Getting to New York
Air
The most popular airports serving New York City are John F Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty International (EWR)
John F Kennedy is the largest of the three airports and is well connected to Manhattan. The quickest way of reaching NYC is via the Long Island Railroad commuter train which takes around 35 minutes and costs $15.50.
The most convenient option is to book a transfer which will take you directly to your hotel in around 45 minutes.
LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan and is again well connected to Manhattan. The cheapest option is by bus with a transfer for the subway on either the LaGuardia Link Q70 SBS (Select Bus Service) or M60 SBS.
The most convenient option is to book a transfer which will take you directly to your hotel in around 30 minutes.
Newark Liberty International is situated in the state of New Jersey and offers travellers cheaper flights for a trip to New York.
EWR is not connected to the New York subway system but you can get a train and connect to the airports AirTrain with tickets costing as little as $5.50.
The most convenient option is to book a transfer which will take you directly to your hotel in around 40 minutes.
To find out how to get to and from Manhattan from all three airports, check out our Getting Around New York Guide.
Train
Visitors arriving via train can arrive at either Grand Central Station on the East Side or Penn Station on the West side. You can connect to New York’s vast subway and bus network from both stations.
Subway lines 4, 5, 6, and 7 are connected by Grand Central Station as to is the Times Square Shuttle service. Grand Central is also the main terminal for train services provided by Metro-North Railroad.
Penn Station is connected with the A, C, E, 1, 2 and 3 subway stations as well as well being the central station for train service provided by Amtrak, Long Island Railroad and the New Jersey Transit.
You can connect to almost all major cities throughout the United States via New York.
Sea
There are multiple cruises that disembark in New York, however these are private cruise holidays and some consist of crossing the Atlantic Ocean. To do this you will have to book directly onto a cruise with operators such as XXXXXXXX.
You can arrive in New York via five routes which connect Manhattan to New Jersey.
Get all the information you need for your trip to New York by checking out our Planning a Trip to New York guide. Here you will find useful information to help you plan ahead, book transfers & tours, save money and get the most out of your trip.
Top Attractions in New York
One of the most popular tourist destinations in New York is the lungs of the big apple, commonly known as Central Park. Situated between the Upper West and Upper East Sides of Manhattan, this leafy space covers 843 acres with an estimated 42 million visitors annually. But Central Park is more than just a park, visitors can take a romantic paddle around the Lake, get up close and personal with pot-bellied pigs, goats, sea lions, penguins and the snow monkeys at Central Park Zoo and even take in those hot summer days on the 15 acre Sheep Meadow.
One of the most famous monuments in the world is the Statue of Liberty. The copper statue, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States in 1886 attracts more than 4 million visitors per year. Visiting this iconic statue gives you the opportunity to catch some of the best views of NYC from one of two ferries that transport visitors between either New Jersey or Battery Park. The boat ride will also allow you to re-live the trip taken by more than twelve million immigrants who entered the United States through the portal of Ellis Island between 1892 -1954.
If Central Park is the lungs of the city, then Times Square is most certainty the heartbeat. Known as the “crossroads of the world”, Times Square is is jam-packed with free entertainers and public art projects. Other big tourists attractions such as Madame Tussauds, Top of the Rock, Broadway and the infamous Empire State Building are all close by so you can tick off a few attractions in less time.
For a full list of things to do in New York and how to book tickets and tours, check out our TotalGuide to Things to do in New York
Places to Stay in New York
There are over 700 hotels in New York City so finding somewhere to rest your weary legs after a day exploring the big apple won’t be hard.
Whether you want a cheap room in a hostel or a bath overlooking the world famous skyline, then we have you covered.
We’ve already compiled a list of trustworthy and reputable hotel rooms to suit every budget, so you can rest assured that not only are you getting value for money, but you’ll be in a clean, centrally located hotel with amenities to suit your budget.
We’ve compiled a list of our top picks for hotels in New York to suit every budget. Check out A TotalGuide to Hotels in New York
Getting Around New York
Getting around Manhattan is as easy as in any other major city.
