Welcome to New York City
New York City is one of the most visited places in the world—and for good reason. The city’s diverse population makes it a cultural capital for art, music, food, and much, much more.
New York City is one of the most visited places in the world—and for good reason. The city’s diverse population makes it a cultural capital for art, music, food, and much, much more.
New York City is one of those rare cities where every season has unique attractions:
Summer weather means the perfect time to walk the Brooklyn Bridge, or even take a visit to the iconic Coney Island.
Chilly fall temps bring the changing foliage; renting a car for “leaf peeping” upstate is a great way to experience the Hudson Valley.
Winter activities center around the holiday season, with the legendary Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and skating rink topping travelers’ lists.
Spring thaw is an ideal time to experience the blooming trees of Central Park or even the Highline, if you can catch a break between rain showers.
Walking: New York is a great walking city and relatively straightforward, given each borough’s numbered streets and grid layouts. Exploring by foot is ideal in the bustling neighborhoods with great shops, restaurants, and cafes tucked away in the city’s many corners.
Subway: New York is big, which means walking to and from destinations may not always be feasible. That’s where the city’s subway comes in. Single-fare tickets on the many different subway lines can bring you to virtually any part or borough and runs around the clock.
Taxi: New York is known for its famous yellow taxis. They are easy to flag down by waving your hand (look for taxis with the roof light on for vacancy). Uber and Lyft have large networks in New York, so if you are looking for a guaranteed ride, then apps are a safe bet.
New York City is known for its wealth of fun dive bars and legendary pizza slice shops. No matter which attraction or neighborhood you end up visiting, there’s a good chance you are within walking distance to a notorious NYC establishment. If you’re walking the Williamsburg Bridge, or exploring Chinatown, you can’t miss 169 Bar—a local favorite adorned with leopard prints, color lights, palm trees, and a hits-only jukebox.
A trip to Times Square isn’t complete without stopping by Joe’s Pizza on Broadway. Originally a Greenwich Village shop, Joe’s went on to expand to multiple locations throughout the city—and for good reason. The owner has been at it since 1975, slowly perfecting the art of the slice, landing Joe’s on numerous Top 10 lists in a competitive pizza city.
Alex is a writer with deep family roots in NYC. Having grown up just outside the city, he became familiar with all of the food and culture the city has to offer, including the outer boroughs. His favorite pizza slice is the square from L&B Spumoni Gardens.
get oriented. There are a lot of visible landmarks in New York that will help you explore by foot without a map.
begins with brunch followed by a trip to one of New York’s amazing museums. Saturday nights in New York are more bustling than usual, so make sure you’re rested before heading out for evening festivities.
Central Park truly is a thing of beauty. Walk around in the middle, and you’d be stunned to find out you’re still in one of the busiest cities in the world.
get lost. Start walking. No map. Let all the things in between shine through. You’ll find your way back when you’re ready.
you can’t beat the view from the top of the Empire State Building, but the Manhattan Bridge offers a pretty spectacular view from the other side.
New York City is much more than Manhattan and Williamsburg. Head north to discover the Bronx, or even east into Queens, which is one of the most diverse areas in the world.
During a first-time trip, explore New York on foot. The best way to see the city is to walk, to slow down and explore street by street. Travel between destinations by subway and then explore neighborhoods on foot. Additionally, don’t miss the chance to see the skyline from above at landmarks like the Empire State Building or One World Observatory.
...MoreTimes Square is the most visited place in New York City. This Midtown landmark is where annual New Year’s Eve celebrations are held and where the city’s most impressive billboards can be found. This area is also home to many Broadway theaters, hotels, restaurants, and bars.
...MoreDon’t miss exploring New York beyond the sights. Yes, go to the top of the Empire State Building and visit the Statue of Liberty, but also get lost in the winding streets of the West Village, linger over Greek food in Astoria, discover the city’s many green spaces, and engage with New Yorkers at restaurants, bars, galleries, and shops.
...MoreThe list of activities in New York is practically endless. Rent bikes in Central Park, sip cocktails at a rooftop bar, see dinosaur bones at the Museum of Natural History, go sailing on the Hudson River, visit the Union Square Farmer’s Market, catch a Broadway play, people watch on the subway, try a variety of restaurants, and much more.
...MoreYes, it is safe in New York City. Visit New York and you will find streets that are well lit and locals who are willing to help with directions. As in any city, use common sense when it comes to keeping cash and wallets zipped away. At almost any time of day, New York offers safety in numbers on the subway and in the city streets.
...MoreYes and no. The island of Manhattan is one of five boroughs that make up New York City, along with Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx. But you are correct to say that you are in New York City when you are in Manhattan, and these terms are often used interchangeably.
...MoreLocals are spoiled for choice when it comes to fun in NYC. New Yorkers love to eat and drink, and there is always a new and exciting restaurant or bar opening somewhere. Locals spend time in green spaces like Central Park, visit galleries and museums, shop at the farmers market, ride their bikes, and generally bring a sense of exploration to their ever-changing city.
...MoreEach New Yorker may have a different answer. But some of the prettiest places in New York City include Central Park, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, the charming streets of the West Village, the piers and paths of Riverside Park, and the New York Botanical Garden.
...More