best tourist place to stay in new york

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Where to Stay in New York City: A Guide for First Timers

We’ve now spent a few weeks in New York City, split between a couple of different trips, and the first thing we’re always struck by when we arrive in Manhattan is the buzzing energy that fills the streets of NYC at all hours. 6:00 am? Tons of people out and about. 2:00 am? Same thing.

It boggles my mind, but I guess that’s what happens when you pack millions of people into a place the size of Manhattan. 

The second thing that strikes me every time is the size of the buildings and the density. It truly is a concrete jungle. I grew up in Seattle and lived in San Francisco where there is a downtown area with massive buildings, but once you get out of that relatively small area the tallest building is roughly three stories – and you find green spaces around every corner. 

In New York City, I regularly looked up and saw a 40 story building, no matter where I was – from Lower Manhattan to the Upper Eastside. The density is mind boggling. 

In this guide, we’re going to share our take on where to stay in New York City, based on our own experience and point of view, to help you find the perfect place to stay for your trip. For each one, we’ll give you an overview of each area, then dive deep into the pros and cons, a few highlights that we love, and some handpicked places to stay. 

Sound good? Let’s get into it.

PS: Planning a trip to NYC? We’ve got some other super detailed travel guides you might find useful. Read our guide to planning an amazing NYC itinerary for our take on EXACTLY how to spend a few days in New York City, and our guide to the best gluten free restaurants and bakeries in NYC if you’re a gluten free foodie, like us.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Where to Stay in New York City: A Complete Guide for All Budgets and Styles

When you’re trying to decide where to stay, it is important to think about what kind of New York experience you’re looking for. 

Are you there to eat all the best food and see the city like a local (I am)? Do you want to visit all the art galleries and museums? Or are you wanting to see as many tourist attractions as humanly possible (I don’t recommend it)? 

The best place to stay in New York City will vary depending on your style, budget, and expectations.

Luckily for you, we put together this DETAILED guide of the best neighborhoods to stay in, complete with pros and cons, neighborhood highlights, and handpicked highly-rated hotels in each area. 

Don’t have time to read the entire guide below? Here’s a quick summary to get your search for the perfect place to stay started. 

• Our overall recordation is the Flatiron District / NoMad . This area gives you all the benefits of Midtown (in fact, it’s basically the southern end of Midtown), but it’s a little less hectic and overwhelming. Plus, unlike Midtown, where the food and drinks are underwhelming (at best), this area is full of great places to eat and drink. You’re also walkable to Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the East Village, which all are great places to eat and drink too. We like the Ace Hotel (I stayed there a couple of years ago) and the Freehand (we also stayed there – it’s a relatively affordable option). 
• If it’s your first time in New York (or you have a short trip) , stay in Midtown . It’s as central as it gets, walkable to Central Park, and full of the unbridled energy that makes NYC special. We will say that it gets a little overwhelming near Times Square. We love CitizenM Hotels (we’ve stayed in three of their hotels in the past four months, at the time of writing), and their Times Square location gets great reviews and is relatively affordable.
• If you’ve done the touristy stuff before and are looking for a different experience, stay in Brooklyn or Williamsburg . Brooklyn, if taken as its own city, is massive in its own right, and there’s plenty to do, see, eat, and drink. Plus, the ferry system is a very, very pleasant way to get between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Brooklyn is more urban – we were surprised that the downtown area is full of skyscrapers. Williamsburg is more residential. 
• If you’re on a tight budget , there’s really no single area that has all the budget accommodations. There’s the HI Hostel on the Upper West Side, which has dorms that are affordable (though it’s FAR). Pod 39 in Times Square has small, affordable rooms. The Jane Hotel in Greenwich Village is about as good a value as you’ll find in the city. 

Where We’ve Stayed in New York City

As always, we like to start these guides with our own personal experience staying in New York City. 

I’m going to disregard my first time in New York City, which was a two day trip where I spent most of my time inside a conference room. 

The next two trips were both weeklong affairs, and over the course of that time we stayed in a couple of different places. 

Hotel Recommendation

The Arlo Midtown

We’ve stayed here, and loved it. It’s in a great, central location a few blocks from both Penn Station and Times Square. This is a solid mid-range hotel with compact-but-comfortable rooms (some have city views!) and a nice rooftop bar.

Our First Real Trip to New York City

For the first weeklong trip, we stayed in the Flatiron District , which is – SPOILER ALERT – our top recommendation. We love this area, from the greenery of Madison Park and Union Square, to the excellent bars, restaurants, and coffee shops that it has to offer.

Plus, it’s a great central location between Midtown and Central Park, and Lower Manhattan (not to mention where Penn Station is located, which means an easy journey if that’s where you’re arriving). 

We stayed at two separate hotels during that trip. 

First, we spent a few nights at the budget-friendly Freehand Hotel . The Freehand is part hostel, with smaller-than-average rooms, great common areas (including a nice rooftop), and lower-than-average prices, and part boutique hotel, with stylish decor and good service.

Rooms are smallish, though they do have some bigger configurations, and have some creative layouts for groups traveling together (some of which include bunk beds). Overall, we were fans, and the price was right at the time. 

Next, we moved a few blocks over to the Ace Hotel . We’ve stayed at the Ace in Seattle, and this hotel was an upgrade from that experience, with bigger, quieter rooms, and a nicer lobby area. There are rooms of various sizes, from cozy single rooms to huge loft suites that are bigger than the average NYC apartment. 

It’s not the cheapest hotel in New York City, but it’s somewhere around the mid-range category, and probably is one of the better options in that particular tier.  

Our Most Recent Trip to New York City

On our most recent weeklong NYC adventure, we spent most of our time in Lower Manhattan, and Matt spent a couple of nights at the end of the trip on his own staying in Midtown. 

We were pleasantly surprised at how nice it was to stay in Lower Manhattan , which we thought would be a little lifeless with tons of office buildings and not all that many cool spots.

To an extent, that’s true, but there’s also some very real positives: good transit connections to the rest of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and some of the best museums and traditional tourist attractions in the city. 

We stayed at Sonder Battery Park , which is sort of like a hotel whose rooms are apartments, with full kitchens and bigger living spaces.

There are a few Sonder locations in Lower Manhattan, but we liked this spot a block away from Battery Park. There’s a nice rooftop deck, a fitness center, a couple of lounges, and more amenities in the building. 

Our apartment – which is a contactless experience (though there are staff at the front desk if you have questions) – was nice and spacious, and was stocked with everything we needed for our trip. We’d definitely stay there again. 

On the back end of our trip, which took us to Boston, Vermont, and NYC, we split up and I, Matt, spent a week doing some more exploring on the east coast, including a few days in Philadelphia. I flew out of JFK in New York, so I came back to the city for a couple of nights before my flight, and stayed in Midtown . 

To be honest, Midtown is a little much for me. I’m a city person at heart, but Midtown is just too hectic for me. Every single sidewalk is packed wall-to-wall from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. It’s wild. 

But, I also think Midtown is a solid place to stay. Because of the sheer number of hotels, the prices are actually decent considering their proximity to places like Times Square and Central Park. Plus, it’s super central. 

I stayed at the Arlo Midtown , which I’d recommend as a boutique hotel that’s fairly affordable (I probably wouldn’t splurge for the city view, although I could see the Empire State Building from the foot of the bed).

The CitizenM Times Square was also on our list because we LOVE CitizenM hotels (we’ve stayed in three of their hotels in the past four months, at the time of writing).

Flatiron and NoMad: Our Personal Pick for Best Area To Stay In New York City

The reason we think Flatiron and NoMad should be at the top of your list of the best places to stay in New York City is simple. It’s essentially the lower end of Midtown Manhattan, which has a decidedly different, more pleasant character than the area further north towards Times Square. 

It combines the energy and centrality of Midtown and the excellent access to food and drinks of Chelsea and Greenwich Village (and the West Village). 

First, let’s talk about geography. In terms of location, what are we talking about here? Essentially, I’m referring to the area between Union Square on the southern end and W32nd St on the northern end . In terms of east/west borders, it’s going to be something like Park Ave and 7th . 

This little slice of paradise in the city has everything we like in a neighborhood: excellent green spaces (Union Square and Madison Square Park), great food and drinks (Cosme for Michelin starred Mexican) and Devoción (for excellent Colombian coffee), and a perfect central location between Midtown, Chelsea / Greenwich Village, and the East Village. 

As you get further north into Midtown, the energy gets to be a little much, at least for us. This part of Manhattan has a taste of that energy, but it’s far more accessible and less overwhelming, and shares the same transit connections that makes Midtown a perfect place to stay for your first trip to New York. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Flatiron / NoMad

Pros: 

• Excellent food and drinks. This area is PACKED with restaurants and bars, and chances are whether you stay here or not, you’ll end up here to eat at least once. 
• Good public transit connections. With the exception of Brooklyn (more on that in the cons section), this is a perfect location to use to explore Manhattan. It won’t take you much more than 30 minutes to get anywhere you need to go, from Battery Park to the Upper West Side. 

Cons: 

• It’s a trek to Brooklyn / Williamsburg. This is the exception to the “good public transit” bullet above. Not that it’s bad, but you’re going to have to transfer, and it’s likely to take you 40-45 minutes, if not more. If you can, catch the East River ferry here – it’s a much more pleasant journey than the subway. 

Where To Stay In Flatiron And NoMad 

Part of the reason I like this particular area is the great assortment of charming hotels. From budget to boutique, it has something for everyone.

The Freehand NYC: Best Affordable Hotel in New York City

Listen, if you’re looking for an affordable place to stay and you’re not too concerned with having all the bells and whistles that some of the upscale hotels have, this place is great. Besides, you won’t be spending much time in your hotel anyway, you’ll be out exploring! 

We stayed here for three nights on our first trip and were blown away by the value. The Freehand is a great option for groups of friends or couples traveling together. It is a beautifully designed, minimalist hotel with really reasonable rates. 

They have large plant-filled social areas and restaurants. My favorite part of this hotel was the rooftop bar and lounge; such a great way to finish up a day exploring! 

The Ace Hotel: Best Combination of Style and Budget

Another fantastic option in the heart of NYC, I stayed at the Ace Hotel for 3 nights and it was a great home base for exploring the surrounding areas. In particular, it’s the best combination of style and budget in the neighborhood. Big, bright rooms, a mix of modern amenities and vintage touches, and a central location. 

The Ace Hotel is located right in the middle of NoMad, a five-minute walk from Koreatown and some great cafes. The hotel’s public areas and rooms are decorated in vintage style with some of the larger rooms having a turntable. Rudy’s Barbershop is located onsite for a bit of pampering. I stayed here and loved how easy it was to get around by subway. 

The MADE Hotel: Splurge-worthy Boutique Hotel

The Made Hotel is the hotel I have always wanted to stay at when visiting New York, but it was fully booked last time I visited. It has a zen-like vibe to the entire hotel with lots of exposed wood, greenery, and natural light. Aka my ideal style. 

There’s a cafe, rooftop bar, and a patio for hotel guests only. Minimalist rooms with sweeping city views and super comfortable beds are the main draw, though. 

Midtown Manhattan: Best Central Location for First Timers and Short Trips

There’s truly no better place to soak up the boundless energy that characterizes New York City than Midtown Manhattan.

Especially during the day, when tourists and office workers make it so that, no matter where in Midtown you find yourself, it’s a pretty good bet that the sidewalks will be packed. 

Truth be told, we’re very much city people (we’ve lived in San Francisco and Seattle, and at the time of writing are in the process of moving to Portland, Oregon) and Midtown is a little overwhelming, even to us. 

However, for a few nights, this is the most central place to stay in New York City. Just north is Central Park, the best urban green space in the country (sorry, Golden Gate Park), and you’ll be surrounded by some of the most iconic sites, sounds, and eats in Manhattan. 

Matt has stayed in Midtown a couple of times over the course of his last few trips to New York, and firmly believes that it’s best in relatively small doses.

The location is great – though it is hectic – and has convenient subway connections to just about everywhere in NYC. Plus, there’s a bunch of great places to eat and drink… as long as you walk at least four blocks from Times Square. 

One of our favorite memories from this last trip is finding ourselves in the middle of a spontaneous-ish dance party in Bryant Park. At 4:00 pm on a Thursday afternoon. That kind of energy is emblematic of New York City, and it’s best experienced in Midtown, which is the beating heart of Manhattan in terms of energy. 

A note on geography: Midtown Manhattan refers to a giant swath of Central Manhattan that swallows up distinct neighborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen, not to mention areas like “Midtown East” and “Midtown West.” We’re going to combine them all, and this section covers everything in Manhattan between the southern end of Central Park and the Empire State Building (roughly). 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Midtown Manhattan

• The Location is as central as it gets. There’s plenty to do and see within Midtown itself, and just outside the borders of the neighborhood, you’ll find even more amazing sights (the Met and Central Park to the north, and Chelsea Market, the Highline, and Flatiron Building to the south). 
• The Transit Connections. Penn Station, NYC’s main train station, is at the southwestern corner of Midtown, where you’ll find trains to Newark International Airport and the Amtrak to various other Northeastern cities. Plus, just about every subway line runs through Midtown, which will get you anywhere you need to go in the New York Metro Area. 
• The Unbridled Energy. When we think of New York City, we think of a sort of buzzing energy at all hours. Which is exactly what you’ll find in Midtown. Is it overwhelming at times? Yes. But also, where else in the world will you find a spontaneous-ish dance party at 4:00 pm on a Thursday, like we found in Bryant Park during our trip? 
• It’s Budget-Friendly. Despite being one of the most “touristy” parts of Manhattan, this is actually a relatively affordable area to stay in.
• It’s dirty. I mean, given the “unbridled energy” bullet above, it should come as no surprise that there’s a tradeoff to the constant flow of people. This is a pretty dirty part of the city. Lots of humans usually means lots of trash, and that’s certainly true of Midtown. 
• It’s just… A LOT. Especially around Times Square, which is an overwhelming place to visit. We like the northern end of Midtown because it’s walkable to Times Square, and the southern end because we love the Flatiron District / NoMad, which is walkable from there. 
• The restaurants around Times Square are mostly pretty terrible. Please don’t eat at Olive Garden while you’re in New York City! There’s so much good food and places to drink in Midtown, but the six square blocks around Times Square are, generally, not a good place to find it. The exception being Los Tacos , which is supposedly incredible (but they serve flour tortillas, so no tacos for us because Matt has Celiac Disease and gluten makes him sick for days). 

n – of the Constitution, and the original stuffed animals that inspired Winnie the Pooh. Plus, it’s free!

The Best Places to Stay in Midtown Manhattan

Here are some places to stay in Midtown Manhattan, from affordable stays to a splurge-worthy boutique hotel. 

Arlo Midtown: A Great Mid Range Option in a Great Location

I, Matt, stayed at the Arlo Midtown for a couple of nights alone before flying back home to California, and I really enjoyed it. The rooms are compact, but they’re comfortable, thoughtfully laid out and designed (USB ports by the bed, reading lights, and mini fridges!), and some have excellent views of Manhattan. 

It’s also a few blocks north of Penn Station, so you’ll be able to walk to your hotel if you’re arriving by train, which makes for an easier day of travel. 

I paid a little extra for a room with a city view, and loved the amount of light that the big windows let in. If you’re looking for a special stay, the King rooms with a city view are a good choice, though I will say that the views vary by room, and my room had an Empire State Building view, but only from the foot of the bed. 

If you’re not too concerned with what kind of view you’ll have, you’ll save a few dollars by booking a room without a view. 

They also have a nice rooftop bar with great views (it’s small, so you’ll want to get there early if you want to be up there for sunset), a fitness center, and a bunch of great common space on the ground floor, including a fun little atrium. 

Overall, I’d recommend it, and I’d stay there again if I wanted a place in Midtown (though, to be honest, I don’t think I’d stay in Midtown again). 

They also have hotels in NoMad and SoHo , which are similar concepts in different neighborhoods. 

CitizenM Times Square: The Best Overall Hotel in Midtown

First of all, we LOVE CitizenM hotels. They regularly make our list of the best hotels in cities like Seattle and London because they do one thing, and they do it well: affordable hotels with everything you need and nothing you don’t.

Perfect for travelers that will be spending most of their time out exploring, they only have one room size. No more decision fatigue around whether you should choose “comfort” or “economy.”

The CitizenM Times Square is super highly rated. If it’s your first time in New York City, this might be the perfect place to stay. It’s located right in the heart of all the action with a Times Square address. 

It’s a great value with no frills – instead of a reception desk, there is a self-check-in with staff on hand if you need assistance. There is a gym on the 20 th floor with impressive views over the city and a rooftop bar, so they provide the things that count. 

They also have a location in Lower Manhattan that would be a great location for business travelers who want to be close to the Financial District. 

Pod 51: The Most Affordable Hotel Near Times Square

This charming, affordable hotel is all about the location. Pod 51 is located in the heart of Midtown, 15 minutes from Times Square and across the street from Greenacre Park with its huge waterfall, but the prices would make you think it’s in Jersey. 

The best feature is the rooftop deck with colorful sun loungers, perfect for soaking up the sun in summer. It also has an onsite restaurant and bar as well as a cafe. Hostel style rooms and private rooms are available. 

Library Hotel: A Splurge-worthy Boutique Hotel

The Library Hotel is a super central option – a hidden gem located right near New York Public Library and Grand Central Station. It is library-themed, as you probably guessed from the name, and goes as far as designing its rooms on the Dewey decimal system.

So room 500.005 is dinosaur themed, room 800.005 is fairy tale themed and so on.

It also has a reading room on the second floor with Madison Avenue views and hundreds of books to browse. Coffee, tea, and cookies are always available in the reading room, so there is no need to ever leave to grab a snack or pick-me-up. 

Lower Manhattan: A Well-Connected Hub with Plenty to See

On our latest trip to New York City, we spent the bulk of our time staying in Lower Manhattan just a block away from Battery Park, which has views of the Statue of Liberty.

Originally, I will admit that I was fairly against staying in Lower Manhattan, which felt like it was a little soulless, full of towering office buildings with workers milling about during the day. 

However, after staying there for five nights, I would like to say that I have completely changed my tune. Not only are there a huge variety of things to do in Lower Manhattan (like the moving 9/11 Memorial and Museum), but it’s also one of the most conveniently located neighborhoods for accessing places like Brooklyn and the Lower East Side. 

This is downtown New York City (or, the Financial District), which means it’s a lot of office buildings, sharply dressed office workers, and the businesses that support them (a lot of fast-casual lunch options, for example). 

Combine that with several subway lines running north to get you to Midtown in 20-25 minutes or so, and it’s not such a bad place to make your temporary home in New York City. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Lower Manhattan

• Great transit connections. Between express trains that move from Lower Manhattan to uptown, skipping stops along the way, to an easy hop over to Brooklyn and Williamsburg, you’ll be able to go just about anywhere you need to go within a half hour. Even getting to the Upper West Side (81st Street) only took us about 25 minutes. 
• Tons of things to do and see. Within the neighborhood (which is big), there’s a ton to see. Battery Park, the famous bull, the Stock Exchange, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum… the list goes on!

Cons:  

• It’s boring in terms of food and drinks. Plan on eating elsewhere. This is a sea of Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, and there’s even a TGI Fridays, which I haven’t seen in a decade or so.
• It’s dead on weekends. Unsurprisingly, given the number of office buildings and workers in this area, it’s pretty dead come Saturday and especially Sunday. Not a huge deal, but worth noting. 

The Best Places to Stay in Lower Manhattan

Here are some of our picks for the best places to stay in Lower Manhattan. 

Where We Stayed: Sonder Battery Park (nice apartments, modern contactless check-in, cool roof deck)

Affordable Options : Hotel Mulberry or the NobleDEN Hotel (affordable by NYC standards, anyway)

Hip Mid Range Hotel : CitizenM Bowery (we love CitizenM, and have stayed at three different locations in the past four months)

A Touch of Luxury : The Roxy Hotel

Chelsea / Greenwich Village: Cool Neighborhoods with Tons to Eat and Drink

Chelsea is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in New York, full of art galleries and industrial-chic galleries.

It is wedged firmly between Midtown and Greenwich Village, making it easy to get around and explore. It has pretty cobbled streets and plenty of great places to eat, drink, and shop to explore as you meander your way through. 

Plus there’s the most unique green space in New York, the Highline , to wander slowly through and enjoy the greenery and art installations.

It is a repurposed rail line suspended above the streets. Now it is full of wildflowers, art installations, and shrubbery. It is about a mile and a half long and runs between Chelsea and the Hudson Yards, and it offers some spectacular views of the NYC skyline. 

Get up there in the early morning to take it in before the rest of the tourists show up.

Greenwich Village is just south of Chelsea, but has a completely different vibe, which was apparent as we walked north from Washington Square Park towards the southern end of the highline.

Greenwich Village is much more residential, with commercial strips with bars, restaurants, and shops interspersed with brownstones. The best stretch is probably along 7th Avenue, though Hudson Street is another good one. 

If you are looking to experience the New York you see in movies, then Greenwich Village is the best place to stay in New York City. 

There are plenty of brownstone-lined streets, long curving lanes, and romantic little cafes tucked away just waiting to be stumbled upon. Your favorite 90’s shows, like Sex and the City and Friends, were filmed in this part of the city.

It is also the home of NYU which gives the area a young feel to it while still remaining upscale and picturesque. 

The area just south of Washington Square Park is one of our favorite parts of the entire city, and the streets are lined with some of our favorite bars, restaurants, and coffee shops (Nami Nori, Posh Pop Bakeshop, and Senza Gluten Cafe to name a few). 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Chelsea / Greenwich Village

Pros:  

• It’s about as charming as it gets. Particularly Greenwich Village. Lots of tree-lined streets, typical brownstones with fancy porches (we love the elevated porches!), and bricks and cobblestones (we’re suckers for both). 
• Unparalleled food and drink options. The concentration of great restaurants might be higher here than anywhere else in the city. 
• The great urban green spaces. Between the Highline and the piers that have been transformed into green spaces, it’s not hard to break free from the concrete jungle for a little fresh (ish) air. 
• It can be pricey. Two things are true here – there aren’t a whole lot of hotels in either of these neighborhoods, and it’s a desirable place to stay. Which means if you want to stay here, you’re probably going to be paying for it (though there are a couple of good budget options). 
• It can be loud. As you might imagine given its proximity to NYU and the sheer number of places to eat and drink, the nightlife here is great. It can get loud and rowdy. 

The Best Places to Stay in Chelsea / Greenwich Village

Here are three solid options in Chelsea and Greenwich Village to look at, depending on your style and budget. 

Budget Option: Leo House

Hip Midrange Hotel: Moxy NYC Chelsea

A Touch of Luxury : The Maritime Hotel

Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg: Cool Areas for Your Second or Third Trip to NYC

When you think of Brooklyn, what comes to mind? For us, after our last trip, it’s great food, excellent views of Manhattan’s skyline, and charming waterfront parks. 

Oh, and hipsters. In the 2010’s (ish), it felt like every cool food and drink brand, from coffee shops to single origin chocolate, was started in Brooklyn. 

Other than a quick trip over to Brooklyn for dinner at Claro – which we highly, highly recommend – we had never really spent any meaningful amount of time east of the East River until our latest trip, when we found ourselves in both areas multiple times. 

At this point, Brooklyn is hardly a hidden gem or hipster area – it has been firmly on the tourist map for a solid few decades. It’s full of great food and drinks – some of our favorite restaurants in NYC are here – some nice green spaces (Prospect Park and all the piers in Brooklyn Bridge Park), and the DUMBO area is cool. 

First of all, the ferry system that runs up and down the East River is an excellent way to get around, particularly between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn / Williamsburg. We got a tip from a local friend who pointed us to the ferry on our first visit, and we ended up taking it several more times after that. 

Second of all, multiple places that make our “best places to eat and drink” section in our New York City itinerary were in Brooklyn.

The biggest knock on Brooklyn is that, if you stay in Brooklyn, it’s going to take you FOREVER to get anywhere in Manhattan north of about 30th Street. Which means Times Square, Central Park, and the Upper East Side and Upper West Side are going to be a little hard to reach. If you’ve got a short trip, that’s going to be a little bit of an issue. 

However, if you’re in NYC for a longer trip and have the luxury of time OR you’ve done most of the typical New York tourist stuff and are content spending the bulk of your time in Brooklyn and Williamsburg, this would be an excellent place to base yourself. 

A geography note: We’re going to go ahead and combine Brooklyn and Williamsburg, which are two neighborhoods that are east of the East River in the Brooklyn borough. Though they’re not actually particularly easy to get between, they are similar in terms of the pros and cons of staying there, and what they offer tourists. However, because they are distinct neighborhoods, we are going to give you a separate section for highlights and places to stay for each. 

Pros and Cons of Staying in Brooklyn / Williamsburg

• It’s charming. From the tree-lined streets in Brooklyn Heights to the waterfront real estate of Domino Park in Williamsburg, there’s a lot of charm to be had up and down the eastern side of the East River.
• It’s full of great eating and drinking. Some of our food and drink highlights from our entire trip are located here (you’ll find them sprinkled in the neighborhood highlights sections below). And it’s a diverse food scene, featuring foods from all over the world. 
• It’s FAR from most of the main sights in Manhattan. Via the subway or ferries, you’re looking at 30-40 minutes to places like Chelsea, Times Square, and Central Park. If you’ve already done the tourist stuff and are happy spending most of your time on the east side of the river, then this would be a lovely place to spend a few days eating, drinking, and exploring.
• Gentrification. Brooklyn and Williamsburg are one of the original epicenters of gentrification in the United States (along with the Mission District in San Francisco), with brunch spots and third wave coffee shops – and the people who frequent those places – replacing local residents and businesses. It’s not a reason not to stay here, but it is worth knowing the context going into your decision. Many parts of Brooklyn and Williamsburg used to be primarily non-white, and those residents have been pushed out due to rising cost of living. 

Best Places to Stay in Downtown Brooklyn

Here are two solid options in Brooklyn to look at, depending on your style and budget. 

Solid Mid Range Hotel: NU Hotel or Even Hotel Brooklyn

A Touch of Luxury : The Ace Hotel

Best Places to Stay in Williamsburg

Here are three solid options in Williamsburg to look at, depending on your style and budget.

Budget Option: Pod Brooklyn

Solid Mid Range Hotel: Hotel Indigo or Hotel Le Jolie

A Touch of Luxury : The Wythe Hotel

Matt is the founder and main writer behind Wheatless Wanderlust, which he started back in 2018 as a way to share his gluten free travel guides with his fellow Celiac travelers.

Since then, Matt and his wife Alysha have visited 18 national parks, spent three months in Europe and six weeks in Colombia, and have explored every corner of the Pacific Northwest, which is where Matt grew up.

He writes super detailed guides to the places they visit, bringing together personal experience and historical context to help YOU plan an amazing trip.

You guys are amazing, as soon as we saw you recommended Gramercy Tavern I knew we were in safe hands, it one of our fave dining experiences ever, we stayed at the Dream Downtown for my 60th, which a lovely hotel, but on your recommendation think well try the Made Hotel for my 65th next year (2022), thx again for the advice, BW, Nick

Thanks for all the recommendations! Just got back from our trip to NYC and we loved every minute of it. Stayed at the Arlo Midtown which was perfect, Los Tacos was delicious and the ferry to Brooklyn was super easy and a beautiful way to commute. Will come back for more travel tips in the future 🙂

Thanks for the kind words, Brittney! We’re glad you had an amazing trip. We LOVED the ferry, and used it as many times as possible while we were in town. Cheers!

Great articles. However, I was searching for your list of GF eateries but couldn’t find it.

Hey there Chris! Here it is: https://wheatlesswanderlust.com/gluten-free-new-york-city-restaurants/

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New York Dearest

Written by An NYC Local

10 Best Places to Stay in New York City (+3 Neighborhoods to Avoid)

By Antonina | Updated: January 8, 2024 | 34 Comments

Are you trying to figure out where to stay in New York City? You’re in good hands. I’ve hosted a ton of family and friends over the years, giving me invaluable first-hand knowledge of where to stay in NYC for first time visitors.

In fact, this is the exact list I share with my own family and friends when they visit NYC. Longtime readers know I’m not a big fan of small talk, let’s get to it!

The Layout of New York City

New York City is comprised of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Most first-time visitors spend the majority of time exploring Manhattan and Brooklyn. So in this guide, I’ll mostly focus on where to stay in Manhattan and Brooklyn (to minimize commute times).

There are more than 50 neighborhoods in New York City, and unless you’re somewhat oriented it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t worry, I won’t let that happen to you . Here’s a quick roundup of the main areas worth knowing about.

Where I recommend staying in New York City:

Manhattan is split into Downtown, Midtown, and Uptown. Each area has its own vibe:

• Uptown : Quiet and calm residential areas ( here’s the best hotel | budget option )
• Midtown : Tons of attractions, super busy but offers great deals on hotels ( here’s my favorite hotel )
• Downtown : The vibe varies greatly by neighborhood, from charming quiet areas like Greenwich Village ( great hotel ) to skyscrapers and office buildings in the Financial District (an area I’d avoid, I’ll tell you why shortly).

Brooklyn is a great place to stay if you don’t want to be in the constant rush and noise of Manhattan. The best areas to stay in Brooklyn are Brooklyn Heights, Greenpoint & Williamsburg. I’ll explain each area in further detail below.

Where to Stay in New York City (Best Places to Stay in Manhattan)

Table of contents: where to stay in new york city, #1. midtown (heart of the action, great hotel deals), #2. greenwich village (most charming neighborhood in nyc, bar none), #3. the upper west side (best neighborhood for families), #4. the upper east side (splurge-worthy, ideal for romantic getaway), #5. chelsea (best place to stay in nyc for nightlife), #6. soho (best place to stay in nyc for a shopping spree), #7. brooklyn heights (picturesque brooklyn neighborhood), #9. williamsburg & greenpoint (best brooklyn neighborhoods for nightlife), #10. where to stay in queens, new york (long island city), staying too close to times square isn’t a good idea, where to stay in nyc (post summary).

• Map: Where to Stay in New York City
• Love New York City? Us too

When most folks think of New York City, they think of Midtown Manhattan. Whether you’re into arts, culture, or just soaking up the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, Midtown is the perfect base to explore and experience the magic of the Big Apple.

Better still, this New York City neighborhood offers the best bang for your buck, in terms of attractions and value. Located in the heart of the action, staying in Midtown is a double-edge sword.

It’s great because you’ll be within walking distance from iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building, Times Square, Rockefeller Plaza and Grand Central Terminal. But the downside is the constant commotion and crowds. So many crowds! So picking a good spot in Midtown is paramount ( here’s the ideal location ).

If you’re considering Midtown while looking for where to stay in New York City, you have this local’s stamp of approval. You’ll be spoiled for choice with hotels. In fact, Midtown has the highest concentration of hotels, which means good deals are easier to come by.

Best Hotels in Midtown: My top pick for budget travelers , great mid-range option & my favorite hotel in Midtown .

Fun Things to Do in Midtown:

• Visit the New York Public Library: Nothing short of stunning, the New York Public Library (NYPL) was the largest marble building in the country when it opened to the public. Everyone should see the NYPL at least once in their life.
• Stroll 5th Avenue: The most expensive shopping street in the world, Fifth Avenue is full of luxury stores and the flagship locations of world-renowned retailers like Nike, Uniqlo and Adidas.
• Pop into Grand Central Terminal: Opened in 1913, this Beaux-Arts transportation hub spans an impressive 48 acres and has 44 platforms (the most of any train station in the world). Attracting 750,000 visitors daily, this is one of the most iconic buildings in NYC and you won’t want to miss it.

Local’s Advice: Avoid staying too close to Times Square (on 42nd Street) because that area is way too busy. I can’t imagine having to manage those crowds while trying to get to my hotel, it’d be such a headache!

The Greenwich Village (sometimes called West Village) is my favorite neighborhood in New York City. There’s something special about the impeccable brownstones (some that sell for $30million or more!), quaint tree-lined streets and charming cafes on practically every corner. If budget isn’t a concern, this is (easily) one of the best areas to stay in NYC for first time visitors.

Offering laid-back vibes inspired by the bohemian culture of the area, Greenwich Village is a perfect escape from the bustle of NYC. The area is home to the city’s best restaurants, bars and jazz clubs — all with impossibly long wait-lists, so book early for anything that catches your eye.

Greenwich Village is also rich in history and culture, with landmarks like the Stonewall Inn (birthplace of LGBTQ+ rights in the USA) and the Whitney Museum of American Art. All told, I consider this one of the best places to stay in New York City for anyone looking to soak up the charm of NYC. Daily life feels like being on a movie set, which is why this area is my top recommendation if budget isn’t a concern.

Best Hotels in the West Village: The Jane (Budget) | Mid-Range: The Marlton Hotel & Walker Hotel | Luxury: Greenwich Hotel & The Mercer

Great Things to Do in Greenwich Village

• Take photos in front of iconic TV locations. Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City and the exterior of the Friends building where Rachel, Monica, Chandler and Joey lived are the two most popular spots.
• Go people watching at Washington Square Park. Best known for the grand marble arch that commemorates the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration, the park is home to an entertaining crowd. Artsy vendors, street performers and chatty students. Fair warning though, there’s a 100% chance you’ll smell marijuana while visiting.
• Cocktails at Dante: Dante was rated the best bar in the world in 2019 and appeared on the list again in 2020, and after having one of their drinks you’ll understand why. They have two locations in the Greenwich Village, both are equally charming.

Further Reading: 22 Exciting Things to Do in the Charming West Village

Bordering Central Park to the west, the Upper West Side (UWS) is one of the best places to stay in New York City for families. The tree-lined streets are peppered with gorgeous brownstones, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, parks, children’s playgrounds and stores.

The area is mostly residential and doesn’t see a lot of tourists, which makes it feel really calm. Better still, it’s well-connected to the subway, so traveling all over the city is a breeze. There’s two subway lines that serve the neighborhood: 1,2,3 (local’s tip: 2/3 lines are express, which is awesome because it saves you so much time!) and the A/C/B/D trains.

In a city that never sleeps, the Upper West Side is one of the best places to stay in New York City with kids because it’s quiet, calm and safe. You’ll find yourself rubbing elbows families (parents with strollers) and young couples while walking over to a local cafe for morning coffee. Staying in the UWS gives you a unique chance to experience what daily life in NYC looks, which is pretty cool.

Best Hotels on the Upper West Side: Here’s my go-to hotel on the UWS & Luxury Option (hard to beat)

Best Things to Do on the Upper West Side

• Visit the American Museum of Natural History : Arguably the best museum in NYC for kids. This incredible science museum is home to 33 million specimens, yet only 3% are on display (and even that amount is a lot to take in!).
• Enjoy a performance at the Lincoln Center : The Lincoln Center is home to the Metropolitan Opera House, New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera, New York City Ballet, the School of American Ballet, Julliard School of Music, the Chamber Music Society and the Film Society. There’s always an interesting performance to attend, so check out the schedule before your visit.

Further Reading: The 20 BEST Things to Do in the Upper West Side (Written by a Local)

The Upper East Side is one of the wealthiest areas in NYC. Opulent, safe and clean, this area is home to millionaires and celebrities, if you’re looking to live out your Gossip Girl fantasy, the Upper East Side is one of the best places to stay in New York City.

There’s so many great restaurants and bars in this area, most offering seductive decor that makes it ideal for a romantic date night on the town. Heck, simply strolling the streets is a joy (the white brownstones are incredible!). Wander the blocks between 59th and 80th street for some of the most beautiful homes in NYC.

The best part? If you’re staying in the Upper East Side, you’ll be a stone’s throw from the 5th largest musuem in the world, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) and Central Park. The list of perks goes on forever but any way you slice it, the Upper East Side is one of the best places to stay in New York City for romantic getaways or anyone keen to splurge while visiting NYC.

Best Hotels on the Upper East Side: Option A (stay where celebrities do!), Option B (my personal favorite) & Option C .

Best Things to Do on the Upper East Side

• Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). With more than 2 million pieces of art spanning 5,000+ years, the MET is the largest museum in the country and the fifth largest museum in the world. It’s remarkable, but you’ll need a solid game plan ( here’s what you can’t afford to miss.)
• Pop into Albertine Bookstore. This gem of a NYC bookstore is devoted specifically to French literature but carries some English titles as well. The remarkable hand-painted celestial ceiling on the second floor is worth a visit alone!
• Cocktails at Bemelman’s Bar: Bemelman’s Bar is one of the best bars in New York City and the UES is lucky to have them. The bar is as classy as they come, with custom hand-drawn wallpaper and a pianist serenading patrons while they sip away on phenomenal cocktails.

Further Reading: 15 Great Things to Do on the Upper East Side

The Chelsea neighborhood offers a unique blend of arts, culture and cool urban vibes. The neighborhood has seen quite a transformation over the last two decades. Lively into the late evening hours, Chelsea has become the epicenter for art galleries, nightlife and clubs.

There’s a ton of fun stuff to do, like visiting the Chelsea Market (a must-visit for first time visitors) and walking the High Line (a park made from an abandoned elevated train railway). Art enthusiasts will adore the array of galleries showcasing contemporary art. There’s also a great mix of cute cafes, top-notch bars, and great restaurants, ensuring you’ll never go hungry or thirsty during your stay.

The neighborhood’s central location makes it super convenient to hop around other parts of the city. Chelsea’s lively and approachable atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for those looking to experience the diverse and dynamic spirit of New York City!

Best Hotels in Chelsea: INNSIDE New York NOMAD | Luxury: The High Line Hotel

Things to do in chelsea.

• Walk the High Line. The elevated tracks this NYC park was built on were originally used by freight trains delivering cargo to the city. The elevated promenade stretches 1.5 miles and receives an average of 8 million visitors annually.
• Hang out at Little Island. Little Island is one of the most unique parks in New York City. It’s a redesigned pier that extends over the Hudson River with a beautiful architecture meant to be an oasis in the concrete jungle.

SoHo ( So uth of Ho uston Street) is a shopper’s paradise. The cast iron buildings in the area were used as warehouses and commercial buildings for ages, before being converted into expensive lofts and condos. These striking buildings are very different from the brownstones and skyscrapers you’ll find elsewhere in NYC.

If you’re keen to do some shopping while staying in New York City, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better location. You’ll find quite the mishmash of high-end luxury designers, unique boutiques and clothing stores this area.

If you decide on SoHo as the best place to stay in New York City (hey, you know yourself best) pack an extra suitcase in case you get carried away. READ: 30 Spree-Worthy Stores in SoHo (for my personal recommendations).

Best Hotels in SoHO: Affordable: ModernHaus SoHo | Mid-Range: SoHo Grand Hotel | Luxury: The Mercer & Crosby Street Hotel

Where to Stay in Brooklyn for First Time Visitors

By and large, Brooklyn feels more residential than Manhattan. The most popular areas visitors explore tend to be void of skyscrapers, and the overall pace of this lively borough feels calmer in the best way possible.

In fact, when Manhattan overwhelms me, I tend to spend a weekend day tucked into a safe cafe on a charming corner of a Brooklyn neighborhood. As such, if you need an escape from the bright lights and noise, Brooklyn might just me one of the best places to stay in NYC during a first visit.

If you’re looking for a trendy place to stay in New York City you need not look further than Brooklyn Heights. Offering epic views of NYC, this Brooklyn neighborhood is full of charm and calm, residential vibes.

Between the cobblestone streets and beautiful brownstones, you’ll see why this is one of the best places to stay in New York City. And since it’s directly across the East River from lower Manhattan, you”ll have easy access to the most popular attractions in New York City.

There aren’t too many hotel options in Brooklyn Heights, so you’ll need to fork over a pretty penny in order to stay in this part of New York City. My favorite hotel in the area is the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (it’s amazing!).

Williamsburg & Greenpoint are two of the coolest neighborhoods to stay in Brooklyn. Located right next to each other on the East River, the cities have similar vibes and epic views of NYC.

These neighborhoods are considered hipster, thanks to its expansive art scene and the easy-going locals. Over the past decade or so, Williamsburg has seen a massive uptick in tourism and new residents, causing prices to skyrocket. Greenpoint is following suit, but hasn’t hit the radar as hard yet (you can score better hotel deals in Greenpoint).

Williamsburg has an epic nightlife scene but it’s much quieter than Manhattan. However with the abundance of things to do, relaxed ambience and easy access to Manhattan it’s worth consideration for anyone looking for recommendations on the best places to stay in Brooklyn.

Best Hotels in Brooklyn: Mid-Range: Hotel Indigo & Luxury: William Vale

Best Things to Do in Williamsburg & Greenpoint

• Hang out at Domino Park. Domino Park is one of the most underrated parks in New York City. The views of Manhattan are unrivaled and being by the water is pure bliss, especially at sunrise & sunset. Read: 18 Wonderful Things to Do in Williamsburg.
• Take in the epic views at Bar Blondeau. The skyline views are remarkable! The cocktails are strong and the light bites are satisfying. Read: 15 GREAT Things to Do in Greenpoint (Local’s Guide)

I have a friend that lives in Long Island City (LIC) and he claims the area is too calm and quiet for his liking. He moved to the area for a job opportunity but feels too removed from the city, which makes this one of the best areas to stay in NYC for a relaxed trip.

Just a stone’s throw from Manhattan (across the East River), Long Island City is well connected by subway and ferry, but the area doesn’t get a lot of out-of-town visitors, making it ideal for anyone that wants to explore NYC at a comfortable pace.

Word to the wise: If someone in your group is “not a city person” then I suggest booking a hotel in Greenpoint. Stunning views, laid-back vibes and close proximity to top attractions, it’s no wonder the area is attractive to folks keen to enjoy the tranquil side of New York life.

Read: 12 Unique Things to Do in Long Island City

Where to Stay in Long Island City: Great budget option & my preferred hotel in the area

3 Areas to Avoid Staying in NYC (With Reasons)

So, why wouldn’t I recommend Times Square for first time visitors looking for a place to stay in New York City? Simply put, it’s far too touristy and busy. Granted, Midtown (where Times Square is located) is a great location, but avoid staying too close to the heart of Times Square (42nd street).

I made the mistake of suggesting an aunt stay near Times Square during her first visit to NYC and ended up getting some honest feedback: she was overstimulated by how busy everything felt. Coffee runs in the morning should feel peaceful, instead she found herself in crowds of people the second she left the hotel.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to be among the city’s top attractions (Times Square, Broadway and Rockefeller Center.) However between the flashing lights of Times Square and the constant noise of the busy streets, this neighborhood can get overwhelming. All told, if this is where you stay in New York City you won’t really get a break from the action, and you might not experience some of the charm that makes NYC so endearing.

The Financial District

Home to the New York Stock Exchange, the Financial District is NYC’s business hub. Full of skyscapers and office buildings, it’s one of my favorite places to take out-of-town visitors, but it’s not one of the best places to stay in New York City.

The reason is simple: The area isn’t very lively (especially after hours) and there’s limited food options. Most restaurants in this area are chains that serve employees eager to grab a quick lunch, so local restaurants are hard to come by.

Read : 15 Fun Things to Do in the Financial District (like have brews at the pub where George Washington bid an emotional farewell to his troops after being sworn in as President).

Hell’s Kitchen

Why I don’t recommend Hell’s Kitchen for people visiting NYC for the first time: to be frank, the homeless population is very high and walking around the neighborhood in the evening hours doesn’t feel safe (and therefore, enjoyable).

New York City, by and large, is a safe place, especially in the top tourists attraction areas of Manhattan, like Midtown (which neighbors Hell’s Kitchen). Just stick to using basic street-smarts (like using the main roads at night) and you’ll be completely fine.

To be clear: I don’t want to discourage folks from visiting Hell’s Kitchen by any means. If there’s a restaurant or business you’re keen to see, by all means go! You can visit any time of day and have a blast, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best place to stay in New York City

Tips on the Best Places to Stay in New York City

• Decide what type of experience you’re after. Some folks visit simply with the intention of being tourists whereas other want to live like New Yorkers . Where you stay in New York City will change that experience. If you’d like to feel like a local, stick to Uptown. Tourist? Midtown all the way.
• Prioritize your top attractions. Whether it’s your first or fifth time in NYC, there will be things you want to see. After prioritizing your list of attractions, map them out and pick a neighborhood that has the highest cluster of attractions. At which point you can decide if that’s where you want to stay in New York City, to avoid commuting too much during your visit.
• Determine your budget & book in advance. I can’t stress this enough, making a game plan is imperative for a successful trip to NYC. After all, this is the 6th most expensive city in the world and you don’t want your whole budget going towards a hotel you’re only going to sleep in.

Best Areas to Stay in NYC (FAQ)

The best part of NYC to stay in would be Midtown, the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side and the West Village (Greenwich Village). Hopefully the pros and cons we discussed for each area help you make the right decision for your trip, you can’t go wrong with any of these neighborhoods though! It just depends on the vibe you’re after.

For first time visitors, I’d suggest staying in Midtown because of the neighborhood’s central location. You’ll be in the heart of the action (most of the city’s top attractions are in Midtown), and will only be a short walk (or subway ride) to Central Park. However, it’s important to consider the disadvantages we discussed too!

For first time visitors, I suggest staying in Manhattan to avoid long commutes. Brooklyn is a great choice for return visitors though because the area is way more relaxed (and less touristy), but it’s not near the top attractions most first-time visitors are keen to see. If helpful, I live in Manhattan and love having access to all the action. Hope that helps!

In sum, these are the best neighborhoods to stay in New York City for a first visit:

• The Upper West Side
• West Village
• The Upper East Side
• Brooklyn Heights
• Williamsburg
• Long Island City

Map: Best Areas to Get a Hotel in New York City

Love New York City? Us Too! (Related Articles)

15 Best Pizza Joints in New York City (Definitive Local’s Guide) 15 ICONIC New York City Parks (That Locals Love) 15 Exciting Museums in New York City (& What to See at Each) 10 FREE New York City Museums (That Don’t Suck) 15 Boozy Cocktail Bars in New York City (Worth The Wait) 10 Brilliant Broadway Shows in New York City (For All Age Groups) 15 Best New York City Cafes (Serving Top-Notch Coffee in NYC) 10 New York City Travel Safety Tips: Advice from a Local

“Quite simply, I was in love with New York. I do not mean ‘love’ in any colloquial way, I mean that I was in love with the city, the way you love the first person who ever touches you and you never love anyone quite that way again.” — Joan Didion

Hope you found this guide helpful in deciding where to stay in New York City!

About Antonina

Hi there! I'm Antonina. Like so many folks, living in New York City was always a dream of mine. Now it's my reality! I started New York Dearest as a means to share my passion for NYC with locals and visitors alike.

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April 13, 2022 at 10:40 am

Simply,pun intended, the best recommendations and opinions about nyc. Absolutely love this site. I was born in NY. And have spent most of adult life in Brooklyn. And this site still brings new adventures to the plate. Absolutely love it. Thank you.

April 15, 2022 at 3:50 am

Erik, thank you so much for the kind words! Means the world to us, glad to hear a lifelong local agrees with these recommendations. 🙂

June 16, 2023 at 3:57 am

How about7 And 8 aves in Park Slope? And the Park, library and Bklyn Museums? And ethnic Flatbush, restored movie theaters, brownstones and cafes? Jane B. , from Boston (32 yrs) to NYC — every borough via about every neighborhood , for 27 yrs and just as many apartments and jobs!

