New York is a wonderful city, but it is also really easy to be overwhelmed by it. There is so much to do that it’s almost impossible to be bored. This also means it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start. I’ve now been to New York six times and I still feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
This post is not an exhaustive list of everything I have done over these visits. It is instead what I recommend to have a great experience whilst ticking off some guidebook classics. Whether you are a first-time or returning visitor looking for an unforgettable experience this best-of New York City guide will help you plan your trip.
If you want something a little different, then my posts on Roosevelt Island or the Upper East Side will guarantee you a great day out. If you’re looking for a guide that’s broken down by day, this is the best day by day guide to New York I’ve found.
Table of Contents
How to prepare for your trip to New York
Plan your time in New York
This might seem obvious, but when I go abroad I often don’t make an overall plan – I have an idea of things I might like to do, but take each day as it comes.
This does not work in New York.
The city is so spread out, you need to either give yourself a theme (art, history, shopping or theatre for example) and plan an itinerary around these or choose areas of New York to focus on and build from there. I’ve tended to take the second approach however it does mean it took me five visits to get North of the Met and to the top of Central Park.
Book in advance
This will help you stick to a timetable and guarantee you are not disappointed. We found that so many museums and experiences need you to book in advance to some extent – it can be on the morning you want to go, for later that day, but it’s increasingly difficult to just turn up.
On my first trip I bought a New York City Pass, and it was brilliant for the top tourist attractions.*
Set a clear budget for your visit
Like many large cities, New York is expensive. It’s really easy to spend $100 a day without really trying.
Below are some indicative costs (based on my 2024 trip) and remember tax and tips are always added to list prices.
- Airport Transfer via Uber Transit: $18
- Morning Coffee: $4.50 – $6
- Breakfast from Whole Foods / similar grocery store: $10 per person
- Museum or experience entry: $25-40 per museum
- Lunch in Pret / Whole Foods: $20
- Dinner in a mid-range restaurant: $35 per person without alcohol, $50 per person with alcohol (casual dining or fast food will be $20 – 25) – this includes service.
- Subway: $2.75 per journey (likely you will need one journey per day minimum)
On the first trip I found a city pass* was the most cost effective way of seeing things. It is worth looking at if your prefered attractions are covered in it. If they are, then you will save money with it.
Get comfy shoes
There is no way around it, in New York you will walk a lot, and quickly. You might want to wear those killer heels or pointy pumps to look great in photos. It will be the worst decision you can make. I have always found fugly and supportive is best for New York: these Hi-Tech sandals are the ones I used in the Summer and they were brilliant as they also dried quickly when the rain poured down.*
Plan where you stay
New York is enormous. This means that it is absolutely vital to think before you book and to properly research where you are staying. NOT doing this is how I ended up in a gorgeous but out-of-the-way apartment in Brooklyn. I mean it was STUNNING, but it was at least a 30-minute walk from anything apart from the public library and really, it was a 20-minute MTN ride to anything in Brooklyn I wanted to see.
I have stayed at the following New York hotels. None of these are high luxury or spectacular but have always done me well. As you’ll see I’ve often opted for lower Manhattan. There are a few reasons for this : it is a bit cheaper as it isn’t by the park or where the shows are but you can still access these easily. It is also near where my old office was (big factor on work trips) and is easy to get to Brooklyn and New Jersey.
- Hilton Garden Inn Manhattan Financial District*
- Hilton DoubleTree Financial District (downtown)*
- Hilton MidTown (near Central Park and Times Sq)*
- Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza (FWIW whilst this was the most convenient of the Hilton Hotels I have stayed been to in NYC from a tourist attraction POV, it was the most expensive and least clean)*
- Holiday Inn Express Wall St*
- Sheraton Tribeca*
- Air B’n’b Brooklyn (apartment no longer listed)
Bookmark the MTN website
The appeal of chasing down a yellow taxi to recreate scenes from Sex and the City is countered by the time it takes to get anywhere in one. The traffic is super-heavy in New York to the point I am not sure why you would drive in the city when the subway is so good.
Bookmark the MTN website and you’ll be on your way.
A side note on the Subway: each entrance goes to a specific platform, each exit to a specific road. You need to check before you take the stairs if you’re going to the right line, in the right direction.
