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Holidays in New York

Take your I ❤ NY to the heart of New York

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The must-see city – it’s got to be New York

Bright lights in the big city – we love New York. You’ve heard the songs, seen the films and now it’s time to experience it for yourself. It only takes a moment for NYC to knock your socks off, so start planning your New York holidays now.

Getting ready for your first trip to NYC? Your first glimpse of the skyline will be unforgettable. For sweeping views, head to One World Observatory, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. From dizzying heights, you’ll see Manhattan, Brooklyn, the River Hudson and beyond. Look out for the Statue of Liberty on one side, and the Empire State Building on the other. For a closer view of the Statue of Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry or venture further to Liberty Island itself.

Modern art enthusiasts must visit MoMa or the Guggenheim Museum, whilst film fans can’t miss New York Public Library and Grand Central Station. Escape the pandemonium of Times Square and enjoy a stroll along the High Line. Casually browse the bohemian Chelsea Market, then power-walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. With a world-famous landmark on every street corner and an abundance of subway stops – it’s easy to find your way around the city.

On a return visit? Don’t miss the full line-up of events at Madison Square Gardens. The jam-packed calendar features concerts, theatre shows and plenty of NBA and NHL action. Book with British Airways and we’ll help you plan a New York city break to remember. With our carefully selected hotels and frequent New York flights, planning the perfect city break couldn’t be easier.

 

Why choose British Airways Holidays?

Enjoy these great benefits:

Combine hotels or car rental with your flight booking to save money
Carefully selected hotels
24-hour support helpline during your trip
Collect bonus Avios on vacation package, hotel and car bookings
New: Avios part payment on vacations
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92% of our customers would book with us again

New York fly-drives

Kia Soul or similar
  Flights +   7 days car hire
Kia Rio or similar
  Flights +   7 days car hire
Kia Rio or similar
  Flights +   7 days car hire

Book now and pay later with our low deposits

Secure your holiday with a low deposit and flexible installments – you can decide when you make the payments and how much they are.

How to see New York on a budget

New York, and especially Manhattan, is an expensive place. It has a right to be – it’s one of the greatest cities on earth. There’s world-class food and amazing hotels, but it’s also perfectly possible to explore the city on a budget. Our handy planner tells you how much money you need to cover your hotel, food, activities and more.

Up to $150 per day

Where to stay

Pod 39 is a three-star hotel aimed at budget-conscious explorers that are looking for something a little edgy. It has compact pods, with or without bunkbeds, free WiFi, a fun interior décor and a seasonal rooftop bar with prime views of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings.

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What to eat

New York’s fast food is inexpensive and delicious. Buy pizza by the slice for just a couple of dollars or hit up the deli for a lox bagel – that’s smoked salmon, for the uninitiated. New York isn’t immune to the food truck trend, and there are food vans around the city. Check out our guide for the best places to eat for under $25.

Places to eat for under $25

Things to do

Walk over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to take New York City in all its glory. Then make your way to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and hop on the free ferry to Ellis Island to see skyline views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty.

$150-$300 per day

Where to stay

Set in the heart of Manhattan’s Midtown, the InterContinental New York Barclay is within walking distance from Grand Central Station, the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center.

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What to eat

In the tree-lined avenues of the West Village, there are plenty of small, hip restaurants serving world cuisine. You can eat around the world within a single block. Kish-Kash is an informal cous-cous bar by one of the city’s leading Middle-Eastern chefs. Decoy serves inspired Chinese dumplings, and The Little Owl is a city-wide favourite for Mediterranean delights.

Things to do

Pre-book tickets online to skip the queues for the Top of the Rock observation deck and the best views of the city. Back on ground level, wander to the Museum of Modern Art to enjoy the city’s largest artwork collection for only $25.

Book now

$300+ a day

Where to stay

Wake up well-rested in the city at The Plaza – a Fairmont Managed Hotel. This landmark hotel, on Midtown's Fifth Avenue, has set the standard for luxury since 1907. You may recognise it from its starring role in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

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What to eat

The latest trendy restaurants come and go, but Keens Steakhouse has been an institution in central New York since 1885. Just ten minutes from Times Square, prime beef is on the menu – but so is its special mutton chop. Sticking to iconic destinations, the historical Grand Central Terminal has an underground seafood restaurant: the Grand Central Oyster Bar. But don’t stay underground: check out New York’s rooftop bars afterwards.

Things to do

You can buy tickets online for New York’s dazzling array of Broadway Shows. But if you haven’t bought in advance, don’t dismay: you can also get discounted tickets on the day from the TKT Booth on Times Square. Old favourites, long-anticipated revivals and bold new dramas are on offer all year around. You can bag seats for under $50… But some popular shows sell for hundreds of dollars.

A guide to Broadway

Make the most of your New York holiday

With so much to see and do in New York, it can be tricky to know where to start, but don’t fret – our essential guide to holidays in New York will have you looking like a local in no time.

Where are the best areas to stay in New York?

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.

Times Square and Midtown

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. 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 Doubletree by Hilton Times Square West.

Upper East Side

If you’re hankering for a luxury hotel with all the trimmings: bells, whistles and bellhops, then the Upper East Side is your best bet. Here you’ll find fabulous hotels like the Surrey, with its fashion-savvy clientele. This area is one of the most expensive in the city. As you walk along Fifth Avenue, bordering Central Park, you’ll encounter ‘Museum Mile’, an area of prestigious cultural institutions like the Met and the Frick.

Lower East Side

Staying on the Lower East Side puts you near Brooklyn Bridge and the Tenement Museum – a popular museum which gives you a taste of the area’s working-class roots. The LES has gentrified rapidly in the last couple of decades. Hotel Indigo New York LES gives you a feel for the area as it is now, trendy, young and fun.

Soho

A number of 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 Opening Ceremony to Celine. Stay at NoMo Soho for interiors stuffed with vintage finds and curious furnishings.

Hudson Yards

Hudson Yards, which sits on the west side of Manhattan island, below Hell’s Kitchen, is New York’s newest district. Money has poured in, and the skyscrapers have reared up in this exciting new city hub. Crowne Plaza HY36 is right in the middle of the district. Watch this space: new restaurants and shops are opening all the time.

Central Park, New York. © Dmitry Travnikov

Top five things to see in New York

Whatever type of New York city break you’re after, you can be sure that the Big Apple won’t be short on things to see and do. Here are our top five suggestions:

Our top tip? Book tickets in advance wherever possible – it’ll save you having to queue, leaving you more time to explore this exciting city.

What to see on a New York city break

Yes, you can do New York over a long weekend. Get swept up on a minibreak – shopping, exploring and eating your way through NYC block by block.  If it’s your first visit, check out our classic itinerary. If you fancy a quirkier route, read our curious weekend guide. Use our NYC top ten to tick off the key sights. We fly to New York up to 15 times a day from London airports, making it easy to plan your short break. Plus, book your experiences with us before you go, and avoid spending your precious time queueing.

Top of the Rock New York © Getty

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.

Customise your trip

Get inspired

New York: a family weekend guide

At Central Park's lakerowing boats can be rentedfor up to four people

Sunshine Flint,  New York based travel writer and editor

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