Visiting & Getting Around in New York City: The Know Before You Go Guide

New York City, often called the Big Apple or the City That Never Sleeps, stands as America’s most iconic metropolis. It’s a place where towering skyscrapers meet tree-lined neighborhoods, world-class museums anchor bustling streets, and yellow taxis navigate through constant energy that draws millions of visitors annually for its Broadway theaters, diverse culinary scene, unparalleled shopping, and cultural landmarks.

If you’re visiting New York City soon, this guide will answer all your questions and help you navigate everything you need to know to make the most of your time and budget.

Where to Stay in New York City?

New York City offers several diverse neighborhoods for visitors to stay, each with plenty of unique hotels full of character and charm. Where you stay may impact your plans, so understanding the various areas helps you choose the best base for exploring.

Here’s an overview of the main areas where travelers typically stay:

Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan serves as the geographic and commercial heart of New York City, encompassing Times Square, the Theater District, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park. This central location puts you within walking distance of Broadway theaters, major museums, and iconic landmarks while providing access to multiple subway lines that connect to all other parts of the city.

The area offers hotels across every price range, from budget-friendly options to luxury properties. If you want to be at the center of New York’s most famous attractions with minimal travel time to anywhere else, Midtown is where you want to be.

Chelsea and Greenwich Village

Chelsea and Greenwich Village blend historic charm with contemporary culture in lower Manhattan. These neighborhoods feature tree-lined streets, brownstone buildings, the High Line elevated park, Washington Square Park, and streets that have appeared in countless films and television shows. The areas maintain a more intimate, neighborhood feel compared to Midtown’s commercial energy.

Accommodations range from boutique hotels to mid-range properties. If you’re seeking an authentic New York atmosphere with excellent dining, nightlife, and a more local vibe while staying in Manhattan, these neighborhoods are ideal.

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side occupies Manhattan’s west side from 59th to 110th Streets, bordered by Central Park to the east and the Hudson River to the west. This predominantly residential neighborhood offers a calmer atmosphere than Midtown while maintaining excellent access to attractions like the American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, and the southern half of Central Park.

The area features hotels at various price points with a more relaxed, upscale residential character. If you prefer a quieter base with easy access to Central Park and cultural institutions while avoiding the intensity of Times Square, the Upper West Side is an excellent choice.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg transformed from an industrial neighborhood to Brooklyn’s creative hub, offering street art, independent boutiques, craft breweries, waterfront parks with Manhattan skyline views, and a thriving restaurant scene. The area provides a distinctly different experience from Manhattan while maintaining excellent subway connections via the L train.

Hotels here typically offer better value than Manhattan properties while delivering a more local, artistic atmosphere. If you want to experience New York beyond tourist-heavy Manhattan and don’t mind a 15-20 minute subway ride to Midtown, Williamsburg provides character and authenticity.

How Far is the Airport From My Hotel in New York City?

New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), the main international gateway located in Queens approximately 15 miles southeast of Manhattan; LaGuardia Airport (LGA), the closest airport to Manhattan at 8 miles, primarily serving domestic flights; and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), located in New Jersey about 16 miles southwest of Manhattan. 

Here’s how far you can expect to travel from each airport to the main areas:

From JFK Airport:

• To Midtown Manhattan: AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then LIRR to Penn Station (approximately 45-60 minutes total), or AirTrain to Howard Beach, then A train to Midtown (approximately 60-75 minutes)
• To Chelsea/Greenwich Village: AirTrain plus subway combinations (approximately 60-90 minutes), or taxi/rideshare (40-60 minutes depending on traffic)
• To Upper West Side: AirTrain to Howard Beach, then A train (approximately 75-90 minutes)
• To Williamsburg: AirTrain plus multiple subway transfers (approximately 75-90 minutes)

From LaGuardia Airport:

• To Midtown Manhattan: M60 or Q70 bus to subway connection (approximately 40-60 minutes), or taxi/rideshare (20-40 minutes depending on traffic)
• To Chelsea/Greenwich Village: Bus to subway connections (approximately 50-70 minutes)
• To Upper West Side: M60 bus with direct stops along Broadway (approximately 45-60 minutes)
• To Williamsburg: Bus to subway transfers (approximately 60-75 minutes)

