Top places to visit in New York City

• National September 11 Memorial & Museum

  memorial · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Twin reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with an underground museum documenting the 2001 attacks. Memorial plaza is free; museum ticketed.

• The Cloisters

  Museum · about 1.5 h · entry $30 (≈ ₹2,860)

  Branch of the Metropolitan Museum devoted to medieval European art, in Fort Tryon Park.

• Central Park

  urban-park · 4.8 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Iconic 843-acre landscaped park in the heart of Manhattan with lakes, meadows, the Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge and the Central Park Zoo.

• Times Square

  landmark-square · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Dazzling commercial intersection and entertainment hub known for its giant LED billboards, Broadway theaters and round-the-clock energy.

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art

  art-museum · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest art museum in the Americas, with over two million works spanning 5,000 years on Fifth Avenue along Central Park.

• Brooklyn Bridge

  bridge · 4.8 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Historic 1883 hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge spanning the East River; its elevated pedestrian walkway offers classic skyline views.

• American Museum of Natural History

  natural-history · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the world largest natural history museums, famous for dinosaur fossils, the blue whale model and the Hayden Planetarium.

• Statue of Liberty

  monument · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Iconic copper neoclassical statue on Liberty Island, a gift from France in 1886 and symbol of freedom. Accessible only by ferry; pedestal and crown require advance reservation.

• Empire State Building

  observation-deck · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  102-story Art Deco skyscraper completed in 1931, with observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors offering sweeping views of Manhattan.

• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

  art-museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  World-renowned modern and contemporary art museum housing works by Van Gogh, Picasso, Warhol and Monet, including Starry Night.

• The High Line

  elevated-park · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · free entry

  Elevated linear park built on a former freight rail line, running 1.45 miles through Chelsea with gardens, art installations and city views.

• Grand Central Terminal

  transit-landmark · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Beaux-Arts railway terminal opened in 1913, famed for its celestial-ceiling main concourse, four-faced brass clock and dining concourse. Free to explore.

Things to do

• Broadway Show Ticket Show · 2.5 h · from USD 120 per person
• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Ferry Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from USD 32 per person
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket Sightseeing · 1.3 h · from USD 40 per person
• Manhattan Skyline Sunset Cruise Cruise · 1.5 h · from USD 49 per person
• Greenwich Village Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from USD 75 per person
• Central Park Bike Rental & Tour Cycling · 2 h · from USD 50 per person
• Empire State Building Observation Deck Ticket Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from USD 44 per person
• Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from USD 39 per person

Day trips and tours

• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Half-Day Tour 5 h · from USD 65
• Brooklyn: DUMBO & Brooklyn Bridge Day Tour 4 h · from USD 49
• Hudson Valley & Sleepy Hollow Day Trip 9 h · from USD 159

Where to stay in New York City

• Midtown Manhattan about USD 350 per night

  Central and walkable, close to Times Square, Broadway and major transit. Great for first-timers who want to be in the thick of it, but pricey and crowded.

• Lower Manhattan / FiDi about USD 280 per night

  Financial District: quieter at night, modern hotels, near the 9/11 Memorial, ferries and the Brooklyn Bridge. Good value vs Midtown and well connected by subway.

• Upper West Side about USD 260 per night

  Leafy, residential and family-friendly, bordering Central Park and the Museum of Natural History. Calmer pace, good restaurants, slightly cheaper than Midtown.

• Greenwich Village / SoHo about USD 320 per night

  Charming low-rise streets, boutique shopping, nightlife and dining. Trendy and central but boutique hotels here command a premium.

• Williamsburg, Brooklyn about USD 200 per night

  Hip Brooklyn neighborhood with skyline views, indie cafes, breweries and a strong food scene. Best value of the lot; one subway stop from Manhattan.

Hotels

• The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park 5-star · USD 900 to USD 3,000 per night
• The Plaza Hotel 5-star · USD 800 to USD 2,500 per night
• The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel 5-star · USD 450 to USD 1,200 per night
• CitizenM New York Times Square 4-star · USD 220 to USD 400 per night
• The William Vale 4-star · USD 280 to USD 550 per night
• Refinery Hotel 4-star · USD 250 to USD 480 per night

Where to eat

• Katz's Delicatessen American, Deli, Jewish · about USD 35 per person
• The Halal Guys Middle Eastern, Halal, Street Food · about USD 11 per person
• Joe's Pizza Italian, Pizza, Fast Food · about USD 8 per person
• Lombardi's Pizza Italian, Pizza · about USD 28 per person
• Los Tacos No. 1 Mexican, Tacos · about USD 14 per person
• Peter Luger Steak House American, Steakhouse · about USD 110 per person
• Levain Bakery Bakery, Dessert · about USD 7 per person
• Xi'an Famous Foods Chinese, Noodles · about USD 12 per person

