New York, NY Travel & Vacation Guide

What to Know

Even if it’s your first time visiting New York, chances are you’ve seen images of this famous city on TV or in movies or you’ve read about the city in novels. It is, after all, the city to which so many immigrants fled in hopes of a better life and today is still the iconic city where multi-millionaires, struggling actors and a melting pot of diverse ethnicities converge. A complex metropolis oozing a vibrant energy and cosmopolitanism, New York is so large and multifaceted that it can practically satisfy every desire and interest. While New York offers an array of amazing tourist attractions, the real heart of the city lies in the neighborhood hangouts, ethnic restaurants, funky museums, Off-Broadway productions and so much more.

Manhattan is considered "the city", and boasts endless entertainment, dining, shopping and cultural destinations, from Broadway musicals and world-class art museums to shopping in SoHo and lunching in Little Italy. Throughout the boroughs, there are hundreds of distinct neighborhoods, each with a definable history and character all its own. The working-class neighborhood of Brooklyn has become a hip enclave known for its diverse dining options and independent art scene. It also features a long beachfront area that is home to the famous Coney Island. The Bronx is the birthplace of rap and hip-hop culture and home to the beloved Yankee Stadium. Queens is largely residential and also home to the New York Mets.

Whatever the ‘hood, New York is best experienced on foot so bring some comfortable shoes (you can always pick up some Manolos at Barney’s for that night on the town). Don't even think about renting a car--parking is scarce and traffic almost always horrendous. Fortunately, subways and taxis are available at almost every street corner.

One can sample almost any type of cuisine imaginable from around the globe. From the four-star Manhattan French bistro Jean Georges to dim sum parlor Golden Unicorn in Chinatown, New York is a city where any foodie would find endless gastronomic pleasures. Street food is legendary in New York, and tourists should not leave the city without sampling a New York hot dog (try Katz’s Deli-location of the famous diner scene in "When Harry Met Sally"), pizza (nosh on a pie at Lombardi’s Pizzeria) and bagel (sample one of the doughy delicacies at H&H Bagels).

Where to Go

The possibilities are endless and quite frankly overwhelming, but these locales are what many consider the essential New York attractions and experiences. Start with the city icons. Take in some of the hemisphere’s most spectacular views atop the Empire State Building. Next, take a tour of the Rockefeller Center, home to the famous Radio City Music Hall and many shopping and dining locales. Don’t miss the Top of the Rock observation level, which offers more incredible view of the city skyline. Can you visit the Big Apple without seeing the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island? No way! The ferry departs from Battery Park every 25 minutes and stops at Liberty and Ellis Islands.

You can't leave New York without seeing Central Park. Take a walk, boat or horse-drawn carriage ride through this scenic escape from New York’s cement jungle.

Nightlife choices are plentiful in the city that never sleeps. Check out the new Times Square, revamped from its seedy past, offering themed restaurants, theaters, hotels and neon signs galore. Most of the city's clubs, bars and lounges are downtown. Many small rock and new-music venues are in the East Village and Lower East Side. Jazz fans should head to Greenwich Village.

At least one Broadway show is a must. For the Broadway novice, there are Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, with the former being the big blockbusters and the latter being the smaller, independent productions. Do some research before arriving and buy tickets in advance.

When to Go

New York is a city constantly booming with entertainment options, so there really isn’t a "bad" time of year to visit. However, the best weather tends to be in spring and early fall, as summers can be extremely hot and humid (with temps frequently in the 90s) and winters very cold (temps commonly in the 10s to 30s).

That being said, New York is one of the most magical places to visit during the holiday season if you can handle the icy temps. From the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade to ice skating at Rockefeller Center, the energy of the holiday season in New York is incredible. Be aware, however, that hotel prices go sky high, and the city is very crowded.

If you don’t mind sweating, summer in the Big Apple does have its perks. Free concerts ranging from Mozart to rap and free theater ranging from Shakespeare to performance art take place in parks all over the city. The JVC Jazz Festival comes to town in June. The Mets play Shea Stadium; the Yankees play Yankee Stadium.