From Newark Airport (EWR):

• To Midtown Manhattan: AirTrain to Newark Airport Station, then NJ Transit to Penn Station (approximately 45-60 minutes total)
• To Chelsea/Greenwich Village: AirTrain plus NJ Transit to Penn Station, then subway (approximately 60-75 minutes)
• To Upper West Side: AirTrain plus NJ Transit to Penn Station, then subway (approximately 60-75 minutes)
• To Williamsburg: AirTrain plus NJ Transit and subway transfers (approximately 75-90 minutes)

Transportation options from JFK include the AirTrain ($7.75) connecting to subway or LIRR, taxis (approximately $70 flat rate to Manhattan plus tolls and tip), and rideshare services. 

From LaGuardia, options include MTA buses (M60, Q70) connecting to subways ($2.90), taxis (metered, approximately $30-50 to Midtown), and rideshare. 

From Newark, the AirTrain ($8.50) connects to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station, with the combined fare around $16.80, plus taxis (approximately $60-80 plus tolls) and rideshare options.

Is There Public Transportation in New York City?

New York City’s public transportation is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), providing one of the world’s most extensive transit networks with 24-hour service throughout all five boroughs.

These are your public transportation options for getting around in New York City:

• Subway: The system includes 472 stations across 27 lines, operating 24 hours daily with trains arriving every 2-10 minutes during peak hours and every 5-20 minutes overnight. Single ride fare is $2.90. The subway provides the fastest way to travel long distances across the city, with express trains on many lines skipping local stops.
• Buses: More than 300 local and express bus routes serve all five boroughs, operating 24 hours with Select Bus Service routes offering faster travel on major corridors. A single fare is $2.90, the same as the subway. Buses provide access to areas not served by subway lines and offer street-level views of neighborhoods.
• PATH Train: Connects Manhattan to New Jersey, including Newark, Hoboken, and Jersey City. Operates approximately 6 am to midnight weekdays, with reduced weekend and overnight service. Single fare is $2.75.
• Staten Island Ferry: Free service between Lower Manhattan (Whitehall Terminal) and Staten Island (St. George Terminal), operating 24 hours with departures every 15-30 minutes. The 25-minute ride offers views of the Statue of Liberty andthe  Manhattan skyline.
• Taxis and Rideshare: Yellow taxis can be hailed on streets citywide, with metered fares starting at $3 plus $0.50 per fifth of a mile. Green taxis serve outer boroughs and upper Manhattan. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the city with pricing varying by demand.
• Citi Bike: Bike-share system with 1,000+ stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Day pass costs $19 (first 45 minutes included per ride), with single rides available for $4.79.

Note: For frequent travelers, the MTA offers unlimited ride MetroCards: 7-Day Unlimited ($34) and 30-Day Unlimited ($132). These provide unlimited subway and local bus rides. The OMNY contactless payment system also offers a weekly fare cap—after 12 rides in a week, additional rides are free through the end of that week.

Is New York a Walkable City?

New York City, particularly Manhattan, ranks among America’s most walkable cities, with a grid system that makes getting around straightforward and most attractions concentrated within manageable distances.

New York’s most walkable areas include:

• Midtown Manhattan: The area from 34th to 59th Streets is highly walkable, with Times Square, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue shopping, and Grand Central Terminal all within a 20-30 minute walk of each other. The compact concentration of attractions makes walking the most efficient way to experience this area.
• Greenwich Village and SoHo: These downtown neighborhoods feature pedestrian-friendly streets perfect for wandering, with shops, cafes, restaurants, and historic architecture concentrated in a walkable area. Washington Square Park serves as a central gathering point, with everything in the surrounding blocks easily accessible on foot.
• Upper East Side: The area along Museum Mile (Fifth Avenue from 82nd to 105th Streets) allows visitors to walk between world-class museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim, and others, while enjoying Central Park views. The neighborhood’s residential streets are safe and pleasant for walking.
• Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO: Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge (approximately 30-40 minutes) connects Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn’s DUMBO neighborhood, offering iconic views and a pedestrian-friendly route between boroughs.

