New York punishes the unplanned first visit and rewards the lightly planned one. Here's the light plan.
Where to stay#
| Neighbourhood | For |
|---|---|
| Chelsea, West Village | The streets you'll want to walk home on |
| Upper West Side | The park, the museums, quiet nights |
| Williamsburg | Brooklyn, a skyline view, the bars |
| Long Island City | A newer hotel at a sane price, one stop from Midtown |
| Midtown | Times Square outside the door, if that's what you want |
Skip the hotels in New Jersey and far Queens sold as "near Manhattan". The commute eats the saving.
How many days#
Four or five. Midtown and Central Park; downtown, the 9/11 Memorial and the Brooklyn Bridge on foot; a museum morning and the Upper East or West Side; Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Prospect Park); Queens for the food or a free day. Things to do in New York has the local list.
What to see and what to skip#
See: the park, the Met or the MoMA, the High Line, the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise or sunset, a Broadway show via the lottery, the Staten Island ferry (free, passes the Statue), one neighbourhood a day on foot. Skip: eating in Times Square, the hop-on bus, queueing for the Empire State when two other decks have a better view, trying to see all five boroughs.
Money#
Prices don't include tax. Tip 18 to 20 percent in restaurants, a dollar or two a drink, a few dollars a bag. Eat where New Yorkers eat and it stops being expensive: a slice, a bagel, Chinatown, Jackson Heights. Where New Yorkers eat.
The subway#
Tap your card or phone. Runs all night. Uptown is north, downtown is south, express skips stops. Is New York safe? covers the subway at night: fine, with the usual rules.
One evening with a New Yorker#
Four days of landmarks and you still won't have met anyone from here. Post your trip on Roavi Community with your dates to see who else is heading to New York, then spend one evening with a Local Friend: a New Yorker, paid by the hour, who takes you to their neighbourhood, their restaurant, the bar with no sign. Rent a friend in New York explains how. Alone? Solo travel in New York.
First time in New York? Spend one evening with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local FriendThe other great first city: first time in Tokyo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in New York for a first visit?
Four to five. Three is rushed, a week starts to need a second neighbourhood plan. One day Midtown and the park, one downtown and the bridge, one museum and the Upper West or East Side, one Brooklyn, one Queens or a free day.Where should I stay in New York for the first time?
Chelsea, the West Village, the Upper West Side or Williamsburg if you want streets you'll enjoy walking at night. Midtown if you want Times Square outside the door and accept the price and the crowds. Long Island City is the value pick with a view. Avoid New Jersey and far Queens hotels sold as 'near Manhattan'.What should a first-timer skip in New York?
Eating anywhere in Times Square, the Empire State Building when the Top of the Rock or the Edge has a better view, the hop-on bus, and the Statue of Liberty boat when the Staten Island ferry passes it for free. Keep Times Square to a ten-minute walk-through at night.How does the subway work for a visitor?
Tap any contactless card or phone at the turnstile; after a set number of rides in a week the rest are free. Trains run 24 hours. Uptown means north, downtown means south, and express trains skip stops, so check the letter or number and the sign on the platform.
