Visit Bubbys For Brunch
One of the best places I discovered for brunch in the city is Bubbys.
For me, its my regular go-to stop for brunch when visiting New York.
Honestly, it serves the most fluffy pancakes and the best brunch in the city. Plus, if you arrive for lunch, they also do some tasty spiked lemonade, too.
Just make sure to make a reservation online before going, especially on weekends. This place fills up fast.
Is It Safe To Drive In New York
Whilst it IS safe to drive in New York, there are some things you might want to know.
One of the most dangerous things about the city is watching out for pedestrians and cyclists. Youll have to be aware of whats happening around you at all times. Bike lanes have been implemented throughout much of the city and youll have to take care when youre turning.
Pedestrians have the right of way. You have to wait for them to cross. Makes sense to us!
About that parking its a headache. Youll have to make sure you park somewhere secure, too, as break-ins and carjackings do occur. Parking enforcement in the city is pretty hardcore so do pay at the meter always!
Traffic jams in rush hour are a literal nightmare. The bridges and tunnels that connect the city can be super stressful at these times.
Basically, we try to avoid driving in New York. Its safe, but unless you want to be going on road trips to places like Long Island or Upstate New York, theres not a lot of point to driving around the city.
Park Lane Hotel New York
Address: 36 Central Park South, New York, NY, 10019
Phone: 371-4000
Recently renovated Park Lane Hotel has spun up a welcoming atmosphere with artful touches steps from Central Park. Whimsical murals from New York City-based artists decorate guests rooms and public space in the hotel which is also pet-friendly, near every city dog’s dream spot for a long walk. Make sure to head upstairs to Darling, Central Park South’s only rooftop lounge, where guests can take in the sprawling views of the park and skyline from the 47th floor.
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How To Get To Capital
BY PLANE: Travelers can fly direct from Newark Airport into Albany International Airport, which offers flights through airlines like JetBlue and Southwest. For more information on flight schedules and service offered visit albanyairport.com.
BY TRAIN: Hop on an Amtrak train from New York Citys Penn Station and travel along the Hudson River to Albany, Schenectady, or Saratoga. Amtrak stops at a number of towns in this region, visit amtrak.com to find out about schedules and ticketing.
Find Cheap Or Free Events
TimeOut is my favourite resource for current free events and shows. Throughout the year there’s always festivals and events going on. Be sure to check and see what’s happening on your visit, or you could be missing on some serious fun NYC is ALL about arts, creativity and events!
On our last visit we stumbled on this epic party under the Brooklyn Bridge completely free and filled with pumping tunes and affordable beer on tap.
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Dont: Pay Full Price For Tickets
There are shows on Broadway for every taste, from comedic genius to the darkest dramas. The thing is, Broadway shows can get very expensive.
People are known to pay $400 to see one show and not think twice about it. Luckily, there are several ways to get tickets for much cheaper than the prices youll find at the box office.
The easiest way is by going online to find discounted Broadway tickets. You can easily see the best prices available and what seat that price will get you, and you dont have to wait in a box office line to do it! Check out GetYourGuide.com for a good deal.
Visit Museums During Free Hours
New York has an abundance of interesting museums and art galleries. The best thing about many of them is that they have free admission, free days or free hours. So, if you plan your trip ahead of time, you can avoid paying a penny to visit all of the hottest museums.
Some notable museums which are always free are: the American Museum of Natural History, Metropolitan Museum of Art and Brooklyn Museum. The Museum of Modern Art is also free from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Fridays. Information about specific free days and hours for other museums can be found on their websites.
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How Much Does It Cost To Stay In New York
Again, it is a bit difficult to give you a very precise cost.
New York City attracts a lot of tourists, the rates vary from month to month.
You can find a room at $150 off-season, and pay $250- $300 for the same room during the high season!
In addition, you have to take into account where you would like to stay, the number of travelers, comfort, and services.
Tight Budget$45 to $50 per person per nightAverage budget$130 to $200 per nightLarge Budget$250 to $400 per night
Attend A Parade Or Special Event
OK, hotel is booked, attractions are on the list, the myNY itinerary is ready, shopping spots are sighted and the first restaurants and bars are also noted. Now comes the last step on the list to the perfect travel planning for New York: the events, parades, and holidays.
They are the icing on the cake of every New York vacation and, therefore, could not be missed in our New York Travel Guide! Just check out our monthly specials that are relevant to you: , , , , May, , , , , , and .
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Explore New York City
Visit the city that never sleeps, with enough famous sights and attractions to keep you busy every New York minute. New York City will mesmerize you with its energy, character and charm. From its famed sidewalks to its myriad of skyscrapers, this legendary city is a meeting place for a world of colorful cultures.
Only here can you experience the shining beacon of the Statue of Liberty the frenetic buzz of Chinatown the aromatic flavors of Little Italy and the artistry of Harlem all in one afternoon. Central to everything is Manhattan, the island city that attracts millions of travelers from all over the globe.
