New York City
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Meet our New York City creators Sky Ariella, Niamh Hayes, Larissa Albright, and Victoria Folz. Sky was born and raised in New York and is currently a digital nomad and freelance travel writer. Niamh is a freelance writer and communications associate who loves hiking around the state. Larissa is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves finding great local NYC restaurants and exploring Central Park. Victoria is a freelance writer and travel enthusiast born and raised in Long Island.
Why We Love New York City: New York City stands out from every other major metropolis on the planet. Its energy is undeniable. From the overflowing culture and rich nightlife to the iconic foods and endless history to explore, it’s hard not to fall in love with the magical city that never sleeps.
Best of New York City
✨ Things to Do
There are so many intriguing things to do across the boroughs of New York City. The age-old saying that you can find anything in NYC definitely rings true:
- Central Park – In the heart of Manhattan, Central Park brings life and nature into the urban jungle of NYC.
- Times Square – The bustling, colorful Times Square in Midtown Manhattan is a must-see for first-time visitors.
- Brooklyn Bridge – There is more to NYC than just Manhattan. Brooklyn is only an hour’s walk away across the BK Bridge.
- Broadway – Get in touch with NYC culture on Broadway. There are over 30 different Broadway shows right now.
- Rockefeller Center – In the winter, don’t miss the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. It’s a magical NYC tradition.
👉 Read the complete guide on things to do in New York City.
🗺️ Where to Stay
The island of New York City contains entire worlds, and each of those worlds is constituted by a different neighborhood. Here are a few worth exploring:
- Upper West Side, Manhattan – Between Central Park and the Hudson River, the Upper West Side is full of museums and attractions.
- SoHo, Manhattan – SoHo is a dream come true for visitors who want to treat themselves and shop until they drop.
- Midtown, Manhattan – First-time visitors who want to see the NYC portrayed in movies should go right to Midtown Manhattan.
- Long Island City, Queens – For foodies and travelers on a budget, this neighborhood makes a great base.
- Williamsburg, Brooklyn – To take advantage of an excellent nightlife, music, and arts scene, check out Williamsburg.
- The Bronx – If you’re traveling with kids or headed to a Yankee game, then basing yourself in The Bronx is your best bet.
👉 Read the complete guide to where to stay in New York City
🛎️ Best Hotels
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You’ll need a comfortable, safe place to rest your head at night. Wake up every morning refreshed and ready to take on The Big Apple at any of these hotels:
- The Langham, New York – This Midtown Manhattan hotel combines luxury, comfort, and hospitality in a perfect location.
- Hotel Scherman – In Midtown, Hotel Scherman is a cute boutique hotel haven in the middle of the buzzing city center.
- The Artezen Hotel – The Artezan Hotel is an excellent, quiet stay for business travelers near public transportation.
- NobleDEN Hotel – NobleDEN Hotel is one of the most optimally-located stays. It’s between SoHo, Chinatown, and Bowery.
- Opera House Hotel – Located in the Bronx, the Opera House Hotel is super close to the subway station and is great for families.
- The Box House Hotel – A decidedly colorful hotel in Brooklyn, The Box House Hotel has gorgeous lofts and suites.
- The William Vale – A stunning Williamsburg hotel with unreal views.
🍽️ Restaurants
The New York food scene is rich and comes complete with 5-star establishments and affordable hole-in-the-walls. These are some of the city’s very best restaurants:
- Eleven Madison Park – A 3 Michelin-star restaurant created by chef Daniel Humm. Named one of the top 50 best restaurants in the world.
- Keens Steakhouse – Keens Steakhouse is one of the most famous NYC restaurants for its rich steaks and mutton chops.
- Katz Delicatessen – It’s rare to find a time when Katz Deli isn’t busy with hungry patrons ordering their signature sandwiches.
- Rubirosa – If you want the mecca of all NY pizza, grab one of the fancy pies at Rubirosa in Nolita.
- Sylvia’s – Located in Central Harlem, Sylvia’s is a piece of soul food heaven that’s been in business since 1962.
🍽️ Read our full guide to the best NYC restaurants.
🚗 Day Trips
If you find yourself needing a break from the city that never sleeps, consider one of these nearby day trips. There’s something for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers, and more.
- The Catskills, NY – The nature and outdoor activities of the Catskills are only two hours away from NYC on the train.
- Philadelphia, PA – Philadelphia’s wealth of American history and culture is just two hours away from Manhattan.
- Fire Island, NY – Fire Island is an LGBTQ+-friendly beach destination just two hours outside of NYC.
- Hudson, NY – In the town of Hudson 2.5 hours outside of Manhattan, you’ll find vintage shopping and yummy restaurants.
- Greenwich, CT – Spend the day in the eclectic town of Greenwich, Connecticut. Just 45 minutes from NYC.
🚗 Read our full list of best day trips from NYC.
🏘️ Neighborhoods
- Upper West Side – Head to the Upper West Side if you want a neighborhood in the middle of the city center.
- East Village – This spunky Manhattan neighborhood was once home to many of the city’s top musicians and artists.
- Park Slope – Across the bridge in Brooklyn is the family-friendly neighborhood of Park Slope located right next to Prospect Park.
