Visit New York City's iconic Big Apple sites
Unmissable monuments, museums and parks
Statue of Liberty
When you want to visit New York, the Statue of Liberty is the first monument to be placed on its list of activities. Emblem of the city, Miss Liberty was donated by France in 1886 and measures more than 90 meters in height. It is located on Liberty Island and once there, you can contemplate it, but also visit its pedestal and climb to the top of its crown!
The empire state building
With its 443.2 meters high, the Empire State Building is an imposing monument that offers you a magnificent view of the city! For that, go to the 86th floor!
Le Brooklyn Bridge
Another New York landmark is the Brooklyn Bridge, the city's most famous bridge that connects Manhattan to Brooklyn. By walking its 1 meters, you will be able to see the skyline and take pretty pictures!
Top of the Rock and Rockefeller Center
The Top of the Rock is another monument that gives you a panoramic view of the city. The Rockefeller Center is a building built in an art deco style that deserves a look!
Grand Central Terminal
Famous station, Grand Central Terminal is a place of many surprises! Inside, you will have the chance to see a large clock and live a unique experience in the Whispering Gallery.
The MoMA
Are you passionate about modern art? Meet at See you at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) where works by great artists are exhibited!
Central Park
Visiting New York also involves a stroll through Central Park, a park located in the heart of Manhattan with an area of 341 hectares. In Central Park, you can relax, picnic, cycle, rollerblade, run, ice skating in winter, but also meet some squirrels.
To learn more about all the things to do in Central Park, be sure to check out our dedicated article.
One World Trade Center et 9/11 Mémorial
Built on the site of the twin towers destroyed in the attacks, the 9/11 Memorial is a place that calls for recollection. The One World Trade Center is the tallest monument in New York and is characterized by its glass facade.
The dish
Le MET… Here is a place that will delight art lovers. Here, works from all over the world are exhibited. Today, the MET is one of the most beautiful museums in the world.
La High Line
Green promenade, the Highline is a place where you can stroll while enjoying a beautiful landscape and contemporary architecture. The High Line stretches for 2.3 km and has many surprises in store for you!
To find out more, do not hesitate to read our article dedicated to the High Line.
Places not to be missed
Little Italy et Chinatown
Want to get away from it all for a little while? Meet at Chinatown to escape to Asia or to Little Italy if you want to discover a bit of Italy. In these two districts, you will discover traditional shops, typical restaurants and an atmosphere specific to these two continents.
Times Square
Lively neighborhood Times Square, you will be able to see giant screens, shop and much more! It is also in Times Square that you can meet the famous Nacked Cowboy!
What are the things to do in NYC?
In New York, you won't have time to be bored. In addition to visiting tourist sites, you can also attend a Broadway musical or even fly over Big Apple in a helicopter to take beautiful photos and live an exceptional moment!
Of course, this list of activities is incomplete. For an overview of the unmissable, here is a tailor-made itinerary.
Neighborhoods to visit
In New York, the main neighborhoods are Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Staten Island. All of these districts are very different from each other, but they all have must-see sites that you shouldn't miss!
Manhattan is the most famous district of the Big Apple. During your visit to this district, you will be surprised by the many tourist attractions that he concentrates. In fact, in Manhattan, you can visit famous monuments such as the Empire State Building or Rockefeller Center and recharge your batteries in Central Park. Manhattan is also where you can stroll Chinatown or Little Italy and shop on Fifth Avenue and Times Square. In Manhattan, you will always find something to do!
Neighborhood Brooklyn is another famous district which has a cozy atmosphere. Brooklyn is popular with tourists who like to cross the Brooklyn Bridge and relax at Brooklyn Bridge Park.
8 km from Manhattan, is Staten Island, a green area where it is pleasant to walk. Accessible by ferry, on Staten Island you can relax and get away from it all in Clove Lakes and on the Greenbelt.
Note: the ferry is completely free. The crossing lasts about twenty minutes and during it you will have the chance to see Miss Liberty up close and the skyline.
If once The Bronx had a bad reputation, today its image has improved. During your visit, you can see the Yankees stadium and stroll through the botanical garden.
Finally, at Queens, the activities are also interesting. Between the Museum of Moving Image, the beach and the Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens has some great surprises in store for you!