Getting to New York City

Airport: New York, La Guardia (LGA), New York, Newark (EWR)

How visitors arrive in New York City

• Flights into JFK, Newark or LaGuardia By air · common

  JFK is the main international hub; Newark and LaGuardia also serve the city, with rail or bus links into Manhattan. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Amtrak to Penn Station By train from Boston, Washington DC · common

  Amtrak services including Acela and Northeast Regional arrive at Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• AirTrain JFK to subway or LIRR at Jamaica

  AirTrain JFK links the terminals with Jamaica station, where the E, J and Z subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road continue toward Manhattan. Check you board the right LIRR train. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• AirTrain Newark and NJ Transit to Penn Station

  AirTrain Newark links the terminals to Newark Airport rail station, where NJ Transit trains run to New York Penn Station. NJ Transit tickets are not valid on Amtrak. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Select Bus Service from LaGuardia unconfirmed

  LaGuardia has no rail link. The Q70 LaGuardia Link bus connects the terminals with the subway at Jackson Heights and the LIRR and subway at Woodside in Queens. Source: metroairportnews.com

• Licensed taxi from JFK

  Licensed taxis from JFK go to Manhattan on a flat fare. Ignore people approaching you inside the terminal or outside arrivals, including those claiming to be your ride-hail driver. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Decline drivers who approach you outside arrivals, even if they say your ride was cancelled; use the official taxi line or your app. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Bus

  MTA buses run local routes prefixed by borough (B, Bx, M, Q, S), with express and Select Bus Service routes added on top.

• Metro

  The subway runs through every borough except Staten Island, linking Manhattan with Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

• Ride Hail useful for some trips

  Rideshare apps are an option in New York City alongside taxis, including for getting from LaGuardia airport into Manhattan.

• Taxi

  Yellow medallion taxis can be hailed on the street and charge by meter; boro taxis cover street hails in the outer boroughs and northern Manhattan.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Costumed character tip demand

  Times Square

  People dressed as Elmo, the Statue of Liberty, superheroes etc. pose for photos with tourists, then aggressively demand $20 or more in tips.

  How to avoid it: Agree on a price or decline before any photo is taken. A $1-2 tip is plenty; you are never obligated to pay.

• CD / mixtape hustle

  Times Square, Battery Park, near attractions

  Performers hand you a "free" CD or get you to sign or hold it, then demand cash payment and surround you to pressure you.

  How to avoid it: Do not accept anything handed to you on the street. Keep your hands in your pockets and walk away; you owe nothing.

• Fake monks / bracelet scam

  Times Square, High Line, Central Park entrances

  People in robes posing as monks place a beaded bracelet on your wrist or hand you a "gold" trinket, then demand a donation.

  How to avoid it: Decline firmly and do not let anyone put anything on you. Genuine monks do not solicit cash on the street.

• Unlicensed taxi / overcharge

  JFK and LaGuardia airport arrivals, Times Square

  Touts approach arriving travelers offering a "taxi" at a flat inflated rate, or drivers take long routes or claim the meter is broken.

  How to avoid it: Only use the official yellow-cab taxi line or a booked app. JFK to Manhattan is a fixed $70 flat fare plus tolls and tip; insist on the meter elsewhere.

• Ticket / tour touts

  Times Square, near ferry terminals and observation decks

  Street sellers push overpriced or invalid "tickets" and bus tours, sometimes for attractions that are actually free.

  How to avoid it: Buy tickets only from official websites, box offices or reputable operators. Many sights (Staten Island Ferry, parks) are free.

Best time to visit New York City

• Jan 4°C
• Feb 4°C
• Mar 7°C
• Apr 12°C
• May 17°C
• Jun 22°C
• Jul 26°C
• Aug 26°C
• Sep 23°C
• Oct 17°C
• Nov 12°C
• Dec 7°C

More in United States

• Los Angeles
• Las Vegas
• San Francisco
• Orlando
• Miami
• Chicago

Frequently asked questions about New York City

What are the top-rated places to visit in New York City?

The highest-rated places in our New York City guide are National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Bridge, American Museum of Natural History.

Where should I stay in New York City?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in New York City: Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan / FiDi, Upper West Side, Greenwich Village / SoHo.

How do I get around New York City?

Ways to get around New York City covered in our guide: City bus, Metro, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.

What scams should I watch out for in New York City?

Scams reported to us for New York City include Costumed character tip demand; CD / mixtape hustle; Fake monks / bracelet scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in New York City?

Average daytime highs in New York City run from 4°C in Jan to 26°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to New York City?

The nearest airport to New York City has the code JFK.