- Harlem – The NYC neighborhood of Harlem hosts an abundance of music history and a very fun nightlife scene.
- SoHo – The picturesque neighborhood of SoHo is awash with trendy boutique hotels and one-of-a-kind shopping.
👉 Read the complete guide to the best neighborhoods in New York City.
🍸 Bars
- The Up & Up – If you want to feel mysterious and cool on an evening out in NYC, grab a cocktail at The Up & Up.
- The Dead Rabbit – The Dead Rabbit is a traditional Irish pub with a bit of New York grit.
- Death & Company – This East Village bar gives those classy, speakeasy vibes that make you feel like you’re living in a movie.
- Julius’ – Opened all the way back in 1864, Julius’ LGBTQ+ bar is the oldest gay bar in NYC.
- Please Don’t Tell – To get inside the secret Please Don’t Tell speakeasy, you actually have to enter through a phone booth.
🖼️ Museums
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) – A cherished NYC art museum and the largest museum in all of America.
- American Museum of Natural History – An absolute must for families with children of any age. The exhibits will spark life into your inner science enthusiast.
- The National September 11 Memorial Museum – Take a moment to acknowledge one of NY’s most painful moments in history – 9/11. Learn about the events, victims, and heroes of that fateful day and how it changed the city and world.
- The Museum of the Moving Image – Find out what goes into the production of making movies and TV at this Queens museum.
👉 Read the complete guide to NYC museums.
🎶 Music Venues
- Carnegie Hall – For many musicians, playing at Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan means they’ve made it. It has hosted everyone from Judy Garland to The Beatles. Shows are spectacular, but simply visiting is an event in itself.
- Bowery Ballroom – A 3-story venue with a reputation for being one of Manhattan’s best. Rolling Stone Magazine even called it the #1 club in America.
- Brooklyn Steel – An intimate venue across the river from Manhattan in Williamsburg that hosts a bunch of underground artists.
- The Apollo Theater – One of New York’s most historic music venues. The Harlem theater is so famous and influential that it’s practically a cultural landmark.
New York City Travel Advice
🗓️ Best Time to Visit
Your experience in NYC will depend on when you choose to visit. Just a few weeks can mean the difference between warm, sunny days or walking frigid, wet streets. Plus, prices fluctuate with the changing weather:
- 🍂 Fall – A fun time to visit with lots of activities and events. Autumn is considered the shoulder season in NYC. Expect fewer crowds and slightly cheaper prices.
- 🌞 Summer – June to early September are the most popular times to visit. Despite high temperatures, people flock to NYC for its exciting activities. If it’s your first time visiting, the summer will leave a positive impression on you.
- ❄️ Winter – Winter is one of the most popular times to visit NYC. Especially around Christmas, there are endless activities. However, you’ll need warm clothes and to be prepared for freezing temps.
- 🌼 Spring – NYC comes back to life after hibernating for the winter. From March until June, the city exudes lively energy. It’s an awesome transition period before it gets super hot and busy.
👉 Read the complete guide to the best time to visit NYC.
🚌 Getting Around
There are a bunch of ways to get around NYC that range from unbelievably expensive to completely free. Walking and public transportation are the best ways to get around.
- 🚶♀️ Walking – NYC is one of the most walkable cities in America, with a walkability score of 88. Manhattan is particularly walkable. The streets are organized by number, making it simple to navigate.
- 🚗 Driving – You do not want to deal with the hassle of driving and storing a car in NYC. You’ll be stuck in horrible traffic all day long and toll prices are crazy high. It is nearly impossible to find street parking in most boroughs of the city.
- 🚇 Public Transit – The best way to get around. The subway and bus system is very comprehensive and runs all night long. It costs just $2.90 per ride.
- 📲 RideShare – Notoriously expensive, especially if you’re taking one after a night out. Cabs are usually a little less expensive than ride shares, but they can be harder to find. Uber, Lyft, Revel, Via, and Curb are all available in New York City.
- 🚴♀️ Biking – NYC is super bike-friendly. There are bike lanes throughout the entire city and lots of rentals available on the streets.
- 🛴 Scooters – E-scooters are allowed, and there are thousands available across the city. Brands like Bird, Lime, and VeoRide are available.
👉 Tips & Things to Know
- 🍕 Eat the NYC food staples – There is a bounty of delicious and iconic food waiting for you in New York. This includes NY-style pizza, bagels, cheesecake, pastrami sandwiches, eggs benedict, and more.
- 🍸 Go to the bars during happy hour – Partying on a budget in NY is almost impossible. A single cocktail can cost you $17+ depending on the neighborhood. Go out during happy hour to avoid high fees and get hefty discounts on drinks. Happy hours vary, but it’s usually weekdays from 4 pm to 7 pm.
- 📆 Plan in advance – It’s possible to visit NYC on a budget as long as you plan in advance. The earlier you book and reserve, the cheaper prices you’ll get. The only exception is when you’re trying to get last-minute tickets to things like Broadway shows in Times Square.
- 🚇 Use public transportation – Taxi prices are insane. Thankfully, public transportation is a solution. You can get anywhere across NYC for a pretty low cost on subways and buses. It’s $2.90 per ride.
