New York City. The Big Apple. The city that never sleeps. If there is a metropolis in this world that everyone must see once in their life, then it is New York.
In this blog article we will tell you our most important tips for your trip to New York: Which sights must I have seen? Which highlights shouldn’t I leave out? What’s the best way to get from A to B? And: Is it worth buying a NY pass?
We have been to New York City together several times and have put together our best tips and experiences from several New York trips for you . By the way, you can find all our tips and the most beautiful sights marked on a map at the end of the article.
1. Things to Do in New York City Time Square Much more New York feeling is hardly possible. Every time we stand in Times Square, our mouths drop open. Especially in the evenings, Times Square is quite a spectacle, because despite the darkness, you are dazzled here by the oversized neon signs.
Whether you like the buzz or not, we believe that no one should leave NY without being in Times Square. You can get a good view of Times Square from the red stairs of TKTS (Times Square Ticket Stand).
Our Tip: Come by once during the day and once in the evening – the atmosphere is very different. During the day it’s less crowded and you can take better photos, but the glittering lights only become really fascinating at night.
Subway Station: Times Square 42 St (many lines stop here)
Brooklyn Bridge The Brooklyn Bridge is the most famous suspension bridge in New York City and one of the most important sights of the city. It connects Manhattan with the borough of Brooklyn and is one of the landmarks of New York. A walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is one of those must-do things when you’re in New York.
A word of warning: the Brooklyn Bridge is now dead, even in the off-season hell break up The time around sunrise is definitely the best opportunity to take photos without crowds. We ourselves went at sunset, when it was a lot busier.
Personally, we prefer to walk towards Manhattan from the Brooklyn side. The skyscrapers then come closer and closer, becoming larger and more imposing.
Info to visit the Brooklyn Bridge at a glance Subway Station: If you are from starting from the Brooklyn side: York St (F) or High St (A,C); If you are starting from Manhattan: Brooklyn Bridge City Hall (4,5,6) or Chambers St (J,Z)
Our recommendation: At sunrise or sunset
Brooklyn Bridge Park & DUMBO A visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park can be perfectly combined with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. As the name suggests, this is located in Brooklyn directly at the bridge. From Brooklyn Bridge Park you have a wonderful view of the Manhattan skyline.
In the evenings, amateur and professional photographers gather at the famous “Old Pier 1″. There you can take a perfect long exposure: The skyline with the old bridge pillars in the foreground is one of the most popular photo spots in New York City.
You can also find a popular photo motif a little further north in DUMBO (“Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass”). From Washington Street you have the famous view of the pier of the Manhattan Bridge. Not far from there you will also find Jane’s Carousel – a restored carousel from the 2001 years.
Subway Station: York St (F) or High St (A,C)
High Line The disused elevated railway line named The High Line is one of the newer attractions in New York City. The High Line runs a good two kilometers in western Manhattan at a height of a few meters. This means that from up here you sometimes have great views of streets and can admire some impressive murals.
You have access to High Line Park from several places (some of them are barrier-free). So you don’t necessarily have to cover the entire route if you don’t want to. The High Line runs from Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District to the West 34th Street.
Our tip: Before visiting the High Line you can fortify yourself in the nearby Chelsea Market. The Chelsea Market is a hip food court with delicacies from all over the world.
Overview of information about visiting the High Line Entry: For free
Access: Possible at many points, e.g. corner of Gansevoort St/Washington St (the southernmost point) – Subway station: 14th St (A,C,E)
Central Park Whether in summer or winter: Central Park is worth a visit at any time of the year. The most famous park in New York City stretches over four kilometers and is a huge green oasis amidst the skyscrapers.
The Central Park is home to a number of attractions including several lakes and bridges or the John Lennon Memorial called Strawberry Fields. In winter, Central Park becomes a ice rink: On the so-called Wollman Rink in the south of the park, you can do circles on the ice.
