New York City
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Logistics
Getting There
New York has three major airports: JFK, La Guardia, and Newark (New Jersey). Depending on where you are traveling in from, and also where you will be staying in New York, may impact which airport you choose to travel into. JFK and Newark are most common when traveling outside the US, while La Guardia is commonly used for domestic travel.
Newark airport is in New Jersey, while JFK and La Guardia are in the borough of Queens. If you have your pick of airports, then consider where you’ll be based. La Guardia is easiest when staying on the east side or north part of Manhattan, while Newark is easiest when staying on the west side. For those who prefer to take public transport to and from the airport, JFK is the best option while Newark comes in second and La Guardia is the most challenging as it requires a bus to the subway.
Getting Around
New York City is made up of 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten island. To travel across New York City, public transit will be your best option which may include a combination of the subway and PATH trains. While taxis and ubers are abundant, they’ll often be slow in city traffic and can be quite expensive.
For close by destinations, enjoy walking, and consider using the city bikes for destinations a bit further especially on a nicer day.
Accommodations
For first time visitors, you’ll want to stay on Manhattan to provide access to the main city spots. A few areas that are especially nice to stay in include West Village, the Upper West Side, and Tribeca.
Things to do and see
West Side Highway
Running along the west side of Manhattan, there’s a great running, walking and cycling path here
Highline
Elevated greenery pathway on what used to be a train line. This elevated walkway is a great place to walk along on a nice day. Keep in mind it will be especially busy on the weekend
Central Park
Sitting in north Manhattan, the big city park is a favorite to locals and visitors. The large park is a great place to spend an afternoon. Walk or run through the park to see why it’s loved by so many
Statue of Liberty
Originally a gift from France, the statue is a sign of freedom and democracy. In order to see the famous monument, you can see it from a distance from the neighborhood of Battery Park City, which is at the south western tip of Manhattan. For those interested in getting closer, you will want to hop on a boat. The free Staten Island Ferry is one way to get a view of it from a boat.
If you’re interested in going into the Statue of Liberty, you’ll need to go through Statue City Cruises to purchase tickets.
Broadway
Dress up and book a show on Broadway to enjoy a night out at the theater!
Times Square
Iconic to Manhattan, Times Square covers 5 blocks and is a massive square with big screens spread throughout the square. It will certainly be busy with tourists!
West Village
Nice neighborhood in Manhattan to wander the streets, shop, and filled with cute coffee shops, wine bars and restaurants.
Soho
Another nice neighborhood to explore and pop into some of its many boutique shops
Fifth Avenue
Famous shopping street with high end stores
Smorgasburg
Food market in Brooklyn on Saturday’s and sundays. Also available in downtown manhattan (near One World Trade) on fridays
Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the iconic Brooklyn bridge
Empire State Building
Check out the observation deck on the Empire State or just take in the famous structure from different points in Manhattan, as it is a core to the NYC skyline
Hudson Yards
A unique structure called the Vessel is found here, which looks like a honeycomb. It’s located at the north end of the high line. There is also a place called The Edge where you can buy tickets to go up to a viewing point to see the city
Grand Central Terminal
A big train station with nice architecture. If interested, one can take a 1-2 hour tour of the station
Hoboken
Across the river from Manhattan is Hoboken. Hop on the ferry over to explore this New Jersey city, with a view of Manhattan.
Coney Island
For those who enjoy hot dogs and roller coasters, this is a typical American mini amusement park on the beach. It has arcade games, funnel cakes, boardwalk games and some small roller coasters (meant more for kids). It also is home to the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest
Sporting Events
Football: Jets or Giants
Hockey: Rangers or Islanders
Baseball: Yankees or Mets
Basketball: Knicks or Nets
United Nations Tour
Take a tour of the UN headquarters
Stone Street
Known to be the city’s oldest street and is popular pedestrian area with cobblestone streets
The Met
Huge art museum on the east side of Central Park
9/11 Memorial Musem
Visit the outdoor memorial for free, located where the World Trade Center used to stand. There’s also a large museum you can pay to go into
MoMa
Large modern art museum
The Whitney
Modern art museum in meatpacking district
City Parks
Separate from Central Park, there are other nice parks worth visiting for a stroll in the city
- Bryant park
- Madison Square park
- Little island: a small man made island off the west side highway around 14th street
- Brooklyn bridge park: a nice park under the Brooklyn bridge in Brooklyn
Food and Drinks
Bond Street
Dinner
Noho
Delicious, but very expensive, sushi restaurant. Known to be one of Taylor Swift’s favorites
Nubeluz
Drinks
NoMad
Pricey rooftop bar in midtown with view of Empire State Building and downtown
Cafe Panino Mucho Giusto
Lunch
West Village
Great casual panini spot
Joes Pizza
Lunch
Popular NY style pizza. Cash only at most locations
Grimaldis pizza
Lunch
Brooklyn
Another NY pizza place in Brooklyn
L’industrie
Lunch
Multiple Locations
Another pizza option with a few locations. There tends to be a line but on a nice day can be not bad to stand outside and wait
Katz deli
Lunch
Well known NY deli
Los tacos
Lunch
Multiple locations
Very popular tacos. Do not miss the pork tacos!
Thompson square bagels
Breakfast
Multiple locations
True New York bagels (bacon, egg and cheese bagels)
Pop up bagels
Breakfast
Multiple locations
Not true New York bagels as it is more of a cream cheese bagel place
Bubby’s
Breakfast
Tribeca
A good brunch spot in Tribeca (downtown) with good pancakes. Can’t make reservations on the weekend and people can queue for 30-60 minutes on nice days
Chelsea Market
Lunch
Chelsea
Market with a lot of food options for quick lunch or dinner
Chip City
Cookies
Multiple Locations
Market with a lot of food options for quick lunch or dinner
Levain
Cookies
Multiple Locations
Cookie shop known for having very doughy cookies
Schmackarys
Cookies
Multiple Locations
Cookie shop with lots of fun flavors!
Other Notes
Duration
New York city can entertain you for a day, a weekend, a month or a lifetime. It’s known as the city that doesn’t sleep, with things going on at all hours of the day. For city lovers, a long weekend will not be near enough time to see the city. For first time visitors, consider a 4 day trip to hit some of the key spots and enjoy the electric energy of the city. Following on, you can book return trips to the city to explore all it has to offer and lean into the endless food options, arts scene, parks, shows, and more.
Time of year
New York City is a place with four seasons. From a winter storm or snow dusting, to scorching hot days in the summer, to autumn colors from the changing leaves, and flowers blooming in the spring, the city can be a great place to visit any time of the year. The one time that may be worth avoiding would be the middle of summer as the heat can feel extreme in the concrete jungle.
Expense
Known to be a very expensive city, there’s definitely a price tag that comes with a visit to this US city. Keep this in mind when budgeting for your trip and considering where to stay, what to do, and where to visit. Like with anything, there’s opportunities to keep expenses lower, but generally it is known to be an expensive city.