NEW YORK.

New York City is the epicentre of many things. Be it art, culture or cuisine that you’re interested in, New York City has it. Art buffs will be delighted by the Met, MoMA or the Guggenheim, just to name a few art-world icons that you can find in NYC. Urban wanderers will get a chance to completely lose themselves in the crowds of Chinatown or to admire the traditional atmosphere of the Upper West Side. Those who crave wild entertainment will get their share of thrills once the sun sets – illuminated by skyscrapers, New York City offers all kinds of culture, high and low. From rock shows in Williamsburg to ballet, indie cinema, poetry, burlesque and improv comedy, the Big Apple never fails to deliver. The diversity doesn’t end there – New York City lets you try every cuisine in the world, and no dish is too rare for it. Be it locally sourced or foreign, from Wagyu beef to “dollar-slice pizza,” New York City has it all. Hungry for more? Hit some of the most famous sights in the world – stand atop the Empire State Building, admire the Statue of Liberty from a ferry or go jogging in the Central Park!

New York Money Saving Tips

Money Saving Tips

Best Period to Visit New York

Best Period to Visit New York

Accomodation Tips for New York

Accomodation Tips

Getting Around New York

Getting Around New York

Top 10 Things to See and Do in New York

Top 10 Things to See and Do in New York

Other Things to See and Do

Other Things to See and Do

Money Saving Tips

Buy a weekly transit pass

Exploring the New York City with a yellow cab is great, considering how iconic these taxis are, but the prices quickly start to add up. It’s nearly impossible to get anywhere for less than $10 with a taxi, so do as New Yorkers do and use the public transportation with a weekly transit pass, which works wherever MTA cards work, including the subway and buses.

Stay away from the centre

Yeah, we know – this advice works for every place ever, but that doesn’t change how accurate it is. Big, flashy places like Times Square, Broadway, and Central Park are as expensive as they are appealing, so it’s not unreasonable to at least dine outside them. The same is true for accommodation, with Brooklyn or Queens being the cheapest boroughs.

Hunt for the cheapest Broadway tickets

A cheap place to get Broadway tickets is the TKTS in Time Square, but there are some equally attractive alternatives. Their South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn branches are certainly an option, given the shorter lines. Alternatively, you can try the ticket lottery or the rush tickets. Rush tickets are given away right after the box office opens, but they are limited. The lotteries, on the other hand, happen 1.5 – 2 hours before the show – head to the ticket office to participate!

Admire the Statue of Liberty … on a budget!

The Statue of Liberty is without a doubt one of the most iconic sights in New York, and one of the most popular too. This popularity makes the queues rather long, but there is a way to avoid them entirely. Admire the Statue of Liberty from a boat’s deck! The Staten Island Ferry, running 24/7, is entirely free. It runs between Whitehall and Staten Island. Alternatively, New York Water Taxi’s run daily from Wall Street’s Pier 11 to IKEA Brooklyn. It costs $5.

Cut your food expenses with Dollar Slice

We can’t think of a cheaper way to eat in New York than the Dollar Slice. If you’re a pizza buff, then this is a solution for you. As the name implies, one slice of pizza is exactly $1. If you can’t find any Dollar Slice near your location, the average cost of a pizza slice elsewhere is around $3, which is still pretty low.

Look for Lunch Specials

With lunch being the biggest meal of the day in New York City, the specials are common all around the city. It is especially sushi stands that offer the biggest discounts for lunchtime, but if you look around, you can find all types of food in promotional quantities and prices.

Take the opportunity of Free or Suggested Admission Museums

New York is famous for the amount of impressive, displays-packed museums. However, the cost of exploring them adds up quickly. To save money and still be able to get your fill of museum exploration, check each museum for a free or suggested admission. For example, The Museum of Modern Art has Free Fridays between 4 and 8 PM, and The American Museum of Natural History offers about $16 suggested admission.

$5 Yankees tickets – yes, it’s possible!

When in New York, you just have to watch baseball at least once. The famous Yankee Stadium is, therefore, a real must-see. However, tickets aren’t exactly cheap … unless you know where to look for them! First of all, fans can resell tickets, so that’s one option for looking for discounted tickets. An even better alternative are the ticket specials – Mastercard holders were able to get tickets for as low as $5 in 2017!

Best Period to Visit New York

Tourism

New York City is equally attractive regardless of the season, as each offers a unique set of interesting events. The city is the most crowded around Thanksgiving when it is flooded by visitors for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. April to June and September to early November is when the city is far from empty, but not overwhelmingly packed with tourists.

