Blog
New York City travel guides
Answers to the questions people ask before a New York trip, from how the free Staten Island Ferry works to which airport transfer suits you. Each guide says what is published and what is not, and points to a tour only where one helps.
Staten Island Ferry: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Staten Island Ferry is a free boat ride between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island that runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Coney Island: A Step-by-Step Guide
Coney Island is worth a day trip if you want a beach, a boardwalk and an amusement park, and it takes one subway ride from Manhattan.
NYC Subway Map: A Step-by-Step Guide
The NYC subway map comes from the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority), and you pay for each ride by tapping a contactless card or phone.
All guides
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Washington DC to NYC by Train: Which Option to Pick
Washington DC to NYC by train takes about 3 hours on the Acela and about 3 hours 30 minutes on the Northeast Regional.
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Philadelphia to NYC by Train: Which Way to Go
Philadelphia to NYC by train takes about 1 hour 15 minutes on Amtrak's Acela and 1 hour 25 minutes or more on a Northeast Regional.
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NYC Neighborhoods: Nine Worth Visiting
Nine NYC neighborhoods are worth a first-time visitor's time: Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown and Little Italy, Harlem, the Upper West Side, Williamsburg and DUMBO.
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Governors Island New York Ferry: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Governors Island New York ferry leaves from the Battery Maritime Building in Lower Manhattan, and a round trip costs $5 for most adults.
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JFK to Manhattan: Train, Taxi or Private Car
The cheapest way from JFK to Manhattan is the AirTrain plus the subway.
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New York to Niagara Falls NY: Train vs Bus vs Plane
The trip from New York to Niagara Falls NY takes about nine hours by train or bus, so plan it as a two-day trip.
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Best Food in NYC: Eight Classics to Try
The best food in NYC is a short list of classics: a pizza slice, a bagel, dumplings, cannoli, cheesecake and soul food.
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Best Time to Visit New York: A Month-by-Month Guide
The best time to visit New York is April to early June or September to early November, when days are mild and good for walking, and no single month is the best for everyone.
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Fifth Avenue: Six Stops Worth Your Time
Fifth Avenue is the famous shopping street of New York City, and its best-known blocks run through Midtown Manhattan from about 50th to 59th Street.
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LaGuardia to Manhattan: Bus, Train or Taxi
The cheapest way from LaGuardia to Manhattan is the free Q70 bus plus a $3 subway ride.
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Newark Airport to NYC: Train, Bus or Taxi
The best way from Newark Airport to NYC for most people is the train, which takes about 30 minutes to Midtown Manhattan and costs $17.25.
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Brooklyn Bridge Walk: A Step-by-Step Guide
A Brooklyn Bridge walk is free, covers about 1.1 miles and takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes at an easy pace.
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NYC at Night: Eight Plans After Dark
NYC at night is best spent on a deck, at a jazz set, at a show or on a late free boat ride, and the eight plans below all come with real hours.
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Free Things to Do in NYC: Nine Picks With Hours
Free things to do in NYC include the Staten Island Ferry, Central Park, the High Line, the 9/11 Memorial pools and the Brooklyn Bridge.
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NYC Itinerary: Plan 1 to 5 Days
A good NYC itinerary has two main sights a day, grouped by area, with one timed ticket booked ahead and a plan for the evening.
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New York vs Chicago: Which to Visit
Pick New York if you want the most sights in one trip and have four days or more, and pick Chicago for a shorter city break by the lake.
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NYC in the Rain: Nine Indoor Plans Worth Doing
NYC in the rain is still a good trip if you spend the day inside a big museum, Grand Central, Chelsea Market or a Broadway matinee.
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Best Observation Deck NYC: Which One to Pick
The best observation deck NYC visitors can book depends on the view they want, because Edge has the highest outdoor deck, SUMMIT has mirrored rooms and the Empire State Building is the classic.
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New York Train Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide
New York train tours are mostly day trips that you ride on your own, because no company runs a guided tour by rail from the city.
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Things to Do in NYC in December: Eight Holiday Picks
The best things to do in NYC in December are the Rockefeller Center tree, ice skating, the Dyker Heights lights and New Year's Eve in Times Square.
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Is New York Safe for Tourists: A Step-by-Step Guide
New York is safe for tourists who take everyday big-city care, and the UK government says violent crime rarely affects visitors to the USA.
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Things to Do in NYC for Couples: Eight Date Plans
The best things to do in NYC for couples are a walk in Central Park, a sunset sail, a jazz club set and a night at a Broadway show.
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How Many Days in NYC: A Step-by-Step Guide
How many days in NYC a first visit needs is four to five, and three days is the least that covers the core sights.
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Is New York Worth Visiting: A Five-Step Check
New York is worth visiting if you enjoy walking, big sights and a fast pace, but the city may not suit you if you want quiet and low prices.
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Family Trip to New York on a Budget: A 5-Step Guide
A family trip to New York on a budget works when you ride the subway, fill most days with free sights and pay for only a few tickets.
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Wheelchair Accessible NYC: A Step-by-Step Guide
Wheelchair accessible NYC trips work if you plan around subway stations with elevators, taxis you can book by phone and sights that publish their step-free routes.