New York City

USA

The city that actually never sleeps.

Updated: January 15, 2026

Map of New York City

Introduction & Vibe

New York City is defined by its density and its relentless pace. It is a city of 8 million people living on top of one another, creating an environment that is loud, fast, and fiercely competitive. It is not an easy place to be—it is expensive and demanding—but it offers a concentration of culture, ambition, and life that exists nowhere else. It is the "center of the world" because everyone here is pushing to be the best at what they do.

Why Visit?

Honestly, there's nowhere else like it. It's an iconic destination that you've likely seen in dozens of movies. No other city in the United States provides this level of quality across every category, available 24/7. Whether it is a slice of pizza, a jazz set in the Village, or a gallery in Chelsea, New York offers the absolute best version of it. The city demands a lot from you in terms of money and energy, but in return, it offers you the chance to create memories that will stick with you for years to come. It takes a certain kind of person to live here, but any kind of person can enjoy visiting.

Best Neighborhoods To Stay In

Midtown South Flatiron Union Square

Ideal for: Travelers who want central convenience but refuse to eat bad food.

If you want to be "in the middle of everything" without the soulless chaos of Times Square, stay here. Including neighborhoods like Flatiron and Gramercy, this area blends the commercial hustle of Manhattan with great dining, shopping, and parks. It is high-energy but feels like a place where real New Yorkers actually live and work.

Union Square Greenmarket: On M/W/F/Sat, this is the city's best farmers market. It's a perfect slice of local life.

Madison Square Park: Home to the original Shake Shack and incredible views of the Flatiron Building (which finally has its scaffolding down!).

Eataly Flatiron: A massive Italian food hall that is perfect for a quick, high-quality lunch or a glass of wine on the rooftop.

Rezdôra: A short walk away, offering some of the best pasta in the United States. Booking essential.

Safety: Generally safe, though the areas immediately around Penn Station and Union Square Park can attract some eclectic characters late at night. Stay aware.

Must-Try: Sitting in Madison Square Park with a burger, watching the dogs in the dog run and the sunset hitting the Flatiron Building.

Connectivity: Unrivaled. The Union Square station (4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W) gets you literally anywhere in minutes.

Walkability: High. You are a 15-minute walk from the Village, Chelsea, or the Empire State Building.

Airport Access: Easy access via the subway to transit hubs for both JFK and LGA.

Other neighborhoods to know

The aforementioned top 5 neighborhoods offer the best launchpad for a first-time visitor. New York is a massive city of countless neighborhoods, and you might see other names pop up that seem appealing. It's not that these other areas are "bad," but for a tourist trying to maximize their time and comfort, there are often better choices for a home base. Here's an honest take on a few other spots and why they aren't typically recommended for a primary stay.

  • Lower East Side
    Many love visiting the LES for its gritty vibe, amazing bars, and fantastic restaurants. However, that's exactly why it's not ideal for staying here. It's a party hub. On weekends, the streets are packed with bar-hoppers until 4 a.m., and it can be incredibly loud. It's a fantastic place to spend an evening, but a tough place to get a good night's sleep.

  • Hell's Kitchen
    It's super convenient, especially for the Theater District, and has a million restaurants. But it lacks a distinct soul or charm compared to other neighborhoods. It feels more like a functional, transient area than a real neighborhood. It's a great place to eat before a show, but it doesn't have the cozy, inviting character of Greenwich Village or the UWS for a home base.

  • Soho Little Italy Hudson Square
    SoHo is a world-class shopping destination with beautiful cast-iron architecture, but it's also a chaotic circus of tourists and shoppers, and the hotels are wildly expensive. As for Little Italy, it's mostly a single street of tourist-trap restaurants. You're better off visiting these areas for a few hours than trying to navigate the crowds and cost of staying there.

  • East Harlem (north)
    Also known as El Barrio, this area is culturally rich, with a vibrant Latin American heritage and some fantastic, authentic food. However, it's quite far uptown from most of the major attractions tourists want to see, meaning you'll spend a lot more time on the subway. While safety has improved massively, some parts can still feel a bit sketchy at night compared to the more central neighborhoods often recommended.

  • Midtown Times Square
    First-timers often book here thinking they need to be 'in the center.' The reality? It is a sensory endurance test. The LED billboards keep the area bright as day at 3 AM, the sidewalks are impassable due to crowds, and the restaurants are largely overpriced tourist traps. It is essentially a commercial theme park. Come here to see a Broadway show or snap a photo, then leave immediately to sleep somewhere that feels like a real neighborhood.

