New York City Guide

The Best Things to do in NYC

Let's Explore New York City

First-time in New York? 10th time? Avid New Yorker? The city has always something new and adventurous to offer to all visitors and even locals. The city is the capital of culture, history, adventures, attractions, and FUN! So much to do and see, but this also means that you might get "lost" trying to find what you really want to do in the Big Apple especially if you don't have lots of time at your disposal. This is a City Guide created to list some of the most popular attractions, monuments, museums, etc., with some tips and general info that hopefully can help you better prioritize your time around the Big Apple.

How to choose the best things to do in NYC

Did you know that we are actually headquartered in NYC?! It's where it all began for us. Our home, our office, our start. We even have a dedicated website to New York City (www.newyorkwelcome.net) where we list all our experiences, exclusive tours along with a very extensive City Guide.

New York City: Good To Know

As you may already know NYC encompasses 5 distinct Boroughs: Manhattan (the island in the middle,) The Bronx (North,) Brooklyn (to the East,) Queens (neighboring Brooklyn on the North side,) and Staten Island (to the South.) Think of the boroughs like small counties and each one has countless neighborhoods that are almost small villages. Each neighborhood has its own identity and peculiarities. There are those neighborhoods known for their cuisine, for their residential look, for their business hubs, for their high-end boutiques, etc. The city expends for over 302 square miles so you can imagine you have lots of territory to cover and lots to choose from.

Few general things that you might find useful:

• We are on the East Coast so we follow the Eastern Times (Standard and Daylight Saving)
• Public Transportation runs 24/7. It includes underground subway lines, elevated subway lines, local buses, express buses, and even 1 Tramway to Roosevelt Island. The cost per ride is $2.75 - unlimited weekly and monthly passes are also available,.
• The NYC Ferry ($2.75) is a great alternative to moving around along the East River.
• Yellow Cabs are either in abundance or all occupied (especially when it rains.) Alternatively, you can use Uber, Lyft, Via, and other similar apps.
• You can always find something open that serves food - Deli, 27/7 Diners, Restaurants open all day long ...You won't go famished!
• It's good to  make reservations in advance. This applies to tours & experiences, museums, attractions, restaurants, shows, etc.
• High Seasons to visit the city are during Christmas & the Holiday festivities, late Spring, and early Fall. Prices tend to be higher.
• 3 airports are serving the city: JFK and LGA in New York and Newark (EWR) in New Jersey.

Have some specific questions or doubts? Reach out and we would love to help you plan your stay in New York City!

Neighborhoods in New York

As we mentioned above, there are lots of neighborhoods to choose from when you are planning your stay in NYC. Things you might want to ask yourself are - Do I want more of a residential vibe or commercial? Do I want to be in Manhattan (usually more expensive) or I'm okay to be further away but save some money? Do I want to be surrounded by Skyscrapers or I rather have a small-town look? These are just a few questions that might help you narrow down your choices. Also as with everything, Budget will play a big factor.

• COMMERCIAL AREAS: Midtown and Financial District (Manhattan,) Downtown Brooklyn (Brooklyn,) Queensboro Bridge Area (Queens.)
• RESIDENTIAL AREAS: Upper West, Upper East, The Villages, Harlem (Manhattan,) Brooklyn Heights, Carrol Gardens, Park Slope (Brooklyn,) Astoria, Long Island City (Queens.)

These are just a few neighborhoods that we are listing here. And even areas such as "Midtown in Manhattan" can be so vast that you will find both commercial zones and residential zones. Midtown is very commercial towards 6th Ave, 5th Ave, Park Ave but you might find Murray Hill (East Side in the 30s) and Hell's Kitchen (West Side in the 40/50s) to be more residential with lots of eateries and bars. The best thing if you are "new" to New York is to reach out and have somebody that actually knows the city help you pick the right location based on your needs. This not only will improve your overall stay and experience in NYC but might also save you some money!

If you are interested in reading more about each Neighborhood, you can check our Neighborhood City Guide on our sister-website New York Welcome.

The TOP Events & Festivities in New York

The city has events and festivals throughout the year. Let's start with the most popular. If you are visiting NYC during one of these Holidays or Festivals, you will have even more things than usual to do!

TOP-9 Attractions in New York City

It's hard to select "only 9" attractions when it comes to NYC but here below we are listing 9 of the most popular ones. Those that at least once you should visit.

