About New York
New York is too big to do properly in a week, which is exactly why people keep coming back. Manhattan gets all the attention but the outer boroughs are where the city actually lives — Brooklyn's food scene has long overtaken Manhattan's, Queens has the most diverse eating on the planet, and the Bronx has the New York Botanical Garden. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at 7am, eat a bagel in a deli that's been there since 1950, and take the Staten Island Ferry for the best free view of the skyline.
Highlights
Brooklyn Bridge at dawn — before the photographers and joggers crowd in Smorgasburg food market — 100 vendors, every cuisine, waterfront views The High Line — elevated park through the Meatpacking District Flushing, Queens — the best Chinese and Korean food outside Asia Central Park in autumn — the foliage is as good as any in New England Staten Island Ferry — free, 25-minute Statue of Liberty views
Plan My Trip with Ava
Neighbourhoods
Practical Info
EU/UK/US citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA required for EU/UK) or with a valid passport.
US Dollar (USD). Exchange rate is roughly 1 EUR ≈ 1.10 USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.25 USD. Cards are widely accepted, but carrying some cash is useful for small vendors.
Tipping is expected: 15-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, and $2-5 per day for hotel staff. Taxi drivers and delivery workers also appreciate 10-15%.
Generally safe, but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas like Times Square and the subway. Avoid poorly lit streets at night in less touristy neighborhoods.
Prepaid SIMs from T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon cost around $30-50 for 1-5GB of data; eSIMs (e.g., Airalo) are also available for similar prices.
English is the official language, and English is universally spoken with no significant language barriers.
24 Local Tips
If you're taking the subway late at night, wait near the conductor's car in the middle of the platform rather than at the far ends — it's a small habit New Yorkers develop naturally and it just makes the whole experience feel more comfortable and connected.
After a big night out, the city's late-night food culture is a whole scene in itself — greasy dumplings in Chinatown at 3am or a slice of pizza eaten standing on a corner is as much a part of the New York nightlife experience as the drinking itself. Don't rush home; let the night wind down properly.
The Lower East Side has a layered nightlife culture where the same block can take you from a chill wine bar crowd to a sweaty underground dance party within about fifty feet. Walk slowly and keep your eyes open rather than committing to one spot all night.
New Yorkers are notoriously bad at making plans in advance but weirdly good at spontaneous nights — if someone texts you at 9pm saying 'you around tonight?', say yes, because those unplanned nights are usually the ones you talk about for years.
Queens has some of the most underrated nightlife in the entire city, especially if you're into international music scenes and dancing that actually feels like dancing rather than standing and nodding. People who only go out in Manhattan are genuinely missing out on half the city's soul.
The best late-night energy in Brooklyn happens in neighborhoods that don't look like much from the outside — follow the sound of music spilling out of basement stairwells rather than chasing spots with lines around the block. A velvet rope in this city is usually a sign you're about to overpay for mediocrity.
Know something useful about New York? Share it — earn 10 credits if accepted.