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USA · New York

New York City travel guide

Skyscrapers, Broadway and Central Park in the city that never sleeps

The Manhattan skyline. Photo: Daniele Pieroni, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

7h 15mflight from London
JFKnearest main airport
24° in Julwarmest month
1° in Jancoolest month

New York is the city everyone feels they know before they arrive. The Empire State Building, Times Square, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty are all as big and busy as the films suggest.

Each neighbourhood feels different, from the brownstones of Brooklyn to the galleries of Chelsea. It's about seven hours from London, with many daily flights.

Good forCity breaksShoppingFoodShows

What New York City is known for

  • The skyline

    Skyscrapers best seen from a rooftop observation deck.

  • Broadway

    World-famous musicals around Times Square.

  • Central Park

    843 acres of green in the middle of Manhattan.

  • Pizza and bagels

    Iconic New York slices and deli classics.

Top things to do in New York City

  1. 1

    Top of the Rock or Empire State

    Observation decks for the classic skyline view.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Central Park

    Walk, cycle or take a boat on the lake.

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  3. 3

    The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

    Ferries from Battery Park. Book crown and pedestal tickets ahead.

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  4. 4

    A Broadway show

    Discount same-day tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square.

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  5. 5

    The High Line

    A park built on an old elevated railway.

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  6. 6

    The 9/11 Memorial and Museum

    A moving tribute at the World Trade Center site.

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See all tours and tickets in New York City

Where to stay in New York City

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Best time to visit New York City

Best value: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct. April to June and September to early November: mild weather. December is magical but busy and expensive.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
1.1 C1°J1.4 C1°F4.2 C4°M9 C9°A14.3 C14°M19.9 C20°J23.7 C24°J23.7 C24°A20.6 C21°S14.9 C15°O9.2 C9°N4.5 C4°D
Bar height is the average temperature in New York City, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 7h 15m from London to JFK, and flights from most UK airports.

The subway runs 24 hours and covers most of the city. Walking is the best way to see Manhattan.

Find flights to New York City (JFK)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • Tip 18 to 20% in restaurants and bars.
  • Sales tax is added at the till, so prices shown are lower than you pay.
  • Hotel rooms are small: compare sizes when booking.
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New York City FAQ

How many days do you need in New York?

Four or five days for a first visit.

Do I need an ESTA?

Yes, apply online before you fly.

More places in USA

Back to the USA travel guide + Add New York City to your bucket list