  • Bushwick (east)
    Bushwick is undeniably cool, and home to the Bushwick Collective, an incredible outdoor street art gallery. It's a great place to spend an afternoon exploring. But as a base, it's a step further out than Williamsburg and still feels very raw and industrial in many parts. The commute into Manhattan is longer, and the amenities for tourists aren't as developed as in other top Brooklyn picks.

People

New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude, but they're typically just efficient. They walk fast, talk fast, and don't have time for nonsense. If you're lost and ask for directions, they'll almost always stop to help, often with surprising detail and a dose of dry humor. You'll hear dozens of languages on a single subway car, a testament to the city's status as an international destination. The key is to be direct and confident; don't block the sidewalk, carry yourself with a sense of purpose, and you'll fit right in.

Top Highlights

  1. Go to Summit One Vanderbilt. Skip the Empire State Building line. The 'Summit' offers mirrored floors and glass elevators right next to Grand Central. It is the most immersive view in the city right now.

  2. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan for an unforgettable skyline view. Go early in the morning to avoid the thickest crowds.

  3. See a Broadway show. Use the TKTS booth for same-day discount tickets or try a digital lottery for cheaper seats.

  4. Spend an afternoon getting lost in The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Pick a few exhibits; you'll never see it all in one day.

  5. Catch the free Staten Island Ferry. It sails right past the Statue of Liberty and gives you fantastic harbor views without the ticket price of a formal tour. Be wary of anyone trying to sell you tickets for it; the ferry is genuinely free.

  6. Explore a neighborhood on foot with no agenda. Greenwich Village or the brownstone blocks of the Upper West Side are excellent choices for wandering.

Food Scene Highlights

The food in New York is a highlight in itself. You can find literally anything here, at any price point. The must-try experiences are often the simple ones: a classic New York slice of pizza (fold it!), a warm bagel with lox and cream cheese, and a pastrami sandwich piled high from a classic Jewish deli like Katz's. You can get a fantastic cheap meal from a street food cart for under $10, or you can splurge on a world-class tasting menu. Don't be afraid to just wander into a random neighborhood joint; you'll often find some of the best meals that way. You should know that New York City relies heavily on the reservation system though. If you really want to try a specific place you will likely need to reserve it well in advance. People typically use apps for this like OpenTable or Resy. Alternatively, you can book directly with the restaurant. For popular resturaunts, it's not unusal for the "regular" dinner hours spots to be reserved months in advance. You can try your luck with a walk-in but be prepared to give a phone number and be told to expect a text possibly within a few hours.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure can feel outdated because much of it is. The subway is a marvel of public transportation for US standards and offers fantastic utility. However, it often sees delays, can be dirty, and is confusing for first-timers. Still, it remains the best way to get around. Performance metrics for NYC Transit in the first half of 2025 showed overall improvements in on-time performance and reduced delays for both subways and buses. Above ground, you'll find great cell service and Wi-Fi almost everywhere, except for some dead spots on the subway. Power is reliable, and air conditioning is a summer lifesaver. The city is constantly under construction, a sign of its perpetual motion, but navigating sidewalk sheds (the scaffolding) and dealing with detours is part of the daily experience.

Accommodations

Brace yourself, because accommodation in NYC is expensive, really expensive. A decent, mid-range hotel in Manhattan can easily set you back $250-400 a night, but rates can surge to over $400, especially during fall and the holiday season. For luxury, the sky's the limit. Staying in neighborhoods like the Lower East Side or across the river in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) or Long Island City (Queens) often offers better value and a more local vibe, with just a short subway ride into Manhattan. Airbnbs are heavily restricted following Local Law 18 in 2023, making hotel options generally more reliable. Book far in advance, especially for trips in the fall or spring, and always check the hotel's "resort fee," which can add a hefty, unexpected charge to your bill.

Ready to book something? Try the booking tool on the map above to speed up your search.

Getting There

International travelers usually fly into JFK. A yellow cab to Manhattan is a flat fare of $70 plus surcharges and tip (expect $100+ total). The AirTrain ($8.50) to the subway ($2.90) or LIRR is the cheapest, traffic-proof option.

However, if you are flying domestically, LaGuardia (LGA) is now the best airport in the city following its massive renovation. While it has no train, the free Q70 "LaGuardia Link" bus picks you up curbside and drops you at the Jackson Heights subway station (7, E, F, M, R lines) in 15 minutes.

Newark (EWR) in New Jersey is also a solid option for those staying in Midtown or Downtown, accessible via NJ Transit trains to Penn Station.

