United States

New York

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New York is dense, fast and endlessly varied. Five boroughs, hundreds of neighbourhoods and a skyline that looks familiar before you arrive. It rewards walking, and it rewards curiosity about the places between the famous ones.

It is intense, so pace yourself. Pair one big sight a day with long walks, a good meal and time in a park, and you will see more than by racing through a list.

How many days: 5

Five days gives you the main sights across Manhattan plus time in Brooklyn. A long weekend covers the highlights if you plan each day by area.

Group your days by neighbourhood. The distances look small on a map but add up quickly, even with the subway.

What to do in New York

Walk through Central Park
A huge park in the middle of Manhattan with lakes, lawns, bridges and woods. Pick a section and wander rather than trying to see it all.
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge on foot
A walkway above the traffic gives views of the Manhattan skyline. Start on the Brooklyn side in the morning for the best view and fewer crowds.
Visit a major museum
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art are two of the world's great collections. Choose one and give it half a day.
Take the Staten Island ferry
A free public ferry passes the Statue of Liberty and gives a skyline view. It runs all day and is a good way to see the harbour.
Walk the High Line
A former elevated railway turned into a narrow park, running through Chelsea. It links well with the Hudson Yards area and the Chelsea Market.
Explore Brooklyn
Neighbourhoods such as Williamsburg, DUMBO and Park Slope have independent shops, cafes and waterfront views of the city.
See a show
Broadway plays and musicals are a big part of the city's character. Smaller off-Broadway and comedy shows offer good alternatives.
Visit the 9/11 Memorial
A quiet, powerful place of remembrance at the World Trade Center site. Allow time for the museum if you want to go deeper.

What to eat and drink

Pizza by the slice
A thin, foldable slice from a corner pizzeria is a New York ritual. Eat it standing up.
Bagels
Chewy bagels, boiled before baking, with cream cheese or smoked salmon. A classic breakfast.
Delis and sandwiches
Old-school delis serve piled-high pastrami and corned beef on rye. A big meal to share.
Food from every culture
The city has outstanding Chinese, Dominican, Indian, Korean and Caribbean food, and more. Neighbourhoods such as Queens are especially good for this.
Street food carts
Halal carts and food trucks are a cheap, quick meal. Look for a line of locals.
Classic desserts
New York cheesecake and black and white cookies are local specialities. Try them from a bakery.

Getting around

The subway runs all day and night and reaches most places visitors want to go. Contactless payment works at the gates, and a map app will help with the routes.

Walking is the best way to see Manhattan. The street grid makes it easy to navigate, with numbered streets running across and avenues running up and down.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps are plentiful, but traffic is heavy, so the subway is often faster.

Good to know

  • Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars and taxis, and it adds a meaningful amount to the bill. Check what is customary before you go.
  • Prices on menus and tags usually exclude sales tax, so the final amount is higher.
  • Summers are hot and humid, winters are cold, and spring and autumn are the most comfortable.
  • Many visitors need an electronic travel authorisation or a visa. Check the official US government site well before you travel.

Where to stay in New York

6 neighbourhoods, described the way a friend would - what each is actually like, not the brochure version.

Midtown Manhattan

Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building and Grand Central concentrate New York's biggest sights into one intensely convenient district. It suits first-time and short stays; crowds, traffic, noise and some of the city's highest hotel prices are the trade-offs.

Lower Manhattan

Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge and historic streets make Downtown exceptionally rich in sights and business infrastructure. It suits culture and work trips; evenings can feel quieter than Midtown and accommodation remains expensive.

West Village

Tree-lined streets, brownstones, intimate restaurants and landmarks around Washington Square and Stonewall give the Village rare neighbourhood character in central Manhattan. It suits couples and food-led trips; hotels are scarce and expensive, while nightlife brings late noise.

Williamsburg

Waterfront parks, live music, vintage shops and destination restaurants make Williamsburg Brooklyn's strongest alternative to staying in Manhattan. It suits younger couples and nightlife-focused trips; weekend crowds are heavy and reaching many Manhattan landmarks requires crossing the river.

Upper West Side

Central Park, Riverside Park, Lincoln Center and the American Museum of Natural History give this residential Manhattan district exceptional family and cultural appeal. It suits calmer longer stays; nightlife is restrained and Downtown journeys take longer than from Midtown.

Long Island City

Gantry Plaza State Park, MoMA PS1 and dramatic Manhattan skyline views define this fast-changing Queens waterfront district one subway stop from Midtown. It suits value-conscious and business stays; landmark sightseeing and nightlife are thinner than across the East River.

What it costs

A typical day in New York, per person, in pounds.

£274

Comfortable - a decent hotel, restaurants, the odd taxi.

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