Visiting New York: what to do once you arrive at the airport?
When you arrive in New York, you will land either at JFK, evening at LaGuardia or in Newark. Depending on the arrival airport, several solutions are offered to reach the heart of Manhattan. Here is an overview of these.
The shuttle
La shuttle is a practical and economical means of transport at the same time. Available from all New York airports, the shuttle costs approximately $ 21 per adult. During your trip, you will be with other passengers and the driver will drop you directly at your destination. For more information on the shuttle, here is the full article and to book, click here!
Taxi
Le taxi is a comfortable, but expensive way. Indeed, the price of the trip varies from $ 22 to $ 75 depending on the arrival airport and at this rate, you will have to add between 10 and 15% tip. The price of tolls will also be added if you take them during the journey.
The bus
Unlike the taxi, the bus is inexpensive, but less comfortable. Depending on your destination address, you may need to take multiple lines; a point to take into account, especially if you have a lot of luggage!
Train and metro
With theAirTrain, you can reach the metro and bus networks for only $ 5. This solution is therefore economical, but be aware that the journey is longer than with other means of transport.
Once you arrive at the metro network, you will then have to take one or more lines to reach your destination. For more information on the New York subway, lines, ticket prices, etc., go here.
The limousine
If your budget allows it, take a Limo to reach Manhattan is a wonderful experience. You will be installed in a prestigious car with driver who will drop you off directly at the foot of your hotel!
Where to eat and where to go out in New York?
NYC's flagship restaurants
Visiting New York also means tasting local dishes and discovering culinary specialties that you do not necessarily know. But what are the best restaurants in New York? Where to eat good food? Here is a small selection of some famous addresses.
Shake Shack
During your stay in the Big Apple, tasting a good New York burger is a must! So I will meet you at Shake Shack, a famous establishment that offers delicious and flavorful burgers! At Shake Shack, you won't be disappointed and some even consider its burgers to be the best in NYC!
Several Shake Shacks are located in New York, but the most famous is the one located in the heart of Madison Square Park.
Bubba gump
If you want to eat in an atypical restaurant, book a table at Bubba gump, an establishment inspired by the movie Forrest Gump. This restaurant serves fish and seafood dishes, but salads, burgers and sandwiches are also on the menu.
At Bubba Gump, the atmosphere is very warm and several activities are offered. Everything is gathered to treat you and have a great time!
This restaurant is located at 1501 Broadway right in the middle of Times Square.
Five Leaves Greenpoint
Very popular with locals, the restaurant Five Leaves Greenpoint is the perfect place for a brunch! And if you love pancakes, Five Leaves Greenpoint is the place for you!
Its address is: 18 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.
Chelsea Market
A few meters from the High Line, is the Chelsea Market, a covered market where you can buy, but also taste specialties. Among the most interesting restaurants of the place, there is The Lobster Place which serves delicious lobsters or Eleni's which offers just incredible cookies.
The Chelsea Market is also a place where you can stroll through shops to find decorative items, books or even clothes.
The good places to taste
Here are some addresses that will delight the most greedy among you!
So, if you like cupcakes, go to Magnolia Bakery ! In addition to cupcakes, the brand also offers muffins and scones. There is a huge selection and some cakes have an original taste like pumpkin muffins. Several shops are open in New York, such as Rockefeller Center or Grand Central Terminal.
Are you more of a cookie? Levain bakery will please you! Here you can find delicious cookies, but also scones, gingerbread, cakes and many more. The cookies at Levain Bakery are tender and crunchy and are considered the best in town! So, don't hesitate to taste them!
For donut lovers, you will have to go to one of the shops Dough (in Brooklyn or the Theater District) where several flavors are offered!
Finally, do not hesitate to taste the cronuts from home Dominique Ansel. Many original perfumes are sold, enough to awaken all your taste buds! The address for this property is 189 Spring Street in Soho.
If you want additional addresses, here are 11 where you'll be sure to eat well!
What specialties should you absolutely taste?
In New York, culinary specialties abound! That's why, to help you make the right choice in the restaurant, I have selected some typical dishes for you to taste absolutely! Here they are.