Manhattan’s numbered grid system (avenues run north-south, streets run east-west) makes navigation simple once you understand the layout. A typical Manhattan avenue block equals about 3-4 minutes walking, while a crosstown street block takes 1-2 minutes. The city’s compact nature means many neighborhoods connect on foot, though the subway provides quick connections for longer distances or tired feet.

Is New York City Safe?

New York City is generally safe for visitors, with crime rates at historic lows and most tourist areas experiencing high police presence and security. Neighborhoods like Midtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, the Upper West Side, and Brooklyn’s Williamsburg are considered safe for visitors during both day and evening hours.

Like any major city, standard safety precautions apply. Certain areas outside typical tourist zones should be approached with awareness, particularly late at night. For detailed, up-to-date crime information, refer to the NYPD’s crime statistics portal.

Safety Tips for Visiting New York City:

• Stay alert on the subway: The system is generally safe, but remain aware of your surroundings, especially during late-night hours. Avoid empty subway cars and wait in well-lit areas of platforms. Keep valuables secured and bags closed.
• Watch for pickpockets in crowded areas: Times Square, popular subway stations, and crowded tourist attractions attract pickpockets. Keep bags zippered and close to your body, avoid displaying expensive electronics unnecessarily, and never keep wallets or phones in back pockets.
• Be aware of common scams: Avoid street vendors selling “free” CDs or DVDs who then demand payment, costumed characters in Times Square who expect large tips for photos, and anyone offering to carry your luggage or help with directions in exchange for money.
• Cross streets carefully: New York drivers are aggressive, and pedestrians should follow traffic signals even when locals jaywalk. Yellow taxi and bike messengers move quickly and won’t always yield right of way.
• Use official transportation: Take yellow or green taxis from taxi stands, use licensed rideshare apps, and avoid unlicensed vehicles offering rides at airports or tourist areas.
• Keep valuables secure: Don’t leave bags unattended in restaurants or hang them on chair backs where they can be grabbed. Be discreet with expensive jewelry, cameras, and electronics.

What to Do in New York City

New York City offers an extraordinary range of activities for visitors, from world-famous landmarks and museums to neighborhoods worth exploring, parks, and cultural experiences. Visitors typically spend their time seeing sites like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park, and Broadway shows, exploring diverse neighborhoods, and experiencing the city’s renowned food scene. The city also offers plenty of free things to do for budget-conscious travelers.

These are some of the most accessible things to do while in New York City:

• Central Park: This 843-acre green oasis in Manhattan’s heart offers walking paths, lakes, Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, and countless spots for relaxation. Entry is free, making it one of the city’s most accessible attractions.
• Brooklyn Bridge: Walking across this 1883 suspension bridge provides spectacular Manhattan and Brooklyn skyline views while experiencing an engineering landmark. The pedestrian walkway is free and takes approximately 30-40 minutes to cross.
• Times Square: The intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue features massive digital billboards, street performers, and constant energy day and night. Simply experiencing the area costs nothing, though Broadway show tickets and restaurants charge premium prices.
• The High Line: This elevated park built on historic freight rail tracks runs from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street, offering gardens, art installations, and Hudson River views. Free to visit and open daily.
• Staten Island Ferry: The free 25-minute ferry ride offers views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Lower Manhattan’s skyline without the cost of official boat tours.

You can also check out the city’s NYC Tourism events calendar to see what’s happening while you’re there.

Where to Eat in New York City

New York City is renowned for its extraordinarily diverse food scene, representing cuisines from every corner of the world alongside iconic New York specialties like pizza, bagels, hot dogs, and deli sandwiches. The city’s dining options range from Michelin-starred restaurants to street carts, food halls, and neighborhood joints where New Yorkers actually eat.

