New York metropolitan area
Everything you need to know before you go.
New York is intense and loud. It is the right place for people who want world class museums and food from every single country. The vibe is fast and aggressive. You will spend most of your time walking or riding the subway. If you dislike crowds or high prices, this is not the trip for you.
Start in Manhattan. Walk the High Line or go up the Empire State Building. For cheap eats, get a bacon egg and cheese from a bodega for $5 or a pizza slice for $4. If you want a real meal, go to Katz's Delicatessen for a pastrami on rye, which costs about $30. Explore the West Village for smaller streets or head to Astoria in Queens for Greek food.
Budgeting is the main challenge. A basic hotel in Midtown often costs $300 or more per night. A subway ride is $2.90. Spend a few hours at MoMA or the Met to see the art. If you need a break from the noise, spend an afternoon in Central Park.
Sightseeing Summit One Vanderbilt - Get a mirrored view of Midtown from the top. $45, 2h. The High Line - Walk the elevated rail trail through Chelsea. $0, 2h.
Food & Drink Joe's Pizza - Get a plain cheese slice on Carmine Street in Greenwich Village. $5, 0.5h. Katz's Delicatessen - Eat a pastrami on rye in the Lower East Side. $30, 1h.
Outdoor Nature Central Park - Relax at Sheep Meadow. $0, 3h. The Palisades - Hike the cliffs overlooking the Hudson River in New Jersey. $0, 4h.
Nightlife Village Vanguard - Listen to jazz in a small basement room. $40, 2h. Comedy Cellar - Watch a standup set in the West Village. $25, 2h.
Cultural The Met - See the Temple of Dendur on the Upper East Side. $30, 4h. MoMA - Look at the Starry Night painting in Midtown. $30, 3h.
Shopping SoHo - Browse the boutiques and stores along Broadway. $0, 3h.
Day Trips Cold Spring - Take the Metro North train for hiking and antique stores. $30, 8h.
Budget The Jane - West Village. $150-$250/night. Tiny cabins that are cheap for such a great spot by the waterfront. Pod 51 - Midtown East. $120-$220/night. Small rooms but you are walking distance to everything.
Mid-range Arlo NoMad - NoMad. $300-$500/night. The floor to ceiling windows give you a great view of the Empire State Building. Freehand New York - Flatiron. $250-$450/night. Good mix of style and comfort near Madison Square Park.
Luxury The Carlyle - Upper East Side. $1,200-$2,500/night. It is the gold standard for old school New York elegance near Central Park. The Aman New York - Midtown. $2,500-$5,000/night. Huge rooms and an incredibly quiet environment in the middle of the city.
Restaurants Joe's Pizza, $4-$10, Pizza, Greenwich Village. Get a plain cheese slice. Katz's Delicatessen, $20-$40, Jewish Deli, Lower East Side. Order the pastrami on rye. Via Carota, $30-$70, Italian, West Village. The Cacio e Pepe is worth the wait. Le Bernardin, $200-$500, Seafood, Midtown. Try the tasting menu. Polo Bar, $150-$300, American, Midtown. Get the steak and a martini.
You have three main airport options: JFK, LGA, and EWR.
For flights, prices vary. From LAX, expect to pay $300 to $600 round trip. From Chicago or Miami, it is usually $150 to $300 if you book a few weeks early.
Getting to the city center depends on where you land. From JFK, the cheapest way is the AirTrain to Jamaica Station and then the E or J subway line. It costs about $11 and takes 60 to 90 minutes. A taxi or Uber costs $70 to $100 plus tolls and tips, and can take two hours in traffic.
From LGA, there is no train. A taxi or Uber costs $40 to $70 and takes 30 to 60 minutes. You can take a bus to the subway for about $11, but it takes over an hour.
From EWR, take the AirTrain to the NJ Transit station and get a train to New York Penn Station. This costs about $16 and takes an hour. A car costs $60 to $100.
If you are coming from nearby cities, Amtrak is the easiest bet. From Philadelphia, it is a 2 hour trip and costs $20 to $100. From DC, it takes 3.5 hours and costs $50 to $150. From Boston, it is 4 hours and costs $40 to $120. Driving takes about the same time, but parking in Manhattan is expensive, often $40 to $70 per day.
Once you arrive, stay in neighborhoods like the West Village or Astoria. For food, get a pastrami on rye at Katz's Deli for about $25 or a $5 slice at Joe's Pizza. A classic bagel with schmear is usually $4 to $7.
For sightseeing, walk the High Line or visit the Met, where tickets are $30. If you want a view of the skyline, go to Summit One Vanderbilt for around $45.
Spring (March to May) May is the sweet spot. The weather is mild, usually between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Crowds are manageable and prices for hotels in neighborhoods like the Upper West Side settle around 250 to 400 USD per night. Visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to see the cherry blossoms. Avoid March. The city is often gray, rainy, and filled with dirty slush.
Summer (June to August) July and August are peak months. It is hot and humid, with temperatures often hitting 85 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the most expensive time to visit. Hotels in Midtown can easily exceed 500 USD per night. The humidity makes walking difficult. If you visit now, stick to air conditioned spots like the MoMA or grab a cold slice of pizza in the Lower East Side for 5 USD. June is a better alternative as it is slightly cooler and less crowded.
Fall (September to November) October is the absolute best time to visit. Temperatures are crisp, ranging from 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The foliage in Central Park is great for walking. Prices are high but the weather makes it worth it. Time your trip for the Village Halloween Parade on October 31 to see the city at its most eccentric. November is decent, but avoid the week of Thanksgiving. The crowds become overwhelming and hotel rates spike.
Winter (December to February) December is peak season. People flock to see the Rockefeller Center tree and holiday windows on Fifth Avenue. It is expensive and crowded. January and February are the months to avoid. It is freezing, usually between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind tunnels between skyscrapers are brutal. If you do visit in winter, head to Katz's Delicatessen in the Lower East Side for a hot pastrami sandwich, which will cost you around 25 to 30 USD.
Quick Summary Best months: May and October. Worst months: August (heat) and February (cold). Budget tip: Stay in Long Island City instead of Manhattan to save 100 to 200 USD per night on hotels.