The first specialty is of course citizens, a must in New York and the United States! Among the other savory dishes to taste, there is also the hot dog and bagel, a round loaf with a hole in the middle and filled with lots of things.
On the side of the dishes sucked, you can find the cronuts, a delicious mix of donut and croissant and the donuts offered in many flavors. Don't forget to try cookies, cupcakes, brownies and muffins, other essential and above all delicious sweet treats!
And if you want to taste an original cake, opt for the cheesecake or carrot cake !
Visiting New York: the best places to go out
Whether it's daytime or evening, New York is a vibrant city that never sleeps! So, if you want to have a drink in a party place, I advise you to choose one of the bars in the Soho or Brooklyn neighborhood. In these two districts you will easily find a trendy bar. Otherwise, in Manhattan, other bars with a festive atmosphere await you!
For a 100% New York evening, go to one of the rooftoops from the city. Sitting on the roof terrace, you can have a drink with a lovely view of the city. The Pod 39 and the Upstairs at the Kimberly are two famous rooftops where you can spend a pleasant evening.
If you like to let off steam on the dance floor, know that in New York there are many nightclub. So you just have to choose the one you like! Among the good addresses, you can find Le Marquee at 289 10th avenue which offers music with different styles to satisfy everyone. If you like hip-hop, go to L'Avenue at number 116 10th avenue instead. For house music fans, the Pink is the ideal place. This nightclub is located at 40 W 8th St, New York.
Of course, this list of places to go out is incomplete, to know all the good addresses, here is the article.
Where to sleep in New York?
When you want to visit New York, planning your list of activities is of course essential as there are so many tourist sites, but choosing a place to stay is just as important. New York is divided into five main neighborhoods and all of them offer you great accommodation. But depending on the district, prices vary. To help you choose a hotel that meets your expectations and budget, here are some interesting establishments.
In Manhattan to be near the monuments
By choosing a hotel in Manhattan, you will be a stone's throw from the main tourist spots and you will be immersed in New York's animation. There are also many activities here and day and night, you won't have time to get bored! On the other hand, if you want to stay in a quiet place, Manhattan may not be the ideal neighborhood. As for prices, they vary depending on the hotel.
Interesting establishments in Manhattan are theHudson hotel which offers comfortable, bright and well-equipped rooms. A roof terrace is also open for you to relax and a gym is also provided by the hotel.
If your budget allows it, I recommend the 5 stars 1 Hotel Central Park, an establishment with comfortable rooms and interesting services.
In Brooklyn to be calm
By opting for the district of Brooklyn, you will be staying in a pleasant district close to Manhattan. Unlike the latter, Brooklyn is quieter and there are many activities to do in this neighborhood: cross the Brooklyn Bridge, stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park or have a good evening in one of the trendy bars.
If you choose to sleep in Brooklyn, I recommend the Brooklyn Way Hotel, BW Premier Collection, a 3-star hotel located a stone's throw from the subway (an interesting point for getting around New York and for reaching other districts) and which offers rooms with all the necessary comforts, steam showers and a sauna. The prices of this hotel are affordable.
For an overview of other interesting establishments depending on your budget, click here!
Useful tips for a good visit to New York
After discovering the main points for a good visit to New York, here are some final tips for a worry-free stay:
- Before leaving, don't forget to book your New York City Pass ou New York Pass. These will allow you to save time at the entrance of certain attractions thanks to their wire-cutting function and to make some savings on the entrance fee of certain sites.
- Before leaving, do not forget to make your ESTA and / or VISA request (if you are French you only need ESTA).
- Remember to exchange money before your departure and don't forget to bring your payment card with you if you want to rent a room, a car ...
- If you make a bank transaction, a commission of 2 - 3% will be charged.
- Buy your Metrocard to be able to use the bus and metro.
- In the restaurant, the prices displayed are exclusive of tax and do not forget to leave a tip of 15 - 20% before leaving. These tips are called "gratuity" or "tips".
- The streets and avenues are all perpendicular to each other. The streets are oriented from east to west and the avenues from north to south.
- If you are a smoker, be aware that smoking is prohibited in all public places and outdoors.
You now have everything in hand to visit New York. All you have to do is book your ticket and take off towards the Big Apple!