Weather

From May to October is when the weather can be considered good, although in July and August the city may be considered too hot, with around 28°C high in July. From November to March, the New York City gets colder, with the coldest month being January, when it averages at -4°C.

Money

January and February are the cheapest months for visiting the New York City – you can expect substantial accommodation discounts in these months.

Events

St Patrick's Day Parade (March)
Easter Parade (April)
Burt's Bees Earth Day (April)
Ninth Avenue International Food Festival (May)
Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit (May)
Belmont Stakes (June)
NYC Pride March (June)
Shakespeare in the Park (June)
Metropolitan Opera in the Parks (June–July)
July Fourth (July)
New York International Fringe Festival (August)
New York Film Festival (September-October)
Haunted Halloween Carnival (October)
New York City Marathon (November)
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (November)
Lighting at Rockefeller Center (November)

Accomodation Tips

Apartments

Those of you who value privacy and freedom should consider renting an apartment instead of staying in a hotel. While this option might be a bit more expensive, it also depends on the length of your stay – families of four or five, wishing to stay in New York City for a bit longer, may find it cheaper to just rent an apartment for around $1.400 a month.

Budget (1-2 star) hotels

New York City offers a wide choice of budget hotels to ensure that everyone can find comfortable yet affordable accommodation. Prices for these hotels start around $70 per night. They are usually located in the less-popular areas of the city, and further away from the popular tourist attractions.

Standard (3-4 star) hotels

Standard or mid-range hotels can be found all across the New York City. These 3-4 star hotels in New York City offer a satisfactory level of service and comfort for a reasonable price. Their location is not quite bad either – they are usually located near the touristy spots of the city. Prices for these hotels start around $80 per night.

Luxury hotels in New York

The Big Apple offers some of the finest hotels in the whole world. If you’re after unmatched service, excellent location, and impressive facilities, then the 5-star hotels in New York City will surely not disappoint you. Their prices start around $400 per night.

Getting Around New York

Bicycle

New York City features hundreds of miles of well-kept bike lanes, and they are constantly adding more. Worry not if you’re traveling without your bike – the bike-sharing network City Bike is extensive and efficient. There are hundreds of bike-sharing kiosks located all around the city, in convenient and clever spots. Short-term rental is reasonably priced, which makes the Big Apple a really bike-friendly city.
City Bike offers 24-hour, and three-day access passes, which cost around $12 and $24 respectively. Those can be purchased at any of the network’s kiosks. After the purchase, a five-digit code is given to you, which can be used to unlock the bike. Within the timeframe of your pass, you’re allowed to make unlimited 30-minute-uses of bikes (longer rental adds to the cost). To return the bike, leave it at any station and insert your credit card – you won’t be charged extra – and follow the prompts.
For the bike routes and bike lanes check NYC Bike Maps, or grab a free map at most of the bike shops around the city.

Boat

Boats are a part of the New York City, and no visit to this city is complete without taking a ferry at least once. There are various ferries operating on the waters surrounding the Big Apple:
• NYC Ferry operates in the East River, linking Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. A ride is only $2.75, plus $1 if you want to bring your bicycle on board.
• NY Water Taxi has distinctive, yellow boats with a Hop-on-hop-off service. It offers stops around Manhattan (Pier 79 at W 39th St; World Financial Center and Pier 11 near Wall St), Brooklyn (Pier 1 in Dumbo) as well as a ferry service between Pier 11 and IKEA in Red Hook. An all-day pass costs $35, which makes it more appropriate for sightseeing than transport.
• Staten Island Ferry offers bright orange ferries which are entirely free to use. The Staten Island Ferry operates between the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island and offers a majestic view of the city and the Statue of Liberty.

Subway

The New York subway system is efficient, cheap and fast. What’s not to like? It is probably the best way of moving around the city if you want to be quick and don’t have time for sightseeing. Additionally, it offers free Wi-Fi in all underground stations.
One ride costs $2.75. It’s worth mentioning that the whole system has been renovated and looks much cleaner, and feels safer than it used to back in its worse days.
It is important to keep in mind that the rules for subway schedule change on weekends when some lines combine, some get removed, and some stations get skipped. Check www.mta.info for exact weekend schedules to avoid confusion.

Tickets & Passes

• MetroCard – It’s good to purchase the MetroCard (sold at all kiosks in subway stations) for 1 dollar and then load it with credit of at least $20. This ensures you won’t find yourself in a situation where you don’t have any money to get back home. Alternatively, you can buy a 7-Day Unlimited Pass for $32.
• Single Ride – for a single subway or bus ride one has to pay $2.75.

