New York City. The Big Apple. The city that never sleeps. The concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There are so many names and references for this marvelous city, but they don’t do it justice until you’ve taken a trip there, felt the vibes, admired the skyscrapers, and smelled the roasted nuts and hotdog carts. With over 60 million visitors, New York City is a must-see destination for those who love exploring new cities–especially if you’re like me and love to take in everything a city has to offer!
Still, planning a trip to New York can feel quite overwhelming–I get it. There is so much to see, and it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s exactly why I’ve dedicated this blog post to all things New York City. I’m sharing the best seasons to visit, things to do, and even how to navigate this incredible city. So, let’s dive into planning your trip to New York!
The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to New York
New York City is one of the top destinations in the world for people to visit. It is full of vibrant culture, gorgeous architecture, trendy restaurants, eye-catching fashion, and rich history. But, planning a trip here can almost feel like a part-time (or even full-time) job. To help you save some time and make sure you see the BEST sights and neighborhoods, I’m sharing my first-hand tips for planning an AMAZING trip to New York. So, you can focus more on what to wear and less on what to do!
When is the Best Time to Visit New York?
New York is a year-round destination with something to do in every season. However, there are definitely some better times to visit if you want the full New York experience.
To be honest, New York is one of the best travel destinations in the fall! You’ll get to experience the famous colorful fall foliage, enjoy crisp weather, and participate in outdoor activities. We chose to go in mid-October for our first visit when the weather is still mild–an average of 65°F.
The next best time to visit New York City would definitely be Christmas. From the last week of November to the first week of January, you can experience a true New York Christmas with incredible decorations, street lights, and, of course, the enormous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Now, this time of year is not for the faint of heart. It will be cold–an average temperature of 45°F–and even more crowded than usual. But it would be SO worth it to feel like you are in a Christmas movie!
If you aren’t into the cold or super crowded streets around Christmas time, then I would recommend visiting New York in the late spring and early summer months. The weather would be warm enough to enjoy the outdoors without feeling like you’re in a sauna–that big city concrete heat is no joke! It’s the perfect time to enjoy Central Park, walk The High Line, and cool off in museums if the heat gets too bad. Plus, in the summer, you can usually find a street festival happening somewhere in the city to get a truly authentic New York City experience.
What to Do in New York: Sights, Tours, Restaurants, and More
Admire the billboards in Times Square.
You can’t visit New York City without sitting on the bleachers in Times Square and watching all of the billboards flash advertisements for refreshments, Broadway shows, technology, and more. Times Square is the essence of New York City with the hustle and bustle and bright lights. Plus you can do some Times Square shopping at famous stores like the M&M Store and get exclusive souvenirs. If you would prefer to admire it all far above the busy crowds, I recommend booking a reservation at Beast and Butterflies, the rooftop bar and restaurant at M Social Hotel with stunning views of Times Square.
Hop on a walking tour.
There is no better way to see New York City than with a walking tour. With so many fascinating neighborhoods, like Wall Street, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Tribeca, and Little Italy, walking tours will make sure you see EVERYTHING. Plus, with a tour guide, you’ll learn new facts and tidbits about the city that you never would have known if you walked along the street by yourself. We ended up doing this Greenwich Village Food Tour, and it was the perfect way to spend a morning exploring this popular neighborhood, including visiting Washington Square Park.
See a Broadway show.
One of the most popular ways to experience New York City than by seeing a Broadway show. You may have seen a stage production before, but from what I have heard it does not compare to the spectacle that is a Broadway show! You can reserve tickets online or buy them directly at the box office in Times Square.
Pay your respects at the 9/11 memorial.
While visiting New York, you can visit the 9/11 memorials and museum to honor the victims of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001. It is a stunning memorial with reflecting pools and the names of those lost on that fateful day, as well as an informative museum about the events that took place and how a country came together. I definitely got emotional while walking through the museum, and I highly recommend visiting the city.
Climb to Top of the Rock.