May 8, 2022 at 8:46 am

Hi, I am so glad that I found your site and this article! There are tons of articles about NYC but none of them explains NYC in such a clear and insightful way. Thank you! My daughter will attending summer camp for a month in NYC this summer. Our family of four is researching where to stay. For 4+ weeks would you recommend a furnished apartment or Airbnb? In terms of location, a friend recommended Williamsburg or Long Island City. What would you recommend?

May 9, 2022 at 12:28 pm

I’d recommend getting a furnished apartment because Airbnb’s aren’t legal in NYC (unless the landlord/building owner is staying in the building as well). As such, I think your daughter might be more comfortable subleasing a furnished apartment. Both Williamsburg and long Island City are great options! If she’s a city gal, go with Williamsburg because Long City is a bit quiet (not as much going on, the area is pretty but quieter). If you think your daughter will get overwhelmed by the constant bustle of the city, Long Island City is a great option!

August 29, 2022 at 12:22 pm

My daughter, daughter in love, and I will be travelling to NY for a weekend at Christmas this season. We are staying out near JFK and intend to travel over to the island and spend the days sight seeing and shopping. I’m extremely intimidated, as I never travel, and very much looking for insight as to where to visit, where to eat, where to shop, etc. I am SO thankful I found your site to give us the advice we’ll need to navigate to truly have a memorable experience. I hope this creates a desire to visit, annually! Thank you!!!

August 30, 2022 at 1:11 pm

Hi Jen, thank you so much for the kind comment. We’re so excited for you to visit! Keep your eyes peeled for our holiday content that will be going live soon!

November 10, 2022 at 6:30 am

Hi , we are looking to surprise a New York trip to our 14 years old and 16 years old son ( Christmas trip) This is our first time to plan to come to New York and my travel agent has recommended to stay in double tree time square ( is that good ) . Both boys would like to visit Brooklyn and other places too . Please advise .

November 11, 2022 at 11:32 am

We can’t speak on the hotel, but Times Square is home to a major subway hub that will make getting to Brooklyn easy.

November 19, 2022 at 11:49 pm

Hi, been to New York like decades ago but I’m going back to visit with my family this time. So I was hoping you can talk about the most iconic places like Statue of Liberty, Empire State, Central Park and the likes. Hopefully, we can go to this places in our 4 days stay.

November 20, 2022 at 9:37 pm

Hi Marlowe, you might find our guide on How to Spend 4 Days in New York City helpful! It covers all the places you mentioned on your list. 🙂

January 14, 2023 at 1:39 pm

Thank you for this page! My husband and I are going to NYC for a short 4 day trip and we’ve tentatively booked a hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. We thought it would be convenient as we plan to see 2 of the Broadway shows. Now I’m having second thoughts after reading this page. The hotel is located on a busy street in Hell’s Kitchen with lots of restaurants so not sure if that’s safer? Our second choice would be Greenwich Village, but then it would be hard to get around to do the touristy stuff from there wouldn’t it?

January 15, 2023 at 8:12 am

Hi Mimi! Greenwich Village is one of our personal favorite neighborhoods in NYC. The subway is a great way to get around (just use Google maps or Apple Maps). Both apps will tell you exactly which subway to get on and if any transfers are needed. Hopefully this helps, New York City is excited to have you visit!

January 16, 2024 at 5:47 pm

@Mimi, we have just returned from New York. I would highly recommend The Kixby hotel it’s ideally located and we had the most amazing view of the Empire State Building. The hotel offers a continental breakfast and boast a restaurant (Black tap) and two other bars (one rooftop) the tube is a good way to get around and will take you to main attractions, Trump towers, World Trade Center, etc. subways are on every block and really cheap, convenient and reliable (unlike our public transport) you just tap your debit card and enter the turnstile.

January 14, 2023 at 9:45 pm

Completely agree about Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen! I stayed in Times sq the first few times I visited NY and honestly, super sketchy at night and there was absolutely nothing to do. I always stay in SoHo or near Greenwich village now 🙂 (plus, the food there is way better)

January 8, 2024 at 9:36 pm

Couldn’t agree more! I love both of those areas (SoHo & Greenwich Village), cheers!

February 14, 2023 at 8:24 am

I’m planning a trip to New York. Is the weather nice in August or is it to hot to be out?

Also, what is like getting round by taxi?

Alot of the hotel I am findis near Rockerfella Centre, is that a good distance away from Time square?

February 15, 2023 at 9:33 pm

Hi Shu, the weather in NYC in August is very hot and muggy, but you can still explore! You’ll just need to move at a slower pace and expect to sweat (a lot). If your schedule is flexible, try visiting in October for better (milder/cooler) weather!

As for taxis, I recommend taking the subway 9/10 times, or using uber in a pinch. Rockefeller Center is far enough from Times Square, yes. It’s still busy but the area is so cool!

January 16, 2024 at 5:36 pm

@Shu, Good evening, we have just returned from New York. I would suggest using the tube to get around. Subways are on every block, you just tap your card and go through the turnstile. They are reliable and will certainly save money on cabs (which aren’t cheap) avoid the musical carts at all costs! they charge by the minute, we spoke to a few tourists who regretted the experience. The buses are overpriced too. We used goggle maps, however our hotel provided us with a map. It’s around 5 blocks to rockerfella from time square. We walked the majority of the time, good way to get in those steps!

May 7, 2023 at 6:32 am

Glad I find this website. It was all I needed. Clear, reasoned and well-written. It goes straight to the point, without being overbearing. Will be coming back for sure.

May 8, 2023 at 9:29 pm

Thanks so much for your kind words Didio, we love sharing everything we know about NYC!

June 9, 2023 at 11:14 am

I so enjoyed your post about the NYC neighborhoods and where to stay. My daughter will be graduating college this summer and is moving to NYC with 2 friends. We have been actively looking at the neighborhoods trying to find a good fit for them. Thanks for this.

June 10, 2023 at 9:28 pm

Hi Janice, thank you so much for the kind words and huge congratulations to you on your daughter’s graduation from college! New York City is magic and it will help her experience the world in a whole new light (so exciting!). I’m so happy you found this list helpful, don’t hesitate to reach out with question!

July 6, 2023 at 6:47 am

Incredible informative thank you

My wife have a goal to live in New York for 3 to 6 months and experience and live like New Yorkers we are in our mid 50 and early 60 love walking living life like locals enjoy cafes quaint streets, food markets,parks theatre and enjoy walking and exploring streets neighbourhoods enjoy using public transportation Question what suburbs should we look at to rent in ?

July 7, 2023 at 8:27 am

Hey Stan, I’d recommend renting in Brooklyn Heights or Greenwich Village. Looks like those two neighborhoods will fit the bill! Admittidely, they’re some of the most expensive neighborhoods in NYC, so another great option is the East Village (which is just as cool but a bit more grungy, I love the area).

December 1, 2023 at 3:59 pm

Planning to visit NY for the first time soon and I found this a really comprehensive guide. I especially liked the 4 day itinerary which will definitely use. My only concern is staying in Times square as it was one of the places you recommended not to stay for a first time visit but I’m sure it will be fine.

December 5, 2023 at 9:57 am

Hey Rose, we’re so happy we were able to help. Enjoy New York!

January 11, 2024 at 10:16 am

Going down a rabbit hole on this website, love the info. Completely agree with your advice on staying in midtown. It’s a good area for attractions but way too busy, I try to avoid it at all costs. Budget permitting, I think the west village is hard to beat!

January 11, 2024 at 1:48 pm

Thanks for adding your two cents, Matt! I bet other readers will find this helpful. 🙂

February 18, 2024 at 5:30 pm

How can I find the guide to NY in 4 days?

February 19, 2024 at 9:38 am

Hi Kris! Here is the link to our 4 days in New York City guide . Hope this helps!

June 8, 2024 at 6:47 pm

Hi! What a great website for visiting New York. My sister & I plan to attend the Thanksgiving Macy’s Day Parade this year. It is our first trip to NYC. Can you please recommend an area to stay in? Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. Tina Brinker

June 28, 2024 at 7:14 pm

Thanks you for such a detailed description. I read the beginning of the page and booked Arlo Midtown, I reached the end and found Hell’s kitchen is sketchy..Now I am concerned

June 29, 2024 at 7:16 am

That’s great. The Arlo is actually in a great area right between Times Square and Hudson Yards. I’m sure you will enjoy it!

Let me know if you have any questions etc. Best, Antonina

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Where to Stay in New York City – The Best Area for First Timers!

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Planning a city trip to New York City? Cool! You’re going to love the Big Apple! But finding a hotel in New York can be really stressful. Especially if it’s your first time traveling to New York. In this post, we’ll help you get your bearings in New York. We’ll show you the best areas to stay and share our personal hotel tips.

Table of Contents

Finding your bearings in New York

Tips for staying in new york, where to stay in new york – the best neighborhoods on a map, for first-timers: midtown, for luxury lovers upper east side.

• For romantics: Chelsea & Greenwich Village
• For hipsters: Soho & Lower East Side

Cheap accommodation in Queens

Cheap accommodation in new jersey, cheap accommodation in new york with airbnb.

It’s no secret that New York isn’t exactly the cheapest destination for a city trip.

But let’s be honest: This sprawling metropolis is most definitely one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Sure, staying in New York isn’t a bargain by any stretch of the imagination, but it’s worth every cent!

There are so many posts offering travel hacks to find the cheapest place to stay in New York, and yeah sure, beds for under 120 dollars a night do exist.

But it’s true what they say: “You get what you pay for.” Quality has its price.

To make sure you find the perfect accommodation in New York, first you should consider the following question: Which part of New York is the best place to stay for you?

Jenny was fortunate enough to have lived in New York for a whole year and knows the city inside and out! We want to share her insights with you in this post.

We’ll show you how to get the most out of your stay in New York, share some helpful accommodation tips, and help you figure out the best place to stay in New York for your trip.

At around 8.5 inhabitants, New York is the city with the biggest population in the United States.

There’s a reason Manhattan is packed with skyscrapers: All those people have to fit into a relatively small area, and over 50 million tourists who visit New York every year need a place to stay, too.

Of course, that means it can be a bit overwhelming at first if you’re used to comparatively tiny and laid-back European cities.

New York City consists of 5 large districts, which are known as boroughs.

• Staten Island

If you’re traveling to New York for sightseeing, Manhattan is your only real option. All the most famous and important sights of New York are located here. 4 of the 5 areas in New York that we recommend are in the borough of Manhattan.

Considering New York’s exorbitant real estate prices, it’s no wonder that budget hotels are so scarce. If you want to spend as little as possible on your accommodation in New York and you don’t mind the commute, then we have a few tips for finding cheap places to stay in New York later on in the post.

But if you’re more like us and enjoy a comfortable hotel (at a fair price!) and love being in the center of the action, then this is the perfect post for you.

But let’s talk room rates: Decent mid-range hotels in a good location start at around 200 dollars per night. Cheaper hotels are generally of much lower quality. It’s almost impossible to find a room in a good location for less than 120 dollars.

If you prefer a bit more luxury and comfort and want a larger room, then you can expect to pay 300, or even 400 dollars per night. The price also depends on the travel season.

The lowest room rates are available in January, February, July, and August. Rooms are the most expensive during the peak seasons, e.g. April, May, September, and October.

Attention: Hotel and occupancy tax

The City of New York charges a hotel tax of 14.75 percent, plus an occupancy tax of 3.50 dollars per day.

These fees are generally not included in the room rates posted online and are added in top at the end.

On booking.com you will find that information once you chose a hotel and look then if your preferred days are available.

You can see it on our screenshot under the turquoise-colored arrow.

You will then find the final price in the next booking step.

Quality vs. price

If you look for hotels with good ratings when you book, you can’t really go wrong. But you should be aware of a few things: Hotels in New York are tiny. And when we say tiny, we mean tiny.

While not quite as extreme as the super-tiny hotels in Japan , we’re still talking about around 15 sqm for about 200-300 dollars, depending on the location. That doesn’t really bother us, but first-time visitors are often shocked when they see their room.

You should take this into account when packing for your trip. Our philosophy for city trips is: Pack light and take as little as possible.

If you need some inspiration on what to bring, then check out our post on what to pack for city breaks . It’s always best to come prepared, that way you can avoid the stress of having to make room for all your luggage when you arrive.

An important tip for finding a place to stay in New York is to book as early as possible. The metropolis is a popular tourist destination all year round.

Hotels fill up quickly, especially during the peak travel season, and then you have to make do with what’s left.

Where to stay in New York? Book a hotel in the right New York neighborhood

The main thing to watch out for in New York is where you want to stay. The best place to stay in New York for your trip depends a lot on how long you’ll be staying and what you’re planning on doing.

Whichever New York neighborhood you decide on, you should always make sure there’s a subway station nearby. Now let’s find out which part of town is the best one for you.

Our tip: By the way, read our New York Pass comparison to find out which pass is the best for you.

To our New York Pass comparison

To help you find your bearings, we’ve compiled a map for you with all the best places to stay. To give you an even better sense of where everything is in Manhattan, we’ve added 10 popular tourist attractions of New York .

We recommend staying in one of these 5 areas:

• Midtown:  Ideal for your first visit to New York.
• Upper East Side: Ideal for luxury, shopping, and museum lovers.
• Chelsea & Greenwich Village: Ideal for New York romantics.
• Soho & Lower East Side: Ideal for hipsters and coolhunters.
• Queens: Ideal for travelers on a budget.

In the next sections, we’ll take a look at each of these areas to help you find the right one for you.

Our New York hotel tips for each neighborhood

We always provide a selection of around three hotels per neighborhood, sorted by price. We picked all the hotels we link to here according to our personal preferences for accommodation. We generally recommend choosing a mid-range hotel because they offer the best value for money.

Our personal top hotel recommendation for New York

Our favorite hotel in New York is the citizenM Hotel just off of Times Square, which offers excellent value for money in a perfect location. We had already stayed at a citizenM in Rotterdam before and were really impressed with it.

Each hotel only has a single room category, and all the rooms have the same layout with super-modern furnishings. We’re total fans of citizenM and would recommend the hotel to anyone.

A new CitizenM recently opened in the Bowery. If you’ve been to New York before and don’t want to stay around Times Square, then the citizenM in Bowery is a great alternative.

Midtown is the right place to stay for you if this is your first time in New York, you want to see a lot of sights in the shortest time possible, and you want to avoid long travel times.

This part of town is perfect for about 90% of New York visitors. Midtown isn’t just the most popular district for hotel searches, it’s also the area with the largest selection of hotels in every price range.

You’ll be staying within walking distance of many of the most important and most famous sights: 5 th Avenue, Times Square, the Broadway theaters, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and the Empire State Building.

From Midtown you can easily explore the city on foot and it’s perfectly connected to all the other parts of the town. All the major subway lines run through Midtown, so it’s really easy to get to any other station in the city. In other words: perfect!

Pros of staying in Midtown:

• Super-central
• Super-well connected
• Huge selection of hotels in every price range
• Lots of sights within walking distance

Cons of staying in Midtown:

• An area for tourists, not for locals
• Fewer cool restaurants than in other districts
• A never-ending throng of tourists
• Noise (check the hotel reviews to find a quiet hotel)

Our personal hotel recommendations for the Midtown

Seton Hotel

citizenM Our tip!

The Whitby Hotel

All hotels in Midtown

The Upper East Side is the right area to stay for you if you like things a little quieter, you want to go for a run in Central Park in the morning, and you plan to explore the best museums of New York .

Although the Upper East Side has changed a bit over the years, people still think of it as the neighborhood of the rich and beautiful, with expensive clothes and tiny dogs in handbags.

Of course that’s a bit of a stereotype, but there’s more than a kernel of truth to it. In spite of that, or perhaps because of it, it’s worth staying in the Upper East Side.

It’s full of beautiful buildings and luxury boutiques, with Central Park as a scenic backdrop. 5 th Avenue, which runs east of Central Park, is home to the city’s most famous museums.

This part of 5 th Avenue is also known as Museum Mile. There you’ll find the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum, the Goethe Institute, and the Neue Galerie.

Pros of staying in the Upper East Side:

• Within walking distance of many of the city’s major museums
• Central Park is right next door
• Quieter than the other districts

Cons of staying in the Upper East Side:

• Hotels are a bit more expensive than in the other districts
• Smaller selection of restaurants and bars, especially in the lower price ranges
• Slightly longer journey to the sights in the south of Manhattan

Hotel Beacon

All hotels in the Upper East Side

For romantics: Chelsea & Greenwich Village

Chelsea and Greenwich Village are the right places to stay for you if you’ve been to New York before, have already checked out the main sights, and now want to immerse yourself deeper into New York life.

But they’re also great as an alternative if you don’t want to stay in tourist areas, but would rather experience an authentic slice of New York life.

Greenwich Village is the art district and, just like Chelsea, it’s teeming with life. You can spend hours on Washington Square just listening to street musicians and watching passers-by without ever getting bored.

Or you can take a stroll through narrow, winding streets and admire New York’s typical sandstone buildings, or enjoy a meal at one of the many cute little restaurants.

Greenwich Village also has some excellent comedy clubs, and you should visit at least one of them. If you’re into jazz bars, then the Village is a dream come true.

If you like swanky clubs, you’ll find several of those in the Meatpacking District, which also belongs to this part of town.

Pros of staying in Chelsea & Greenwich Village:

• An authentic New York experience
• A large selection of great restaurants in every price range
• A wide range of very stylish hotels at reasonable prices
• The major sights in the south (Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty) are only a short subway ride away

Cons of staying in Chelsea & Greenwich Village:

• The sights in Midtown aren’t within walking distance
• It can get a bit loud here in the evening and at night (make sure to check the hotel reviews for noise complaints)

Cambria Hotel

Moxy NYC CHelsea Walker Hotel Greenwich Village

Gansevoort Meatpacking

All hotels in Chelsea All hotels in Greenwich Village

For hipsters: Soho & Lower East Side

Soho and the Lower East Side are the right areas to stay for you if you’ve already explored the main sights of New York and want to experience life in different parts of town. Both districts are achingly hip.

Soho borders Greenwich Village to the south and is best-known for its beautiful cast-iron buildings and its many art and design shops. Just like Soho, the Lower East Side is a typical New York residential neighborhood. So you won’t find any super-famous sights here.

But what both neighborhoods have to offer instead is an incredibly diverse street scene, and a mix of super-trendy restaurants and boutiques in all price ranges. The best thing about the neighborhoods is that you can get to many other parts of the city on foot from here.

Nowhere else in New York do you get so swept up in life on the streets. Little Italy, the Bowery, Chinatown – everything’s just a stone’s throw away.

Pros of staying in Soho & the East Village:

• You’ll be staying where New Yorkers live
• There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and stores for every budget

Cons of staying in Soho & the East Village:

• The East Village in particular isn’t that well connected
• You have to take public transport to all the important sights

The Ridge Hotel

Sohotel The Ludlow Hotel

The Dominick Hotel

All hotels in Soho All hotels at the Lower Eastside

Queens is the right district to stay for you if you’re looking for cheap accommodation in New York . You’ll get a lot more value for your money and won’t have to spend upwards of 200 dollars for your room.

We’ve deliberately chosen Queens as our sole recommended district outside of Manhattan because it’s just a short ride from there to Midtown by subway (about 15 minutes). And it has some really nice hotels at a fair price.

If you don’t mind taking the subway from Queens to Manhattan every day and you want more for bang for your buck, then Queens is the right place for you.

Pros of staying in Queens:

• Better value for money than in Manhattan
• Cheaper, but still fairly close to the most important sights
• Queens offers a beautiful panoramic view of the New York skyline

Cons of staying in Queens:

• Located outside of Manhattan
• You always have to take the subway to go sightseeing

Our personal hotel recommendations for Queens:

Grandview Hotel

Aloft LaGuardia Airport

The Rockaway Hotel

All hotels in Queens

New Jersey is another state, but is located right across from Manhattan on the other side of the Hudson River.

Jersey City is right across from Manhattan and especially the hotels right at the water habe a beautiful view of the Manhattan Skyline. However, the hotel prices are not cheaper than in Manhattan, simply because you can get there pretty fast by subway.

If you really want to save money, you should look at the hotels in Newark. They don’t offer a view on Manhattan, since Newark is located a little further outside, but a good room costs between 120 and 170 dollars.

You should definitely book a hotel close to the Newark Penn Station. With the red PATH Train Line you will need 22 minutes to the World Trade Center. A one way ticket costs 2,75 dollars (approximately 3,20 euros).

Pros of staying in Newark:

• You get more for your money than in Manhattan
• If you land in Newark, you are closer to the airport

Cons of staying in Newark:

• You will need 20 to 30 minutes to get to Manhattan
• You don’t have a view on the skyline, so you don’t get that authentic New York feel

Our personal hotel recommendations for Newark:

Courtyard by Marriott Newark

Element Harrison-Newark Directly at the PATH station Harrison

All hotels in Newark

If you look on Airbnb, you’ll often find apartments listed that are considerably cheaper than comparable hotel rooms. We’d still advise against staying in an Airbnb apartment in New York.

Here’s why:

Airbnb ruins the housing market for locals

We used to be huge fans of Airbnb. For two reasons: It allows you to rent out your apartment when you’re on vacation, and you get to stay at a private apartment instead of a hotel and feel at home everywhere in the world.

The basic concept is great. But these days, Airbnb is full of professional vacation rentals leased for the sole purpose of putting them on Airbnb and filled with random ugly furniture to make a quick buck by renting them out 365 days a year.

The result: The housing market in major cities has become even more overcrowded and prices have skyrocketed. People are being driven out of popular districts, which then devolve into total tourist traps. That really sucks and we don’t want to contribute to this cycle any longer.

We’ve had several bad experiences with Airbnb.

What’s more, we’ve had some very bad experiences with Airbnb apartments over the past few years and were very disappointed with their customer service.

We ended up emailing back and forth with Airbnb’s customer service for several days, sometimes even weeks, only to come to the realization that guests ultimately get the short end of the stick when problems arise.

Airbnb has been illegal in New York since October 2016 (with some exceptions)

New York has never been a place for affordable housing. So it didn’t help that the city was full of apartments with the sole purpose of being rented out on Airbnb.

Just to give you a rough idea of the rent situation on the New York housing market: A small room in a shared apartment (a window is a luxury!) with a private bathroom in Manhattan starts at 1,700 dollars and can cost as much as 3,500 dollars!

No wonder then that New Yorkers spend an average of 60 percent of their income on rent. Airbnb exacerbated the situation in recent years, and so stricter regulations were put in place.

According to the new laws, renting out apartments for short periods of time (less than a month) is illegal – regardless of whether it’s a private apartment that’s only rented out from time to time, or an apartment that’s essentially a full-time vacation home.

The only exception: Up to two people can stay at an apartment with a New York resident if you share the apartment with them. The introduction of these strict guidelines was also accompanied by a major crackdown on illegal rentals.

At first it targeted providers who rented out several apartments on Airbnb, but in the past months it’s also been extended to private landlords, incurring severe penalties.

Okay, now we’ll get off our soapbox – we just think it’s important to give you a little context about New York and Airbnb.

We’ve consciously decided against staying at Airbnb apartments because we’ve experienced the issues that arise from a crowded housing market first-hand in our adopted home of Berlin .

Where did you stay in New York?

Have you ever been to New York? What part of town did you stay in? Would you recommend your hotel? Please let us know in the comments below! – Jenny & Basti

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43 Best Hotels in New York City

New York is a city built on dreams—during waking and sleeping hours alike. We’re thankful, then, that the town has so many places to grab some shut-eye—all alongside excellent onsite dining, wellness, and entertainment options. Heighten those experiences with over-the-top design and premier hospitality, and it’s easy to linger longer at any of these urban retreats. From hip Brooklyn hangouts to luxe Uptown escapes, here are the Big Apple’s best hotels to check out—and into—now.

Read our complete New York City travel guide here .

Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Fouquet’s New York Arrow

The French hotel line known for its Paris and St. Barth’s properties arrived in the U.S. in 2022 by way of New York. At a cobblestoned intersection in the Tribeca North Historic District, an industrialist red brick facade gives way to eight floors of ethereal Art Deco interior design straight out of the South of France. Fouquet’s New York’s pastel-colored luxury includes three dining options, an indulgent underground spa (complete with a sauna, hammam, and hydrotherapy pool), and a Cannes-inspired cinema space true to Tribeca’s popular annual film festival. The theater hosts programming like screenings and film premieres, and can be reserved for corporate and artistic events. The street-level outpost of the famed Champs d’Elysee bistro, Brasserie Fouquet’s is a destination in itself, with signature red and black bar mirroring its Paris (and Louvre Abu Dhabi) counterpart. A French lavender, mint green, and cream color scheme includes custom-made wallpapers with France-linked illustrations of New York City scenes like Lady Liberty, pizza-eating Central Park goers, and cartoon pigeons with croissants in their beaks.

The Ned NoMad Arrow

A short walk from the Empire State Building and flanked by landmark buildings, the location of The Ned positions it perfectly in relation to downtown Manhattan and Midtown’s business district. The NoMad neighborhood itself, which has seen tremendous transformation while also retaining its wholesale commerce underpinnings, is also worth discovering. Located in the Johnston building, a limestone-fronted 1908 Beaux-Arts landmark, it draws its character from the architecture of the building it's housed in. Once inside, spaces reveal themselves one after another like nesting Matryoshka dolls, and are served with a heap of Art Deco glam, including jewel-toned upholstery, marble floors, and mahogany wood—and plenty of moody corners to slink into. 

ModernHaus SoHo Arrow

If you’re looking for someplace close to all the action of New York’s buzzy, see-and-be-seen SoHo neighborhood—but that at once feels coolly removed from it all (and has its own rooftop pool, to boot)—this is the place for you. Formerly The James New York - SoHo, the hotel reopened in Spring 2021 after a nearly year-and-a-half-long renovation. There are 114 rooms spread across 14 floors—10 different room categories, all generous in size. (By Manhattan standards, anyway; Modern Queen rooms start at about 280 square feet.) Its Twenty Three Grand restaurant touts global flavors and elevated classics with a Mediterranean flair. The year-round restaurant is primed to be a destination for al fresco dining and features a glass-enclosed space with a retractable roof. The hotel features premier wellness amenities, including a 400-square-foot gym on the 17th floor (equipped with state-of-the-art fitness equipment) and a seasonal partnership with HigherDOSE.

The Wall Street Hotel Arrow

In a part of the city often overlooked by travelers—at least when it comes to choosing a home-base—The Wall Street Hotel is a unique boutique stay in downtown Manhattan whose interiors nod to the area’s history and beaux-arts buildings. The Wall Street Hotel is not only an exciting addition to the landscape, but it also provides a great reason to reconsider Wall Street as your landing pad for a trip to the city. Nearly every train runs through the nearby Fulton center, meaning easy access to just about anywhere in Manhattan (Brooklyn is just a couple stops away, as is Jersey). The neighborhood is jam-packed with history dating back to the 17th century, and a little Googling or a great tour guide can help pull stories out of the landmark buildings in the neighborhood (George Washington hung out at nearby Fraunces Tavern , to give you an idea).

Gansevoort Meatpacking Arrow

At the corner of Ninth Avenue and 13th Street, the Gansevoort Meatpacking is a short stroll away from the art galleries of Chelsea, the brasserie-style restaurants of the West Village, and the smart boutiques of the Meatpacking District. Highlights include the 45-foot-long, heated rooftop swimming pool with underwater lights; the Duplex Penthouse Suite with a wall of windows looking out towards the Hudson River; on-site restaurant The Chester; and the service, which is remarkable for a boutique hotel. Up on the rooftop, savor classics and shareable dishes crafted with Union Square Greenmarket produce in the lounge, or head to the tucked-away Saishin by Kissaki at the Gansevoort Rooftop for excellent a la carte and omakase sushi with a view of the downtown skyline.

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue Arrow

Three blocks north of the Empire State Building on Fifth Avenue, this polished hotel has spacious rooms starting at 420 square feet—generous for New York. All units have walnut furnishings, wondrously comfortable Duxiana beds, and deep soaking tubs, while the apartment suites each have a full stainless-steel kitchen. The hotel holds the largest private collection of original paintings by New York City artist Alex Katz. Start your journey of exploring his work in the lobby. Tired and don't want to go too far for a good meal? You're in luck; Ai Fiori is downstairs as part of the hotel, serving everything from top-tier pasta dishes to classic Italian negronis made with vintage Campari.

Soho House New York Arrow

Those already familiar with Soho House will feel instantly at home here, where a few of the company's signature design elements are in place, like distressed wood floors and beamed ceilings, velvet chairs and sofas, exposed brick, and flattering lighting. As befits a members' club, it feels intimate, though not exclusive (the hotel portion is open to anyone). Not only are the rooms charming, but the supremely comfortable common spaces are places you'll want to spend a lot of time in—especially if you need to get some work done or just sit and read. When you book a room here, you're welcomed into the world of Soho House like a member, which is a nice feeling in this big, busy city. Plus, the location is prime, within a short distance of the High Line.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel Arrow

Since it opened in 1930, The Carlyle has become something more than the sum of its extremely alluring parts, a living legend that embodies, if not the spirit of New York City, at least one of her spirits: her brightest, most sparkling, most elegant self; witty, worldly and nostalgic. An entire movie has been made about this property— Always at The Carlyle —in which present-day tribal elders such as George Clooney, Sophia Coppola , Wes Anderson, and Naomi Campbell discuss their fondness for the joint. Broadly speaking, the rooms get better the higher the floor. Plus, you get to spend more time in the elevators—not an activity to enjoy in everyday life, but this is not everyday life. The ones at The Carlyle are the stuff of legend, as much admired as the astounding Dorothy Draper lobby or Bemelmans Bar . Imagine if you had been there when Princess Diana, Michael Jackson, and Steve Jobs all piled in (true story). You would have been in awe. Not of them, of course, but of the real superstar—the unflappable, icy-calm, white-gloved Carlyle elevator operator.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad Arrow

During New York Fashion Week, this already-iconic hotel’s rooftop bar Nubeluz by José Andrés hosted a runway show for Bronx and Banco, complete with a downtown cool vibe and guest list to match—think actress Natasha Lyonne and rapper Coi Leray. Nubeluz (and The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad as a whole) was immediately cemented as an overnight New York City hot spot—just one example of how this legacy brand is reshaping its image. But how did a hotel conglomerate that is thought of as a bit stuffy create a hotel that is familiar to its existing clientele while becoming alluring to a new generation? The answers are found within the lobby which takes its inspiration and pays homage to its location in the floral district, the reservation-impossible Mediterranean restaurant Zaytinya (another José Andrés), view-laden rooms, and skin-tightening subterranean spa. Each space mixes current design trends, like hand-blown Randy Zieber floral petal-inspired chandeliers in the lobby and black Italian-marble walls, with the exceptional, discreet service that Ritz-Carlton is known for. We can’t imagine a more perfect place to shake things up than the capital of reinvention: New York.

Crosby Street Hotel Arrow

Pattern, color, whimsy—walking into Crosby Street Hotel is like entering a world representing the best of modern English design, as dreamed up by Brit founder and designer Kit Kemp. Everywhere you look, there's a special artwork or piece of furniture you'd want to stare at for awhile. It's all a big visual treat in the middle of SoHo. There's nothing better than making it through a hectic day out and about and coming back to perhaps the city's most perfectly designed (yet supremely comfortable) guest rooms. Aside from being a visual treat, the location is nearly perfect—a quiet block in the heart of SoHo, next to public transportation, but also in the most pleasingly walkable neighborhood you could find, with endless amounts of great restaurants, bars, bookstores, cafés, and shops.

The Hoxton Williamsburg Arrow

When the Hoxton plunked itself down on Williamsburg’s Wythe Avenue—the neighborhood’s unofficial hotel strip—it was as much for New Yorkers as for visitors. Cases in point: a quirky, retro lobby that’s perfect for long, lazy Sunday afternoons; an events space that has hosted, among other things, a pop-up tattoo studio; a rooftop bar that doesn’t have a line (yet). The U.K.-based Ennismore designed the hotel to feel extremely Brooklyn, dotting it with locally sourced vintage furniture and bookshelves displaying hefty tomes on contemporary art, and ’70-style chandeliers hanging from the lofty ceiling. The three on-site restaurants—seasonal Summerly and Backyard and the year-round favorite Klein’s—are overseen by Jud Mongell and Zeb Stewart, the names behind Williamsburg’s beloved Five Leaves, Union Pool, and Hotel Delmano. The cocktails are a delight (order the mezcal-infused Fire Island), and the food spans everything from New American comfort at Klein’s to New England–style lobster rolls at Summerly. Upstairs, the 175 rooms, like the ones at the Hoxton in Paris , are not massive but fit king-size beds and have views of either the Manhattan or Brooklyn skyline.

The Greenwich Hotel Arrow

In an era of the ever-more- exclusive members’ club luring the black-card-carrying wolf pack, Robert De Niro’s hotel makes privacy feel refreshingly effortless. Built more than a decade ago in a cobblestone quarter of Lower Manhattan, it creates the sensation of stepping into the actor’s own salon. The lobby is hung with abstract paintings by De Niro’s late father, and beyond it more inner sanctums await: A book-filled drawing room merges into a pocket garden, where topiaries cast an Italianate charm. Each of the 87 rooms is idiosyncratically arranged with antique silk rugs, the odd vintage table, and marble bathtubs, while the Tribeca Penthouse is earthy and minimalist. But the enduring revelation is the Shibui Spa, where the lantern-lit pool glimmers under the beams of a 250-year-old Japanese farmhouse. A festive din still kicks up at Locanda Verde , which serves rustic plates of duck orecchiette, and New York fixtures such as Yoko Ono and Jay-Z go pretty much incognito, but things settle down early. The wolf pack can go elsewhere.

Aman New York Arrow

In the 36 years since Aman was founded and its first property opened its doors in Phuket, the brand has come to represent a certain kind of experience for a certain kind of traveler: discreet, expansive, and intimate, with a full-bodied approach to wellness and an almost chameleon-like ability to adapt to the surrounding landscape. So it goes with Aman New York, the latest jewel in its crown—the brand’s very first urban outpost in the United States, and only its second urban property in the world after Aman Tokyo . And what a crown it is: Taking up residence in Midtown Manhattan’s iconic Crown Building, a Beaux-Arts landmark carefully renovated with Belgian designer Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects, the space dazzles with a 7,000-square-foot outdoor terrace, a spa and wellness center spread over three floors, and serene, high-ceilinged guest suites (each with its own fireplace).

Public Arrow

As the name might imply, the public spaces are a big factor here, and once you walk through the ground-level garden and take the glowing, futuristic elevators up to the lobby, an entire community awaits—one with big white sofas, work spaces, and plenty of locals who come to get some work done in a setting that's a bit more exciting than their neighborhood cafe.

The Mercer Arrow

The Mercer is practically synonymous with SoHo. The Romanesque revival building itself, built in 1890, is an icon of the neighborhood, and once inside, it's pretty much what you'd expect from a cool-yet-sophisticated downtown luxury hotel: muted colors and modern furniture; a wall of coffee table books; and guest rooms that seem outfitted by the ultra-cool furniture showrooms that inhabit the area. It all adds up to a quintessential downtown Manhattan experience. The staff at the Mercer will go to the ends of the earth to take care of any request for their guests. It's a big reason people keep coming back for repeat visits.

The William Vale Arrow

Its distinctive white criss-crossing exterior can be seen from lower Manhattan, but The William Vale, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, also makes an impression when seen up close. Each of the hotel’s 183 guest rooms has balconies, most with views looking over the East River and at the Manhattan skyline. The decor is light, airy, and of-the-moment with hardwood floors, glass-enclosed showers, patterned rugs and curated coffee table books from Phaidon. The hotel also has its own elevated public park, a 60-foot outdoor pool (known as the longest outdoor hotel pool in NYC), and two restaurants from famed chef Andrew Carmellini: Southern Italian-inspired Leuca and rooftop bar Westlight (complete with 360-degree city views).

Mandarin Oriental, New York Arrow

A cornerstone of the city’s five-star hotel scene, Mandarin Oriental’s New York City outpost is known for its elite service, a fantastic spa, and impressive vistas—the 75-foot lap pool overlooks the Hudson, the high-end MO Lounge boasts the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, and the best rooms have bird’s eye views of Central Park. The rooms feel equal parts timeless in their definition of luxury—think heaping, decadent curtains for privacy, dark wooden desks, rich shades of the brand’s go-to purple—and contemporary, with modern artworks hung on the walls, shimmering structural light fixtures, and reflective metal details accenting every room. And the Mandarin Oriental’s spa is a destination in its own right. They offer standards like detox wraps and aroma stone massages, plus beauty treatments like hydradermabrasion and sculpting facials.

The New York EDITION Arrow

Understated, elegant, and reminiscent of a private club, The New York EDITION isn't really a hipster hangout, nor is it an opulent, tricked-out palace. It expertly straddles the line of cool and sophisticated, with a predominately whitewashed interior accented with hits of warm mahogany and creams. The effect is a feeling of exclusivity. There are a lot of business travelers, given its convenient location to all parts of Manhattan. But they're the kinds of business travelers who care about their surroundings and who value great design, food, and amenities. Appreciate the restful simplicity of the white wood floors and little touches like the soft, faux-fur bed throw—If we had a U-Haul with us, we'd take the massive, beautiful walnut headboard against the bed. Plus, it's a couple hundred dollars less than the luxury mainstays you'd find further uptown, and right next to one of the city's best parks, to boot.

The Ludlow Arrow

Fitting into its Lower East Side location, the Ludlow feels just cool and just hip enough without overdoing it. There are brick walls, low leather sofas, a roaring fireplace, and plenty of good-looking people sipping wine or working away on their laptops. In other words? It perfectly represents its neighborhood. Although not as buzzy as it was when it opened in 2014, the restaurant, Dirty French, is still a hopping place during dinner and weekend brunch (get the spicy pork chop with celery remoulade).

The Peninsula New York Arrow

Opulence greets you the minute you walk through the doors set just off of Fifth Avenue, where flower arrangements and a grand staircase serve as the lobby's centerpiece. It's a formal atmosphere, but not an unwelcoming one. Huge, luxurious guest rooms, a top-notch spa, swimming pool, an excellent restaurant (Clement), and one of the best service staffs in NYC make for an exceptional experience. While the rooms and facilities are grand, it's the staff's warmth that encourages repeat visits .

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge Arrow

Few things are as classically New York as the 1 Hotel's location at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. Aside from the prime real estate, it's a thoughtfully designed, supremely attractive place to call home for as long as you're a guest here. Plus, it has one of the prettiest farm-to-table restaurants in all of Brooklyn: The Osprey. You can feel even better staying here knowing that the hotel is sustainable and eco-friendly, using recycled and repurposed materials for furniture, LED lighting, and a rainwater harvesting system. The rooftop pool has amazing views out over Manhattan and is where you'll want to be on warm days.

Park Hyatt New York Arrow

If James Bond had an apartment in New York, it would probably look a lot like one of the guest rooms and suites here. It's all crisp, cool minimalism with contemporary furniture, stone floors, and dark wood. And even entry-level rooms clock in at 530 square feet, making them some of the biggest in the city. Take in city views and breakfast on the patio on one of several Terrace Suites. An entire day can be spent at the hotel's 25th-floor Spa Nalai. After a treatment, you can try the eucalyptus steam room, whirlpool, and saltwater lap pool, which has to be the most beautiful in Manhattan (and also features underwater speakers with a curated playlist by Carnegie Hall). After a day of respite, get ready for a night on the town with a hair treatment and blowout at world-renowned Rossano Ferretti Hairspa. This is a chance to stay in one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan at the cross-section of the city; Central Park is just a block away.

The St. Regis New York Arrow

Even the most unaffected New Yorkers can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia when passing through the gilded revolving doors of the St. Regis, promptly greeted by a gentleman with white gloves and a smile. The sense of the city’s golden era lingers in that lobby, where shining chandeliers warm the pale walls to create a necessary calming counter to the crush of cabs and suits in Midtown Manhattan. It’s precisely the atmosphere John Jacob Astor IV sought to capture when he opened this 18-story, Beaux-Arts landmark at the turn of last century. Today, there’s more Michael Kors than mink in the King Cole Bar, though the order hasn’t changed: Ignore the lengthy cocktail list and go for a note-perfect dry Martini or a Bloody Mary, the house speciality, and fall into conversation with the bankers in from Boston sitting at the bar. For those who do stay on for another martini (or three), it’s nice to know that your suite is just an elevator ride away. It may be done up in lipstick-ruby wallpaper or blue velvet curtains and striped white walls, with classic pieces such as silk-stitched love seats and oil paintings to resemble that glamorous pied à terre everyone fantasizes about. This is a New York institution that channels the city’s glamorous past like no other, steps from the Fifth Avenue buzz.

The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel Arrow

When a hotel opens in New York , it’s not uncommon for locals to barely bat an eye. This is, after all, a city crawling with them—big, small, modern, classic. It  takes an exceptional property to capture the collective consciousness, which is exactly what happened in 2016, when The Beekman opened. The landmark was built in the 1880s with a nine-story, glass-ceiling atrium, but throughout the past century, the atrium had been covered up as the building functioned as just another office. Now the glass skylight soars once again above the lobby’s Art Deco bar where New Yorkers flock to—come 6 p.m. it’s nearly impossible to find a free bar stool. The rooms all have vintage furnishings, with dark wood floors and distressed leather headboards: comfortable but not so much so that you don’t want to leave and miss out on everything happening around you. So many hotels like to say they’ve made the neighborhood, but in the case of the Beekman it’s actually true.

33 Hotel, New York City, Seaport Arrow

Old World meets New York at this downtown hotel, complete with views of the Brooklyn Bridge , East River, and New York City skyline. The overall look here is contemporary elegance, and you’ll find plenty of it in the 66 well-sized rooms (with details like marble bathrooms, soft natural light, and plush textures). For some private outdoor space, book one of the Premier Seaport King Terrace or Premier Front Street King Terrace rooms, which are located on the sixth and seventh floors and have furnished verandas. The hotel is also home to recently opened Urban Cove Society & Kitchen , which faces the cobblestone-lined Peck Slip and offers a casual yet refined dining room, bar, and outdoor seasonal patio. Visit for dinner or weekend brunch for modern American cuisine with global twists, paying homage to the rich tapestry of cultures of downtown New York.

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel Arrow

Stately and imposing, The Pierre lives up to its prime location across from Central Park on the Upper East Side. Think black-and-white marble floors, gilded moldings, and big, fresh flower arrangements. You can't help but feel important when you're here. The hotel’s Les Clefs d’Or Concierge team can create crafted itineraries with insider’s access to New York’s most sought-after attractions, and back onsite, a meal at Perrine restaurant showcases elegant, seasonally-inspired dining. Royal vibes continue in the rotunda—with its iconic murals, it’s one of the city’s most romantic rooms.

The Whitby Hotel Arrow

NYC’s second import by British brand Firmdale Hotels, is designer Kit Kemp at her playful best. She has created a place that's the antithesis of the staid, neutral-heavy luxury options in the area. It's like an English summer garden come to life in hotel form. A welcome addition to Midtown, it’s that rare find that is both family-friendly and sophisticated. A gorgeous hotel two blocks from Central Park with an excellent restaurant and afternoon tea, the Whitby is worth every cent.

The Lowell Arrow

The Lowell, on the Upper East Side, reopened in 2017 after a three-year renovation. Its 74 rooms got a refresh, but the important touches stayed the same: wood-burning fireplaces, grisaille wallpaper in the lobby, tasseled key fobs. Nowhere in the city feels quite as refined. Every room has fresh flowers, while huge marble bathrooms have separate tub and shower areas, Frette bath robes, and custom-made products from the high-end line DDC28. Unlike big luxury chains, there's a small-scale, quiet, and personalized feeling here that's worth the lack of extras (like a swimming pool or spa).

The Bowery Hotel Arrow

Walking into the lobby at The Bowery feels like stepping back into a Gothic version of the nineteenth century—or at least, a movie set from someone with a gothic vision. Dimly lit and oozing atmosphere, it's a world of crimson velvet, dark leather and wood, threadbare Oriental rugs and oil paintings. The effect is transportive to another time, but somehow still rooted in downtown NYC. The view from one of the upper floors is something you'll never get tired of, and is worth the splurge. The Bowery's in-house restaurant, Gemma, is a solid choice on warm evenings—grab an outdoor table and get ready for some of the best people-watching in NYC. After dinner, few places are better for a glass of red than the lobby lounge (its fireplace makes the atmosphere even better).

The Mark Arrow

The polished black-and-white floor that greets you in the lobby is the first sign that the Mark is no ordinary hotel experience. Contemporary light fixtures, furniture, and modern art combined effortlessly by designer Jacques Grange give the hotel a sense of cool elegance. The restaurant, by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is high-end New York all the way. The classic Upper East Side location combined with the contemporary, Art Deco–inspired design make for an unforgettable stay.

Casa Cipriani Arrow

This New York hotel is a Cipriani property, so it’s luxury to the max, but in that effortlessly chic Italian sort of way. Picture it: presidential suites featuring cashmere-covered walls by Loro Piana Interiors—that’s the sort of luxurious detail you’ll find in every nook and cranny of the guest rooms at Casa Cipriani. The sheets on the bed are from the 150-year-old luxury linen house Rivolta Carmignani based in Macherio, just outside of Milan . Prior to check-in guests can choose between Italian cotton or Italian linen. It’s hard not to fall completely under the spell of the hotel from the minute you step into your room or suite. Maybe it’s the Art Deco light fixtures or artwork on the wall. Maybe it’s the jazz playing softly in the background, or the way the setting sun hit the lacquer furniture and the shiny brass knobs. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the guest rooms at Casa Cipriani are the private terraces. The spacious private terraces. Be sure to request a river-facing room because there’s really nothing like this view anywhere in town: Next to the hotel, you’ve got the Staten Island Ferry pulling in and out of Whitehall Terminal; that’s Governor’s Island straight ahead, and beyond that, Brooklyn. To your right, you’ve got the Statue of Liberty. But there’s also so much going on inside Casa Cipriani that no one would blame you if you spent your entire stay on the premises: the Club restaurant, the Jazz Café, the Pickering Room, the Promenade Bar, and the Living Room. On top of all that, the hotel service is attentive but not at all intrusive. They truly make you feel like you’re the most important person in the room, and who doesn’t want to feel like that for a few nights? From $800. —Lauren DeCarlo

Wythe Hotel Arrow

The Wythe Hotel defines Williamsburg style for many—a former industrial building given a hipster makeover with exposed-brick walls, factory windows, concrete floors, and plenty of reclaimed wood. The 6th floor Bar Blondeau, which serves French plates and natural wines, offers killer river views of Manhattan. The restaurant, Le Crocodile, has earned raves for its bold brasserie fare. If you're choosing to stay in Williamsburg, you probably want an industrial-chic vibe, and Wythe Hotel delivers.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel: First In Arrow

Modern master Martin Brudnizki’s latest riot of colors, patterns, and curiosities is perhaps his most impeccably orchestrated yet. The vaulted lobby is dressed up in ornate wall panels; corridors are bedecked in vivid wallpapers; rooms are filled with painted screens and pagoda-style lamps that are an ode to the travels of hotel owner Alex Ohebshalom. A go-for-broke assemblage of art, from old-world oils to modern photography, greets you around every corner. It’s the bold palette Brudnizki is known for, a dreamlike pastiche that would have been chaos in the hands of a less practiced hand. Just as adept is the hospitality, which extends from the ready-to-please butler service on every floor to extra touches like the candle that’s slipped into your room after you’ve complimented the scent in the lobby, a martini cart that appears at your door when you need a nightcap, and the warm welcome you’ll get when you return. And you will return, even if just for a perfect Negroni at the hotel’s Portrait Bar or an extravagant dish from Café Carmellini —but most of all, for the chance to wake up in a giant cabinet of curiosities in the heart of New York’s NoMad district. From $895. —Arati Menon

Baccarat Hotel New York Arrow

No one knew what to expect when a 258-year-old French luxury brand opened its first property, Baccarat Hotel, on West 53rd—except that there had better be at least one over-the-top chandelier. The hotel did not disappoint, but what was surprising was how wonderful its opulence felt, after all that industrial, bare-bulb, and rough-hewn everything—like a return to Champagne after years of lager. Unabashed opulence is what you get as soon as you step into the lobby, where there are about 15,000 pieces of the brand's crystal throughout, including glassware and chandeliers. Arrangements of fresh red roses everywhere add a touch of color. But even though the hotel is a singular vision, it may be the little touches—like Baccarat tumblers in the bathroom—that make a stay special.