Warning: Do not rent a car. Parking is nonexistent, and the Congestion Pricing toll (active below 60th St) will cost you ~$15/day just to exist there

Getting Around

The subway is the lifeblood of the city. The best way to pay is with OMNY, a contactless payment system where you just tap your credit/debit card or phone at the turnstile. A single ride costs $3, effective August 2025. The system runs 24/7, but service can be sparse late at night. The OMNY system automatically caps your weekly fares at $35 for unlimited rides in a Monday-Sunday period. Above ground, the city is incredibly walkable, especially in Manhattan with its grid system. When walking becomes too much, the bus system, which uses the same OMNY payment, is a solid alternative. Citi Bike, the bike-sharing system, is also a great way to see the city, especially for cruising through Central Park or along the waterfront. A taxi ride is still a viable option in a pinch but usually not the best choice compared to the other options we just mentioned.

Safety

New York is generally a safe city for tourists, especially in the areas you'll likely be visiting. 2025 marked the safest year ever for gun violence in the city's recorded history. The subway system also recorded its safest year since 2009 (excluding the pandemic), with major crime declining by 4% and shooting incidents dropping by over 60%. Traffic safety also saw historic gains, with the fewest fatalities ever recorded (down 19%). However, the sheer number of people means petty crime like pickpocketing is a risk, so keep your wits about you in crowded places like Times Square and on the subway. Despite historic lows in violent crime, youth violence has seen a rise as a percentage of overall crime. Regarding terrorism, New York City remains a significant global target, and authorities maintain a high level of vigilance with sophisticated counterterrorism programs. Tourists should remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity. Beyond direct criminal threats, be prepared for nuisance encounters. Aggressive panhandling can be common, especially near transit hubs. In high-traffic tourist areas like Times Square and Central Park, you may encounter "fake monks" trying to give you a "free" bracelet and then demand a large "donation," or "CD guys" trying to hand you a music CD and then aggressively solicit money. Costumed characters in Times Square often demand tips if you take their photo. Never hand your phone to a stranger, especially if they offer to take your photo or process a payment via Venmo/Zelle. Also, avoid anyone offering "Uber" or "taxi" services outside official airport taxi lines or the app itself, as these are often unregulated and overpriced scams. Despite these points, the NYPD maintains a substantial presence in tourist-heavy locations, aiming to ensure public safety.

Dealbreakers

This section provides observations about practical realities in New York City so you are not surprised when you show up. Because knowing what to expect can be the difference between a genuinely good trip and a nightmare. So, if any of these things are deal-breakers for you, consider doing some more specific research about your concern before you book anything.

The Assault on Your Wallet is Real

New York is punishingly expensive, and your budget needs to be realistic to the point of pessimism. The "dollar slice" of pizza has left the chat; expect to pay $4–$6 for a standard slice now. A single cocktail will routinely set you back $22–$25 plus tip in much of Manhattan. Even a basic coffee can easily cost $6. For transportation, a 7-day unlimited MetroCard is now effectively $35 with OMNY, but that's just the start of your daily costs. Underestimate your daily spending, and you'll find yourself compromising on the experiences you came for.

A Full-Contact Sensory Experience

New York operates on a different sensory level. During the summer, the smell of hot garbage piled in black bags on the sidewalk is a signature city aroma, often mixed with the scent of street food and stale subway air. Many subway stations, particularly in the summer heat, have a distinct and often overpowering smell of urine and dampness. The noise is constant and unavoidable. The average street noise level hovers around 73 decibels—akin to a coffee grinder—and is punctuated by sirens, construction, and car horns that can spike to 90 decibels or more. There's no truly quiet place. A small respite can be had in Central Park in the quiet zones but for the most part, you'll be surrounded by noise and smells. It's part of the expereince honestly.

Personal Space is a Luxury, Not a Given

With a population density of nearly 75,000 people per square mile in Manhattan, physical closeness is unavoidable. On sidewalks, you'll be navigating a constant stream of people walking with purpose; stopping abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk is a major breach of local etiquette. On the subway during peak hours, expect to be packed in so tightly you won't have room to check your phone. It's the functional reality of moving millions of people through a confined space. If you easily get overstimulated this might be a challenging city for you.

Nuisance Encounters & Persistent Scams

While serious crime against tourists is rare, be prepared for a constant low-level assault on your patience from various street-level hustles. In areas like Times Square, Battery Park, and even parts of Central Park, you're liable to encounter aggressive individuals. This includes people dressed as famous characters demanding money for photos, "fake monks" pressing "free" items into your hand and then demanding donations, and "CD guys" trying to get you to take their music and pay. These interactions can be persistent and uncomfortable, detracting from your experience if you don't know how to firmly disengage. Ignoring them and continuing to walk is generally the best approach. Other global tourist cities suffer from similar issues so if you've already had some expereince with this then it won't be too much of a shock. We found it worth mentioning here though just so you know what to expect.

