, and begin at 11:00 AM.

Get more parade details here. 

If you are looking for a Guinness, look at our post on the best pub crawls in NYC.

Check Out Street Art in Bushwick

New York has some of the finest street art in the world and Bushwick in Brooklyn is one of the parts of the city to see street art created by world-renowned artists.

Visiting Bushwick and the Bushwick Collective Street Art Gallery is easy using our self-guided tour.

You can join us on any of our pay-what-you-like Street Art Tours including our Bushwick Street Art Tour offered on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays at 2 pm.

To find other fantastic street art in NYC, read our posts, Manhattan Graffiti and Street Art and Brooklyn Graffiti and Street Art.

Visit Central Park

In March, the trees and flowers of this iconic park started to bloom.

Because Central Park is very large with a fascinating history, we recommend that you take a guided walking tour to help you find your way through this huge park. 

We offer several pay-what-you-like tours of Central Park including a tour of the lower section and one of the middle section.  

We also offer bike tours which are super fun for the kids!   

If you can’t join us, explore the park on your own using our Guide to things to do in Central Park and our audio tour. 

If you want a romantic (but not free) experience, you can take a Central Park Horse and Carriage Tour.

For more free activities, see our post, Free Things to Do in NYC!

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN MARCH

As you can see in the Top Ten and Free Things to Do sections above, many activities are kid-friendly such as seeing a sports event, seeing the puppets of New York, or even taking a food tour.

Below is a list of even more activities.

Check out our post, Things to Do with Kids in New York City, our 3-day itinerary for families, and our list of over 100 things to do in New York City which includes dozens of kid-friendly activities. 

New York International Children’s Film Festival

At this annual and unique festival, you and your kids can see thought-provoking and inspiring movies from around the world that focus on youth.

The festival will present the best new animation, live-action, documentary, and experimental films.

This event will likely take place in early March.

You can see the schedule here.  

Go Ice Skating

As winter comes to a close, you can still find a few ice rinks open in March. 

Find out where all the rinks are from our post on where to go ice skating in New York City. 

Play in Central Park

If ever a park was made for children, it is Central Park.

With its many playgrounds and wide-open spaces, it is a fabulous place to let your kids run wild. Your family might enjoy taking a bike tour of the park.

Take a look above in the things to do for free section to find out more about things to do in Central Park. 

For more ideas for keeping your kids entertained, see our post on top things to do with kids in New York City.

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About The Author

Courtney

Courtney is a lifelong New Yorker fascinated with the city’s history, culture and cuisine. She loves exploring the world, as well as sharing her travel expertise with others. She joined the Free Tours by Foot team in 2011, first as a guide and then as a writer. She has a law degree, a teaching degree and a worn-out passport. Her motto is “Have backpack, will travel”.
Updated: marzo 21st, 2023
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