TOP-6 Museums in New York City

New York City has many Museums you can visit covering from Modern Art to Natural History. You can spend two to three weeks in the city just visiting museums. Let's see the 6 most popular ones.

Rooftops in NYC: The Best Views

One of the things that fascinates everybody, children & adults, New Yorkers & visitors, is the iconic City Skyline. You will see there are lots of ways to experience and enjoy the Skyline from cruises by the Bay to panoramic helicopter rides to panoramic restaurants and bars to the popular Observation Decks. Here below find the 4 Observatories now open in the city.

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Your Top NYC Questions Answered

How to Plan a trip to New York City

Let's ask Irene, New Yorker and resident Tour Guide. She will share with us some insights and tips on how to plan and execute a New York Vacation. 

How long should my trip to New York be?

I always say you can spend a lifetime in New York City and still have things left to see and experience. If time and budget allow it, I would recommend between 5 to 8 days to enjoy the city and take advantage of the many museums, attractions, and activities the city offers. It's enough time so that you can visit 2 or 3 museums, take part in a couple of activities and tours, and explore different neighborhoods without feeling overwhelmed and rushed. I've also seen people that come for only 3 days, especially those that come here often enough, and some that stay for 2 whole weeks to really experience NYC at a lower pace more like a local.

Where should I stay in NYC?

Depending on the budget and the "setting" you want to be in, NYC offers many options. Above we spoke about the different neighborhoods and what they offer. Personally, you would have to pay me to stay in Midtown near Times Sq. because (as for many other NYers) I have a love & hate relationship with that area. By all means, if you are here for a business trip or you simply prefer to be centrally located then I would suggest somewhere around 6th or 7th Avenue between 50th and 59th street. That way you will have equally easy access to Central Park and Times Square, and it's generally a nicer area, well-served by subway trains with some good restaurant options, albeit pricey. But if you like to "immerse yourself" in New York City then I would recommend looking into other areas. Try the Upper East / Upper West for the most residential ones, the West Village, Soho & Tribeca, Williamsburg (Brooklyn) for young & trendy vibes. In these neighborhoods, it's easier to find "local joints" and eateries that are loved by locals not only for the quality of their foods but also their prices!

Is it easy to get around New York City?

More to the point that you don't have to stay in Midtown to be "close" to everything -- NYC has a very extensive subway system that works 24/7. You can pretty much go anywhere hopping on a train. Generally, a ride will cost $2.75 but you can also get a weekly or a monthly unlimited pass that will allow you to use all public transports (subway, buses + tramway) as many times as you like. Depending on the "year" the subway is generally safe-ish but I always recommend practicing caution, stay alert and avoid to use it late at night especially to reach faraway neighborhoods or worst by yourself. Other ways I personally use and love to get around are -- ON FOOT because it's simply the best way to really experience NYC and with the FERRY. For the same price as a subway ride, you can hop on one of the many lines along the East River that connect the Bronx, Upper East Side, Queens, Midtown, Brooklyn, Wall Street, and even the Rockaways! Of course, the famous Yellow Cabs are always around and although you won't find a free one once it starts raining, between cabs and apps like Lyft, Uber, Via, etc, you can easily book a car. On average a ride could be between $15 - 25, of course, it depends on distance.

How much money should I budget for an NYC trip?

One thing for sure, NYC can be an expensive city for both locals and visitors. Especially if you are not familiar with how to get around, where to stay and what to do, you can end up spending quite a lot. However, if you plan ahead, and especially if you find the right deal for the Hotel, you can stay on budget and maybe even save some money. Flights aside, consider that Museums on average are between $15 to $25 and Attractions such as observatories, botanical gardens, zoos, or sightseeing cruises, etc. can go up to $35 to $55. Usually, Museums and Attractions offer some discounted rates for the military, seniors, students, and/or children. For Tours and Experiences consider a rate of $35-75 per person in a group setting or $60/75+ an hour for private guided services. So depending on how many things you want to visit & do you might spend from $50-100 to maybe $350-650 during a week-long vacation. It all depends on how many things you want to do and if you want private or group tours. For restaurants and food in general, as long as you avoid touristy places, you can find really good food that the locals love for $25-35 (lunch) and $35-55 (dinner.) Lots of places offer Prix Fix during Lunch Hours and Bottomless Brunches for $35-45 on the weekends. Generally, adult beverages are what brings up the check but you can try a Happy Hour to save on drinks. Let's talk about the Hotels. For decent accommodation (hotel or AirB&b,) I would consider between $175 to $275 a night. Note that we have a steep nightly occupancy rate so always add roughly 18% on top of the nightly rate to get an actual estimate on how much the room will cost. Of course, prices vary greatly, especially during the Holidays. If you are okay using public transportation, the unlimited weekly pass is $33. and you will basically be able to go everywhere in the city. Shows, Musical, and concerts can go anywhere from $55 to $250 per person based on the type of show and the season.

