New York is loud, fast, and endlessly fun. Every block has something going on, and somehow the city feels familiar even on your first visit. This guide covers what to see, how to get around like a local, and where to eat brilliantly, from $3 pizza slices to the city's hottest new tables.
- Airports
- JFK and LaGuardia (Queens), Newark (New Jersey)
- Getting around
- Subway runs 24/7. Tap your card or phone at the gate
- Entry
- Visa Waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying
- Tipping
- 18–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars
- Sales tax
- around 9%, added at the till (not included in shelf prices)
- Plugs
- Type A/B, 120V. Most visitors need an adapter
- Time zone
- Eastern Time (UTC−5, UTC−4 in summer)
- Emergency number
- 911
The big sights
Central Park
All 843 acres of Central Park. Walk from the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain to Bow Bridge, people-watch on the Sheep Meadow, and rent a rowing boat on the lake in the warmer months. It's free and it's glorious.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Ferries leave from Battery Park (National Park Service info). Book through the official ferry operator, and book well ahead if you want pedestal or crown access, which sells out. On a budget? The free Staten Island Ferry sails right past Lady Liberty with great skyline views. Ride it there and back.
The skyline views
Pick your observation deck: the classic Empire State Building, Top of the Rock (with the Empire State in your photo), or one of the newer, glassier decks like Edge and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Sunset slots are the most popular, so book ahead.
Tip: For a free skyline view, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan towards Brooklyn in the late afternoon, then explore DUMBO's waterfront.
Museums
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met): 5,000 years of art. You could spend days here, so pick a few galleries.
- MoMA: Van Gogh's The Starry Night, Warhol, Picasso and more modern greats.
- The 9/11 Memorial and Museum: the memorial pools are free and deeply moving. The museum needs a timed ticket.
Times Square, Broadway and Midtown
See Times Square once, ideally at night. Then catch a Broadway show: the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at a discount. Nearby, don't miss the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal and the New York Public Library.
The High Line and Chelsea
The High Line is a park built on an old elevated railway, with gardens, art and city views. It's free. Walk it from the Meatpacking District up to Hudson Yards, and stop at Chelsea Market for snacks.
Neighbourhoods to explore
- Greenwich Village and the West Village: leafy streets, brownstones, jazz clubs and Washington Square Park.
- SoHo and Nolita: cast-iron buildings and shopping.
- Chinatown and the Lower East Side: dumplings, bánh mì, and some of the city's best cheap eats.
- Williamsburg (Brooklyn): vintage shops, rooftop bars and Manhattan skyline views from the waterfront.
- DUMBO (Brooklyn): cobbled streets and that view of the Manhattan Bridge.
- Astoria (Queens): one of the city's great food neighbourhoods, from Greek to Burmese.
A 4-day NYC itinerary
4 days in New York
- Day 1Midtown iconsGrand Central, the Public Library, Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock, then Times Square and a Broadway show
- Day 2Central Park & the MetMorning in the park (Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge), afternoon at the Met, dinner on the Upper West Side
- Day 3Downtown & BrooklynStatue of Liberty ferry, the 9/11 Memorial, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, sunset in DUMBO
- Day 4Villages & the High LineGreenwich Village and SoHo, lunch in Chelsea Market, walk the High Line to Hudson Yards
Where to eat in NYC
Cheap eats every visitor should try
You can eat incredibly well in New York without spending much:
- A classic slice: Joe's Pizza has several locations, and its thin, foldable New York slice is a rite of passage.
- Bagels with cream cheese (a "schmear"): try Zucker's Bagels (Tribeca and more) for the full lox-and-bagel experience.
- Hand-pulled noodles: Xi'an Famous Foods (multiple locations) for spicy cumin lamb or beef noodles.
- Tacos: Los Tacos No. 1, with locations including Chelsea Market and near Times Square, for some of the best tacos in the city.
- Hot dogs: Nathan's Famous, the Coney Island original, with a boardwalk and beach attached.
Hot new spots (autumn 2026)
New York's restaurant scene moves fast. A few newer openings on The Infatuation's hit list (updated September 2026) that are easy on the wallet:
- Cospa Ramen (NoMad): rich Nagahama-style ramen at a budget price.
- Kuriya (Upper East Side): fresh soba sets.
- Burmese Bites (Astoria, Queens): mohinga, tea leaf salad and keema palata.
- Masani (Forest Hills, Queens): plain and vodka slices, plus ube ice cream sandwiches.
- Phê (Chinatown): Vietnamese coffee and bánh mì.
- Good Time Country Buffet (East Village): all-you-can-eat Southern comfort food.
If you're splashing out, the same list's buzziest tables include Graciela (Argentine live-fire cooking, West Village) and Bark Barbecue (Dominican-Texan BBQ, Bushwick).
Heads up: Menus, prices and opening hours change often in NYC, especially at new restaurants. Check before you go, and book the popular spots ahead.
Getting around
- Subway: the fastest way to get almost anywhere, and it runs 24/7. Pay by tapping a contactless bank card or your phone at the gate (OMNY). After a set number of paid rides in a week, the rest of that week's rides are free.
- Walking: Manhattan's grid makes walking easy. Avenues run north–south, streets east–west.
- From the airports: from JFK, take the AirTrain to the subway or the Long Island Rail Road. From LaGuardia, buses connect to the subway. From Newark, take the AirTrain to NJ Transit trains into Penn Station. Taxis and rideshares work too, but they're slower and pricier at rush hour.
Money tips
- Tipping is expected: 18–20% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and something for taxi drivers and hotel staff.
- Prices exclude sales tax, so the total at the till is higher than the label.
- Lots of the best things are free: Central Park, the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Staten Island Ferry, the 9/11 Memorial pools and Grand Central.
Staying connected in New York
Between subway directions, timed tickets, restaurant bookings and splitting the bill, NYC runs on your phone. A USA eSIM gets you online the moment you land at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, so there's no hunting for airport Wi-Fi. If you're also visiting Canada or Mexico, a North America eSIM covers all three.
When to visit
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to early November): the best weather for walking, plus spring blossom or autumn leaves in Central Park.
- Summer: hot and humid, but full of free outdoor concerts, rooftop bars and street fairs.
- Winter: cold, but magical in December, with holiday windows, ice rinks and the Rockefeller Center tree. January and February bring the lowest hotel prices.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in New York?
Four days covers the highlights at a comfortable pace. With a week, you can add more museums, Brooklyn and Queens neighbourhoods, and a show or two.
Is the New York subway safe for tourists?
Millions of people ride it every day, and it's the easiest way to get around. Use normal big-city common sense: stay aware of your belongings, and pick a busier carriage late at night.
How much should I tip in New York?
Plan on 18–20% of the pre-tax bill at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, and around 15–20% for taxis.
Will my phone work in New York?
Most unlocked phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM and work on US networks. Check yours on our compatible phones page.