AKA Central Park Arrow

Designed for stays of a week or more, this upscale long-stay property blends the atmosphere (and some of the services) of a hotel with contemporary, condominium-style suites larger than many Manhattan pads. Your home base choices range from one-room, 300-square-foot Studios to suites with furnished outdoor space and Penthouses with useful extras like DVR-equipped TVs and a dining table that seats six; the largest options run close to 1,500-square feet. Most popular are the one- and two-bedroom suites, which have full kitchens stocked with fridges, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, cookware, tableware, and even dishwashing supplies, plus large living rooms with space to work and comfortable beds. (Studios have smaller kitchenettes, but they also come with most everything you might need.)

Freehand New York Arrow

It’s a given that young visitors to New York don’t want to blow their budget on a fancy hotel room. Better to book something that’s at least clean, comfortable, and strategically located, and spend the extra cash on that restaurant everyone has been talking about. Freehand takes this compromise and somehow manages to make it feel sexy and stylish. Rooms, with queens, kings, or bunk setups for four, are basic—verging on dorm-like—but brightened up with artwork that sometimes snakes across the walls and ceilings. Like the model that Ian Schrager engineered with Morgans Hotel in the 1980s, here it’s all about the public spaces, which the design studio Roman and Williams filled with glossy tiles, dark woods, and walls in deep turquoise, with quirky touches such as sheepskin rugs and plants in mismatched ceramic pots. Most importantly, there’s a feast of food and drink options: an outpost of award-grabbing cocktail joint Broken Shaker on the roof; a to-go counter off the lobby, an offshoot of downtown favorite breakfast spot the Smile; two recently opened restaurants and a Southwestern-inspired new bar. Freehand captures everything travelers come to New York for, under one well-designed, well-priced roof.

The Marlton Hotel Arrow

Walking into the Marlton feels like being transported to the 19th century, where there's little evidence of modern technology, and where guests and locals hang out in the dimly lit, fireplace-warmed lobby, which features lots of dark wood and antique rugs. The beauty of being here is forgetting what era you're in. Rooms are small, but beautiful, and if you feel too cramped, you're right in the middle of Greenwhich Village and all it has to offer. Hotel guests move to the top of the list at the in-house restaurant, Margaux. That's a good thing, as you'll want to try the Amish rotisserie chicken with smashed sweet potato and burnt lemon. Having a glass of wine by the fireplace in the gorgeous lobby is the perfect thing to do on chilly evenings. As is being able to take the elevator right upstairs to the room afterwards.

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown Arrow

This Four Seasons hotel occupies 24 floors of an 84-floor building (with condos making up the rest of the space). There is also a pool, spa, steam room, and 189 total rooms, including 28 suites designed by Yabu Pushelberg, who also handled interiors for the NYC hotel debut from the Equinox fitness brand. The two crown jewels are the Tribeca Suite and Royal Suite—the latter, at 2,400 square feet, has space for a dinner party and sweeping views of downtown New York. The Four Seasons Downtown's ground floor is home to the only New York City outpost of Wolfgang Puck's Cut, serving fresh fruit and upscale takes on egg sandwiches by day, and steaks by night.

Hotel Chelsea Arrow

Hotel Chelsea may not be filled with famous musicians anymore, but the rock-and-roll vibe remains. Long-term residents who have been grandfathered into their apartments in the building still float around, and most guests—usually drawn by the hotel’s history—have a knowingness to them, whether they’re in their 30s or 60s. The 158 guest rooms and suites have wood floors with the Hotel Chelsea monogram now inlaid; the sun dapples through ivory eyelet fabric on the windows; and the bathrooms are classically done with light and dark grey marble accentuated by bronze details. Animal-print chairs maintain a bit of spunk in the now bright, airy rooms, as do ornate dark wood bedside tables. Massive closets, their interiors a riot of wallpaper, make it even easier to imagine unpacking and sticking around for a while. If you visited the Chelsea back in the day, you’ll recognize the original fireplaces, stained glass windows, and those iconic wrought-iron balconies leaning over West 23rd Street, which have been restored. Rooms from $199. —Megan Spurrell

Nine Orchard Arrow

Ask any in-the-know New Yorker for their favorite neighborhood, and chances are the Lower East Side will be it. The place teems with urban cool. Tattoo parlors on every corner. Low-key restaurants where the plates rival those in SoHo, but the crowd is a blend of skaters, designers, and musicians. When Nine Orchard opened June 2022 on a historic corner in the neighborhood, it brought with it a degree of sophistication seldom celebrated here. There are the historical bones, for one, located inside an old, grand bank, with an airy lobby bar humming under old vaulted ceilings that rival those up at Grand Central . Classic dishes like steak au poivre and frites are exceptional at the attached Corner Bar (the tables are lovely with their minimal settings, but the pick of seats is one of the 40 stools at the wraparound bar). With a full belly, you’ll happily plunk down into one of the property’s 113 guest rooms with simple wood bed tables and hand-carved chairs that feel like a groovy space to tune into the custom radio stations created for the hotel by DJ Stretch Armstrong and Devon Turnbull, New York-based DJ and producer who focus on New York inspired music on all four of the in-hotel stations. Whatever station you choose, this landmark hotel offers locals and visitors alike a sense of being grounded in a place, and pays homage to the neighborhood and its city as one of the very best in the world. Rooms from $525. —Lara Kramer

Ace Hotel Brooklyn Arrow

The lobby in any Ace hotel is the place to be, and its Brooklyn outpost is no different. There are public workspaces galore—including a library-style table, a plant-filled garden, and a moody bar area with cozy seating—and plenty of guests, locals, and staff making use of them all. Many of the hallmarks of Ace decor are present in the 287 rooms: plywood furniture that offers both form and function, local art, and pops of color (in this case, a deep green). But the room design also leans into the industrial building’s architecture, with exposed concrete and warehouse windows.

Warren Street Hotel Arrow

To step into the Warren Street Hotel is to immerse yourself in the whimsical and wacky world of Kit Kemp. As the interior designer’s third New York City property with the Firmdale hospitality group (and 11th overall), each space is packed with her trademark eccentricity and magpie-like knack for sourcing eclectic artworks and inspiration from around the world—from the British craft and ceramics on display in the light-filled “Orangery” downstairs to the abstract sculptures greeting guests in the buttercup yellow lobby. Even the carpets are done up in a limited edition batik pattern, courtesy of Kit Kemp for Wilton Carpets. Meanwhile, no two rooms are the same—all have been designed by Kemp to exude their own personality, whether it be through the patterned headboards above king-size beds, one-of-a-kind artworks spanning all sorts of creative movements and styles, custom-made wallpaper and egg-shaped lighting, or even an occasional mishmash of antique furniture. Downstairs at the restaurant, where Tribeca locals jostle with guests for a prime-time table, dishes like a rich foie gras terrine and spaghetti alle vongole are served beneath custom-made wallpaper so beautiful it almost rivals the murals at the Carlyle’s legendary Bemelmans bar uptown. Kemp is a master when it comes to transforming a space into a riot of color and wit, and this latest endeavor may just be her most playful yet. From $875. —Lale Arikoglu

Pendry Manhattan West Arrow

Pendry Manhattan West aims to bring a West Coast vibe to Midtown Manhattan, with 30 sprawling suites (all with floor-to-ceiling windows) and 164 guest rooms, modern furnishings, abundant greenery, and warm recessed lighting in both the rooms and common areas. The resulting crowd is mostly cool creatives looking for a place to hole up, whom you’ll spot posted up on laptops in the lounges during the day, and beelining to the ground-floor Bar Pendry for an innovative cocktail with friends in the evenings. Arrive with plenty of busy days planned out in the Manhattan West development , knowing you’ll have a calm space to recharge at night—complete with soft slippers and bedside macarons via turndown. Rooms from $695. —Shannon McMahon

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Where to Stay in NYC: The Best Neighborhoods and Hotels for Every Type of Traveler (Video)

"Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody," Jane Jacobs once wrote, referring to the one and only New York City.

The metropolis of over 8.5 million New Yorkers, divided between hundreds of neighborhoods within five boroughs, is incredible in its diversity — each distinct set of city blocks has its own character. Where you stay in New York City can define your entire experience, whether it's your first time looking up at the blinding lights of Times Square or the tenth time you've broken out a well-worn MetroCard for a weekend of exploring the Big Apple.

Here's where to stay in New York City.

Where to Stay in NYC for Nature Lovers: Central Park

Manhattan may not be the natural beacon travelers accustomed to cruising through National Parks are used to, but if being surrounded by green space relaxes you, pick a hotel bordering this public park, where you can plan a morning hike through the ramble, brunch at Tavern on the Green or the Boathouse and wind down at night with a stroll across the Great Lawn. Staying near Central Park is hardly roughing it, however, five star properties surround the lower edges of this beloved green space, which is highly coveted real estate in Manhattan.

Where to stay near Central Park

The Plaza Hotel

New York City's most iconic hotel, The Plaza is a landmark, cultural mecca, and wholly gorgeous five-star property just at the foot of Central Park. Book a room overlooking the park or grab a picnic from the basement food hall and head out to the grass.

Fifth Avenue at Central Park (59th Street), New York, NY 10019, (212) 759-3000, theplazany.com

To book: expedia.com

Perhaps New York's most iconic hotel, The Plaza is a landmark, cultural mecca and wholly gorgeous five star property just at the foot of Central Park. Book a room overlooking the park or grab a picnic from the basement food hall and head out to the grass.

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel

Boasting a prime location between Fifth and Madison Avenues just across from the entrance to Central Park, The Pierre exudes elegance and a comforting sense of calm away from the chaos of Manhattan. In wintertime, a grand Christmas tree adorns the lobby bar, where guests can skip spiked hot chocolate, and in summer, The Rotunda offers a luxe escape from the heat to sip cocktails.

2 East 61st St. (at Fifth Avenue), New York City, NY 10065, (212) 838-8000, thepierreny.com

Empire Hotel

Known to "Gossip Girl" fans as the gaudy hotel Chuck Bass impulsively purchased, this massive hotel across from Lincoln Center and just blocks from Central Park is not at all fictional, though a Chuck Bass cocktail does still remain on the rooftop bar's menu. Rooms are petite, but communal space, like the outdoor pool, is expansive.

44 West 63rd St., New York, NY 10023, (212) 265-7400, empirehotelnyc.com

Where to stay for cheap: Times Square

The crossroads of the universe may be the last place local New Yorkers plan to spend their free time (unless they scored tickets to "Hamilton"), but this busy, bright intersection is popular with commuters on weekdays and tourists at pretty much any time. With a subway station that offers easy connections to nearly every train line, Times Square is also a central spot to stay if you'll be hopping around town and want to save on cab fare — you'll never be more than a few blocks away from public transit.

Where to stay near Times Square

Moxy Hotel Times Square

Opened in the summer of 2017, Moxy prioritizes combining design with having a good time. A year-round rooftop as well as several in-house restaurants and bars by the Tao Group, offer a place to unwind (or go wild) any time of day or night.

485 7th Ave., New York, NY 10018, (213) 967-6699, moxy-hotels.marriott.com

To book: booking.com

Kimpton Muse Hotel

One of several Kimpton properties in Manhattan, this Times Square adjacent hotel offers several complimentary amenities that let guests unwind and relax in the heart of the action: A 24-gym, a free happy hour each evening, free bike borrowing and more. Pets are also welcome and don't incur a fee.

130 West 46th St., New York, NY 10036, (212) 485-2400, themusehotel.com

Room Mate Grace Hotel

This small property in the heart of Times Square has one feature guests may not expect to find inside a Manhattan boutique hotel: A swim-up bar. The pool may be petite, but it's certainly a perk, as are the sauna, gym and breakfast buffet.

125 West 45th St., New York 10036, (212) 354-2323, room-matehotels.com

Where to stay for couples: North Brooklyn (Greenpoint & Williamsburg)

For a date night like a local, head to the tree-lined streets of Brooklyn, close enough to Manhattan that the skyline is still in sight across the East River, but just far enough away that you can cherish some breathing room. North Brooklyn, particularly Williamsburg and Greenpoint have seen a flux of new hotels in recent years, each with their own distinct Brooklyn identity, and several with killer views and cuisine and cocktails to match.

Where to stay in Brooklyn

Franklin Guesthouse

Tucked between boutiques and local eateries on Greenpoint's Franklin Street, this cozy property blends in with the neighborhood, letting guests feel like locals in the apartment-style rooms. On the first floor rests Bar Glory, a Mediterranean inspired Chinese restaurant known for dumplings, noodles and curry to pair with thoughtfully curated cocktails.

214 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222, (718) 383-3900, franklinguesthouse.com

William Vale

Now a distinct wedge of the ever-expanding Williamsburg skyline, the recently opened William Vale is as chic inside as the clean white lines on the contemporary exterior would allude. Stylish rooms, some of which are appointed with outdoor balconies for optimal Manhattan skyline viewing, are comfortable and close enough to Westlight, the property's rooftop bar to make New Yorkers want to staycation here.

111 N. 12th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249, (718) 631-8400, thewilliamvale.com

Where to stay for solo travelers: West Village

No corner of Manhattan is immune to tourists, but if you want to blend in with the locals, head to Greenwich Village, where you'll find clusters of people all on their own, doing their own thing. Days can be spent traversing the twisting streets of the village, admiring the townhomes, sitting in cafes and Washington Square Park with a book or a notepad or striking up conversation with an eccentric local at one of the neighborhood's many bars. With people roving through the West Village at every hour, solo travelers will never feel truly alone.

Where to stay in the West Village

The Marlton Hotel

This boutique 107-room property takes inspiration from postwar Paris as well as Greenwich Village in the Beat era. Below the nine floors of guest rooms, Margaux, a petite cocktail bar and restaurant lets visitors escape into a chic bistro reminiscent of another time.

8th Street, New York, NY 10011, (212) 321-0100, marltonhotel.com

Walker Hotel

Nestled on a quaint block south of Union Square, this boutique hotel is a gem in a part of town relatively sparse with guest accomodations (thanks to impossibly high real estate prices and a large contingent of locals). Art Deco-styled rooms offer more space than one may expect in the neighborhood known for cramming people into small spaces, and beyond the lush parlour to relax in, the streets of the West Village await.

52 West 13th St., New York, NY 10011, (212) 375-1300, walkerhotel.com

Where to Stay With Kids In NYC: Upper West Side

Sprinkled with dozens of playgrounds, schools, toy stores, bookstores, arts and crafts centers and more, the Upper West Side is a popular neighborhood for families to live in and visit. The American Museum of Natural History offers hours of entertainment for little ones, as does Central Park nearby. Restaurants are equipped to seat and feed young kids and plenty of other little ones around the neighborhood are eager to make fast friends.

Where to Stay on the Upper West Side

Hotel Beacon

This historic hotel dating back to 1928 (but recently renovated) is equipped with apartment-style guest rooms and suites, perfect for larger families who don't want to split up between rooms.

2130 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, (212) 787-1100, beaconhotel.com

The Excelsior Hotel

Tucked between brownstones on a quiet residential street just steps from Central Park, this Upper West Side hotel prides itself on offering homey elegance from the fireplace-appointed lobby to the 80 guest suites.

45 West 81st St., New York, NY 10024, (212) 362-9200, excelsiorhotelny.com

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The best hotels in New York City, from luxury stays to points properties

Travelers headed to New York City are spoiled for choice when it comes to booking a hotel stay. After all, the city is home to an almost unfathomable number of hotels, ranging from budget-friendly hostels to iconic luxury properties frequented by dignitaries and celebrities. And, in a city that feels larger than life, there are dozens of neighborhoods spread across the five boroughs to choose from, not to mention iconic hotels made famous in movies and pop culture with their own magical allure.

So whether you're looking for one of the best hotels in New York City with a rooftop pool , an expansive spa , a subterranean nightclub or a Michelin-starred restaurant , this list has something for everyone.

What is the best area to stay in New York City?

Manhattan remains the borough of choice for first-time visitors thanks to its proximity to the city's iconic shopping streets, world-class museums, plethora of theaters and well-known tourist attractions. If you're looking to be in the heart of it all, consider booking near Times Square to be close to Broadway theaters and famous observation decks. Or, if shopping is on the itinerary, a boutique property in Soho might be ideal.

For travelers who prefer a more residential stay or have already exhausted the many neighborhoods of Manhattan, Brooklyn is also a popular choice — particularly the riverfront neighborhoods, such as Williamsburg and Dumbo, with breathtaking skyline views.

Just don't forget to factor in how you prefer to get around New York City, as you'll want to pick a hotel that allows for easy walking, access to the city's robust subway system or, if you prefer to travel by car, proximity to the city's major thoroughfares.

The Fifth Avenue Hotel, one of TPG's best new hotels of 2023 , opened in the most New York-centric way possible: with Sarah Jessica Parker pouring Champagne down a two-story tower of coupe glasses surrounded by the flora, fauna, glitz and glam of the hotel's signature restaurant, Cafe Carmellini, by James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini. The property will certainly attract a who's who of socialites and society folk dying to see and be seen (or at least feast on lobster and oysters from the immaculate seafood tower on the restaurant's menu).

Throughout the gorgeous hotel (with interiors by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio), the eyes are treated to more patterns and textures than thought possible, all mixed together with an eclectic and over-the-top collection of art that includes an elevator bank with a wall of individually framed pictures and portraits of eyeballs.

In the pastel-infused rooms, guests should expect luxurious antique design touches paired with modern amenities and services (think: butler service and streaming capabilities), as well as the option to book great suites, like the Flaneur Suite, with a private terrace and heated bathroom floors.

Just don't forget to stop by The Portrait Bar, the cozy, librarylike bar serving up destination-inspired cocktails and elevated bar fare.

Rates at The Fifth Avenue Hotel start at $895 per night.

An exciting boutique hotel set in a historic bank building that's been meticulously restored to its 1912 neo-Renaissance splendor, Nine Orchard is a refined character in the story of the hip but not so refined Lower East Side, making it the perfect place to stay to see the side of New York that New Yorkers actually like to visit — at least its youthful, trendiest set.

In the rooms, custom-curated New York City playlists pour out of custom Ojas speakers and amplifiers, perfect for listening to while relaxing in the chic, less-is-more accommodations that range from two-bedroom suites to compact studio rooms.

But the place to be is the breathtaking bar, Swan Room, set inside the original bank teller room, followed by a meal at Corner Bar, with food from popular chef Ignacio Mattos of Michelin-starred Estela fame.

Rates at Nine Orchard start at $470 per night.

From its coveted roost in the neoclassical Crown Building on Fifth Avenue, Aman New York is one of the most expensive and exclusive properties in New York City. It's just blocks from the southern edge of Central Park and the Museum of Modern Art, but guests occupying its 83 suites feel worlds away from the cacophony of this frenetic part of Manhattan.

Spacious, spa-like accommodations start at 815 square feet and are anchored by custom, freestanding soaking tubs. Rice paper panels provide privacy and nod to the brand's Asian roots, as do the ink-on-paper murals, and there are fireplaces that warm every suite.

Tranquility is conjured in the neutral, monochromatic color scheme employed throughout the property, which has a three-story, 25,000-square-foot spa with a 65-foot indoor swimming pool, a year-round garden terrace and a subterranean speakeasy.

When it's time to eat and imbibe, guests and "founders" (members of Aman's even more exclusive members club) can grab a seat at the Bar Lounge for Japanese-inspired cocktails, order freshly made pasta at the Italian restaurant, Arva, or elbow up to the hinoki-wood counter for omakase at Nama, Aman's traditional washoku Japanese restaurant.

Rates at the Aman New York start around $1,700 per night.

The arrival of New York City's newest Ritz-Carlton — one of TPG's hottest new hotels of 2022 — signaled a departure for the brand: This 50-floor luxury hotel is modern and distinctive, with eye-catching design choices that pack a punch.

The blue lava-topped bar in the Mediterranean restaurant, Zaytinya, is accented by a glittering, curved backdrop of glass discs. You can admire the Rockwell Group-designed space while feasting on Turkish, Greek and Lebanese fare like taramasalata, dolmades and kebabs.

A canopy of lush greenery hangs above the lobby bar and lounge, which has fast become one of the most popular spots for an after-work drink in the city. And if you want to check out the 50th-floor Nubeluz bar, with its 270-degree views, call for a reservation well in advance.

In the 219 guest rooms and 31 suites, picture windows framing striking cityscapes complement terrazzo marble bathrooms, elegant armoires stocked with premium liquors and snacks, and floating light fixtures not unlike petals swept up from the nearby wholesale floral shops that gave the city's flower district its name.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad start at $763 or 88,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Natural stone floors in the guest rooms, marble bathrooms with deep basin tubs and polished gray and black stone throughout the lobby, restaurant and spa set the scene: The Park Hyatt New York is a sophisticated property that feels decidedly contemporary and also timeless. Since opening in 2014, it has remained one of the city's most highly regarded luxury hotels.

Its single restaurant, The Living Room, is an all-day dining spot known for its specialty cocktails.

In addition to admiring the impressive artworks on display throughout the property, the Park Hyatt New York may be best known for its spa and wellness facilities, which include a stunning indoor pool on the 25th floor where guests can enjoy the musical stylings of Carnegie Hall from a soundtrack played through underwater speakers.

Rates at the Park Hyatt New York start at $762or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Among the best NYC hotels for families , the Conrad New York Midtown has a decidedly residential feel, with separate living, dressing and sleeping spaces in its suites, which comprise most of the accommodations. Modern furniture with plenty of clean lines and chevron wood floors will make you feel like you've rented your own New York City apartment. The white marble and tile bathrooms are functional and bright.

Best of all, there is a limited number of suites per floor, and the privacy contributes to the sense that you're staying in a residence rather than a hotel room.

Eclectic fusion fare at Dabble, the Conrad's lobby-level restaurant, is befitting the colorful space, which serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and signature cocktails. Or, explore one of the many area restaurants.

Squeeze in a workout with a personal trainer at the unusually large (for New York) 1,500-square-foot fitness center .

Rates at the Conrad New York Midtown start at $406or 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

A fixture in New York City's hotel scene since it was founded by John Jacob Astor at the turn of the 20th century, The St. Regis New York continues to impress its well-heeled guests with opulent design flourishes and attentive service. Dedicated butlers, now a hallmark of a St. Regis stay, can assist with everything from tea service on arrival to luggage unpacking, garment pressing and more.

Rooms, which have been updated but still feel distinctly nostalgic, have the kind of details that ground you in a bygone era, such as beveled wall mirrors, crown molding, Waterford crystal chandeliers and an abundance of marble.

Even if you've never set foot in The St. Regis New York, you may be familiar with its lobby bar, the King Cole Bar. Here, beneath a 10-by-8-foot Maxfield Parrish mural, patrons can sip a Red Snapper, which may very well be the first-ever incarnation of the bloody mary that is said to have been invented at this bar.

Rates at T he St. Regis New York start at $878 or 102,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Occupying the stunning clock tower overlooking Madison Square Park, The New York Edition delivers designer Ian Schrager's unmistakable touchpoints, such as faux-fur blankets draped across beds dressed in crisp white linens and accented by dramatic walnut headboards.

Breakfast, brunch and dinner are all served at The Clocktower restaurant, which echoes The London Edition's Berners Tavern, with its rows of framed photographs, spectacular bar (this one is covered entirely in 24-karat gold leaf) and distinctly British menu (think: beef Wellington with bone-marrow gravy, ale-battered fish and chips, and a tandoori chicken with cucumber-cilantro yogurt).

Join locals at the lobby bar sipping cocktails and admiring the park below, or take your shot at the violet-lined pool table in The Clocktower's designated billiards room.

Rates at The New York Edition start around $535 or 71,000 Marriott points per night.

Thanks to its popular location, relatively spacious rooms — some of which have terraces — and great value, particularly for travelers who can redeem Hyatt points for award nights, the Hyatt Union Square remains one of the top properties in New York City for points travelers.

Hardwood floors and a cool black-and-white color scheme give this Hyatt's rooms and suites a more elevated vibe than most, and amenities include minifridges, coffee machines, flat-screen TVs, closets and ample outlets. Large windows with city views have blackout curtains, and the stone, tile and shiplap bathrooms are stocked with Pharmacopia amenities.

For meals, head to Bowery Road, an American restaurant serving farmers market-inspired plates for breakfast, lunch and dinner (show up for happy hour between 4 and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for light bites and discounted cocktails).

Rates at the Hyatt Union Square New York start around $182 or 21,000 Hyatt points per night.

Since opening in 2016, the city's newest Four Seasons has become a fast favorite with luxury travelers from around the world who want to stay in one of Manhattan's more residential neighborhoods.

Spacious rooms in a typical Four Seasons palette of muted grays, subtle plaid and light woods that are complemented by spa-like marble bathrooms with soaking tubs and Replica by Maison Margiela amenities can't fail to please.

Anchoring the hotel's wellness complex, which includes a spa and a fitness center, is a 75-foot indoor heated lap pool flanked by cozy cushioned loungers. After getting in a few laps, book a treatment at the spa and, during balmy New York summer days, take advantage of the outdoor relaxation terrace.

Later, feast at Cut, the first Manhattan outpost by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Signature plates include Miyazaki Japanese wagyu; a dry-aged, bone-in tomahawk steak for two; big eye tuna tartare; and Kaluga caviar with traditional fixings.

Rates at the Four Seasons New York Downtown start around $785 per night.

The first New York outpost from Firmdale Hotels is an ode to the English country aesthetic — not unlike the chain's London hotels, which were dreamed up by designer Kit Kemp. You'll even find Kemp's signature mannequin in each of the 86 rooms and suites, as well as works from her personal collection of art, including a 12-foot bronze cat by Fernando Botero that guards the entrance on cobblestoned Crosby Street.

Light floods all the rooms through warehouse-style windows consistent with the surrounding architecture, and some accommodation categories even have bathtubs, writing desks and decorative fireplaces.

For a meal or a drink, grab a seat at the namesake restaurant's pewter-topped bar and order the crispy duck confit leg with croissant croutons, or a lamb porterhouse with sunchokes and eggplant caviar. The Crosby Bar also serves afternoon tea — another nod to the brand's British roots.

Rates at The Crosby Street Hotel start around $895 per night.

Another British import, The Hoxton in Brooklyn's perennially hip Williamsburg neighborhood expounds upon the brand's "open house hotel" concept. The small but hip and sensibly arranged rooms aren't for hanging out in. Instead, guests are encouraged to lounge in the massive coworking-style lobby, with its bar, cafe and all-day Israeli restaurant K'Far by star chef Michael Solomonov.

The 175 rooms have fold-down desks to maximize space and bespoke bed linens by Brooklyn artist Dusen Dusen, as well as a clever contrast of raw concrete and jewel-tone velvet finishes.

One of The Hoxton's main attractions is Laser Wolf, the Israeli skewer house on the roof. In addition to Manhattan skyline views, guests can feast on chicken, sirloin, eggplant and tuna shishlik while sharing plates of shawarma-spiced cauliflower and baba ganoush and sipping frozen "Get Shishlik'd" cocktails with vodka, Aperol, guava and lime.

Rates at The Hoxton, Williamsburg start around $229per night.

Manhattan views are the star at this Brooklyn hotel — as are the art and architecture. You can't miss the 20-story Albo Liberis-designed structure hoisted above Williamsburg on a truss.

Every room at The William Vale features a furnished balcony, and the rooms — mostly white with mixed textiles like houndstooth and leather, colorful art and architectural lamps — are stocked with Le Labo amenities and Lavazza espresso machines.

But The William Vale is best known for its public spaces and restaurants, which continue to be hot spots for both tourists and locals. Head to Westlight for some of the best sunset views of New York City in Brooklyn, or reserve a table at Andrew Carmellini's fine-dining Leuca, which specializes in southern Italian fare.

When summer arrives in New York, so do the throngs of people vying for a spot around the borough's longest outdoor hotel pool.

Rates at The William Vale start around $289 per night.

Fresh from a significant renovation, rooms at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi — which occupies an entire block of New York City's Chelsea neighborhood — have floor-to-ceiling windows, a bright and soothing palette and marble baths stocked with Atelier Bloem products.

The lobby is meant to evoke a handsome living room, with dark tufted leather sofas and open views into Back Bar, the hotel's all-day American bar and restaurant helmed by chef Laurent Tourondel. Tourondel is also the mastermind of L'Amico, a well-regarded casual Italian restaurant with colorful floor tiles and exposed wooden beams. The hotel's newest dining venue, Skirt Steak, flaunts its desserts on a rolling cart.

When it's time to explore the city, take advantage of Kimpton's complimentary Public cruiser bikes (stick to the bike path!) or, if you'd prefer, keep the cycling to the 24-hour fitness center.

Rates at the Kimpton Hotel Eventi start at $221 or 36,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Manhattan and Hudson River views are the stars of the 338-key hotel near the city's High Line elevated park and bustling Meatpacking District. But your eye will also no doubt be caught by the tambour paneling that acts as a headboard and continues up to cover the ceiling in many of the rooms. Handmade black, cream and orange tiles add to the throwback '70s aesthetic.

But it's all about the dining and event spaces at this Standard property on Manhattan's west side. Giant pretzels and pints feature prominently at the Standard Biergarten, which spills out onto the sidewalk in summer and has ping-pong tables. And, of course, there's Le Bain, one of the city's mainstay clubs, which has a coveted rooftop and parties that stretch until 4 in the morning.

You can get a good night's sleep at The Standard High Line, but only if you really want to.

Rates at The Standard High Line start at $249 per night.

As part of the initial trio of 1 Hotels to open in 2015, the Brooklyn Bridge outpost is a bastion of sustainability: Reclaimed heart pine beams from Brooklyn's Domino Sugar factory have been reimagined as lobby and guest room furniture. Rooms feature organic cotton mattresses by Keetsa and have filtered water taps for filling up recycled cups and carafes. Guests can explore the city in the emission-free electric Audi house car.

The intense focus on natural materials is seen throughout the property, with corrugated leather headboards and architectural blackened steel accented by reclaimed wood, Brooklyn-made glass accents and stone.

Farm-to-table fare is served at The Osprey, helmed by chef Denevin Miranda, while live DJs perform at the 10th-floor Harriet's Lounge, which has picture-frame windows overlooking Manhattan. In a move befitting the brand, there's also a farmstand in the lobby.

But one of the hotel's top amenities is its seasonal rooftop plunge pool, which is reserved for guests with limited-time spots, making it one of the most exclusive spaces in the city.

Rates at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge start at $349 per night.

Few hotels on Earth have risen to fame quite like The Plaza , which presides over Central Park South with the grandeur of a French chateau.

The Fairmont-managed hotel has hosted a laundry list of luminaries, but it's a star in its own right: The hotel has made appearances in "Sabrina," "The Great Gatsby" and "Home Alone 2," among other shows and films, while also being the home of the lovable literary character Eloise.

Gilded Edwardian furniture and wood-paneled closets are outshone only by the white marble and mosaic-tiled bathrooms, with 24-karat Sherle Wagner fixtures and, usually, separate soaking tubs.

Beneath a stained-glass dome and towering palm trees, guests can partake in a classic afternoon tea, leisurely breakfasts or evening cocktails. Before bedding down, grab a cocktail at the beautifully restored Champagne Bar — which might even be hosting a live band for the evening.

And don't forget, The Plaza is more than welcoming to pets and even makes bespoke robes for our fluffy friends.

Rates at The Plaza New York start at $995 per night.

True to its 1930s origin, The Carlyle is a tribute to art deco opulence that doesn't need to refresh its decor with every passing design trend. This is one of New York City's most famous hotels — desirable enough to lure travelers to its relatively sleepy Upper East Side address on the corner of Madison Avenue and 76th Street.

Room interiors have been influenced by a number of designers (some have original hardwood floors, others have undergone a modern art deco refresh), but all have Kiehl's amenities and Nespresso machines.

Dining at The Carlyle is an elegant affair, whether you opt for a table at the new Dowling's at The Carlyle, which serves New York classics interpreted by chef Sylvain Delpique, or The Gallery, where patrons can dine in a stunning space featuring hand-painted wallpaper from Italy and details inspired by Turkey's Topkapi Palace.

Don't miss a drink at the legendary Bemelmans Bar, which is clad in hand-painted murals by children's book illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans and often hosts live pianists and late-night jazz trios.

Rates at The Carlyle start at $761 per night.

Fresh off a multimillion-dollar head-to-toe revamp in 2021, the Gansevoort is once again one of the hippest hotels in New York City.

Contemporary rooms at the Gansevoort in the vibrant Meatpacking District are stocked with unexpected high-tech amenities, such as fitness mirrors for in-room workouts, Google Nest hubs and Marshall Bluetooth sound systems.

Throughout the refreshed lobby, which features warm woods, brass accents and cool porcelain floors, guests will find colorful street-style art by Banksy, Richard Hambleton and Hassan Hajjaj.

But it's the year-round swimming pool and roof terrace that continue to make the Gansevoort one of the city's most in-demand hotels. The heated rooftop pool is exclusive for guests only, while the rooftop bar and restaurant is a lush, plant-filled space with 360-degree city views and an eclectic menu ranging from classic sushi rolls to guacamole with plantain chips.

Other spots to drink and dine at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC include The Chester and the Saishin by Kissaki omakase pop-up on the rooftop.

Rates at the Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC start at $349 per night.

With 287 keys and a trio of restaurants, The Beekman is much more hip than you might expect from its exterior turrets and grand atrium.

Antique furnishings and a well-worn aesthetic set the tone for this moodily lit property, which feels like the kind of place you'd go to finish your memoir or sip whiskey (neat) while people-watching.

Guests are immediately wowed in the bar room and Temple Court restaurant, with its profusion of velvets, tassels, antique bookshelves, brass accents and a portrait of Edgar Allen Poe (of course). Like a library with libations but a culinary program by star chef Tom Colicchio, it's all the more impressive when you gaze down from the top of the nine-story atrium.

Stained glass, mohair, mosaic marble tiles, dark woods — the whole property, including French restaurant Le Gratin by chef Daniel Boulud, evokes old-world charm.

In the guest rooms and suites ( some of which occupy actual turrets ), leather headboards and vintage furnishings are elevated by marble bathrooms and playful pops of color.

Rates at The Beekman start at $321 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

For travelers who want to stay in a central location close to such attractions as the New York Public Library, the Empire State Building and Times Square, the Andaz Fifth Avenue has one of the most advantageous positions in the city.

Contemporary, loft-like rooms and suites designed by Tony Chi take advantage of large windows, 12-foot ceilings and timeless, neutral furnishings. Travelers familiar with the Andaz brand will appreciate the complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and snacks in the minibars , as well as the Fellow Barber amenities in the travertine bathrooms. Some suites even come with terraces and balconies — best enjoyed when they're furnished during the spring and summer months.

The Bar Downstairs and Kitchen is the sole dining venue at this Andaz, which serves crowd-pleasing plates like burgers with bacon and smoked aioli, and pasta with short rib and butternut squash, plus a ricotta-and-mushroom flatbread.

Rates at the Andaz Fifth Avenue start at $363 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Pendry continues to live up to its reputation as the luxurious, unflappably cool little sibling of Montage. The brand's relatively new outpost on the western edge of Manhattan , near Penn Station but far enough away you don't have to think about it, is cozy, stylish and inviting despite its celebrity clientele and exclusive hideaways.

An oasis of blond wood with an exterior ripple of glass, the entire hotel telegraphs the brand's West Coast roots. Guest rooms have curved windows, Fili D'Oro linens and marble bathrooms stocked with bath amenities produced by Pendry in collaboration with MiN.

Don't be surprised to see celebrities grabbing a cocktail from the luminous lobby-level Bar Pendry, brushed almost entirely in gold. An open-kitchen and colorful tiles set the scene for a spirited evening at Zou Zou's, which specializes in Eastern Mediterranean fare. Upstairs, bartenders at Chez Zou serve unexpected cocktails and Mediterranean snacks. There's even a reservations-only rooftop whiskey bar.

Rates at Pendry Manhattan West start at $523 per night.

Arrive at The Peninsula on Fifth Avenue and prepare to slip into "Peninsula Time" — you won't have to worry about the nuisance of early check-in or late checkout fees here.

Marble bathrooms and a soothing blend of grays, taupes and subdued golds in the rooms indicate luxury without any trace of ostentatiousness. For travelers in town for work, large executive desks and an ensuite multiuse printer, scanner and fax machine ensure your productivity always runs smoothly.

A glass-enclosed indoor swimming pool surrounded by black tiles, a fitness center with complimentary classes and an aromatherapy steam room, and a massive spa with 10 treatment rooms and a tea room have long set The Peninsula's wellness offerings apart from other top-tier hotels in the neighborhood.

Rates at The Peninsula New York start at $895 per night.

With the smallest guest rooms measuring up at a respectable 420 square feet, The Langham offers travelers some of the most spacious accommodations in Midtown. Walnut-wood walls and furnishings are bathed in light from floor-to-ceiling windows that open to let in fresh air (a rarity in the city). Marble bathrooms have bathtubs and rainfall showers. The rooms are a study in restraint, as they're sophisticated without being over the top or trendy.

In addition to its convenient location on Fifth Avenue at 37th Street, within spitting distance of Herald Square, the Empire State Building and The Morgan Library & Museum, one of the top draws of The Langham is its celebrated bar and restaurant.

White tablecloths and elaborate floral displays set the scene at Ai Fiori, which serves fancy French and Italian plates like trofie nero with Ligurian crustacean ragu, scallops and mollica. Afterward, grab a cocktail at the always-elegant Bar Fiori.

Rates at The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue start at $609 per night.

Ascend to the 35th-floor lobby and feel transported to a serene spa-like retreat with a distinctly Asian sense of hospitality and design. Splashes of black and gold fill the rooms and suites, which are dressed in silk textiles and floral accents. Two-toned marble and granite bathrooms have both bathtubs and walk-in showers and are stocked with Diptyque products. Suites occupy the corners of the high-rise and offer such extras as spacious furnished living rooms and separate dining spaces.

Foodies may already be familiar with the all-day dining experience at the MO Lounge, which has an intercontinental menu with a distinctly Asian focus: Plates like mushroom char-siu and Chinese egg noodle soup appear on the lunch and dinner menus.

The spa might be the Mandarin Oriental's true standout amenity, though. A 75-foot indoor lap pool has a Hudson River backdrop, while guests who have booked skin therapies or massages, among other treatments, can unwind at the tea lounge. Just don't forget, the toilet seats are luxuriously heated .

Rates at the Mandarin Oriental, New York start at $945 per night.

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WHERE to STAY in NYC in 2024: Best Neighborhoods

Sean Finelli Last Updated: March 26, 2024

New York City is an iconic destination that literally everyone should visit if possible. The city is so massive and every city block is packed with things to do. Amazing food, speak easies, cool hotels, Broadway shows, and more. This guide will break down the Big Apple by its best neighborhoods so you know where to stay in NYC!

NYC Neighborhoods and Hotels We’ll Cover:

• SoHo (South of Houston Street)
• Upper East Side
• Greenwich Village (The Village/West Village)
• Hell’s Kitchen
• Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Pro Tip: Planning your trip to NYC? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our guide to New York City for more planning resources, our best NYC tours for a memorable trip, and the top things to do in NYC .

Our Partnership with Booking.com.  If you like our content, please book by clicking on our Booking.com links. The price is the same for you and we get a small commission that helps support our blog. We’ve partnered with Booking.com because they have the most options, great prices, and a solid loyalty program.

Where To Stay in NYC: SoHo

Luxury Shopping | Luxury Hotels | Great Bar Scene | Well Connected

(South of Houston Street)

I visit NYC often and Soho is my “go-to” area. I really like the lower west side of Manhattan which has come a long way since 2001. It is not as much about the neighborhood itself, but Soho has great hotels and is incredibly central. You can jump on a bike and go across the Brooklyn Bridge or pop down to Rockefeller park which will make you feel like you’re not in the city at all.

If you’re looking for upscale shopping at some of the finest shops in the world, then look no further. Named for being So uth of Ho uston Street, you’ll find plenty of places to shop along Broadway: everything from Zara to Maria Tash Jewelry. 

While this neighborhood used to be a hotbed for artists in the 70s and 80s, it’s now become one of the most high-class places in the city, which means it’s one of the most high-class places in the world! The median household income here is about $150,000 a year. Staying at a hotel in the area is one of the best ways to taste the luxury and opulence that this neighborhood has to offer.

“[Soho] is all things to all men, catering comprehensively for those needs which money can buy. -P.D. James, Novelist

Nearby Attractions include:

• Rockefeller Park
• Pier 25 & 26 (great restaurants and activities)
• New York City Fire Museum
• Prince Street Shopping

Best Hotels in SOHO NYC:

The dominick hotel.

$$$$+ | 5 Star | Mega-Luxury | Rooftop Pool

The Dominick, formerly the Trump Soho, is my go-to hotel for romantic trips with my wife. We’ve stayed there a couple of times and it is everything that money can buy. The rooms are outfitted with Fendi furniture, there is an amazing pool, and it is simply luxurious.

Location, Photos, and Booking

$$$ | 4 Star | Contemporary

The SIXTY SoHo is a beautifully decorated hotel in the heart of lower Manhattan. Walking distance to tons of restaurants, bars, shopping and even the Brooklyn Bridge if you have your tennis shoes on!

Solita Soho Hotel

$ | Clean | SoHo

Comfortable and clean hotel in a great location. Rooms are pretty basic, but the price is basic as well which goes a long way for NYC. I would easily take this option for a business trip or budget vacation.

Soho Grand Hotel

$$$ | 4 Star | Soho

The Soho Grand is an extremely nice hotel in a great area. It is luxurious, the rooms are unique, and it is loaded with amenities. Definitely, a strong option if you have the budget.

$$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | SoHo

An extremely elegant hotel with tons of amenities in the PERFECT area.

Crosby Street Hotel

$$$$+ | 5 Star | Beautiful Design

The Crosby Street Hotel is a wonder to the eyes which make it perfect for people with great style and a great budget!

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our  New York Guide for more resources.

Where to Stay in NYC: Chelsea

Activity Rich | Food Scene | Well Connected

Chelsea is known as a haven for artists. Some of the world’s most famous have lived in Chelsea because of the old buildings’ high ceilings and large freight elevators they could use to make and transport their work. Now over 300 art galleries exist in Chelsea. 

Chelsea is a great neighborhood to stay in due to the restaurants, bars, shops, and various cultural activities that exist within the vicinity, including the Chelsea Market. Chelsea is home to the High Line Park, a raised site of greenery made from an abandoned railroad track.  The Empire State Building and Madison Square Garden are both within walking distance.

Attractions include:

• Hudson Yards
• Chelsea Market
• The High Line
• Rubin Museum of Art

Best Hotels in Chelsea NYC:

Selina chelsea.

$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | High Line/Chelsea | Pool

Very chic and modern hotel which is perfect for romantic couples looking for an NYC getaway. It is footsteps from New York City’s High Line park which is a great space to walk, dine, drink, and people watch!

The High Line Hotel

$$$ | 4 Star | High Line/Chelsea | Design

The High Line Hotel is design hotel with captivating spaces, contemporary design, and above all a New York feel. It is definitely a cool option in a great area within walking distance of the High Line which adds to its value.

The Standard High Line

$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | High Line/Meatpacking

The Standard sits on the border of Chelsea and Greenwich Village in a sub-community known as the meatpacking. It is a youthful and romantic hotel known for its floor-to-ceiling windows on every room with views of the Hudson River. Dare you leave the curtains open?

Dream Downtown

$$$ | 4 Stars | Outdoor Pool | Mythical

Dream Downtown is exactly that in all that the word means. It is whacky yet incredibly stylish which makes it a museum in itself. It is one of those hotels that you’ll never forget.

The Maritime Hotel

$$$ | 4 Star | Contemporary | Chelsea

The Maritime Hotel is a contemporary and stylish hotel that has a considerably relaxing decor and feel. Yes, it is nautical themed but you won’t find tacky anchors or ropes lying around. It is extremely well done and somewhere I would definitely consider staying in NYC.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out how to spend 3 days in New York .

Where to Stay in NYC: Upper East Side

Luxury Hotels | Authentic | Access to Central Park & MET

French Renaissance-style townhouses characterize the architecture of this expensive Manhattan neighborhood, along with luxury condominiums and homes of international tycoons. Some of these beautiful apartment buildings and brownstones date back all the way to the 19th century.

It’s one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the world, with some of the finest schools too. The beautiful tree-lined streets show why this neighborhood has garnered fame and popularity throughout the years. 

North of Grand Army Plaza at the southeast corner of Central Park, you’ll find Museum Mile, home to some of New York’s most famous museums, like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum at 88th street and the Metropolitan Museum of Art on 82nd to 86th street. 

Attractions Include:

• Check out our Met tour!
• MET opening hours, tickets, and more!
• Famous Artwork at the Met
• Carl Schurz Park
• Tisch Children’s Zoo in Central Park
• Society of Illustrators Museum

Best Hotels in Upper East Side NYC:

Voco the franklin new york.

$$ | 3 Star | Central Park East

A great no-frills but New York-y hotel with clean and comfy rooms in a cool location. Walking distance to Central Park, Sheep’s Meadow, the Met, and more! I would stay here for a business or romantic trip.

Lowell Hotel

$$$$+ | 5 Star | Central Park | Iconic

The Lowell Hotel is an iconic hotel in NYC right close to Central Park. With a terrace for evening cocktails, and views of the luxury side of NYC, it’s a great option if you’ve got an open budget.

