North America
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USA
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New York
As the most populous city in the U.S. – set at the forefront of food, fashion and the arts – NYC requires stamina.
8 min read
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5 July 2022
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Sabrina Woodley
Written by
Sabrina Woodley
The Big Apple was once synonymous with Manhattan. Not anymore. The other four boroughs now command their own identities and distinct appeal, with each offering a rich mix of history, gastronomy, liquidity (bars) and everything in between. You'll find navigating this cultural and energising smorgasbord a whole lot easier with our NYC travel guide.
Places to stay
Best place to stay in Manhattan? Central Park is perfect for a gentle introduction to the city. Surrounding this oasis in the middle of Manhattan, you’ll find plenty of chic hotels, modern apartments and slick rooms.
If you dream of waking up, enjoying a leisurely breakfast and then shopping at the high-end boutiques on 5th Avenue, opt for a luxury or boutique hotel nearby.Fancy stumbling onto a movie set or spotting a celebrity? You’ll need a loft apartment in the Meatpacking District, Upper West side or eclectic Soho.
For a more relaxed and cheaper stay in NYC head over to Brooklyn - the western tip of Long Island, with its distinctive urban architecture, leafy streets and beautiful brownstone row houses. And when you book your New York stay with Qantas Hotels, you’ll be sure to find the ideal accommodation with options for every budget and taste.
Things to do
Begin by ticking off the iconic landmarks and art museums by working your way from Central Park, towards the top of the Rockefeller Centre or the Empire State Building for spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. Then jump on the free Staten Island Ferry to capture that Instagram post with the historic Stature of Liberty.
If music and arts are your thing, don't miss seeing a musical on Broadway, like the smash-hit Wicked. Want to live like a local New Yorker? Head to the Brooklyn Flea Markets, browse vintage clothing in Williamsburg and then grab lunch from a food truck. With endless things to do for families and travellers of all ages, New York is an irresistible destination.
Statue of Liberty
Edge Observation Deck
“Whoever is born in New York is ill-equipped to deal with any other city: all other cities seem, at best, a mistake, and, at worst, a fraud. No other city is so spitefully incoherent.”
- James Baldwin
Best Times to Visit New York City
The best time to visit New York is anytime. Each season in Gotham offers visitors plenty of reasons to visit. Early fall offers crisp breezes, bright sun and comfortable temperatures while late fall and winter make merry with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday decorations. Deep winter – January and February – is cold, but that also means cheaper hotel rates. Spring is glorious and New Yorkers celebrate the thaw by taking to the streets, shopping at outdoor markets, frolicking in Central Park and dining outside. Summer is hot, but hey, so are lots of places, and at least this is New York.