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 With a globally recognizable skyline and 8.4 million people who call it home, New York City is bursting with diversity and excitement – from the iconic attractions you've seen on TV and in the movies to hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. Each of the five boroughs – The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island – has a distinctive flavor, while individual neighborhoods maintain identities all their own.

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The City

New York City may be small in size, but it’s huge in numbers, energy and attitude. It’s the most densely populated city in North America with 8 million citizens on just 830 square kilometers of land. It has always been a city of immigrants, and, even today, about one-third of its citizens are foreign-born. Roughly 138 languages are spoken here, and vibrant new ethnic enclaves pop up all over the city, offering visitors a vast array of interesting cultural and culinary experiences.

While the city pulses with the blood of its newest residents, old New York is still alive and well. Opera still bursts from the venerable stage of the Lincoln Center. Wall Street, the hive of capitalism, still bustles with the excitement and tension of the stock market. And the stately apartments of New York’s wealthy still frame majestic Central Park.

New York has become one of America’s safest cities, and the best way to see it is to walk. Numbered streets in Manhattan make navigation easy and run from east to west, while avenues intersect from north to south (uptown and downtown). New Yorkers are friendly and talkative, and nearly every night of the week the city’s bars and clubs are crowded with revelers. There are several universities in New York, which contribute to keeping the city fresh and young.

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Iconic Movie Locations

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5 Days of Family Fun across New York

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Neighborhoods

New York City hardly needs an introduction, but the city’s five boroughs might.
Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island may all represent one city, but they each have their own personalities and must-see attractions. Get to know the colorful attributes that make each New York City borough unique.

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The Bronx

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Brooklyn

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Manhattan

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Queens

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Staten Island

Do & See

You’ve seen them a million times in the movies, but there’s nothing like taking in these quintessential New York City landmarks in person. First stop, a tour of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, capped with a free ride on the Staten Island Ferry for stellar views of both.

Immerse yourself in the bustle and bright lights of Times Square followed by the incomparable spectacle of a Broadway show – both experiences that you can’t find anywhere else but in NYC.

Explore the Rockefeller Center, and take a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. Experience the Grand Central Terminal, a unique architectural gem and the city’s major transportation hub.

As panoramic scenes go, NYC can’t be beaten. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for views of New York Harbor or scale 30 Rockefeller Plaza’s Art Deco skyscraper to Top of The Rock, an observatory offering 360-degree views of the city.

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Central Park

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New York in 1 Day

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Empire State Building

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Times Square

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Rockefeller Center

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Statue of Liberty / Ellis Island

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Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

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World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial

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Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

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Broadway Shows

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Bronx Zoo

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9/11 Tribute Center

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Washington Square Park

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Whitney Museum of American Art

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The Shed

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Governors Island

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The High Line

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Madison Square Garden

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Bryant Park

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Carnegie Hall

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Prospect Park

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Guggenheim Museum

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Staten Island Ferry

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Museum of Jewish Heritage

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Nature & Outdoors

New York City is known as a bustling, diverse metropolis, but it’s also a great city for enjoying nature. Spend a day on the water, have a picnic under the trees, and marvel at the seasonal blooming flowers – with a New York twist, of course – or indulge in one of the many other outdoor activities the city has to offer.

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Botanical Gardens

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City Parks

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Bridge Crossing

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Boating

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Biking

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Running

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Ice Skating

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Kayaking

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High Line

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Dining

Dining in New York City can be an inspiring experience for travelers and long-time residents alike. Restaurants and cafés line the streets, and the culinary options are unlimited. Bookmark this list of classics to help you navigate the culinary standouts, including famous delicatessens, notable New York eateries, and trendy hot spots from Manhattan to Brooklyn.

