New York is one of the most visited cities in the world. This vibrant city is in every traveller’s bucket list. Every culture is represented here, and there’s always something to do. You can spend a lifetime exploring and never really see it all. The city’s five boroughs (Manhattan, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island) sit where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
Where To Stay:
The biggest dilemma that a traveller would have is finding the right place to stay from where most attractions can be accessed easily. There are places that won’t cost you much hence the thought that as a backpacker New York can take a big bite out of your budget could be easily evaded.
Manhattan also referred to as ” The Big Apple” would be the right place to stay. Manhattan is closer to almost all major attractions and could be accessed easily on a Metro or just by walking.
These hostels in Manhattan are among the best-rated ones and are quite reasonably priced.
New York Budget Inn: 200 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016, United States. (Click here to know more or to book)
Chelsea International Hostel: 251 W 20th St, New York, NY 10011, United States. (Click here to know more or to book)
Blue Moon Hotel NYC: 100 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, United States. (Click here to know more or to book)
The Bowery House: 220 Bowery, New York, NY 10012, United States (Click here to know more or to book)
International Student Center: 10024, 38 W 88th St, New York, NY 10024, United States (Click here to know more or to book)
Getting There:
New York’s major airport John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or La Guardia (LGA) or Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) in the neighbouring state of New Jersey serves as the gateway to the city if arriving by air.
Pennsylvania Station, also known as Penn Station, is the main intercity train station in the city. Trains from Canada also terminate here. The station is located in Manhattan in the 7th & 8th Avenues, between 31st & 33rdStreets
Places To Visit:
Statue Of Liberty: New York city’s prime attraction The Statue Of Liberty would undoubtedly be on the first place in your list. The lady with the torch-bearing arm is situated in Upper New York Bay on Liberty Island south of Ellis Island.
Getting there: A ferry to get to the island can be hitched both from New York (Battery Park) and New Jersey (Liberty Park). Ticket prices are from $18.
Click here to book a ferry or to know more.
Central Park: Spread over 843 acres (341 ha), New York’s central park is one of the most visited urban parks in the United States. It is also one of the most filmed locations in the world. Central Park is home to over 25,000 trees and has a stand of 1,700 American elms. This serene park in Upper Manhattan has a lot of things to keep you entertained.
Getting there: IND Eighth Avenue Line runs along the western edge of the park, with a transfer station to the IRT Broadway-Seventh Avenue Line at Columbus Circle. In addition, the IRT Lenox Avenue Line has a station at Central Park North and 110th Street and the BMT Broadway Line has a station at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street.
Times Square: Brightly adorned with billboards and advertisements, Times Square is a major commercial intersection and neighbourhood in Midtown Manhattan. Often referred to as the “heart of the world” or “the crossroads of the world” this vibrant street stretches from the west 42 to west 47 street.
Getting there: Times Square is easily accessible through most subway lines.
Nearby attractions:
Rockefeller Center is the city’s major complex with 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres (89,000 m2), it can be reached in about 10 minutes by walking through the 49th street from the Times Square.
Grand Central Terminal is one of the busiest railway stations in the world. It was built in 1871. Grand Central is home to 44 platforms, some of the most beautiful Beaux-Arts architecture in the city and several great restaurants. 5-7 minutes walk through the Madison Avenue Street from Rockefeller Center would get to Grand Central Terminal.
Empire State Building, the 103 story skyscraper is one of the prominent landmarks in the city. The tower stands 1,454 feet (443 m) high in Midtown Manhattan and has one of the most popular outdoor observatories in the world. Ticket price starts at $32. Empire State Building is at 10-12 minutes walk away from Grand Central Terminal through the 5th Avenue.
Click here to buy tickets to Empire State Building.
Little Italy and China Town: Little Italy and China Town are ethnic neighbourhoods in lower Manhattan. Both are separated by “Mott Street”. These neighbourhoods are linked by the Grand Street and are just a 3-5 minutes walk away from one another.
Click here to read more about Little Italy.
Brooklyn Bridge is the oldest and the first ever steel-wire suspension bridge constructed. Opened to the public since 1883, this 5,989 ft. (1,825.4 m) the bridge connects boroughs of Manhattan to Brooklyn. This renowned bridge can be reached in about 3o minutes by foot from China Town.
Nearby attractions:
Brooklyn Museum is an art museum. It is the city’s third largest in physical size and holds an art collection with roughly 1.5 million works. Its located at 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn and could be reached on a 2 or 3 Seventh Avenue Express that stops at the Eastern Parkway Brooklyn Museum Station.
Coney Island is well known as the site of amusement parks and a seaside resort in Brooklyn Borough. It is the westernmost part of the barrier islands of Long Island and is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long. Coney Island could be reached by Subway from Brooklyn Museum with a change of train in the Atlantic Avenue to N or D line.
Getting Around:
New York’s subway could get you to almost every corner of the city. Get a Metro Card from any of the subway stations. Click here to know more.
Still one of the cities I wanted to go. Brooklyn Bridge looks fascinating as I love old stuff. The subway is incredible; reminds me of the subway in Seoul. Really convenient and travelers friendly.
Sounds great. NYC is has a lot to offer. Thank you for sharing your thoughts Jessica.
I felt like I was actually in New York, looking at the Statue of Liberty, staring up at the Empire State Building and walking through Central park. Nice post with lots of important information.
Thank you Voyager. Glad to hear that
It’s great to know about some affordable places to stay in New York! I have only stayed with friends there, but I do remember being able to take public transportation easily to just about any areas of interest. Thanks for adding the subway map too! That can be pretty handy.
Thanks Tracie. NYC is undoubtedly an expensive city.