ULTIMATE NEW YORK TRAVEL GUIDE – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

New York City is a city full of bustling things to do. If this is your first time visiting New York, I highly recommend 4-5 days if you’re interested in seeing all that the city has to offer. So here is my ultimate New York City Travel Guide for first-timers!

AIRPORTS

New York has three major airports:

JFK is roughly 40 minutes, the cheapest way to get into Manhattan is using the subway. Take the Airtrain to Jamaica Center and hop onto the E train towards the World Trade Center. The fastest way to the city is the LIRR. Take the Airtrain to Jamaica Center and purchase a train ticket to Penn Station.

La Guardia is my favorite airport since it’s only 20 minutes away and less crowded. I typically take an Uber or Taxi for this airport.

Newark is located in New Jersey and is about 30 minutes when taking the New Jersey Transit. This will take you directly to Penn Station.

TRANSPORTATION

The number one transportation in New York is the subway. It’s really easy to use so don’t be afraid! The subway system is color-coordinated with letters or numbers. One thing to remember is Uptown is going North towards Central Park, Downtown is going down towards the World Trade Center. When in doubt an Uber or taxi is pretty cheap in New York.

WHERE TO STAY

There are so many great hotels and it really depends on what you’re looking for.

Read my blog post on Where To Stay in New York.

WHAT TO DO

1. PARKS

New York is full of beautiful parks so here’s a list of all the ones you should visit! You can also check out my guide to The Most Instagrammable Spots in NYC.

Central Park: The most visited and largest park in New York City. Central Park has many attractions and seasonal activities for you to enjoy with your friends and family.
Bryant Park: Known as NYC’s town square, Bryant Park is a year-round location that hosts events and activities throughout the year. Some events you can enjoy are movie nights, yoga, BINGO, kids programs, and even the Winter Village.
Madison Square Park: Located in the heart of Nomad and Flatiron, Madison Square Park is a hotspot destination for visitors. You can have access to free wifi, a colorful playground, a dog run, a large grass area for picnics, or even enjoy a milkshake and burger at Shake Shack.
Washington Square Park: Known for its arch honoring George Washington, Washington Square Park is a popular meeting spot for gatherings and cultural activities.

2. EMPIRE STATE BUILDING OBSERVATION DECK

A visit to New York City is not complete until you visit an Empire State Building Observation Deck to experience a panoramic view of the city. Head over to the Empire State Building’s open-air observation deck and enjoy 360-degree views from the 86th floor. They also recently opened a newly renovated 102nd-floor observation deck featuring 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.

3. LITTLE ISLAND

New York’s newest attraction is the Little Island. It opened in 2021 and has been a popular location for visitors and New Yorkers. The park is free to visit but visitors need timed entry tickets from 12pm to 1am. Guests do not need tickets if visiting from 6am to 12pm. Get your timed entry tickets here.

4. THE VESSEL

The Vessel is one of the newer landmarks in the city. It’s located at Hudson Yards a large shopping center with many dining options. The Vessel is best at sunset since it’s located on the west side. However, it has now been closed but it’s still a great option for photos outside!

Dining with a view of The Vessel: Queensyard, Queensyard, and Wild Ink.

5. THE EDGE

The Edge is the one of the newer landmarks in New York and is the highest sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. Guests need to reserve tickets online.

6. GRAND CENTRAL

Grand Central is a historic world-famous landmark that is home to transportation, shopping, dining. Many of Grand Central events and activities are under one roof so it can be visited whenever, rain or shine!

7. TIMES SQUARE

Times Square is one of the most popular destinations to visit in NYC. Make sure to take a break and sit on the red steps to be amazed by all the flashing billboards. There’s a ton you can do: shopping, people watch and don’t forget the “crossroads of the world”, where you can see street performers.

Rooftops to visit around Times Square:

8. SUMMIT ONE VANDERBILT

The newest observation deck to open in New York is Summit One Vanderbilt. It has multiple floors, multiple rooms and a rooftop for the best views of the city. It get’s pretty busy, I recommend reserving tickets right when it opens and getting in line early!

9. TOP OF THE ROCK

Top of the Rock is another observation deck that you can visit. Located in the heart of Rockefeller Center, ascend to the 70th floor of the Top of the Rock and enjoy 360-degree city views from 3 viewing decks.

10. FLATIRON

Flatiron is named after the wedge-shaped Flatiron Building. Locals and tourists often stop by this busy neighborhood to visit the building, Madison Square Park, and enjoy Italian dishes at Eataly. Head to the rooftop to SERRA by Birreria for one of the best rooftop restaurants in the city with seasonal decorations throughout the restaurant.

11. THE HIGHLINE

The Highline is built on a historic elevated freight line that is 1.45 miles long. You can walk through the public space to view art, walkthrough gardens, enjoy a performance, or simply viewing the city from a different perspective.

13. CHELSEA MARKET

Chelsea Market is an urban food hall, shopping mall, and office building with over 35 vendors. This is a foodie’s paradise with plenty of choices to choose from and mouthwatering dishes. I highly recommend making a stop at Los Tacos No 1 for the best tacos in the city.