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Arturo's Coal Oven Pizza

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Emma's Torch

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Atomix

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Sardi's

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M. Wells

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Red Rooster

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Peter Luger Steak House

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Keens Steakhouse

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P.J. Clarke’s

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Sylvia’s

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Prune

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The Grey Dog — Chelsea

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Indochine

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Grand Central Oyster Bar

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Junoon

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Lure Fishbar

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STK Steakhouse Downtown

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Chinatown

Cafés

New York may be better known as a diner city than a café city, but it would be wrong to underestimate the café scene in the Big Apple. New York City and delis go together like pastrami and rye, and the city holds plenty of tried-and-true legendary restaurants, which range from hot dog stands to finer establishments.

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Kopitiam

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Caffe Reggio

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Second Avenue Deli

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Nathan's Famous

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Roberta's

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Sadelle's

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Mile End Delicatessen

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Junior's Restaurant & Bakery

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Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe

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Little Owl

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Shake Shack

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Abraço Espresso

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Little Italy

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Murray’s Bagels

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Bars & Nightlife

It's a cliché to say that New York is the “city that never sleeps,” but it's true. No matter what you’re looking for – karaoke, live music, dancing – you can find it at all hours. See the New York Yankees’ historic home ballpark. Head to Madison Square Garden to catch an ice hockey match, basketball game, or concert.

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The Long Island Bar

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Avant Gardner

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Brooklyn Brewery

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SOB’s

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Bowery Ballroom

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The DL

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Hotel Chantelle

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Shopping

Shopaholics and fashionistas, whisk out your credit cards. New York may very possibly be the best shopping city in the world. Every major chain and label has an outpost here, and there are so many small designer boutiques and markets of all kinds that you are guaranteed to bring home much more than you had budgeted for. Shopping in New York is quite simply retail heaven.

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Midtown

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Chinatown/Canal Street

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Soho/Prince Street

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Lower East Side/St. Marks Ave

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Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market

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Macy’s

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Saks Fifth Avenue

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Bloomingdale's

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B&H Photo Video and Pro Audio

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Journeys

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Century 21 Department Store

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Bergdorf Goodman

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Tiffany & Co.

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The Strand

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8th Street and St. Mark's Place

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Erie Basin

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Events

Celebrations and festivities are a year-round – and day-to-night – affair in New York City, making it easy to have your visit coincide with the merrymaking. Check out this selection of popular festivals, featuring sports, music, art, and international shows and exhibitions.

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Three Kings Parade (January)

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Winter Jazz Fest (January)

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Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (February)

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March)

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Sakura Matsuri (April)

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Major League Baseball (April)

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Shakespeare in the Park (May-August)

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BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! (June-August)

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Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival (August)

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New York Film Festival (September-October)

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New York City Marathon (November)

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Food Festivals

Tourist Information

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit New York City is from late spring to early fall. During this period, the city awakens to a symphony of events, from outdoor concerts and festivals to cultural exhibitions and Broadway shows, ensuring there is never a dull moment. On top of that, the weather is pleasantly mild, which makes it perfect for exploring iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Central Park. While accommodation prices may peak during summer, the bustling atmosphere and plethora of activities more than make up for it.

However, if you are seeking a quieter experience with more affordable lodging, consider visiting The Big Apple in the shoulder seasons of spring or fall when crowds thin, and accommodation prices dip slightly. Ultimately, the best time to visit New York City depends on your preferences, but whenever you choose to go, the city promises an unforgettable adventure.

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Passport / Visa

Citizens of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the Kingdom of Brunei can visit the United States for up to 90 days without applying for a visa (as well as citizens of Andorra, Lichtenstein, Monaco and San Marino). Citizens of these countries must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before traveling. All other travelers must obtain a visa before visiting the United States. International travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the country.

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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

New York is served by three major airports and JFK is the most well-known one of them all. You can take public transportation or taxis to Manhattan from all airports. There is a flat-rate taxi fare from JFK to Manhattan, but there are also subway and public transport options.

To reach the stops for public transport, you need to use the AirTrain in most cases.

The metro from JFK to Midtown Manhattan takes approximately 60-75 minutes.