- 🌇 Visit Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx too – Hop on the train and go to Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx for a day. The surrounding boroughs have just as much to offer as Manhattan. Plus, they’re easy to access on public transportation.
👉 Read the full list of travel tips for New York City.
🧳 What to Pack
- 📱 Portable charger – Running out of phone battery happens fast and furious on a day in NYC. It’s better to carry a portable charger, so you never end up lost without a way to get back on track.
- 🎒 Daypack – It’s much easier to carry a backpack in the busy streets of NYC, than a purse or fanny pack. Plus, it gives you a place to put any purchases you pick up along the way.
- 👟 Extremely comfortable shoes – No matter your itinerary, it’s a safe bet that you’ll be doing a whole bunch of walking. Trying to get around NYC in uncomfortable shoes is a nightmare. Invest in a good pair of walking shoes that won’t leave you limping by the end of the day.
- 👝 Packing cubes – Packing light will save you a lot of hassle. Packing cubes will help save space. These allow you to better organize your bag and keep everything compressed.
👉 Read the full New York City Packing List
🤓 Facts & Info
- Census Population (2024) – 8.478 million
- Time Zone – Eastern Daylight Time (UTC -5 / UTC -4 during daylight savings)
- Area Codes – 212, 718, 917, 646
- Airports – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Nickname – The Big Apple, The City That Never Sleeps
- Demonynm – New Yorker
- State – New York
- Country – United States of America
💵 Costs & Budgeting
- 3 Star Hotel Room – $190-$235/night
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Rental – $150-$200/night
- Rental Car – $56/day
- Public Transit Ticket – $2.90 ($11 to the airport from the center)
- RideShare from Downtown to Airport – $75 to $125
- Take Out Meal for Two – $35-$50
- Sit Down Dinner for Two – $100+
- Draft Beer – $8
💵 Read the full guide to doing New York City on a budget.
FAQs
Is New York City safe for tourists?
New York City is safe for tourists. New York City is actually considered one of the safest major cities in America as of 2023. However, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. New York City is still a major city and visitors need to be constantly aware of their surroundings. Crime happens in New York City and the more vigilant you are, the less likely you’ll become a victim of it.
How many days in New York is enough?
Five days are enough time to get acquainted with New York City. This provides enough time to leisurely check out the city’s biggest tourist attractions and visit its best neighborhoods. However, it’s possible to do New York City in more or less time. Just a weekend in New York City can be plenty of time for a short burst of fun.
Is $1,000 enough for 5 days in New York?
$1,000 is enough for five days in New York if you’re planning on sticking to a very strict budget and visiting during the off-season. You’ll need to stay in a lower-range hotel and do lots of budget activities. However, it won’t be enough for a luxurious vacation in New York City. If you really want to treat yourself in NYC, you’ll need at least $2,500 for 5 days in New York City.
Meet Our New York Travel Experts
Sky Ariella
Sky Ariella is a professional writer from New York with an insatiable craving for exploring the world. After a post-college adventure around 6 Asian countries, she dove head-first into a writing career and travel lifestyle. Sky currently lives in Mexico City with her dog Bear. When she’s not whipping up content for Travel Lemming, she writes for Booking, Zippia, and her blog.
Niamh Hayes
Niamh Hayes is a New York City-based freelance writer and communications associate. She grew up in upstate New York and spent many summer months in Ireland, visiting her relatives around the country. She loves to spend the weekend taking mini-day trips and finding hiking spots around New York State. Niamh’s passions include soccer, writing, art, attempting to learn Spanish, and spending time with her friends in her neighborhood of Astoria.
Larissa Albright
Larissa Albright is a New York City-based writer and travel enthusiast. She loves trying local restaurants and coffee shops in her neighborhood and exploring every inch of Central Park. She visits London whenever she can and spends her summers in Narragansett, Rhode Island.
Victoria Folz
Victoria Folz is a freelance writer and travel enthusiast based in Southern California. She enjoys red eye flights, hiking, road trips, running, and solo adventures. Her favorite destination abroad is a tie between the island of Roatan and Porto Xeli, Greece. Visit her website here.
📰 New York Travel Guides
Even though the world knows about NYC, there is much more to New York than just Manhattan. Many of New York state’s other coolest places are only a short bus or train ride away. To learn more, check out our other NYC travel guides:
- The Best Time to Visit New York City (According to a Local)
- My Favorite New York City Neighborhoods
- 30 Best Day Trips from NYC (By a Local)
- Where to Stay in New York City (Best Places & Areas, By a Local)
- New York City Packing List (30 Things You Might Forget to Bring)
- One Day in New York City – The Perfect Itinerary
- NYC On a Budget (Exactly How to Do It On the Cheap)
- 5 Day New York City Itinerary (Planned by a Local + Map)
- The 82 Best Things to Do in NYC (By a Local)
- 23 Fun & Cool Things to Do in Central Park
- The 32 Best Museums in NYC for First-Timers
- A Local’s Guide to Dining Out in NYC
- 28 New York City Travel Tips (for First-Timers)
- Is NYC Safe to Visit? (Honest Local Advice)