The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites

$$$ | 3 Star | Suites & Larger Rooms

Finely furnished hotel or even residence with larger format rooms equipped with kitchens and balconies at times. Great choice for families or business trips.

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel

$$$$+ | 5 Star | Central Park | Classical Design in a Historic Building

The Pierre is an iconic NYC hotel that has been a landmark since 1930. It has a classical design including frescoed restaurants and beautiful suites. The “Tata Presidential Suite” will run at least $15k.

Loews Regency New York Hotel

$$$$ | 5 Star | Upper East Side

Loews Regency is a classy and chic hotel which is perfect for romantics or business travelers looking to impress.

Where to Stay in NYC: Greenwich Village

Food Scene | Artsy | University District

Birthplace of the Beat Generation of the 50s and the Folk Movement of the 60s, Greenwich Village has seen some of the most culturally historic moments in American history. This was where a young Bob Dylan played his first shows, and where the American Gay Liberation movement first began at the Stonewall Inn. Its brick façade buildings still haven’t lost the Bohemian charm that brought so many to the neighborhood in the first place. 

When you’re in the area, you have to check out Washington Square Arch. It’s a great place to snap a picture and a serene spot in an otherwise bustling city. This neighborhood is also great for its small shops and cafés, giving the place a small, hometown feel in one of the biggest cities in the world. 

I regret profoundly that I was not an American and not born in Greenwich Village -John Lennon

• Stonewall Inn
• Blue Note Jazz Club
• The Comedy Cellar
• Friends Apartment

Best Hotels in Greenwich Village NYC:

The standard high line.

$$$ | 4 Star | Modern | High Line /Meatpacking

The Standard sits on the border of Chelsea and Greenwich Village in a sub-community known as the meatpacking. It is a youthful and romantic hotel known for its floor-to-ceiling windows on every room with views of the Hudson River. Dare to leave the curtains open?

$$ | 4 Star | Modern | Greenwich Village

Hotel Hugo is a beautifully designed hotel along the Hudson river in Greenwich village which makes it a top choice if I am heading to NYC. Definitely would pick this one out on a trip with my wife or for work!

Gansevoort Meatpacking

$$$$+ | 4 Star | Posh & Trendy

The Ganesvoort fits in perfectly in the Meatpacking district which is kind-of technically part of Greenwich Village. It is a very swanky hotel with tons of amenities and comfortable rooms!

Where to Stay in NYC: Hell’s Kitchen

Luxury Hotels | Little Island

Named for being one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city in the 20s and 30s, Hell’s Kitchen has since transformed into one of the most popular and vibrant neighborhoods in the city, especially among young people. There are tons of off-Broadway theatres here, where you can find some of the most cutting edge performances at a much more affordable price than the more popular on-Broadway shows. 

Today, the area is a LGBT hot spot—it’s home to about a dozen gay bars—and it the site of one of the best flea markets in town. In terms of Hell’s Kitchen restaurants, Ninth Avenue offers various multi-ethnic eateries which draw theatergoers who want to escape the crowds in Times Square.

• Clinton Community Garden
• Pier 86 Battleships
• The Actors Studio
• Javits Center Green Roof

Best Hotels in Hell’s Kitchen NYC:

Ink 48 hotel.

$$ | 4 Star | Moden & Spacious

A very nice 4 star hotel right along the Hudson River in Hell’s Kitchen which makes it an easy choice. Enjoy a spacious room and the rooftop for a drink which in NYC is the best!

Where to Stay in NYC: Midtown

Luxury Hotels | Central Park Access | Empire State Building

When people think of Manhattan, they’re thinking of Midtown. From the Empire State Building to Times Square, this is where you’ll find the most iconic sights that the city has to offer. For this reason, however, it can get pretty crowded but for a lot of people, that’s part of an authentic New York City experience. 

Especially on holidays like New Years and Christmas, this place is absolutely stuffed with people coming from far and wide to see the huge tree outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza, or to see the ball drop in Times Square. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, however, Midtown Manhattan would not be our first choice (to say the least!)

There is something in the New York City air that makes sleep useless. -Simone de Beauvoir, Essayist/Philosopher

• Rockefeller Plaza
• Madison Avenue
• Radio City Music Hall
• Museum of Modern Art

Best Hotels in Midtown NYC:

Mandarin oriental nyc.

$$$$+ | 5 Star | Modern Luxury | Central Park Views

The Mandarin Oriental is a staple for luxury which is why it can be such an easy choice if money is not a consideration. Common spaces are incredible and Columbus Circle is one of my personal favorite areas of NYC.

Library Hotel

$$ | 4 Star | Classy Hotel | Midtown

I really like the Library Hotel for many reasons, but most of all it is the combination of a beautifully designed interior with historic NYC architecture. It feels like you’re staying at an “Ivy League” Hotel.

$$ | 4 Star | Modern & Spacious

The Ritz-Carlton NYC

$$$$+ | 5 Star | High-Class | Central Park

The Ritz-Carlton is on of the most classy hotel chains in the world and their Central Park property has got to be the flagship location. Beautiful spacious rooms in a historic hotel with amazing rooms makes it a no-brainer if you an stomach the price per night.

Hotel Elysee by Library Collection

$$ | 4 Star | Midtown | Madmen!

Not sure if they do this on purpose or if this hotel needs a bit of a reno, but this hotel has a serious Mad Men feel to it. It is a little dated, but spacious and in a good area if you are in town on business.

Four Seasons Hotel

$$$$+ | 5 Star | It’s the Four Seasons

The Four Seasons are the marker for consistency in terms of luxury travel. To be able to stay at a Four Seasons where ever you go is something many aspire too but few reach. It is safe to say you’ll get a beautiful and spacious room with all the amenities for a hefty price.

The Langham

$$$$+ | 5 Star | Beautiful Modern Design

If I were looking for a nice hotel in Midtown I would likely stay at the Langham because I love the design of the rooms. Really cool modern feel with lots of windows, light, and wood tones mixed in. Great choice if you can part ways with that type of money.

Easily the most famous hotel in the United States and possibly the world, The Plaza Hotel is an iconic location on NYC’s Central Park skyline. The rooms are massive, the service is top notch, the views are incredible, and the price is almost reasonable for what you get!

Where to Stay in NYC: Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Hipster Heaven (or Hell!) | Great Restaurants & Bars

Williamsburg has an amazing story to tell over the last 20 years. New York has always been a sort of “center of the Universe,” but make no mistake that it was an extremely dangerous city up until the late 1990s.

Brooklyn was more of a residential community for New York City, and still is, but the crime was still very present there. Williamsburg, a neighborhood on the west side of Brooklyn connected to Manhattan by the Williamsburg Bridge and L train, was the first of many cities to see rapid revitalization.

Today, the town is one of the most sought-after food and culture neighborhoods of the greater NYC area which makes it a big attraction. The success of the area has radiated to neighboring pockets like Bedford Stuyvesant which is famous for the Marcy housing project where rapper Jay-Z grew up. These towns are now brimming with restaurants, bars, parks, and above all opportunities.

Best Hotels in Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC:

$$ | 4 Star | Brooklyn | City Views

If I was planning a trip to NYC and wanted to stay in Williamsburg, this would likely be my choice. Why? Rooms are great, price is great, views are great, and there is a great park nearby.

The William Vale

$$$$ | 5 Star | Pool | Williamsburg

While I would stay at the Hoxton in the cooler months, in the dead of summer I would choose the William Vale. Price is higher, but their pool is amazing!

The Williamsburg Hotel

$$ | 5 Star | Williamsburg

Yet another great Williamsburg option with a pool and beautiful views which makes it an easy choice. Honestly these first three hotels in the Williamsburg list are practically interchangeable.

Hotel Indigo Williamsburg

$$ | Williamsburg | Contemporary

Looking for something inexpensive, contemporary, clean, and well connected? This is probably your joint!

Location, photos, and booking

About Sean Finelli

Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!

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Where to Stay in New York: A First Timers Guide (2024)

Table of Contents

One of the most important parts of planning a trip to New York City is deciding on where to stay. There are endless accommodation options to choose from and picking the best area to stay in can be an overwhelming task, particularly if it’s your first time visiting.

If you’re struggling to decide on where to stay in New York, I’m here to help! I’ve visited New York more times than I can count and have stayed all over the city. I’ve spent hours, if not days, researching all the different options.

In this post, I’ve shared the best places to stay in New York for first-timers. There are also a few additional options for those looking for something a little bit different.

From the neon lights of Midtown Manhattan to the tree-lined streets of Greenwich, each area of New York mentioned below has its own unique charm. Of course, not everywhere will be right for everyone, so it’s important to know the pros and cons of each location.

Here is a list of where to stay in New York if it’s your first time visiting.

Midtown Manhattan: Empire State Building and Flatiron District (best for all types of travellers)

Good for : good location for many attractions and very well connected.

Bad for : can be noisy and busy.

In my opinion, this area of Midtown is the best place to stay in New York for first-timers. This area is in a prime location close to many iconic sights. It’s well connected to other areas of New York City and a little bit quieter than the nearby Times Square.

I’ve stayed in this area several times and it has the perfect balance of the chaos that sums up New York, but you can still easily escape the crowds.  

This covers quite a big area of New York but generally includes the Flatiron District, the Empire State Building, and the NoMad neighbourhoods.

Pros of staying in Midtown :

• Its central location : most of New York’s famous attractions are within walking distance.
• Well connected: if you can’t walk to where you want to go, you’ll likely find it’s easy to get the subway.
• It captures the culture of New York City : this area has a bit of everything New York is known for. Amazing food, iconic sights, and historic buildings can all be found here.
• It’s busy, but not too busy : this is a bustling area of New York City but tends to be less overwhelming than the likes of Times Square.  

Cons of staying in Midtown:

• It’s not very local: the area is filled with restaurants, offices and shops so doesn’t exactly offer the most local experience. If this is what you’re looking for, consider areas such as Chelsea or the Upper West Side.
• It’s expensive: this area is one of the most popular places to stay in New York. It’s tricky to find budget accommodation here.
• It can be overwhelming: if you enjoy peace and quiet, you may find this area of New York a bit busy.

Best places to stay in Midtown

Budget: Pod 39 is a great budget accommodation option in New York. These tiny rooms have everything you need. The American Dream is another budget choice. It’s very basic and has shared bathrooms, but it comes with all the basics.

Midrange: The Lex is a fantastic hotel in Midtown. I stayed here for a few nights and loved it. It’s very modern and in the perfect location. The Broadway Plaza is another popular and well-rated hotel in Midtown.

Luxury: The Ritz Carlton is one of New York’s most iconic hotels. If you can afford it, a stay here will certainly be one to remember. The Kimpton Eventi is another luxury option (but a bit more affordable).

Best things to do in Midtown

There is an endless list of things to do in this area, but here are a few of the top activities.

• Go up the Empire State Building : arguably the most iconic building in New York, no trip to the Big Apple would be complete without visiting the Empire State Building.
• Go shopping in Macy’s : this is one of the world’s most famous department stores . Filled with designer brands, luxury skincare and makeup, you could spend hours walking around this giant shop.
• Admire the Flatiron Building : this building is one of the most unique in all of New York City. It has a distinctive triangular shape and is surrounded by some great food choices.

Where to eat in Midtown

Here are some of my favourite food spots in Midtown.

• Koreatown : New York’s Koreatown is close to the Flatiron Building. It’s filled with lots of Korean-style restaurants including Korean BBQ.
• Bear Donuts has some of the best donuts I’ve ever had in my life.
• For classic NYC pizza, try Tappo Thin Crust .
• Izakaya Nonono has some of the best Japanese food I’ve had in New York (and it’s reasonably priced).

Midtown Manhattan: Times Square (best for those who want to be in the heart of the city)

Good for : being the heart of the chaos.

Bad for : if you’re on a budget and bad for those who want to escape the crowds.

Times Square is likely the first place that springs to mind when deciding where to stay in New York City. This iconic spot is one of the most recognisable places not only in New York City, but arguably the world.

Filled with towering skyscrapers, giant digital billboards and dazzling neon lights, Times Square is the beating heart of New York City.

I stayed in Times Square on my first visit to New York. While it’s an excellent choice for first-timers, it certainly isn’t my favourite place to stay in the city.

Times Square and the surrounding area is very busy. There are endless crowds and there is a lot of traffic. Honestly, it can be a little overwhelming at times. It’s also very much built for tourists. I don’t think it represents the true culture of New York. Instead, it feels gimmicky.

However, it’s fair to say that staying in Times Square is a dream for many. If you can cope with the crowds and chaos, Times Square is an excellent place to stay in New York City.

Tip : if you want to be close to Times Square, consider looking at Bryant Park. It’s right by the New York Public Library, one of the best free things to do in New York .

Pros of staying in Times Square

• It’s well located . It doesn’t get much better than Times Square when it comes to location. Most Subway lines connect with Times Square.
• It’s close to many Broadway shows . Times Square is right in the heart of the theatre district and home to some of the world’s most iconic theatre shows.
• It’s iconic . Times Square is the beating heart of New York. When people picture the Big Apple, Times Square is what springs to mind.

Cons of staying in Times Square

• It’s very crowded and loud. Times Square is arguably the most famous spot in New York City. The crowds there can be overwhelming at times.
• It’s expensive . Being such an iconic place, the hotels and restaurants in the Times Square area tend to be on the more expensive side.
• The food options aren’t the best . Many of the food options in Times Square are American chain restaurants and honestly, they’re not great! Sure, you can still easily walk to some better options, but it might not always be the most convenient.
• It’s soulless . While Times Square is a famous landmark in New York, it’s built for tourists. I don’t think it necessarily captures the true culture of New York.

The best places to stay in Times Square

Budget: budget accommodation doesn’t exist in this area, but Pod Times Square would be the best “budget” option.  

Midrange: 45 Times Square and Merrion Hotel are both good options for Times Square. I stayed in 45 Times Square for three nights and enjoyed it there.  

Luxury: if you’re going to splurge anywhere in the world, make it Times Square. The Hard Rock Hotel is an iconic place to stay in New York. For epic views of Times Square, consider the Knickerbocker .

Where to eat in Times Square

As I said above, Times Square isn’t the best option when it comes to food. While there are endless choices, the restaurants tend to be American chains such as Olive Garden, the Hard Rock Café and fast-food chains.

Having said that, there are still plenty of delicious food options within walking distance of Times Square. Here are some of the best places to eat in Times Square:

• Hell’s Kitchen : this neighbourhood is a short walk from Times Square and is known for its culinary scene. Some of my favourite restaurants in Hell’s Kitchen include Mom’s Kitchen and Anejo .
• For coffee, Ground Central is a great spot along with Blue Bottle Coffee .
• The Urban Space food hall is a fantastic option for lunch. I highly recommend Bao by Kaya .
• Los Tacos No 1 is another fantastic place to eat near Times Square.
• For the best cookies in New York, try Schmackary’s , a short walk from Times Square.

Things to do in Times Square

• Watch a Broadway show : New York City is renowned around the world for its magnificent theatre shows. From The Lion King to Wicked and Chicago, there is a theatre show out there for everyone.
• Visit Madame Tussauds New York : this famous wax museum is home to hundreds of wax creations of famous stars. Take a selfie with the likes of Harry Styles or Jennifer Aniston.
• Visit Top of The Rock: the famous Rockefeller Center is a short walk from Times Square. You can visit Top of the Rock for epic skyline views during the day or night. In my opinion, Top of the Rock is the best observation deck in New York City .
• Admire Grand Central : if you’re looking for free things to do in New York , consider visiting the iconic Grand Central Station. You can go inside the station to admire the incredible architecture. There’s also a great food hall underneath the station.
• Visit the Museum of Modern Art : MoMA is one of the most famous museums in New York if not the entire world. The museum is home to an array of contemporary and unusual art.

Chelsea and Greenwich Village (best for those looking for a trendy area with good nightlife)

Good for : a quieter experience in an affluent neighbourhood.

Bad for : not that close to some of the main attractions.

The Chelsea and Greenwich village areas are both great areas to stay in New York for first-timers. While they’re technically different neighbourhoods, I’d recommend staying in the Meatpacking District which borders both Greenwich and Chelsea.

This trendy area is known for its art galleries, unique boutiques, historic brownstone houses and tree-lined streets. It also has some fantastic bars and restaurants. If you want a trendy area with lively nightlife, the Greenwich and Chelsea area is the perfect place to stay in New York.

It’s worth noting this area is a little away from the main attractions such as Times Square and Central Park. However, it’s very well connected with several subway lines connecting the area to the city.

Pros of staying in Chelsea and Greenwich

• It’s a trendy neighbourhood : the Meatpacking District and surrounding area is known as one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in New York. The area is filled with lively bars and unique boutiques.
• It’s away from the crowds : fewer tourists tend to visit the area. While it’s popular with New York locals, it’s generally less crowded.  

Cons of staying in Chelsea and Greenwich

• It’s a little out of the way : there aren’t many attractions within walking distance from the area. You’ll likely need to use the subway most days.
• It won’t be for everyone: this unique neighbourhood has a specific vibe and won’t be for everyone. If you’re not bothered about fancy bars and trendy restaurants, it might be best to choose to stay elsewhere.  

Where to stay in Chelsea and Greenwich

Budget : there are not many budget options in this area, but The Jane Hotel is a good option. Chelsea Pines Inn is another budget (ish) accommodation option in the Chelsea and Greenwich area.

Midrange : Dream Downtown is a popular hotel in the Chelsea area. The hotel even comes with a pool. I stayed here almost ten years ago so it’s been a while since I was there, but it was amazing at the time.  

Luxury : while it might not look like much from the outside, the Standard Hotel is one of the trendiest hotels in New York. This was one of the first hotels I ever stayed in when visiting New York for the first time. Keep an eye out for celebs in the lobby.

Things to do in Chelsea and Greenwich

• Walk the High Line : the High Line is an old elevated railway line which has now been turned into a beautiful park. The High Line connects the Meatpacking District with Midtown Manhattan, specifically Hudson Yards. With stunning views of the Hudson River and Manhattan, it’s one of the best free things to do in New York City.
• Wander the streets of the West Village : the West Village is an affluent area in Greenwich. The area is filled with beautiful brownstone houses and tree-lined streets. You’ll find many wonderful restaurants here.
• Visit Washington Square Park : Washington Square Park is the beating heart of Greenwich Village. Surrounded by NYU buildings, anything goes in this lively spot. With live music, performances, and street art, visiting here is an absolute must while in New York.
• Visit the Whitney Museum of American Art : if you’re interested in art, a visit to the Whitney Museum is one of the best things to do in Chelsea. This museum is home to an array of unique modern and contemporary American art.

Where to eat in Chelsea and Greenwich

The culinary scene in Greenwich and Chelsea is one of the best in New York. There are endless restaurants, food markets and fast-food options to choose from.

Here are just a few of my favourites.

• Chelsea Market : the historic Chelsea Market is home to a range of vendors serving up all types of cuisine. It’s the perfect lunch spot! I highly recommend trying Chote Miya.
• Market 57 : one of New York’s best food halls is Market 57. This recently opened food hall is home to over a dozen different food vendors.
• Faicco’s for literally the BEST sandwich ever.
• NY Dosas for a taste of New York street food. It’s basically like an Indian burrito and it’s DELICIOUS.

Central Park (best for families and those who want quick access to the park)

Good for : having easy access to the park.

Bad for : expensive and there is often a premium price for rooms with a park view.

Central Park is another iconic landmark in New York City. This charming park is a giant 843 acres and is located right in the heart of the city. Central Park is part of what makes New York so special, and staying right by the park is a dream for many.

It’s worth noting that you can’t stay inside the park itself, but the streets around Central Park are lined with a selection of hotels.

If you are keen on staying close to the park, I’d recommend looking around 57 th Street. This is the bottom of the park and well connected with the rest of Manhattan. You can easily walk to the likes of Times Square when staying here.

Pros of staying by Central Park

• The location: there’s nothing like waking up and going for a wander through Central Park. It’s a beautiful area.

Cons of staying by Central Park

• Expensive : many of the hotels in the area are five-star. It’s not the best option for those on a budget.
• Location : depending on where you stay, it might be a little out of the way. I’d suggest sticking to lower Central Park. This way you’ll still be close to everything.

Where to stay near Central Park

Budget : Nap New York is right by Central Park. It’s a good budget choice but doesn’t come with any park views. You’ll still have quick access to the park, however.

Midrange : there are a few midrange budget hotels in the Central Park area. I’d consider looking at the WestHouse Hotel or the Hilton on 57 th for affordable options close to the park.

Luxury : there are several luxury hotels close to Central Park. One of the most famous hotels in the area is the Mandarin Oriental , but this is anything but affordable. JW Marriott also has a hotel right by Central Park that’s a little more affordable.

Related read: 22 EPIC Free Things to Do in New York City

Things to do in Central Park

• Walk around the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir: this is one of my absolute favourite things to do in Central Park . The top of the reservoir boasts incredible skyline views of the city.
• Hire a bike : there are several places to hire a bike close to the park. Just be aware that not all the paths are bike-friendly.
• Walk through the Rambles: the Rambles is a wooded area of Central Park. It’s a serene escape from the chaos of the city with some lovely views. Don’t miss a stop at Bow Bridge.
• Go ice skating or hire a canoe : in the winter, ice skating is a popular activity in Central Park. If you visit New York during the summer months, consider hiring a canoe on the lake.  

Upper West Side (best for those who want to escape the crowds)

Good for : a fantastic neighbourhood with some budget options.

Bad for : a little out of the way of the main attractions.

The Upper West Side is my personal favourite place to stay in New York! This vibrant local neighbourhood is filled with delicious eateries, lively bars and is right by Central Park. It’s known as one of the best neighbourhoods in New York.

Some may argue that the Upper West Side isn’t the best place to stay for first-timers, but I disagree. I now nearly always choose to stay in the Upper West Side. It’s a beautiful area of New York and is a great place to immerse yourself in local life away from the hordes of visitors.

Sure, the UWS isn’t in the most convenient of locations. You’ll need to take the subway to get to most places. However, it’s only a short walk from Central Park and Midtown is only a 10/15-minute subway ride away.

If you’re someone who prefers to escape the chaos and crowds, I highly recommend staying on the Upper West Side.

Pros of staying in the Upper West Side

• Experience local life: the Upper West Side is a great place to stay in New York if you’re looking for a more local experience.
• Close to Central Park: if you want to be close to Central Park, the Upper West Side is a great location. Most of the hotels are within a ten-minute walk of the park’s entrance.
• Fantastic culinary scene: there is no shortage of restaurants and bakeries to try on the UWS.
• Away from the crowds: not many tourists tend to visit the Upper West Side. This makes it a great spot if you’re looking to escape the Midtown chaos.
• Affordable accommodation: there are some good budget hotel options on the Upper West Side. It’s certainly one of the cheaper places to stay in Manhattan.

Cons of staying in the Upper West Side:

• Not the best location: the Upper West Side is a little bit out of the way. You’ll almost definitely have to get the subway every day while staying here. It’s still connected to the rest of Manhattan by several subway lines, but it’s not as conveniently located as some of the other places mentioned on this list of where to stay in New York.
• Away from the attractions: aside from Central Park and the Museum of Natural History, the Upper West Side isn’t exactly close to the main attractions of New York.

Best places to stay on the Upper West Side

Budget: Hi Hostel has a location on the Upper West Side. It’s one of the best hostels in New York.  

Midrange: there are several fantastic midrange hotel options on the Upper West Side. I’ve stayed at the Belleclaire Central Park a few times. It’s in a great location. The Arthouse Hotel is another good option.

Luxury: there aren’t any luxury hotel options on the Upper West Side.

Things to do on the Upper West Side

• Visit the American Museum of Natural History: one of America’s most famous museums is located on the Upper West Side. This brilliant museum showcases a range of exhibitions including actual dinosaur skeletons.
• Go for brunch : the UWS is known for its selection of food and drink spots. Some great brunch options include Sara Beth’s , Playa Betty’s, and Daily Provisions .  
• Visit Riverside Park : Riverside Park is a small green space on the Upper West Side with epic views of the Hudson River and New Jersey. It might not quite be Central Park, but it’s well worth a visit.
• Admire the Lincoln Center : the Lincoln Center is a cultural hub in New York. The impressive construction is home to thirty indoor and outdoor facilities including an opera house, theatres, and dance stages.

Where to eat on the Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is full of delicious food options. Some of my favourites include:

• Playa Betty’s serves up incredible Mexican food at a fair price.
• Osteria Cotta is the perfect spot to satisfy your Italian tastebuds. It has a lovely atmosphere inside.
• For vegetarian and vegan food, Thyme & Tonic is a must.
• For something a little bit different, try Chama Mama for some Georgian cuisine.

Lower Manhattan (best for those looking for a quiet area)

Good for : much quieter and still well connected to other areas.

Bad for : not the liveliest of atmospheres (very business-focused). The evenings and weekends can be very quiet.

Lower Manhattan is another possible area for first-timers to stay in New York. Home to the world-renowned New York Financial District, Lower Manhattan is suitable for those who want to experience a different side of New York City and escape the chaos of Midtown.

It’s also a great spot for those who want easy access to the likes of Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty.

Lower Manhattan wouldn’t be my personal top choice of where to stay in New York. It can feel a little remote and soulless. However, if you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter that’s still well-connected, it could be a good option for you.

Pros of staying in Lower Manhattan

• Close to Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty : if exploring Brooklyn and seeing the Statue of Liberty is high on your list, then staying in Lower Manhattan and the Financial District is a good option.

Cons of staying in Lower Manhattan

• Can be quiet: the area is filled with life during the day, but once the office workers go home, the streets can feel very quiet.
• Limited food and drink options : once the offices close, so do most of the cafes, restaurants, and bars. If you want to have easy access to unlimited restaurants, Lower Manhattan isn’t the place.
• It’s remote : while Lower Manhattan and the Financial District are both well connected with the rest of Manhattan, it can still feel a little isolated.  

Where to stay in Lower Manhattan

Budget: there aren’t too many budget places to stay in Lower Manhattan. Consider the FIDI Hotel or Hotel Mulberry .

Midrange: Moxy Downtown is one of my favourite hotels in the area. It’s not the cheapest but your money goes a long way. Hotel Indigo Downtown is another midrange option.

Luxury: the Conrad Downtown is a good hotel for those after a bit of luxury.  

Things to do in Lower Manhattan

• Visit Wall Street: the world-famous Wall Street can be found in Lower Manhattan. Home to the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street Bull, a walk down this iconic street is a must!
• Take the Staten Island Ferry: if you’re looking for a free ferry ride in New York, take the Staten Island Ferry! You’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the famous NYC skyline.
• Walk around Battery Park: Battery Park can be found at the bottom tip of Manhattan. This small park boasts incredible views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and New Jersey.
• Visit the One World Trade Center: One World Trade Center is synonymous with Lower Manhattan. You can admire the building from the outside, or head up to the One World Observatory for epic views of Manhattan. You’ll also find the World Trade Memorial site and 9/11 Museum in the area.
• Admire the Oculus: the unique Oculus building can be found by the One World Trade Center. Both a shopping centre and a transport hub, this beautiful structure represents the resilience of New York City following the 9/11 attacks.
• Cross the Brooklyn Bridge: the famed Brooklyn Bridge connects the borough of Brooklyn with Lower Manhattan. And it’s fair to say that no trip to New York would be complete without seeing it for yourself.  

Where to eat in Lower Manhattan

Lower Manhattan doesn’t have the best options for evening meals, but here are a few good spots to grab lunch.

• Pisillo’s for an epic Italian sandwich.
• Joe’s Pizza is a great place to grab a quick slice of New York pizza (great if you’re on a budget).
• Kuu ramen for takeout Asian food.

Other options for where to stay in New York

The places I’ve mentioned above are all fantastic places to stay for first-timers. However, if you’re still torn on where to stay in New York, here are some other options.

I don’t think these are necessarily the best places to stay in New York for first-timers, but that doesn’t mean they’re a bad choice. Everyone has different needs and you’ll likely find the below places are much more affordable.

Good for : seeing a different but brilliant area of New York City.

Bad for : depending on where you stay, it can be a bit of a trek to get anywhere.

Brooklyn is a great option for those who want to see a different side of New York and get away from Manhattan. Brooklyn is a large area and each neighbourhood comes with its own unique charm and character.

Depending on where you stay in Brooklyn, it can be a little isolated and remote. However, there are several subway lines connecting Brooklyn with Manhattan.

Queen’s (Astoria)

Good for : some great budget options and you can still be in the city within 20 minutes.

Bad for : might not be the best option for first-timers.

Astoria can be found across the East River in Queen’s. This is where my best friend lives, so I’ve had the opportunity to explore the area. It’s a great way to experience local life in New York.

Astoria is filled with character and there’s a great selection of restaurants and cafes to choose from. The area is only a 15-minute subway ride away from Midtown Manhattan.

Upper East Side

Good for : escaping the chaos of Midtown and experiencing a luxurious side to Manhattan.

Bad for : can be very expensive.

Home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Upper East Side is one of New York’s most affluent neighbourhoods. If you’re after luxury and want to channel your inner Gossip Girl, the Upper East Side is a great option.

Lower East Side

Good for: experiencing different cultures in New York.

Bad for : it’s a bit out of the way.  

The Lower East Side is home to the East Village, Little Italy, and Chinatown. This charming area is as diverse as it gets.

It can feel a little remote here as it’s away from New York’s main attractions, but it’s a good spot for seeing the different cultures in New York.

Summary: the best place to stay in New York for first-timers

Choosing where to stay in New York is no easy task, especially if it’s your first time visiting the Big Apple.

For most people, the Midtown area around the Empire State Building and the Flatiron District is the best option. This area is well connected to the rest of the city, it’s close to many major attractions and it’s a little less chaotic than Times Square.

My personal favourite place to stay in New York is the Upper West Side. This local neighbourhood has a relaxed feel to it, and it’s still easy to get around the city.

One thing to remember is that it’s unlikely you’ll be spending a lot of time in your hotel while in New York. No one goes there to sit inside their hotel room. While choosing the right place to stay for your trip to New York is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all. The city has an extensive subway system and nothing is ever too far away.

Related read: planning a trip to Chicago? Discover the perfect 4-day Chicago itinerary.

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• 9 Best Areas to Stay in New York City for First-Timers

Planning to visit the Big Apple for the first time? Well, you are in for treat because the city never sleeps!

From dynamism, different cultures and heterogeneity, this city will make you feel brand new indeed. Sometimes it feels like a whirlwind to even roundabout the countless places where you can stay in New York City.

New York City offers excellent places to stay at and there is always something available for everyone. Since there are thousands of places to choose from, one might find themselves in a dilemma.

If you are one of them, don’t worry, I got you covered! This guide will help you choose the best areas to stay in New York City.

* Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link. *

Table of Contents

Overview of the Best Areas to Stay in New York City

NYC consists of five different boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island) and there are hundreds of distinct neighborhoods throughout the boroughs.

Although Manhattan is the smallest of the five boroughs, it’s undoubtedly the most popular one among tourists looking for the best areas to stay in New York City.

New York City is a place that has something for everyone. Generally speaking, in order to avail the best offers and the best experience, you need to look out for the low seasons.

However, there is no surprise that New York City is filled with globetrotters all year round. So, one of the best tips I can give you is that if you find a great place to stay, make sure to book well ahead of schedule!

Here’s a quick overview of the best areas to stay in New York City with hotel recommendations for each area.

Best Areas to Stay in New York City

Wondering where to stay in New York City? Don’t worry, I got you covered! In this article, you will find all the best areas to stay in New York City together with a bunch of useful information about each area, pros and cons, and some hotel recommendations.

If you’re a visual type, you can use the below map to get familiar with each area mentioned in this article. Let’s dive right in!

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

1. Midtown Manhattan – Best area for first-timers to New York

Midtown Manhattan is the best area to stay in New York City for first-timers. If you stay in Midtown Manhattan area, the famous sightseeing destinations like 5th Avenue, Times Square, Broadway Theatres, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Rockefeller Centre, Central Park, and Empire State Building will be just a stone’s throw away.

This way, you can explore New York City on foot without having to spend on transportation. By avoiding the tiring journey to the sightseeing spots, you will also save a lot of time.

Midtown Manhattan is also well connected to other parts of New York City. If you want to visit the far-off destinations in NYC, you are in for a treat as every major subway line runs through Midtown Manhattan.

Pros and cons of staying in Midtown Manhattan

• Very well connected with other parts of NYC
• Huge variety of hotels available at every price range
• Famous tourist destinations within walking distance
• Less number of restaurants
• Overcrowded with tourists
• Can get extremely noisy sometimes

Best places to stay in Midtown Manhattan

• Luxury: 1 Hotel Central Park
• Mid-range: Hyatt Place New York/Midtown-South
• Budget: MOXY NYC Times Square

2. Lower Manhattan – Best for affordable accommodation

Lower Manhattan is undoubtedly among the best areas to stay in New York City for tourists on a budget. Why? Excellent accommodation options are available to book at a pocket-friendly tariff.

Lower Manhattan is also known for many walkable tourist spots like the Wall Street district, Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Centre, 9/11 Memorial, and Battery Park.

This helps you save on transportation costs and you can also walk to some fantastic neighborhoods around the Lower Manhattan area like Greenwich Village, East Village, Little Italy, and Nolita.

Pros and cons of staying in Lower Manhattan

• Excellent sightseeing spots at a walkable distance
• Best location to stay in New York City for amazing nightlife
• Affordable accommodation
• Less greenery
• Less spacious

Best places to stay in Lower Manhattan

• Luxury: Crosby Street Hotel
• Mid-range: Hotel 50 Bowery
• Budget: East Village Hotel

3. Upper East Side – Best area for museum lovers

Thanks to Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sex and the City, and Gossip Girl, for the most part, you already know what the Upper East Side is all about.

Once home to empires like the Rockefellers, Whitney’s, and Astor’s, the Upper East Side area in New York City is a sweet haven for all luxury lovers.

Apart from luxury hotels and star restaurants, 5th Avenue at Upper East Side is the best neighborhood to stay in New York City as it is adorned with the city’s most famous museums that display NYCs finest collection of art, history, design, and culture.

Also known as the Museum Mile, 5th Avenue consists of museums like the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Jewish Museum, the Goethe Institute, and the Neue Galerie.

On the Upper East Side, things are a lot quieter, hence you can take a leisurely walk or go for a run in the famous Central Park.

Pros and cons of staying in the Upper East Side

• You can find major museums within walking distance
• Central Park is just a stone throw away
• Quieter neighborhood
• Expensive hotels
• Restaurants and bars with a lower price range are harder to find
• You have to consider a long journey while exploring the south of Manhattan

Best places to stay on the Upper East Side

• Luxury: The Pierre, A Taj Hotel
• Mid-range: Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
• Budget: unfortunately this is not the place for budget options

4. Upper West Side – Best for architecture buffs

Located on the west side of Central Park, the Upper West Side is hands down one of the best areas to stay in New York City.

The Upper West Side area is famous amongst architecture lovers who can stroll along Central Park West, West End Avenue, and Riverside Drive to marvel at the large, ornate buildings and apartments.

The Upper West Side area is also known for housing pristine institutions like the Lincoln Centre, Juilliard School, Fordham University, and the American Museum of Natural History.

If you are a Beatles fan, staying at Upper West Side could be the best way to feel close to them by paying homage to John Lennon at the Strawberry Fields memorial.

Pros and cons of staying in the Upper West Side

• The area is extremely family-friendly
• Global cuisines are available for all budgets
• Best area of New York to stay in for its greenery
• Even mid-range hotels could be a tad bit expensive
• Not the right area for party-lovers

Best places to stay on the Upper West Side

• Luxury: Trump International New York
• Mid-range: Hotel Beacon
• Budget: HI NYC Hostel

5. Chelsea & Greenwich Village – Best area for party lovers

It doesn’t matter if it’s your first time or the billionth time in New York City, Chelsea and Greenwich Village are some of the best neighborhoods to stay in New York.

Greenwich Village with Washington Square and Chelsea with the High Line Park offers amazing New York City views and is filled with life.

The areas also have their fair share of glitz and fashion. They are home to the high-end boutiques of Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, and Alexander Wang.

If you are a real foodie, you can enjoy your food at one of the many beautiful restaurants these areas have to offer.

Also, if you are looking to tickle your funny bone, Greenwich Village has amazing comedy clubs that you should visit.

Pros and cons of staying in Chelsea & Greenwich Village

• It’s a place for an authentic local experience
• Best location to stay in New York City for nightlife and classy restaurants
• Chic hotels at every price rate
• No sightseeing at walking distance
• Greenwich Village is rapidly disappearing due to commercialization

Best places to stay in Chelsea & Greenwich Village

• Luxury: The Standard, High Line New York
• Mid-range: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott New York Manhattan/Chelsea
• Budget: Moxy NYC Chelsea

6. SoHo & Lower East Side – Best for vintage lovers and foodies

SoHo stands for South of Houston Street, and Lower East Side is surrounded by Houston Street in the north and South Street in the south.

If you are longing for a hipster vibe, travel directly to the SoHo and Lower East Side areas. From vintage clothing stores to drooling restaurants, SoHo and Lower East Side has it all.

You can have a laid-back experience in SoHo with bountiful cast-iron buildings, vintage art and design stores, and a quiet wine and dine.

The Lower East Side is a unique area with lots of history housed in the Tenement Museum, the International Centre of Photography Museum, and the New Museum.

If you have visited all the famous tourist spots New York City has to offer, then you can experience the local life in these areas of the town. Don’t forget to visit Little Italy, the Bowery, and Chinatown located within walking distance.

Pros and cons of staying in SoHo & Lower East Side

• Best neighborhood to stay in NYC to experience local life
• Restaurants, bars, and stores are abundant and available in every price range
• Best area of New York to stay in for party lovers
• Limited in terms of subway access
• You have to take the daily commute to explore the other sightseeing destinations
• You may have to put up with excessive noise and crowds

Best places to stay in SoHo & Lower East Side

• Luxury: The Dominick Hotel
• Mid-range: Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
• Budget: Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan SoHo Village

7. Long Island City, Queens – Best areas for travellers on budget

Situated just across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, you can easily reach Long Island City with a quick subway ride.

The area hosts several flea markets and is home to the famous MoMA PS1 gallery and Silvercup Studios.

Long Island City is the best area to stay in New York City for travelers who want to save up on Manhattan’s expensive stay options.

Pros and cons of staying in Long Island City, Queens

• Lower cost of living as compared to Manhattan
• Very well connected – just one subway stop away from Manhattan
• No sightseeing destinations at walking distance
• Staying in Long Island means putting up with a lot of traffic
• Far from the happening areas of the New York City

Best places to stay in Long Island City, Queens

• Luxury: Boro Hotel
• Mid-range: Aloft Long Island City-Manhattan View
• Budget: LIC Hotel

8. Harlem – Best for food and jazz lovers

If you want to have an exotic African-American experience while visiting NYC, make sure to stop by and stay in Harlem.

With a vibrant street life and West African soul food cuisines, Harlem treats people who love jazz.

Internationally known as the centre of Black Heritage and Culture, Harlem has everything to enjoy, from music to food to theatre.

Apollo Theatre, the Studio Museum, and the National Jazz Museum are must-visits while staying in Harlem.

Pros and cons of staying in Harlem

• Amazing South African comfort food experience
• Vibrant street life with cool jazz bars
• You won’t be centrally located so travelling to other parts of the city can be tiring
• It is one of the less clean areas of New York City – you may come across many homeless people and a lack of hygiene

Best places to stay in Harlem

• Mid-range: Aloft Harlem
• Budget: The Harlem Getaway

9. Brooklyn – Best area for shopping

Williamsburg, Brooklyn has become a rapid zone of expansion. Bedford Avenue, situated at heart, is now flooded with beautiful cafes and boutique shops.

But compared to Manhattan, Brooklyn still has less crowd, feels calmer, has more trees, and is cheaper.

Other than this, Brooklyn is home to extremely famous rooftop cocktail lounges and beer gardens. Also, if you’re looking for hotels in New York with the best views , you’ll find many of them in this neighborhood.

There are some fantastic places to visit in this area like the Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Museum, and Prospect Park.

When strolling through the streets in Brooklyn, make sure to hit the Promenade, which will put you face to face with the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline, all from one location.

Pros and cons of staying in Brooklyn

• Beautiful coffee shops and restaurants
• Amazing cocktail lounges
• Lesser expensive than Manhattan
• Other tourist destinations are not within walking distance
• There’s no nightlife in Brooklyn, most shops and eateries close by 11 pm

Best places to stay in Brooklyn

• Luxury: Wythe Hotel
• Mid-range: The Williamsburg Hotel

Planning a trip to New York City?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about NYC. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

• How to Spend One Day in New York City
• 4 Days in New York City Itinerary: How to See NYC in 4 Days
• Best Observatories in New York City: Which One to Visit?
• 32 Amazing Free Things to Do in NYC for Budget Travelers
• 25 Most Instagrammable Places in NYC You Can’t Miss
• 143 Incredible New York Captions for Instagram
• The Perfect Christmas in New York Itinerary for 4 Days
• 13 Incredible NYC Christmas Photo Spots You Can’t Miss
• 15 Festive Things to Do in New York City in December

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Home » North America » New York City

Where to Stay in New York City (2024 • COOLEST Areas!)

What do you picture when you think of New York City? Times Square, the Statue of Liberty,  Broadway, The West Village, Wall Street and the Financial District are just a few of New York’s most iconic tourist attractions. This city is packed with history, culture, food, fashion, and fun.

From Washington Square Park to Upper East Side, The Brooklyn Bridge and Greenwich Village, there’s heaps of area to explore! New York is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world.

But all of that excitement comes at a cost. Literally. New York City is one of the most expensive travel destinations, which is why we put together this no-stress guide on where to stay in New York City.

Written by our expert travel scribes, this guide will help you decide the best places to stay in New York. We will share our best-kept secrets and hidden gems, so you can find the best area to stay in New York for your style and budget. After reading this post, you’ll be able to book a place in New York with confidence and ease.

So get excited! Below we’ve covered our recommendations for where to stay in New York City.

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Where to Stay in New York

New york neighbourhood guide – places to stay in new york, 5 best neighborhoods to stay in new york city, faqs about finding a place to stay in new york, don’t forget travel insurance for new york, final thoughts on where to stay in new york.

Backpacking New York on a budget is tough and digs don’t come cheap. But fear not, these are our top recommendations for the best places to stay in New York City.

We’ve got the best hotels, hostels and Airbnbs as well as covering the different areas. If you’re feeling flash, there are some luxury hotels chucked in there too!

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Best Hotel in New York – Freehand New York

Located at the heart of Midtown, Freehand New York is our top choice for where to stay in New York City. This hotel is close to the best landmarks, museums, and restaurants in New York. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and outfitted in a modern-rustic décor. The hotel has a coffee bar, dry cleaning service, and an on-site restaurant and bar. If you’re looking for luxury hotels that don’t break the bank then this is a good shout.

Best Airbnb in New York – Bright & Clean Union Sq Apartment

Perfectly located in West Village, this serviced apartment with every amenity you can imagine also has a shared garden with a bubbling fountain. It has a high-security monitoring system with 16 cameras throughout the building’s public areas and entry doors controlled by electric fobs. This place is recommended for where to stay in New York City if you want to have a home away from home. It’s one of the most incredible Airbnbs in Manhattan , and there’s a lot on offer!

Best Hostel in New York – American Dream Hostel

The Blue Moon Hotel is our top recommendation for a New York hostel if you’re on a budget. Walking distance to New York’s most famous landmarks, this hostel is close to shopping, dining, drinking, and more. It boasts private bathrooms and balconies, as well as refrigerators, coffeemakers, and minibars.

Midtown is the neighbourhood at the center of Manhattan. Stretching from the Hudson River to the East River, this neighbourhood is home to famous architecture, vibrant streets, and world-renowned landmarks. Midtown is one of the best places to stay in New York City for first-time visitors.

Lower East Side

Eclectic and vibrant, the Lower East Side is a neighbourhood that seamlessly blends history and modern times and is the best place to stay in New York for those on a budget. One of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, the Lower East Side was, for many decades, home to a thriving immigrant population.

East Village

With its youthful vibe and independent spirit, East Village is one of the most dynamic and distinct neighbourhoods in New York. It combines old-school charm and modern luxury, creating an atmosphere that encourages locals and visitors to explore its lively streets.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg isn’t just the coolest neighbourhood in New York City; it routinely ranks as one of the trendiest neighbourhoods in the world, characterised by its thriving arts scene and vibrant nightlife. This is the place to see and be seen in New York.

Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is a classic New York neighbourhood and the best place to stay in New York for families. With its iconic architecture, tree-lined streets, and quintessential Brownstone townhomes, this is the New York that most people recognize from movies and TV.

New York City is one of the most massive and sprawling cities in the world. An epicentre for food, fashion, culture, finance and trade, NYC is truly a global metropolis.

It is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet; each year New York City attracts more than 50 million domestic and international visitors to tour its museums, gawk at its iconic sights, and stand at the centre of Time Square.

Divided into six boroughs, New York City is home to 59 neighbourhoods. Each borough has its own unique culture and atmosphere and could be a city all on its own. In fact, if Brooklyn was its own city, it would still be one of the biggest cities in the US. For that reason, we are going to focus on accommodation in Manhattan , NYC’s most famous and touristy borough.

Midtown Manhattan : This area is the heart of Manhattan, and where you will find NY’s most iconic landmarks, like Times Square, Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Centre, Broadway and Bryant Park.

Upper West / Upper East Side : North of Midtown Manhattan is the charming neighbourhoods, Upper West and Upper East Side. On either side of Central Park, these neighbourhoods are home to world-class museums, verdant parks, and famous addresses like Madison and Park Avenues. Expensive as can be, this is also one of the safest places in NYC .

Chelsea / East and West Villages / Lower East Side : Travelling south of Midtown, you’ll pass through Chelsea, the East and West Villages, and the Lower East Side before crossing the river to Brooklyn. All incredibly diverse and distinct, these neighbourhoods are where you’ll find great restaurants, vibrant bars, and a plethora of hip hideouts and trendy nightspots.

There are also loads of cool beach spots to explore from New York – Long Island, Cape May, and Montauk. If you choose to head to Montauk, check out these epic Montauk B&Bs .

Still not sure where to stay in New York City? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Let’s take a detailed look at the five best neighbourhoods in New York City. Each is a little different than the last, so be sure to check out which is right for you! But hey, it’s a must on your USA backpacking trip so you’ve got to make sure you stay in the right spot, right?!

1. Midtown – Where to Stay in New York City for the First Time

Midtown is the neighbourhood at the centre of Manhattan. Stretching from the Hudson River to the East River, this neighbourhood is home to famous architecture, vibrant streets, and world-renowned landmarks.

Many of the places to visit in New York are within walking distance of Midtown Manhattan and the great public transport links make getting to places like The Brooklyn Bridge, Greenwich Village and Upper East Side super easy.