There are also different bus services. The local transport company MTA operates several lines going to nearby neighborhoods. The fare is the same as for the metro.

The NYC Airporter is a direct bus line from JFK to Grand Central Station and Penn Station. The journey takes approx. 60 minutes depending on traffic. You can buy tickets online or at the NYC Airporter counter inside the airport.

Address: John F. Kennedy International Airport

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Phone: +1 718 244 4444

Website: www.jfkairport.com

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LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

This is the airport located closest to Manhattan, which means you can choose from multiple means of transportation to get to the city. There are public buses as well as the shuttle, NYC Airporter, that go directly between the airport and Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station, and Penn Station. Taxis and vans are also available at the taxi rank outside the terminal building.

Address: LaGuardia Airport

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Phone: +1 212 435 7000

Website: www.laguardiaairport.com

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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Newark Liberty International Airport is located in New Jersey and from here you can choose to take a taxi, train, or bus to go to the city.

If a taxi is your choice of transport, you will find cars waiting outside the arrival hall. It takes approximately 35 minutes to New York City.

There is an AirTrain, transporting passengers from the arrivals hall to the trains (NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak train). It takes approximately 45 minutes from the airport to Penn Station.

The Newark Airport Express bus takes about 50 minutes and it stops at Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Address: Newark Liberty International Airport

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Phone: +1 973 961 6000

Website: www.newarkairport.com

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Subway

If you are going somewhere too far to walk while in New York City, the subway is your best bet. Most subway lines travel up and down Manhattan, while buses travel across. With subway trains operating 24/7, convenience is assured at any hour.

Ticket machines accept various payment methods—consider purchasing a one-week unlimited Metrocard if you know you will be traveling quite frequently. For real-time updates and service alerts, be sure to download the MTA Subway Time app.

While navigating the subway system in NYC may seem daunting at first, clear signage, announcements, and available maps make it manageable.

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Bus

Most buses in Manhattan follow the north-south or east-west grid of the city, primarily on the larger avenues. Bus stops are marked by a light-blue sign on a green post (and include a list of bus numbers and routes), and the fare can be paid either in exact change or with the MetroCard, with which you can transfer for free between metro and bus services. If transferring without a card, the driver can give passengers a free transfer coupon. Buses run frequently and, for the most part, all night, but traffic can make a long ride out of a short distance.

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Website: www.mta.info

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Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout the city. You can hail a yellow cab on almost any street corner. Keep in mind that there are nighttime and rush hour surcharges, and remember to leave a tip. Also, Manhattan has very long streets and avenues so it’s important to know both the address and the cross street of your destination. A taxi is vacant if the yellow light on top of the car is completely lit.

Ride-sharing services like Uber, Lyft, Curb, and Myle offer convenient alternatives, especially late at night or in areas with limited public transportation options.

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Post

You can buy stamps at many newsagents or at the post office. Official United States Postal Services (USPS) mailboxes are usually blue steel containers on city sidewalks. Many post offices or private mail companies like UPS or FedEx are open from 8am to 5pm. You will find the main post office, known as the James A. Farley Post Office, close to Penn Station.

Address: 421 8th Avenue, New York

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Phone: +1 800 275 8777

Website: www.usps.com

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Pharmacy

Some of the main pharmacy chains in New York City include CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Duane Reade (a subsidiary of Walgreens). Their opening hours can vary depending on the location and the chain. However, many pharmacies in New York City typically have the following general opening hours:

Mon–Fri 9am–9pm, Sat 9am–7pm, Sun 10am–6pm

Some pharmacies may have extended hours, especially those located in busy areas or near hospitals.

Address: CVS - 1440 Broadway FLOORS 1 & 2, New York

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Phone: +1 212 221 3844

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More Information: Near Bryant Park

Telephone

Country code: +1

Area code: 212

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Electricity

US electrical power is 110V/60 cycles AC with two flat parallel prongs.

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