Is New York worth visiting? Is New York expensive? And everything else you need to know

Are you thinking about visiting the Big Apple but are asking yourself the question ‘is New York worth visiting’? Well this article is for you. We go through all the important questions like ‘is New York expensive’ and ‘how long do I need in New York’ to help you decide if you should go.

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Before we answer the question ‘Is New York worth visiting’ here is some background

Located on the East Coast of the United States, New York is one of the most happening cities in the world. It was originally colonised by the Dutch in 1624 and was named New Amsterdam but this didn’t last long. In 1664 the English had taken over and it became known as New York after the Duke of York.

New York is incredibly multicultural and nearly 40% of the population were born elsewhere. And it’s obvious when you look at things like the culture, and the food in the city. There really is something for everyone here.

There are 5 boroughs in NYC, Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.

Is New York expensive?

You might be wondering if New York is expensive to visit. For the answer to that I am going to say yes and no.

Yes because it quite literally is an expensive city, particularly in comparison to other smaller US cities. We would recommend a budget of about $300 per day not including accommodation. This will get you entry into some tourist attractions, cover transport costs, and cover the cost of eating out and drinking in the city.

Accommodation on average tends to be pricey, and you are looking at upwards of $200 per night for something decent.

The reason I have added the no, is because despite being costly New York is one of those cities you can visit on a tight budget. For example, you can get cheaper accommodation if you are willing to stay out of Manhattan. There is a lot of choice when it comes to accommodation so you can find something to suit all budgets.

The other way you can save money in New York is by eating at cheaper places. I mean for starters most morning we would grab a bagel and coffee for breakfast for something like $7. Again with dinner and lunch you don’t have to eat out at the fanciest places, there are several decent ‘fast food’ type places in the city. And when I say fast food, I don’t mean you have to eat at McDonalds every night, I just mean that the food is quick, cheap and cheerful.

Finally there are a lot of free things you can do in New York. For instance walking around Central Park is completely free, as is crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. And you can even get the Staten Island Ferry for free. Not only do you get great views of the city, but you can also get a bit closer to Lady Liberty herself.

So is New York expensive, yes! But you can absolutely do the city on a budget.

Do I need cash in New York?

You can pay for most things in New York by using your bank card so in reality you don’t need cash. It’s still handy to have though especially when it comes to tipping.

What language do they speak in New York?

The official language spoken in New York City like the rest of the USA is English. It’s a very multicultural city though, so chances are you will encounter someone speaking a different language at some point.

Is New York easy to get to?

New York is incredibly easy to get to, and is a very well connected city. There are three main airports in the city which are JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. All of the airports have good connections into the city. Here is a breakdown.

JFK

Most international flights will land at JFK. If you are wanting to get public transport you will need to jump on the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, where you can change onto the Subway. The subway should then take you into the city.

You can also grab a taxi or shuttle bus for a quicker journey. Although if it is rush hour try and stick to public transport.

LaGuardia

Another popular airport, but this time for domestic flights is LaGuardia. From any of the airport terminals you can hop on the M60 bus to 125^th Street in Manhattan. From here you can hop on the subway to your final destination.

Newark

Newark Airport has an AirTrain service so for around $15 you can get from the airport into Manhattan.

How long should I spend in New York?

If you are wondering how long you need for a trip to New York, the honest answer is, it depends. It really does depend on what you want to see and do when you arrive. In reality you could spend months in NYC and still not have seen everything. There is just that much going on.

We would say you need a minimum of 4 days in New York to see a few attractions, enjoy some great meals, and get to grips with some of the neighbourhoods. We would say a week is a decent amount of time, but the longer the better!

Is New York safe?

Honestly we think New York is just as safe as any other bustling city around the world. I feel like it has a reputation for all these hard crimes, perpetuated by TV shows. In reality most people who visit New York will have a hassle free trip. In reality Manhattan and other tourist hotspots are generally safe, with police being vigilant.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions. There are some areas in NYC that you should avoid, but these don’t tend to be tourist areas. If you are walking around, particularly late at night, just make sure you stick to populated well lit areas. So for example, we don’t recommend taking a stroll through Central Park at night. But then I wouldn’t walk through a park late at night at home either.

