New York, United States travel guide

The city you've already seen on screen 1,000 times. Better in person, every time.

Best time to visit: April-June and September-early November
Average daily budget: $180 to $350 USD
Ideal trip length: 4 to 6 days

New York is the city where you can eat a $2 slice and a $200 tasting menu in the same evening, walk 12 miles without realising, and accidentally end up at a rooftop party in Brooklyn. Joy Plus saves you from the tourist traps. No, you don't need to go to Times Square twice.

New York itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: MoMA on a quiet weekday morning. Open at 10:30am sharp. Top floor first.

Afternoon: Explore West Village, Brownstones, tree-lined streets, the city's most photogenic blocks.

Evening: Sunset walk on Brooklyn Bridge. Start in Brooklyn, walk toward Manhattan. Better light.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: A Broadway show with day-of TKTS tickets. Lines move fast. 50% off, no planning needed.

Afternoon: Explore Lower East Side, Old-school delis, dive bars, the city's best late-night food.

Evening: Pizza slice at Joe's, then Lucali for dinner. Two ends of the NY pizza spectrum, both essential.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Roosevelt Island tram for the East River view (locals' secret).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Williamsburg, Brooklyn's coolest corner. Cafés, vintage, sunset on the East River.

Evening: Walk the High Line into Hudson Yards. An elevated park on an old rail line threading the West Side, with planted gardens and skyline views. Start at Gansevoort, end at the Vessel and Hudson Yards, best mid-morning or at sunset.

Best neighbourhoods

West Village: Brownstones, tree-lined streets, the city's most photogenic blocks.
Lower East Side: Old-school delis, dive bars, the city's best late-night food.
Williamsburg: Brooklyn's coolest corner. Cafés, vintage, sunset on the East River.
Upper East Side: Museum Mile, classic NY apartments, calm and elegant.
Greenpoint: Polish-Brooklyn turned indie. Cheaper than Williamsburg, more interesting.

Must-do experiences

Sunset walk on Brooklyn Bridge: Start in Brooklyn, walk toward Manhattan. Better light.
MoMA on a quiet weekday morning: Open at 10:30am sharp. Top floor first.
Pizza slice at Joe's, then Lucali for dinner: Two ends of the NY pizza spectrum, both essential.
A Broadway show with day-of TKTS tickets: Lines move fast. 50% off, no planning needed.
Walk the High Line into Hudson Yards: An elevated park on an old rail line threading the West Side, with planted gardens and skyline views. Start at Gansevoort, end at the Vessel and Hudson Yards, best mid-morning or at sunset.
Catch live jazz in the Village: Skip Times Square at night and head downtown. Smalls or the Village Vanguard for serious players, cash for the cover, get there early for a seat in these intimate basement rooms.

Hidden gems

Roosevelt Island tram for the East River view (locals' secret).
Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn for a peaceful afternoon walk.
The Met Cloisters, uptown, medieval art in a real monastery.
Russ & Daughters Café for the best bagel and lox in the city.

Daily budget

$180 to $350 USD per day.

What to eat

Plain slice at Joe's (Greenwich Village)
Pastrami on rye at Katz's
Shake Shack original burger at Madison Square Park
Bagel + lox at Russ & Daughters

Getting around

The subway is your best friend. Get OMNY: just tap your phone. Walk Manhattan when the weather's good. Avoid taxis in midtown (traffic). Citi Bike is great for downtown loops.

Safety

Very safe in tourist Manhattan and most of Brooklyn. Standard big-city awareness on the subway late at night. The biggest risk to your trip is overpacking your itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in New York?

Four days for the highlights, six if you want a real feel for Brooklyn and to slow down for museums and a Broadway show.

Is New York expensive for solo travellers?

Yes. Hotels start around $200/night even in low season. Hostels (HI New York, The Local) cut that to $60-80. Food can be cheap or wild: $2 slices to $200 tasting menus.

When's the best time to visit New York?

Late April to early June, then September to early November. Warm enough for rooftops, cool enough to walk all day. Avoid August (humid) and January-February (brutal).

Where should I stay in New York for the first time?

Midtown West (around Bryant Park) is closest to the icons but soulless. The West Village or Lower East Side are the best mix of charm, walkability and subway lines. Williamsburg in Brooklyn is the cheaper, cooler alternative - 15 minutes by L train to Manhattan.

Is the New York subway safe at night?

Yes, with normal city awareness. Major lines (1/2/3, A/C/E, 4/5/6, L) run 24 hours and are well-used until 1am. After midnight, ride the conductor car (middle of the train), avoid empty platforms and use Citymapper for the safest connections.

Do I need to book Broadway tickets in advance?

Only for specific hits like Hamilton, Wicked or new openings. For everything else, the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at 30-50% off from 11am, and lottery apps (Today Tix, Broadway Direct) regularly drop $40 front-row seats the morning of the show.

How do I get around New York City?

The subway, easily. It runs 24/7 and beats traffic; just tap a contactless card or phone with OMNY, no paper ticket needed. Walk the rest, Manhattan's grid is simple, and save cabs for late nights.

Do I need to tip in New York?

Yes, it's expected and built into how staff are paid. Tip 18-20% at restaurants and bars, a dollar or two per drink, and round up for taxis. Many spots now prompt you on a screen.

What's the cheapest way to see New York?

The best things are free, the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge walk, and museums with pay-what-you-wish hours. Eat from delis and food carts to stretch a budget.

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