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With tours that crisscross Manhattan including ferries that get up close to Lady Liberty, visitors to New York City can mark many famous sights off their must-see travel lists.
In the city that never sleeps, there is no shortage of ways to explore after dark. Broadway theaters beckon, Times Square is alight, restaurants offer tasty adventures, and a simple nighttime stroll gives visitors a taste of urban life.
When its time to take a break from the hustle of the city, Central Park offers 843 acres of park, ponds, monuments, walking trails and more to help people unwind and enjoy nature.
Days In New York City Neighborhood Itinerary
Does the itinerary above sound a little too touristy for your taste?
If youre visiting New York City to see the good, the bad and the gritty, spend your days walking around neighborhoods instead of attractions.
Heres an example of how you could spend 4 days in New York City:
- 1 West Village, Greenwich Village and Chelsea
- 2 Tribeca, Chinatown, Little Italy, Nolita and SoHo
- 3 Bowery, East Village and Lower East Side
- 4 Brooklyn and Williamsburg
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Enjoying The Gastro Scene
Now comes one of my favorite parts of planning our New York trips: the citys many bars, restaurants, rooftop bars, and food markets. In our travel guide and insider guides on the website, we put a lot of emphasis on finding the best gastro spots and rooftop bars. So, feel free to browse through them, and if you like something, just add it to your myNY itinerary. Just click on the heart symbol, and youre done!
Cut Flight And Accommodation Costs
Flights and accommodation are the biggest expenses on any New York City visit. Fortunately, there are international domestic airline sales as well as error fares on websites like Airfare Watchdog. and Secret Flying. You can also easily use Skyscanner to search for flights from your own city . For more tips on cheap flight booking, check out our article How to Book the Cheapest Flight Possible to Anywhere.
Here’s what we recommend for finding cheap accommodation in the big apple:
- Mystery deals are great for big savings on high-end hotels
- Downside: it’s a mystery what you’ll actually get
- Tip: Mystery deals can often be figured out before booking via BetterBidding
Take note, if you’re two or more people, hostel dorms often aren’t your cheapest option. You can get a private room in an apartment via services like AirBNB for fairly cheap, so it pays to research in advance. When you can, book ahead. NYC is an expensive city do not try the wait and see approach on accommodation!
Note: we’ve done both Hotwire mystery deals and AirBNB and had great experiences with each. We loved sharing an apartment with our AirBNB hosts in a gorgeous high-ceiling apartment in a neighbourhood oozing with character. We’ve also scored a great hotel in the financial district downtown. Both very different and fun NYC experiences!
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How To Get To The Finger Lakes From Nyc
BY PLANE: The easiest way to get to the Finger Lakes from New York City is flying directly into Greater Rochester International Airport, which is about an hour plane ride and offers flights through JetBlue and Delta airlines, or directly into Syracuse Hancock International Airport. For more information on flight schedules and service, visit www2.monroecounty.gov/airport-information.php.
BY TRAIN: Travelers can take an Amtrak train to Syracuse or Rochester, which has stations stops in the region. For more information on schedules and ticketing, visit amtrak.com.
Find Free & Cheap Things To Do
There are tons of things to do in NYC that will cost you absolutely nothing. Fill your days with free and cheap activities to save yourself some dough!
Weve put together a pretty long list of free and cheap things to do in New York City, but here are some of our favorites:
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Walk along the High Line
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Picnic in Central Park
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Explore the street art in the Bushwick neighborhood
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Watch the Today Show being filmed
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Take a Free Walking Tour
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Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and explore the Dumbo neighborhood
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Psst! If youre spending some time in the neighborhood, make sure you check out this extensive list of things to do in Brooklyn. Lots of them are free or cheap so you can stick to your budget!
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Is The Food In New York Safe
New York is a foodie heaven. Were talking burgers, pizzas, hot dogs, bodegas, Chinese food, Greek food, tons of diners and coffee joints, Italian food, donuts, cronuts. Man oh man, New York is ALL food.
There are loads of independent restaurants to try, cool hangouts, retro classics, and even high-end dining if youve got the money to spare for that sort of thing. Of course, not all establishments are created equal, so here are some foodie tips for eating in New York.
So there you go. There are so many tasty things to eat in New York. So many things! Pretzels, bagels, New York cheesecake for crying out loud! Pastrami. Breakfast sandwiches. Kebabs. Just get involved. There are a ZILLION places to choose from in this big city.
Visit All The Food Trucks Or And Markets
There are tons of awesome indoor and open-air markets in New York. The aforementioned Smorgaburg, Dekalb Market, and Chelsea Market are just a few of the best.
Check out this list of the best food trucks in New York City too.
Why stay in a naff hotel when you can stay in a cosy, stylish local house instead? And for half the money too!
Stay somewhere EPIC and save your hard-earned dollars from houses to barns to castles and caves, there is an Airbnb for every occasion!