Pickpocketing is common particularly on the subway, or in heavily populated areas. Just make sure you keep your belongings safe, and try to avoid looking like an absolute tourist.

Is New York worth visiting compared to other US cities?

New York is definitely worth visiting compared to other US cities. Of course it depends on what kind of holiday you are after. New York is an iconic city, and you probably know what you are getting yourself in for when you visit.

When we did a trip around the East Coast of the USA, and actually just the USA in general, we found that each city almost felt like a different country. They each have their own personality and New York is no different.

If you are looking for an exciting city break, with great food, drink, and a lot of sightseeing you should definitely visit New York.

Can I use public transport in New York?

The public transport in New York is excellent, so you should absolutely use it when visiting the city. The subway is your best bet and will get you to all the main tourist attractions.

It took us a little bit of time to get used to the subway, but once we had the hang of it we were riding it like locals.

To use the subway you first have to find a station, which are all very clearly signposted. Then work out which line you want and whether you are going uptown or downtown. We might have messed it up a few times, but that is the fun of it. If you get on the wrong subway just get off at the next stop and go back. To buy a ticket you can purchase a metrocard or use contactless. The metrocard is probably better value for money, as you can purchase a card to cover a certain number of days.

What is there to do in New York?

Wondering is New York worth visiting for attractions alone? Here are some of the best things to do in the city. Obviously this list doesn’t cover every single thing to do in New York because there is honestly just that much to do. It does give you some inspiration to start planning your trip though.

If you want some more ideas you can checkout our New York bucket list.

Times Square

It’s incredibly cliched but a visit to Times Square is a must when visiting New York City. Seeing the billboards all lit up is certainly very exciting, and it’s the best place in the city to people watch and just soak in the atmosphere.

Top of the Rock

You can’t visit New York without at least visiting one of the super tall skyscrapers the city is famed for. Top of the Rock is one of our favourites because you get excellent panoramic views of the city, but also get the Empire State Building included in the shot.

There are 3 floors to explore, just make sure you purchase your tickets in advance as there is a timed ticketing system.

Deciding between Top of the Rock or the Empire State? This article might help you.

Central Park

Central Park for me is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype. It’s full of horse drawn carriages, people skating and cycling, and kids eating ice creams on hot days. It’s perfect year round. You can rent row boats in the summer or picnic in the sun. In the winter you can ice skate.

There is so much to do in Central Park, I almost feel like you need a day just to see all the highlights which include:

• Strawberry fields – a garden dedication to John Lennon
• The Lake– where you can row around in the sunshine
• Belvedere Castle – a lookout with incredible views over the park

For everything going on in Central Park checkout their website.

The Empire State Building

Of course you cannot visit NYC without a visit to the iconic Empire State Building. It’s art deco design is probably one of the most recognised in the city.

Entry will set you back around $37 for standard entry. This will grant you access to the 80th and 86th floor. If you want to get to the top you need to whack another $20 on to the price of admission.

Unsurprisingly it does get super busy here so try and visit as early as you can.

The High Line

If you are looking for free attractions in NYC the High Line is by far one of the coolest. It’s a 1.45 mile elevated park on a disused train track. It’s a great place to go for a chilled out walk in the city.

The 9/11 memorial

This is a very sobering place to visit when you are in New York. At the base of where the twin towers stood is a memorial. Water rushes down into a centre that you cannot see and the names of all the victims are etched around the pools. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. The museum is nearby so you can also visit to learn more about the day and the impact that was felt around the world.

Brooklyn Bridge

Walking across the Brooklyn Bridge is something you should do on your trip to New York. It’s incredibly iconic and an impressive feat of architecture.

It was completed in 1883 and at that time was the first bridge in the world to be suspended by steel. The length of the bridge is 1843 metres long.

I probably wouldn’t suggest you do it if you hate heights though as there are points in the bridge you can see right through the slats to the water.

Chinatown

Chinatown is well worth a visit. It’s almost like being transported to somewhere in Asia. It is also a foodie’s paradise with so many dumpling and noodle shops, with a few bars mixed in for good measure.

