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. I lived in New York City for nearly two years, and made this New York City Travel Guide to make it a little easier to get the most out of your trip. This NYC Guide includes the best things to do in New York City, the best neighbourhoods to visit in NYC, the best bars and restaurants in NYC and iconic New York City dishes and foods that you’ll want to try.

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!

How to plan your trip to New York City

New York City is huge, so it’s better to plan your trip by neighbourhood. 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 freshen up, 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

Best areas to stay in New York City

The best areas to stay in New York City are in Manhattan & Brooklyn, somewhere close to a subway station. The best neighbourhoods for first time visitors include West Village, Midtown, the Upper West Side, Nolita, SoHo and The Meatpacking in Manhattan, and neighbourhoods like Williamsburg and Dumbo in Brooklyn.

Check out my detailed guide on The 10 Best Neighbourhoods to Stay in New York City for First Time Visitors, to get more details on where to stay – and where to avoid.

The Best Things to Do in New York City

The best things to do in New York City for first time visitors includes visiting Central Park, Grand Central Station, sunset at the Top of the Rock, and exploring neighbourhoods like SoHo, West Village and East Village.

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 the most iconic sights in New York City 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!

Live Sport & Live Theatre

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,  a night at Comedy Cellar, jazz at the Village Vanguard and seeing the Yankees at Yankee Stadium or the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

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, Bryant Park, the High Line and Washington Square Park are a great place to start.

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

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!

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.

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

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

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. Westlight rooftop bar on top of the Wythe Hotel has one of the best views of Manhattan.

Iconic New York City Foods to Try

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

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. Some of the best oyster bars in New York City are Maison Premiere, Grand Central Oyster Bar & Grand Banks (in the warmer months).

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 Park to Shake Shack’s original location, and try the classic shakeburger. Better still, from this spot you’ll get a perfect 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.

Restaurants & Cafes in New York City

Old School Diners in NYC

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. Waverley Restaurant in the West Village and Veselka in East Village are both classic spots. 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.

New York City brunch

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.

Michelin Star Restaurants in NYC

Whether or not it’s earned a Michelin star, there are endless options for groundbreaking fine dining in New York City. You can find plenty of restaurants with a Michelin Star that won’t break the bank, but two and three Michelin star restaurants will add an extra zero to the bill. My favourite spots are Estela, The Musket Room and Eleven Madison Park.

Classic New York City restaurants

For somewhere that oozes New York City charm, look no further than classic New York City restaurants , brasseries and steakhouses like Keen’s Steakhouse, Balthazar, Minetta Tavern, Gramercy Tavern and Raoul’s.

West Village’s hottest restaurants

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

Bars in New York City

New York City Dive Bars

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.

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 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

Coffee in New York City

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.

A New York City Rooftop Bar

New York City has the best rooftop bars in the world, not least because of the hundreds of incredible vantage points that can be found around the city. The queue may be long, but the views will be worth it. Try Westlight, Mr Purple, Catch or the Restoration Hardware Rooftop.

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