Top things to do in New York
Attractions, tours and activities in New York
Recommended museums in New York
Where to discover culture and the arts in New York
New York: the city's best neighbourhoods
Find a great area to stay in New York
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Lower Manhattan
3.4 miles from city centre
Lower Manhattan – also known as ‘Downtown’ – has a complex fabric of energetic neighbourhoods. Visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, located at the World Trade Center at Ground Zero. Nearby, you’ll find the legendary New York Stock Exchange. As night falls, the bars and restaurants of Soho, Tribeca and the Lower East Side are electric.
Places to stay from £33 per night
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Tribeca
3.8 miles from city centre
From farming community to gritty artist enclave in the 1960’s, today’s Tribeca is one of the city’s most exclusive addresses – and home to many celebrities. Hudson River Park and Washington Market Park provide Tribeca’s lungs, while the areas gastronomic delights provide the heart. Tribeca hosts the annual Tribeca Film Festival in Spring.
Places to stay from £65 per night
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SoHo
3.2 miles from city centre
The bohemian origins of this neighbourhood ‘South of Houston Street’ have given way to gentrification – the charming cobbled streets are now lined with boutiques, trendy cafes, restaurants and a range of eclectic art galleries. Celebrity and supermodel sightings can’t be avoided, so it’s a great place to mingle with the famous and fabulous.
Places to stay from £60 per night
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Chelsea
1.9 miles from city centre
Chelsea retains many of its 19th century landmarks. You’ll find eclectic art galleries hidden amongst the rows of townhouses. The High Line Park – which runs along a defunct elevated railway line – is popular with locals. Chelsea Piers is a massive sports and entertainment complex, while Chelsea Market is loaded with gourmet food shops.
Places to stay from £46 per night
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Midtown
1 miles from city centre
A midtown hotel is the perfect launch pad to New York City’s ‘Big 5’ – the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre, Times Square, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the New York Public Library. Cultural connoisseurs should head to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), take in a show at Carnegie Hall or find inspiration at the American Folk Art Museum.
Places to stay from £20 per night
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Upper West Side
1.3 miles from city centre
This is the city’s epicentre of arts, culture and academia. You’ll find the impressive Cathedral Church of Saint John in Morningside Heights and the American Museum of Natural History – plus 60 blocks of theatres and restaurants. On weekends, walk the 4-mile strip of Riverside Park, or dine at one of the trendy cafés with outdoor seating.
Places to stay from £32 per night
About New York
Including tips for the best time to visit New York
New York City is somewhere that feels familiar before you even visit. Countless films and TV shows are shot here, so when we see the trademark yellow taxi cabs, the hot dog vendors or the dazzling lights of Manhattan, there's a strange sense of déjà vu. It's also home to what is arguably the world's most famous skyline, dominated by the Art Deco marvel of the Empire State Building. Constantly reinventing and setting new trends in fashion, food and art, the city is also a major hub for finance and trade, with the famous Wall Street at its core.
The city is split into the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island, and each has its own unique character. Manhattan Island is home to the trendy neighbourhoods of Greenwich Village and SoHo, while Brooklyn features a Botanic Garden, the New York Aquarium and the famous Coney Island. A ferry from Battery Park to Ellis Island offers a great opportunity for some incredible views of the city, before reaching the fascinating Immigration Museum. You'll also sail past the iconic Statue of Liberty, with plenty of time to snap photos from all angles.
The city's Broadway shows are second to none, with a variety of major musicals proving the pick of the bunch. The giant green oasis of Central Park offers a perfect spot for a peaceful stroll, as well as featuring lakes, theatres and ice-skating rinks.
New York is served by three major airports: JFK, Newark Liberty International and LaGuardia, with public transport options available at each one.