Liberty Island and Ellis Island

You can’t visit New York City without a trip to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. You can book a tour that will take you to both islands.

Ellis Island is of course home to the historical immigration centre, whereas Liberty Island is where you can get up close and personal with the Statue of liberty herself.

The tour is incredibly popular and will take you a good part of a day. Make sure you book well in advance.

Visit one of the many museums in the city

There are so many fantastic museums you can visit in New York. Here are some of the highlights.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Also known as The Met, it is home to a number of paintings, costumes, instruments and much more.

The Modern Museum of Art (MoMA)

This is one of the biggest modern art museums in the world, and is home to several pieces of work by Andy Warhol.

The Guggenheim

Another art museum, which is home to a number of works, and a distinguishable 6 floor bowl shaped gallery.

Transit Museum 

A Brooklyn museum in a disused subway station with historical artefacts to do with New York transport.

The American Museum of Natural history

A natural history museum located across from Central Park.

Williamsburg

For cool bars, hip restaurants, and trendy shops make sure you visit Williamsburg. It’s located in Brooklyn and is just a great neighbourhood to get out and explore.

The East Village

Another cool neighbourhood is the East Village. It’s great for cheap eats, and cosy bars. The whole atmosphere of the village kind of exudes this cool relaxed vibe.

DUMBO

DUMBO which is actually an acronym for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, is a former industrial area in Brooklyn. The repurposed warehouses now sell swanky furniture and art and it’s a great place for coffee and chilling.

Greenwich Village

Whilst we are discussing neighbourhoods, you should definitely visit Greenwich for dinner and drinks. It’s another super trendy neighbourhood in New York, with gorgeous streets, and a very welcoming atmosphere.

See the city skyline from the water

We never tire of the New York City skyline, which is why we highly recommend doing a harbour cruise. There are so many options including dinner and sunset cruises, and even cruises on sailing boats

Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry, is a free ferry service between Battery Park and Staten Island. You get some awesome views of of the city from the boat, as well as the Statue of Liberty.

Try and sit at the back of the ferry for the best views. The ferry departs every 30 minutes with more frequent services during rush hour.

Coney Island

If you want something a little different for your trip to New York, or if you are travelling with kids we recommend Coney Island. It’s famous for its amusement park, and beach setting. To make the most of it you should visit between Easter and Halloween as the park is closed during off season. The beach and the boardwalk are open year round.

Madame Tussauds

If you are a fan of celebrity culture, or just want to take some random selfies, make sure you visit Madame Tussauds.

It’s located on 42nd Street near Times Square, and is an incredibly popular attraction. It’s a great place to visit particularly for families. You can also get discounts for entry using a New York Pass.

Is New York worth visiting for solo travellers?

New York is a great place to visit when you are travelling solo. For starters there is so much to see and do, you certainly won’t be bored.

It’s also relatively safe as long as you stick to well lit touristy areas. With that many people around there is definitely something about safety in numbers.

If you do want to do group activities though you can join a number of different tours, like pub crawls, food tours, and way more.

Is New York worth visiting for couples?

New York is an excellent place to visit as a couple. There are so many romantic things to do like exploring the trendy neighbourhoods, sipping cocktails, picnicking in Central and that’s just the start.

The food and drink scene is also out of this world, so after spending the day exploring the city you will be spoilt for choice for romantic date night ideas.

Whatever your couples travel style you will find something to enjoy in New York.

Is New York worth visiting for families?

New York is definitely worth visiting for families. You will find something for all age groups in this super exciting city. Some of the family highlights include visiting the many museums, enjoying Coney Island, or even the family friendly attractions around Times Square.

Is New York worth visiting for foodies?

If you are wondering Is New York worth visiting for foodies, then the answer is a resounding yes. The great news is that it won’t always cost you a fortune either. With its multicultural population NYC is one of the best places to try international cuisine.

It’s a city where you can have Italian food for breakfast, Nigerian food for lunch, and Ukrainian food for lunch.

