The best of New York City
How to plan a special trip and take in the history of the city.
New York is a wonderful city, but it is also really easy to be overwhelmed by it. There is so much to do that it’s almost impossible to be bored. This also means it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start. I’ve now been to New York four times and I still feel like I have barely scratched the surface.
This post is not an exhaustive list of a everything I have done over these times, but how to get a great experience in the city, learn a little about how it has come to be the city today, tick off some guidebook classics and explore the streets that form the sets of so many movies. Whether you are a first-time or returning visitor looking for an unforgettable experience this best of New York City guide will help you plan your trip.
If you’re looking for a guide that’s broken down by day, this is the best one I’ve found.
How to prepare for your trip
Plan your time
This might seem obvious, but when I go abroad I often don’t make an overall plan – I have an idea of things I might like to do, but take each day as it comes.
This does not work in New York.
The city is so spread out, you need to either give yourself a theme (art, history, shopping or theatre for example) and plan an itinerary around these or choose areas of New York to focus on and build from there. I’ve tended to take the second approach however it does mean I’ve still not made it north of the Met.
Book in advance
Will help you stick to a timetable and guarantee you are not disappointed. So many museums and experiences need you to book in advance – this can be in the morning for afternoon entry, but it’s increasingly difficult to just turn up.
Set a clear budget
Like many large cities, New York is expensive. It’s really easy to spend $100 a day without really trying.
Below are some indicative costs (based on my 2023 trip) and remember tax and tips are always added to list prices.
Morning Coffee: $4.50 – $6
Breakfast from Whole Foods / similar grocery store: $10 per person
Museum or experience entry: $25-40 per museum
Lunch in Pret / Whole Foods: $20
Dinner in a mid-range restaurant: $35 per person without alcohol, $50 per person with alcohol (casual dining or fast food will be $20 – 25)
Subway: $2.75 per journey (likely you will need one journey per day minimum)
On one trip I found a city pass* was the most cost effective way of seeing things, on others it was not. It is definitley worth looking to see if the time or attractions you want to see and are covered on it.
Get comfy shoes
There is no way around it, in New York you will walk a lot, and quickly. However much you might want to wear those killer heels or pointy pumps to look great in photos it will be the worst decision you can make. I have always found fugly and supportive is best for New York: these are the sandals I used and they were brilliant as they also dried quickly when the rain poured down.*
Plan where you stay
Because New York is such a large city, it’s absolutely vital to think before you book and to properly research where you are staying. NOT doing this is how I ended up in a gorgeous but out-of-the-way apartment in Brooklyn. I mean it was STUNNING, but a 30-minute walk from anywhere and really, it was a 20-minute MTN ride to anything in Brooklyn I wanted to see.
I have stayed at the following – none are high luxury or spectacular but have always done me well. As you’ll see I’ve often opted for lower Manhattan. There are a few reasons for this – it is a bit cheaper as it isn’t by the park or where the shows are, it’s near where I’ve been sent for work, it’s near a lot of museums and easy to get over to Brooklyn.
What to do for an unforgettable trip
Explore New York’s History
It will surprise no one that this is for me what would make a really unforgettable trip. New York (originally New Amsterdam) was one of the earlier areas “discovered” by European explorers – it was apparently discovered by explorers from Florence. Manhattan was apparently purchased in 1626 from Lenapie Indian and Brooklyn was purchased in the 1630s.
New York is a city built on immigration and the city has many homages to it from the famous to the less well-known. The different neighbourhoods give you an opportunity to experience different cuisines.
ELLIS ISLAND
The best-known historical museum in New York is of course Ellis Island. It was opened after five boroughs were consolidated to become New York City. It is where people who arrived on ships were processed between 1892 and 1924 (from 1924 – 1954 it was only people with paperwork issues who were processed there). It is one of the world’s most iconic centres of immigration. The Ellis Island website claims that in excess of 12 million people were processed in the time it was open.
The experience at Ellis Island is exceptional. It carefully curates and builds the journey immigrants would have experienced. Visitors can see luggage, re-live the intergenerational tensions between different migrant communities and you can even order the same meal in the canteen as people would have eaten when arriving. I decided not to chance this one.
Ellis Island tours come with a stop at the Statue of Liberty. Liberty island is ok, but not the main thing for me. Too many people taking selfies for my liking.
Tip: pre-book Ellis Island and try and opt for an early crossing. Because of how the boats are scheduled, getting to Ellis Island before 10am ensures a more relaxed experience.
TENEMENT MUSEUM
This image may not be one that would usually sell you on going to a museum, but it is an example of what is so special about the Tenement Museum. It’s a converted apartment building only accessible by guided tour and it has been painstakingly refurbished based on first-hand memories to reflect how multiple generations of migrant families in the early twentieth century would have lived. You choose which tour, and therefore which family’s story to follow through the hour you are in the apartment (or tenement).