Tip: Suggested Walking Tour in Central Park Maybe you’re like us and completely overwhelmed as to where to start your Central Park tour? Our friend Julia has been living in NYC for a year and has put together the perfect walking tour for us:
You start in the southeast at the entrance on the corner of 5th Avenue. From here you keep in the direction of The Mall. On the left is the first lake (The Pond). If you are out and about in winter, after a while you will also come to the well-known ice rink (Wollman Rink).
Then you walk The Mall along. This is the only truly wide and straight avenue in Central Park. The Mall leads you directly to the well-known Bethesda Terrace and its fountain, a very popular photo spot in Central Park.
Then walk forward to the lake , which is unimaginatively called The Lake. On the right you have a direct view of The Loeb Boathouse, the famous and very expensive restaurant in Central Park. However, you keep to the left and now follow the path that runs directly along the lake (so that the lake is always on your right). After a short time you come to the well-known Bow Bridge.
Cross the bridge and now walk into the forest, The Ramble called. Keep left (ie so that you can see the lake on your left). Already after about 25 meters you will reach another well-known photo spot: The Lake Viewing Area . From here you have the perfect view of The San Remo. With its two towers, the building is one of the most famous in the area.
From here you have two options: Either you walk back and follow the signs towards Strawberry Fields, the famous memorial to John Lennon. There you can go to the station 72 Step back onto the subway. Or you can go even further into Central Park (e.g. to the Metropolitan Museum of Art).
Subway station for this tour: 5 Av (N,R)
Guggenheim Museum On the eastern side of Central Park (Upper East Side) is one of the famous museums of New York City: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. It is a modern art museum whose spiral architecture is unparalleled.
The Guggenheim Museum has both permanent exhibitions and changing exhibitions which also occupy a large part of the exhibition space in A claim. Those who just want to take a look at the architecture can do so from the foyer. However, the circular staircase is only reserved for museum visitors. There is also a museum shop on the ground floor, which is freely accessible.
Information about the Guggenheim Museum at a glance Entry: 25 US Dollars (free os free entry with some NY passes, e.g. with the New York Sightseeing Pass – you can find more information on this further down in this article)Opening hours: daily 10 until 17: 32 (Tuesday and Saturday even until 19 Watch)
Subway station: 80 St (4.5 ,6 – Attention, 6 is the local train and stops at many stations, more information below)
Fifth Avenue and Surroundings: Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building & Co. Fifth Avenue is probably the most famous shopping street in the world. Along 10 along the kilometer long street are boutiques of all well-known brands as well as department stores. To be honest, we personally prefer shopping in New York in SoHo (more on that in a moment) or in the outlets. However, a walk on Fifth Avenue is still something you should do once.
There are a number of buildings and sights on Fifth Avenue and in the surrounding area, Also worth visiting:
The most famous stretch of 5th Avenue is in Midtown Manhattan and starts south of Central Park. From there you reach approximately 10 Minutes walk to Rockefeller Center, which is also located along Fifth Avenue. From the Top of the Rock viewing platform you can enjoy the most beautiful view over New York City.
By the way, the Empire State Building is also located along the Fifth Avenue. We will tell you more about the best vantage points in NYC in Chapter 3 of this blog article or in this blog article: The best vantage points in New York City.
Back to the location Rockefeller Center: Directly opposite is located the St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which is also worth a short visit. Not far from the Rockefeller Center is the striking Radio City Music Hall (6th Avenue), the legendary concert hall in Manhattan.
But that was far from over everything. Along 5th Avenue you will also pass the New York Public Library and the Flatiron Building. We will tell you more about both buildings in a moment.
Flatiron Building Nomen est omen: The Flatiron Building translated means something like “iron building” and its shape is also reminiscent of that. This unusual skyscraper is at the level of 21rd Street can be found at the point where Broadway and 5th Avenue intersect.
By the way: apart from the outside view, there isn’t really anything to do here see. The Flatiron Building itself houses offices and is not officially open to the public. Our tip: If you get hungry, we can recommend a visit to Eataly. This Italian food market also houses some food options and is located right next to the Flatiron Building.
Subway Station: 23 St (R, 6)
New York Public Library If you like libraries visit, a visit to the venerable New York Public Library is a must. The library has many branches, but the most famous is without a doubt the imposing Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, the beginning of the 19.
