Midtown Where To Stay In New York City For The First Time
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.
Midtowns most famous attraction is undoubtedly Time Square. Nicknamed the crossroads of the world, this part of Midtown is awash with bright lights, entertainment and shopping.
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 youre a longtime culture vulture or new to the scene, you wont want to miss the chance to see a show on Broadway.
When it comes down to it, Midtown is quite touristy, but this means its home to some of the best attractions in NY. Thats why Midtown is our pick for where to stay in New York for sightseeing.
Best Hostel In New York Blue Moon Hotel
The Blue Moon Hotel is our top recommendation for a New York hostel if youre on a budget. Walking distance to New Yorks 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.
Long Island City Queens: Best Area To Stay In New York On A Budget
Long Island City is an industrial neighborhood transforming bit by bit into a reinvigorated neighborhood ready to capitalize on its prime position along the East River with wide-open Manhattan city views. The area is still up and coming but with steady and solid growth. NYC on a budget can be tricky but its not impossible. Visitors love the more affordable hotel prices and the easy access to midtown Manhattan via the subway.
Recommended Reading: Nys Car Registration
Where To Stay In New York City: A Complete Guide To Picking The Best Place To Stay
On my last visit, I spent a full week in New York City and stayed in three different neighborhoods during that time.
Prior to that, I had been to NYC for roughly 36 hours for work, and spent the entire time locked in a conference room. I really didnt get a chance to explore at all, so I was stoked to have a full week to walk around and uncover some hidden gems and explore the city on a deeper level.
The first thing I was struck by was the buzzing energy that fills the streets of NYC at all hours. 6am? Tons of people out and about. 2am? Same same. It boggles my mind, but I guess thats what happens when you pack millions of people into a place the size of Manhattan.
The second thing that blew my mind was the size of the buildings and the density. It truly is a concrete jungle.
I grew up in Seattle and live in San Francisco, and in both places there is a downtown area with massive buildings, and 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 when I was staying on the Upper East Side. The density is incredible.
Here are my top picks for the best areas to stay in NYC for all styles and budgets.
Psst! If you need to eat gluten free, youll want to read my guide to gluten free NYC to find the absolute best gluten free eats.
Times Square And Midtown
Times Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Manhattan. It feels like the very soul of the city and reflects its character brash, in-your-face, unapologetic, exciting, loud, colorful, full of life and flashing neon. It is also one of the central connection points on the New York subway. You can get to anywhere from Times Square. Make sure to download a handy New York City subway map and plan your trip BEFORE you get on the train.
You will find a lot of craziness in Times Square people dressed as action figures asking for money in return for photos and a naked cowboy to mention just a few. But youll also find some of the best classic restaurants in New York, jazz clubs featuring top performers and, of course, Broadway and Off-Broadway.
Read Also: Sabbath Candle Lighting Nyc
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 youll 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 neighborhoods many bars. With people roving through the West Village at every hour, solo travelers will never feel truly alone.
Where To Stay In New York City: A Neighborhood Guide For First Time Visitors
Wondering where to stay in New York City? Ive visited so many times over the years , so I thought Id write down a guide!
I absolutely love visiting New York City. Im not sure I would ever really enjoy living here. Dealing with the MTA on a daily basis, crying as I pay 2x as much for a meal as I would in PA, and the entire winter season would, Im sure, sour me pretty quickly. However, I definitely love popping up for a weekend or even a full week if I can manage!
Whenever Im home near Philly, I often try to pop up to NYC no matter the season it seems! Ive even successfully driven from Brooklyn up through Manhattan to go to Rhode Island during rush hour and during the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting. It was very poor planning on my part, but I made it!
Anyway, with all that said, here are my tips on where to stay in New York City!
Read Also: Watch Kourtney And Kim Take New York
Best For Dining And Culture: Flatiron District
This district is named after the iconic triangular Flatiron Building, and is home to Beaux-Arts buildings, Madison Square Park, trendy bars, Michelin-starred restaurants, Eataly , and the very FIRST Shake Shack branch! It is near Union Square Park, a gathering point for activists and protestors. Gramercy Park, the upscale and exclusive neighbourhood with a private namesake park, is located nearby as well. A good accommodation in this area is the Lex Hotel NYC. This wonderful value-for-money boutique hotel offers very comfortable rooms at great prices. If you are looking for luxury and great service, The NoMad Hotel New York is a five-star hotel that offers spacious and beautiful rooms.
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, it is 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 neighborhood, youll 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.
Read Also: How Much Are Tolls From Dc To Nyc
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 neighbourhoods around the Lower Manhattan area like Greenwich Village, East Village, Little Italy, and Nolita.
Pros and cons of staying in Lower Manhattan
PROS
Best Hotels For Families
Situated in the Financial District, the Residence Inn New York Downtown: Manhattan/World Trade Center Area is ideally located for tourists looking to explore the attractions of Lower Manhattan including the World Trade Center, South Street Seaport, the Statue of Liberty and more. Offering some rooms with two queen beds and kitchenettes, this Category 5 Marriott Bonvoy property costs between 30,000 and 40,000 points for a free night, depending on the dates of your stay.
Despite its name, the TRYP New York City Times Square South is closer to Penn Station. This Wyndham property is well-designed and even features 10-foot ceilings, a rarity in Manhattan. But, the piece de resistance is the rooms that are designed especially for families, with bunk beds, a separate bed and a sleeper sofa.