Tonight
From £181 per night
This weekend
From £603 per night
Next weekend
From £494 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October–December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
| Local currency | US$10 = £7.99 |
| Language | |
| Average weekend price | £178 per night |
| Average weekday price | £190 per night |
| Typical stay | 3 nights |
Points of interest in New York
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in New York
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Times Square
0.7 miles from city centre
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Empire State Building
1.4 miles from city centre
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Madison Square Garden
1.4 miles from city centre
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Metropolitan Museum of Art
1.2 miles from city centre
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Brooklyn Bridge
4.4 miles from city centre
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Rockefeller Center
0.7 miles from city centre
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Statue of Liberty
6.3 miles from city centre
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Solomon R Guggenheim Museum
1.6 miles from city centre
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Yankee Stadium
5.2 miles from city centre
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Herald Square
1.2 miles from city centre
New York reviews
What other travellers say about New York
I loved the museums and the amount of things to do, but the...
1 May 2024
I loved the museums and the amount of things to do, but the smell of urine in the city was not nice. People take their dogs to pee on everything because green space is limited at best. I saw many homeless and that seemed to be the norm for a big town like this. I also have to note that marijuana is legal and people stand on the street and smoke it. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed with the smell everywhere of different things, but it is a big city. Transportation in the subway was great and easy to follow but you better be in shape because it is a ton of stairs and walking. I couldn't get to understand the bus situation but would have liked to. The city never sleeps and I found that hard to adjust to, they honk their horns every second and often. I am from a large city and the honking is really a New York thing. We ate at a place called Norma, it was Italian, and very good. If you cannot find food in New York then you are not looking. There is all different types of food on every block and its very convenient. I enjoyed how the places to eat mostly had outside seating and I enjoyed sitting and taking it all in. China Town had the best food in my opinion and it was inexpensive. I never got to Central Park so next time I would like to do that.
beautiful city!
30 April 2024
beautiful city! If you have the time to visit, go. Be sure to bring good walking shoes because you walk a lot... I recommend that you learn the subway system. since this saves a lot of money and time. visit all the wonders they have. Time Square, The Statue of Liberty, 911 Ground Zero, Empire State Building and many more things.
Fifth visit to NYC, and the first time having a long walk...
30 April 2024
Fifth visit to NYC, and the first time having a long walk around Central Park . Made the most of subways visiting The High Line, Citi Field , Brooklyn and Staten Island. Plenty of boutique shops around Midtown. Can be busy so pre plan any tourist spots you want to hit. Not really for those who just want to sit back and relax.
It was great , very exciting , It is quite expensive though...
29 April 2024
It was great , very exciting , It is quite expensive though and a lot of people trying to sell you trips etc but that is understandable . There is a lot of entertainment and quite safe to walk around at night . Do not drive , there is a lot of traffic. We went to the Star light restaurant , it was amazing you have singing waiters and waitresses ,they were very good, we loves it there. Westway restaurant was also great , a lot of variety to eat there and priced reasonably . Avoid the Hilton Time Square , it is under renovations and the staff there , (Kenny) are not very helpful or friendly . We also went to Central Park, very beautiful ,and there is a lot happening there , we loved it there .
We loved the Oculus, its beautiful and clean.
28 April 2024
We loved the Oculus, its beautiful and clean. The Eataly was fun to walk around and our meal there was delicious. Our server was fun and friendly! The 9/11 Memorial & Museum was very good, so interesting. Central Park is always beautiful and fun to visit. MJ the Musical was the highlight of our trip, so fun!
Great options for shopping, restaurants and all types of...
27 April 2024
Great options for shopping, restaurants and all types of entertainment- never boring and always different each visit ❤️. Subway makes it so easy to get around and great walking city too. Don’t go to the Russian Tea Room - complete rip off - worst high tea ever!
Popular places to stay in New York
Stay in some of the best accommodation New York has to offer
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1600ft TriBeCa Townhouse - Luxury & Spacious Manhattan, New York
From £1,694 per night
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PH 1, Luxury 4 Bedroom Apartment Near Radio City Musical, NYC Manhattan, New York
From £1,593 per night
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Crosby Street Hotel Manhattan, New York
From £887 per night
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The Wall Street Hotel New York City Manhattan, New York
From £429 per night
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The Hotel Chelsea Manhattan, New York
From £397 per night
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