New York City Travel Guide

New York City is one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the world. There is so much to see & do in New York that planning your first trip can be super overwhelming, simply because there is SO much to do and so many neighbourhoods to see.

After nearly two years of living in New York City, I’ve put together this New York City Travel Guide to make it a little easier to get a lay of the land and figure out how to plan your trip. I’ve included a mix of the big-name, must-see sights, activities, bars and restaurants, as well as my own personal favourites which I think are some of the best in class in the city but are also off the typical tourist trail.

Everything written here is exactly what I’d say to my nearest and dearest, so it’s quite a personal take on the city and I share what I think is worth visiting and what tourist traps you could happily miss. It’s a guide to  New York City for those looking for a general overview as well as a handful of carefully chosen recommendations, rather than an encyclopaedic guide which only overwhelms. If you have any other questions about visiting New York, please ask away in the comments!

You can use these links to jump around to content you need. This New York City Travel Guide includes:

new york city cherry blossom season

How to plan your trip to New York City

New York City is huge, so it’s better to plan your trip by area. Keep in mind that nothing in New York opens very early (before 10 or 11am) and most places are open til very late. You might also want to factor in a break at your hotel, I know I always like to do sightseeing in the morning, have an afternoon nap and take a shower (New York makes you feel dirty all the time), and then go out again in the evening. If you’re going between neighbourhoods in one outing, keep in mind it’s easier to travel by public transport north-south rather than east-west.

First, book any tickets or make any dinner reservations that you need to make, and then plan around those bookings accordingly.

Read more: Itinerary for 5 Days in New York City

The Best Things to Do in New York City

Check out the city’s most iconic sights

New York City is littered with beautiful, iconic sights that are distinctly and uniquely New York. Some of my favourites are Central Park, Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building & the streets of SoHo. You’ll be surprised how many you can see in a single trip!

Read more: The most iconic sights in New York City.

Catch some live entertainment

New York loves to put on a show. Whether you’re a culture vulture or a sports fan, or somewhere in between, there’s a show for you in New York. Some of my favourites are seeing a show on Broadway,  Comedy Cellar & Sleep No More.

Explore the city’s parks & gardens

New York may be a concrete jungle, but there’s a surprising number of gorgeous green spaces in the city. Central Park, the High Line and Washington Square Park are a great place to start.

San Remo building from central park new york city

Take a walking food tour

My favourite way to see a city & absorb some of it’s history is through food, so I love the Urban Adventures food walking tours of New York City. My favourites are Tenements, Tales & Tastes and the South Brooklyn Food Tour.

Take in an amazing view

Whether you’re ascending to one of the city’s famous observation decks like the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock, or just finding a perch from a rooftop bar, getting a birds-eye view of New York City is a must.

Where to find the most amazing views of New York City

Golden Hour at Top of the Rock View Midtown NYC

Visit a world-class museum or gallery

There’s a museum in New York for everyone. The Met & MoMa are two obvious big-hitters, but I love the city’s smaller museums like The Frick, Neue Galerie, The Tenement Museum and Fotografiska the most!

The Met

Read more: The best museums & art galleries in New York City

Shop high and low

From luxury department stores like Bergdorf Goodmans to vintage finds in the East Village, New York City has excellent shopping if you know where to look. Nolita and West Village are great for small jewelry stores and independent fashion labels, SoHo and Fifth Avenue are for luxury international brands. Skincare addicts shouldn’t miss the Glossier Flagship in SoHo!

The Best Neighbourhoods to Visit in New York City

These neighbourhoods below pack the most punch for visitors when it comes to New York City history, charm and sightseeing. Almost all of these neighbourhoods are in Manhattan, and a few are in Brooklyn, which is across the East River. I haven’t included any neighbourhoods from New York City’s other three boroughs (Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island) because I didn’t spend much time in these areas when I lived here, and they’re more residential, with less tourist appeal.