The best view you can get of New York City is at the top of Rockefeller Center, otherwise known as Top of the Rock. The 360-degree observation deck consists of three levels on the 70th floor of the building, giving jaw-dropping views of Manhattan and the other boroughs. You can choose to go during the day or at night to see the sparkling city lights. There are A LOT of popular observation decks in NYC, but Top of the Rock just has that classic, vintage New York city feel to it while placing you in the center of the city, and it ended up being my favorite one that we visited.
Explore the Museum of Modern Art.
The Museum of Modern Art, AKA the MOMA, is a must-visit if you appreciate a more trendy approach to art. From paintings to sculptures to pieces of art that may have you questioning your own artistic skills, you can spend hours admiring the collection here.
Learn something new at the Museum of Natural History.
Live out your very own Night at the Museum experience by touring the American Museum of Natural History. You could easily spend a full day exploring the exhibits in this museum and learning about our planet and species.
Visit Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
Trust me when I say you will feel like you’ve been transported to Italy when you step inside this cathedral. It was built in the mid-1800s and is now the largest Gothic cathedral in the United States. It really stands out amid all the modern skyscrapers in the skyline.
Grab lunch at Chelsea Market.
Not sure what to eat? Then, take a trip down to the Meatpacking District and grab lunch at the famous Chelsea Market! With over 40 food stalls and restaurants, you can taste a little bit of everything the New York culinary scene has to offer. We ended up stopping in a few shops here as well. This is also a great choice if you’re traveling with a group where everyone has a different craving to satisfy.
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
New York City is more than just Manhattan. Explore the newest trending borough–Brooklyn! Take a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge for the best views of Manhattan as you travel to this new part of the city. My top tip is to visit first thing in the morning for sunrise. The bridge gets pretty packed, so if you prefer to enjoy it with less of a crowd you better remember to set that alarm extra early. I guarantee you’re gonna get some of the best pictures on this bridge during your trip to New York.
Take a boat tour around the Statue of Liberty.
You can’t visit New York without seeing the Statue of Liberty. The best (and easiest) way to see the iconic statue is on a boat tour. These boat tours have a guide showing you the views of Liberty and Ellis Island while sharing their important histories. They also serve light refreshments! If you’re on a tight schedule (and budget), then a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty is perfect because it takes just about an hour, and you can get some great photos. We ended up seeing it during a Christmas-themed dinner cruise, and it was so pretty to see at night with all the lights.
Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
If you’re a lover of classic art throughout history, then the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, is definitely a must-do in New York. You could easily spend the whole day looking at art pieces and artifacts over the centuries. I definitely recommend checking out the incredible Egyptian exhibit, and don’t forget to head up to their rooftop to enjoy stunning views of Central Park and the skyline.
Take a bike tour in Central Park.
Central Park is HUGE–843 acres, to be exact! The best way to see all of its great scenes and secrets, like the Boathouse and Alice in Wonderland statue, is on a bike tour. You can hop on a bike yourself or hire one of the guides to cycle you through the park and point out iconic landmarks. If you prefer to walk, you can easily spend all day strolling through this famous park and taking in all the sights. It is especially beautiful in the fall.
Visit the Empire State Building.
Did you even visit New York if you didn’t visit the Empire State Building? Take the elevator up to the observation deck on the 86th floor and see an incredible view of the city. You’ll also get to see the museum inside about the building’s history and why it is so iconic and important in New York.
Take a stroll along The High Line.
If you want to escape the concrete and crowds of New York’s sidewalks, then I recommend strolling along The High Line in the Chelsea neighborhood. Adorned with beautiful plants and flowers, you can stroll between highrises on this elevated walkway. You’ll get incredible views of the city and a breath of fresh air. Plus, it can lead you right to Chelsea Market.
Experience history on Ellis Island.
Did you know that 12 million people immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island? This period was such a crucial turning point in the country’s history. It is definitely worth a visit to the museums on the island. Who knows, maybe one of your ancestors even passed through here.
Tips on How to Get Around New York
If you don’t live in a city or are nervous about getting around New York, have no fear! I’m here with the best ways to get around New York City and make sure you use your time efficiently to work through your itinerary.
