Destinations / New York City
New York City Travel Guide
The city I send clients to most, and the one where planning ahead pays off the most. Pick your neighborhood first, since it shapes the whole trip, then lock in Broadway seats and your one or two hard dinner reservations before you land. Everything else you can figure out on foot.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Where I'm sending people now
Expect about 14.75% in sales and occupancy tax plus $3.50 per room per night, and some hotels add a nightly destination fee on top.
Late April to early June and September to early November for walking weather. Late November through December is the city at its most festive, but it's also the most crowded and expensive stretch of the year.
The luxury hotels I book run about $800 to $2,000 a night in peak season, with upper-upscale Midtown and downtown picks closer to $400 to $800. Add about 14.75% tax plus $3.50 per room per night, and budget $150 to $300 a person for a great Broadway seat.
Holiday season is in full swing: the Rockefeller Center tree lights on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, and the Rockettes run through January 4, 2027, so December rates and Midtown crowds peak. If you drive in, the congestion toll is $9 for cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street from 5 am to 9 pm on weekdays (9 am to 9 pm on weekends), on top of hotel parking.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
Know before you go
Getting there
JFK and Newark handle most international flights and LaGuardia is the easy pick for domestic trips; from Newark, the AirTrain plus NJ Transit gets you to Penn Station in about 30 to 40 minutes. Amtrak and NJ Transit both arrive at Penn Station, so Boston, Philadelphia and Washington are easy add-ons by train.
Getting around
Skip the car: I recommend walking within neighborhoods and taking the subway between them, which is $3 a ride by tapping a contactless card or phone at the turnstile. Taxis and Ubers are fine for late nights and airport runs, but in Midtown traffic the subway is usually faster.
Money and tipping
Hotel tax runs about 14.75% plus $3.50 per night, and some hotels add a nightly destination fee, so compare the total, not the headline rate. Tip 18 to 22% at sit-down restaurants and $1 to $2 a drink at bars, and look at January to early March or the first half of November for the best hotel rates.
How I'd spend 4 days
Day 1 Check in, walk the High Line and Chelsea Market, then dinner in the West Village.
Day 2 The Met in the morning, a walk through Central Park, and a Broadway show at night.
Day 3 The Statue of Liberty ferry and the 9/11 Memorial, then SoHo and Nolita for shopping and dinner.
Day 4 Summit One Vanderbilt at opening, Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center, and a late lunch at Katz's before you head home.
Tip Group each day by neighborhood. Crossing town twice a day is what wears people out.
Hotels I'd book in New York City
Things to do in New York City
Where to eat in New York City
Katz's Delicatessen
Joe's Pizza
Thai Diner
Balthazar
Gramercy Tavern
Carbone
Le Bernardin
Peter Luger Steak House
Where I'm sending people now
Hawaii
Maui, Kauai, Oahu and the Big Island, and how to pick between them.
Italy
Rome and the Amalfi Coast, with the hotels and tours worth booking ahead.
Caribbean
Punta Cana, Turks and Caicos and Puerto Rico, all-inclusive and not.
New York City FAQ
What is the best area to stay in New York City for first-timers?
For a first visit I usually suggest Midtown near Times Square or Central Park South, because you can walk to Broadway, Rockefeller Center and the park. Couples and repeat visitors tend to prefer SoHo, Tribeca or the West Village for the restaurants and quieter streets, and the Upper East Side suits museum-focused trips.
How many days do you need in New York City?
Four nights is the sweet spot for a first visit: enough for a show, a big museum, the Statue of Liberty and a few neighborhoods without rushing. Three nights works if you focus on one or two areas, and families should add a day for downtime.
What's the best way to get from JFK, Newark or LaGuardia to Manhattan?
From JFK, a yellow cab is a $70 flat fare plus surcharges, tolls and tip (about $90 to $110 all in), or take the AirTrain ($8.50) to the LIRR or subway. From Newark, the AirTrain plus NJ Transit to Penn Station runs about $16 to $18 and 30 to 40 minutes. From LaGuardia, a cab or Uber is easiest since there's no train.
How much is hotel tax in New York City?
About 14.75% of the room rate (8.875% sales tax plus 5.875% hotel occupancy tax), plus $3.50 per room per night in flat fees. Some hotels also add a nightly destination or facility fee, so I always compare the total price, not the nightly rate.
When is the best time to see New York's holiday decorations in 2026?
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is November 26, the Rockefeller Center tree lights on December 2, and Bryant Park's holiday shops run through January 3, 2027. For the lights without the worst crowds I aim for weekdays in early December, and since December weekends are already tight, book hotels now.
How do I get discount Broadway tickets?
For the biggest hits, buy directly from the show's official seller weeks ahead, since real discounts are rare. For everything else, the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day seats up to 50% off plus an $8 fee per ticket, and many shows run digital lotteries and rush tickets through their websites or the TodayTix app.
Should I rent a car in New York City?
No. Between the $9 peak congestion toll for driving into Manhattan below 60th Street, nightly hotel parking and traffic, a car costs you time and money. The subway at $3 a ride and walking are faster for almost everything, and a cab covers the rest.