Midtown’s most famous attraction is undoubtedly Times Square. Nicknamed “the crossroads of the world,” this part of Midtown is awash with bright lights, entertainment and shopping. You’ve also got epic views of the city from the Rockefeller Center and the iconic Empire State Building. You’ll also be super close to the Rockefeller Ice Rink if you visit in December .

No first trip to New York City is complete without a visit to Broadway. A historic and cultural landmark, the Great White Way is famous for hosting some of the greatest theatre and musical performances of all time. Whether you’re a longtime culture vulture or new to the scene, you won’t want to miss the chance to see a show on Broadway.

When it comes down to it, Midtown is quite “touristy,” but this means it’s home to some of the best attractions in NYC. That’s why Midtown is our pick for where to stay in New York for sightseeing.

The only downside here is that hotel prices are a bit more expensive and the hotel rooms are that bit smaller for the price! But hey, it’s the heart of NYC baby and it’s where some of the best hotels are located too. If you’re thinking about splashing the cash then there are some great luxury hotels here!

Best Affordable Hotel in Midtown – Pod 51

Pod 51 is a modern and charming three-star hotel in Midtown. It is a short walk from Bloomingdales and the Museum of Modern Art, surrounded by restaurants, bars and cafés. Rooms are comfortable and adorned in modern décor. There is also a rooftop terrace and garden for guests to enjoy. It’s one of the best hotels for the price in the city.

Best Hotel in Midtown – Freehand New York

Freehand New York is our top recommendation for where to stay in New York. It is centrally located, close to landmarks, museums, restaurants and more. Guests can enjoy comfortable and spacious rooms as well as a coffee bar and a dry cleaning service. There’s a charming on-site restaurant and stylish bar.

Best Airbnb in Midtown – Apartment with Private Terrace

Perfectly located in West Village, this stylish apartment has every amenity you can imagine. There’s also a private terrace where you can sit back and soak in the atmosphere of the city. It’s just a short walk from the Highline park with plenty of awesome places to eat nearby.

Best Hostel in Midtown – Chelsea International Hostel

Conveniently located on Manhattan’s East Side, the Chelsea International Hostel is one of our top recommendations for where to stay in Midtown, New York. Offering shared and private accommodations, this hostel has wifi, a terrace and self-catering facilities. It is close to bars, restaurants and New York’s top attractions like the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden and Bryant Park.

Things to See and Do in Midtown Manhattan

• Visit the iconic Broadway and watch an incredible play or musical performance.
• Snack on one of NYC’s finest bagels at Best Bagel and Coffee .
• Stand at the centre of Times Square , surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of New York City.
• Climb to the Top of the Rock (or ride the elevator) and take in the incredible views of NYC from the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, you’ll get epic views of the Empire State Building from here.
• See unbelievable works of art at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
• Excite your senses at Spice Symphony .
• Grab a pint at the Carnegie Club .
• Take a walk down by the iconic East River .

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2.  Lower East Side – Where to Stay in Manhattan on a Budget

Eclectic and vibrant, the Lower East Side is a neighbourhood that seamlessly blends history and modern times. One of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, the Lower East Side was, for many decades, home to a thriving immigrant population.

Today, this southeastern New York City neighbourhood is a hub for art and culture as well as home to hip eateries and trendy bars. Here you’ll find a great variety of lively clubs, stylish restaurants, and fashionable boutiques.

While we wouldn’t say it’s cheap – this is New York City, after all – the Lower East Side is our pick for where to stay in New York on a budget, home to a myriad of affordable accommodation options.

Whether it’s a social hostel or a modern hotel, you’ll be able to find something to fit your style and budget on the Lower East Side. Here you’ll find the best hotels in terms of bang for your buck for sure.

Best Hostel in Lower East Side – Blue Moon Hotel

The Blue Moon Hotel is our top recommendation for where to stay on the Lower East Side. Walking distance to some of New York’s most famous landmarks, this hotel is close to shopping, dining, drinking and more. It boasts private bathrooms and balconies, as well as refrigerators, coffeemakers, and minibars.

Best Hotel in Lower East Side – citizenM New York Bowery

The CitizenM New York Bowery is one of our favourite hotels on the Lower East Side. Conveniently located in the middle of the city, this four-star hotel is close to bars, restaurants, museums and galleries. It boasts a variety of amenities that include an outdoor terrace, an on-site restaurant and 24-hour room service.

Best Hotel in Lower East Side – Redford Hotel

Classic and contemporary, the Redford Hotel is a great base for your time in NYC. It is located within walking distance of public transit as well as a number of New York’s top attractions. It has a swimming pool, and free wifi, and guests can enjoy free coffee and TV in their rooms.

Best Airbnb in Lower East Side – Modern Studio

This bright two-bedroom apartment is furnished with brand-new amenities, including a desk, ultra-comfortable queen-size bed, soft towels and a 26″ flat-screen TV with Netflix. This is an ideal place to stay in New York City if you want to have a home away from home. It’s also just a hop, skip and a jump from the Financial District and Houston Street.

Things to See and Do in Lower East Side

• Feel like a kid again and visit Economy Candy , where you’ll find aisles upon aisles of your favourite sweets and treats.
• Shop local artisans and independent vendors at the Hester Street Fair .
• Grab a drink and enjoy a great night out at Two-Bit’s Retro Arcade .
• Enjoy good beer and live music at Parkside Lounge , the perfect dive bar in New York City.
• Tease your taste buds with bold and delicious flavours at Goa Taco .
• Sink your teeth into a savoury slice of classic New York pizza at Rosario’s Pizzeria .
• Step back in time and explore New York’s history of immigration at the Tenement Museum .
• Go to the iconic Katz Deli over on Houston Street for a Reuben sandwich.

3.  East Village – Where to Stay in New York City for the Best Nightlife

The East Village is also where you’ll find some of New York City’s top nightlife. From cool dive bars and craft beer pubs to rooftop terraces and all-night clubs, this is where you want to stay if you’re looking to experience the best of New York after dark.

Best Affordable Hotel in East Village – East Village Hotel

Set in the heart of the city, East Village Hotel is a smart and stylish three-star hotel. Each of the hotel’s rooms is outfitted with a range of essential amenities, along with an on-site coffee shop/café. A short walk to the East Broadway Subway Station, this hotel is well connected to the rest of the city.

Best Hotel in East Village – Moxy NYC East Village

Moxy NYC East Village is one of our top picks for where to stay in the East Village. Set in the heart of this vibrant nightlife district, it is a short walk to bars, clubs, restaurants, and galleries. It has a number of key features as well as all the essential amenities for a great stay like a gym, bar and lounge.

Best Airbnb in East Village – Bright & Clean Union Sq Apartment

This cosy bright compact studio has the best location you can ever find in Manhattan. On the border of Chelsea, Meatpacking and West Village, it’s the perfect place to stay for a real New Yorker Experience.

Best Hostel in East Village – American Dream Hostel

American Dream Hostel is the closest hostel to East Village and one of the cheapest hostels in New York . A short walk away, this hostel is conveniently located in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park and Flatiron District neighbourhood. It offers private rooms, a common area, hot showers, and a delicious breakfast, you could even say it’s like a bed and breakfast. American Dream Hostel is surrounded by bars, clubs, and New York landmarks.

Things to See and Do in East Village, New York

• Dine on delicious dishes and enjoy a chill atmosphere at Mayahuel Mariposa .
• Sip urbane cocktails at Amor y Amargo .
• Enjoy outstanding drinks and an intimate setting at Death & Company .
• Dance the night away at Webster Hall .
• Try a variety of craft beers at Proletariat , a dark and cosy East Village hotspot.
• Indulge in the incredible dishes at Momofuku Ko .
• Treat yourself to a divine breakfast at Russ & Daughters .
• Savour fresh and flavourful dishes at Prune .

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4.  Williamsburg – Coolest Place to Stay in New York City

Across the East River in cool Brooklyn, you’ll find Williamsburg, a hipster hood that oozes cool around every turn.

At the centre of Brooklyn, Williamsburg is well connected to Manhattan and easy to reach from the rest of NYC. It’s home to eclectic restaurants, boutique shops, stylish bars, hip tattoo parlours, and rustic rooftop patios.

Best Affordable Hotel in Williamsburg – Pod Brooklyn

Pod Brooklyn is a modern and stylish three-star hotel – and our best recommendation for where to stay in Williamsburg. Located at the centre of this trendy neighbourhood, this hotel is close to bars, bistros, and boutiques. It has a bright and airy atmosphere, and rooms are outfitted with contemporary amenities and fixtures.

Best Hotel in Williamsburg – Hotel Le Jolie

Colourful décor, spacious rooms, and an unbeatable location are just a few of the reasons we love Hotel Le Jolie. Located in Brooklyn, this hotel is well-connected to the rest of the city, close to landmarks, restaurants, bars and public transit. Each room has a refrigerator, a private bathroom, and entertainment amenities.

Best Airbnb in Williamsburg – Entire Garden Apartment in Williamsburg

Located on the 3rd floor of a newly renovated apartment in North Williamsburg Brooklyn. Here you have a sun-splashed terrace apartment. Create a gourmet dinner, ride a bike, and relax on the terrace.

Best Hostel in Williamsburg – NY Moore Hostel

NY Moore Hostel is the best place to stay in trendy Williamsburg. At the heart of this lively neighbourhood, this hostel is close to fun bars, art galleries, hip restaurants, and independent shops.

This bright and colourful hostel has comfortable rooms, private bathrooms, a relaxing common room, and an awesome outdoor courtyard.

Things to See and Do in Williamsburg

• Sink your teeth into a good old fashion hot dog at Crif Dogs .
• Dine on flavourful modern Thai fare at Amarin Café .
• Work up an appetite at the Black Flamingo , an exciting dance club that serves incredible late-night tacos.
• Sample a wide variety of delicious dumplings at the Vanessa Dumpling House .
• Walk across the Williamsburg Bridge and take in the outstanding view of Brooklyn and New York City.
• Enjoy cheap drinks and delicious pizza at the Alligator Lounge .
• Shop for trinkets and treasures at the Brooklyn Flea Market .
• Dance until dawn at Output , a renowned club with a vibrant and lively dancefloor.

5.  Upper West Side – Where to Stay in New York City for Families

The Upper West Side is a classic New York neighbourhood. With its iconic architecture, tree-lined streets, and quintessential Brownstone townhomes, this is the New York that most people recognize from movies and TV.

The Upper West Side is our recommendation where to stay in New York City for families visiting.

Not only is the Upper West Side adjacent to the immense and expansive Central Park, but it is also home to world-famous cultural institutions like the American Museum of Natural History. Families with kids will love wandering through its exhibits, learning more about history, culture and the natural world.

In this neighbourhood, you’ll find family-friendly restaurants, attractions for all ages, and colourful candy stores – perfect for rewarding your little ones after a long day of New York sightseeing.

Best Hotel in Upper West Side – Hotel Newton

Located in Manhattan, Hotel Newton bursts with historic charm. Established in 1920, this fantastic three-star hotel boasts a variety of modern amenities, including a coffee bar and laundry service.

The rooms are comfortable, spacious and outfitted with wifi and a refrigerator. There’s also an on-site restaurant.

Best Hotel in Upper West Side – Belnord Hotel

Brimming with contemporary cool, Belnord Hotel is our best recommendation for where to stay on the Upper West Side. A short walk to NYC’s top attractions, this two-star hotel is surrounded by parks, restaurants, cafes and shops. Rooms feature modern décor and have private bathrooms, air-conditioning and free wifi access.

Best Airbnb in Upper West Side – Light and bright apartment

Just 100 paces from beautiful Central Park, this apartment is in a bright 6th-floor building with great light in a quiet neighbourhood. With a cosy kitchen, one bedroom and a sofabed, this is the perfect New York vacation rental for a small group. The building also has a washer and dryer too.

Best Hostel in Upper West Side – HI NYC Hostel

The HI NYC Hostel is conveniently located on the Upper West Side. It is well-connected throughout the city via the subway and a short walk to restaurants, parks, cafes, and landmarks.

HI NYC Hostel has an in-house theatre, billiards table, comfortable lounge, and recently renovated bathrooms. It also offers a laundry service and free wifi.

Things to See and Do in Upper West Side, New York

• Order a big salad or simply enjoy a cup of coffee at Tom’s Restaurant , a must-visit for Seinfeld fans.
• Dive deep into history, culture and the natural world at the incredible American Museum of Natural History .
• Take a virtual tour of the universe and beyond at the Hayden Planetarium .
• Enjoy five floors of fun at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan , where kids of all ages can experience interactive exhibitions and colourful displays.
• Indulge in sweet treats, cakes, and cookies at Levain Bakery .
• Pack a picnic and explore expansive and iconic Central Park , where you’ll find a pond, zoo, and plenty of walking paths.
• Dine on delicious and authentic Italian fare at Carmine’s Italian Restaurant .

Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of New York and where to stay.

Which is the best area to stay in New York?

Midtown is our favourite place to stay. It puts you right at the heart of the city for the real NYC experience. There are loads of cool hotels like Freehand New York .

Where is a good place for families to stay in New York?

We recommend Upper-West Side for families. Its located perfectly to central park and it is full of incredible attractions that are also suitable for children of all ages.

Where can I stay in New York on a budget?

Lower East Side offers the most affordable options in New York. Hostels like Blue Moon Hotel are perfect if you are travelling with a lower budget.

Where is the coolest place to stay in New York?

Williamsburg is definitely New York at its coolest, and that’s saying a lot! It oozes character in its eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and shops. There is always something to see and do here.

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New York is one of the greatest cities in the world. It’s fast, fashionable, iconic, and fun. Whether you’re a history buff, culture fanatic, fashionista, dedicated foodie or first-time traveller, there’s something amazing for you in New York City.

Despite being a busy and bustling city, there are plenty of places to get a good night’s sleep in NYC.

To recap; Williamsburg is our top recommendation for the coolest neighbourhood in NYC. With its hip eateries and trendy bars, there’s always something going on in this central Brooklyn ‘hood.

Our top choice for the best hotel is the Freehand New York . Located in Midtown, this hotel is close to iconic sights, historic landmarks, and some of New York’s best restaurants and bars. You’re never far from the action when you stay at the Freehand New York.

Still not sure where to stay in New York City? Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below!

Mary Beth Skylis

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HOTEL GUIDES , NEW YORK , UNITED STATES · January 10, 2020 Last Updated on March 10, 2024

WHERE TO STAY IN NEW YORK: THE BEST NEIGHBOURHOODS & HOTELS

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We may receive a small commission when you make a purchase using our link.

A sea of lights, 24/7 shops, bizarre subway creatures, endless opportunities and lots of energy. New York is a unique city, brimming with life and noise at all hours. Because most touristy spots are in midtown Manhattan, you’ll find lots of options to stay here.

However, it is also the noisiest area and doesn’t provide a very authentic New York experience. Luckily, there are lots of great neighborhoods and hotels to choose from, so I rounded up my favorite places to stay in New York for every budget below!

Overview Of New York City Hotels

New York pops up with new hotels faster than you can try them all. With lots of variety in style, budget and location, picking the perfect one for your trip can be challenging.

Whether you are looking for a trendy setting in Williamsburg, a party atmosphere in the Lower East Side or a quieter getaway on the Upper West Side, let this guide be your helping hand in finding the best quality accommodation for you!

Central New York Area: Midtown/Times Square

Midtown is a great area when you don’t have a lot of time and don’t want to walk several blocks. Here, you have New York’s major attractions at your fingertips: Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Broadway and Radio City Music Hall. Other classic sights like Central Park and the Empire State Building are only a short 15-minute walk away.

Also be sure to check out some of our favorite Airbnbs in New York City and The Hamptons for a different type of experience!

Pros & Cons Of Staying In Midtown/Times Square

• Close to most major tourist attractions
• Access to all major musicals on Broadway
• MoMA art museum
• Good subway connection to other parts of the city
• Noisy due to traffic and tourists
• Tourist heavy
• Not an authentic New York n eighborhood experience

Luxury Hotels In Midtown/Times Square

• The Kimpton Muse Hotel
• The Knickerbocker
• The Chatwal, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New York City
• Lotte New York Palace

Mid-range hotels in Midtown/Times Square

• Courtyard by Marriott Times Square West
• Millennium Premier New York Times Square
• Cambria Hotel New York – Times Square
• The Belvedere Hotel

Budget hotels in Midtown/Times Square

• Comfort Inn Times Square West
• Mayfair New York Times Square
• Amsterdam Court Hotel
• CITY ROOMS NYC – Times Square

Quiet New York Area: Upper West Side

Family townhomes, quaint bars, and viral bakeries – the Upper West Side attracts a slightly older crowd due to its more quiet nature but is by no means a boring place to stay.

Especially good for families, this area has lots to explore with Central Park to the east and the Hudson River to the west. Take a sunset stroll along the river for beautiful sunsets and views of Jersey City and Hoboken across the river.

Pros & cons of staying in the Upper West Side

• Access to Central Park and the Hudson River
• Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts nearby
• Safe and quiet area
• Not as central
• 15-minute walk to the closest subway station

Luxury hotels in the Upper West Side

• Mandarin Oriental New York
• Hotel Beacon
• Hotel Lucerne
• Hotel Belleclaire Central Park

Mid-range hotels in the Upper West Side

• Empire Hotel
• Hudson New York, Central Park
• Excelsior Hotel
• La Quinta by Wyndham New York City Central Park

Budget hotels in the Upper West Side

• Da Vinci Hotel
• West Side YMCA
• Hotel Newton
• HI NYC Hostel

Chic New York Area: Upper East Side

The Upper East Side is known to attract the rich. Though this is changing the further east you go towards the East River, this area still hosts most of the city’s major museums like the MET and Guggenheim, as well as the homes of many A-list celebrities. Access to Central Park and the East river make this neighborhood a great base for exploring.

Pros & cons of staying in the Upper East Side

• Museum mile with museums like the MET and Guggenheim
• Access to Central Park and the East River
• Not as many subway lines
• Few hotels under 5 stars

Luxury hotels in the Upper East Side

• Hôtel Plaza Athénée
• The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, New York
• The Mark New York

Mid-range hotels in the Upper East Side

• The Bentley Hotel
• The Marmara Manhattan

Budget hotels in the Upper East Side

• Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Upper East Side
• Renaissance New York Hotel 57

Hip New York Area: West Village & Soho

The West Village is a universally loved neighborhood by both locals and tourists alike. Beautiful brownstone homes, local boutiques and great restaurants and bars for date-night make it an excellent choice for the day- and nighttime strolls.

Extra tip: Try the Banana pudding at Magnolia Bakery – it’s unlike everything you’ve ever had! Soho is home to the famous cobblestone streets where you can shop while spotting the cities hottest celebrities.

Pros & cons of staying in the West Village & Soho

• Great for window shopping
• Lots of restaurant and bar choices
• Close to Washington Square Park
• Boutiques and well-known stores for shopping
• Few budget hotels available
• Soho gets crowded with the shopping crowd

Luxury hotels in the West Village & Soho

• The Mercer 
• The Marlton Hotel

Mid-range hotels in the West Village & Soho

• Washington Square Hotel
• Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
• The Jane Hotel

Authentic New York Area: East Village & Lower East Side

Popular with the younger crowd, the East Village and Lower East Side are great for a night out with friends. College pubs, bars specializing in pickleback shots and trendy Millennial clubs – take a pick!

While these two areas can be a little rough around the edges, they provide an authentic neighborhood experience and is home to New York’s most legendary deli since 1888: Katz’s Delicatessen.

Pros & cons of staying in the East Village & Lower East Side

• Good for Millenials
• Great nightlife options
• Authentic New York neighborhood feel
• Proximity to Union Square Park and Brooklyn via Williamsburg Bridge
• Cheaper restaurant and bar options
• Lots of $1 pizza places and bagel shops
• Can be noisy and dirty due to nightlife crowds

Luxury hotels in the East Village & Lower East Side

• The Standard, East Village
• The Bowery Hotel

Mid-range hotels in the East Village & Lower East Side

• Hotel on Rivington
• Orchard Street Hotel
• NobleDen Hotel

Budget hotels in the East Village & Lower East Side

• Blue Moon Boutique Hostel

Trendy New York Area: Williamsburg

Williamsburg has seen a rapid change in the last decade. From an overlooked Manhattan suburb to THE trendy neighborhood to stay in, Williamsburg attracts lots of visitors wanting a more relaxed vibe with quirky shops without compromising the proximity to Manhattan neighborhoods.

Now frequented with lots of vibey stores, Domino Park on the East River, unique bar concepts, swanky hotels and breathtaking rooftop bar views over the Manhattan skyline, Williamsburg is a hot neighborhood to check out.

Pros & Cons Of Staying In Williamsburg

• Neighborhoody feel
• Proximity to Manhattan
• Plenty of green spaces around like Domino Park and McCarren Park
• Smorgasburg – big food market during summer
• Subway stations can be a 15-minute walk away

Luxury hotels in Williamsburg

• The William Vale
• The Williamsburg Hotel
• McCarren Hotel & Pool

Mid-range hotels in Williamsburg

• Pod Brooklyn
• Hotel Indigo Williamsburg – Brooklyn
• Hotel RL Brooklyn

Budget hotels in Williamsburg

• Pointe Plaza Hotel
• NY Moore Hostel

Family Friendly New York Area: Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn 

Nestled between Brooklyn and Manhattan bridge, Dumbo is a popular area just across the river from Manhattan. Together with Brooklyn Heights, these areas are complete with some of New York’s best hotels, rooftop pools, Jane’s Carousel, beautiful brownstone homes and a river walk.

Small neighborhood restaurants make this area feel quaint and cozy. Perfect for browsing the tree lined hilly streets, you can’t go wrong with either one of them.

Pros & Cons Of Staying In Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn

• Perfect for exploring the waterfront with views of Manhattan
• 2 of New York’s most popular pizza restaurants
• Can be expensive
• Only a few subway stops around
• Downtown Brooklyn attracts more business visitors

Luxury Hotels In Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn

• 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
• New York Marriott at Brooklyn Bridge
• NU Hotel Brooklyn
• EVEN Hotel Brooklyn

Mid-Range Hotels In Dumbo & Downtown Brooklyn

• Aloft New York Brooklyn
• Hampton Inn Brooklyn/Downtown
• The Tillary Hotel Brooklyn

Best Hotels In New York City Wrap Up

New York’s neighborhoods offer something for everyone. No matter what you are looking for, who you are with or how old you are, there is a sea of hotels available that will help you make your trip unforgettable.

We hope this guide will help you plan your stay next time you visit – and if you can’t decide, why not split up your stay over two different areas and hotels?

We hope that this article has inspired you to visit New York and stay at some of these great hotels. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.

Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.

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Read More About New York

• The 10 Best Airbnbs In New York City
• The Best Airbnbs in The Hamptons, New York
• Local Tips For New York City: How To Avoid Looking Like A Tourist
• 7 Unconventional Things To Do In New York
• 6 Budget Friendly Experiences To Have In New York City

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written by Stephen Keeling

updated 26.03.2024

How do you decide where to stay in New York ? For dynamism, cultural impact and sheer diversity, it's a hard city to beat. It's also a global leader in art, architecture, music and food. It's crammed with iconic sights, too, from the raised torch of the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to Coney Island and some of the top beaches on the East Coast. So it's often difficult to know which is the best area to stay in New York City.

The Meatpacking District — where to stay in New York for nightlife

Choose harlem for community and soul food, discover hip williamsburg in brooklyn, indulge your inner socialite in the upper east side, midtown manhattan is where to stay in new york for good value, explore up-and-coming long island city.

• Get excited about Manhattan's Lower East Side

But with accommodation in NYC eating up the lion’s share of most travellers’ budgets, deciding where to stay may be your most important choice. So, whatever kind of trip you’re planning, here’s the lowdown on where to stay in New York, area by area.

The High Line, New York © Shutterstock

These days the Meatpacking District is the domain of late-night clubs, wine bars and fashion designers. Here the boutiques of Diane Von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Alexander Wang and friends line the cobblestone streets. Just to the north, Chelsea has been at the heart of New York City’s art scene since the 1990s, with hundreds of galleries slotted into warehouses beneath the High Line .

Where to stay in the Meatpacking District

• For stylish stays: Gansevoort Meatpacking offers rooms at the heart of the Meatpacking District's fashion scene, and gives you access to one of the most stylish rooftop pools and bars in the city.
• For cool stays: The Standard, High Line is the super-hip André Balazs hotel with fabulous views from floor-to-ceiling windows and the High Line running under it.
• For designer stays : Dream Downtown features a roof-top lounge with club overlooking the skyline, an on-site restaurant, and an outdoor pool with private cabanas.

Find more accommodation options in the Meatpacking District

Harlem is where to stay in New York City for pretty streets © Shutterstock

Harlem, a historic neighbourhood in New York City, is renowned for its vibrant cultural heritage, rich history, and influential contributions to art, music, and literature. Harlem has not been spared New York City’s rapid gentrification, but it remains a bastion of African-American culture. This is where to stay in New York for vibrant street life, fabulous West African and soul food restaurants, a dynamic local jazz scene and some of the city's prettiest streets.

Where to stay in Harlem

• For guesthouse stays: Soul Food (Mount Morris) is an elegant 19th-century brownstone, just across from Marcus Garvey Park, with shared kitchen and freshly baked cakes every day.
• For apartment stays: The Harlem Pearl features small apartments with kitchenettes, in a lovely building, that dates from 1910, in the Sugar Hill neighbourhood.
• For loft stays : Aloft Harlem is the first hotel to open in the neighbourhood since the 1960s. It has a bright, stylish interior and features airy, loft-inspired rooms with platform beds.

Find more accommodation options in Harlem

If you want to know exactly where to stay in New York City, what to do and what to see, take a look at Rough Guides tailor-made travel service and let us help plan a fully personalised trip just for you.

Williamsburg Bridge © Ryan DeBerardinis/Shutterstock

A once-gritty Brooklyn community, Williamsburg is a dynamic neighborhood. It is known for its hipster culture, trendy shops, eclectic eateries, and thriving art scene. This is a fantastic choice for those travelling to the Big Apple alone .

Check out Bedford Avenue at the heart of Williamsburg's rapidly expanding zone of coffee shops, boutiques and bars where you'll find everything from the taproom at the Brooklyn Brewery to venerable Pete’s Candy Store . It's also home to some of the city’s swankiest rooftop cocktail lounges, beer gardens and cool places to stay.

Where to stay in Williamsburg

• For five-star stays : The William Vale has a 19m rooftop pool. All rooms come with floor-to-ceiling windows, open-air balconies and amazing city views.
• For waterfront stays : The Wythe sits on the waterfront in Williamsburg. Designed into a 100-year-old factory building, all rooms feature original timber ceilings, huge windows and heated concrete floors.
• For chic stays : The McCarren is just off the main Williamsburg strip, overlooking McCarren Park. It features a seasonal outdoor pool, rooms are compact and comfortable and the hotel has a rooftop lounge with Manhattan views.

Find more accommodation options in Williamsburg

Upper East Side junction © Jon Bilous/Shutterstock

The Upper East Side has been home to dynasties such as the Rockefellers, Whitneys and Astors since the 1890s. It's an indulgent area famous for its luxurious residences, prestigious museums, elegant boutiques, and refined dining options.

Aptly portrayed in Breakfast at Tiffany’s , Sex and the City and Gossip Girl , this is where to stay in New York if you're searching for the plushest hotels, and the swankiest shops. Looking for somewhere more affordable? See our guide to the cheapest places to travel .

Where to stay in the Upper East Side

• For elegant stays: The Sherry-Netherland has been the epitome of absolute luxury since 1927. Its ornate lobby is modelled after the Vatican Library and room service comes from the in-house Harry Cipriani restaurant.
• For independent stays : The Garden ES Suites sits minutes from Lexington and 63rd Street. All suites feature fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas, large windows and modern interior design.
• For family stays : Loews Regency New York offers both rooms and one or two bedroom suites sleeping up to six guests. It sits on Park Avenue and both Central Park and the Rockefeller Centre are a short walk away.

Find more accommodation options in Upper East Side

Related articles from the blog

Central Park in autumnal bloom © Songquan Deng/Shutterstock

Midtown Manhattan is the most obvious area to stay in New York. It’s where most of the city’s accommodation is located, nearly all within walking distance of key attractions such as Times Square, MoMA and Central Park . You’ll be sharing the sidewalk with plenty of other tourists but the proliferation of hotels means there are lots of bargains to be had (in New York terms, anyway).

Where to stay in Midtown Manhattan

• For quirky stays: Pod 51 hotel features top value “pods” (solo, double, bunk, queen and “double double”), each reminiscent of colourful ship's quarters.
• For eco-luxe stays: 1 Hotel Central Park is an eco-friendly hotel with a three-storey living wall, reclaimed rustic-chic furniture, cardboard clothing hangers and everything organic.
• For iconic stays : The Algonquin , New York’s legendary literary hangout, is where you'll find a resident cat named Hamlet, suites with silly names and a whole lot of style and tradition. Rooms have been refurbished to good effect.

Find more accommodation options in Midtown Manhattan

Long Island © View Apart/Shutterstock

This up-and-coming neighbourhood in Queens lies just across the East River from Midtown Manhattan (effectively a short subway ride away). Long Island City itself boasts one of the city’s best flea markets, as well as the highly rated MoMA PS1 gallery and Silvercup Studios.

Where to stay in Long Island City

• For stylish stays : The Modernist Hotel incorporates a roof terrace with fabulous views. Rooms are sleek and elegant and several large doubles feature open-air balconies or private patios.
• For central stays : Sonder The Dutch sits right at the heart of Long Island City. A choice of doubles, king or queen rooms is available and all bedrooms feature their own private terrace.
• For family stays : Sonder Court Square aparthotel offers a range of one-bedroom apartments, studios and suites. All come with fully equipped kitchens and superior suites that sleep up to six guests.

Find more accommodation options in Long Island City

Get excited about Manhattan's Lower East Side

A store advertising its wares © Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

New York may not be the most beautiful city in the world, but it is thrilling. And today, one of the most exciting areas in Manhattan is the Lower East Side. Historically the epitome of multiculturalism, this is the neighbourhood for the city’s best vintage-clothing stores, restaurants and especially happening spots for drinking, dancing and live music.

Where to stay in the Lower East Side

• For historic stays : The Historical Blue Moon Hotel is a five-storey Lower East Side tenement with rooms named after the 1930s and 1940s celebrities. Book 6th to 8th-floor rooms for fabulous city views. Dorm rooms are also available.
• For boutique stays: The Ludlow is a chic boutique hotel with gorgeous terraces, black and cream silk rugs, white-marble tables and round brass chandeliers from Morocco.
• For stylish stays : Sixty LES features a seasonal rooftop pool, beer garden and sushi restaurant. All rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, slate showers, gourmet snacks and oversize bathrobes.

Find more accommodation options in Lower East Side

Ready for a trip to New York City? Check out the Rough Guide to New York City or the Rough Guide to The USA .

If you prefer to plan and book your trip to New York City without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.

We may earn a commission when you click on links in this article, but this does not influence our editorial standards - we only recommend services that we genuinely believe will enhance your travel experiences.

Stephen Keeling grew up in England and graduated from Jesus College, Oxford in 1992 with a degree in history. After working as a financial journalist in Eastern Europe and East Asia, he moved to New York City in 2006. Since then he has authored and updated numerous Rough Guides, Insight Guides, Frommer's guides and DK travel books in addition to writing for Google, Zagat, the Independent, Budget Travel and other publications.

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Where to Stay in New York? 12 Best Areas

When you choose where to stay in New York , you can be sure that you will get the feeling of being in the Big Apple, and you will likely be just a subway ride away from some of the most iconic landmarks in the world: Times Square, the Empire State building, Wall Street, the new World Trade Center, Central Park, and many others.

New York City is often referred to as being the international capital of the world, a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetimes. This is a city where everything seems to be iconic.

The first thing you should know about New York City is that it is the most populous in the state of New York; it is divided into five boroughs : Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx. 

All boroughs connect via ground, rail, and maritime transportation . There is a very rich diversity of life in all of the city, so the best areas to stay in New York will offer at least something for everyone. 

This guide will help you learn about various districts, sections, and neighborhoods where you can safely stay in New York . Manhattan is the most popular borough and the first one visitors have in mind when they choose where to stay in New York City, but other boroughs have lodging options that are certainly worth considering.

Table of Contents

Where to stay in New York ? Best areas to stay in New York

1. Midtown and Times Square, Best Place to Stay in New York for First-timers

Like any major city, New York has uptown, midtown, and downtown areas. Midtown New York City is the most desirable place to stay in New York, and it is often described as the district where tourists can get the true feeling of the metropolis. 

Midtown is a place that already lives in your mind before you arrive; you have seen it in countless movies and also as the backdrop of many television shows.

The sightseeing in Midtown is top-notch; if your stay in New York is entirely spent in this district, you will have seen and experienced a lot of what the city has to offer.

From theater to shopping and from sightseeing to dining , Midtown has it all, and it also has the greatest concentration of iconic buildings .

If you are a fan of architecture, Midtown is where you will want to stay in New York, and the same goes for visitors who are into the performing arts because  Times Square is just blocks away from the renowned Broadway Theater District .

Midtown is highly recommended to those who prefer a more pedestrian approach to their vacations; even though you should take at least one subway ride for the experience, you can actually cover all of the city’s major tourism attractions when you stay here.

You will invariably visit Times Square for its billboards, which sine 2012 have been synchronized to put on a show just minutes before midnight. At any given time, you can find interesting public art installations for the benefit of visitors and all passerby. 

The television studios of various television productions, including the Late Show with Stephen Colbert, are taped in various studios around Times Square, and you can get free tickets. As for Broadway, we all know about top shows such as The Lion King, Hamilton, and Aladdin. 

In terms of museums, you have Madame Tussaud’s, the Morgan Library, the Museum of Modern Art (highly recommended), the USS Intrepid, and more. 

Although the Empire State building is no longer the tallest in the world, it is still worth a visit to its observation deck.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MIDTOWN – TIMES SQUARE

( $$$) The Intercontinental New York Barclay is o ne of the city’s most recommended 5-star hotels , and it is often mentioned as one of the best places to stay in New York. Located just a five-minute walk away from Times Square, this hotel offers everything you expect from luxury accommodations, including in-room refrigerator, a modern fitness center, a gourmet restaurant, a luxurious lounge, truly dedicated concierge service, and more.

($$) The City Club Hotel is located in a historic building that has been thoroughly renovated as a boutique property. Located just a few blocks away from the Theater District , guests of this hotel get a small bookshelf with reading recommendations in every room; moreover, they can also connect to a secure Wi-Fi network for free. The City Club onsite restaurant gets many positive reviews.

($) City Rooms NYC is located on the boundary between Chelsea and Midtown. The small rooms feature artwork and guests get free Wi-Fi access. This renovated guest house has a nice and friendly atmosphere located near Penn Station, thus making it ideal for travelers who plan to visit various districts when they stay in New York.

2. Upper West Side, Best Area to Stay in New York for Families

This neighborhood is located across Central Park from the Upper East Side, and it competes in terms of affluence and museums. This is a family-friendly section of New York City, and it offers plenty of museums, art galleries, bistros, and shops . 

After Midtown, the Upper West Side is the most iconic and representative districts of Manhattan.

This is where you can find the world-famous Children’s Museum of Manhattan, The Hayden Planetarium, the American Folk Museum, the Grand Bazaar, and many other landmarks that feel like they can only be found in New York. 

The western section of Central Park is the one that tends to be featured more often in films and television shows.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN UPPER WEST SIDE

($$$) The Mandarin Oriental international chain of hotels is known for its luxury approach to hospitality, and this is certainly the case with this location, which shares space with the Time Warner Center. Some of the best views of Manhattan can be appreciated from this hotel. The spa experience and the Tea Lounge at the Mandarin Oriental are superb, and guests can enjoy Asian fusion cuisine at the award-winning Restaurant Asiate.

($$) Hotel Beacon offers large suites complete with kitchenettes and seating areas that are very popular with families who stay in New York on museum tours. The sofa in the living rooms of suites unfolds into a bed. The American Museum of Natural History is only three blocks away.

($) The Broadway Hotel and Hostel offers both p rivate rooms and dormitory-style accommodations that need to be booked in advance because they are often sold-out. This hotel is located in a very quiet section of the Upper East Side, and it is not far from a Metro subway station. Amenities include free Wi-Fi for guests plus a community theater room complete with an adjacent library warmed by a fireplace.

3. Upper East Side, Best Neighborhood in NYC for Museums

Every corner of this district feels evokes the feeling of affluence , and this goes back to the time when New York was a Dutch jurisdiction known as New Amsterdam.

Shortly after the English took possession of the territory from Dutch colonies, wealthy families began settling in the Upper East, and this tradition remains to this very day. 

This district is filled with interesting museums ; It is home to Museum Mile , including the world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art, or The Guggenheim , and a lot of less known museums as the Park Avenue Armory.

Park Avenue Armory is an arts space that used to house the Seventh New York Militia before being used by a combat regiment of the United States National Guard, and its soldiers used to be known as silk stockings infantrymen because they came from elite families.

 If you choose to plan your stay in New York in this district, you will invariably spend more.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN UPPER EAST SIDE

($$$) The Mark New York is on the east side of Central Park, and it is one of the most opulent hotels in the United States . The rooms are finished with marble and sycamore, and details such as a mini television screen in the soaking tub remind you that The Mark is definitely a luxury hotel. You do not even have to bring a laptop computer when staying here because one can be rented from the concierge desk. If you are interested in luxury fashion, you will find Gucci, Prada, Cartier, and Chanel shops right around the corner.

($$) The Bentley Hotel looks like a very expensive hotel, but it is actually pretty reasonable unless you book a suite with panoramic views of the East River. Guests have access to a fitness center, a business conference room, ironing board in every room, and breakfast a la carte. The eight major museums of the Upper East Side are within walking distance.

($) The Franklin Hotel is relatively affordable when considering its location, but it may still seem pricey to budget travelers. This pet-friendly boutique hotel pampers guests with complimentary cheese and wine tastings during the evening.

4. Lower East Side, Bohemian Vibe close to Chinatown and Little India

This part of the city used to be a derelict district, but that all changed during the administration of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

These days, the Lower East Side is a trendy and upscale district that offers visitors glimpses of artistic legacy; after all, this is where punk rock was born in the legendary CBGB club. 

This neighborhood has really cleaned up but it still features a nice bohemian vibe ; it is recommended for younger travelers who wish to get an authentic experience when they stay in New York.

At any given time, you can find street fairs and impromptu street performances happening in the Lower East Side.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK IN LOWER EAST SIDE

($$$) Sixty LES is a hotel where you can really enjoy your stay in New York. This is one of the few hotels in New York City with a rooftop swimming pool and lounge ; as one of the high-rise towers of the Lower East Side, it offers a panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline. Other amenities include a sushi restaurant and even a beer garden.

($$) The Fairfield Inn & Suites is a stylish modern hotel with free Wi-Fi access and flat screen televisions in every room. If you plan to stay in New York for business purposes, you will find the Fairfield Inn very convenient thanks to its quiet location and their in-room desks; plus, it is just three blocks away from the nearest subway station.

($) The Blue Moon Boutique Hostel has been serving budget travelers and backpackers since 2009. The cafe area offers gourmet pastries and fresh fruit sourced from local markets. This hotel sits on a small hill, thus providing a nice view of the city, and it is relatively quiet.

5. Soho and Tribeca, Where to Stay in New York for Shopping and Classy Restaurants

You have probably heard about Manhattan’s various upscale neighborhoods , and this is certainly the case with the areas South of Houston and the Triangle Below Canal Street, more commonly known as Soho and Tribeca. 

Quite a few television and film celebrities have lived in this district for many years, and you should not be surprised if you run into a celebrity if you choose this district when you stay in New York.  

Art galleries, museums, classy restaurants, chic bars, and very expensive boutiques are among the highlights of Soho and Tribeca. Many visitors say that this part of Lower Manhattan feels like it has been transplanted from a luxury city neighborhood in Europe.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SOHO – TRIBECA

($$$) The Dominick Hotel is for travelers with ample budgets. Aside from being very aesthetic, this hotel offers four restaurants and a spa . The upper levels of The Dominick have floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of the Hudson River and part of the skyline.

($$) Sohotel is very close to the Little Italy restaurant district, and it is often chosen by visitors who want to experience great dining when they stay in New York. Even though this is a reasonably priced hotel, it offers 24-hour concierge service because that is what you would expect from a Soho property.

($) 138 Bowery is the rare budget-friendly option in SoHo , a part of the city that is known for its upmarket prices. The rooms are tastefully decorated, and they offer flat-screen televisions plus a seating area. The hotel is next door to a fashion shopping district, and the lounge area is in a nice terrace.

6. Greenwich Village, Where to Stay in New York for Nightlife

Culture, history and nightlife are the reasons travelers choose Greenwich village when they stay in New York. Washington Square Park is one of the few places in the United States where you can find a monumental arch.

This square is also home to historic landmarks such as the Blue Note Jazz Club, the Stonewall Inn, the Whitney Museum of American Art , and the expansive New York University campus . 

There are not many places to stay in this district; for this reason, booking a room can be tricky during music and film festivals as well as special exhibits at the Whitney.

Long-term stays at temporary rental apartment s may be a better bet, but they can also be expensive.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK IN GREENWICH VILLAGE

($$$) The Standard, High Line New York is an amazing place for your stay in New York , and it is located in a very trendy part of town. Like all other properties developed and managed by The Standard Group, this one is very stylish and offers spacious rooms that feature minibars stocked with gourmet snacks. There is also a beer garden, an American steakhouse, a very trendy nightclub, and lots of free comforts such as bathrobes, and spa toiletries.

($$) Incentra Village Hotel is a pretty reasonable option for being located in the heart of an upscale district. This is more of a boutique hotel that occupies a few brownstone buildings that used to be Victorian mansions. Guests have access to Wi-Fi, and walking to the nearest Metro station takes about 10 minutes. This is a very quiet part of town that does not feel like many other places in Manhattan.

($) The Jane Hotel is a boutique property with a very interesting interior decoration scheme. Everything about The Jane Hotel is nautical; even the rooms resemble the cabins of old sailing ships. The location of this hotel is very convenient for travelers interested in nightlife because there are quite a few dance clubs nearby.

7. Chelsea, Art Galleries

Named after the affluent neighborhood of London, Chelsea is a small neighborhood that offers many attractions for tourists.

First of all, this is one of the most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods in Manhattan; it is where the High Line park sits above the traffic congestion below, and it is a must for visitors. 

Chelsea is the neighborhood with the highest concentrations of art galleries in the city ; it is also very close to Midtown Manhattan and can rightfully claim to be the district where Madison Square Garden is located, which means that you can actually walk to catch NBA games with the New York Knicks.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK IN CHELSEA

($$$) The High Line Hotel is where you want to stay if money is not a problem. This is a hotel that truly knows how to pamper guests; from spa toiletries to complimentary snacks in the minibar and from smart television sets to Jawbone digital audio players, you will likely enjoy your stay at The High Line Hotel. A nice touch provided by this hotel is the bicycle rental service, which allows you to explore the High Line park and travel through the neighborhood on its many bike lanes.

($$) The Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea is a hotel popular with families who stay in New York for a few days. As you can expect from a Sheraton property, the rooms are comfortable and spacious; the Westside Brewhouse is an Irish pub located within the hotel, and every room offers complimentary bottled water and gourmet coffee. Being located less than a mile away from the Chelsea Waterside Park on the Hudson River is one of the reasons many families choose to stay here. The hotel gym is open 24 hours a day.

($) The Chelsea Pines Inn is a modest hotel that has been upgraded from its days when this district used to be home to boarding houses and hostels. This is more like a bed-and-breakfast arrangement, but it offers 24-hour concierge service, something that is not typical at budget accommodations. Free snacks such as cookies and candy are a nice touch, and the High Line Park is just five blocks away.

8. Chinatown, Best Neighborhood for Lovers of Asian Cuisine

For great dining and shopping , you can beat the Chinatown district of Manhattan. Chinatown is one of many ethnic neighborhoods that have historically defined Manhattan, it is a pretty good place to stay in New York despite having become a bit crowded in recent years. 

This district connects to Little Italy and the Lower East Side, so staying here would be strategic for smart travelers. Chinatown has the look and feel of a city neighborhood in Hong Kong, but it is far more affordable. 

Lovers of Asian cuisine should note that this district is second only to San Francisco in terms of Chinese American restaurants, and it blends right into the restaurant row of Little Italy, thus making it a gastronomical paradise. 

One thing you should keep in mind when visiting Chinatown is that pickpockets are very active here because many people visit the shopping districts.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN NEW YORK IN CHINATOWN

($$$) The Wyndham Garden Chinatown is frequented by Asian business travelers who want a mix of luxury, comfort, and convenience when they stay in New York. Many Chinese and Asian languages are spoken, and guests can pay with WeChat, AliPay, and UnionPay. Room furniture is handmade, and if you book a suite you will get a nice balcony lounge. Gourmet coffee and spa toiletries are included.

($$) Hotel Mimosa is a good example of Asian hospitality in New York, and it is offered at very reasonable prices. Complimentary coconut-flavored bubble tea is available from the front desk as well as gourmet espresso, teas, and snacks. You can dock your smartphone in every room and take advantage of the laundry services; plus, quite a few highly-rated restaurants are located nearby.

($) The Canal Loft Hostel is highly recommended to economy travelers who are looking for comfort and safety when they stay in New York. Chinatown has a few hostels, but they are mostly for newly arrived Chinese migrants and not for tourists. At the Canal Loft Hostel, you get Wi-Fi and a large shared lounge. Each room has a private shower and hairdryer; depending on the time you book your room, you may even get one that offers a nice view of the skyline.

9. Wall Street and the Financial District, Best Area to Stay in New York for Business Travelers

Most of Lower Manhattan is comprised of the numerous financial institutions located within the Financial District, which happens to be the oldest part of the city. 

Many business travelers who stay in New York for a few days choose the Financial District because they know it has a lot to offer aside from being home to the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange, both of which offer guided tours that are worth taking advantage of; after all, this is the financial capital of the world. 

Ever since the 9/11 Memoria l was completed a few years ago, the Financial District has emerged as a tourism powerhouse, and some older skyscrapers have been given new purpose as hotels. 

When booking a hotel in this section of Manhattan, you will find that weekends are far more affordable because business travelers have already left.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT

($$$) Courtyard by Marriott New York Downtown Manhattan is an imposing high-rise tower offering hundreds of luxurious rooms and suites. You have a choice of vistas in the upper levels; some rooms look out into the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty while others are oriented towards the Manhattan skyline. Every major attraction in the district is within walking distance, including the World Trade Center Memorial, the waterside Battery Park and marina, and the New York Stock Exchange.

($$) The Hampton Inn Manhattan is a favorite of many business travelers and families who want to save a few dollars while still getting plenty of comforts. Instead of a continental breakfast you get a full hot breakfast buffet experience. Walking to the South Street Seaport, which is located at the tip of Manhattan, takes about 15 minutes, and this is where you can book trips around the Hudson Harbor.

