New York

01Why Visit New York?

New York is much more than a city: it's a world unto itself. Each borough has its own identity, its own flavours and its own rhythm. From the buzz of Times Square to the leafy calm of Central Park, from Chelsea's galleries to the brownstones of Brooklyn Heights, the city offers an unmatched diversity of experiences. New York is the cultural capital of the Western world, with more than 80 museums, 40 Broadway theatres and a food scene representing every cuisine on the planet.

Beyond the clichés, New York captivates with its contagious energy and its capacity for constant reinvention. The High Line, a former elevated railway turned suspended park, perfectly illustrates this urban creativity. Neighbourhoods like Williamsburg, Bushwick and the Lower East Side are constantly evolving, offering visitors a city that's always new to discover. The United States has many fascinating cities, but none matches the intensity of New York.

02New York's Must-Visit Neighbourhoods

Manhattan: The Beating Heart of the City

Manhattan is home to the majority of New York's iconic attractions. From south to north, you cross the skyscrapers of the Financial District, the bohemian charm of Greenwich Village, the energy of Midtown with the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, then the vastness of Central Park flanked by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. Every block in Manhattan tells a different story, from the cobblestone streets of SoHo to the gleaming towers of Hudson Yards.

Brooklyn: New York's Creative Soul

Brooklyn has become the symbol of New York's cultural renewal. DUMBO offers spectacular views of Manhattan, Williamsburg is the realm of galleries and innovative restaurants, and Prospect Park rivals Central Park in beauty. The Brooklyn Museum, the Botanic Garden and the weekend Smorgasburg market are all reasons to cross the East River. Brooklyn Heights, with its 19th-century houses and riverfront promenade, is one of the most photogenic areas in the city.

Harlem, the Bronx and Queens: New York's Diversity

Harlem is the birthplace of jazz and African-American culture, with the Apollo Theater and legendary gospel brunches. The Bronx is home to the magnificent New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo, one of the largest in the world. Queens offers a culinary trip around the world: Greek food in Astoria, dim sum in Flushing, tacos in Jackson Heights. These neighbourhoods reveal the real New York, far from the usual tourist circuits.

03Museums and Culture in New York

The Great Museums of Museum Mile and Beyond

New York is home to some of the most important museums in the world. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) is a living encyclopaedia of world art with over two million works. MoMA is the global reference for modern and contemporary art, from Picasso to Warhol. The Guggenheim, in its iconic spiral building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Whitney Museum of American Art complete this exceptional panorama. Don't miss the 9/11 Memorial Museum, a poignant memorial at the heart of Ground Zero.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art — encyclopaedic collection, 'pay what you wish' admission for New York State residents
• MoMA — modern and contemporary art, open until 9pm on Fridays
• American Museum of Natural History — ideal for families, spectacular Hayden Planetarium
• Guggenheim — Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and Impressionist and modern art collections
• Whitney Museum — contemporary American art, terraces with views of the High Line

04Broadway and New York Nightlife

Catching a Broadway show is an essential New York experience. The Theater District, around Times Square, gathers some forty venues offering world-renowned musicals and plays. For tighter budgets, the TKTS lottery offers same-day half-price tickets. Beyond Broadway, the city comes alive at night in Greenwich Village jazz clubs, hidden cocktail bars (speakeasies) on the Lower East Side and rooftops with skyline views.

Rooftop bars are another iconic facet of New York nightlife. Westlight in Brooklyn, 230 Fifth with its direct Empire State Building view, and Bar SixtyFive atop Rockefeller Center offer cocktails with unforgettable skyline panoramas. For a more intimate evening, speakeasies like Please Don't Tell (PDT) behind a phone booth or Attaboy on the Lower East Side recreate the Prohibition atmosphere with exceptional cocktails.

05Food and Restaurants in New York

Street Food, Diners and Starred Tables

New York's culinary scene is as diverse as its population. Food trucks and delis serve up the best street food: pizza by the slice at Joe's, bagels at Russ & Daughters, hot dogs at Gray's Papaya. For a more refined experience, the city has over 70 Michelin-starred restaurants, from Peter Luger Steak House to Le Bernardin. Food halls like Chelsea Market, Eataly and Time Out Market in Brooklyn let you taste everything in one place.

New York's ethnic neighbourhoods offer a true gastronomic world tour: Little Italy and Chinatown in Manhattan, Koreatown around 32nd Street, Jackson Heights' Indian quarter in Queens, and Ethiopian restaurants in the Bronx. The city is also the birthplace of the Sunday brunch, an institution not to be missed in SoHo, West Village or Park Slope.

06When to Visit New York?

Four Spectacular Seasons

New York is a year-round destination, with each season offering a unique atmosphere. Spring (April–May) lights up Central Park with cherry blossoms. Summer (June–August) is hot and lively, with free concerts in the parks and outdoor film screenings. Autumn (September–November) is New Yorkers' favourite season: mild temperatures, blazing foliage in Central Park and the New York Marathon in November. Winter (December–February) is cold but magical, with Christmas window displays on 5th Avenue, the Rockefeller Center ice rink and snow dressing the city.

07Budget and Practical Tips for New York

Transport, Passes and Money-Saving Tips

New York is an expensive city, but plenty of tricks help manage the budget. The subway (7-day unlimited MetroCard at $34) is the most efficient way to get around. Tourist passes like the New York CityPASS or the Explorer Pass offer significant discounts on attractions. Central Park, the High Line, Brooklyn Bridge, the Staten Island Ferry and many pay-what-you-wish museums are free.

• Accommodation: from $80 (hostel) to $300+ (Midtown hotel), budget $150–200/night for good value
• Food: $10–15 for a quick lunch, $30–60 for a restaurant dinner
• Transport: $2.90 per subway ride, $34 for a 7-day unlimited card
• Attractions: $25–45 per entry, or $130 for the CityPASS covering 5 major attractions
• Average daily budget: $150–250 per person all-inclusive

08New York Off the Beaten Path

Beyond the classics, New York is packed with hidden gems. The Cloisters, in northern Manhattan, is a spectacular medieval museum surrounded by gardens. Roosevelt Island offers a quiet escape accessible by cable car with unique skyline views. Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is a leafy park listed as a historic landmark. The Red Hook neighbourhood, with its converted warehouses and Statue of Liberty views, is a well-kept secret. Governors Island, accessible by free weekend ferry, offers artificial hills with 360° bay views.

For an authentic local experience, explore the farmers' markets (Union Square Greenmarket), catch a Yankees game in the Bronx or a Nets game in Brooklyn, and get lost in independent bookshops like The Strand and its '18 miles of books'. Check out our articles section for detailed city itineraries.

09Practical Information for New York

Airports, ESTA Visa and Connections

New York is served by three airports: JFK (the main one for international flights), Newark (New Jersey, often cheaper) and LaGuardia (domestic flights). From JFK, the AirTrain + subway costs about $10 to reach Manhattan in 60–75 minutes. A taxi or Uber costs $60–80 including tolls. Most visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries (including EU) must obtain an ESTA authorisation ($21) at least 72 hours before departure for stays of up to 90 days.

• Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5)
• Currency: US dollar (USD), tipping expected (18–20% at restaurants)
• Power outlets: Type A/B (110V), adapter needed for European/UK plugs
• Language: English, but the city is extremely multilingual

See our complete United States guide to plan the rest of your trip.