West Village & Greenwich Village 

The easiest way to understand the difference between West Village and Greenwich Village is that West Village is just the western section of Greenwich Village. Generally, Greenwich Village only refers to the area in the middle, between West Village and East Village. This is New York’s historic bohemian neighbourhood, the starting point for the gay rights movement and now, in West Village’s case, one of the most coveted addresses in Manhattan. West Village is perfect for cafes, bars, boutiques and wandering the pretty, tree-lined streets (and attempted celebrity spotting).

Read more: West Village Neighborhood Guide

FATHER DEMO square west village
Father Demo Square in West Village

Midtown Manhattan

Midtown is home to so much New York City magic. Yes, it’s a concrete jungle, but it also has the highest concentration of iconic New York City sights. In Midtown Manhattan, you’ll find the Empire State Building, MoMA, Grand Central Station, Times Square, Bryant Park and so much more! Check out my Midtown Manhattan Neighborhood Guide for a full list of the best things to do & see in Midtown, and importantly, where to find the best bars & restaurants!

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is one of the loveliest neighbourhoods in New York City. You’ll find some of the best Jewish food in the city, especially bagels at delis like Zabar’s, Barney Greengrass and Zuckers Bagels. The American Museum of Natural History and the New York Historical Society are on the Upper West Side, and if you stroll along the streets between Columbus Ave, Amsterdam Ave and Central Park, you’ll see some of the most beautiful brownstones in the city.

SoHo

One of Manhattan’s most fashionable neighbourhoods, SoHo is famous for it’s beautiful cast-iron buildings, cobblestone streets and fashion boutiques.

Read more: SoHo Neighborhood Guide

SoHo in downtown manhattan
SoHo

The Meatpacking

This tiny, highly gentrified neighbourhood is a big scene, which can make it a little bit annoying to hang out in, but it’s definitely one of the most remarkable neighbourhoods in New York City. Wedged between the Hudson River and West Village, the Meatpacking has plenty to entertain visitors for an afternoon: The High Line, Chelsea Market, The Whitney Museum of American Art & a handful of scene-y rooftop bars with killer views.

East Village

Punk rock was born in East Village, and despite rapid gentrification the neighbourhood still feels eclectic and a little offbeat compared to the rest of Manhattan. Artists like Blondie and Madonna got their start in this neighbourhood, and today its home to some of the coolest bars in the city.

Read more: East Village Neighborhood Guide

The Financial District 

I only include the Financial District, which is at the southern tip of Manhattan, because there are a few sights which are so integral to New York City’s history. It’s the oldest part of the city, and around Stone and Water Streets, and the newly developed South Street Seaport, you’ll find cobblestoned streets and buildings from the earliest days of New York City. The Trinity Church has some of the most historic headstones in the country, including the grave of Alexander Hamilton. The 9/11 Memorial is the most significant site in the city’s recent history, and it is both heartwrenching and beautiful. Personally, I didn’t get much out of visiting Wall Street, the Charging Bull or the Stock Exchange, but this stuff is also in the area if you’re keen. The area is known for its dearth of nightlife, but one notable exception is The Dead Rabbit, a modern Irish pub that was named #1 Bar in the World after it opened in 2013.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is Brooklyn’s most famous neighbourhood and is famous for once being genuinely hipster, and now being gentrified hipster. It’s still home to some of the best bars & restaurants in the borough and if you only had time to check out one Brooklyn neighbourhood, make it Williamsburg. Williamsburg’s rooftop bars like Westlight and Summerly have some of the most stunning views of Manhattan in the city.

What to eat in New York City

New York City’s food culture is shaped by generations of immigrants, who have all left their mark on the city’s food scene. Don’t miss some of these iconic New York City dishes!

Bagels

For the best bagels, try Ess-A-Bagel in Midtown, Tompkins Square Bagel in East Village, Shelsky’s of Brooklyn in Cobble Hill or Russ & Daughter’s on the Lower East Side.

Read more: The Best Bagels in New York City

ess a bagel nyc

Oysters

Oysters & New York City go back a long way – so far, in fact, that Pearl Street in the oldest part of lower Manhattan earned its name from the pearly sheen of oyster shells that used to litter the streets. Sadly, New York City’s greatest oyster bar, Maison Premiere, closed during the pandemic, but some other great spots include Grand Central Oyster Bar & Grand Banks (in the warmer months).

grand central oyster bar

A slice of pizza

New York City knows its junk food. There are many spots that claim to be the oldest slice in New York, but I’m not sure there’s any point debating the best – the thin New York City slice is best enjoyed from a hole in the wall pizza shop, with a name you can’t remember. It’s not a typical New York City slice, but Prince Street Pizza in Nolita is one of the most popular spots in the city.