($) WeLive Wall Street is part of the WeWork family of shared working spaces, and it is one of the most affordable spots on Wall Street . This interesting concept of a hotel is very modern and stylish; the interiors feature an aesthetic look and even the community kitchen boasts a designer style. The shared lounges are several steps above what you would expect in a budget hotel.

10. Staten Island, Good Choice for Smart Travelers

Although it may not feel like it, New York City is a group of islands on the Hudson Bay and the New York Harbor. Staten Island is a ferry trip away from Lower Manhattan, and it is often chosen as a strategic place to stay in New York by smart travelers who wish to save on lodging. 

The Staten Island Ferry is a free and scenic trip that sails past the Statue of Liberty, and it is a pleasure to ride once or twice a day during your stay in New York. 

Staten Island is called “The Unexpected Borough” because there is plenty to do and explore therein. If you are looking for history, for example, in Staten Island you can visit Sandy Ground , the oldest African-American settlement in the United States. 

There are two maritime museums in this borough, and there is also Fort Wadsworth, a historic military installation that sits at the foot of the bridge connecting Staten Island with Brooklyn.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN STATEN ISLAND

($$$) Hilton Garden Inn New York/Staten Island is very close to the Newark Liberty International Airport, and it is frequented by business travelers who travel to the Financial District daily on the Staten Island Ferry. This hotel feels like a country club from the Victorian era, and it is in fact close to a few country clubs and golf courses. Shuttle service to the airport and the ferry terminal are provided for free.

($$) Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott New York Staten is comfortable and reasonably priced . Guests can enjoy a restaurant, a lounge area, a modern exercise room, and free Wi-Fi. A wildlife refuge is located nearby, and you can take a taxi to the Heartland Village Mall to shop for bargains.

($) The Fort Place Bed and Breakfast is part of a few alternatives to hotels and hostels that have emerged in Staten Island over the last few years. The Victorian architecture and interior decoration are certainly worth the low price of this hotel, which even includes a full kitchen for guests who wish to prepare their own meals.

11. Queens, Where to Stay in New York on a Budget

As the most ethnically diverse borough of New York City, Queens is a place where you can plan an entire vacation. Exploring the various neighborhoods and districts of this borough can feel like taking a trip around the world, and you are always just a subway trip away from Manhattan. 

Some travelers who are into gastronomical tourism prefer to stay in Queens because the restaurants are more authentic and more affordable than in Manhattan.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN QUEENS

($$$) Wyndham Garden LaGuardia South is a hotel located near the LaGuardia International Airport . Each room is equipped with a mini refrigerator and a microwave oven. The Queens Botanic Gardens, a popular attraction in this borough, is a taxicab ride away. The BLVD Bistro and Bar serves gourmet meals and fine cocktails, and you can work at the desk in each room or at the business center in the hotel.

($$) Hotel Indigo – Flushing is among the best choices for travelers looking for reasonably priced accommodations. This modern hotel caters to drivers with private parking, and it also provides a gym, a cocktail lounge, and a restaurant. Free Wi-Fi plus shuttle service to the airport are included.

($) The Local Hostel NYC Of all the hostels is one of the best in Queens, and it offers a gorgeous view of the skyline from across the East River. Both dormitory accommodations and private rooms are available, and guests can enjoy coffee, beer, tea, cocktails, and snacks on premise.

12. Brooklyn, Best Place to Stay in New York Outside Manhattan

As the most populous borough of New York City, Brooklyn has only recently gotten into the tourism industry thanks to the development of districts such as Williamsburg and Greenpoin t, which have become extremely trendy hotspots . 

Thanks to this transformation, new tourism attractions and hotels have been created for the convenience of visitors.

Even though Brooklyn should by all means be more affordable than Manhattan, which is just across the river taking the pedestrian bridge , the trendy status of the borough can make it a bit pricey.

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN BROOKLYN

($$$) The William Vale is an amazing work of architecture located in Williamsburg . Ever since it was completed a few years ago, it has been attracting celebrity guests thanks to luxury amenities such as balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, a swimming pool, and rainfall showers. The three restaurants in this hotel are managed by award-winning chefs.

($$) Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn offers everything you should expect from a Marriott property at very reasonable prices and with a Brooklyn flair. Highly recommended to couples and families.

($) The International Students Residences is a hostel that has been remodeled to match the architecture and style of Williamsburg. Getting to Times Square from this hostel takes about 20 minutes.

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13 Safest Areas to stay in New York City for tourists (and Where to avoid)

What are the safest areas to stay in New York City? Are there areas to avoid in New York City? In this post, I will help you to find the Safest areas to stay in New York City for tourists and the best places to stay in New York City for all budgets.

New York City, often referred to as NYC, is one of the most iconic and populous cities in the United States. It is located in the state of New York in the northeastern part of

NYC encompasses five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island . Each borough has its own unique character and attractions.

The city is home to numerous famous landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, and the One World Trade Center (Freedom Tower).

Broadway , located in Manhattan, is known worldwide for its theater productions. It’s the hub of American theater, featuring numerous plays, musicals, and performances.

NYC boasts world-class museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the American Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim Museum.

The city has an extensive public transportation system, including the subway, buses, and taxis . It’s one of the few American cities where many residents don’t own cars.

Despite its urban nature, NYC offers plenty of green spaces, with Central Park being the most famous. Other parks include Prospect Park in Brooklyn and Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens.

Is New York City safe for tourists?

New York City is generally a safe place for tourists, and most areas are perfectly fine for visitors. It’s essential to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are in the city. 

Here are some factors to consider:

Tourist Areas: 

Popular tourist areas like Times Square, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty are heavily patrolled by police and are generally safe for tourists.

Crime Rates: 

New York City has seen a significant decrease in crime rates over the years, but like any major city, it still has some crime. 

Petty theft, pickpocketing, and scams can occur in crowded places, so it’s important to stay vigilant, especially in tourist-heavy areas.

Neighborhoods: 

Different neighborhoods have different safety profiles. Some areas, like Midtown Manhattan and many parts of Brooklyn, are generally safe for tourists. 

However, it’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods you plan to visit and check for any recent safety updates.

Public Transportation: 

The city’s public transportation system, including subways and buses, is generally safe, but it’s advisable to be cautious, especially late at night. Stick to well-lit and populated areas when using public transport.

Weather and Seasons: 

Weather can affect safety. Winters in New York City can be icy and sidewalks can become slippery. Be cautious when walking in snowy or icy conditions.

Common-sense safety practices like not displaying expensive items, securing your belongings, and being aware of your surroundings apply in any urban area.

What are the safest areas to stay in New York City?

The safest areas to stay in New York City for tourists are the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown Manhattan, Battery Park City, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg, Park Slope, Astoria, Harlem, Tribeca, SoHo, Chelsea, and Greenwich Village.

The Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and Midtown Manhattan are the safest areas to stay in New York City for first-time visitors . While these neighborhoods tend to have lower crime rates, it’s essential to exercise common-sense safety precautions wherever you are in New York City.

SoHo, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, Battery Park City, and Tribeca are the safest places to stay in Lower Manhattan NYC. They are also well-connected and offer a range of attractions for tourists.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope are safest neighborhoods to stay in Brooklyn NYC, offering a more relaxed vibe compared to Manhattan.  

Use common sense, and you should have a safe and enjoyable visit to New York City. Additionally, consider staying in reputable hotels and accommodations to enhance your safety.

Map of the safest areas and neighborhoods in NYC for tourists:

What areas to avoid staying in New York City?

Here are some areas that some people might recommend avoiding or taking extra precautions in:

South Bronx: 

The South Bronx has seen significant improvements in recent years, some parts are still known for higher crime rates. It’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods within the South Bronx before deciding to stay there.

East New York, Brooklyn: 

This neighborhood in Brooklyn has had a higher crime rate historically, but it’s also been undergoing revitalization efforts. Exercise caution, especially at night.

Brownsville, Brooklyn: 

Brownsville has a reputation for higher crime rates, and tourists are advised to be cautious in this area.

East Harlem: 

While East Harlem has seen improvements, some parts may still be less safe compared to other neighborhoods in Manhattan. It’s advisable to research the specific location before staying there.

Certain Parts of Staten Island: 

While most of Staten Island is safe, some isolated neighborhoods may have higher crime rates. It’s best to check local crime statistics and reviews before booking accommodations.

Meatpacking District and Chelsea at Night: 

While these areas are generally safe during the day, late at night, they can become rowdy due to the presence of bars and clubs. Exercise caution if you’re out late.

Times Square at Night: 

While Times Square is a popular tourist destination, it can get crowded and noisy at night. Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded places.

The safest areas to stay in New York City for tourists are:

1. upper east side.

The Upper East Side is one of Manhattan’s most prestigious and desirable neighborhoods , known for its affluence, cultural attractions, and safety. It’s a popular area for tourists and residents alike.

The Upper East Side is generally considered safe for tourists . It has a low crime rate, and it’s well-patrolled by the NYPD (New York City Police Department). Like in any urban area, it’s still important to  be aware of your surroundings, avoid poorly lit areas at night, and keep an eye on your belongings.

The Upper East Side offers a wide range of cultural attractions, including world-famous museums like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. 

Central Park ‘s eastern edge is also easily accessible, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation.

The neighborhood boasts upscale shopping along Madison Avenue and designer boutiques. It’s a great place for shopping enthusiasts. You’ll also find a variety of dining options, from high-end restaurants to cozy cafes. It is known for its diverse culinary scene.

Many upscale residential buildings and townhouses line the streets of the Upper East Side. It’s a quieter and more residential part of Manhattan , making it a comfortable place to stay.

The Upper East Side is well-connected to other parts of the city via public transportation, including numerous MTA buses and subway stations in the area.

Overall, the Upper East Side is a safe and central area for tourists, offering a mix of cultural, dining, and shopping experiences, as well as easy access to other parts of Manhattan and the city’s attractions.

Best places to stay in New York City in Upper East Side:

• Luxury ($$$): Loews Regency New York Hotel
• Mid-range ($$): The Gardens Sonesta ES Suites New York
• Budget ($):  voco The Franklin New York, an IHG Hotel

2. Upper West Side

The Upper West Side is a popular and highly regarded neighborhood in Manhattan, known for its safety, cultural attractions, and residential charm. 

The Upper West Side is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan. It has a reputation for being family-friendly and is often chosen by residents and tourists alike for its sense of security. But, as in any urban area, it’s still essential to exercise standard safety precautions.

The Upper West Side is home to several significant cultural attractions. The American Museum of Natural History, with its iconic dinosaur exhibits, is a must-visit. 

You’ll also find the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts , which hosts opera, ballet, theater, and musical performances.

The neighborhood’s western boundary is Central Park , providing residents and visitors with easy access to the park’s green spaces, walking paths, and recreational facilities.

The Upper West Side has a wide variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops, r anging from casual eateries to upscale dining. There are also numerous grocery stores, making it convenient for residents.

It’s a predominantly residential area with tree-lined streets and elegant pre-war buildings. The neighborhood offers a mix of housing options, including apartments and brownstones.

The Upper West Side has excellent public transportation options, with subway lines and bus routes providing easy access to other parts of Manhattan and the city.

Overall, the Upper West Side is a safe, vibrant, and central area for tourists and first-time travelers. Whether you’re interested in exploring its cultural institutions, enjoying the greenery of Central Park, or savoring its dining scene, the Upper West Side has something to offer for everyone.

Best places to stay in New York City in Upper West Side:

• Luxury ($$$): The Wallace Hotel
• Mid-range ($$): Hotel Beacon
• Budget ($): Hotel Lucerne
• Hostel ($): HI New York City Hostel

3. Midtown Manhattan

Midtown Manhattan is the heart of the city and is one of the best areas to stay in NYC for first-time tourists. It is home to many iconic landmarks such as Times Square, Broadway, and Rockefeller Center.  

Midtown is an overall safe area for tourists . It’s heavily patrolled by the NYPD, and there is a significant presence of both law enforcement and security personnel in this commercial and tourist-centric area. As with any urban area, it’s essential to be vigilant about your belongings and surroundings.

Midtown Manhattan is home to numerous world-famous landmarks and attractions. Times Square , also known as “The Crossroads of the World,” is famous for its bright lights, Broadway theaters, and lively atmosphere.

You can also find the Rockefeller Center, an iconic complex including the Radio City Music Hall, Top of the Rock Observation Deck, and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

There is the Empire State Building , one of the most recognizable skyscrapers globally, it offers breathtaking views from its observation deck.

Art lovers can visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) , renowned for its exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art.

The Grand Central Terminal is a historic transportation hub known for its stunning architecture and unique celestial mural on the ceiling.

A green oasis in the midst of Midtown, Bryant Park , offering public events, a seasonal ice skating rink, and a beautiful lawn area.

Midtown Manhattan is a shopper’s paradise, with famous shopping districts such as Fifth Avenue , which features flagship stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co. Additionally, there are numerous high-end boutiques and department stores like Macy’s Herald Square.

The neighborhood is well-connected to the rest of the city through its extensive subway lines and bus routes, making it easy to explore other parts of Manhattan and beyond.

Overall, Midtown Manhattan is a vibrant, dynamic, and central part of the city, making it a popular choice for tourists. It offers a mix of cultural, entertainment, shopping, and dining experiences, making it a hub of activity and a must-visit destination for many visitors to New York City.

Best places to stay in New York City in Midtown Manhattan:

• Luxury ($$$): Hard Rock Hotel New York
• Mid-range ($$): The Jewel Hotel, New York
• Budget ($): Broadway Plaza Hotel

4. Battery Park City

Battery Park City is a unique and relatively modern neighborhoo d located on the southern tip of Manhattan. It’s known for its waterfront location, green spaces, safety, and proximity to several attractions. 

Battery Park City is considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Manhattan. It has a reputation for being well-patrolled, and its low crime rate makes it an attractive area for both residents and tourists.

One of the standout features of Battery Park City is its waterfront location along the Hudson River . This provides stunning views of the river and New Jersey’s skyline, as well as opportunities for recreational activities and leisurely walks along the esplanade.

The neighborhood is home to several parks and green spaces, including Battery Park, Teardrop Park, and Rockefeller Park. These provide serene areas to relax, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

Battery Park City is within walking distance of several cultural attractions, such as the Museum of Jewish Heritage and the Skyscraper Museum . It’s also near the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center site.

While it has a primarily residential character, Battery Park City features modern high-rise buildings, luxury apartments, and condominiums with impressive amenities. The neighborhood’s design incorporates sustainable and eco-friendly elements.

Battery Park, located at the southern tip of Manhattan, is a historic park that offers green space, walking paths, gardens, and beautiful waterfront views. The park is also the departure point for ferries to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

The neighborhood is well-connected to subway lines and buses. The nearby World Trade Center Transportation Hub provides access to multiple subway lines, making it easy to explore other attractions.

Battery Park City is a tranquil and scenic area that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of other parts of Manhattan. It’s a great choice for tourists looking for a safe, modern, and waterfront experience while still being conveniently located near key attractions and transportation options.

Best places to stay in New York City in Battery Park City:

• Luxury ($$$): Conrad New York Downtown
• Mid-range ($$): World Center Hotel
• Budget ($): Hotel Indigo NYC Financial District, an IHG Hotel

5. Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights is a charming and historic neighborhood located in the borough of Brooklyn, just across the East River from Manhattan. It is known for its picturesque streets, historical significance, safety, and proximity to both Manhattan and a variety of amenities.

Brooklyn Heights is generally considered a safe neighborhood for tourists and residents. It has a reputation for being a peaceful and well-maintained community.

The neighborhood is famous for its tree-lined streets, historic brownstone buildings , and preserved 19th-century architecture. It offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities.

The Brooklyn Heights Promenade, also known as the Esplanade, offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty. It’s a popular spot to enjoy scenic walks.

Brooklyn Heights is home to the Brooklyn Historical Society , which showcases the history of the borough, and the St. Ann’s Warehouse, a renowned performing arts venue.

Located nearby, Brooklyn Bridge Park offers a beautiful waterfront space with recreational areas, walking paths, picnic areas, and stunning views of the East River and Manhattan.

Brooklyn Heights is just one subway stop away from Lower Manhattan , making it a convenient base for exploring both Brooklyn and Manhattan. The neighborhood provides a quieter and more residential alternative to staying in the heart of Manhattan.

The neighborhood is well-connected to public transportation, with multiple subway lines serving the area. The Brooklyn Heights-Cobble Hill Historic District is also well-served by bus routes.

Nearby neighborhoods like Cobble Hill and DUMBO offer additional dining, shopping, and cultural options, making it easy to explore the broader Brooklyn area.

Overall, Brooklyn Heights is a lovely, safe, and historically rich neighborhood that appeals to tourists looking for a more relaxed and residential atmosphere while still having easy access to the attractions and amenities of both Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Best places to stay in New York City in Brooklyn Heights:

• Luxury ($$$): 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
• Mid-range ($$): Hilton Brooklyn New York
• Budget ($): Hampton Inn Brooklyn Downtown

6. Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a dynamic and trendy neighborhood located in Brooklyn. It has become a popular destination for its artsy vibe, restaurants, and nightlife. It’s generally safe but can get crowded on weekends.

The Williamsburg Bridge connects to Manhattan’s Lower East Side. It is also well-connected to several subway lines and bus routes. The L train, in particular, provides direct access to Manhattan.

Williamsburg is known for its street art, galleries, and live music venues . Places like the Williamsburg Art & Historical Center showcase local talent and host various cultural events.

The area is famous for its diverse and thriving food scene . From upscale restaurants to food trucks and everything in between, the neighborhood offers a wide range of culinary options. 

Additionally, it has a vibrant nightlife with bars, breweries, and music venues hosting live performances.

You can find unique boutiques, vintage stores, and independent shops here. Bedford Avenue is a central shopping area, offering a variety of fashion, jewelry, and home decor stores.

The Williamsburg waterfront along the East River is home to beautiful parks such as Domino Park , offering green spaces, playgrounds, and stunning views of Manhattan.

Williamsburg has gained a reputation for its hipster culture , characterized by alternative fashion, creativity, and a focus on the arts. The neighborhood has a relaxed and trendy atmosphere.

There are several markets in Williamsburg, such as Smorgasburg and Artists & Fleas , where you can sample local foods, shop for unique crafts, and enjoy a lively atmosphere.

Overall, Williamsburg is a popular destination for tourists seeking a lively cultural experience, great food, and artistic expression.

Best places to stay in New York City in Williamsburg:

• Luxury ($$$): The William Vale
• Mid-range ($$): Penny Williamsburg
• Budget ($): Pod Brooklyn

7. Park Slope

Park Slope is a f amily-friendly neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and brownstone homes. It’s generally considered safe for tourists, with a relaxed atmosphere. But, as with any area, it’s essential to stay aware of your surroundings.

Park Slope is primarily a residential neighborhood located in western Brooklyn , just south of Prospect Park, one of the largest and most famous parks in New York City. It is bordered by Gowanus, Prospect Heights, and Windsor Terrace.

The area’s proximity to Prospect Park is one of its major attractions. This large urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux offers outdoor activities, including jogging, cycling, picnicking, and enjoying cultural events at the Prospect Park Bandshell.

It is home to numerous restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops. Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue are two of the main commercial corridors in the neighborhood.

The neighborhood has good transportation options. The F, G, and R subway lines provide easy access to other parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan.

Best places to stay in New York City in Park Slope:

• Luxury ($$$): TownePlace Suites by Marriott New York Brooklyn
• Mid-range ($$): Liberty View Brooklyn Hotel
• Budget ($): Cozy Fully Furnished Apartment Near Prospect Park & Public Transport

Astoria is a diverse neighborhood known for its excellent food scene . It’s typically safe for tourists, with a vibrant atmosphere. Just like any urban area, remain vigilant, especially at night.

Astoria is situated in the northwestern part of Queens, along the East River, across from Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It is conveniently located, with easy access to Manhattan via the Queensboro Bridge and several subway lines.

Astoria is home to the Museum of the Moving Image , which explores the history of film, television, and digital media. The Kaufman Astoria Studios, a historic film and television production facility, is also located here.

The neighborhood has a wide range of restaurants serving various cuisines, from Greek and Mediterranean to Italian, Middle Eastern, and more. Steinway Street and Ditmars Boulevard are two popular areas with numerous dining options.

Astoria Park is a large, beautiful green space along the waterfront, offering stunning views of the Manhattan skyline. It features a swimming pool, tennis courts, playgrounds, and walking paths, making it a popular spot for outdoor activities and relaxation.

Astoria is well-connected to the rest of New York City. The N, W, and R subway lines serve the neighborhood, providing quick access to Manhattan and other parts of Queens.

Best places to stay in New York City in Astoria:

• Mid-range ($$): Home2 Suites Long Island City/Manhattan View
• Mid-range ($$): Fairfield Inn by Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport/Astoria
• Mid-range ($$): Sonder The Dutch

Harlem has experienced significant gentrification and improvement in safety over the years. While it’s generally safe, some areas may be less safe than others, particularly late at night. Stick to well-lit, busy areas, and be aware of your surroundings.

Harlem is a historic neighborhood located in the northern part of Manhattan . It has a rich cultural and historical significance and has played a prominent role in the development of African American culture and the Harlem Renaissance in the early 20th century.

Harlem’s history dates back to the Dutch colonial period when it was a rural village. It saw significant growth during the late 19th century with the construction of the elevated railway, which made it more accessible to the rest of Manhattan.

Harlem is home to the Apollo Theater , where many famous artists, such as Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown, launched their careers. The Studio Museum in Harlem showcases African American art and culture.

Harlem offers a wide range of dining options, from soul food to Ethiopian cuisine . Sylvia’s Restaurant, famous for its soul food, is a well-known establishment.

Best places to stay in New York City in Harlem:

• Mid-range ($$): The Gallery House
• Mid-range ($$): Harlem Grand
• Budget ($): The Harlem Pearl

10. Tribeca

Tribeca is a trendy and upscale neighborhood and is generally considered safe for tourists. It’s known for its luxury apartments and quiet streets. As always, exercise common sense regarding personal safety.

Tribeca, short for “Triangle Below Canal Street,” is located in the southwestern part of Manhattan, bounded by Canal Street, West Street, Broadway, and Vesey Street. It is adjacent to SoHo, Chinatown, and the Financial District.

Some of the streets in Tribeca still have cobblestone paving , which adds to its charming and old-world ambiance.

Tribeca is home to the Tribeca Film Festival, one of the most prominent film festivals in the world. It has also attracted a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and cultural institutions.

While not known for its large parks, Tribeca has several small parks and playgrounds, such as Washington Market Park , offering green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Best places to stay in New York City in Tribeca:

• Luxury ($$$): Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown
• Luxury ($$$): The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel, part of Hyatt
• Mid-range ($$): Smyth Tribeca

SoHo, which stands for “South of Houston Street,” is a trendy neighborhood known for its shopping and arts scene . It’s relatively safe, particularly during the day. Like other Manhattan neighborhoods, be cautious at night, and keep an eye on your belongings.

SoHo has long been a hub for artists and art enthusiasts . You’ll find numerous art galleries showcasing contemporary and modern art. Many of these galleries participate in the monthly “SoHo Art Walk.”

The SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District is a designated historic district recognized for its distinctive architecture. It’s a great place for a leisurely stroll to admire the beautiful buildings.

While SoHo is not primarily known for its museums, it is home to a few interesting ones, such as the Drawing Center, which focuses on contemporary and historical drawing practices.

SoHo is conveniently located in Manhattan. Its central location also means it’s not far from other popular areas like Greenwich Village, Little Italy, and Chinatown.

Best places to stay in New York City in SoHo:

• Luxury ($$$): ModernHaus SoHo
• Mid-range ($$): Best Western Plus Soho Hotel
• Budget ($): Soho Grand Hotel

12. Chelsea

Chelsea is a vibrant neighborhood with art galleries and the High Line park. It’s generally safe, but like other parts of the city, be mindful of your surroundings.

Chelsea is located on the west side of the borough of Manhattan and is a hub for contemporary art in New York City. The neighborhood is home to the Chelsea Art District , where you can find a wide range of galleries showcasing works by both established and emerging artists.

The High Line is an elevated linear park built on an old railway track that runs through Chelsea. It offers a unique and scenic urban green space with gardens, art installations, and beautiful views of the city.

Chelsea Market is a popular indoor food and retail complex housed in a historic factory building. It offers a wide variety of gourmet food stalls, shops, and restaurants, making it a great place to explore and enjoy delicious cuisine.

The Rubin Museum of Art focuses on the art and culture of the Himalayas, India, and adjacent regions. It features an impressive collection of Himalayan art, exhibitions, and cultural programs.

Chelsea Piers is a sports and entertainment complex along the Hudson River that offers golf, ice skating, bowling, and more. It’s a great place for sports enthusiasts and families.

Chelsea has a significant LGBTQ+ population and is known for its LGBTQ+ friendly atmosphere. The Stonewall Inn, a historic LGBTQ+ bar and site of the 1969 Stonewall riots, is nearby in the West Village.

Best places to stay in New York City in Chelsea:

• Luxury ($$$): The Hotel Chelsea
• Mid-range ($$): The Moore
• Budget ($): Hilton Garden Inn New York/Manhattan-Chelsea

13. Greenwich Village

Greenwich Village is a historic and lively neighborhood . It’s considered safe for tourists, with a mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Still, exercise standard precautions.

Greenwich Village, often simply referred to as “The Village,” was originally settled by the Dutch in the 17th century and has played a significant role in various cultural and political movements throughout American history. In the 20th century, it became a center for artistic and countercultural movements.

The Village has been home to many famous artists, writers, musicians , and performers over the years. It was a hub for the Beat Generation in the 1950s and the folk music revival of the 1960s. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Allen Ginsberg are just a few of the notable figures associated with the neighborhood.

The Village is famous for its café culture . Cafes like Cafe Wha?, The Village Vanguard, and the White Horse Tavern have been gathering places for artists and intellectuals for decades.

Washington Square Park is a central feature of Greenwich Village. It’s known for its historic arch, which is a symbol of the neighborhood. The park is a gathering place for musicians, performers, and locals.

New York University (NYU) has a major presence in the neighborhood, with many of its academic buildings and student residences located in and around Greenwich Village.

Greenwich Village played a pivotal role in the early days of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. The Stonewall Inn, located in the Village, is considered the birthplace of the modern gay rights movement after the Stonewall riots in 1969.

The Village hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including the Halloween Parade, which is one of the city’s most famous Halloween celebrations.

Best places to stay in New York City in Greenwich Village:

• Luxury ($$$): The Dominick Hotel
• Mid-range ($$): The Marlton Hotel
• Budget ($): Incentra Village Hotel
• Where to Stay in New York City First Time
• What to Pack for New York

In conclusion, the best and safest places to stay in New York City for tourists are the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown Manhattan, Williamsburg, Tribeca, SoHo, Chelsea. It’s always important to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings no matter where you stay. 

About Author: Linda Smith

I'm Linda Smith, the Hotel Expert, an experienced travel blogger who passionate about traveling. I'm here to share with you all my travel experiences and tips. I cover a wide range of travel topics, specializing in sharing information about the best areas, neighborhoods, and hotels in each city. I hope all these things will make your travel easier.

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New York City   Travel Guide

34 Best Things to Do in NYC

There are countless reasons to be mesmerized by New York, from its skyscrapers and monuments to its vibrant art, food, fashion and nightlife. Across the city, fresh perspectives are yours to be found; go for a stroll in Central Park or along the High

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

Central Park Central Park free

This part-park, part-museum, part-concert hall swallows central Manhattan, and many of the city's most notable attractions are situated next to it or within its limits ( the Guggenheim , the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History , to name a few). But travelers insist that you shouldn't just pass through Central Park on your way to another place. This 843-acre green space is a favorite of New Yorkers and tourists; you can come here to exercise, dine, go to the zoo and more.

Almost everyone has a positive impression of the park, but no one has quite the same experience or recommends that you do quite the same thing. There's an almost impossible amount of sights to see here (hidden treasures, indeed), including more than 20 playgrounds, 48 fountains, monuments or sculptures, and 30 bridges. Here's a shortlist:

National September 11 Memorial & Museum National September 11 Memorial & Museum

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum serves as the primary tribute to the nearly 3,000 victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks, as well as the six lost in the 1993 bombing. The memorial's twin reflecting pools and human-made waterfalls rest as eerie footprints where the World Trade Center's twin towers once stood. The 1-acre pools are enclosed in bronze panels on which the names of every victim are inscribed. The museum spans across 110,000 square feet and relays the narrative of the attacks through a series of multimedia displays, real-time recordings, authentic artifacts and interactive technology.

Recent visitors cited the overall atmosphere of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum as sobering and moving. Many travelers say they were impressed with the site as a whole, noting its respectful and informational displays. Reviewers say you won't want to rush your time here, with some recommending that you budget three to four hours to see all of the exhibits.

Empire State Building Empire State Building

U.S. News Insider Tip: Watch out for "sunset peak" pricing, which adds an extra $10 per ticket for two hours around sunset each evening. But on a clear day, it just might be worth it. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

New York City Tourist 101 dictates that you must swing by this landmark structure in midtown Manhattan. And despite the hefty admission fees, the crowds and the long lines, recent visitors insist that you won't be sorry. In fact, taking a trip to the top of the Empire State Building is either the perfect way to begin or end your Big Apple excursion – on a clear day you'll be able to the see the city's major highlights some 1,250 feet beneath you. 

Popular Tours

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

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Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour: All Options

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Metropolitan Museum of Art Metropolitan Museum of Art

U.S. News Insider Tip: Come for the art, stay for the rooftop cocktails. A seasonal rooftop garden bar offers views over Central Park, which is especially coveted at sunset. The roof garden stays open into the evening on Friday and Saturday. – Jessica Colley Clarke

No museum in the United States is as celebrated as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spilling over with masterpieces from all over the world, including notable collections from ancient Egypt and classical antiquity, "the Met" is an art experience unlike any other, and like much in New York, it's impossible to see all the museum has to offer in one day (or even two days, for that matter). 

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Statue of Liberty is at the top of many travelers’ must-see lists. A feat of 19th-century technical engineering and a beacon for immigrants arriving at Ellis Island, the statue can be admired from several different vantage points around Manhattan, including Battery Park and the High Line . But to truly appreciate its size and significance, you’ll want to visit the statue and Ellis Island while on your NYC vacation.

The only way to access the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is by using the official National Park Service ferry operator, Statue City Cruises. If you’re departing from the New York side, you’ll hop on a ferry at Battery Park in lower Manhattan. If you’re departing from the New Jersey side, you’ll depart from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The ferry ride takes approximately 15 minutes.

Brooklyn Bridge Brooklyn Bridge free

One of many signature landmarks of New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge is also one of the oldest suspension bridges in the country and a National Historic Landmark. Its six lanes (and one pedestrian and bicycle walkway) span the East River, connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn. Walking across the bridge remains a tourist pastime.

Some visitors decide to skip the bridge in favor of other attractions, but if you're short on money, this truly is one of the best ways to experience the city and to get a unique view of either borough at no cost. Several reviewers warn that since there is no shade along the bridge, it can get quite hot in the summertime (though there are vendors selling bottles of water). Many also warned that it can get quite crowded, and advised visiting in the morning before 9 a.m. if you don't want to maneuver around crowds.

The High Line The High Line free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Visit early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds. If you walk from north to south, add on a visit to The Standard Biergarten or the vibrant Chelsea Market for great people-watching, food and drink. – Erin Evans, Managing Editor

Set on an abandoned rail track on Manhattan's West Side, this sprawling, nearly 1½-mile-long landscaped park stretches over three of the city's most lively neighborhoods: the Meatpacking District, West Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen. Standing 30 feet above street level, the High Line offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and Manhattan's cityscape. But the vista isn't the only reason visitors and Manhattanites flock to this manicured green space. Here, you'll find continually changing public art installations, a handful of food vendors and a sprawling picnic and sunbathing area (known as the 23rd Street Lawn).

NYC Food Tours NYC Food Tours

Known for everything from cheap eats to authentic international fare to Michelin-starred restaurants, New York City is a culinary hot spot and undoubtedly one of the best foodie cities in America . However, chances are you won't have time to experience everything the city has to offer in just one trip. One way to get a taste of New York's excellent cuisine across a variety of neighborhoods is to take a food tour.

Whether you want to explore a particular borough or neighborhood, or even a specific cuisine or dish, you'll find a tour to appease your taste buds. Relying on traveler reviews and expert analysis, U.S. News rounded up the best food tours in New York City . Though tours vary in length and price, they all receive rave reviews from past travelers, who applauded the variety of food and the expert knowledge of the guides.

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Washington Square Park Washington Square Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Finding an empty bench in Washington Square Park after visiting one of the neighborhood's independent bookstores – from The Strand to Three Lives & Company to Left Bank Books – is a true lower Manhattan pleasure. – Jessica Colley Clarke

The central gathering place of Greenwich Village is Washington Square Park, an almost 10-acre green space known for its downtown buzz. Here, kids splash in the fountain, musicians perform to a crowd, artists sell sketches or photographs, and chess enthusiasts gather to challenge each other to a game. What was historically a cemetery and later a bohemian hot spot is now a neighborhood institution that draws locals and visitors alike with its kids' playground, sizable dog run and ample shady space for picnics. An arch dedicated to George Washington is the dominant architectural feature of the park. 

Broadway Broadway

U.S. News Insider Tip: Start your day with a stop at the TKTS booth in Times Square or at the Lincoln Center location to snag discounted same-day tickets for an array of Broadway and off-Broadway shows. – Catriona Kendall, Associate Editor

Some out-of-towners spend their entire New York trip at one show or another on the Broadway circuit. And if you like plays and musicals, this is where you should be: "The Great White Way" represents the heart and soul of American theater. Considering that nearby Times Square is a dizzying maze of sights and sounds with no real starting point, some visitors suggest you can see all you need to of that neighborhood just by trundling back and forth between shows. 

One World Observatory One World Observatory

Formerly known as Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in lower Manhattan. This observatory sits atop the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and the highest point in the city. You'll find it adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial . At more than 125,000 square feet, the three-level observatory is located on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of this office skyscraper. Travelers enjoy the panoramic, 360-degree views, up to 45 miles in every direction on clear days. 

Visitors reach the observatory by direct express elevators known as SkyPods. The trip upward includes a visual presentation showing how New York has changed over the decades, from open land to smaller buildings to skyscrapers. The trip takes less than a minute. Expect a multimedia presentation at the top before stunning views are revealed. A restaurant and bar on the 101st floor are open to guests who have purchased tickets to the observatory. 

Grand Central Terminal Grand Central Terminal free

At this beautiful train station, you can eat some lunch or shop till you drop, but recent travelers most enjoyed just taking in the scenery. Before you enter, be sure to snap a few shots of the exterior's ornate beaux-arts neoclassical architecture. Inside the celebrated main concourse, you're treated to glimmering marble floors, gold and nickel-plated chandeliers and a sky-themed ceiling. Other must-sees include the Information Booth clock, the Whispering Gallery and Grand Central Market, a European-style food market that sells produce, gourmet ingredients and treats. Food options range from the upscale (Cipriani Dolci and The Campbell Bar) to the legendary (the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant) to the fast and easy (Shake Shack). As mentioned, there are also plenty of shopping options, though most travelers suggest you leave most of Grand Central's pricey merchandise in the store. If you want a train-themed souvenir, visit The New York Transit Museum Store in the shuttle passage.

Travelers call the train station "iconic" and say it's a beautiful space to walk through or to grab a meal and people-watch.

Bryant Park Bryant Park free

U.S. News Insider Tip: This Midtown park draws crowds for two seasonal events: summer movie nights under the stars and a holiday market complete with ice skating. For summer picnics or winter shopping sprees, Bryant Park delivers year-round. – Jessica Colley Clarke

Sprawling across nearly 10 acres, Bryant Park sits just south of Times Square – though it feels a world away. Though its lush green space has existed for more than 150 years, Bryant Park was a revitalization project of the 1990s that made it a sanctuary for locals and tourists alike. This is the preferred place for midtown Manhattan professionals to eat lunch, for fashionistas to strut during fashion week and for performers to showcase their talents during annual events like Broadway in Bryant Park and Piano in Bryant Park. If you're interested in learning more about the park's history, consider joining one of its free tours. Tours, which last 45 minutes, are free and offered every Wednesday, year-round. 

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Staten Island Ferry Staten Island Ferry free

Perhaps the most famous ferry service in the United States, the Staten Island Ferry runs daily between the Whitehall Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan and St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island. The city has been operating the ferry service since 1905 and transports some 70,000 passengers across New York Harbor every day. It’s one of the last remaining vestiges of an entire ferry system that served New York City residents before the construction of any bridges.  

But the Staten Island Ferry is more than a transportation service; it’s an attraction, drawing tens of thousands of out-of-town visitors a year for a free ride across the harbor (that’s right, no charge; the service is provided by the City of New York). The 5-mile ride lasts about 25 minutes. Passengers must disembark and then reboard to make the return trip to Manhattan. Travelers remark about the views of the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, Manhattan skyscrapers and the bridges of lower Manhattan. 

Museum of Modern Art Museum of Modern Art

You don't have to be an art lover to appreciate the Museum of Modern Art; this airy midtown gallery also doubles as a shrine of pop culture and 20th century history.

Some of the most significant contemporary pieces hang on its walls, including Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon," Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans," Van Gogh's "Starry Night," Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory," Monet's "Water Lilies," and the list goes on and on. In October 2019, the museum reopened after completing an expansion project that added more than 40,000 square feet of gallery space, as well as a performance studio that features live programming.

New York Public Library New York Public Library free

U.S. News Insider Tip:  If you love all things book-related, consider visiting The Morgan Library & Museum nearby, which features J.P. Morgan's stunning 1906 library. The museum offers free admisson (and live jazz music) on Fridays from 5 to 7 p.m. – Elizabeth Von Tersch, Senior Editor

This main library branch, officially called the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, attracts plenty of book lovers, history junkies and architecture aficionados. Most people swing by the Bryant Park landmark to say hello to Patience and Fortitude (the famous marble lions guarding the entrance) and to admire the lovely beaux-arts design.

American Museum of Natural History American Museum of Natural History

Visitors love the American Museum of Natural History off Central Park West. Whether you're exploring the interactive exhibits on the land, the sea or outer space; user reviews take on a common theme. This museum is incredible. Even the cafeteria and gift shop are worth your notice.

There are more than 34 million artifacts inside, spread across four city blocks, 26 buildings and through 45 exhibition halls, so don't plan on seeing everything in one day. The Rose Center for Earth and Space is a particular favorite, but you should also plan on visiting the dinosaurs, the Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Hall of the Universe and the Butterfly Conservatory (accessible November through May), which houses nearly 500 butterflies. Local experts say the institution is one of the city's can't-miss museums , especially for families.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Wander along Brooklyn's Washington Avenue, and you can't avoid stumbling upon this verdant 52-acre park.

A main highlight here is the Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, punctuated by wooden bridges and Japanese maples. And if you arrive at the end of April, you can't miss the Cherry Esplanade ( Sakura Matsuri ) when rosy cherry blossoms burst into bloom. Another standout: the Shakespeare Garden, which contains more than 80 plants described in the playwright's works.

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Brooklyn Bridge Park Brooklyn Bridge Park free

Located on the Brooklyn side of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85-acre oasis at the foot of the famous bridge connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn. The park stretches 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s waterfront, connecting Columbia Heights and Dumbo, an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, an eclectic neighborhood of boutiques, trendy cafes and restaurants. Travelers rave about the views of the lower Manhattan skyline, the New York Harbor and the bridge.

Among the city’s newest parks, Brooklyn Bridge Park was once an industrial district and home to a transportation terminal that served as an entry point for immigrants. Today, the park features rolling hills, promenades, playgrounds, basketball courts, sports fields, a roller skating rink, gardens, and more among six piers and the riverfront. What’s more, the park is home to more than 12,000 species of plants and wildlife. It also hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year, such as sunset yoga and stargazing.

The Guggenheim The Guggenheim

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, or simply, "The Guggenheim," is one of the most well-known art museums in the country, and it's just as renowned for its cutting-edge design as it is for its pieces. The coiled building (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright) stands out on Fifth Avenue at 89th Street. Inside, the halls are chock full of works from the likes of Picasso, Cézanne, Degas, Manet and Van Gogh, among others.

Visitors loved the building's design and architecture, but offered more mixed reviews for the art on display. Some raved about the permanent collection and the special exhibitions, while others felt the cost of entrance tickets was overpriced for the amount of art displayed. Reviewers recommended the Museum of Modern Art over the Guggenheim if you're short on time. 

Off-Broadway Shows Off-Broadway Shows

Off-Broadway may not have the glitter of the Great White Way , but these smaller theaters and their productions are often innovative and are no less engaging. Unlike Broadway, these theaters are not centered around Times Square , but scattered all over Manhattan and generally seat fewer people (between 100 to 499 audience members). Smaller venues provide a more intimate experience for plays, musicals and revues. Many of New York’s most famous productions found their start off-Broadway, such as “Hair,” “Rent” and “In the Heights.”

Tickets also are more affordable, generally between $20 and $75 per person. Look for innovative productions at places like the Public Theater, Cherry Lane Theatre or Playwrights Horizons. The Signature Theatre showcases revivals and new plays.

Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock Observation Deck

This iconic plaza has it all – beautiful sculptures, an enormous skating rink, a fishbowl view of NBC Studios, plus a plethora of stores and restaurants. Though undoubtedly there will be intense crowds, this is an experience that's worth having at least once. During the wintertime holidays, the plaza sparkles with an illuminated Christmas tree and skaters gliding across the ice rink. But don't fret if your New York adventure doesn't take place during the cold months. There's plenty to do year-round. If you plan ahead, you can spend a morning watching a taping of the "Today" show, an afternoon admiring the city from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck and an evening catching a performance at Radio City Music Hall .

Travelers say the Top of the Rock offers some of the best views of Manhattan and say the experience is worth every penny. Visitors recommend booking the Rock Pass ticket that includes a tour of the building and observation deck access.

Little Island Little Island free

New Yorkers have long needed to get creative to maximize space on the island of Manhattan, where space is limited. But with the opening of Little Island in 2021, that creativity stretched beyond the island's borders and into the water. Little Island is an artificial island located on the west side of Manhattan in the Hudson River.

This public park, which is free to visit, offers a new space for locals and visitors alike to immerse themselves in nature, art, free events like concerts and one of the most memorable locations in New York City to catch the sunset.

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St. Patrick's Cathedral St. Patrick's Cathedral free

This sprawling cathedral sits amid the hustle and distinctively secular bustle of Rockefeller Center . But that doesn't take away from its otherworldly vibe. Whether you're religious or just making an architectural pilgrimage, you can't help but be impressed by St. Patrick's.

Opened in 1879, the neo-Gothic cathedral spans the length of an entire city block and features 330-foot spires. Its interior is just as impressive thanks to its numerous altars, stained-glass windows, organs and imposing 9,000-pound bronze doors. The church welcomes more than 5 million visitors annually.  

Little Italy Little Italy free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Taste the best of Little Italy at C. Di Palo Wine Bar. With connections to the fine foods store serving this neighborhood for more than a century, this wine bar serves Italian cheeses, meats and wines in a comfortable, modern environment. – Jessica Colley Clarke

Once a thriving enclave of Italian immigrants, Little Italy is now a popular tourist destination (though remnants of the past remain).

Times Square Times Square free

Some say that Times Square is like a five-block metaphor for New York City itself – it's exciting, colorful and always jumping. Others describe this area of midtown Manhattan as artless, overpriced and congested. Perhaps this commercial stretch from West 42nd to West 47th streets is a little of both, and though locals would advise you to avoid it, you should at least catch a glimpse of its neon lights.

Most travelers recommend visiting the area after dark to see the marquee displays. Many add checking out Times Square before or after a Broadway show is the perfect time to fit it into your schedule. However, if you're not a fan of crowds, reviewers suggest you avoid this area altogether.

Fifth Avenue Fifth Avenue free

It's fitting that St. Patrick's Cathedral would be on the same street as stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels. That's because for many people, shopping is a religious experience, and here between 34th and 59th streets you'll find the holy grail. 

Even if you're not planning to put your credit card to work at high-end stores, travelers say a stroll along Fifth Avenue is a must. It's one of the top places to shop in the city, according to local experts. Plus, during the winter holidays, the street is decked out in festive decor.

Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo

According to travelers, these 265 acres sheltering more than 10,000 animals should be near the top of every young family's itinerary in New York. And if you're an older visitor, the Bronx Zoo could be a great way to escape the nonstop activity in Manhattan. This zoo's claim to fame is that it's one of the largest metropolitan animal parks in the country. It's also one of the best zoos in the U.S . Originally opened at 1899, the zoo also houses several famous landmarks, including the Rainey Memorial Gates, the Rockefeller Fountain and the historic Zoo Center, which was constructed to look like a palace.

Among the zoo's popular exhibits is JungleWorld, which aims to recreate the jungles of Asia with animals like white-cheeked gibbons, gharials, tapirs, fruit bats and more. There's also the Wild Asia Monorail, a seasonal outdoor monorail that allows visitors to observe animals like rhinos, tigers and red pandas roaming freely in the outdoor habitat. Other star attractions include the Congo Gorilla Forest, the seasonal butterfly garden, Tiger Mountain and the Children's Zoo. Along with the animals, there are also several rides and experiences, such as a carousel and sea lion feedings.

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Apollo Theater Apollo Theater

U.S. News Insider Tip: Go to BLVD Bistro on 116th St. before or after your visit to the Apollo. They serve breakfast all day and literally have the best grits and pancakes I have ever had in my life. It is also Black-owned! – Lawrence Phillips, founder and CEO of Green Book Global

One of the most famous music halls in the United States, "the Apollo" started as a burlesque theater in 1914. By the 1930s, it transformed into a concert hall that helped launch the career of several black musicians. A then-unknown Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson (with the Jackson 5) and Stevie Wonder all performed on the Apollo stage during an Amateur Night competition. If you're in Harlem on a Wednesday you can still go to Amateur Night, an experience some previous travelers highly recommend.

Metropolitan Opera House Metropolitan Opera House

Stroll through the courtyard of the Metropolitan Opera House even if you're not going inside for a performance. Every element of this opulent building – from the limestone architecture, to the lobby's glittering chandelier, to the acoustics in the concert hall – is gorgeous. Travelers call this opera house a feast for the eyes and ears. Tickets are notoriously expensive (as much as several hundred dollars for the best seats), but the sticker shock evaporates quickly if you're into performing arts. You can try to score a same-day ticket at a discounted rate, plus there are discounts for senior citizens.

The Metropolitan Opera House features spring performances by the American Ballet Theatre and fall and winter performances by the Met Opera Company. Showtimes and ticket prices vary by performance and seating, so check the Met Opera's website for additional details. You'll find the opera house at Lincoln Center Plaza on Manhattan's Upper West Side – take the 1 train to 66th Street.