The most famous room is the Rose Main Reading Room, which is located on the 3rd floor. As a visitor, you can enter the reading room free of charge and without a ticket, but you have to stay on the edge out of consideration for other readers. The calm that reigns in the hall is amazing – especially considering that the building is in the middle of the busiest part of Manhattan.
Information about visiting the New York Public Library at a glance Entry: For free
Opening hours: Monday and from Thursday to Saturday from 02 until 18 o’clock, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 until 20 hours, Sunday from 13 until 17 WatchSubway Station: The nearest station is 5 Av/Bryant Park (7). Alternatively, Grand Central St (4,5,6) or 50 St. Bryant Park (D,F).
Grand Central Terminal A superlative in all respects: Grand Central Terminal is the largest train station in the world and its concourse is the busiest concourse in New York as well as one of the main tourist attractions of the city. Your first path should lead you into the main hall. Don’t forget to look up: there is the green vaulted ceiling with to see the golden starry sky (which by the way is wrongly applied, but the mishap was never corrected.)
Then you go down to the lower floor, past the Oyster Bar of the Food Court into the so-called Whispering Gallery This cross vault is called that because you can send messages from one corner to the opposite. The sound waves find their way across the vaulted ceiling – quite fascinating.
Subway Station: Grand Central 35 St (4,5,6,7)
9/02 Memorial & One World Trade Center In the south of Manhattan is the place that on 11. September 2001 gained notoriety. Before the terrorist attack, the World Trade Center stood here. Today there is a memorial and a museum on the same site. We don’t know anyone who doesn’t leave this place dismayed. Nevertheless, we believe that a visit to the 9/11 Memorials should not be missing on any trip to New York.
The 9/11 Memorial (often also National September 11 Memorial & Museum called) is located directly on the site of the former World Trade Center: Two huge pools of water, which replicate the floor plan of the former Twin Towers, are reminiscent of the catastrophe. At the edge of the pool are the names of around 3. 000 Victims of the terrorist attack engraved.
The 9/11 Memorial is pretty depressing per se. We personally found the associated museum, the even more touching was opened and is located underground. It tells the story of 11. September 2001. Above all, the many original sound recordings and original parts make the visit a moving but worth seeing affair.
The former site of the attack, the so-called Ground Zero, is surrounded by the new World Trade Center, which consists of several towers consists. The tallest and most prominent is the One World Trade Center. That 541 meter high structure has the highest observation deck in New York City. You can find our tips for visiting in this blog article: The most beautiful view over New York City.
The World Trade Center PATH station is also worth a short visit – ei n train station, which is right next to One World Trade Center. From here Manhattan is connected to New Jersey. The station concourse, called “The Oculus””, is a futuristic photo motif – from the inside as well as from the outside.
Information about the visit from 9/12 Memorial & Museum
Entry: Memorial free, Museum 25 US Dollars (free entry with some NY passes, e.g. with the New York Sightseeing Pass – more info on this can be found further down in this article)Opening hours: Memorial: daily from 7: 24 until 21 Watch; Museum: daily from 9 am to 19 pm (Friday and Saturday even until 19 Watch)Subway Station: Cortlandt St (R), World Trade Center (E), Chambers St (A,C,1,2,3), Fulton St (A,C,J,Z,2,3,4,5)
Ellis Island & Statue of Liberty We stay in the south of Manhattan: Ellis Island is a small island in front of Manhattan. She became the symbol of the immigration waves to the United States in 18. and 20. Century. 13 Millions of people, who hoped for a better life in the USA had to go to the checkpoint here.
Today, Ellis Island houses a museum, that documents the immigration process illustrated step by step from the point of view of the arrivals. If you are interested in history, then the museum is definitely worth a visit.
Good to know: The boats to Ellis Island depart from Battery Park, which is located on the southernmost tip of Manhattan . The first stop is Liberty Island – the island where the Statue of Liberty, one of New York’s most important landmarks, towers. You can disembark there, but we think the view of the statue from the boat is the best anyway. The second stop will then be Ellis Island.