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Day 4 New York City Itinerary Brooklyn & Williamsburg
The last day of your 4 days in New York City itinerary is centered around crossing the East River into Brooklyn and back again into Manhattan. Maybe more than once!
One day is doing Brooklyn a disservice. But on a first visit to NYC, there are just so many places in Manhattan you cant miss.
Lets take a look at an efficient way to see some of the best bits in Brooklyn in one day.
Morning Dumbo
If you dont mind an early start, we highly recommend waking up before sunrise and making your way down to Brooklyn Bridge / City Hall on the green subway line.
Walking over the iconic Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise is one of the best free things you can do in New York. You will have the bridge almost entirely to yourself, perfect for snapping some selfies.
Serious photographers should try to be at Pier 17 during civil twilight. The sun rises behind Williamsburg and Pier 17 has one of the top places to watch sunrise in NYC.
Cross the bridge and once you reach Brooklyn, take the staircase and turn left. Walk 3 blocks straight down Washington Street and youll see the mighty Manhattan Bridge dominating the skyline through a tunnel of narrow buildings.
Early morning gives you a better chance of getting a selfie without dozens of others, plus the bridge will be glowing just after sunrise.
This unique spot in Dumbo is one of the .
Afternoon Williamsburg
You have so many options for places to explore in Brooklyn.
Evening Brooklyn
Day 4 NYC Attractions Summary
Major
Dont Cause A Traffic Jam On The Sidewalk
Most New Yorkers get from point A to B on foot. Forget about the rules of the road, here it is all about sidewalk etiquette. Much like the road, on the sidewalk, slow foot traffic stays to the right.
Give space for people to pass on the left. When you live in a tourist-heavy city, its frustrating to have big groups taking up the whole width of the sidewalk. If you want to stop to look at a map, stand near the buildings and out of the way.
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Where Should You Stay In New York
Manhattan it doesnt get more central than this: Manhattan is the most famous borough of them all. Plus, it contains 95% of all the attractions New York is known for. Everything is within easy reach, and you are right in the middle of it all. On the other hand, the hotels are a bit more expensive than in Brooklyn or Queens.
Here, you can find my 33 hotel tips for Manhattan.
Brooklyn urban and relaxed: For a long time, Brooklyn was the insiders tip: now its completely normal neighborhoods. However, youll quickly notice one thing: life is much more normal, because its more of a residential area. Its super relaxed, pleasant, and just as diverse as Manhattan. Above all, you can enjoy the Manhattan skyline from here!
Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Brooklyn.
Queens the new trendy neighborhood: Queens is a bit more normal than Brooklyn is, but, lately, weve noticed that it is getting more and more gentrified. The hotels in Long Island City are especially popular because they are cheaper compared to Manhattanand they have a perfect connection to the Subway, which makes Queens a great alternative to Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Queens.
Experience North Carolina Beach Vacation Packages
With a North Carolina beach vacation, you can immerse yourself in a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere and enjoy an array of down-to-earth experiences that will have you away from the crowds of the city. Plus, you’ll find an extensive array of hiking and biking trails throughout the beachfront area you can enjoy.
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Stop #: Whitney Museum Of Art
Another one for the art lovers is the beautiful Whitney Museum of American Art. This innovative museum has long been important to New York Citys arts scene for its dedication to living artists, both established and up-and-coming, and for their groundbreaking exhibitions of never-before-seen American art. Visitors to this Lower Manhattan mainstay will get to enjoy their full range of exhibits and programming, which includes everything from twentieth-century painting to works of art made just last year!
Getting In: Whitney Museum of Art tickets are included as an option with the Go New York Pass.
Day 3 In New York City: Brooklyn
Today, were going to Brooklyn, baby. Brooklyn is a huge borough, by the way, so you cant expect to see all of it in one day.
Rather, Im going to give you some suggestions on how to spend a perfect Saturday in Brooklyn if you have never been here before.
Brooklyn used to be known mostly for its seedy reputation and East Coast rappers like Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G. Nowadays, its one of the trendiest and most ultra-hipster places to visit in New York City.
With its historic neighborhoods, awesome food and art scene, and all around coolness, there is really so much to soak up in Brooklyn.
If you are staying in Manhattan, I suggest starting your morning with a walk to Brooklyn via the Brooklyn Bridge. This is one of the best things to do in New York, as the steel-wired bridge is actually quite impressive, and you get awesome views of Manhattan the whole way down.
For another view of the bridge, walk over to DUMBO and then continue your walk on the Brooklyn Bridge Park waterfront and to Brooklyn Heights, a wealthy, brick building and tree-lined neighborhood. If you want to know more about the bridges history and the area around, check out this amazing Brooklyn Bridge walking tour.
For the better half of the day, you can explore a couple of different neighborhoods, like Williamsburg at the center of Brooklyn, Bushwick, and Redhook.
Now, these neighborhoods are the poster children for Brooklyns widespread urban renewal and inspiration for the show, Girls.
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