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall

It's where Ella Fitzgerald pined for the man she loved, the Rolling Stones couldn't get no satisfaction and Lady Gaga had a "Bad Romance." Among performers, there's no New York concert venue that's quite like Radio City Music Hall. Not only is it the largest indoor theater in the world, its marquee spans a full city block. Opened in 1932, the theater is a New York City Landmark. Today, the theater welcomes musical performers like Ben Platt and Lil Nas X, as well as comedians like Chris Rock.

If you're in town any dates between November and January, consider attending the famous Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which stars the Rockettes. According to recent visitors who attended a show, there's not a bad seat in the house.

The Battery The Battery free

The Battery is a 25-ace park that sits at the very southern tip of Manhattan Island and offers a green respite from the steel and concrete of lower Manhattan. The park, named after artillery batteries that protected the settlement in the 17th century, is popular with visitors because of its views of the harbor and the Statue of Liberty . 

The park is home to perennial gardens, bike paths, grand lawns, an urban farm and a unique carousel, known as the SeaGlass Carousel. On the carousel, riders sit within iridescent fish and glide through a 360-degree aquatic adventure. The carousel’s bioluminescent design honors the waterfront site as well as another landmark, the Castle Clinton, one of the country’s earliest aquariums. 

Coney Island Coney Island

Known as the "the People's Playground," this famous amusement area in Brooklyn has an illustrious past. In the early 1900s, Coney Island enticed New Yorkers to visit with its bathing pavilions, seaside resorts and amusement park. The Great Depression took its toll on the fun-loving spot, causing many attractions to close. But after years of economic instability, Coney Island has reclaimed its place on the Brooklyn map, with a fresh roster of eateries and entertainment (including a July Fourth hot dog-eating contest and an annual Mermaid Parade ) found along the boardwalk. Coney Island now features several separate amusement parks, as well as a museum, which hosts a variety of exhibits and shows.

According to recent visitors, Coney Island is a worthwhile trip in the summer if you have the time and are traveling with young kids who would enjoy the rides. If you're not up for indulging your inner thrill-seeker, you can also walk along the beach, which spans nearly 3 miles and features several sports courts, as well as playgrounds. A walk along the iconic Riegelmann Boardwalk is just as memorable, according to recent visitors.

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Chrysler Building Chrysler Building free

Technically, the Chrysler Building is an office building open Monday through Friday, but you don't need to go inside to appreciate its aesthetic appeal. Recent visitors praised the building's unique architectural style (though a few wished you could still go inside to admire its intricate lobby and elevators).

Built in 1930, the Chrysler had a short-lived run as the tallest building in the city, before it was usurped of its title by the Empire State Building . Nevertheless, this 1,046-foot-high skyscraper remains a favorite among New Yorkers for its classic art deco style. And unlike the Empire State, at this site you won't need an expensive entry ticket, a strong stomach to stand soaring heights or patience for long lines to see what all the fuss is about. You can behold the building's menacing gargoyles and triangular openings from many spots in Manhattan. Though the lobby is currently closed to visitors, there have been talks of building an observation deck, though none is available at this time.

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15 Iconic New York City Hotels That Take Luxury to the Next Level

Go ahead, treat yourself to a room!

One thing's for sure, if the walls at the different properties could talk, they'd have plenty of stories to share. Whether it's Selena Gomez and Kygo shouting out The Bowery Hotel in their hit single "It Ain't Me" to show-stopping moments courtesy of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at the Upper East Side's The Carlyle, and all the lavish events thrown at The Plaza Hotel through the years, we guarantee that by the time you finish checking everything out below, you'll want to treat yourself to a room at one of these hot spots.

Here, the most iconic hotels in New York City.

The Plaza Hotel

First up is none other than The Plaza Hotel. It was originally designed by well-known architect Henry J. Hardenbergh and has been a setting for A-list events and even famous films such as Sleepless in Seattle , Bride Wars , The Great Gatsby , and the list goes on . Besides being steps away from Central Park, afternoon tea at the hotel's The Palm Court and The Champagne Bar are favorites among guests.

The Bowery Hotel

If excellent views, exciting nightlife, and even better food are what you're after, look no further than The Bowery Hotel. For the best value, we suggest snagging one of the Deluxe King Rooms which will allow you to see everything from the Empire State Building all the way down to the One World Trade Center, and it boasts a lovely bathtub complete with bubbles and bath salts. Major stars—including Jennifer Lopez, Blake Lively, Jude Law, and many more— have stayed here, too, proving it's worth the splurge.

Once you're checked in, make your way toward the stylish Gemma restaurant . Though it's linked with the Bowery, it stands on its own and goes above and beyond standard hotel dining. You'll have a blast exploring the extensive bar menu and Chef Andrea Taormina's elevated, rustic dishes will make you feel at home. Of course, the handmade pasta and delectable tiramisu are a must; just don't forget to ask about the daily specials!

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Hotel Chelsea

Hotel Chelsea has housed the likes of Bob Dylan, Mark, Twain, Jimi Hendrix, and other big names. It was also the backdrop to Andy Warhol's 1996 film Chelsea Girls and where playwright Arthur Miller lived after his breakup with the one and only Marilyn Monroe .

For those hoping to relax and recharge, note that the hotel has a new spa launching soon. In the meantime, set your eyes on the accommodations like the Junior Balcony Suite featuring a deep-soaking tub.

Refinery Hotel

Let's make our way to midtown to the standout Refinery Hotel. Despite the area being known for cramped spaces, a room here will exceed your expectations as it has soaring 12-foot concrete ceilings and expansive windows that could have views of the Empire State Building .

For a greater wow factor, head all the way up to the popular Refinery Rooftop. It's an unforgettable experience that will gift you the opportunity to take in the Manhattan skyline with a cocktail or your beverage of choice in hand. On top of that, there are complimentary glasses of wine at the hotel lobby from 5 to 7 p.m., and for the cherry on top, guests are provided with Le Labo bath products.

Waldorf-Astoria New York

Anyone who’s anyone has come through the doors of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel at least once. Lauded for its Art Deco design and luxurious details, it has quite the history. For starters, Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly held their engagement party there, it's where President John F. Kennedy threw one of his birthday galas, and where Queen Elizabeth II gave a special address in the '50s.

Interestingly enough, it used to be two buildings. In the 1890s, William Waldorf Astor built the original hotel on the corner of 33rd Street and Fifth Avenue, only to have his cousin-slash-rival John Jacob Astor IV outdo him with a taller one next door. Over time, they eventually connected both spaces by adding a 300-foot marble corridor called Peacock Alley. Currently, it's closed for renovations until the end of 2024 with new Waldorf-Astoria Residences set to debut in New York, which will be the only residential building to offer curated furniture and accessory collections from design shop B&B Italia.

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

The Carlyle Hotel located in Manhattan's Upper East Side opened nearly 100 years ago and it's still a must-visit. It was designed by the architecture firm Bien & Price and has hosted a long list of esteemed individuals like President Harry S. Truman, Jackie Kennedy Onassis and more.

Furthermore, the hotel's Café Carlyle is one of the city's legendary jazz clubs known for bringing in top jazz artists, world-class actors, and incredible singers to perform. The Gallery is another unique dining retreat inspired by the sultan's dining room at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey . You'll be amazed by everything from the afternoon tea to the deep red wallpapers and matching fringed velvet chairs.

Wythe Hotel

Don't forget about Brooklyn, and make sure to add the Wythe Hotel to your travel bucket list . Dubbed the original boutique hotel in Williamsburg, you'll immediately be mesmerized by its charm and backdrop of the Manhattan skyline.

Interested in grabbing a bite? Don't miss out on Le Crocodile with upscale twists on classics like Burgundy Duck with Pear and Pancetta, Steak Frites au Poivre, or a delicious Maple Crème Brûlée. We also recommend the Bar Blondeau rooftop which has unobstructed views of the city's iconic skyscrapers and a bar with up-and-coming wines that'll keep you coming back for more.

Quiet luxury is synonymous with the Aman Hotel . The property's understated grandeur certainly earned it a spot on this list. It has a three-story, 25,000-square-foot spa complete with a 65-foot swimming pool, cryotherapy chambers, a hammam, and so much more. Moreover, there's a garden terrace with reflecting pools showcasing an ode to nature, 83 suites, and a floating glass fireplace. If you're able to get a reservation, make time for The Jazz Club which is a speakeasy-style spot with nightly performances and inventive cocktails for a night you won't forget.

You can even book a three-hour wellness journey created in partnership with tennis superstar Maria Sharapova . What was originally the Crown Building right on Fifth Avenue, the hotel may be in the center of the hustle and bustle of the city, but as soon you step in, an aura of calmness and relaxation will instantly come over you.

The St. Regis New York

Founded by John Jacob Astor IV (yes, from the Waldorf-Astoria), The St. Regis New York is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city. In fact, when it opened to the public in 1904, The New York Times published that it was “the finest hotel in America." The opulent hotel is known for its signature butler service, luxury amenities, and sophisticated guest rooms.

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Four Seasons New York Downtown

The art and architecture that surrounds the Four Seasons in Tribeca is what sets it apart. You'll feel at peace with the well-balanced design of the accommodations and the rejuvenation only continues with the hotel's globally inspired spa which has a heated indoor pool .

Other noteworthy amenities include a chance to eat at CUT by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, Biria bike rentals so you can better explore the neighborhood, and an all-electric Cadillac LYRIQ house car available for guests. Oh, and yes, the hotel is also pet-friendly .

Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York

In the same Tribeca neighborhood awaits your Parisian abode at Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York. The space is grand with tons of personality—including its pastel-colored furniture and sophisticated terrace suites that draw in the dramatic city skyline.

On the flip side, find tranquility at Spa Diane Barrière. The hotel has a coveted partnership with Biologique Recherche, a cult skincare brand from France, which results in treatments like no other. There's also a sauna, steam room, an indoor pool, and of course, a cutting-edge fitness center.

1 Hotel Central Park

You can't miss the 1 Hotel Central Park's building with chic greenery covering it. This biophilic theme continues into the hotel's rooms and suites as there are plant elements woven throughout the spaces.

If that's not enough, you can continue taking in nature at Central Park as it's just steps from the hotel. The hotel is known for its farm-to-table dishes, and an electric Audi is offered as the house car. For those who value sustainability and an eco-friendly environment, it's definitely worth a visit.

The New Yorker Hotel

The New Yorker Hotel has made its mark on the Manhattan skyline. It opened in 1930 and since then, the hotel has had a fascinating history. For instance, did you know that it was built with a private underground tunnel into Penn Station and that inventor Nikola Tesla lived there for years until he died in 1943?

The Algonquin

A New York roundup wouldn't be complete without a hotel in Times Square—and that's where The Algonquin comes in. It was founded nearly 120 years ago and when it was first opened to the public, single rooms cost just—wait for it—$2. Then, around a decade ago, the hotel received a $5 million renovation, and today, nightly rates are well into the triple digits. Despite its transformation, it still has a distinct charm that makes it special.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel

Last, but not least is The Ritz-Carlton Hotel. This Central Park location was once the Hotel St. Moritz, the Emery Roth-designed luxury hotel that was in business from 1930 until it was rebranded as The Ritz-Carlton in 1999. The bottom section of the building acts as a hotel, whereas the top 12 floors are condominiums. Living in The Ritz? Now that's the dream.

Brittany is a freelance writer based in her hometown of New York City. She writes about everything from fashion and beauty to food and wellness. When she's not writing, she can often be found at her local library, playing with her cats, or exploring the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Isis Briones is House Beautiful’s Senior Shopping Editor, she’ll find the best items for your home at every price point. She also loves to travel, so don’t be surprised if she hooks you up with some travel deals. Find more of her work published in Complex , Architectural Digest , Teen Vogue , and more.

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Top 15 Cool and Unusual Hotels in New York

New York has an intense passion for creativity, and many places to stay in the Big Apple are nothing short of spectacular. From intimate boutiques to modern high rises, here are my favorite spots in the city…

1. Hotel on Rivington

Housed in a very striking 20-story glass tower near trendy SoHo in Lower East Manhattan (just one block from the subway and within walking distance of Tribeca, Nolita, Little Italy, and the East Village), this sleek, chic, and ultra-cool hotel was once voted New York’s sexiest hotel. 

I stayed in a spacious minimalist, ultra-modern but romantic room with a Tempur-Pedic bed adorned with Frette linens, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, and gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows. I particularly loved the extraordinary views of the Manhattan skyline.

U pgraded rooms had balconies and sumptuous Japanese-style soaking tubs. I’d recommend booking an Executive King Room as they have privileged c orner placements on the higher levels with wow-inducing city views, including Downtown, SoHo, and even Brooklyn. 

Other highlights included a hip Mediterranean restaurant with outdoor dining, a funky juice bar, a trendy tequila and mescal bar which also doubles as a late-night lounge with potent cocktails created by some of the city’s leading mixologists, live DJs, and the very Instagrammable, sky-lit atrium which is just a dream. 

• To book, check prices or dates for Hotel on Rivington

Fun, funky, and highly innovative, just like the Japanese culture that inspired it, this is a 4-star, highly rated choice perfect for fans of technology and design and the young at heart.

Located in lively Times Square, I experienced a first-class hotel stay in the center of all the action without the designer price tag—think space-age minimalism combined with futuristic technology and quirky decor, unlike anything I’d seen before!

One of the most popular Midtown West hotels, it’s also affordable with funky cabins featuring motorized beds (which transform into handy sofas), an innovative ‘techno wall’ with a flat-screen TV, a work desk with iPod connectivity, sublime city views, free WiFi, and local phone calls. As a tech fan, I couldn’t get enough of all this! 

If you can afford it, I would recommend upgrading, as then you’ll find private terraces, soaking tubs, and sofas! Some of the upgraded rooms come with incredible floor-to-ceiling windows and seriously spectacular city views that could almost be from a movie, which I loved!

Other fun features include  automated check-in kiosks,  self-service amenity machines on each floor, and a rooftop terrace that functions as a restaurant and nightclub. 

• To book, check prices or availability for YOTEL

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3. Moxy NYC Chelsea

One of the best hotels to stay in the highly sought-after Chelsea District NYC, this hip botanical-themed hotel in Midtown Manhattan enjoys a fabulous central location in the beautiful and sought-after Flower District. 

I loved that it was just a short walk away from 28th St Station, Broadway, and Madison Square Gardens , so the 4-star highly rated spot is well-positioned for traveling all over the city. It is also close to trendy bars and more than 200 art galleries set in former factories in this hip and lively District. The artisan food hub, Chelsea Market, is also close by.

I was a big fan of this gorgeous, one-of-a-kind hotel, which beautifully fits into the neighborhood’s style and features fabulous floral decor with a traditional twist.

Modern elements and immaculate design details offset the classical botanical themes, giving the hotel a luxurious feel with subtle lighting. This was combined with upscale service, which didn’t feel too intimidating. 

The trendy bedrooms have a cool ‘New York Loft’ industrial style and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered truly incredible views of the city’s famously gasp-inducing skyline (which included the neighboring Empire State Building )!

I’d strongly suggest heading up to the rooftop restaurant and dining on Hot Pink Cotton Candy pancakes at their popular ‘Magic Hour’ – pure bliss! 

• To book, check prices or availability for Moxy NYC Chelsea

4. Standard High Line

Sleek, glossy, stylish, and attracting trendy types by the bucket load, the uber-glamorous 4-star and exceptionally rated spot offers sexy minimalist interiors and spectacular cityscape and river views.

One of the stand-out Greenwich Village hotels, the striking 18-story tower rises above the High Line urban park (a former elevated train track) within a stone’s throw of the Meatpacking District nightspots, the West Village, Chelsea Market, and the subway.

Greenwich Village is a superb place to base yourself in the city, and I was surrounded by hip bars, funky cafes, creative restaurants, and awesome cultural venues such as Jazz Clubs and Broadway Theaters. Back at the hotel, I’d suggest taking advantage of their afternoon happy hour, where they have big discounts on a range of drinks.

As well as being the place to be seen, I loved the roof terrace with a hot tub, floor-to-ceiling windows in the retro-modern rooms, the German beer garden, rooftop crêperie (which turns into a club at night, but in the day make sure you sample a few of the delicious crepes which were my favorite!), free bicycles on loan, and even cheeky exhibitionist bathrooms…definitely a hotel that will impress, it did me!

Alternatively, opt for their hip sister hotel, one of the trendiest East Village hotels.

• To book, check prices or availability for Standard High Line

5. The Box Hotel

This is one of the most endearing and unique places I have stayed in New York, and in a city like the Big Apple, that’s saying something! Housed in a converted factory, it now has art-adorned, creative, industrial-chic interiors.

Most of the rooms are more like cool apartments, and the loft rooms and 1- to 2-bedroom apartments have fully equipped kitchens, cosy living rooms, and pull-out couches.

Funky suite-like bedrooms are also available, and all benefit from free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, coffee-making facilities, balconies offering superb city views, a communal gym, a dry sauna, and a steam room.

As well as being a very hipster-friendly abode, its location is pretty funky too; it’s based just across the road from Pulaski Bridge in Brooklyn, only a 9-minute walk from the Greenpoint Avenue subway station and 6 miles from the Empire State Building.

I had easy access to Manhattan and was surrounded by incredible waterfront views, fun brewhouses, and plenty of hipster-friendly bars, clubs, and restaurants. I’d strongly suggest taking advantage of their shuttle service to the subway which is a seriously fun ride in a 1970s checker cab! 

• To book, check prices or availability for The Box Hotel

6. Hotel Hugo

I experienced high-end amenities such as flatscreen TVs, iPod docking stations, luxury bathrobes, and Argan bath toiletries to complement the custom mahogany details, hardwood floors, and classic New York-style furnishings. If you can, I’d suggest opting for a loft suite, as the huge bathrooms and soaking tubs make it easily worthwhile! 

The SoHo District is also sought-after. Highlights include independent boutique shopping, trendy bars, upscale restaurants, and scenery, including atmospheric cobblestone streets and beautiful cast-iron facades. 

One of my favorite highlights included the incredible glass-enclosed rooftop bar, which serves tasty cocktails and tacos with panoramic river and city views; their on-site Italian restaurant, where tables spill out onto the Greenwich Street sidewalk; and Café Hugo, which serves seasonal farm-to-table fare. 

• To book, check prices or availability for Hotel Hugo

7. Arlo SoHo

We all know that the best things come in small packages, and this 4-star exceptionally rated gem is a perfect example!

It’s billed as a micro-boutique hotel and set in one of the trendiest locations in town, just two blocks from the boutique stores and trendy bars and restaurants of SoHo, central Manhattan, and within easy walking distance of other fabulous hipster-friendly neighborhoods such as Tribeca  and Greenwich Village.

It is one of the best hotels in Soho Manhattan. The inside is seriously cute! The cabin-style rooms were thoughtfully – and uniquely – laid out and combined with contemporary furniture such as solid walnut  alcove beds.

I was a big fan of the handy, efficient storage spaces and playful touches (including some great tech – make sure you try it out before leaving)! Upgraded rooms feature large outdoor terraces.

My other favorite hotel highlights include supping on cocktail and craft beers on the very hip rooftop bar, sinking into a sheepskin-clad sofa or ergonomic armchair in the onsite library, or feasting on fine international fayre in the 24-hour artisan pantry Bodega.

I also recommend heading down to the hip and atmospheric speakeasy-style ‘Foxtail’ bar for a creative cocktail whipped up by one of their mixologists!

Alternatively, Arlo has another fabulous boutique hotel in the city, the NoMad neighborhood hotel version, which has an equally funky design—so you’ve got a tough choice! 

• To book, check prices or availability for Arlo SoHo

8. The Jane

Friendly, unique, and with an edge, staying at the highly regarded and much-loved budget boutique The Jane was an experience. It is located on the edge of the fun and hipster-friendly Meatpacking District ‘s nightlife hub (and only six blocks from High Line Park and a subway stop).

I loved that the  vintage-style boutique hotel has a quirky, time-warp feel that features rooms endearingly inspired by old-fashioned train cabins.

I stayed in a compact cabin/room with modern amenities like free Wi-Fi and iPod docks, and all rooms have either Hudson River views or terraces. Larger upgraded rooms are also available and there’s a popular onsite restaurant which is a local’s favorite for brunch, and – my personal favorite – an opulent Victorian-style lobby bar that also doubles as a hipster hotspot. I’d recommend trying their famous brunch, I found out it was popular for a reason!

The decor is exceptionally unique, with authentic old-school bellhops, maids in black-and-white uniforms, carved moose heads, and stuffed monkeys adorned with fez hats! I honestly thought this was one of the city’s most intriguing hotels.

• To book, check prices or availability for The Jane Hotel

9. The Ludlow Hotel

This 4-star exceptionally rated boutique is located on a lively street in the heart of one of the trendiest neighborhoods in town.

The Lower East Side of Manhattan has risen over the years from a slum to an urban center of arts, boutique shopping, and dining and is only a minute’s walk from the subway and 2 miles from the Empire State Building . I thought it was a trendy place but still had an edge. 

This spot reflects the hip urban environment surrounding it and feels like a beat poet just left the room whenever you walk in! I experienced s ophisticated artwork, vintage furnishings, four poster beds, dark woods, and boutique details like Moroccan Rose-scented toiletries.

If you can, I’d recommend opting for Queen Studio, which has its own cute little private terrace. 

Other highlights of this hotel include attentive service and the delicious French-inspired fare at the in-house restaurant ‘Dirty French’, a popular spot in town.

Throw in lashings of faux fur, beautiful floor-to-ceiling windows, rainfall showers, mosaic bathrooms, sublime city views, fabulous mod cons, and a trendy industrial chic design, and I had a one-of-a-kind experience.

• To book, check prices or availability for The Ludlow Hotel

10. Social Hotel Times Square

A hotel perfect for Gen Zs and Millennials, this upbeat and colorful hotel epitomizes its buzzy Times Square surroundings. Of course, its Times Square location is a huge draw in itself, and here I was at the center of all the action surrounded by incredible bars, restaurants, theaters, and blingy bright lights galore.

I was a big fan of the contemporary style at this 4-star spot, filled with creative, quirky details. The lobby and other shared spaces offer a wow-inducing modern design and feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows for some of the best views in Times Square. 

I stayed in a bright, modern guest room with fabulous city views (and I had a choice of direction) and some upscale amenities.

My favorite highlights include the cutely named Beast & Butterflies restaurant and bar which serves up world cuisine, wine, and signature drinks (I’d suggest trying the tasty Butterfly Kisses cocktail!) all while offering fabulous city views and the impressive heated outdoor terrace where you can dine alfresco or again sip on cocktails.

Like its name suggests, there’s an emphasis on being social here, and I made some new friends during my stay, too! 

• To book, check prices or availability for Social Hotel Times Square

11. Selina Chelsea

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s buzzing restaurant and art gallery-strewn Chelsea district (a 6-minute walk from High Line Park and a 10-minute walk from a subway station), I was a big fan of this ultra-chic and highly rated 4-star trendy hotel that rocked a modern minimalist style.

With more than a nod to Japanese culture, all 56 rooms at the 4-star highly rated gem are zen-like. I stayed in a tranquil room that featured wooden platform beds, an ultra-modern design, trendy bean bag chairs, an iPad (which was loaded with handy recommendations for the best local galleries, restaurants, and shops), fabulous city views, and even handmade denim bathrobes.

If you can afford it, I suggest getting an upgraded room, which offers sumptuous Japanese-style soaking tubs. 

On the rooftop, the trendy outdoor pool with incredible views is a real treat in summer. During the winter months, it transitions into the concept restaurant Arriba—genius! Instagrammers and fans of unique interior design will love this place.

• To book, check prices or availability for Selina Chelsea

12. Made Hotel

With a clever play on words, this is a place where you will feel ‘made’ if you stay! It’s nestled amongst all the fabulous bars and eateries of the ultra-hip NoMad neighborhood, Manhattan – only a 2-minute walk to the nearest subway station and a 7-minute walk from the Empire State Building. 

I loved the decor at the highly-rated 4-star boutique which featured raw-material interiors, industrial-chic concrete ceilings, lashings of real wood embellished with oversized floor-to-ceiling windows (offering superb views of either the NoMad neighborhood or the Empire State Building), bohemian fabrics and striking bronze fixtures. I’d recommend booking the Creative Suite for a deep soaking tub and city views.

I stayed in an ultra-chic room with free Wi-Fi, a smart radio, a flat-screen TV, and an oak platform bed with hidden storage.

I also loved the basement restaurant, which served up seasonal food, the onsite coffee shop, which also doubles as a hangout for NoMad’s creative set, and the killer rooftop cocktail bar, which serves up tiki-style drinks with a large helping of panoramic city views (including the Empire State Building). 

• To book, check prices or availability for Made Hotel

13. Dream Downtown

It’s a trendy spot in a fabulous location between the Meatpacking District and Chelsea in Downtown Manhattan (close to a subway and a 4-minute walk from The High Line ).

It’s a luxury liner/maritime-themed haven in the middle of all the action with upscale amenities, spectacular views, and a glass-bottomed infinity pool that floats above the hotel lobby—giving both swimmers and arriving guests utterly unique views! 

I stayed in a spacious fantasy-themed hotel room with very cute porthole windows offering amazing views of the city (one of my favorite design details). It also featured a huge flat-screen TV, luxurious linens, and free WiFi. Upgraded rooms offer HDTV projectors and surround-sound systems.

My other favorite highlights include a rooftop lounge, a fusion restaurant serving Japanese and French cuisines (I suggest trying their incredible steamed dumplings), boutique shopping in the lobby, a 24-hour fitness center, and a beach (and even a beach club!) surrounding that amazing pool.

• To book, check prices or availability for Dream Downtown

14. Henn na Hotel

The future is here, and you’ll find it at the 4-star, highly rated, crazy, and fun spot in midtown Manhattan. Part of the Hudson Yards revival (New York’s newest neighborhood), this tech-themed hotel combines modern comforts and whimsical fun with plenty of interesting and forward-thinking innovation.

I especially loved the quirky decor which includes an animatronic dinosaur at the check-in counter in the lobby, yes really! My Instagram and TikTok followers loved them too.  Located near Midtown Manhattan I was based near everything I wanted to see in Manhattan – Times Square, Broadway, Fifth Avenue, Radio City , the Empire State Building, and more. I stayed in a modern Japanese-style-inspired room with an LG Styler closet that freshened up my clothing, a futon conditioner that regulated the mattress temperature, and a handy tablet too.

The Gosuke Akimitsu restaurant serves tasty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners in genuine Japanese style. I’d suggest trying their incredible deep-fried tempura with dipping sauces. I honestly think both kids, big kids, and Japanophiles will be huge fans.

• To book, check prices or availability for Henn na Hotel

15. Freehand Hotel

This is a 4-star hipster-friendly gem with a boho vibe that puts me in the heart of the funky Flatiron district, one of my favorite NYC spots.

The district is within easy reach of the city’s fabled museums, bars, restaurants, shopping, art galleries, the High Line district, and the famous Gramercy Theatre music venue . It also connected me to the city’s happening art scene.

The building has a fascinating past and dates back to the roaring 1920s being a former creative hub and popular hangout for many writers, musicians, and artists.

It’s since been lovingly renovated and added to, and I found molded ceilings, colorful decor, and impressive parquet flooring. Striking Jacobean features sat side-by-side with 1970s-style avocado-colored bathroom tiles and contemporary touches like brightly-colored walls and funky designer rugs.

Highly Instagrammable and attracting a hip, youthful crowd, it had artwork literally covering the walls, much of it from Bard College art students, which was also available for purchase, which I thought was a great touch.

I didn’t have to venture far to find fabulous food, drink, and music, and the hotel also had its onsite bar and restaurant. I’d suggest sampling their tasty Salatim Platter or the Guacamole and Chips at their funky Broken Shaker bar.

• To book, check prices or availability for Freehand Hotel

18 thoughts on “Top 15 Cool and Unusual Hotels in New York”

Love the look of these hotels, wonderful! The Jane looks fun!

Heyy Becky I was looking for nice trendy hotel in NY and came across ur post which is really helpful. Does any of these hotel’s have a small conference room ??? can you name them ?

Hey! Yes many of these hotels do, CitizenM would be the best bet!

I am definitely going to bookmark this page so I remember that location whenever I am planning to go back into the city!

Excellent website with good information. It’s really important for tourism

Thanks Alex glad to be of help!

The Jane sounds like quite the interesting place to stay. I feel like I need to go at least once now.

another really cool younger and modern looking hotel good for young people lounge and restaurant is Yotel in NYC just 2 blocks from Times square is another really cool hotel option in the area

Night Hotel looks fantastic!!!

IKR LOOKS AMAZING!

Thanks for sharing this post on New York hotels. I was searching for some and this post has really helped thank you!

I have been to and stayed in New York City in the past, but never at hotels like these. I am particularly captivated by the Night Hotel. I am a rather dark person myself, and the gothic and just…dark…qualities that this hotel contains just seems to scream at me to come and visit. I am definitely going to bookmark this page so I remember that location whenever I am planning to go back into the city!

Thanks for your comments!

Love the Jane Hotel!

Thanks for all your comments!

Jocelyne, Becky: NYC hotel prices are going to be high where ever you stay. I’ve never heard of the MAve but it looked cool. I just booked a stay for end of Jan for around $160/night.

Great list and thanks for the suggestion!

Hi Jocelyne, if you click into the hotel link in the text it will take you to a booking website where you can check the prices. Although thank you for your feedback we will add the prices guides in at the bottom to make this article more user-friendly. Becky

where are the prices isn’t that the most important element é é é

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42 of the Best Small Towns in New York for an Idyllic Getaway

Outside of NYC, you'll find quaint villages and serene waterfront hamlets.

Ah, New York, New York. As they say, a city so nice, they named it twice! But what happens when you want to venture outside that Big Apple and into the rest of New York? State , that is.

Well, the Empire State has plenty to offer.

Out east, there's Long Island—home to Montauk , the Hamptons, and all the beaches and vineyards a summer vacationer could ask for. There, you have chic, luxe hotels, award-winning restaurants, water sports, world-class wine—and the sand between your toes. Venture to the very tip, and they say you've reached the "end of the world." Staring out from Montauk Point Lighthouse, you might just believe it. (Serenity found!)

Where will you find your oasis? Without further ado, we present 42 of our favorite small, charming towns (and picturesque villages, hamlets, and even some sweet cities) in New York State.

Schenectady

Just a stone's throw from Albany, Schenectady boasts a bustling main street, complete with classic architecture and a well-preserved street clock. But perhaps its loveliest place for a stroll would be the Central Park Rose Garden, which features 4,000 rose bushes, a tiered fountain, and even a babbling brook. (Fun fact: Schenectady is where 2012's The Place Beyond the Pines , starring the now-married Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, was filmed.)

Saranac Lake

Visit this village among the Adirondack Mountains for the cure cottage architecture of the houses that surround the lake and the 1.1-mile Moose Pond Trail. Bonus: It's smooth enough to hike with kids.

As it's placed snugly in the Finger Lakes' wine country, Corning is, of course, a great place for a fine beverage. But our favorite reason to visit is the Corning Museum of Glass. The chic space covers more than 3,500 years of glassmaking history, and you can even watch glassblowers at work and design a glass ornament of your own.

Cooperstown

You know Cooperstown as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame—and indeed, the Hall's annual Induction Weekend is the town's biggest event. But there's so much more to see and do here. Take in art (at the Fenimore Art Museum) or music (at the Glimmerglass Opera), antique, golf, and even horseback ride. As for where to stay, may we recommend the Otesaga Resort Hotel—an old-school stunner that just so happens to be on the National Register for Historic Places—or the charming Victorian Inn at Cooperstown, pictured here.

Watkins Glen

In Watkins Glen, choose your adventure! In one direction, explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, known for its diverse lineup of world-class wines. In the other, visit the Watkins Glen State Park, where you'll find no fewer than 19 waterfalls. (The Gorge Trail, which lines Glen Creek, is known to be particularly easy on the eyes.) And don't miss the colorful Seneca Harbor Park Pier, pictured here, of course.

If you're headed here, one of the Catskills' prettiest locales, it's fair to suspect you're also headed to Mohonk Mountain House. A resort founded by the Smiley Family in 1869, the Victorian castle sits right on the water—which is why so many hop in a kayak as soon as they step outside. Surrounded by so much natural beauty, many choose to hike, but you can also treat yourself to an afternoon tea or a trip to the spa. Don't forget the nearby Historic Huguenot Street, with history preserved from as far back as the mid-17th century, when the area was known as "New Netherland."

Only 90 minutes north of New York City, Beacon is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian homes, as well as its quaint Main Street, filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. But no trip is complete without a visit to its enormous contemporary art museum, Dia Beacon. Not only does it feature art and installations from some of the modern greats, including Louise Bourgeois and Michael Heizer, but it also has some very famous fans: BTS' art-loving leader, RM, filmed a concert for his debut solo album, Indigo , inside.

Lake Placid

Lake Placid is the winter sports destination, even hosting the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980 . But if, unlike a certain animated ice queen, the cold does bother you, there are also plenty of pretty shops and restaurants you can stay warm in. As you can see, it's absolutely stunning in the fall too.

Despite the fact that Woodstock—the iconic music and art fair of the '60s—was not actually held in Woodstock, the town has always been considered a home for the artistically inclined (back in the day, you could easily bump into Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan). No surprise, then, that if you visit Woodstock's town center, you'll find music shops and art galleries galore.

Pleasantville

With its pristine downtown—complete with an oversized gazebo, the Pleasantville Diner, The Village Bookstore, and more—you'd be forgiven for mistaking Pleasantville for the set of Gilmore Girls . But this real-world beaut is actually a bit more modern. Look no further than the Jacob Burns Film Center for proof. The five-screen, art-house theater plays films from around the world, while hosting same of the biggest names in cinema: Jason Reitman, Jon Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Anjelica Huston, and Meryl Streep have all come to speak. The town's also less than a 10-minute drive to Blue Hill Stone Barns, arguably the culinary experience of the Hudson Valley, complete with its own highly innovative farm.

The idyllic village of Aurora sits on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region. About 700 residents live in the town, and it is also home to Wells College. Plan your stay at The Inns of Aurora , with its impeccable accommodations and delicious dining options, plus activities like archery, kayaking, or touring local wineries. You'll want to spend a full day luxuriating at the spa.

If you love your little, quaint towns with a dash of luxury—particularly in the form of a lush stay—Rhinebeck is for you. Its tree-lined high street is chock-full of speciality shops—including Samuel's Sweet Shop, a classic candy shop owned by none other than actors Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Hilarie Burton. (Fingers crossed for a sighting!) Once your sweet tooth gets its fix, head back to one of the prettiest hotels in the area: the Parisian-inspired Mirbeau Inn & Spa.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

Yes, we're talking about the Sleepy Hollow! The village is, of course, the setting of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," aka the tale of the Headless Horseman. Naturally, such a claim to fame comes alive around Halloween. A proper spooky visit includes haunted hayrides, cemetery tours, and yes, a stop by the Headless Horseman Statue .

Historic Greenport Village looks like something out of a harborside fairytale. At The Haborfront Inn, the architecture is a nod to the waterfront boarding houses of yore (with very modern amenities, like a pool and private beach). And for a room right on the Long Island Sound, with a view of the most gorgeous sunset, Sound View Greenport can't be beat. The North Fork area is also home to the famed lavender field, Lavender by the Bay, wineries galore, and an antique carousel that kids will adore.

Andes is truly small—with just over 1,000 residents to its name—but when it comes to charm, it goes big . There's a special focus on fresh ingredients at both the restaurants and the cideries: Wayside Cider & Taproom (pictured here) serves hard ciders made with apples from their orchard. Plus, leaf-peeping in the fall, both in town and throughout the Catskills, is incomparable.

Bovina is one of upstate New York's historic dairy towns, but we don't quite come for the milk. We come for our favorite restaurant: The Brushland Eating House. The restaurant offers a single seating per night to encourage conversation, say owners Sara and Sohail Zandi. "We want it to feel warm, familiar, and friendly," says Sara. With can-lined walls and a piano in the window, they can consider that mission accomplished.

Here, you'll find eclectic antique stores, beloved vintage shops, and lots of quality restaurants. Our pick? The Red Onion, which not only has a lauded vegetarian-friendly menu, but also a Wine Spectator Award. Don't miss the Cantine Dam Falls—and if you love nature and art, you have to see Opus 40 , a massive environment sculpture that Architectural Digest called "one of the largest and most beguiling works of art on the entire continent." Oh, and this lighthouse? It's also the sweetest little bed and breakfast .

Nicknamed "The Friendly City," Hudson has just under 7,000 inhabitants, but that hasn't stopped it from taking over the Hudson Valley. Included on our list of the "Best Small Towns in the U.S.," Hudson has orchards, galleries, breweries, fine antique shopping (our go-to: Red Chair on Warren), and a brand-new boutique hotel called The Maker. And all with a perfect view of the river.

Montauk is known by many Long Islanders as "The End"—and indeed, it is the easternmost part of the island (and, for that matter, New York State). Nevertheless, if you're new to Long Island's famed Hamptons, we'd argue that Montauk is actually a great place to begin . It's just as lovely as any other Hamptons village—one scenic bike ride to the Montauk Point Lighthouse will convince you of that—but it feels a bit more casual and cozy. If you're looking to kick it up a notch though, Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, with its private beach club and ocean-themed spa, will certainly do the trick.

Bridgehampton

While we love the slightly more casual feel throughout Montauk, we are certainly not opposed to the ever-chic Bridgehampton—most especially, their crowning jewel, Topping Rose House. The 19th-century estate splendidly maintains its historic architecture, but there are a few perfectly modern touches too, including a serene lap pool and a Jean-Georges restaurant (farm-to-table, of course).

Rose Marie Walano is a freelance editor and children's author. (And a Cosmo alum!) Among the many things she loves are high tea, period dramas, Central Park, K-pop, and her adorable mini-doodle, Colette. You can follow her on Instagram at @rosiewalano.

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More From Forbes

The 20 best cities to live in the world, ranked in a 2024 report.

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View of the historic Zurich city center with famous Fraumunster Church on the Limmat River.

What are the best cities to live in the world? Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) evaluates cities across the globe for their liveability, releasing the much-anticipated Global Liveability Index 2024 .

The EIU’s report examines 173 cities using 30 indicators divided into several categories, including stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure, then ranks them on a 100-point scale. The aim? To show how comfortable these cities are to live in.

The World’s Best City to Live

For the third consecutive year, Vienna, Austria—a place celebrated for its unmatched blend of cultural richness and essential public services—claims the title of the world’s best city to live.

“This year, Vienna once again got perfect scores (of 100) for four of the five categories, although its score for culture and environment was a less-perfect 93.5, owing to a lack of major sporting events,” Barsali Bhattacharyya, deputy industry director at EIU, told me in an interview.

Vienna has been named the world's best city to live for the third year in a row. Pictured here: St. ... [+] Charles Church "Karlskirche" Church.

Overall, Western Europe remains the world’s most liveable region with eight cities in the top 20. Coming in second on the list—also for the third year in a row—is Copenhagen, Denmark. Zurich, Switzerland ousted Melbourne, Australia to take the third place on the list in 2024 (a position it held in 2022). Compare these results to 2023 and 2022 .

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024

Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, global trends.

So what do the results say about global liveability? This year’s report reveals a positive trend, primarily driven by significant improvements in healthcare and education in developing nations. However, these gains are somewhat offset by declining scores in several top-tier cities. Geopolitical risks also had an impact on the overall index.

“Global liveability has risen fractionally over the past year but risks to stability remain,” says Bhattacharyya. “High inflation, accompanied by interest rates and other economic headwinds, has led to frequent protests worldwide.”

One surprise in this year’s results, according to Bhattacharyya: “Overall, cities across the developing world have significant strides in improving their liveability standards, while those in rich countries have seen a decline in scores.”

The Best Cities to Live in the U.S.

Again this year, the U.S. didn’t crack the list of top 20 best places to live—but it moved up, with Honolulu taking the top spot as the best U.S. city to live for the second year in a row. Honolulu ranked 23 on the overall list—a two point increase from 2023, when it was number 25 overall. Honolulu performed well due to its robust educational facilities. It also scored strongly on stability as compared to other U.S. cities.

One notable trend in the U.S. is that smaller cities tend to outperform the biggest metropolises. Besides Honolulu at the top, Pittsburgh (number 3), Boston (number 7) and Minneapolis (number 10) made the list of the top 10 places to move in the U.S. “The U.S.’s most populous cities, such as New York (70th) and Los Angeles (58th), have impressive scores for their cultural offerings, but weaker ratings for stability and infrastructure,” says Bhattacharyya.

Across North America, the scores dropped—and housing was a big reason, especially in Canada. Toronto dropped from the top 10 in 2023 to the 12th position for 2024. “The main reason for the decline in North America’s scores in this year’s index is a lower infrastructure score for Canada on account of low housing supply,” says Bhattacharyya. “As in some other advanced economies, Canadian house price growth accelerated markedly during the pandemic, when mortgages were quite cheap. The combination of low housing supply and strong population growth, further driven by high levels of immigration, has led to record-low vacancy rates.”

There were several issues at play in the U.S. “Cities in the U.S. face a few well-established structural problems that affect their scores in our index,” says Bhattacharyya. “Foremost among these is a greater incidence of social unrest, which is often rooted in racial inequalities. Moreover, weak gun-control laws mean that crime is often violent and fatal and undermines social cohesion.”

The coastline of Honolulu, Hawaii, which was named the best place to live in the U.S.

The Biggest Changes

Despite dominating the top 20 with eight cities on the list, Europe faces challenges, recording the largest overall decline due to deteriorating stability scores. A surge in protests across Western Europe—spanning issues from far-right extremism to EU agricultural policies—reflects underlying societal tensions that could threaten future stability.

The biggest leap up the ranks globally was made by Hong Kong, which saw improvements in its score for stability. Hong Kong has also registered improvement in its healthcare facilities over the years. “Although not quite back to its pre-2019 scores, Hong Kong’s political landscape has stabilized, with the risks of disruptions from mass protests now negligible,” says Bhattacharyya. “The national security law and the local regulations introduced earlier in 2024 have restored political stability.”

But there are some drawbacks in Hong Kong, according to Bhattacharyya. “This change in score reflects a huge tradeoff to Hong Kong’s civil society, as evidenced by the city’s plunging score in our separately published Democracy Index.”

Meanwhile, there are stark contrasts in the Middle East and North Africa region. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has significantly impacted Tel Aviv, which has plummeted by 20 places to rank 112th.

On the other hand, Gulf cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have seen major improvements in their liveability scores. “This year, Dubai has joined Abu Dhabi in achieving the highest tier of liveability in our index (i.e. a score of 80 or above). Both cities score highly on stability, infrastructure and education and have seen steady improvements in overall ratings over the past few years,” says Bhattacharyya.

Saudi Arabia also performed well. “In the past few years, Saudi Arabian cities have seen strong investment in domestic infrastructure, education and health in order to become more attractive to foreign tourists and expatriates, and diversify their economies,” says Bhattacharyya. “These efforts have been rewarded with movements up the rankings.”

Read on for the rankings of the best cities to live around the world and in the United States.

A view of traditional houses in the Nyhavn area of Copenhagen, Denmark, which was named the world's ... [+] second best city to live for the third year in a row.

Ranked: The 20 Best Cities To Live in the World

1. Vienna, Austria

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

3. Zurich, Switzerland

4. Melbourne, Australia

5. Calgary, Canada (tied with Geneva)

5. Geneva, Switzerland (tie)

7. Sydney, Australia (tied with Vancouver)

7. Vancouver, Canada (tie)

9. Osaka, Japan (tied with Auckland)

9. Auckland, New Zealand (tie)

11. Adelaide, Australia

12. Toronto, Canada

13. Helsinki, Finland

14. Tokyo, Japan

15. Perth, Australia

16. Brisbane, Australia

17. Frankfurt, Germany (tied with Luxembourg)

17. Luxembourg, Luxembourg (tie)

19. Amsterdam, Netherlands

20. Wellington, New Zealand

Honolulu has been named the best city to live in the U.S. and the 23rd best place to live in the ... [+] world. Here, a surfboard-lined alley off the commercial shopping district of Kalakaua Avenue by Waikiki Beach.

Ranked: The 10 Best Cities To Live In The U.S.

1. Honolulu, Hawaii (overall ranking: 23)

2. Atlanta, Georgia (overall ranking: 29)

3. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (overall ranking: 30)

4. Seattle, Washington (overall ranking: 34)

5. Washington D.C. (overall ranking: 38)

6. Chicago, Illinois (overall ranking: 39)

7. Boston, Massachusetts (overall ranking: 45)

8. Miami, Florida (overall ranking: 47)

9. San Francisco, California (overall ranking: 49)

10. Minneapolis, Minnesota (overall ranking: 50)

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FactChecking the Biden-Trump Debate

In the first debate clash of the 2024 campaign, the two candidates unleashed a flurry of false and misleading statements.

By Robert Farley , Eugene Kiely , D'Angelo Gore , Jessica McDonald , Lori Robertson , Catalina Jaramillo , Saranac Hale Spencer and Alan Jaffe

Posted on June 28, 2024

The much-anticipated first debate of 2024 between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump featured a relentless barrage of false and misleading statements from the two candidates on immigration, the economy, abortion, taxes and more.