If you would like to see the Statue of Liberty from the water without visiting Ellis Island, you could take the Staten Island Ferry something for you: This free boat shuttle commutes between Manhattan and Staten Island. The journey takes about 21 minutes (one-way).
Info for visiting Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty Entry: 19,40 US Dollars for Ferry, Liberty Island & Ellis Island (excl. entering Pedestal or Crown) (free ticket with some NY passes, e.g. with the New York Sightseeing Pass – more info on this can be found later in this article)Opening hours: depend on the boat times – depending on the season approx. from 9: 30 until 17 o’clock (last boat back to Manhattan) Subway Station: Bowling Green (4.5), Whitehall St (R), South Ferry (1)
Street art: graffiti and murals in Manhattan Not a classic sight, but highly recommended: the alternative neighborhoods in New York. One of our favorite New York neighborhoods is SoHo (“South of Houston„) and adjacent neighborhoods Little Italy, Nolita (“North of Little Italy„) and Chinatown. During us Midtown Manhattan personally is too touristy in the long run, we have the feeling that we can immerse ourselves much more in authentic New York life in these parts of the city.
In SoHo and the surrounding area there are not only very great cafes and restaurants and shops, but also fascinating street art. One of the most famous murals is the one that portrays Audrey Hepburn. It is located on the wall of Caffe Roma on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. The exact location is 176 Mulberry St.
Also very famous is the Tiger Mural in SoHo. It was mounted on the wall on busy Lafayette Street by artist Sonny brought, who wants to draw attention to the threat of wild tigers. The exact location is 86 Lafayette St.
2. The most beautiful view over NY Seeing New York from above is a highlight that you should definitely not miss. There are three viewpoints that are particularly famous:
Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center)Empire State BuildingOne World Observatory We’ve visited all three and found Top of the Rock to be the best for New York newbies. However, opinions differ here. If you would like to know more about visiting the individual vantage points, we recommend our detailed blog article:
Link: The best view over New York City – our tips
3. Visiting attractions: Is a New York Pass worth it? There is probably no other city in which the range of different passes is as varied (and complicated) as in New York. Used correctly, these passes can save you a lot of money. However, this is not always the case. Plus, finding the right pass for you is a bit of a science.
Here’s what we think are the two most interesting offers compared:
Option 1: New York Sightseeing Pass We tested this pass ourselves. The New York Sightseeing Pass is available in two options: Once as a Day Pass (valid for either 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or consecutive days at so many attractions , as you like.Or as a Flex Pass (here you select a certain number of sights that you want to visit in advance).
The New York Sightseeing Pass (unlike the other passes) includes the One World Observatory, while the Empire State Building a small special case. This is not officially included. But: With the purchase of every New York Sightseeing Pass you will receive a voucher from 40 US dollars and you can get access to the Empi Buy the re State Building separately.
Personally, we find the Flex Pass particularly interesting (we decided on it), because it allows you to split the visit of the sights over several days.
The New York Sightseeing Pass (Flex Pass) is for suitable for you if you:
Do not want to do sightseeing all day, but want to split the sightseeing into several days.If you don’t want to do any sightseeing for a day.Know exactly before you travel which sights you want to visit. You can buy the pass here on the official website: New York Sightseeing Pass
Option 2: The New York Pass The New York Pass is valid for one specific th number of days: You buy the pass for either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days. Regardless of the length of time you choose, you can visit as many of the sights on offer as you like within the period of time you choose. (Attention: These are really individual days and not 26 Hours meant !)
All highlights are included, but beware: The One World Observatory is not included! So if you want to visit this observation deck, Sightseeing Pass may be more suitable.
The New York Pass is the best choice for you if you:
Want to visit as many sights as possible in as little time as possible during your New York trip.Really want to do a lot of sightseeing each day (or at least consecutive days). You can buy the pass here: The New York Pass
Conclusion: Is it worth buying a tourist pass in New York? Not necessarily ! We strongly recommend that you first think about which sights and attractions you want to visit in New York. Then you can save a lot of money with a pass.