Of course there are also some iconic New York dishes like cronuts, pizza slices, and hot dogs, which you absolutely have to try, all of which are relatively cheap. Then there are the fancier more expensive restaurants if you are wanting to pay a bit more. Basically there is something for everyone.

Is New York worth visiting for the nightlife?

New York nightlife is like nothing we have every experienced before. There is a reason that NYC is known as the city that never sleeps.

The good news is that there is something to suit everyone. If you like clubbing New York, is one of the best places in the world to do this. Or if you are into live music, again you will find something to your liking. If you want cocktails with a view, or dive bars, or even places to let your hair down and dance, you will definitely find it in New York.

Is New worth visiting for nature lovers?

Is New York worth visiting for nature lovers? Well obviously New York is a city and a busy one at that. You do get a few green spaces like Central Park, but they are still pretty chaotic and urban.

New York State has some really great places you can go to explore nature but obviously New York City isn’t a nature lovers dream.

Is New York worth visiting for history buffs?

New York is actually a pretty awesome place for history lovers. From historical bars, museums, and even buildings there is a lot to learn when visiting New York.

Some of the history highlights include The Natural History Museum, The New York Public Library, The Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building. They all have historical significance in the city, and are the perfect places to start for New York City history buffs.

Is New York worth visiting for culture lovers?

If you are wondering ‘is New York worth visiting’ for culture lovers, then the answer is yes. It’s such a multicultural city with influences from all over the world. In fact nearly 40% of the population were born in a different country.

It was also the main entry point for immigrants arriving in the US. As people arrived they started to create their own neighbourhoods, and you can see this when visiting places like Chinatown or Little Italy as the more obvious ones. But there are so many international influences seeping through this city.

Is New York worth visiting in the summer?

Summer in New York can be very humid, so if you aren’t used to warm climates it might not be an ideal time to visit. June isn’t too bad but in July and August the weather get quite balmy and reaches around 28-30 degrees Celsius.

The good news with this weather is that the city comes alive with al fresco dining, and rooftop cocktails for instance.

Summer tends to coincide with school holidays which means that tourist numbers increase, but locals tend to leave the city for vacation.

If you are visiting in summer our advice would be to be prepared for hot weather, book accommodation with air conditioning, and book accommodation well in advance for the best rates.

Is New York worth visiting in the winter?

Winter is actually a really nice time to visit New York. Yes it gets cold and does snow, but it kind of creates this magical vibe.

December coincides with Christmas, so expect the city to be full of Christmas decorations, ice skating rinks, and cosy bars. January and February regularly go below freezing, so make sure you are dressed appropriately.

The good news is that the city is still buzzing even in the freezing cold winter months. Central Park becomes a winter wonderland, and there is still so much to see and do.

What to pack when visiting New York?

What you pack for your trip to New York will largely depend on the season but here are some things to factor in to your New York packing list.

• Bring a decent pair of shoes. You will do a lot of walking and just because heels are a good idea in episodes of Sex and the City, they will not be practical.
• Be prepared for cold winters – so pack thermals, snow boots, and other warm clothes.
• For hotter summers pack sunscreen, sunglasses, hats etc.
• A secure bag.
• At least one nice outfit in case you plan to go out for dinner or clubbing.

What should I know before visiting New York?

Here are some of our tips before visiting New York.

• Whilst New York is generally safe try to avoid looking like a tourist.
• Don’t stare at people on the subway or make conversation.
• Yellow cabs are quite expensive, and actually a lot slower in most cases than walking or the subway. Only get one if you really have to.
• Don’t be that person who stops in the middle of the sidewalk and takes photos!
• Check the reputations of certain neighbourhoods before you visit, especially at night.
• Always tip your server!
• Don’t just stay in Manhattan. There is so much more to the city.

So Is New York worth visiting?

Hopefully this article has given you a bit of insight on visiting New York. It’s one of those cities I think that has something for everyone. And it isn’t a place you will be bored in quickly.

But is New York worth visiting? Well that all depends on what kind of a vacation you are after. If you want a relaxed holiday New York probably isn’t for you. But if you want to see some cool sights, visit some world class museums, and eat and drink to your hearts content then New York is definitely worth visiting.

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Happy Travels!