When to Go
Best Time to Visit
April–June, September–November. Mild temps, lower humidity than July–August, Central Park at its best. December has holiday magic but cold.
Daily Spend in USD
Budget
Budget
$100/day
Mid-range
$250/day
Luxury
$700/day
New York is expensive. Free museums (the Met by donation, MoMA on Fridays) and slice pizzas keep budget days possible.
With Kids
Family Travel
Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, Broadway shows (Aladdin, Lion King). Coney Island for older kids.
Together
Couples Travel
Rooftop bars, brownstone walks in Brooklyn Heights, jazz at the Village Vanguard.
On Your Own
Solo Travel
Built for solo — anonymity is a feature. Stay in West Village or Williamsburg.
Food
What to Eat
- Pizza. Joe’s on Carmine for slices, Lucali (Brooklyn) for whole pies.
- Bagels. Russ & Daughters or Ess-a-Bagel — toasted is sacrilege.
- Deli Sandwich. Katz’s pastrami — get it on rye with mustard.
- Brunch. A Sunday institution. Jack’s Wife Freda or Sadelle’s.
- Halal Cart. The Halal Guys on 53rd & 6th — chicken over rice, white sauce, red sauce.
Transportation
Getting Around
Subway 24/7. Walk for short hops. Yellow taxis or Uber for late nights.
Get an OMNY contactless card (or use your phone). Avoid the Subway 7 line during a Mets game.
Where to Base Yourself
Neighborhoods
- Manhattan. Central Park, the icons, the tourists.
- Brooklyn. Williamsburg for food, DUMBO for the Manhattan skyline shot.
- West Village. Brownstones, narrow streets, Sex and the City filming locations.
- Queens. Most diverse food in the country — Flushing for Chinese, Astoria for Greek.
What to Know
Safety
Generally safe; awareness on late-night Subway. Manhattan is genuinely the safest part.