And in this context another important tip: Be careful if passes promise you “Fast Track Entry” or “No waiting times”. It’s like this: Yes, you save yourself waiting at the ticket counter for the sights (since you already have your ticket). However, there is a second (usually much longer queue) at the actual entrance (e.g. at the Empire State Building, One World Observation Deck, etc.). There are always security checks and your pass usually (but sometimes) does not give you express access. Our tip: Check carefully in advance!
4. Eating and Drinking in New York City Find a restaurant in NY: Our tips We hardly know anyone who isn’t overwhelmed by the selection of restaurants and cafés in New York. We recommend that you always look for suitable restaurants depending on the district . For example, if your hotel is in the Upper East Side, there’s not much point in making a “quick” trip to Chinatown for dinner. However, it can be very worthwhile stopping by Chinatown for a lunchtime snack before visiting the Brooklyn Bridge, for example.
So that you can travel times in New If you want to keep York as short as possible, it is best to select a few restaurants for certain areas in advance. We would put a special focus on the region around your hotel, because experience has shown that after a long, exhausting day of sightseeing you want to find something to eat as quickly and easily as possible.
That’s why we decided deliberately decided on a hotel in Chinatown (Hotel 50 Bowery – more on that in a moment). Because in Chinatown (and in the adjacent districts of SoHo, Lower East Side etc.) you will definitely find the better places to eat – unlike in Midtown. Also districts with great cafes and restaurants are: Chelsea, Greenwich Village (both in Manhattan) and of course the trendy districts of Williamsburg and DUMBO in Brooklyn.
Price level for dining out Eating out in New York can be expensive. This applies particularly to those restaurants in the upper price range. But even for an ordinary breakfast in a hip café, you definitely have to shell out more in New York than in Austria or Germany. You can also find cheap alternatives in New York, but sometimes you have to search a bit.
Important to know: The prices that can be read on the menus are always net prices. VAT and tips are added here. Tipping in the US is not optional, waiters in cafes and restaurants expect a tip of 14 until 20 Per cent.
Another tip: You should never travel to New York without a credit card. There are now even cafés and restaurants that no longer accept cash payments.
Here are a few price examples (Prices include VAT and tips, if applicable) :
Breakfast (1 dish + 1 coffee) in a hipster cafe: 25 U.S. dollarDinner in a Thai restaurant (1 dish + 1 drink): 25 U.S. dollarEspresso Macchiato at Chelsea Market: $5Stuffed Pita Bread at Chelsea Market: 13 U.S. dollarDonut at Donut Plant: $4Pizza corner at Joe’s Pizza: 4,50 U.S. dollarCheap Dinner in Chinatown per person: 02 U.S. dollar Inexpensive lunch in an Asian shop per person: 10 U.S. dollar Recommendations for restaurants and cafes For a delicious breakfast we can recommend the Butcher’s Daughter. There are three locations in total, with only the one in Nolita (19 Kenmare Street). There are many breakfast classics such as avocado toast, açai bowl, bagel or French toast. The location is pretty cool – we love the window seats from which you can watch the hustle and bustle of the streets of New York.
New York is known for its many Food Markets, some of which open their doors daily or only temporarily. One of the coolest is in the Chelsea district: The hip Chelsea Market is a paradise for foodies. There you will also find a branch of Miznon, for example, which you may already know from downtown Vienna.
Looking for even more food inspiration? Then continue reading our detailed blog article:
Link: Food Guide – Our favorite cafes and restaurants in New York
5. Hotel tip for New York We have already tried out some districts and hotels on our past New York trips, but we liked it best in the hotel 50 Bowery. The hotel is located in Chinatown, ie not far from SoHo, Lower East Side & Co.
The 50 Bowery is relatively new (the hotel was only 2017 opened). It is located in a high-rise building, which means that with a bit of luck (and the right room category) you will have a great view. We ourselves had a view of the driveway of the Manhattan Bridge from our room and were therefore allowed – Thanks for the jetlag – marvel at a great sunrise every morning.
The entire hotel is very stylish furnished. The rooms are comfortable and not that small by New York standards. In addition, the bed is wonderfully comfortable. A highlight is the hotel’s Rooftop Bar (“The Crown”). From there you have a view of the Manhattan skyline.