When to Visit

  • 🌸
    Spring

    Spring is a fantastic time to visit. The city shakes off winter, the cherry blossoms pop, and everyone's mood seems to lift. The weather is perfect for walking, but pack layers as it can be unpredictable.

  • ☀️
    Summer

    It gets hot, humid, and crowded. The city has a vibrant energy with outdoor concerts and street fairs, but be prepared to sweat. The subway stations, in particular, can feel like a sauna.

  • 🍂
    Fall

    Another perfect season. The air is crisp, the humidity is gone, and the fall foliage in Central Park is stunning. It's a popular time, so book flights and hotels in advance. The energy of the city heading into the holiday season is palpable.

  • ❄️
    Winter

    Can be brutally cold, but also magical. The holiday decorations in December are iconic for a reason. January and February are the cheapest months to visit if you can brave the cold and potential snow.

Sample Itinerary

  • Day 1: Midtown Icons. Start at Grand Central Terminal, then walk up to Bryant Park and the New York Public Library. Brace yourself for Times Square (it's something to see... once!), then catch a matinee or head up Top of the Rock for sunset views. End the day with a pre-theater dinner in the Theater District.

  • Day 2: Downtown & Brooklyn. Take the subway to the Financial District to see the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Oculus. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to the DUMBO neighborhood for classic photos and a well-deserved lunch at a pizzeria. Explore Williamsburg in the afternoon.

  • Day 3: Culture & Relaxation. Spend the morning at a museum—The Met or the American Museum of Natural History are my top picks. In the afternoon, rent a Citi Bike or stroll through Central Park. Finish the day by exploring the charming streets, shops, and jazz clubs of Greenwich Village.

Packing List

  • Comfortable Shoes: This is non-negotiable. You will walk more than you think is possible. Bring a stylish but supportive pair for day and another for evening You might even want to bring a few bandages incase you get a blister.

  • Portable Power Bank: Between navigating with maps, taking photos, and looking up subway routes, your phone battery will drain fast. A power bank is a lifesaver. You probably already knew this but we thought we'd remind you anyways.

  • Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated and save money. You can refill it at your hotel and various public fountains. The tap water is perfectly safe and tastes great.

  • Crossbody Bag or Secure Tote: A bag you can keep in front of you is much better for navigating crowds and keeping your valuables safe on the subway than a backpack.

  • Hand Sanitizer (Clip-on): The subway poles are grimy. You will touch them. Sanitize after so you don't get the ick.

  • Versatile Outfits: Sometimes you won't have time to go back to the hotel to change before dinner. Bring clothes that work for a museum and a nice bar. Don't be afraid of over-dressing, people gernally dress nice in this city so you won't stick out like a sore thumb.

FAQs

Absolutely! New York City has some of the best quality tap water in the country. Save money and plastic by bringing a reusable bottle and refilling it. Some even say this is why the pizza tastes so good, because of the tap water. Is it true? Who knows, but its a good story.

Tipping is a huge part of the culture as service workers rely on it. For a sit-down restaurant meal, 18-20% is standard. For bartenders, $1-2 per drink is customary. Tip taxi drivers 15-20% and hotel housekeeping a few dollars per day.

NYC can be as cheap or expensive as you make it. For a budget traveler, I'd plan for $80-120 a day excluding accommodation, by eating street food and visiting free attractions. A mid-range budget would be closer to $180-300 per day.

It depends entirely on your plans. If you're a first-timer planning to hit many of the big, expensive attractions in a short time, then yes, they can save you a lot of money. Do the math beforehand to see if the attractions you want to visit are included and if it adds up in your favor.

The combined city and state sales tax in NYC is 8.875%. This is added to the price of most goods and restaurant meals, so the price you see on the tag isn't the final price. Unprepared clothing and footwear under $110 are exempt from some of these taxes.

The best ways are digital lotteries (through apps like TodayTix), in-person rush tickets (lining up at the box office when it opens), or visiting the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day discounts. Be flexible with what you want to see!

For a first trip, staying in Manhattan is convenient for its proximity to major sights. However, staying in neighborhoods like Williamsburg or Long Island City can be cheaper, offer amazing skyline views, and provide a more local feel while still being a quick subway ride away.

They are notoriously hard to find. Your best bets are public parks, large train stations (like Grand Central), department stores (like Macy's), museums, and food halls. Don't be shy about popping into a Starbucks or a hotel lobby, but it's polite to buy something small.