What to do when you visit New York City
Explore New York’s History
It will surprise no one that this is for me what would make a really unforgettable trip. New York (originally New Amsterdam) was one of the earlier areas “discovered” by European explorers. It was apparently discovered by explorers from Florence. Manhattan was apparently purchased in 1626 from Lenapie Indian and Brooklyn was purchased in the 1630s.
New York is a city built on immigration and the city has many homages to it from the famous to the less well-known. The different neighbourhoods give you an opportunity to experience different cuisines.
If you’re looking for a couple of books to read about the history of New York, to get a flavour before you go, I would recommend:
- Island of Vice by Richard Zacks*
- Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe (ok, this is pan-USA, but understanding the Sacklers and the opioid crisis is important to understand America today)*
Visit Ellis Island
The best-known historical museum in New York is of course Ellis Island*. It was opened after five boroughs were consolidated to become New York City. It is where people who arrived on ships were processed between 1892 and 1924 (from 1924 – 1954 it was only people with paperwork issues who were processed there). It is one of the world’s most iconic centres of immigration. The Ellis Island website claims that in excess of 12 million people were processed in the time it was open.
The experience at Ellis Island is exceptional. It carefully curates and builds the journey immigrants would have experienced. Visitors can see luggage and re-live the intergenerational tensions between different migrant communities. You can even order the same meal in the canteen as people would have eaten when arriving. I decided not to chance this one. You can also look up family members who entered the US through the Island. If you strike gold, it is really easy to print off their arrival records. We were able to use these to find where Anna’s grandfather had lived in NYC as a baby. Very cool.
Ellis Island tours come with a stop at the Statue of Liberty. Liberty island is ok, but not the main thing for me. Too many people taking selfies for my liking.
Tip: pre-book Ellis Island and try and opt for an early crossing. Because of how the boats are scheduled, getting to Ellis Island before 10am ensures a more relaxed experience.
See how migrants lived at the Tenement Museum
This image may not be one that would usually sell you on going to a museum. That is what is so special about the Tenement Museum. It’s a converted apartment building that you can only access through a guided tour. The apartments have been been painstakingly refurbished based on first-hand memories. This means each reflects how multiple generations of migrant families in the early twentieth century lived. You choose which tour, and therefore which family’s story to follow through the hour you are in the apartment (or tenement).
Tip: as the tours are popular, yup you guessed it, it’s best to book in advance!
9/11 Memorial and Museum
The 9/11 Museum is one of the most harrowing I have ever been to. Sobering doesn’t even begin to cover it. If you are old enough to remember 9/11 the museum will take you back to that moment when you heard where you the news. The museum is curated to be emotive. You are taken through voicemail messages from people who were in the twin towers. It combines these with damaged fire engines and so many shoes that have been recovered from the wreckage. Think about the number you have under your desk, then multiply this by thousands. One thing that comes through from this museum is how raw 9/11 still is for so many.
Tip: it is best to book your ticket in advance as the museum does sell out.*
Have a drink at the Stonewall Inn
New York is the home of PRIDE. The first Pride took place in New York in 1969 and was actually a protest against a police raid on the bar. These were very common at the time. The Stonewall Inn has become iconic as the riots represented a turning point in LGBT+ history. Today it lives on as a relaxed bar and a tribute to those who fought so hard for equality.
Spend an afternoon on Roosevelt Island
The Island is named after America’s longest-serving President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It is located in the East River and has a fascinating history. For example it was the place where people with Smallpox were sent until a vaccination was developed. It is also accessible via a really cool cable car.
Experience some exceptional food
The thing about New York, as you would expect is it is expensive to eat out. This does not mean you need to go hungry. The joy of the city is that yes you can pay hundreds of dollars a night to eat. Or, you can choose not to.
Explore one of New York’s Food Markets
As with many cities, food markets are popping up in New York every time you blink. The Vanderbilt Market near Grand Central is conveniently located and will not break the bank. Equally the Chelsea Market has some of the best tacos I have ever eaten.
Grab a slice of Pizza
I always think Pizza is something I should have explored more in NYC. However, the Pizza I have eaten has always been exceptional. The place which really sticks out is Stretch Pizza. It has 3 locations in the city and is frankly exceptional.