An all-suite property, the Conrad New York Midtown provides large rooms perfect for families. With separate sitting rooms and comfy king beds, everyone will find a spot in the room to enjoy. And, the hotels location near Central Park, Broadway and other Midtown attractions practically guarantees youll be able to see many of New Yorks greatest hits after just a short walk. Rooms can be had from 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
Recommended Reading: Are Arrest Records Public In Ny
Things To Do In Brooklyn
Williamsburg is one of those places you eat, drink and chat your way through an entire vacation. Visit trendy or dive bars and eateries, plus Domino Park and even Bushwick a little further away from the East River.
The lower parts of Brooklyn are filled with amazing places to visit, including:
- Prospect Park
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
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, 321-0100,
To book: expedia.com
You May Like: Pay Traffic Tickets Online Nyc
Best Area To Stay New York Or New Jersey When Visiting Nyc
We are a family of 6 with 2 young kids . We are visiting New York last week of April for 3 days mainly in Manhattan area. Which is best to stay, New Jersey or other areas in NY. Our budget is 100 to 200 USD per night and we are ok to stay outside of Manhattan which is accessible to public transport. Thanks
Long Island City, Queens, a short subway ride from Manhattan.
The hotel experts can better advise if you also specify 1) travel dates 2) arrival airport and 3) room/bed configuration needed.
Any location in NJ will involve additional public transit time and costs. Some places that appear close “as the crow flies” can have inconvenient and expensive commutes.
How many rooms do you need? Is $200 per night per room?
The savings of staying in NJ will soon be diminished when you have to pay the transportation costs in and out of the city, plus the time waiting. The only option worth entertaining would be Jersey City, if you’re talking about NJ, if you’re near the PATH.
Transportation for 6 people to and fro NJ would eat up any savings. For 3 days, stay in Manhattan or LIC but for 6 people a budget of $200 will be tight. $100 seems impossible.
Edited: 4 years ago
I’m sorry – but you have 2 problems:
There are very few hotels that can accommodate 6 people in one room/suite in NYC
-:- Message from Tripadvisor staff -:-
This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. We hope you’ll join the conversation by posting to an open topic or starting a new one.
Removed on
Best Hotels For Your Instagram
Book a room with a park view at The Ritz-Carlton, New York Central Park and youll be treated to one of the most iconic hotel views in existence. This property recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, so you can expect refreshed public spaces and rooms that emulate an uptown New York townhouse.
Located in the Gramercy Park neighborhood, the Freehand Hotel New York has proved a hit for visitors looking for relatively affordable accommodations and with locals who flock to its rooftop bar, Broken Shaker. Step off the elevator into the tiki-inspired space and youll immediately reach for your phone to post on your Instagram feed.
Across the East River in Williamsburg, check out the William Vale Hotel for priceless views of the Manhattan skyline from its several outdoor spaces, including its rooftop bar and restaurant called Westlight.
For another vantage point of Manhattan from Brooklyn, check into the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and head straight to the roof to take in sweeping vistas of the skyscrapers of the Financial District and the Brooklyn Bridge reflected in the pool.
Hotel 50 Bowery is located in Chinatown and has a rooftop bar called The Crown, which means youre sure to experience panoramic views of the Empire State Building and the rest of Midtown Manhattans gleaming towers. A Category 5 hotel in the World of Hyatt program, you can book award nights at this property for 20,000 points per night.
Best hotels for history buffs
Featured photo by javan/Twenty20.
Don’t Miss: Ny Times Submission Guidelines
Where To Find Cheap Hotels In New York
One thing in advance: New York is not particularly cheap and the rule of thumb is: the further you are from the main sights , the cheaper it will be. But you have to consider one thing: the trip from the hotel costs not only time but also money with the Subway, this is manageable, but I would not recommend being too far away from Manhattan. After all, most of the attractions that New York is so famous for are located.
Therefore, a popular compromise is the boroughs that border Manhattan: Long Island City in Queens, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, and DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn in Brooklyn and New Jersey.
Relatively affordable neighborhoods in Manhattan are parts of Midtown, Murray Hill and the Theatre District.
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.
Also Check: Direct Flights To Cabo San Lucas From Nyc
Where To Stay For Couples: North Brooklyn
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.
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.
Also Check: Wax Museum In Times Square
Best Cheap Mid Budget And Luxury Hotels Near Central Park New York City
Central Park hotels are abundant but do tend to span the higher price point bracket. A budget hotel around Central Park could cost more than a Mid Range hotel in Times Square.
We stayed at 1 Hotel Central Park and it was fantastic. The materials of wood with wrought iron were elegant and relaxing. It reminded us of when we stayed in traditional Ryokans in Japan.
The Whitby Hotel has a 9.5 rating, which is the joint highest Booking.com rating in New York City . We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon tea in the Whitby Hotel bar area.
Here are the best hotels for each budget around Central Park :
- 1. Budget La Quinta 7.4
- 10. Luxury The Whitby Hotel 9.5
Are You Choosing A Hotel In Nyc For A Group Trip
Bachelorette and bachelor parties, school groups, work trips, and wedding guests can all find affordable group rates throughout New York. However, many hotels in NYC dont broadcast their pricing for groups, so reach out to ask about rates based on your trips timing and group size. The larger your group, the more likely you are to get a good deal . If your group is too small for a group rate but too big for one room, you might consider sharing a suite or two, which may cost less in the long run.
In addition to pricing, consider location, location, location. Do you want to stay in action-packed Times Square, a popular nightlife neighborhood like the Lower East Side, or in laid-back Brooklyn? If youre planning around a high-priority activitywhether part of your sightseeing, or a major event like a wedding or reunionfactor that into your search for group hotels in New York City.
Beyond your hotel selection, City Guide has you covered on group travel tips and a list of fun group activities in NYC for you and your crew.
Don’t Miss: Forms Needed To Register A Car In Ny