Places / North & Central America / United States
New York
Visited in 2007, 2014 and 2015
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Region
- New York
- Population
- 8.8 million
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to early December
- Main airport
- JFK, Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA)
- Coordinates
- 40.72°N, 74.01°W
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
New York is big, fast and endlessly energetic, a city you know from films before you arrive. Its five boroughs hold world-famous museums, iconic skyscrapers, Broadway shows and neighbourhoods that each feel like a different city.
Manhattan has most of the sights, but cross the bridges to Brooklyn and Queens for some of the best food and views.
Things to see
-
Photo: AskALotl, CC0 Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Ferries leave from Battery Park. Book crown or pedestal access well ahead.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Anthony Quintano from Hillsborough, NJ, United States, CC BY 2.0 Central Park
840 acres of lakes, lawns and woodland in the heart of Manhattan.
-
Photo: Hugo Schneider, CC BY-SA 2.0 Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the world's great museums, spanning 5,000 years of art.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Sam Valadi, Public domain Empire State Building or Top of the Rock
Classic city views; Top of the Rock has the Empire State Building in its view.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Paul Sableman, CC BY 2.0 9/11 Memorial and Museum
Reflecting pools in the footprints of the Twin Towers, and a moving museum below.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Terabass, CC BY-SA 3.0 Times Square
Neon and noise at the heart of the theatre district. Best seen once at night.
Things to do
-
Photo: Corey Seeman, CC BY-SA 4.0 See a Broadway show
Book ahead for big shows, or try the TKTS booth for same-day discounts.
Find tours -
Photo: Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0 Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Cross into Brooklyn for views back to Manhattan from DUMBO.
-
Photo: Dansnguyen, CC0 Walk the High Line
A park built on an old elevated railway through Chelsea to Hudson Yards.
-
Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0 Food tour
Pizza, bagels and dumplings in Greenwich Village or Chinatown.
Find tours -
Photo: InSapphoWeTrust, CC BY-SA 2.0 Staten Island Ferry
A free ferry with great views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline.
Where to stay
Midtown
Central for Times Square, Broadway and the subway. Busy but convenient.
Hotels in MidtownLower Manhattan
Near the 9/11 Memorial and ferries, quieter in the evenings.
Hotels in Lower ManhattanGreenwich Village
Charming streets with great restaurants and bars.
Hotels in Greenwich VillageBrooklyn
Williamsburg and DUMBO have trendy hotels and skyline views, often better value.
Hotels in Brooklyn
Getting around
The subway runs 24 hours and covers almost everywhere. Pay by tapping a contactless card or phone (OMNY) at the turnstile. Walking is the best way to see Manhattan's grid; yellow cabs and ride-hailing apps are widely available.
From JFK, take the AirTrain to the subway or LIRR. From Newark, the AirTrain links to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station. LaGuardia is served by buses and taxis.
When to go
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to early December) are the best times, with mild weather and autumn colours in Central Park. Summer is hot and humid. December is festive but busy; January and February are cold and the cheapest time for hotels.
Plan your trip to New York
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.
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