9/11 MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM
The 9/11 Museum is one of the most harrowing I have ever been to. Sobering doesn’t even begin to cover it. If you are old enough to remember 9/11 the museum will take you back to where you were when you heard the news. The museum curates voicemail messages from people who were in the twin towers and combines them with damaged fire engines and so many shoes that have been recovered from the wreckage (think the number you have under your desk and then whole towers of these). One thing that comes through from this museum is how raw 9/11 still is for so many.
Tip: it is best to book your ticket in advance as the museum does sell out.*
STONEWALL INN
New York is the home of PRIDE. The first Pride took place in New York in 1969 and was actually a protest against a police raid on the bar, which were common at the time. The Stonewall Inn has become iconic as the riots represented a turning point in LGBT+ history. Today it lives on as a relaxed bar and a tribute to those who fought so hard for equality.
Tick off the guidebook classics
Wander through Central Park
I’ve never done the horseback ride through the park (to be honest, I feel sorry for the horses and it feels like a total waste of money) so I can safely say: Central Park is a great place to spend a few hours. In the park you will find the tribute to John Lennon, and it is surrounded by some of the most famous museums in the city such as the Met.
In the summer there is also a range of concerts and plays that take place in the park.
Take in the lights of Times Square
Confession time. I HATE Times Square. It’s crowded, smelly and there isn’t really much there apart from branches of shops you can have a much more enjoyable experience in using almost any other street in the city. HOWEVER, it is a must-see for first-timers. One of my friends asks me every time I go to send her a video of me singing “New York, New York” in Times Square. I try and blame my bad singing but it’s really because it makes me so grumpy. Just go, even if it’s just so you can decide to not go again.
Celebrate the best of Broadway at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
A 1950s style diner, packed with American classics, where you can enjoy highlights from the best musicals on Broadway.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner is an unashamed tourist trap. You will be unlikely to find a New Yorker anywhere near the diner but that does not matter one iota. The food is average (I had chicken and waffles) but the entertainment is top dollar. You cannot book Ellen’s in advance, so you need to allow time to queue. We waited about two hours. It was worth every minute.
Grab a Bargain at one of New York’s outlet stores
The shopping in New York is brilliant and there are many ways to bag a bargain. My best buy in the city is still my $28 Levis in Century 21 but I also know tales of $20 Kate Spade bags on Black Friday and $100 Louboutons. The vintage scene is also exceptional for those who love a rummage.
260 5th Avenue has a revolving guest sample sale, when we were there last Bally was occupying the space, but they have a huge selection of brands and also have some multi-brand sales.
Nordstrom Rack and Saks Off 5th Avenue are well-established outlet stores in the US. I’ve got a cracking Marc Jacobs bag in Nordstrom Rack for $170.
Bask in the beauty of the city
Explore the Art Deco architecture
New York is the pinacle of art deco architecture due to its rapid expansion in the 1920s and 1930s. Originally known as “Jazz Moderne”, art deco is characterised by its sleek elongated figures that are combined with classical influences (hence the use of cherubs in so many renderings).
In manhattan there are opportunities in almost every neighbourhood to see authentic or recently renovated art deco buildings. The Art Deco Society of New York offers free self-guided walking tours and will help you understand the architects and the buildings in the city.
The Rockerfella Centre gives bold gold art deco fountains with a classic streamlined building.
In the Chrysler building even the elevators are a homage to art deco style.
The recently restored Tin Building is faithful to art deco.
Enjoy that iconic skyline
There are many places and ways you can take in the splendour that is the New York Skyline. It is a quite overwhelming and imposing set of skyscrapers that you will feel as if you know from the first glance.
By water is by far the best way to see the skyline, and if you go to Ellis Island you get an exceptional view of the city. It does not however give you the beauty of the skyline at night. For this, the best view is on the Staten Island Ferry. It runs every 30mins until 11pm, it’s free of charge and takes about 25 minutes. A rooftop bar (we went to 230 fifth – incredible) or a viewing platform like the top of the rock will also give you a view to die for.
The Staten Island Ferry runs until late at night and is free to ride. This is the view of the city from it.
The rain couldn’t ruin the skyline view at 230 Fifth Ave.
Walk the High Line and immerse yourself in street art and sculpture
The New York High Line is built on the disused “West Side Elevated Railway” (completed 1934 and was disused by the 1980s) and brings together street art, music, culture and food over a 1.5 mile (ish) walkway that takes you through Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Midtown Manhattan and the Meatpacking District. Spearheaded by Friends of the Highline, the regenration has bought a new leisure area to the city. The first section opened in 2009 and it has grown in sections since then, the most recent section opened in 2023. It is a community interest area and public park.
One of the wonderful things about the High Line is the multiple access points. As it spans more than twenty blocks this is a blessing – it means you can dip in and out of the high line.
There are of course a range of walking tours that will take you through the high line and explain the sights.[……]