New York holidays
New York City is always stirring. Every block and borough bristles with energy; every sight and sound competes to stand out. This is The City That Never Sleeps, after all. The Big Apple. The City So Nice They Named It Twice. Or the city so beloved it’s been given more pet names than anywhere else. Find out what makes New York so magnetic and experience the enchantment for yourself.
Our cheapest holidays to New York
Star of films, songs and your next holiday
Make like a romcom character and ascend to the top of the Empire State Building. Get that first glimpse of the city’s overwhelming skyline, that ‘I can’t quite believe I’m here’ moment, and listen to declarations of devotion floating around the observation deck. Feel the city tugging at your heart – are you ready to fall in love with New York?
Descend into the character-filled streets and walk through a bustling maze of avenues. Pass a pianist who has played in the same spot for more than a decade and a hot dog cart owner who has perfected the art of hollering over the honks of yellow taxis. Admire throngs of fashionistas cat walking down Fifth Avenue. There’s no such thing as a wallflower here.
Indulge yourself and tick off classic New York tourist attractions. Wave to the Statue of Liberty from a Staten Island Ferry, walk beneath a canopy of North American elms in Central Park, and stare wide-eyed at the dazzling lights of Times Square. Then get to know the boroughs and neighbourhoods. The polished mansions of the Upper East Side. The artsy dens of Brooklyn. The eclectic eateries of Queens. The mesmerising jazz of Harlem. Book flights to New York and start your story now.
Carefully selected New York hotels
Best hotels in New York for all types of traveller
A great holiday starts with a great place to stay. Browse our selection of New York hotels – there’s bound to be one that’s perfect for your NYC city break. City break lovers should check in at the InterContinental New York Barclay – it's within walking distance of Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center. Or for its iconic Midtown Manhattan location and Great Gatsby vibes, look no further than Park Central Hotel New York. The Hyatt Grand Central New York is right next to Grand Central Station and extremely well-placed for getting about the city. Its stylish lobby and modern feel appeal to city-slickers and New York first-timers alike. If you’re looking for a trendy neighbourhood you should stay at the modern Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York, with its chic rooftop bar, Mr Purple.
Multi-city holidays
New York City is brilliantly connected – turn your New York trip into a multi-city holiday by flying or driving on to other US cities.
Boston is four hours drive north, Philly two hours south. You could swap the cultural capital for the political one, and fly to Washington DC, or take a trip to the west coast and visit San Francisco, then road trip to Las Vegas. Then fly home from your new destination. It’s easy with our multi-centre trip planner.
New York Insiders: Seasonal Tips
Spring
There’s no better time to catch the High Line in full bloom. The blossoms in Madison Square Park are not to be missed. It’s also the perfect time to eat outside, even when it’s a little nippy. People are so desperate for summer to arrive that they usually start al fresco dining earlier than you’d expect. The Pavilion in Union Square Park and Shake Shack in Madison Square Park are two of my favorite casual outdoor spring spots.
Vishaan Chakrabarti, New York based architect
Summer
Summer weekends are the time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds, as most New Yorkers take off on weekend breaks, so you can see the city at a more leisurely pace without being caught in the fray. The down side is that many of the art galleries are not open in August – so do check before you come if there’s one you particularly want to visit.
Lyn Slater, New York based fashion and beauty blogger
Autumn
My favourite part of the year is fall (autumn). Central Park looks especially stunning from above, if you are able to take a helicopter tour over New York. And if you can get out of the city and to head to the Catskills in upstate New York, peak ‘leaf-peeping season’ is late October.
Dan Rookwood, Formerly the US Editor of Mr Porter
Winter
It sounds so cliché, but ice-skating in Bryant Park is an unmissable winter experience in NYC. It’s a little less touristy than Rockefeller Center, and the seasonal market surrounding the rink is superb.
Jess Parr, British Airways Cabin Crew and Travel Blogger
Top five facts about New York
1. It's diverse
There are over 800 languages spoken in New York. The Jewish population is the largest outside Israel, the Polish population is the largest outside Poland – and if you happen to meet 38 Americans, chances are that at least one of them will be from New York. These chances increase if you’re standing in Brooklyn.
2. Its skyline is iconic
The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building rank among the USA’s most beloved pieces of architecture – and the Flatiron Building is still fondly regarded as an architectural curiosity. But the iconic New York skyline is constantly evolving. It now includes a skyscraper with no windows and the One World Trade Center – which has the sixth tallest tower in the world.
3. Baseball rules
Baseball is a real New York sport. The Yankee Stadium has been home to the sport’s biggest heroes: Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio among them. But it isn’t the only activity that's well-represented in the city. The New York Marathon is one of the world’s biggest races, and Queens holds the US Open, one of tennis’s major tournaments.
4. There are plenty of parades
New York loves its parades and pageantry. The city holds the world’s largest St Patrick’s Day Parade – you’ll see seas of green frothing in the street every year on the 17 March. Not to be outdone, Coney Island holds a Mermaid Parade in June. It’s smaller (fewer people can claim mermaid ancestors than Irish ones) but just as fun. In June, PrideFest marks one of the USA’s largest Pride festivals, and in November you’ll see the enormous balloon floats of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
5. Coffee is king
This city cares about coffee – New Yorkers drink, according to some claims, seven times as much of the stuff than the average American. But they might love their food even more. Cheesecake, pizza, pastrami, bagel, pretzels: all had their recipes perfected in NYC. What’s more, the Bloody Mary, eggs Benedict and Waldorf Salad were ‘invented’ here. What a brunch that makes.