Iconic New York eating experiences include classic pizza at Joe’s Pizza or Patsy’s (thin-crust New York-style slices), bagels with lox and cream cheese from Russ & Daughters or Ess-a-Bagel, pastrami sandwiches at Katz’s Delicatessen (serving since 1888), and hot dogs from street carts or Nathan’s Famous. The city’s food halls, like Chelsea Market, Grand Central Market, and Eataly, provide multiple dining options under one roof with varied cuisines and price points.

New York’s global cuisine represents authentic cooking from communities throughout the city, including Chinatown for dim sum and Cantonese cuisine, Little Italy for Italian-American classics, Koreatown (32nd Street in Manhattan) for Korean BBQ and late-night dining, Jackson Heights in Queens for South Asian and Latin American food, and Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach for Russian cuisine. Food trucks throughout Manhattan offer quick, affordable options from tacos to Middle Eastern specialties.

Most major neighborhoods—Midtown Manhattan, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, the Upper West Side, and Williamsburg—feature restaurants, cafes, and food options within walking distance of hotels. However, the best dining experiences often exist outside tourist-heavy areas, so be sure to venture beyond Times Square and areas directly surrounding major attractions for better quality and value.

What’s the Weather Like in New York City?

New York City has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, hot summers, and cold winters, with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C).

• Summer (June-August): July is the warmest month, with average highs around 84°F (29°C), occasionally reaching 90°F (32°C) or higher with high humidity. Summers bring afternoon thunderstorms and can feel uncomfortable due to humidity levels. Air conditioning is essential.
• Fall (September-November): Temperatures range from 76°F (24°C) in September to 50°F (10°C) in November. Fall brings beautiful weather with comfortable temperatures, lower humidity, and colorful foliage in Central Park and other green spaces. October is particularly pleasant.
• Winter (December-February): January is the coldest month, with average highs around 39°F (4°C) and lows around 27°F (-3°C). Winters bring snow, wind, and cold temperatures, though snowfall varies annually. Occasional nor’easters can bring significant snow and disruption.
• Spring (March-May): Temperatures gradually warm from 48°F (9°C) in March to 69°F (21°C) in May. Spring brings unpredictable weather with rain showers, though late April and May offer beautiful, mild days as trees bloom and outdoor cafes reopen.
• Best time to visit: Late April through early June and September through October, when the weather is most pleasant with mild temperatures, manageable crowds compared to peak summer, and comfortable conditions for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

What to Know Before Visiting New York City

Before coming to New York City, here are a few things to keep in mind so there are no surprises:

• Tipping is expected: Restaurant servers expect 18-20% tips (this is standard, not optional), bartenders $1-2 per drink, taxi drivers 15-20%, hotel housekeeping $2-5 per night, and doormen $1-2 for hailing cabs or helping with luggage.
• Walking fast is the norm: New Yorkers walk quickly and with purpose. Don’t stop suddenly in the middle of sidewalks, stand to the side if checking your phone or map, and keep right on escalators so others can pass on the left.
• Jaywalking is common but risky: Locals often cross against lights, but as a visitor unfamiliar with traffic patterns, follow pedestrian signals and cross at crosswalks. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians all move aggressively.
• Subway cards require strategy: MetroCards and OMNY work on subways and buses. If using a MetroCard, swipe smoothly at a steady pace (too fast or too slow causes errors). Consider the 7-Day Unlimited if taking multiple trips daily.
• Times Square isn’t where New Yorkers go: While iconic and worth seeing briefly, Times Square represents tourist-focused New York, not local life. Venture beyond Midtown to experience authentic neighborhoods, better restaurants, and the city’s real character.

For quick and easy access to citywide information regarding events, things to do, nearby locations, and transportation, download the official NYC Guide app before visiting!

Visiting New York City Soon?

New York City welcomes millions of visitors each year with its unmatched energy, cultural diversity, world-class attractions, and neighborhoods that each tell their own stories. With this guide to getting around in New York City, you’ll be equipped to navigate efficiently and make the most of your visit to America’s greatest metropolis.

Have you booked a hotel for your stay in New York City yet? Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, HotelsOne makes it easy to narrow down your options and find unique stays at discounted rates. Book your New York City hotel today!

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