13. SHOPPING

5th Ave
Soho
Union Square
Herald Square
Hudson Yards

14. STATUE OF LIBERTY

The Statue of Liberty is America’s symbol of freedom and democracy. Easily accessible by ferry, hop aboard on a boat to visit and walk around Lady Liberty.

15. ONE WORLD OBSERVATORY & 9/11 MEMORIAL

Located in the World Trade Center, experience the One World Observatory from above 100 stories! The views are not as spectacular as the other observatory in the city but still worth a visit if you’re visiting for the first time! Don’t forget to stop by the 9/11 Memorial also located in the World Trade Center. The museum honors and tells the story of those who were killed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks.

16. BROOKLYN

You can easily spend a day in Brooklyn. I suggest taking a walk on the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan and make your way across the bridge for epic views of the city! This is about a 20-minute walk. Once you arrive in Brooklyn there’s an endless amount of things to see and do! Read my blog post on the Most Instagrammable Spots in Brooklyn.

17. HELICOPTER RIDE

Enjoy a helicopter ride over New York City! This is an experience you should definitely do if you’re not afraid of heights. I suggest making reservations with Flynyon which offers open-door flights.

18. ROOFTOPS

Rooftops are very popular in New York! With an endless amount of rooftops with epic views, it’s hard to choose. So make sure to read my list on the Best Rooftops in Manhattan.

19. SPEAKEASY BARS

Call and make reservations in advance! Below are two of my favorites.
Employees Only – Hidden behind a fortune teller shop. Also serves amazing food, great for dinner, or a date night!
Please Don’t Tell – Hidden behind a phone booth in a hot dog restaurant.

20. MUSEUMS & GARDENS

New York has all the museums to fit any individual. My personal favorite is The Whitney Museum, I enjoy modern contemporary art. Other museums include Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), The Met, American Museum of Natural History, Guggenheim Museum, New Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, and New York Botanical Garden.

21. ROCKEFELLER CENTER & RADIO CITY

This area is always fun to walk around. There’s a lot of shopping, live entertainment and during the holidays you will see the best holiday decorations and Christmas Trees. Read my blog post on how to spend Christmas in New York!

RESTAURANTS

There’s an endless amount of amazing cuisines in New York so I’ve made a few blog posts to help guide you through the foodie scene in NYC.

Ultimate Foodie Guide to New York City

Where To Brunch In Manhattan

12 Best Desserts In Manhattan

20 Best Ice Creams In New York City

Where To Find Matcha in New York City

I hope you found this guide to New York helpful! There’s so much to see and do, you will definitely be back!

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June 4, 2016 ByTour de Lust

Comments (15)

Charles McCool

July 13, 2016 at 12:26 pm

Nice summary of some things to do in the big apple, one of the world’s great cities. I see you have an article on best ice cream in NYC. Yum, I will check that out.

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  July 13, 2016 at 3:57 pm
  
  It really is one of the greatest cities! Everyone seems to love the ice cream post. haha
  
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mark wyld

July 13, 2016 at 1:19 pm

Great run down on all the basics for the first time traveller to the big apple. we have never visited before so this was great information for someone who has never really read to much about new york except for knowing the obvious.

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  July 13, 2016 at 3:57 pm
  
  Thanks!! Hope you get to visit one day, its a must!
  
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Heather Cole

July 13, 2016 at 2:09 pm

What a great and comprehensive guide! We’re hoping to make it to NY next year and don’t really know where to start with our plans! Soho sounds like the ideal place to be based, a bit like our own Soho here in London!

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  July 13, 2016 at 3:58 pm
  
  Yes!! It’s a great place. Let me know if you have any questions when you do decide to go =)
  
  Reply
Christina

July 14, 2016 at 7:35 am

Great summary! NYC is one of my favorite cities and since we have family there we visit every year (with the added bonus of free accommodation hehehe). I love how easy it is to get to the city and no matter how many times I’ve been there is always something new to explore.

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  July 14, 2016 at 8:39 am
  
  Exactly, there is always so many new places to explore even when I was living there! =)
  
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Beth Daubner

July 14, 2016 at 11:01 am

Definitely saving this post, I would like to move there someday!

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  July 14, 2016 at 12:13 pm
  
  Yay! I hope you get to move there too, it’s one of the best places to live!
  
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John Morris

July 14, 2016 at 8:28 pm

Nice guide! There are a few hotels I frequent when in NYC, all located in Midtown between E 49th & 57th, near Lexington Ave. This is a great spot to stay, as so much is in walking distance, and it’s a quick subway or city bus ride to other “must see” things in the city. Central Park, Times Square, 5th Ave., and the Rockefeller Center are all in walking distance.

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  July 14, 2016 at 10:29 pm
  
  The area you mentioned is a great area for hotel options as it’s definitely convenient, especially to the subways. Thanks for sharing! =)
  
  Reply
Tina

June 13, 2017 at 9:10 am

Thanks for a very informative post. Can’t wAit to come to NYC. Def top of my bucket list. You’re catchy title caught my eye. Tour de Lust. Love it.

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  June 13, 2017 at 1:18 pm
  
  Thanks Tina!! Hope you get to visit NY soon!
  
  Reply
luis

December 9, 2021 at 11:23 pm

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