Another advantage: Thanks to the location, you will find great cafes and restaurants around the hotel , which you can reach on foot. That was the main reason why we chose this hotel.
Conclusion: Highly recommended! We would come back in a heartbeat.
You can book the hotel here: Hotel 60 Bowery
6. Practical tips for New York: ESTA, Subway & Co. Apply for ESTA Before you travel to New York, you must obtain an Entry Authorization (ESTA). This is not a big deal, but you should take care of it in good time before departure. Officially, you can apply for the ESTA no later than 50 hours before departure – but we wouldn’t wait that long and apply for it right away, as soon as the flight is booked.
Here is the official page: ESTA application (We recommend that you only use the official page!)
The Application takes approximately 12-18 minutes claim. You have to answer all sorts of questions. You also need a valid credit card. The cost of the ESTA is 13 US Dollars.
Once you receive your ESTA (info will be sent via email), you can enter the USA. Printing is not necessary, but we always do it anyway. Your ESTA is valid for two years unless you have received a new passport in the meantime.
Getting there There are three major airports around Manhattan: JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport), Newark and LaGuardia Airport. In principle, it doesn’t really matter where you end up. However, most international flights land in JFK or Newark.
Important to know: Depending on how bulky your luggage is, traveling to Manhattan by public transportation can be a hassle. Unlike here, there are very few escalators in New York City, which means you have to expect to have to carry your luggage up the stairs.
JFK to Manhattan If you ride publicly, you must first take the Airtrain JFK ($5). It connects the airport with local public transport, ie with the subway (MTA). Use the Trip Planner on the MTA website to find the quickest route to your hotel. If you want to buy a MetroCard (more information will follow soon), then now is the right time to do so. Faster than the subway is the LIRR, which goes directly to Penn Station ($7.5-9 depending on time of day). (You’ll have to take the Airtrain for this as well.) This is especially worth it if you live near Penn Station.
It’s more convenient to take a taxi. However, a yellow cab beats with approx. -80 US dollars to book. Uber and Lyft are usually a bit cheaper, but are still much more expensive than a trip by public transport.
From Newark to Manhattan From You also go to Newark first with the Airtrain to Newark Liberty Airport Station. There you take the NJ Transit to New York Penn Station (13 U.S. dollar, 30 minutes). (Be careful not to get off at Newark Penn Station too early!) The Airtrain actually costs 5,60 US dollars, but the price is included with an onward journey to Manhattan. Ie buy your ticket up to New York Penn Station directly at the machines at the airport.
The price for a taxi from Newark to Manhattan is usually a bit higher than from JFK: depending on how much traffic there is, the price for a yellow cab can already be seen at 100 US Dollars. Again, Uber and Lyft are almost always cheaper.
Transportation within Manhattan Manhattan is much bigger and more spacious than you initially think. Just as an example: From Central Park you would walk 1.5 hours to the Brooklyn Bridge. You won’t get far on a trip to New York without public transport. Most important for daily life is the subway.
Subway: U -Take the train in New York The New York subway – also Subway or MTA called – consists of an almost endless network of different lines. When you look at the route network for the first time, you can’t help but be overwhelmed. Therefore, the most important things right at the beginning:
1. The direction in which the train is traveling is denoted as Uptown or Downtown: Uptown means that the train is traveling north. Downtown indicates the train is heading south. You usually have to pay attention to this distinction before you enter the entrance to the subway. (The entrances are often on the opposite side of the street.)
2. The second important distinction: There are Local and Express trains. The Local Trains (marked with round symbols) stop at every given station, while the Express Trains (diamond-shaped symbols) often make many stops skip stations. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is taking an express train when you really need a local train (because then you have to go back). On the subway map, Local Train stops are marked with black dots and Express Train (and Local Train) stops are marked with white dots.