New York holiday FAQs
New York’s sights are spread around the city, though most first-timers will want to stay somewhere on Manhattan Island. We’ve pulled out some of the best areas to stay in the city, below.
- Many first-time visitors opt to stay near Times Square. It’s not known as ‘The Crossroads of the World’ for nothing: it’s one of the world’s busiest pedestrian areas and is well-connected to many of the city’s main sights. Stay at Tempo by Hilton New York Times Square and enjoy a finely tuned sleep environment and a dedicated Get Ready Zone designed for the responsible traveller. Midtown, the area around Times Square, is where you’ll find the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, and the Rockefeller Center. Try booking the New York Hilton Midtown.
- If you’re hankering for a luxury hotel with all the trimmings: bells, whistles and bellhops, then Central Park, on the Upper East Side, is your best bet. This area is one of the most expensive in the city. This is the ultimate destination for culture (think opera, ballet, jazz, classical music, Michelin-starred restaurants) – and a taste of old New York. As you walk along Fifth Avenue, bordering Central Park, you’ll encounter ‘Museum Mile’, an area of prestigious institutions like the Met and the Frick. Stay at Park Lane New York and relish timeless views from the intimate rooftop, Darling.
- Staying on the Lower East Side puts you near Brooklyn Bridge and the Tenement Museum – a popular museum exploring the area’s working-class roots. The LES has gentrified rapidly in the last couple of decades. Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York gives you a feel for the area as it is now: trendy, young and fun.
- Several eye-catching cast iron buildings form the backbone of the SoHo district, which sits below Midtown. The name comes from the area’s geography: it’s the region south of Houston Street, in downtown Broadway. SoHo is synonymous with shopping – with boutiques for everyone from Wolf & Badger to Celine. Stay at NoMo SoHo for interiors stuffed with vintage finds and curious furnishings. Tribeca sits along the Hudson River, north of the Financial District. Hudson River Park and its promenade provide a breath of fresh air amid the hustle and bustle of Manhattan – quite literally. Stay at Walker Hotel Tribeca which gives a nod to the neighbourhood’s industrial past with practical design, utilitarian furnishings and whitewashed brickwork.
New York never stays the same. It refashions itself throughout the year, offering something different in every season. Visit in spring and stroll through blossoming parks. Toast to the skyline on a terrace in summer. See the city’s trees painted in fiery reds and golden hues in autumn. Or go in winter and wrap yourself in a big coat before staring up at the famous Rockefeller Christmas tree – there's a reason so many films romanticise Christmas in New York.
- If you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll want to visit all the classic New York attractions you’ve heard about in songs, read about in books and seen in films. We’ve put together a guide on the best things to do in New York, outlining the city’s highlights and offering useful tips, to help you get planning.
- Booking a short break and unsure of how you’re going to fit it all in? Use our weekend itinerary for inspiration.
- If you’re a return visitor who’s already seen the main tourist attractions or a traveller seeking out a different side of the city, look at our itinerary curated for the curious instead.
- Absolute Bagels was voted the best bagels in New York by Time Out, we tend to agree. These chewy, delicious, hand-rolled boiled delicacies come with a great selection of schmears (creamy cheese spreads). Our recommendation is the scallion schmear with lox (smoked salmon) and cucumber, a true New Yorker’s bagel. Journey up to the Upper West Side on Broadway to sample these bagels, close to Columbia University. A student-staple, you will not be disappointed. As there is no seating inside, maybe sit in the nearby Riverside Park for a mini-picnic.
- Supposedly secret – but often with queues – this quirky, 70s-inspired hole in the wall is inside the exclusive Thompson Central Park New York, part of Hyatt. Behind a red curtain, down a corridor with a lively neon-burger, diners sit in a small room strewn with graffiti eating some of the best burgers in Manhattan. Juicy, char-grilled beef patties with a liberal amount of cheese, salad, and pickles all in a grilled bun. Crispy fries and thick milkshakes complete the experience. This is a cash-only joint, in keeping with the grungy theme, so visit a cash point before you arrive.
- Brunch in New York can be the most important meal of the weekend. With that in mind, head over to local favourite Friend of a Farmer in Gramercy Park for a superb hangover cure. Choose from farm-fresh, home-made dishes that will remind you of your grandmother’s cooking. From superb omelettes with spinach and mushrooms to crab eggs benedict, you will find something you want. The griddle specialities are especially appealing, as are the Bloody Marys. A small warning – get there early as it gets busy, which is always a good sign.
- Known as the first pizzeria in the US, Lombardi’s first opened its doors in 1905. Gennaro Lombardi, a Neapolitan immigrant, reinvented a humble staple dish into the massive worldwide phenomenon it is today. Smoky-based dough baked in a stone-baked oven, with his famous tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella await the eager diner. Signature toppings include Italian meatballs and pepperoni – a traditional treat. In the family since 1897, you know you are going to be well looked after when you walk through the doors.
Find inspiration in our travel articles...
New York hotels for every traveller
Relax on a garden terrace, enjoy chic interiors designed by the likes of Philip Starck, or discover a lobby where a robot stores your suitcase. Travel writer Danielle Contray shares her top New York hotels for your city break.
Things to do in New York: Top 10
If you’re visiting for the first time, then start here. Our run-down of the top ten things to do helps you check off the biggest sights in the city, from the Top of the Rock to the end of Brooklyn Bridge. Book your tickets for the best classic attractions in advance and get ahead of the game.
A classic weekend in New York
This 48-hour itinerary is perfect for first-time visitors and packs in the best of the classic sights to see in New York.
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