A burger

New York City is home to so many great burgers, but there are a few stand outs. Head to Madison Square Gardens for Shake Shack’s classic shakeburger, which you can enjoy at a table outside with a view of the Flatiron building. Vegetarians have not been forgotten – most burger joints have a vegetarian option, whether it’s a mushroom burger or veggie pattie made in house, or the popular Impossible Burger vegetarian pattie which can be found in burgers all over town. The last word on vegetarian burgers is at popular East Village spot, Superiority Burger. For an upscale burger in , try the Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern. For a secret burger, head to Burger Joint hidden inside Le Parker Meridian Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Hot Dogs

You don’t have to be game enough to eat a street hot dog, but you can try one of the city’s favourite hot dog shops on the Upper West Side at Gray’s Papaya – they’re cheap & delicious.

Hot Dogs at Greys Papaya Upper West Side New York City

Where to eat in New York City

An old school diner

Diners might be meeting their slow demise in the face of development, but there are still a few hold outs as well as some new kids on the block. Neil’s Cafe on the Upper East Side has good honest diner food and the Waverley Restaurant in the West Village is a classic. Golden Diner in Two Bridges is a new diner, with high quality, simple meals at unbelievably low, diner prices and the recently opened SoHo Diner at the bottom of the SoHo Grand Hotel is popular with the fashion set.

A hot brunch spot

New York City pioneered the bottomless brunch, but these days the day-party boozers have some stiff competition from laidback Australian cafes (and their imitators). Some of my favourites are Jack’s Wife Freda, Jeffrey’s Grocery and Ruby’s.

Brunch at Jack's Wife Freda
Jack’s Wife Freda

Mind blowing fine dining 

Whether or not it’s earned a Michelin star, there are endless options for groundbreaking fine dining in New York City. My favourite spots are 701West, Estela, The Musket Room and Eleven Madison Park.

Caviar at Eleven Madison Park
Caviar at Eleven Madison Park

A classic New York City institution

For somewhere that oozes New York City charm so hard it hurts, look no further than Keene’s Steakhouse, Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, Gramercy Tavern and Raoul’s.

minetta tavern west village nyc
Minetta Tavern

A West Village darling

West Village is full of chic, insanely popular European restaurants that have become instant icons in the neighbourhood. Snag a table at spots like The Loyal, Via Carota, I Sodi, L’Artusi or Dante for a true West Village experience.

the loyal west village nyc

Where to drink in New York City

A dive bar

We don’t really have dive bars in Australia (just really questionable pubs, which aren’t quite the same), so I love hitting a dive bar in New York City. Two of my favourites are Spring Lounge in Nolita and Tom & Jerry’s in NoHo.

One of the world’s best cocktail bars

New York City is one of the best cities for bar hopping in the world, and is home to dozens of bars that have graced the World’s 50 Best list. Some of my favourite spots are 701West in Times Square, which was named one of the Best Bars in America by Esquire magazine, Death & Co and Employees Only, the latter of which was named the #1 bar in the world by the World’s 50 Best a few years ago.

Read more: The best bars in New York City

A serious coffee shop

New York City has pretty good coffee these days, so you’re not stranded with Starbucks if you’re after a decent latte or flat white. My favourites are Cafe Integral, Ground Support, Urban Backyard and Bluestone Lane, which is a chain which can be found all over the city.

An insufferably scene-y rooftop bar

Not rolling your eyes in the line or at the door will require superhuman strength, but the views will be worth it. You’re in the scene-iest bar scene in the world, so embrace it! Try Westlight, Mr Purple, Catch or the Restoration Hardware Rooftop.

westlight rooftop bar williamsburg nyc_1

Have you visited New York City before? Please share your tips or questions in the comments below! Pin this post using the picture below.

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