Tick off the New York guidebook classics
We used the Lonely Planet guide to NYC – so this is a literal ticking off!*
Wander through Central Park
Central Park is one of those places in New York that you think will take an hour to “tick off”, but you can easily spend a day there.
I’ve never done the horseback ride through the park. To be honest, I feel sorry for the horses and it feels like a total waste of money. But I have wandered there many times and even cycled through it. In the park you will find the tribute to John Lennon, and it is surrounded by some of the most famous museums in the city such as the Met and the Guggenheim. The wonderful thing about Central Park is how it makes you feel as if you are not in a city. The air suddenly gets cleaner, people slow down and there are entertainers, artists and food trucks for all.
In the summer there is also a range of concerts and plays that take place in the park. It also borders the famous Upper East Side, which is a brilliant place to spend a day.
Take in the lights of Times Square
Confession time. I HATE Times Square. It’s crowded, smelly and there isn’t really much there. Well except adverts and apart branches of shops which are on every corner. And they are much more enjoyable to visit almost anywhere else.
HOWEVER, it is a must-see for first-timers.
One of my friends asks me every time I go to send her a video of me singing “New York, New York” in Times Square. I try and blame my bad singing but it’s really because it makes me so grumpy. Just go, even if it’s just so you can decide to not go again.
Celebrate the best of Broadway at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
A 1950s style diner, packed with American classics, where you can enjoy highlights from the best musicals on Broadway.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is an unashamed tourist trap. You will be unlikely to find a New Yorker anywhere near the diner but that does not matter one iota. The food is average (I had chicken and waffles) but the entertainment is top dollar. You cannot book Ellen’s in advance, so you need to allow time to queue. We waited about two hours. It was worth every minute.
Grab a Bargain at one of New York’s outlet stores
The shopping in New York is brilliant and there are many ways to bag a bargain. My best purchase is still my $28 Levis from Century 21. I also know tales of $20 Kate Spade bags on Black Friday and $100 Louboutons. The vintage scene is also exceptional for those who love a rummage.
260 5th Avenue has a revolving guest sample sale, when we were there last Bally was occupying the space, but they have a huge selection of brands and also have some multi-brand sales.
Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th Avenue are well-established outlet stores in the US. I got a cracking Marc Jacobs bag in Nordstrom Rack for $170.
Bask in the beauty of the city
Explore New York’s Art Deco architecture
New York is the pinnacle of art deco architecture due to its rapid expansion in the 1920s and 1930s. Originally known as “Jazz Moderne”, art deco is characterised by its sleek elongated figures that are combined with classical influences (hence the use of cherubs in so many renderings).
In Manhattan, there are opportunities in almost every neighbourhood to see authentic or recently renovated art deco buildings. The Art Deco Society of New York offers free self-guided walking tours and will help you understand the architects and the buildings in the city.
Enjoy New York’s iconic skyline
There are many places and ways you can take in the splendor that is the New York Skyline. It is a quite overwhelming and imposing set of skyscrapers. You will feel as if you know them from the first glance.
By water is by far the best way to see the skyline, and if you go to Ellis Island you get an exceptional view of the city. It does not however give you the beauty of the skyline at night. For this, the best view is on the Staten Island Ferry. It runs every 30 mins until 11pm, it’s free of charge and takes about 25 minutes. The other way to see the city is through a rooftop bar (we went to 230 fifth – incredible) or a viewing platform. Top of the Rock is meant to be incredible.
Walk New York’s High Line and immerse yourself in street art and sculpture
The New York High Line is built on the disused “West Side Elevated Railway” (completed 1934 and was disused by the 1980s). It brings together street art, music, culture and food over a 1.5 mile (ish) walkway that takes you through Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Midtown Manhattan and the Meatpacking District. Spearheaded by Friends of the Highline, the regeneration has bought a new leisure area to the city.
The first section opened in 2009 and it has grown in sections since then. The most recent section opened in 2023. It is a community interest area and public park.
One of the wonderful things about the High Line is the multiple access points. As it spans more than twenty blocks this is a blessing. It means you can dip in and out of the high line. One of the best places to tap out is the Chelsea Food Market which is exceptional.
There are of course a range of walking tours that will take you through the high line and explain the sights.
*This post contains affiliate links, if you use one to make a purchase, I will get a small commission at no cost to you. Please note, I only link to things I have done and would do again.
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