Using the subways, buses, ferries or a combination of all three can get you anywhere you want to be in New York whether it be to see the Nets in Brooklyn, the Yankees in Bronx or the Mets in Queens.
If you plan on using the subway or bus then it is worth getting a MetroCard.
There are two options, Pay per Ride or Unlimited. Depending on how frequently you use it, the unlimited card could be worth it. For $33.00 you get unlimited rides on the subway or bus for 7 days. The pay per ride costs $2.75 for a single journey.
And of course the iconic Yellow Taxi is great way to see the city and can be hailed in the street. Although pricey, they are convenient, comfortable and drivers are knowledgeable.
For more information about all the ways to get around the five boroughs of New York then head over to our Getting Around New York section.
Best Time to Visit New York
The best times to visit New York are between April – June and November and December.
The spring months between April and June are warm and there are not as many tourists clogging up the sidewalks compared to the summer months of July & August.
As well as being quiet, hotels are cheaper too.
New York is a magical city whenever you visit but there is something special about the Christmas season.
Starting from Thanksgiving in November and going all the way through until Christmas, NYC is the perfect place to give and receive your annual Christmas cheer.
Beware though, the months of November & December can see temperatures dip to below freezing.
For more information on yearly weather charts and daily weather updates in New York, click here.
What’s on in New York
New York’s social calendar is full to the brim, so there will be something for everyone, whenever you go.
NYC Restaurant Week happens twice yearly in January and July. Hundreds of restaurants feature three-course menus for both lunch and dinner in the city during these foodie-centric weeks.
Another big hitter is New York Fashion Week. This is when the fashion design industry debuts the latest styles for the upcoming seasons with top models showcasing the latest designs. Fashion week happens twice a year to showcase fall/winter season and spring/summer season.
Founded by actor Robert Di Niro, the Tribeca Film Festival welcomes film lovers to a red carpet event in April. The festival celebrates filmmaking, music, and culture.
One of the biggest events of the year is Pride Week features the famous parade that goes down Fifth Avenue which celebrates the diversity of the LGBQ+ community. Held every year in June, the event features the famous parade that goes down Fifth Avenue as well as lots of other performances and entertainment throughout the week.
The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade happens on the morning of Thanksgiving at the end of November and features huge balloons, marching bands and millions of cheering spectators. It signals the start of the Christmas season in New York.
Our What’s On New York section is updated daily. Here you will find information on events and how to book.
Nightlife in New York
In the city that never sleeps you won’t be surprised to hear that the party goes on all night long.
The Manhattan nightlife is fancy and cultured with Moxy Times Square being popular with tourists and locals alike because of its amazing backdrop of the skyline from its rooftop terrace.
Another popular choice with its central location and top DJ’s is Cielo which has won numerous awards over the years for its sound system pumping out hip-hop music until the early hours.
If the tourist trail of Manhattan isn’t your thing then head over to Brooklyn and House of Yes where you can catch a show before the clubbing begins or Barcade where you can play arcade video games whilst supping down on American craft beer.
To find out what’s on when you’re in town and to buy tickets, sign up for guestlists, and reserve tables then check out the Discotech app.
https://affiliate.discotech.me/
For a comprehensive list of New York’s best night spots and to get the lowdown on prices, times and dress code, head over to our Total New York Nightlife 2021
Food in New York
New York is home to more than 26,000 restaurants with nearly 12,000 of them open 24/7. After all, they do call it the city that never sleeps.
You will be able to find almost any cuisine in NYC with the most popular being Italian which stems from the large communities of Italian-Americans. They even created the New York-style pizza.
Jewish food is also hugely popular in the city especially the bagels, which are a great snack when you’re on the go.
Other popular cuisines in New York include Mexican, Puerto Rican, Dominica, Jamaican, Indian and Chinese as well as Turkish, Lebanese, Polish and Russian.
Of course, New York has also created its own foods including Hot Dogs, Manhattan clam chowder, New York-style cheesecake, Waldorf salad and the Chopped cheese sandwich.
Quick food, good food or food with a view? Check out the best eateries in our New York Food Guide 2021
New York Travel Information