Pro Tip: While it is nice to get your steps in, walking everywhere is not the best way to get around New York!
Subway
With 36 lines, MTA New York Subway takes you virtually anywhere you want to go throughout New York and all of its boroughs. The subway operates 24/7 every single day, so you will never be without a ride. A one-way ticket costs just around $3.25 or so, but you can buy daily, weekly, and even monthly passes for reduced-rate rides. We were a little intimidated the first time we headed down those Subway stairs, but after riding it once and realizing how much faster we could get around the city, we were taking it all over!
Buses
Wherever the subway doesn’t go, you can hop on a city bus. These are big blue buses that you’ll see throughout the city. You can use your MetroCard (which you can get in the subway), pay exact fare on the bus, or buy a ticket from a machine.
Taxis
The iconic yellow taxis are another great way to get around in New York. Simply hold your arm out in the street for oncoming taxis to see that you need a ride, and they will pull over to pick you up. These drivers know the city like the back of their hands, so you can tell them a general area or cross streets, and they will take you there.
Rideshare
You can also call Uber or Lyft rides in New York City to help you get to your destinations. This is ideal, especially if you are coming back to your hotel late at night or have luggage to carry. With just a few taps on your own, a driver will meet you wherever you are in the city.
Tips on How to Plan a Trip to New York
Make travel reservations.
If all roads lead to Rome, all flights and buses lead to New York City! This city is home to three major airports–John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark. All are very easily accessible by public transportation to get to the city too. Whether you are coming from California or Europe, if you’re flying, you will want to arrive at one of these airports.
If you’re visiting from somewhere a little closer, you might also consider taking the train. Amtrak has high-speed trains along the East Coast for quick and easy travel to New York.
Or if you want to face the challenge of New York grid traffic, you could consider driving. You should know, though, that parking can be quite expensive, and you may pay extra tolls for driving in the city.
Decide where to stay.
Where you stay can make or break your trip to New York. Choosing a central location like in Midtown and near a majority of what you want to do will help you get the most out of your trip.
Select a location central to everything you are doing or stay in multiple areas depending on the length of your trip. For example, we stayed near Time Square and then later in Lower Manhattan for Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, Wall Street.
I recommend staying in either a hotel (check out Booking.com) or Airbnb and to book it ahead of time. New York is known for outrageous prices, so the earlier you book, the better price you’ll get.
Plan your activity itinerary.
As you can see, there is A LOT to do in New York City. So, creating an itinerary for your activities will help you see everything you want. You can be super detail-oriented and time block your days and find restaurants beforehand where you want to eat. Or you can be more laid back and list the sights you want to see each day. The decision is up to you, but having some kind of organized itinerary is definitely super helpful.
Buy a New York City Pass.
One of the best things you can do on your trip to New York is get a sightseeing pass. With so many iconic museums and things to do, these tourist passes offer discounted prices and time slots so you can see everything New York has to offer. For example, the City Pass saves up to 43% on door ticket prices and is valid for up to nine days, so you can fit in everything you want to see.
Download helpful apps.
Your phone will be your lifesaver when traveling in New York City. Before arriving, make sure to download helpful apps for navigation, restaurant navigation, and rideshares. Some of my favorite travel apps in New York are
- MTA App for public transportation
- Uber and Lyft for rideshares
- Tripadvisor for restaurants and activities
- Google Maps for directions
- OpenTable for restaurant reservations
- Citymapper for public transportation directions
- GetYourGuide for tours and experiences
Go all out with an expertly planned trip to New York!
Don’t let planning a trip to New York keep you from going to the Big Apple. You now have all of the firsthand insider tips you need to plan a beautiful and exciting trip to one of the most iconic cities in the world!
If you are interested in more resources to help plan your trip check out my other blog posts, including my Foodie Getaway on Fort Wayne Guide or my Gatlinburg Area Travel Guide, and you can always follow me on Instagram at @sierrainthecity!
Pin this post for later:
Leave a Reply