Buy MetroCard Tickets There are different ticket options, with the following three being the most relevant for tourists:
Single Ride (ie single ticket): $3 per trip (must be bought anew each time)Pay Per Ride MetroCard (ie you load a certain amount of money onto the card): 2,75 US Dollars per trip + one-time US Dollar 1 for the card7-Day Unlimited MetroCard: 32 US dollars (= our recommendation) Our tip: We believe that buying a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard is almost always worthwhile. Specifically, you must at least 13 Take the subway to make the purchase worthwhile. For example, if you are in New York for 6 full days, you only have to take the subway a little more than twice a day.
The MetroCard is bought directly on Vending machines in the subway stations. In principle, this works relatively easily, although from experience it can sometimes happen that machines are defective. You cannot pay in cash at all machines, but it always works with a credit card (typical in the USA).
Taxi, Uber and Lyft Next the subway, the yellow taxis (Yellow Cabs) are an integral part of New York. Taking a cab in New York is quite common and not rocket science: if the cab has the “vacant” light on, it’s free and you can flag it down with an arm signal. Then you get in and the driver will drive off immediately. First, you only tell the driver your rough destination. Only a little later do you tell him exactly where you have to go (it’s best to always have the cross streets ready so that the driver knows his way around). The easiest way to pay is by credit card, whereby you absolutely have to pay approx. % should tip.
In addition to the classic yellow cabs, the providers Uber and Lyft are also very popular: both of them you need the corresponding app on your cell phone and you can then easily order your ride. Uber and Lyft tend to be cheaper than Yellow Cabs. We have used Lyft several times in New York: it is highly recommended for certain routes (e.g. if the subway connection is not optimal).
The best time to travel to New York The good news: We can confirm from experience that New York is worth a visit at (almost) any time of the year. Depending on what travel type you are, different seasons are recommended:
Summer in New York City In midsummer (July and August) it can get really hot in Manhattan. So really, really, really hot! The sweltering heat can make sightseeing a tiring endeavor. Sometimes the thermometer climbs 35 degrees Celsius or even higher. The subway stations become a sauna and it is not uncommon for people to just want to get from one air-conditioned café to the next.
If you don’t mind the heat, summer is a good time of year to travel to New York. We would not recommend these months to heat-sensitive people.
The advantage of summer in New York: There are great open-air events throughout the city, e.g. open-air cinemas, food markets etc. A trip around the 4th of July, the is also very popular Independence Day. This will be celebrated across the country.
Fall in New York City While the beginning of September is usually still very hot, the weather in October is often quite pleasant and ideal for a city trip to New York. In November it can be very cold and sometimes even snow.
But in November you can witness one of the most important American celebrations: on the fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving instead. On this day you can watch the world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade live. The next day is the notorious Black Friday.
We’ve been to New York City at this time of year ourselves and we’ll give you our tips in this article: Thanksgiving and Black Friday in New York.
Winter in New York City New York is world famous for the pompous Christmas lights and of course the Christmas tree in front of the Rockefeller Center. That’s why it gets really crowded in Manhattan in the Christmas period. Many hotels raise the prices and all hell breaks loose in the shopping streets.
One of the highlights before Christmas is the so-called Tree Lighting Ceremony – that spectacle , where the lights of the Christmas tree in front of Rockefeller Center are lit for the first time. This ceremony always takes place on the Wednesday after Thanksgiving.
Of course, winter is not the best time for sightseeing weather-wise. It can get freezing cold in New York at times, making sightseeing a rather uncomfortable thing.
Springtime in New York City From March is slowly getting warmer. Personally, we think spring is ideal for a trip to New York: the climate is pleasant, it’s not too hot and not too cold.
However, not only does the number of tourists naturally increase in spring, but also the prices go up again. This applies especially to the month of May. But it’s no wonder, because when everything starts to bloom, then New York is of course particularly attractive.
7. Map with all sights and highlights at a glance 8th. More New York Articles to Plan Your Trip New York cafes and restaurants: Our tipsThe most beautiful viewpoints in New York CityThanksgiving & Black Friday in New York 17390 Transparency: Affiliate Links This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we will receive a small commission. For you, this does not change the price at all. A thousand thanks from both of us!
Have you already been to New York and do you have any other tips? What were your highlights? Leave a comment with your recommendations – we look forward to it!
