Planning your big city adventure? Here’s your ultimate New York City travel guide with must-see spots and insider tips to make your trip unforgettable!
Cool, cosmopolitan, crowded… New York City is the beating heart of the world—and for good reason. It’s famous for, well, just about everything. I’d like to say, every culture, language, and food is represented here! And, unsurprisingly, there’s a never-ending list of things to do.
That said, no amount of time spent in NYC will be enough. So, you’ll never run out of things to do. BUT… you will struggle to choose the best activities. And because trial-and-error is best avoided when you’re in one of the world’s busiest cities—I’m here to share my go-to guide for everything NYC.
I traveled to New York City with friends and myself. But, even now, I dream of taking Joseph and our little one Kaimani there someday—and show them the energy that only NYC can give you.
Keep reading for the ultimate travel guide to New York City. Aka the Big Apple. And the city that never sleeps.
A Little About the New York City
New York City—or simply The City, as the locals say—is where dreams meet reality. It’s the largest city in the United States, home to over 8 million people and 8 billion things to do (okay, slight exaggeration, but you get it).
This city is split into five boroughs—Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. You can think of Manhattan as the heartbeat of NYC, while Brooklyn will give you a more laid-back vibe. Together, they give just the right yin-yang energy.
How Do You Get to New York City?
If you’re coming from another country, you’ll be flying into NYC in one of its airports. JFK International Airport is the most common entry point (located in Queens). From here, you can grab an Uber (or perhaps that iconic yellow cab!) and head to your accommodation. Another option is taking the subway.
Best Things to Do in New York City
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Let’s start big, shall we? Seeing Lady Liberty up close is a bucket-list moment! I took the ferry from Battery Park to Liberty Island, and then stopped by Ellis Island; this gave me a peek into the immigrant stories that shaped America.
Walk Through the Central Park
This is part-park, part-concert, and part-museum—so you’ll have lots to do! It’s also one of the best free things to do in NYC. There are lots of little paths, and because there are over 40 blocks to cover, you can spend plenty of hours wandering here. When hungry, you can stop for a quick picnic. From spring to fall, there are guided walking tours as well. I visited on a sunny day, and loved laying out in Sheep’s Meadow with my favorite book.
Brooklyn and Manhattan
You can find many great bridges in the NYC area, but I enjoyed walking across the Brooklyn Bridge so much! It may be the busiest, but that’s for good reason. The walkway sits above the traffic, and you’ll get nonstop skyline views. I definitely recommend this one to first-timers in NYC. On one end, Brooklyn has street art and cute cafes. On the Manhattan side, you’ll find Wall Street, Chinatown, and Little Italy—all within walking distance.
Times Square
Love it or hate it—you can’t skip it. Times Square is kinda the reason NYC is named the city that never sleeps (at night, it lights up like a Christmas tree!). The flashing lights, the giant billboards, the street performers… it’s a sensory overload, but in the best way. Added to shopping, you can get up close with your favourite stars—their wax figures, actually—at Madame Tassauds and enjoy performing arts at The New Victory Theatre.
Comedy and Blues/Jazz Shows
I caught a comedy show at the Comedy Cellar—hands down one of my trip highlights. For jazz and blues, spots like the Blue Note in Greenwich Village or Smoke Jazz & Supper Club are absolutely worth checking out!
Eat Everything at the Chelsea Market
There are many food stalls in New York, but the Chelsea Market really has it all (in fact, it even has its own cookbook). You’ll find a bit of everything here—The Dooughnuttery was my fave!
Where to Stay in New York City
I love Airbnbs for my stays, but in New York, the hotels are top-notch, so I’d deffo recommend these!
This place is modern and surprisingly affordable for Manhattan. The rooms are small (hence the name “pod”), but who’s spending much time indoors in NYC anyway? As a bonus… it’s close to Grand Central Terminal.
You can stay in downtown in this boutique hotel. Tribeca is a super cool area. Plus, the rooms are designer spaces—you’ll feel like you’ve just moved into an upscale building! Those big windows are a plus; you can watch the city go by as you rest your feet.
This hotel has that classic historic feeling—something that would remind you of the ship cabins of the Titanic. The rooms are tiny but cozy, and you’re right in the artsy West Village (close to the Chelsea Market—perfect for foodies like myself).
The industrial-chic design of this hotel will have you hooked! This one’s relatively affordable—but still gives you all the necessary amenities. Plus, it’s just a short subway ride from all the important spots.
Where to Eat in New York City
The food in New York was something else. You may think its the regular pizzas and bagels… but there’s so much diversity. In fact, a post on foodies in NYC is in the pipeline, and I’m suuuper excited for it 😉 For now, I’ll share some of the must-try places:
- Liebman’s Deli—for pastrami and corned beef on rye
- Abuqir—the best pick-your-own-seafood spot (you select your catch and tell them how you want it cooked)
- Jongro BBQ—an affordable, any-occasion option. I loved their beef brisket and kimchi stew.
- Sylvia’s—for chicken and waffles
- Hyderabadi Zaiqa—try one of the 30 regional biryanis of India here!
- Keens Steakhouse—with all its character, this space really shouts “I LOVE New York”. You don’t want to miss their mutton chop.
How to Stay Safe in New York City
This was especially important for me—because I was traveling a lot as a solo woman in New York City even though I traveled to New York with friends. Upon prior research, I did find out that NYC is a safe city for the most part. There can be quite a few homeless people and vagrants, though—especially on the subway—and a good way to stay safe is by following the locals and staying vigilant.
Tips to Not Stand Out as a Tourist During Your First Time in the City
That said, you want to make sure you don’t stand out as a tourist; hawkers can prey on tourists, so you want to blend in with the crowd.
Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
Don’t hold stuff that make you look like a tourist—like large maps and guides (your phone has them anyway).
Save those “I Love NY” shirts for when you’re back home; solid neutrals will do just good in New York.
