New York Metropolis is a type of locations that may really feel barely overwhelming earlier than you arrive. There are 5 boroughs, dozens of neighborhoods, 1000’s of inns, and an infinite listing of issues to see and do.
So, the place must you really keep in New York Metropolis?
Having visited New York just a few instances ourselves, our suggestion for first-time guests is fairly easy: keep in Manhattan.
Sure, you’ll be able to typically discover cheaper lodging farther out, and each Brooklyn and Queens have some incredible neighborhoods of their very own.
But when that is your first journey to NYC and your objective is to see as a lot of town as potential, Manhattan places you proper in the course of the motion.
And inside Manhattan, Midtown is among the greatest locations to base your self.
Nick and I’ve all the time stayed on this space when visiting New York. We love having the ability to stroll out of our lodge and instantly really feel like we’re within the New York we’ve seen in motion pictures our entire lives!
Assume towering skyscrapers, yellow taxis, steaming avenue grates, delis, Broadway theaters, rooftop bars, and among the most well-known landmarks on the planet.
On this information, I’ll break down the three greatest New York Metropolis boroughs for first-time guests, the place to remain in each, and why Midtown Manhattan will get our high decide.
Fast Reply: The place Ought to First-Time Guests Keep in New York?
When you’re planning your first journey to New York and don’t wish to overthink it, select Manhattan – ideally someplace round Midtown.
You’ll be inside strolling distance of all the main points of interest whereas additionally having straightforward subway connections to Decrease Manhattan, Central Park, Brooklyn, and just about wherever else you wish to go.
Our three high boroughs for first-time guests are:
- Manhattan: Greatest general and greatest for sightseeing
- Brooklyn: Greatest for environment, eating places, and a extra neighborhood really feel
- Queens: Greatest for meals, native experiences, and infrequently better-value lodging
Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at every borough.
1. Manhattan: Greatest Total Space for First-Time Guests
When you’ve by no means been to New York earlier than, that is the place I’d keep. Manhattan is residence to all the locations you’ve in all probability put in your NYC bucket listing.
Occasions Sq., Central Park, Fifth Avenue, The Empire State Constructing, Broadway, Rockefeller Middle, Wall Road, The Excessive Line, Freedom Tower, and Chelsea Market.
The listing goes on!
One of many issues we liked about staying in Manhattan was how a lot we might see on foot.
New York is a really walkable metropolis, and wandering between points of interest is a part of the expertise. You’ll stumble throughout cafes, stunning previous buildings, tiny parks, eating places, retailers, avenue performers, and views that you’d’ve fully missed underground on the subway.
On earlier journeys, Nick and I’ve coated an enormous chunk of Manhattan this fashion.
We’ve walked round Battery Park and appeared out towards the Statue of Liberty earlier than making our manner by way of Decrease Manhattan.
We’ve wandered previous the Charging Bull, Trinity Church and Wall Road, explored Chinatown and Little Italy, walked by way of SoHo and Tribeca, and visited the 9/11 Memorial.
And that’s simply downtown.
Farther north, we’ve explored Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Columbus Circle, Chelsea Market, the Excessive Line, Madison Sq. Backyard and, in fact, Occasions Sq..
For a primary journey (whether or not for a day, a weekend, or every week…), Manhattan merely makes seeing all of this simpler.
Midtown Manhattan: Our High Alternative
Manhattan itself is large, so deciding which a part of the borough to remain in is vital. In case your precedence is sightseeing, I believe Midtown Manhattan is among the greatest areas to remain in New York Metropolis.
This fashion, you’re placing your self within the middle of lots of the points of interest first-time guests wish to see.
The Empire State Constructing, Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Middle, Occasions Sq. and Broadway are all in or round Midtown.
You’re additionally between Decrease Manhattan and Central Park, making it straightforward to discover in both course.
That is particularly essential on a shorter journey to NYC.
In spite of everything that strolling, you’ll in all probability be a bit exhausted, so having a centrally situated lodge means you’ll be able to pop again to your room, change for dinner, drop off buying luggage, or simply relaxation your ft for half an hour with out trekking midway throughout town.
The place to Keep in Midtown: NH Assortment New York Madison Avenue
One lodge that’s notably effectively positioned for sightseeing is NH Assortment New York Madison Avenue, situated on Madison Avenue at East thirty eighth Road.
The placement is great for a primary journey.