It's simple: let people off the train before you get on, take off your backpack if it's crowded, don't hog the pole, and offer your seat to the elderly, pregnant, or disabled. Also, move into the car, don't block the doors!

Stand on the street corner and stick your arm out confidently. A cab is available if the numbers on its roof light are lit up. If the light is off or only the 'off-duty' sign is lit, it won't stop for you. While many people use Uber/Lyft now, hailing a cab is still a classic experience.

How-To Guides

The subway is your key to the city. Here's how to tackle it:

  1. Payment is Easy: Forget the old MetroCard. Just use OMNY, the tap-to-pay system. Tap your contactless credit/debit card or smartphone on the reader at the turnstile and you're in. The fare is $3 as of August 2025. The system automatically caps your weekly fares at $35, so you'll never pay more than the cost of a 7-day pass in a Monday-Sunday period.
  2. Navigate with an App: Use Google Maps or Citymapper. They give you real-time train arrivals and tell you exactly which train to take (e.g., "Uptown 6 train") and where the entrance is.
  3. Local vs. Express: This is crucial. Local trains make all stops. Express trains only stop at major stations (marked with a white circle on the map, while local stops are black). Your navigation app will tell you which one to get on.
  4. Uptown vs. Downtown: Platforms are usually signed "Uptown & The Bronx/Queens" or "Downtown & Brooklyn." This just refers to the direction of travel. Uptown is north, Downtown is south.
  5. Etiquette is King: When the train arrives, stand to the side of the doors to let people get off before you try to board. Inside, if it's crowded, take off your backpack. It's a small thing that makes a huge difference.

Tipping isn't optional here; it's an expected part of compensation for service workers. It can be confusing, so here's a simple cheat sheet:

  • Sit-Down Restaurants: 18-20% of the pre-tax bill is the standard. If service was exceptional, 22-25% is great. For a quick calculation, I just double the tax amount shown on the bill, which gets you close to 18%.
  • Bars: $1-$2 per drink if paying in cash, or 18-20% of the total tab if paying with a card.
  • Taxis/Rideshares: 15-20% of the fare. Most apps will prompt you to add a tip at the end of the ride.
  • Coffee Shops/Counter Service: This is more discretionary. I usually leave $1 in the tip jar or add a small tip if prompted on the screen, especially if I have a complicated order.
  • Hotel Staff: Tip the bellhop $1-2 per bag. For housekeeping, leave $2-5 per day on the pillow or desk with a note.
  • Tour Guides: A good guideline is $5-10 per person for a half-day tour.

Seeing a Broadway show is a must, but it doesn't have to break the bank. You can use these methods to score deals:

  1. TKTS Booth: This is the classic method. There are locations in Times Square and Lincoln Center that sell same-day tickets for a wide range of shows at 20-50% off. You have to be flexible, as show availability changes daily. I recommend the Lincoln Center location as the line is usually shorter.
  2. Digital Lotteries & Rush: Many shows run a digital lottery, which you can enter online or through an app like TodayTix. If you win, you can buy heavily discounted tickets (usually around $30-50). General Rush tickets are sold in-person at the theater's box office on the day of the show, first-come, first-served. Get there before the box office opens.
  3. Go to the Box Office: Sometimes, the simplest way is the best. By going directly to the theater's box office, you avoid the hefty online service fees, which can save you a good amount of money.
  4. See an Off-Broadway Show: Don't sleep on Off-Broadway! The quality of these productions is incredible, the tickets are much cheaper, and the theaters are more intimate. It's where many hit shows get their start.

Navigating payments in NYC is pretty straightforward, but here are some tips:

  • Cards are King: Credit and debit cards (especially contactless) are accepted almost everywhere. You'll rarely need cash, except for small purchases or for tipping.
  • Contactless is Key: From the subway (OMNY) to coffee shops, tapping your card or phone is the fastest way to pay.
  • Carry Some Cash: Keep $40-50 in small bills ($1s, $5s, $10s) on hand. It's perfect for tipping, buying from a street cart that might be cash-only, or for emergencies.
  • Inform Your Bank: Before you travel, let your bank and credit card companies know your travel dates to avoid having your card flagged for fraud and frozen.
  • Sales Tax: Remember that the price on the tag is not the final price. The 8.875% sales tax is added at the register for most items and services.

Resources & Further Reading

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I've made this guide with every attempt to be as accurate as possible; however, the world is a dynamic place, so there is a chance that something here needs updating. If you've spotted something in this guide that could use an update, please let me know! Your feedback helps tremendously. Alternatively, if you found something super helpful or you have a great tip to add, I'd love to hear that too!

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