• Both candidates erred on Social Security, with Biden incorrectly saying that Trump “wants to get rid” of the program, and Trump falsely alleging that Biden will “wipe out” Social Security due to the influx of people at the border.
• Trump misleadingly claimed that he was “the one that got the insulin down for the seniors,” not Biden. Costs were lowered for some under a limited project by the Trump administration. Biden signed a law capping costs for all seniors with Medicare drug coverage.
• Trump warned that Biden “wants to raise your taxes by four times,” but Biden has not proposed anything like that. Trump was also mostly wrong when he said Biden “wants the Trump tax cuts to expire.” Biden said he would extend them for anyone making under $400,000 a year.
• Biden repeated his misleading claim that billionaires pay an average federal tax rate of 8%. That White House calculation factors in earnings on unsold stock as income.
• Trump repeated his false claim that “everybody,” including all legal scholars, wanted to end Roe v. Wade’s constitutional right to abortion.
• Trump falsely claimed that “the only jobs” Biden “created are for illegal immigrants and bounced back jobs that bounced back from the COVID.” Total nonfarm employment is higher than it was before the pandemic, as is the employment level of native-born workers.
• Biden claimed that Trump oversaw the “largest deficit of any president,” while Trump countered that “we now have the largest deficit” under Biden. The largest budget deficit was under Trump in fiscal year 2020, but that was largely because of emergency spending due to COVID-19.
• Biden misleadingly said that “Black unemployment is the lowest level it has been in a long, long time.” The rate reached a record low in April 2023, and it was low under Trump, too, until the pandemic.
• Biden said Trump called U.S. veterans killed in World War I “suckers and losers,” which Trump called a “made up quote.” The Atlantic reported that, based on anonymous sources. A former Trump chief of staff later seemed to confirm Trump said it.
• Trump claimed that Biden “caused the inflation,” but economists say rising inflation was mostly due to disruptions to the economy caused by the pandemic.
• Trump grossly inflated the number of immigrants who have entered the country during the Biden administration — putting the number at 18 million to 20 million — and he said, without evidence, that many of them are from prisons and mental institutions.
• Trump claimed that “we had the safest border in history” in the “final months” of his presidency. But apprehensions of those trying to cross illegally in the last three full months of his presidency were about 50% higher than in the three months before he took office.
• Biden criticized Trump for presiding over a loss of jobs when he was president, but that loss occurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Trump falsely claimed that “some states” run by Democrats allow abortions “after birth.” If it happened, it would be homicide, and that’s illegal.
• Trump made the unsupported claim that the U.S. border with Mexico is “the most dangerous place in the world,” and suggested that it has opened the country to a violent crime wave. The data show a reduction in violent crime in the U.S.
• Trump overstated how much food prices have risen due to inflation. Prices are up by about 20%, not double or quadruple. 
• Trump boasted his administration “had the best environmental numbers ever.” Trump reversed nearly 100 environmental rules limiting pollution. Although greenhouse gas emissions did decline from 2019 to 2020, the EPA said that was due to the impacts of the pandemic on travel and the economy.   
• Biden said he joined the Paris Agreement because “if we reach the 1.5 degrees Celsius, and then … there’s no way back.” Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees would reduce the damages and losses of global warming, but scientists agree that climate action is still possible after passing the threshold.
• Trump said immigrants crossing the border illegally were living in “luxury hotels.” New York City has provided hotel and motel rooms to migrant families, but there is no evidence that they are being placed in “luxury” hotels. 
• Trump falsely claimed that there was “no terrorism, at all” in the U.S. during his administration. There were several terrorist acts carried out by foreign-born individuals when he was president.
• While talking about international trade, Trump falsely claimed that the U.S. currently has “the largest deficit with China.” In 2023, the trade deficit in goods and services with China was the lowest it has been since 2009.
• Trump wrongly claimed that prior to the pandemic, he had created “the greatest economy in the history of our country.” That’s far from true using economists’ preferred measure — growth in gross domestic product.
• As he has many times before, Trump wrongly claimed, “I gave you the largest tax cut in history.” That’s not true either as a percentage of gross domestic product or in inflation-adjusted dollars.
• Trump contrasted his administration with Biden’s by misleadingly noting that when he left office, the U.S. was “energy independent.” The U.S. continues to export more energy than it imports.

The debate was hosted by CNN in Atlanta on June 27.

Social Security

Biden claimed that Trump “wants to get rid” of Social Security, even though the former president has consistently said he will not cut the program and has advised Republicans against doing so.

Earlier this year, Biden and his campaign based the claim on Trump saying in a  March 11 CNBC interview  that “there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements in terms of cutting and in terms of also the theft and the bad management of entitlements.” As  we’ve said , in context, instead of reducing benefits, Trump was talking about cutting waste and fraud in those programs — although there’s not enough of that to make the program solvent over the long term.

“I will never do anything that will jeopardize or hurt Social Security or Medicare,” Trump later said in a  March 13 Breitbart interview . “We’ll have to do it elsewhere. But we’re not going to do anything to hurt them.”

During the GOP presidential primary, Trump also  criticized  some of his Republican opponents for proposing to raise the retirement age for Social Security, which budget experts  have said  would reduce scheduled benefits for those affected.

Some critics of Trump have  argued  that he cannot be expected to keep his promise because of his past budget proposals. But,  as we’ve written , Trump did not propose cuts to Social Security retirement benefits.

Meanwhile, Trump claimed during the debate that Biden “is going to single handedly destroy Social Security” because of illegal immigration. “These millions and millions of people coming in, they’re trying to put them on Social Security. He will wipe out Social Security,” Trump said of Biden.

As  we  and  others  have explained before, immigrants who are not authorized to be in the U.S. aren’t eligible for Social Security. In fact, because many such individuals pay into Social Security via payroll taxes but cannot receive benefits, illegal immigrants bolster rather than drain the finances of the program.

In referring to what seniors pay for insulin, Trump misleadingly claimed, “I heard him say before ‘insulin.’ I’m the one that got the insulin down for the seniors. I took care of the seniors.” Insulin costs went down for some beneficiaries under a limited project under Trump; Biden signed a more expansive law affecting all seniors with Medicare drug coverage.

Under Trump, out-of-pocket costs were lowered to $35 for some Medicare Part D beneficiaries under a two-year pilot project in which some insurers could voluntarily reduce the cost for some insulin products. KFF, a nonpartisan health policy research organization,  explained  earlier this month that under this model, in effect from 2021 to 2023, “participating Medicare Part D prescription drug plans covered at least one of each dosage form and type of insulin product at no more than $35 per month,” and “less than half of all Part D plans chose to participate in each year.”

But in 2022, Biden  signed a law  that required all Medicare prescription drug plans to cap all insulin products at $35. The law also capped the out-of-pocket price for insulin that’s covered under Medicare Part B, which covers drugs administered in a health care provider’s office. The caps went into effect last year.

STAT, a news site that covers health care issues,  reported  that the idea for a $35 cap for seniors initially came from Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company, which proposed it in 2019.

Trump on Biden Tax Plan

“He’s the only one I know he wants to raise your taxes by four times,” Trump said of Biden. “He wants to raise everybody’s taxes by four times. He wants the Trump tax cuts to expire. So everybody … [is] going to pay four to five times –  nobody ever heard of this before.”

Trump regularly warns of massive tax hikes for “everybody,” should Biden be reelected. That doesn’t jibe with anything Biden has proposed.

In his more than three years as president, Biden’s  major tax changes  have included setting a  minimum corporate tax rate  of 15% and lowering taxes for some families by  expanding the child tax credit  and, for a time, making it fully refundable, meaning families could still receive a refund even if they no longer owe additional taxes.

As  we wrote  in 2020, when Trump made a similar claim, Biden proposed during that campaign to raise an additional $4 trillion in taxes over the next decade, although the increases would have fallen mainly on very high-income earners and corporations. The plan would not have doubled or tripled people’s taxes at any income level (on average), according to analyses of Biden’s plan by the  Penn Wharton Budget Model ,  the Tax Policy Center  and  the Tax Foundation .

In March 2023, the TPC’s Howard Gleckman  wrote  that Biden proposed a 2024 budget that would, on average, increase after-tax incomes for low-income households and “leave them effectively unchanged for middle-income households.” The Tax Policy Center noted, “The top 1 percent, with at least roughly $1 million in income, would pay an average of $300,000 more than under current law, dropping their after-tax incomes by 14 percent.”

This March, Biden released his  fiscal year 2025 budget , which contains many of the same proposals and adds a few new wrinkles. But it still  does not contain  any “colossal tax hikes” on typical American families, as Trump has said.

Biden’s latest plan proposes — as he has in the past — to increase the corporate income tax rate from 21% to 28%, and to  restore  the top individual tax rate of 39.6% from the current rate of 37%. It would also increase the corporate minimum tax rate from 15% to 21% for companies that report average profits in excess of $1 billion over a three-year period. And the plan would impose a 25% minimum tax on very wealthy individuals. The plan also proposes to extend the expanded child tax credit enacted in the American Rescue Plan through 2025, and to make the child tax credit fully refundable on a permanent basis.

Trump is also mostly wrong that Biden “wants the Trump tax cuts to expire.”

As he has said since the 2020 campaign, Biden’s FY 2025 budget vows not to increase taxes on people earning less than $400,000.

In order to keep that pledge, Biden would have to extend most of the individual income tax provisions enacted in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are set to expire at the end of 2025. And that’s what Biden says he would do — but  only for  individual filers earning less than $400,000 and married couples making less than $450,000. (In order to pass the TCJA with a simple Senate majority, Republicans wrote the law to have most of the individual income tax changes  expire after 2025 .)

The Biden budget plan “would raise marginal income tax rates faced by higher earners and corporations while expanding tax credits for lower-income households,” according to a Tax Foundation  analysis  of the tax provisions in Biden’s budget. “The budget would redistribute income from high earners to low earners. The bottom 60 percent of earners would see increases in after-tax income in 2025, while the top 40 percent of earners would see decreases.”

Biden on Taxes Paid by Billionaires

In arguing that wealthy households should pay a minimum tax, Biden repeated his misleading claim that billionaires pay an average federal tax rate of 8%.

“We have a thousand … billionaires in America, and what’s happening?”  Biden said . “They’re in a situation where they in fact pay 8.2% in taxes.”

That’s not the average rate in the current tax system; it’s a figure  calculated  by the White House and factors in earnings on unsold stock as income. When only considering income, the top-earning taxpayers, on average, pay higher tax rates than those in lower income groups, as  we’ve written  before.

The top 0.1% of earners pay an average rate of 25.1% in federal income and payroll taxes,  according to  an analysis by the Tax Policy Center in October 2022 for the 2023 tax year.

The point that Biden tried to make is that earnings on assets, such as stock, currently are not taxed until that asset is sold, which is when the earnings become subject to capital gains taxes. Until stocks and assets are sold, the earnings are referred to as “unrealized” gains. Unrealized gains, the White House  has argued , could go untaxed forever if wealthy people hold on to them and transfer them on to heirs when they die.

Roe v. Wade

As he has  before , Trump wildly exaggerated the popularity of ending Roe v. Wade — even going so far as to claim that it was “something that everybody wanted.”

“51 years ago, you had Roe v. Wade and everybody wanted to get it back to the states,”  he said , referring to the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion, which was  overturned  in 2022.

Trump:  Everybody, without exception: Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives. Everybody wanted it back — religious leaders. And what I did is I put three great Supreme Court justices on the court and they happened to vote in favor of killing Roe v. Wade, and moving it back to the states. This is something that everybody wanted. Now 10 years ago or so they started talking about how many weeks and how many this and getting into other things. But every legal scholar throughout the world — the most respected — wanted it brought back to the states. I did that.

In fact, a majority of Americans have disagreed with ending Roe v. Wade, including plenty of legal scholars, as we’ve explained  before . While some scholars criticized aspects of the legal reasoning in Roe, it did not necessarily mean they wanted the ruling overturned. Legal experts told us that Trump’s claim was “utter nonsense” and “patently absurd.”

Trump Wrong on Jobs

After Biden talked about job creation during his administration, Trump falsely claimed that “the only jobs [Biden] created are for illegal immigrants and bounced back jobs that bounced back from the COVID.”

In fact, as of May,  total nonfarm employment  in the U.S. had gone up about 6.2 million from the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The increase is about 15.6 million if you count from when Biden took office in January 2021 until now — but that would include some jobs that were temporarily lost during the pandemic and then came back during the economic recovery.

Furthermore, there is no evidence that only “illegal immigrants” have seen employment gains.

Since Biden became president in January 2021, employment of U.S.-born workers has increased more than employment of foreign-born workers, a category that includes anyone who wasn’t a U.S. citizen at birth, as we’ve written before . BLS says the  foreign-born  population includes “legally-admitted immigrants, refugees, temporary residents such as students and temporary workers, and undocumented immigrants.” There is no employment breakdown for just people in the U.S. illegally.

In looking at employment since the pre-pandemic peak, the employment level of  foreign-born workers  was up by about 3.2 million, from roughly 27.7 million in February 2020 to nearly 30.9 million in May. Employment for the  U.S.-born population  increased by about 125,000 — from nearly 130.3 million in February 2020 to 130.4 million, as of May.

Conflicting Budget Deficit Claims

Biden and Trump accused each other of presiding over the largest budget deficit in the U.S.

After talking about Trump’s plans for additional tax cuts, Biden said Trump already had the “largest deficit of any president in American history.” When he got a chance to respond, Trump said, “We now have the largest deficit in the history of our country under this guy,” referring to Biden.

Biden is correct: The  largest budget deficit  on record was about $3.1 trillion in fiscal year 2020 under Trump. However, that was  primarily  because of trillions of dollars in emergency funding that both congressional Republicans and Democrats approved to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, the largest budget deficit under Trump was about $1 trillion in fiscal 2019.

Meanwhile, the most recent budget deficit under Biden was about $1.7 trillion in fiscal 2023. As of June, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office  projected  that the deficit for fiscal 2024, which ends on Sept. 30, would be about $2 trillion.

Black Unemployment

Biden boasted that on his watch, “Black unemployment is the lowest level it has been in a long, long time.”

It’s true that the unemployment rate for Black or African American people reached a record low of 4.8% in April 2023, but it is currently 6.1%,  according to  the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which has data going back to 1972.

Also, the unemployment rate was low under Trump, too, until the pandemic.

Under Trump, the  unemployment rate for Black Americans  went down to 5.3% in August 2019 – the lowest on record at that time. It shot up to 16.9% in April 2020, when the economic effects of the pandemic took hold. When Trump left office in January 2021, amid the pandemic, the rate was 9.3%.

The rate has been 6% or less in only 29 months since 1972, and it happened only under two presidents: 21 times under Biden and eight times under Trump.

‘Suckers and Losers’

Biden  said  Trump called U.S. veterans killed in World War I “suckers and losers,” which Trump called a “made up quote … that was in a third-rate magazine.”

It was first reported by a magazine — the Atlantic — but Trump’s former chief of staff,  John F. Kelly , a retired four-star Marine general, later seemed to confirm it.

Biden was referring to a trip Trump made to France in November 2018, where he reportedly declined to visit the  Aisne-Marne American Cemetery  near the location of the Battle of Belleau Wood. “He was standing with his four-star general and he told him, ‘I don’t want to go in there because they’re a bunch of losers and suckers.’”

The Atlantic  wrote  about this alleged incident in 2020, citing unnamed sources. The magazine wrote that Trump made his remark about “losers” when he declined to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, and his remark about “suckers” during that same trip.

The Atlantic, Sept. 3, 2020:  In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.

In October 2023, Kelly – who was on that trip and visited the Aisne-Marne Cemetery — gave a  statement to CNN  that seemed to confirm those remarks. CNN published Kelly’s statement.

CNN, Oct. 3, 2023:  “What can I add that has not already been said?” Kelly said, when asked if he wanted to weigh in on his former boss in light of recent comments made by other former Trump officials. “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.”

Trump said, “We had 19 people who said I didn’t say it.” One of those who said that he didn’t hear Trump make those remarks is John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser who was also on the trip and said he was there when the decision was made not to visit the cemetery.

“I didn’t hear that,” Bolton  told the New York Times  in 2020 after the magazine story first appeared. “I’m not saying he didn’t say them later in the day or another time, but I was there for that discussion.”

Biden Misleads on Jobs

Biden ignored the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic when he criticized Trump for employment going down over Trump’s time in office.

“He’s the only president other than Herbert Hoover that lost more jobs than he had when he began,” Biden said.

Job growth during Trump’s term was positive until the economy lost 20.5 million jobs in April 2020, as efforts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus led to business closures and layoffs. By the time Trump left office in January 2021, employment had partly rebounded, but was still 9.4 million jobs below the February 2020 peak,  according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Trump repeatedly claimed that Biden “caused the inflation” and that “I gave him a country with no essentially no inflation. It was perfect. It was so good.”

It’s true that inflation was relatively modest when Trump was president. The  Consumer Price Index rose 7.6%  under Trump’s four years — continuing a long period of low inflation. And inflation has been high over the entirety of Biden’s time in office. The  Consumer Price Index  for all items rose 19.3% between January 2021 and May.

For a time, it was the worst inflation in decades. The 12 months ending in June 2022 saw a 9% increase in the CPI (before seasonal adjustment), which the  Bureau of Labor Statistics said  was the biggest such increase since the 12 months ending in November 1981.

Inflation has moderated more recently. The CPI  rose  3.3% in the 12 months ending in May, the most recent figure available.

Although Trump claims that Biden is entirely responsible for massive inflation, economists  we have spoken to  say Biden’s policies are only partly to blame. The economists placed the lion’s share of the blame for inflation on disruptions to the economy caused by the pandemic, including supply shortages, labor issues and increased consumer spending on goods. Inflation was then worsened by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which drove up oil and gas prices, experts told us.

Indeed, inflation has been a  worldwide problem  post-pandemic.

However, many economists say Biden’s policies — particularly aggressive stimulus spending early in his presidency to offset some of the economic damage caused by the pandemic — played a modest role.

Jason Furman , a former economic adviser to President Barack Obama and now a Harvard University professor, told us in June 2022 that he estimated about 1 to 4 percentage points worth of the inflation was due to Biden’s stimulus spending in the  American Rescue Plan  — a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief measure that included $1,400 checks to most Americans; expanded unemployment benefits; and money for schools, small businesses and states.  Mark Zandi , chief economist of Moody’s — whose work is often cited by the White House — said the impact of the stimulus measure now “has largely faded.”

Economists note that the American Rescue Plan came after two other pandemic stimulus laws enacted under Trump that were  worth  a  total  of $3.1 trillion. That spending, too, could have contributed to inflation.

Immigrants Entering U.S. Under Biden

Trump grossly inflated the number of immigrants who have entered the country during the Biden administration — putting the number at 18 million to 20 million. The number, by our calculation, is about a third of that. Trump also claimed, without evidence, that many of those immigrants are from prisons and mental institutions.

“It could be 18, it could be 19, and even 20 million people,” Trump said of the immigrants who have entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. Later in the debate, Trump asked Biden why there had been no accountability “for allowing 18 million people many from prisons, many from mental institutions” into the country.

That’s a greatly exaggerated number. We took a deep dive into the immigration numbers  in February , and again in  mid-June , and we came up with an estimate of at most a third of Trump’s number.

Here’s the breakdown:

Department of Homeland Security data show nearly 8 million encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border between February 2021, the month after Biden took office, and May, the last month of available  statistics . That’s a figure that includes both the 6.9 million apprehensions of migrants caught between legal ports of entry – the number typically used for illegal immigration – and nearly 1.1 million encounters of migrants who arrived at ports of entry without authorization to enter the U.S.

DHS also has comprehensive data, through February, of the initial processing of these encounters. That information shows 2.9 million were removed by Customs and Border Protection and 3.2 million were released with notices to appear in immigration court or report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the future, or other classifications, such as parole. (Encounters do not represent the total number of people, because some people attempt multiple crossings. For example, the recidivism rate was 27% in fiscal year 2021,  according to the most recent figures  from CBP.) 

As  we’ve explained before , there are also estimates for “gotaways,” or migrants who crossed the border illegally and evaded the authorities. Based on an average annual apprehension rate of 78%, which DHS provided to us, that would mean there were an estimated 1.8 million gotaways from February 2021 to February 2024. The gotaways plus those released with court notices or other designations would total about 5 million.

There were also 407,500 transfers of unaccompanied children to the Department of Health and Human Services and 883,000 transfers to ICE. The ICE transfers include those who are then booked into ICE custody, enrolled in “ alternatives to detention ” (which include technological monitoring) or released by ICE. We don’t know how many of those were released into the country with a court notice. But even if we include those figures, it still doesn’t get us to anywhere near 18 to 20 million.

And we should note that these figures do not reflect whether a migrant may ultimately be allowed to stay or will be deported, particularly since there is a yearslong backlog of immigration court cases.

Also, as we have  written   repeatedly , Trump has provided no credible support for his incendiary claim that countries are emptying their prisons and mental institutions and sending those people to the U.S. Experts tell us they have seen no evidence to substantiate it.

Earlier this month, we looked into  Trump’s claim as it relates to Venezuela, because Trump has repeatedly cited a drop in crime there to support his claim about countries emptying their prisons and sending inmates to the U.S. Reported crime is trending down in Venezuela, but crime experts in the country say there are numerous reasons for that — including an enormous out-migration of citizens and a consolidation of gang activity — and they have nothing to do with sending criminals to the U.S.

“We have no evidence that the Venezuelan government is emptying the prisons or mental hospitals to send them out of the country, whether to the USA or any other country,” Roberto Briceño-León, founder and director of the independent Venezuelan Observatory of Violence, told us.

Border Under Trump

Trump claimed that “we had the safest border in history” in the “final months” of his presidency, according to Border Patrol. But according to  data  provided by Customs and Border Protection, apprehensions of those trying to cross illegally into the U.S. in the last three full months of Trump’s presidency were about 50% higher than in the  three months  before he took office.

In fact, as we wrote in our piece, “ Trump’s Final Numbers ,” illegal border crossings, as measured by  apprehensions at the southwest border , were 14.7% higher in Trump’s final year in office compared with the last full year before he was sworn in.

But these statistics tell only part of the story. The number of apprehensions fluctuated wildly during Trump’s presidency, from a  monthly  low of 11,127 in April 2017 to a high of 132,856 in May 2019.

Back in April,  we wrote  about a misleading chart that Trump showed to the crowd during a speech in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “See the arrow on the bottom? That was my last week in office,” Trump said. “That was the lowest number in history.” But Trump was wrong on both points.

The arrow was pointing to apprehensions in April 2020, when apprehensions plummeted during the height of the pandemic.

“The pandemic was responsible for a near-complete halt to all forms of global mobility in 2020, due to a combination of border restrictions imposed by countries around the world,”  Michelle Mittelstadt , director of communications for the Migration Policy Institute, told us.

After apprehensions reached a pandemic low in April 2020, they rose every month after that. In his last months in office, apprehensions had more than quadrupled from that pandemic low and were higher than the month he took office.

Trump falsely claimed that “some states” run by Democrats allow abortions “after birth.” As  we have written , that’s simply false. If it happened, it would be  homicide , and that’s  illegal .

“No such procedure exists,” the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  says  on its website.

The former president  has wrongly said  that abortions after birth were permitted under Roe v. Wade — the Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion until it was  reversed  in 2022. It was not.

Under Roe, states could outlaw abortion after fetal viability, but with exceptions for risks to the life or health of the mother. Many Republicans  have objected  to the health stipulation, saying it would allow abortion for any reason. Democrats say exceptions are needed to protect the mother from medical risks. We should note, late-term abortions  are rare . According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , less than 1% of abortions in the U.S. in 2020 were performed after 21 weeks gestational time.

In June 2022, after Trump had appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court, the court  overturned  Roe in a 5-4 ruling. Biden  supports  restoring Roe as “the law of the land,” as he said in his State of the Union address in March.

Trump Calls Border ‘The Most Dangerous Place’

In his focus on the U.S. border with Mexico, Trump  made  the unsupported claim that it is “the most dangerous place in the world.”

It’s true that unauthorized border crossings  can be dangerous  — 895 people died while doing so in fiscal year 2022, which is the most recent year for which the Customs and Border Protection has  data . Most of those deaths were heat related.

And the International Organization for Migration called calendar year 2022 “the deadliest year on record” for migration in the Americas, with a total of 1,457 fatalities throughout South America, Central America, North America and the Caribbean. The organization began tracking deaths and disappearances related to migration in 2014.

“Most of these fatalities are related to the lack of options for safe and regular mobility, which increases the likelihood that people see no other choice but to opt for irregular migration routes that put their lives at risk,” the organization said in its  2022 report .

Trump suggested that the border crossings imperil Americans when he went on to say, “these killers are coming into our country, and they are raping and killing women.”

But, as  we’ve written before , FBI data show a downward trend in violent crime in the U.S., and there’s no evidence to support the claim that there’s been a crime wave driven by immigrants.

Crime analyst Jeff Asher, co-founder of the New Orleans firm  AH Datalytics , told us in May that there’s no evidence in the data to indicate a migrant crime wave.

Similarly, Jeffrey Butts, director of the Research and Evaluation Center at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice,  told the New York Times  in February there was no evidence of a migrant crime wave in New York City after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began busing migrants there in April 2022.

“I would interpret a ‘wave’ to mean something significant, meaningful and a departure from the norm,” Butts said at the time. “So far, what we have are individual incidents of crime.”

Also, it’s worth noting that the Institute for Economics and Peace’s  Global Peace Index  — which measures the safety of 163 countries based on 23 indicators, including violent crime, deaths from internal conflict and terrorism — said the “least peaceful country” is Afghanistan, followed by Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In discussing inflation, the former president embellished the degree to which food prices have increased.

“It’s killing people. They can’t buy groceries anymore,” Trump said. “You look at the cost of food, where it’s doubled, tripled and quadrupled. They can’t live.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index for food has  gone up 17.5%  — not 100% to 300% — since January 2021. The Consumer Price Index specifically for groceries, or “food at home,” has  risen 20.8% .

Climate Change

During a short exchange about climate change, Trump boasted that during his tenure “we had the best environmental numbers ever.” It is not clear what he was referring to exactly, but he said if elected president he wanted to have “absolutely immaculate clean water and I want absolutely clean air — and we had it.” He might have been referring to a talking point that Andrew Wheeler, Trump’s former Environmental Protection Agency administrator, had recommended Trump mention during the debate: “CO2 emissions went down” during his administration, as  the Hill reported . 

Greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global warming,  did decline  from 2019 to 2020. But that was “largely due to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on travel and economic activity,” according to the EPA. Emissions increased by 5.7% from 2020 to 2022, once the economy started getting reactivated again, the agency said. 

According to an  analysis by the New York Times , Trump’s administration reversed nearly 100 environmental rules, including 28 regulations on air pollution and emissions, and eight rules that limited water pollution. Reportedly, Trump  recently asked  oil executives and lobbyists to donate to his campaign, promising he would roll back other environmental rules that hurt fossil fuel interests. 

“He’s not done a damn thing for the environment,” Biden said in response, pointing out that Trump had  pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement . “I immediately joined it because if we reach the 1.5 degrees Celsius … there’s no way back,” Biden said. 

As  we’ve reported , although reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius, or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit, of warming comes with a number of very serious impacts, it is not a point of no return. Scientists agree that every increment of global warming increases these negative impacts, but 1.5 degrees is not a magic number after which everything is doomed, they say. 

Immigrants Living in Hotels

During the debate, Trump  mentioned   twice  that while immigrants crossing the border illegally were “living in luxury hotels,” in New York City and other cities “our veterans are living in the street.”

While it is true that New York City has  provided   hotel   rooms  to migrant families as a temporary shelter solution, there is no evidence that immigrants are being placed in “luxury” hotels. 

In 2023, Mayor Eric Adams  signed  a $275 million contract with the Hotel Association of New York City to house 5,000 migrants. The deal was intended to help  struggling hotels  impacted by the pandemic and did not expect to include luxury hotels. “There are no gold-plated rooms that are being given away contrary to any reports that you may have seen,” the association president  told NY1  at the time. In January, the city  signed  another $77 million contract to shelter migrant families in hotels. 

In April, social media posts falsely claimed immigrants had stormed New York City Hall to demand luxury hotel accommodations. But as the  Associated Press reported , the immigrants were there for a hearing about racial inequities in shelter and immigrant services. 

In 2023, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness increased 7.4% from 2022, according to  data  from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. But homelessness among veterans has been declining in recent years, with a 4% overall reduction within the last three years alone. 

Terrorist Attacks Under Trump

While talking about Iran and terrorism, Trump falsely claimed that “you had no terror, at all, during my administration.” As  we’ve written , there were several acts of terrorism carried out by foreign-born individuals when Trump was in office.

For example, in October 2017, Sayfullo Saipov  used  a truck to run down people in New York City. He killed eight people,  including  Americans and tourists, in an attack carried out on behalf of the Islamic State.

Then in December 2017, Akayed Ullah  detonated  a homemade pipe bomb he was wearing inside a New York City subway station. Ullah  told  authorities he did it in response to U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State in Syria and other places.

Then in  December 2019 , Second Lt. Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, a member of the Royal Saudi Air Force, shot 11 people at Florida’s Naval Air Station Pensacola, killing three U.S. sailors. Trump’s own attorney general, William Barr,  called  it an act of terrorism in January 2020. “The evidence shows that the shooter was motivated by jihadist ideology,” Barr said in a statement.

China Trade Deficit

When discussing U.S. trade relations with China, Trump said “we have the largest deficit with China.” That’s false, as  we’ve written .

In 2023, the U.S. had a trade deficit with China in goods and services of roughly $252 billion,  according to  revised figures the Bureau of Economic Analysis  released  in early June. The deficit in goods trading was about $279 billion which was partially offset by a roughly $27 billion surplus in the trading of  services  — which can include travel, transportation, finance and intellectual property.

The trade gap with China last year was the lowest it had been since 2009, when it was $220 billion.

In fact, according to BEA data going back to 1999, the highest total U.S.-China trade deficit in goods and services was about $378 billion in 2018 — when Trump was president. Under Biden, the highest trade deficit with China was $366 billion in 2022.

Not ‘Greatest Economy’ Under Trump

Trump falsely said that prior to the pandemic, the U.S. had “the greatest economy in the history of our country. … Everything was locked in good.”

Trump’s boast about creating the “greatest economy in history” is ubiquitous in his campaign speeches. And it’s not true, at least not by the objective measure typically used to gauge the health of the economy.

As  we have written , economists generally measure a nation’s health by the growth of its  inflation-adjusted gross domestic product . Under Trump, growth was modest. Real GDP in Trump’s four years grew annually by 2.5% in 2017, 3% in 2018 and 2.5% in 2019 — before the economy went into a tailspin during the pandemic in 2020, when real GDP declined by 2.2%,  according to  the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

So, in the best year under Trump, U.S. real GDP grew annually by 3%. By contrast, the nation’s economy grew at a faster annual rate  48 times  and under every president before and after Trump dating to 1930, except Barack Obama and Herbert Hoover. The economy grew at more than 3% six of Ronald Reagan’s eight years, including 7.2% in 1984, and it grew 5% or more 10 times under Franklin D. Roosevelt, including 18.9% in 1942.  Under Biden , the GDP grew by 5.8% in 2021 — a post COVID-19 bounce-back — by 1.9% in 2022 and 2.5% in 2023.

Trump’s Was Not Largest Tax Cut in History

As he has many times before, Trump wrongly claimed, “I gave you the largest tax cut in history.” But saying this over and over, as Trump has for years, doesn’t make it any more true.

As  we have been writing  even before the 2017  Tax Cuts and Jobs Act  was enacted into law, while the law provided tax relief to nearly all Americans, it was not the largest tax cut in U.S. history either as a percentage of gross domestic product (the measure preferred by economists) or in inflation-adjusted dollars.

According to a Tax Policy Center  analysis , the law reduced the individual income taxes owed by Americans by about $1,260 on average in 2018. It also reduced the top corporate tax rate from  35% to 21% , beginning in January 2018.

The law signed by Trump was initially projected to cost $1.49 trillion over 10 years,  according to the nonpartisan Joint Committee on Taxation . It could end up costing substantially more if individual tax provisions are extended past 2025. Over the first four years, the average annual cost was estimated to be $185 billion. That was about 0.9% of  gross domestic product  in 2018.

That’s nowhere close to President Ronald Reagan’s 1981 tax cut, which was 2.89% of GDP over a four-year average. That’s according to a  2013 Treasury Department analysis  on the revenue effects of major tax legislation. Five more tax measures since 1940 had an impact larger than 1% of GDP, and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget  includes  a 1921 measure as also being larger than the 2017 plan. That’s eighth place for Trump’s “biggest tax cut in our history.”

In inflation-adjusted dollars, the Trump-era tax cut is also less than the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which comes in at No. 1 with a $320.6 billion cost over a four-year average. And it’s less than tax reductions in 2010 ($210 billion) and 1981 ($208 billion).

Energy Independence

Trump boasted, as he  often does , that “on Jan. 6 [2021], we were energy independent,” implying that’s no longer the case under Biden. But by Trump’s definition, the country remains energy independent.

To be clear, under Trump, the U.S. never stopped  importing  sources of energy,  including crude oil , from other countries. What he likely means is that the country either  produced  more energy than it consumed, or  exported  more energy than it imported. During Trump’s presidency, after years trending in that direction, the U.S. did hit a tipping point where exports of primary energy exceeded energy imports from foreign sources in 2019 and 2020 — the first times that had happened since 1952,  according to  the U.S. Energy Information Administration. 

But contrary to Trump’s suggestion, that has continued in the Biden presidency. The U.S., during Biden’s presidency, has  exported  more energy,  including petroleum , than it imported, and it has  produced  more energy than it consumed. Also, the U.S. is producing record amounts of  oil  and  natural gas  under Biden.

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through  our “Donate” page . If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

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The 2024 Men’s Health Travel Awards

The absolute best places for adventure, recovery, and relaxation.

THERE'S A WHOLE big world out there. With only so much time to explore it—even less if we're talking just vacation time—where do you go? Maybe you're into meditative retreats with morning yoga sessions, plant-based dining, and nightly aura cleanses. Or maybe snowboarding, mountain-biking, or free-climbing is more your thing. Or, perhaps, you're looking for something more vacation vacation—toes in the sand; a cold drink in hand. Whatever you're into, we got you.

Our expert team of editors and Men's Health advisors spent the last twelve months researching dozens of destinations, accommodations, and tours. We visited every one and narrowed our favorites into three categories— Active, Recovery, and Relax —so you can find the experiences that work for you.

Pack up. Ship out. This is the 2024 Men's Health Travel Awards.

Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort

This hotel doubles as a base camp for aquatic adventures. Book lessons in heenalu , the Hawaiian technique of board sliding. Or sign up for SUP or outrigger-canoe excursions. Your cooldown is nearby Hanauma Bay for a snorkel or swim.

Tetherow Hotel

Set in the high desert, this resort gives off Good Life vibes. Lap-swim in a heated outdoor pool onsite, or mountain bike, rock climb, and river raft nearby. Can’t drive ten minutes to downtown Bend? Tetherow also has three restaurants.

Montage Big Sky

At this resort just 50 miles from Yellowstone, winter brings skiing, naturally, but also fat-tire biking and a private tubing hill. Summer is whitewater rafting, a 72-par golf course 7,000 feet above sea level, and fly-tying workshops that lead to hauls of rainbow trout.

Conservatorium Hotel

First a 19th bank, then a music school, it's since been converted into a sharp designer hotel. The luxe, glass-enclosed lobby hints at the long list of high-brow amenities you'll find here—including gourmet room service and a stunning spa—all within steps of the city's best sites. However, its main attraction is the 1,615 square feet gym (one of the biggest in the city) that's loaded with Technogym equipment and Therabody recovery gear.

The Ranch Hudson Valley

Surrounded by 200 private acres less than an hour from NYC, this ultra-luxe retreat focuses on rebooting your health with an ass-kicking fitness regimen and a structured, plant-based diet. Morning hikes, afternoon strength training, yoga, and professional massage are all on the daily agenda.

Signia By Hilton Atlanta

Newly opened in January of 2024, this towering, 900-plus-room hotel sits directly across from Atlanta's State Farm Arena. Active guests have access to a massive, tech-forward gym and almost a dozen "wellness" rooms loaded with MH -approved fitness gear.

AutoCamp Zion

The latest outpost in AutoCamp's catalog of Airstream "hotels" offers immediate access to the iconic Zion National Park with loads of best-in-the-US hiking trails nearby. Bonus: The on-site pool offers a welcome respite from Utah's scorching summer heat.

Gravity Haus Jackson Hole

Located at the foot of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, this adventure-minded hotel offers direct access to some of the country's best skiing. With on-site gear rentals, a swanky restaurant, a heated outdoor pool, and a fitness and recovery center, it's also the perfect base for exploring Grand Teton National Park too.

Hotel Hartness

Situated on 180 acres of preserved green space, this stunning French Revival-style mansion is one of South Carolina's newest and most elegant boutique hotels. Steps from the front door are 15 miles of private hiking trails and easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond. Pro tip: Check out the swanky on-site bar with a solid mocktail menu.

More than "just a place to crash," every hotel in this series of adventure-minded outposts with locations across the U.S. serves as the perfect base camp for hiking, skiing, surfing, mountain biking, and more. Think: On-site rentals, gear lockers, roaring campfires, and local craft beers—all in a dog-friendly atmosphere.

Our go-to expedition cruise line just keeps getting better. Its two all-new polar-class ships explore the world's most remote destinations (think Antarctica and the Arctic Circle) in a category of comfort, luxury, and elegance that no other adventure cruise can touch.

Tauck's all-new Small Group Tours are purpose-built for anyone who hates typical travel tours. These boutique trips guide adventure-minded travelers to Switzerland, Africa, Yellowstone, and everywhere in between—all with no more than 15 guests.

Wilderness Travel

No matter how hardcore you like your adventures, this boutique tour outfit has you covered. Explore the most epic, bucket-list-worthy destinations: Walking safaris in Zambia, tracking snow leopards through the mountains of India, trekking the best of Patagonia, and more.

Windstar Cruises

Ditch the "floating city" vibe of most mega-cruise ships for a more intimate and boutique sailing. From Canada to Latin America to the South Pacific, Windstar's powered yachts and sailing ships travel pretty much anywhere you can dream of.

Dornoch Station

Amid the country's sandy coastline and rolling, castle-dotted hills, Marine & Lawn's Dornoch Station is a picture-perfect Scottish Highlands golf getaway. From the stately, elegant interior fit for gentlemen, guests are just steps from world-class rounds at the Royal Dornoch Golf Club.

The Virginian Lodge

This sister property to Outbound Hotels' Mammoth Lakes outpost is a renovated retro-mod motel with a campy, Wes Anderson film vibe that just works . Amid Jackson's sky-high accommodations, this is a surprisingly affordable, vintage alternative minutes from everything the area is known for.

Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll

Located in Iceland's rugged and remote central Highlands, this sister property to the iconic Blue Lagoon Retreat looks, feels, and is worlds away from the country's well-worn tourist trail. For hearty travelers who appreciate solitude, adventure, and austere beauty, it offers all three in spades.

True to the brand's trademark vibe, Moxy Banff is bold, artsy, and playful with a midcentury modern aesthetic that pulls heavy inspiration from the area's well-known ski culture. Don't miss: All-day eats from a restored 1966 VW Kombi food truck.

The RunWestin Program

Westin is committed to helping runners achieve their goals via its RunWestin program. Select hotels offer instructor-led group runs, route suggestions, and local, fitness-centric maps for active travelers. Serious runners will appreciate the company's partnership with Abbott World Marathon Majors. In several key cities around the world, that means hotels with dedicated Westin Marathon Zones, tailored menus, and expert assistance ahead of race weekends.

Blackberry Mountain

This 5,200-acre retreat’s on-site Recovery Lab offers weightless compression, assisted stretching, and Therabody sessions. Its spa features CBD massage and clay wraps. Or you can just find a chair, watch the mist roll by, and breathe deep.

The colossal spa here has treatments that run from deep tissue to a Thai massage combining compression with yoga-like moves. It also offers sound baths, breath work, and sleep sessions with an in-house mindfulness team (yes, that's a real thing).

Six Senses Kyoto

Six Senses combines Zen gardens and Shodo calligraphy workshops with next-gen spa treatments that use smart tech to ease pain and release tension. There’s also aerial yoga, meditation, and guided runs around the city.

Thompson Houston, by Hyatt

With a sleek, shimmering façade, this new 36-story highrise offers panoramic views of the Houston skyline. Step outside for a stroll through the adjacent 160-acre park, or hit up the rooftop infinity pool or whole-floor spa for some daytime Zen without leaving the property.

La Coralina Island House

Tucked between a private, adults-only beach and Panama's wildlife-rich jungle, La Coralina is a welcome respite for relaxation-seeking travelers. The location alone is reason to come, but the all-new series of yoga, meditation, and wellness retreats is reason to stay a while.

The Westin Washington, DC Downtown

Centrally located near DC's best tourist sites, the newly renovated Westin feels worlds away. With a 10,000-square-foot fitness center and Root & Vine restaurant, there are plenty of ways to unwind after a full day of exploring the capital city.

Zel Mallorca

This all-new hotel was designed in partnership with tennis legend Rafael Nadal to bring a modern beach aesthetic and breezy Mediterranean vibe to Mallorca. Earth tones, palm-lined common areas, and soft linen furnishings abound, and every room is designed for maximum ocean viewing.

Waldorf Astoria Chicago

True to the iconic WA brand, this Chicago outpost stands out even amid the city's equally iconic architecture. From the marble-heavy lobby to the sprawling French-style courtyard to the over-the-top suites, it's a posh, luxe respite from the hustle of the Windy City.

Hoshinoya Bali

The brand's first retreat outside of Japan is an absolute stunner with just 30 private villas, interconnected by a patchwork of Zen-like gardens and swimming pool "hallways." Every inch of this exclusive luxe resort exudes pure ahhhhh ...

Hotel Arts Barcelona

With massive flower displays, beautiful guests, and luxurious furnishings dotting every common area, this Barcelona hotel oozes relaxed, cosmopolitan luxury. Everything from the designer toiletries to the two-Michelin-Star restaurant to the stunning views makes the sky-high nightly rates here worth the price of admission.

The Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai

The first Edition hotel in Latin America is a study in sexy, modern luxury—all set on a 620-acre nature preserve. Inside, the vibe is like "posh Euro disco" meets "relaxed Mexican retreat," and it somehow all just works . Plus, its tranquil spa—replete with a sauna, three pools, and detached massage rooms—is one of the best in Quintana Roo.

Virgin Hotels New York City

Virgin brings its unique brand of bold, rock-n-roll hotel design to NYC's trendy NoMad neighborhood. The whole-floor gym and new Exhale Spa might make you never want to leave. If you do, the 40-story high-rise is centrally located to Penn Station, the Empire State Building, and much, much more.

Lido Beach Resort

Head inland for laid-back shopping or flamingo spotting at Sarasota Jungle Gardens. Or don’t and hop between the hotel’s two gulf-front pools, the seafood-heavy Drift Kitchen & Bar, and cocktails at the tiki lounge.

The Resort at Pelican Hill

If golf/pool/dinner sounds right, this spot has all of that. Thirty-six holes skirting the Pacific. One massive, 380,000-gallon coliseum-shaped pool. Two sit-down dining options. This is the life well lived.

Holland America Line

Basketball courts, 24-hour room service, pickleball , a fitness studio—and that’s just the onboard fun. With more than ten itineraries dropping in 2024, Holland America Line now spans the Caribbean, the South Pacific, and Japan.

Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina

With world-class hiking, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and spa'ing, Scrub Island might be the best Caribbean Island you've never heard of. Its namesake resort offers it all in ultra-relaxed, private surroundings worthy of a luxurious honeymoon getaway.

The Vintages Trailer Resort

Tucked into Oregon's famed Willamette Valley is this funky "neighborhood" of 36 renovated Airstream trailers. It's equal parts "vintage adult campground" and "oh-to-be-a-kid-again" getaway, complete with an on-site pool, lawn games, and easy access to the area's best vineyards.

Wynn Las Vegas

Even amid the absurd opulence of Sin City, the 2,700-plus-room Wynn stands out. With more than 15 restaurants, high-end boutique shops, a sprawling esplanade, and the world-class XS Nightclub, there's a whole lot more to do here than just slots and sportsbook betting.

Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection

Tucked into Downtown Louisville's famed Whiskey Row, this handsome, five-star hotel pays homage to the city's roots with a healthy dash of modernity. It's a quick walk to the Ohio River, or stay in and relax at the glass-topped rooftop bar, Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse, or your own riverview suite.

Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

Following a massive renovation, this oceanfront hotel offers a unique blend of luxury and character—a rarity in South Beach, especially at this price point. The combination makes it the perfect basecamp for hard-partying "guy trips" to Southern Florida's most famous destination.

Wequassett Resort and Golf Club

Bright, breezy, and just the right amount of classic New England charm, this five-star resort offers everything you'd ever want in a picture-perfect Cape Cod escape. You'll find on-site tennis courts, world-class beaches, and cozy cottages, many with gas fireplaces, marble bathrooms, and stunning ocean views.

Big Cedar Lodge

This all-American resort offers rustic luxury in the heart of the Ozarks. You'll find everything you need for a textbook "guy's getaway," including bowling alleys, arcades, tons of dining options, and a brand-new outdoor concert venue.

Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town

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Things To Do | Best places to watch Macy’s 4th of July…

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Things To Do | Best places to watch Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks in NYC, NJ

Here are the best places to catch the show:

Hudson River Park

The five Macy’s fireworks barges will sit between 14th and 34th Sts. on the Hudson. The city already gave away 10,000 free tickets to Piers 45 and 84, but there are several public entry points that will open at 3 p.m. on Thursday for anyone who couldn’t get tickets. These include:

• Christopher St. and Washington St.
• W. 11th St. and Washington St.
• W. 12th St. and Washington St.
• W. 29th St. and 11th Ave.
• W. 40th St. and 11th Ave.

Parking is limited at all locations. The Christopher St. PATH station and the Christopher St. subway station (No. 1/2 trains) are closest to the southern locations, while the A/C/E stops near W. 29th St. and W. 40th St.

Several items are prohibited at free public viewing areas: lawn chairs, blankets, tents, umbrellas, large bags and backpacks, drones, weapons, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, large or hard-sided coolers, picnic baskets and flagpoles or similar totems.

“Our Fireworks show is a free public event. Tickets are not for sale,” the Macy’s website reads. “If you are interested in purchasing tickets to any venue (i.e., restaurant, bar, etc.) along the viewing path that may be advertising such access, that is up to your discretion. Macy’s is not aware of, and does not approve, endorse, or participate in these events/activities.”

Maxwell Place Park and Elysian Park, Hoboken, N.J.

With the Macy’s show back on the Hudson after more than a decade on the East River, New Jersey residents can rejoice at the expense of Brooklynites. Macy’s has also set up public viewing areas in Maxwell Place Park and Elysian Park on the opposite side of the Hudson.

These free locations face the same item restrictions as the public viewing locations in Manhattan. Additionally, public transit near the parks is limited to New Jersey buses. However, there is a parking garage across the street from the parks .

The Edge, Hudson Yards

Billing itself as the highest outdoor observation deck in the Western Hemisphere, the Edge is charging $400 for tickets to a July 4 fireworks party . The views should be tough to beat, and the tickets include access to an open bar from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Though parking is tough to come by at Hudson Yards, the 7 train stops in the middle of the plaza.

At 1,100 feet high, the Edge touts itself as “the best place to view the fireworks in New York City” on its website.

One World Observatory

New York’s tallest building, 1 World Trade Center, is selling special tickets to view the fireworks from its observatory between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets for people ages 13 to 64 cost around $70. Children 12 and under pay $63 and people 65 and over pay $67.

The tickets also include a $15 voucher at the observatory gift shop and cafe, and two cash bars will be open during the event.

Parking in lower Manhattan is nearly nonexistent, but almost every subway line runs within walking distance of 1 World Trade Center .

“Please note, viewing of the fireworks is not guaranteed,” the observatory website reads. “Tickets are nonrefundable. This event is held independent of the fireworks display, regardless of weather.”

Classic Harbor Line cruise

While observatory viewers go high, cruisers go low. Classic Harbor Line will offer at least five fireworks cruises , with prices ranging from $500 to $700. Options include a traditional yacht featuring wraparound seating and a 1920s-style luxury yacht. Almost all cruises depart from Chelsea Piers at Pier 62.

Several restaurants and hotels throughout Manhattan are also hosting fireworks events , along with similar locations across the river in New Jersey.

Additionally, Macy’s specifically warned New Yorkers against trying to view the fireworks from the High Line and the Battery, noting that views will be at least partially blocked. Macy’s also said views would be subpar on the West Side Highway from 14th to 26th Sts. and 40th to 46th Sts.

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