The lodge is inside strolling distance of the Empire State Constructing, Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue and the New York Public Library, with Occasions Sq. and Rockefeller Middle additionally close by.
Grand Central is only some minutes away on foot, which makes getting round the remainder of New York simple as effectively.
And whereas we haven’t stayed at this specific NH Assortment property, Nick and I’ve stayed with NH Resorts in Brussels and actually loved our keep, so it’s a lodge model we’re already accustomed to.
The New York property is about inside a restored 1923 constructing and was fully refurbished earlier than reopening in 2021. Inside, it has up to date rooms, a restaurant and bar, a health middle, and choose rooms even have views of the Empire State Constructing.
However for me, the large promoting level remains to be the placement.
Who Ought to Keep in Manhattan?
Manhattan is the only option if:
- It’s your first time in New York Metropolis
- You’re visiting for only a few days
- Sightseeing is your precedence
- You wish to stroll to main points of interest
- You propose on seeing a Broadway present
- You don’t thoughts paying just a little extra for comfort
Lodging can undoubtedly be costlier right here, however for a brief first go to, I believe the comfort is value it.
2. Brooklyn: Greatest for Cool Neighborhoods
If Manhattan is traditional New York, Brooklyn offers you a barely totally different aspect of town.
Brooklyn has grow to be a vacation spot in its personal proper, with glorious eating places, espresso retailers, bars, parks, impartial boutiques, transformed warehouses, brownstone streets and a few incredible views of the Manhattan skyline.
For first-time guests, I’d look primarily at areas with straightforward connections again into Manhattan, equivalent to DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights or Williamsburg.
DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights are good areas if sightseeing remains to be excessive in your listing.
You possibly can stroll throughout the Brooklyn Bridge into Decrease Manhattan, spend time alongside Brooklyn Bridge Park, and get among the greatest views of the Manhattan skyline.
Strolling the Brooklyn Bridge itself is a type of quintessential New York experiences that’s completely value doing a minimum of as soon as.
Williamsburg has extra of a nightlife, restaurant and artistic scene and is usually a nice possibility if you happen to’d relatively keep someplace that feels rather less touristy at night time.
Brooklyn does contain extra commuting if most of your itinerary is in Manhattan, nevertheless.
That’s why I’d usually suggest it for somebody who has visited New York earlier than, or is staying for an extended journey.
Who Ought to Keep in Brooklyn?
Select Brooklyn if:
- You need extra of a neighborhood really feel
- Eating places, bars and cafes are an enormous a part of your journey
- You don’t have to be beside Occasions Sq. or Central Park
- You’re staying in New York for quite a lot of days
- You’ve already skilled Manhattan earlier than
For a primary two or three-night journey, I’d nonetheless select Manhattan. For every week? Brooklyn turns into far more tempting.
3. Queens: Greatest for Meals and a Extra Native Facet of New York
Queens in all probability isn’t the primary place most individuals image once they’re planning a visit to New York, however that’s additionally a part of its enchantment.
It’s probably the most culturally numerous locations within the metropolis, and the meals scene alone is purpose sufficient to discover it. Relying on the neighborhood, you’ll discover glorious Greek, Chinese language, Colombian, Indian, Mexican, Korean and numerous different cuisines.
For guests, Lengthy Island Metropolis is often probably the most sensible areas to think about.
It’s instantly throughout the East River from Midtown Manhattan, and also you’re nonetheless shut sufficient which you could get into Manhattan comparatively rapidly.
Some inns right here can even supply extra space or higher worth than comparable properties proper in Midtown.
That mentioned, I wouldn’t suggest staying deep into Queens on a primary journey if nearly every part in your itinerary is in Manhattan.
Saving cash in your lodge sounds nice till you’re spending tons of time day-after-day commuting backwards and forwards. Location issues in New York.
Who Ought to Keep in Queens?
Queens is smart if:
- You’re in search of higher lodging worth
- You’re staying near a subway connection
- You get pleasure from discovering native neighborhoods
- Meals is a significant a part of your journey
- You don’t thoughts commuting into Manhattan
For first-timers, I’d follow Lengthy Island Metropolis or one other space with fast transportation into Manhattan.
Why Location Issues So A lot in New York
New York appears to be like comparatively compact on a map…however then you definitely begin strolling and notice that there’s lots of floor to cowl! There’s tons to see, and points of interest that appear like they’be be shut collectively can nonetheless contain fairly a little bit of strolling.