What things should I see first?

A lot will depend on what type of activities interest you the most. I would say at least once in a lifetime you should visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island because they are the very core and foundation of our City's and Nation's History. I always recommend one Observatory to enjoy the views, my favorite one is The Top Of The Rock for its central location guaranteeing great views of Central Park too. If budget allows, a Broadway Musical can be an incredible experience, and I would take a walking tour with a local guide, maybe of an off-the-beaten-path area, to get a better sense of the city not only historically but also culturally and socially.

What food staples should I try?

Some of the things you will only find in New York, or at least they taste better over here are - Bialys, Bagel and Pizza. Plus, if you love exotic cuisines, NYC has one of the most diverse food scenes in the country. You should really save some of your budget to try the different cuisines the city offer.

When it's the best time to visit NYC?

Are you more of a winter or summer person? Does the hot & humid bother you? Then forget July and August. Does the extreme cold temperature make you wish you could hibernate? Then Forget January and February. For milder temperatures mid-September to mid-October or mid-April to mid-May. I need to make a special case for December because the city decked out for Christmas is something else, you might encounter snow or you might even have milder temperatures, it's hard to predict but the atmosphere is so unique, yes, can be more expensive and crowded, but if you can come during the week, you might find lower rates.

What can I do if I'm traveling with kids?

The city has lots of activities for the little ones. From Museums such as the Intrepid and the Natural History to Zoos and the Botanical Gardens. A sightseeing cruise might also be a fun way to see a lot of sights without having to walk much. The city also offers many playgrounds especially in the parks and residential areas that can allow the little ones to run around and make new friends.

What are some suggestions to save money while visiting New York?

It's all about researching and planning smartly. For the Flights, try to use miles if you have some, or check websites like Skyscanner and see what's the best deal out there. Especially if you have flexible days do a +- 3 days search and they will tell you the cheapest day to travel, and sometimes one-way tickets with different airlines will actually make you save money. For the Hotels, if you have special rates because of affiliation or credit card rewards, etc. you can maybe save some money that way, but usually, it's all about finding the right deal at the right time. With the right combination of location, amenities, compromises, you can get close to what you want and save. For museums and attractions, some places do offer Free Admissions one day of the week, so you can take advantage of those or you can buy one of the Saving Passes that will allow you to visit multiple attractions at a lower rate. It all depends on what you want to do but generally -- Plan, plan, plan! And then once in the city, don't be a Tourist! Yes, you are visiting a new place but if you try to mix in with the locals, you will see how much you can save. I've never paid $20 for a Hot Dog and would refuse to spend $5 for a bottle of water. Keep in mind that if something is "touristy" it will be more expensive. Just a few blocks away, you might be getting the same thing, or better, for half the price. Plus, check what free events the city is running during your travel dates. For example, in the Summer, many parks run free "under the stars" movies, live Broadway shows and free music, or free yoga classes, etc.

What other cities/places can I visit from NYC?

NYC could be a great starting point for some amazing road trips. Whether you want to do daily excursions or rent a car and go, you have options! From the sandy beaches of Long Island and the Hamptons to the slopes and mountains of Upstate NY, from the capital Washington DC to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. From Boston and New England to down the East Coast to the Carolinas. Depending on time, budget, and preferences, you can build quite a trip from NYC.

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Most Popular Articles about NYC

If you want to dive more into exploring the city, you might be interested in reading these 3 articles. From how to score free museums, to traveling with kids and nailing the NYC Subway. These articles are found on our sister web-site New York Welcome. Over there you will have several articles to choose from including some talking about the best restaurants, gourmet cupcakes, how to choose the best Museum Pass, and many others.

We hope you will find this New York City Guide informative and helpful. Remember we are headquartered in NYC, if you need help planning your trip to the Big Apple, we are here to help!

ENJOY NEW YORK CITY!