Top 10 Things to See and Do in New York

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is a necessity for any tourist – the museum is so massive that you want to make sure to cover the whole thing, so you do not miss any of the beautiful paintings, sculptures, and seasonal displays.

Top of the Rock Observation Deck

A gorgeous spot for anyone to see New York City in all of its majesty, with high elevation revealing the whole landscape. Pay a visit to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, which provides a great view of the NYC skyline with as much as three floors of viewing decks.

Big Bus New York Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour

Many visiting tourists prefer a professional tour guide than wandering around on their own, and this is exactly where the big buses of New York City come into play with their fixed-rate passes and more than thirty stops to admire the city.

The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The visit in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum might be a little weighty and sorrowful, but is in an important part of the American history and is a worthwhile stop on your journey which retells the tragic story in detail.

Staten Island Ferry

A tranquil and relaxing ferry trip, which is sure to provide a quiet retreat for any tired individual. The ferry cruises between the St George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island and the similar terminal in Lower Manhattan, providing 25 minutes of calm sightseeing.

Statue of Liberty

Visiting New York City cannot go without visiting its biggest attraction – the Statue of Liberty. The statue is not only an important symbol of freedom and democracy but also a great vantage point on the city.

Rockefeller Center

In the heart of Midtown Manhattan lies this gorgeous beauty – the home of both the Radio City Music Hall and NBC Studios, which provides affordable tours of TV and movie locations that you’ll never forget.

The Museum of Modern Art

The Museum of Modern Art stores some of the greatest works of modern and contemporary art in the world, displaying the masterpieces of renowned artists such as Vincent van Gogh, Andy Warhol, and Jackson Pollock.

Madame Tussauds

The lifelike interactive wax figures of Madame Tussauds are well-known across the world and provide a wonderful experience, which is fully worth the steep admission fee. The newest Marvel section is a must-see for comic enthusiasts!

Gulliver’s Gate

Admire the architectural beauty of Taj Mahal, Times Square, Buckingham Palace, the Eiffel Tower and many more wonders amongst the detailed miniature exhibits of the Gulliver’s Gate, where you can even place a 3D printed model of yourself on the displays!

Other Things to See and Do

The African Burial Ground

The quite fresh project of African Burial Ground was begun when over four hundred caskets were discovered outside of Charleston, South Carolina. Outside you can admire the buildings which envelop the site, and the visitor centre provides a re-telling of the African-American history in the area of the city.

The Brooklyn Brewery tours

If you’re a beer enthusiast you might be interested in the free tours of the famous Brooklyn Brewery, which take place every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., where you can fully admire the tradition started in 1988 by Steve Hindy and Tom Potter, who brought their techniques back from the Middle East.

Central Park

Like most parks in the United States, Central Park is also free to visit whenever you wish, yet it still excels in its category. This park is often filled with free to attend events, marvellous statues, displays of arts, street artists and, of course, the beautiful nature that surrounds the park and “the Pond,” located at the south-eastern corner.

City Hall

The City Hall of New York is the home of its government since 1812, making it the oldest one in the United States to still hold its function. Tours of the City Hall are generally free, and you can see for yourself the famous governor’s rooms or even the spot where in 1865 the coffin of Abraham Lincoln lied.

New York Public Library

The New York Public Library, one of the most renown and well-known libraries in the United States of America, is placed in the eastern part of Times Square, presenting its gorgeous marble lions. The library is an obligatory sight to see, even if you’re not a fan of reading books, you will want to see its architecture for yourself.

New York Earth Room

Now this one is a unique sight which is bound to leave a long-lasting impression on anyone – this room is a famous installation of Walter De Maria, created in 1977, which features a single room filled with over two hundred and fifty thousand pounds of dirt.

National Museum of the American Indian

Pay respects to the native inhabitants of North America and learn the history while at it. The National Museum of the American Indian, located in the midst of the former U.S. Customs House, is one of the finest collections of Native American art in the country.

Japan Society

The Japan Society of New York City presents a wide arrangement of pay-to-view films and lecture which usually require tickets, but the gallery located on the site is a fine array of Japanese art and is free to attend every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

High Line

While it might seem to be just an ordinary public park, the High Line project has expanded to the point of being an impactful tourist attraction with its own opening hours. The park often presents public installations of art and various events, so keep a watchful eye on it.

Hamilton Grange

The Hamilton Grange is a quiet retreat if you're looking to spend some time in peaceful tranquillity. The spot is also a museum and preservation of the relocated home of one of the U.S. Founding Fathers, Alexander Hamilton, and holds a free interactive exhibit.