Throughout our journeys, we’ve explored every part from Battery Park on the southern tip of Manhattan all the best way up towards Central Park. Downtown alone might simply fill a complete day.
Begin at Battery Park and also you’ll have views towards the Statue of Liberty. From there, you’ll be able to stroll up Broadway previous the Charging Bull, Trinity Church and Wall Road earlier than persevering with towards the Brooklyn Bridge.
Then you definitely’ve received Chinatown, Little Italy, SoHo and Tribeca close by, adopted by the World Commerce Middle and 9/11 Memorial.
And that’s only one portion of Manhattan!
One other day might embody Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Constructing, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Middle and Central Park. Then there’s Chelsea Market and the Excessive Line – that is one in all my private favourite locations in New York.
The Excessive Line remodeled an previous elevated railway right into a pedestrian walkway crammed with gardens, seating areas and viewpoints over the encircling streets. It’s such an ideal place to wander, notably later within the afternoon. The Excessive Line was a spotlight of ours – don’t miss it!
From there, you’ll be able to proceed towards Madison Sq. Backyard and ultimately make your strategy to the glowing billboards of Occasions Sq..
For this reason I believe first-time guests underestimate how essential selecting the best lodge location is. Belief me, you don’t wish to spend your total New York journey contained in the subway.
A Few of Our Favourite Issues to See in Manhattan
When you’re staying in Midtown, you’ll be able to divide Manhattan into just a few totally different sightseeing days.
Midtown & Central Manhattan
Begin with the sights closest to your lodge:
- Empire State Constructing
- Bryant Park
- New York Public Library
- Grand Central Terminal
- Fifth Avenue
- Rockefeller Middle
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Occasions Sq.
- Broadway
- Central Park
From NH Assortment New York Madison Avenue, a number of of those are simply accessible on foot, together with Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Empire State Constructing.
Chelsea & The Excessive Line
One other day, head towards:
- Chelsea Market
- The Excessive Line
- Hudson Yards
- Madison Sq. Backyard
Chelsea Market is nice for grabbing one thing to eat earlier than strolling the Excessive Line.
The Excessive Line was one in all my favourite components of New York. I really like discovering inexperienced areas in massive cities, and this elevated park offers you a wholly totally different perspective of Manhattan.
Decrease Manhattan
Give your self a minimum of half a day (ideally longer) for:
- Battery Park
- Statue of Liberty views
- Charging Bull
- Wall Road
- Trinity Church
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Chinatown
- Little Italy
- SoHo
- Tribeca
- One World Commerce Middle
- 9/11 Memorial
You may rush by way of these, however I’d relatively decide fewer stops and truly get pleasure from them. PS, don’t miss the wonderful meals in Chinatown! We liked the soup dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai!
Manhattan vs. Brooklyn vs. Queens: Which Ought to You Select?
If I have been selecting lodging for my first-ever journey to New York in the present day, I’d nonetheless decide Manhattan. Brooklyn is incredible, Queens is fascinating and has unimaginable meals…
…however Manhattan offers first-time guests the New York expertise most individuals have travelled there for.
You’re surrounded by landmarks you’ve seen in motion pictures and TV reveals your total life, and the density of points of interest means you’ll be able to expertise an unlimited quantity of town in a comparatively brief journey.
Inside Manhattan, I’d slim it down even additional and keep in Midtown.
Having the ability to stroll to the Empire State Constructing within the morning, wander by way of Bryant Park, cease at Grand Central, store alongside Fifth Avenue and finish your night close to Occasions Sq. or Broadway is fairly onerous to beat.
Closing Ideas
There actually isn’t one unhealthy space of New York Metropolis – solely areas that make roughly sense relying on the kind of journey you’re planning.
When you’re returning in your fourth go to and wish to spend every week consuming your manner round Brooklyn and Queens, completely keep outdoors Manhattan.
However for a primary journey to New York Metropolis, notably if you happen to solely have just a few days, you’ll undoubtedly wish to keep in Manhattan.
Extra particularly, go searching Midtown.
You’ll spend much less time commuting, extra time exploring, and also you’ll be capable to expertise lots of New York’s most well-known landmarks just by stepping outdoors and strolling.
After visiting New York just a few instances ourselves and all the time selecting Manhattan as our base, it’s nonetheless the place we’d suggest first-time guests begin. Pack comfy sneakers although…you’ll want them.
