A guide for visiting New York City, including how to find the best hotels and the top attractions to see.
New York is a wonderful place to visit, however for first timers it can be a little overwhelming. With so many places to see, from the Statue of Liberty to Times Square, and everything else in between, as a New York newbie, it can be hard to know what to see and do.
Finding and booking hotels in New York is also a challenge. When planning a trip to New York it’s important to plan ahead because hotels fill up quickly. In order to find the best hotels in New York, you will want to follow a few steps.
We have put together this handy guide to New York for first timers. For all the best tips and advice for getting the most out of your trip to the big apple, keep reading below.
Tips for finding hotels in New York
Without searching for New York hotels in advance it’s almost impossible to travel to the city if you’re on any type of budget. With all of the visitors to the city, it’s no wonder that hotels in the area can charge an arm and a leg per night for a single room and they still sell out almost every night of the week.
Choose accommodation that is central
For your first trip to New York, it is a good idea to choose accommodation that is central, as this will allow you to get around without breaking the bank. The best place to stay in central New York is Manhattan. It’s central, and there are plenty of accommodation options you can find here.
Don’t wait until the last minute
When planning a trip to New York, don’t wait until the last minute to book your hotel. Some experts say that it’s a good idea to wait until you’re about to travel because often times in the hotel business, if rooms do not sell, then the hotel lowers their prices in order to draw people in to the rooms. In New York, this is not the case. In New York it’s important to find New York deals because when they only have limited availability in their hotel they keep their room rate high. Why do they do this in New York? It’s simple; someone will always fill the room.
Getting around New York
Walk or take the subway
Like any big city, cabs can be incredibly expensive to take around New York. Instead of taking a cab, either take the subway or walk.
If you are staying in accommodation that is central, then you will easily be able to walk to most of the city’s sights attractions. This is ideal for your first visit to the big apple as you will want to experience the city streetscape.
Sights to see in New York
Empire State Building
The towering spire of the Empire State Building adds depth and meaning to the NYC’s skyline. Since 1931, this 1,454-foot-tall landmark has been a proud emblem of the city drawing the attention of visitors from across the world. This iconic building should be included in your itinerary.
Central Park
Central Park is one of New York’s most famous attractions and is definitely not somewhere to miss. Dating back to 1857, Central Park was created to give the people of New York an outdoor space away from the hustle and bustle of the hectic industrial city of the 50’s.
Over 700 acres wide, Central Park, is a big park. Complete with winding paths, grassy areas, flower gardens and hump back bridges, Central Park is an absolute must-see.
As well as visiting the park during the day, take a stroll through it at night, and you will be surprised by how pretty it looks. Just make sure to take a friend with you – it’s not a good idea to explore the park alone at night.
The Statue of Liberty
If you are visiting New York for the first time, one of the must-see sights is the Statue of Liberty. It’s a beautiful sight that means so much to the people of New York, many even say it is the essence of the city.
The best time to visit New York’s favourite statue is at sunset or just before dusk, as it will look even more beautiful than during the daylight.
Times Square
Times Square is the happening place in New York. Named after the New York Times tower, it’s a whirlwind of activity and it continues to draw visitors for shopping, the theatres, and restaurants. Times Square is site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop, but the real spectacle of this place lies in its mammoth billboards. It was here that the Times newspaper used moving signs for the first time ever to post its current headlines.
Wall Street
Tourists going to New York City should not miss taking a walk around Wall Street and gazing up at the impressive skyscrapers. This popular tourist attraction is much more than just towering buildings as it’s considered the nerve-center of the American financial markets. In fact, some of the most important stock exchanges in the world are located around this street and the surrounding area. So, walk past the New York Stock Exchange, visit the Federal Reserve Bank building and marvel at these American architectural landmarks.
New York’s museums
New York is the global center of art and culture and is home to some of the world’s best museums and galleries. Many of which, are free, so are ideal if spending money is tight.
There are so many museums to choose from, but the best are the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art gives you the opportunity to explore the staggering collection of some 2 million works of art! This 18th century museum known as “The Met” is one of most visited landmarks in all of New York.
The museum is the largest art museum in the United States, and among the most visited art museums in the world. Its permanent collection contains over two million works, divided among seventeen curatorial departments. The main building, on the eastern edge of Central Park along Manhattan’s Museum Mile, is by area one of the world’s largest art galleries. From Van Gogh to Egyptian antiquities, the Met has it all.
The permanent collection also includes paintings and sculptures from nearly all the European masters, and an extensive collection of American and modern art. The Met maintains extensive holdings of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine, and Islamic art. The museum is also home to encyclopedic collections of musical instruments, costumes and accessories, and antique weapons and armor from around the world. The museum is open 7 days a week.
Brooklyn Bridge
The iconic Brooklyn Bridge is a beautiful reminder of NYC’s history of architectural innovation. This 1883 bridge was a marvel of engineering at that time as it was the world’s longest suspension bridge. It made crossing the East River a possibility. Today, this historical landmark receives a large number of tourists and delights for panoramic vistas and lazy walks.
The Chrysler Building
This building is a perfect blend of history and architectural finesse. The décor and architecture of this iconic skyscraper is visible from miles away but you need to come close to unravel its historical secrets. This 77-floor building in the art déco style was once the tallest building in NYC and still continues to enjoy an iconic status even seven decades after being built.
Rockefeller Center
When in New York, don’t miss visiting the grand entertainment and shopping complex that is Rockefeller Center. A hub of activity, it has shops, restaurants and an observation deck, not to mention the outdoor skating rink which is very popular in the winter! From here you can see the famous sculpture of Atlas, the 70-story Comcast Building (aka 30 Rock) and viewing spaces such as Top of the Rock, to the see the city skyline.
The Flatiron Building
This unique building once towered over all else and caught the attention of art lovers and visitors like. Its pointed design was criticized and even experts did not believe that it would remain standing. That it did and that it became a center of attraction is a testament to the architectural inventiveness that New York is known for.
The Cloisters
Constructed in the 30’s, this museum carries architectural details from 15th century monasteries. It feels much older than it actually is and is home to art and architectural collections from the Middle Ages or medieval times. A visit here gives you get a rich slice of history to explore and learn a lot about NYC. The Cloisters is valuable to those interested in art from earlier times.
The Apollo Theater
This historic theater is truly an enriching experience. Its historical moments are numerous and appropriately, it’s dubbed the home of R&B music in NYC. It has hosted a number of big events and shows and delivered to the world a host of stars and legends.
SoHo
SoHo is a shopper’s paradise for those with wide-ranging tastes that are constrained by a budget. You’ll find a plethora of shops, offering everything from brand name perfumes and hard-to-get wines to first-run book prints and vintage musical instruments. Plan to spend at least a few hours (and a few dollars)
Enjoy the greatest city in the world
Visiting New York City offers an unforgettable travel experience. To prepare yourself for travel to New York do your research before you go. Check out travel websites and talk to others that have traveled to the city.
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