Green Wood Cemetery

This attraction was once the most visited tourist attraction in the United States outside of Niagara Falls. The cemetery was founded in 1838 and holds more than six hundred thousand graves, all the while providing a pleasurable sight to the eye with its leafy and lush greenery.

Governor's Island

While the ferry to get onto the Governor's Island costs around $2, which in itself is a rather insubstantial expense, the access to the whole island is free. The island is open for tourists from May through September and features a long bike path, a mini-golf course, a picnic area and a few military sites.

Federal Hall

The place of the oath-taking of the first president of United States – George Washington. The Hall itself features a large statue in front of it and a small museum inside, which tells the history of the post-colonial heritage of New York City.

Fashion Institute of Technology

While the institute itself may not appear to be the most appealing tourist attraction, every week there are numerous rotating exhibits made by the students, which feature a surprisingly vast amount of interesting and detailed pieces ranging from the 18th century to the present times.

Old Stone House

This beauty, located in Brooklyn on the Fifth Avenue, is a legacy reminder of the Brooklyn’s Dutch origins, and one of the few architectural pieces that survived the Battle of Brooklyn. The house features an interesting exhibit, which provides information on the battle, and the entry fee is only a “suggested donation.”

Rockefeller Center Public Art

While the Rockefeller Center has a wide array of expensive guides and tours, the public art area is free to admire for everyone. Make sure to come by and look at the arrangement of art which includes a statue of Prometheus overlooking the skating rink placed in front of the Center.

Socrates Sculpture Park

Near the Roosevelt Island lies a cosy little park, which formerly was a dump site, and now has an intriguing art installation. The Socrates Sculpture Park is also a place of light shows and movie shows on every Wednesday in summer, making it a place worth visiting.

American Museum of Natural History

The suggested admission price is $22 for adults and $12.5 for children, but you can pay as little as $1 and still gain entrance to all the 45 halls of the museum, which display impressive fossils, gems, artefacts of culture and more.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden spans over fifty-two acres and provides a stunning display in the heart of Brooklyn. It was founded in 1910 and includes a variety of gardens within a garden, presenting plant collections from all over the world.

Bronx Zoo

If you’d rather save the money and not go to the expensive Central Park Zoo, try the Bronx Zoo every Wednesday, as then you can pay what you wish to enter. While the Bronx Zoo is not as renowned, it still comprises 265 acres and scores over two million visitors each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the best hotels for New York City break?

    Our list of the best hotels in New York City are: Lotte New York Palace, The Knickerbocker, Conrad New York, Parker New York and WestHouse Hotel New York. Discover the full list of best hotels in New York City.

  • What are the luxury hotels in New York City?

    The finest examples of luxury hotels in New York City include The Benjamin, The Dominick Hotel, JW Marriott Essex House New York, The Plaza New York City, Le Meridien New York Central Park, Trump International New York and The Peninsula New York. Discover the full list of luxury hotels in New York City.

  • What are the cheap hotels in New York City?

    Those trying to visit New York City on a tight budget will find everything they need in hotels such as New York Hilton Midtown, Crowne Plaza Times Square, OYO Times Square, The Manhattan at Times Square Hotel, New York Marriott Marquis, Hudson New York Central Park and Park Lane Hotel New York City. Discover the full list of Cheap hotels in New York City.

  • What is the best period to visit New York City for a city break?

    Taking factors such as weather, crowds and prices, the best months to visit New York for a city break are April, May, June and September.

  • What are top 5 things to see and do in New York City?

    New York offers plenty of exciting attractions and things to do. Must-sees in New York include: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, Big Bus New York Hop-On-Hop-Off Tour, The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Staten Island Ferry.

  • How much does an New York City city pass cost?

    A city pass in New York costs around €89.

  • How much does public transport in New York City cost?

    24-hour ticket for public transport in New York City costs around €33.

  • What are the best night clubs in New York City?

    The best night clubs in New York City include: House of Yes, Output, Trans-Pecos, Black Flamingo and Bossa Nova Civic Club.

  • What are the best bars in New York City?

    Judging on the reviews and customer opinions, the best bars in New York are: Bar Wayō, Dear Irving on Hudson, Evil Twin, Jungle Bird and Mister Paradise.

  • What are the best places to eat in New York City?

    Your choice of the best restaurants in New York may vary depending on your taste, however, Ugly Baby, Crown Shy, Superiority Burger and Via Carota are some of the most popular choices.

  • What are the top 5 best restaurants in New York City?

    Top 5 restaurants in New York include: Liebman’s Deli, Africa Kine, La Morada, Gregory's 26 Corner Taverna and Sushi Noz.