To know "The City" like a local might still be the greatest badge of honor for travelers. But take a breath: you won't be able to cover the countless museums, galleries, restaurants, watering holes—and, yes, $1 pizza slices—all in one visit, but that's the good news. Now that the outer boroughs draw as much attention as Manhattan, it makes repeated trips not only possible, but essential.
New York City Travel Guide
Plan Your New York City Trip
Here's How to Spend Christmas in New York City
Our editors' favorite holiday activities in the city they call home.
By Charlie Hobbs and Alex Erdekian
The 7 Best Bars for Live Music in Brooklyn
Where to experience the borough's diverse, energetic, and sponetaneous music scene—any night of the week.
By Francesca Carington
Featured
New York City's Best Wine Bars Are on the Lower East Side
From Parisian-inspired wine bars to Mediterranean restaurants with considered bottle lists, the neighborhood rivals Paris's 11th arrondissement.
By Kyle Beechey
The 28 Best Restaurants in New York City
The best tables in the city prove that if you can make it here (as a restaurant), you can make it anywhere.
By Devra Ferst and Emily Saladino
On Location: How ‘Bros’ Captured the Gay Scenes of NYC and Provincetown
Lifting the curtain on the destinations behind the season’s most exciting new releases.
By Charlie Hobbs
34 Best Hotels in New York City
With everything from NoMad hotspots to Brooklyn breakouts, this city is the ultimate hotel town.
By CNT Editors, John Wogan, Sandra Ramani, and Nicole Schnitzler
Editor Hotel Recommendations
- Concorde Hotel New York$$ | USA, New York City, 127 E 55th StRead full reviewAn unexpected escape from the noise of Midtown ManhattanPowered By: Booking.com
- Arlo Williamsburg$ | United States, Brooklyn, 96 Wythe AveRead full reviewIconic and reimagined—in the heart of Brooklyn's buzzy WilliamsburgPowered By: Booking.com
- The Mark$$$ | United States, New York City, 25 E 77th StRead full reviewAn Upper East Side Art Deco-inspired classic.Readers Choice Awards
Gold ListPowered By: Expedia - Ace Hotel Brooklyn$$ | United States, Brooklyn, 252 Schermerhorn StreetRead full reviewLobby culture and impeccable design in the fringe of Brooklyn’s bustling downtown.Readers Choice Awards
Hot ListPowered By: Expedia - 33 Hotel, New York City, Seaport$$ | United States, New York, 33 Peck SlipRead full reviewModern European hospitality and refined Italian fare in a setting that’s unmistakably New York.Powered By: Expedia
- Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown$$$ | United States, New York, 27 Barclay St.Read full reviewYabu Pushelberg designed the rooms in this downtown outpost from the luxury brand.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Equinox Hotel New York$$$ | United States, New York, 33 Hudson YardsRead full reviewA five-star hotel experience that’s all about the modern and the seamless integration between work, leisure, decadence, health, and sleep.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Skylark
- Gansevoort Meatpacking$$ | United States, New York, 18 9th Ave.Read full reviewSwanky, and a short stroll from Chelsea, the West Village, and the Meatpacking District.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue$$$ | United States, New York, 400 Fifth Ave.Read full reviewRooms so spacious, you'll wonder if you're still in New York.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Expedia
- Public$$ | United States, New York, 215 Chrystie St.Read full reviewAt Public, it all comes down to great value—a fair price for super stylish rooms and a massive lobby lounge that doubles as a social gathering place.Hot ListPowered By: Expedia
- Nine Orchard$$$ | New York, 9 Orchard StRead full reviewNine Orchard transforms a Lower East Side landmark into a stunning, expertly renovated design oasis in the center of one of the best cities in the world.Hot ListPowered By: Expedia
- Pendry Manhattan West$$$ | USA, New York, 438 W 33rd StreetRead full reviewA luxe yet lived-in feeling steps from Hudson Yards and Penn Station.Hot ListPowered By: Skylark
- The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel$$ | United States, New York, 123 Nassau StRead full reviewGorgeous design, two excellent restaurants, and a location in a newly revitalized downtown NYC neighborhood.Readers Choice Awards
Gold ListPowered By: Expedia - Park Hyatt New York$$$ | United States, New York City, 153 W 57th StRead full reviewAt the cross-section of the city, with one of the best hotel swimming pools in town.Readers Choice AwardsPowered By: Skylark
- 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge$$ | United States, Brooklyn, 60 Furman St.Read full reviewBringing the great outdoors of Brooklyn inside.Readers Choice Awards
Hot ListPowered By: Expedia
The Best Things to Do in New York City
- 27 Best Things to Do in New YorkIn the city you could inhabit for a lifetime and never run out of things to do, here's where to start.By Melissa Liebling-Goldberg, Alex Erdekian, and Charlie Hobbs
- 23 Best Museums in New York CityThe city's museum scene can be a dizzying one—but our list has you covered.By Charlie Hobbs and Andrea Whittle
- 7 Easy Weekend Trips from NYCLeaving New York now and then is undeniably necessary—here are eight nearby locations worth experiencing.By Alex Erdekian
- 15 Best Things to Do With Kids in New York CityA family trip can include famous landmarks and museums, but also range across the city to new playgrounds and public parks along the waterfront and surprising green spaces that will delight visitors.By Sunshine Flint
- Where to Go Shopping in NYC: Our 20 PicksDiscover an array of stores that have a distinctively New York identity, where you’ll find exciting clothes, gifts, and decor by independent designers (plus a few wild cards, like an old school Upper East Side pharmacy and a beloved Tribeca party store).By Andrea Whittle
- 17 Airbnbs Within 3 Hours of New York CityThese roomy rentals are ready and waiting for your next long weekend getaway.By Madison Flager and Alex Erdekian
- 5 Best Day Trips from New York CityWhere to go when you need a break from the city that never sleeps.By Alex Van Buren, Andrea Whittle, and Devra Ferst
Editor Recommendations
- Marsha P. Johnson State ParkUnited States, New York, 90 Kent AveRead full reviewOddly enough, this waterfront park doesn't allow dogs despite Johnson herself being a dog lover.
- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Community CenterUnited States, New York, 208 W 13th StRead full reviewA safe, public gathering space to engage with likeminded people and learn about LGBTQ+ history.
- James Beard HouseUnited States, New York, 167 W 12th StRead full reviewThe American culinary leader now known for the eponymous awards lived in this multilevel townhouse from 1973 until his death
- HarlemUnited States, New York, HarlemRead full reviewThe uptown Manhattan neighborhood was a hub of queer activity during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s.
- Alice Austen HouseUnited States, New York, 2 Hylan BlvdRead full reviewThe Staten Island property that photographer Alice Austen shared with her partner Gertrude Tate.
- Industry CityUnited States, New York, 220 36th StRead full reviewTrue one-stop shopping for lovers of artisan production.
- Film ForumUnited States, New York, 209 W Houston StRead full reviewEverything on the marquee is worth a few hours of your time.
- Russian Turkish BathsUnited States, New York, 268 E 10th StRead full reviewA no-frills den of functionality beneath the East Village.
- Jewish Brooklyn: Tours of Hasidic BrooklynUnited States, New York,Read full reviewPockets of Brooklyn often left off the Big Apple itinerary are worth a visit.
- Storm King Art CenterUnited States, New Windsor, 1 Museum Rd.Read full reviewWith 500 acres to explore, plan to spend a full morning or an afternoon at Storm King.
- ElsewhereUnited States, New York, 599 Johnson AveRead full reviewA vast, three-story Bushwick club and live music venue with multiple dance floors, stages, and a rooftop.
- Rockaway BeachUnited States, New York,Read full reviewOne of the best public beaches you can visit in New York City proper.
- Metrograph TheaterUnited States, New York, 7 Ludlow StRead full reviewAn independent movie house, and New York City cinema landmark.
- Chelsea, ManhattanUnited States, New York, ChelseaRead full reviewOne of the city’s best-known for art, and home to some of the world’s most respected contemporary art galleries.
10 Best Rooftop Bars in New York City
Where the city looks its most beautiful, enjoyed with the perfect drink in hand.
By Abbe Baker and Carey Jones
The Best Places to Eat and Drink in New York City
- 28 Best Restaurants in New York CityThe best tables in the city prove that if you can make it here (as a restaurant), you can make it anywhere.By Devra Ferst and Emily Saladino
- 15 Best Bars in New York CityAbove all else, New York is a drinking town. Here's where locals go for a tipple.By Emily Saladino and Devra Ferst
- 21 Best Italian Restaurants in New YorkOutside of Italy, where is there a better Italian food scene?By Andrea Whittle
- 22 Best Places for Pizza in New York CityIt's hard to find a bad slice in this town, but these spots do it best—from Sicilian to Detroit-style.By Andrea Whittle and Jessica Kelly
Editor Restaurant and Bar Recommendations
- Oxomoco$ | United States , Brooklyn, 128 Greenpoint Ave
- Thai Diner$ | United States, New York, 186 Mott Street
- 63 Clinton$$$ | United States, New York, 63 Clinton St
- Gage & Tollner$$$ | United States, Brooklyn, 372 Fulton StInviting, thoughtful, and bustling—with a dose of history mixed in for good measure.
- Lola’s$$ | United States, New York, 2 W 28th StZesty Asian American fare leveling up the after-work dining scene in the ever-hipper Flatiron district.
- Ginger’s BarUnited States, New York, 363 5th AveA multigenerational lesbian pub with a convivial bar scene, a pool table, and plenty of outdoor space to BYO takeout.
- Henrietta Hudson, New York, 438 Hudson StA historic lesbian bar celebrating a new era of togetherness for all LGBTQ+ people.
- Julius'United States, New York, 159 W 10th StNew York City’s oldest gay bar is a dive with an easygoing spirit.
- San Sabino$$$ | United States, New York, 113 Greenwich AveThe hardest table to book in town well before it opened, and well worth the effort.
- Yingtao$$$ | United States, New York, 805 9th AveAn inventive Chinese eight-course tasting menu in a handsome Hell’s Kitchen space.
- Cafe Mado$$ | United States, Brooklyn, 791 Washington AvenueFrom bakery to all-day cafe—and with a garden perfect for summer wine—Cafe Mado is a lively neighborhood hub.
- Theodora$$$ | United States, Brooklyn, 7 Greene AveA slightly more upscale, open-fire affair from the people who brought you Miss Ada.
- Sawa$$ | United States , Brooklyn, 75 5th AveA bright little Lebanese spot that comes alive in the evening.
The Best Museum Shops in New York City
Our favorite spots for artsy and historic gifts and souvenirs.
By Andrea Whittle
More from New York
News & Advice
The Best Art Exhibits to See in New York City This Summer
Beat the heat with displays of New York street photography, hip-hop jewelry, and nature-inspired fashion.
By Charlie Hobbs
Places to Stay
The 25 Best Boutique Hotels in NYC
From a Tribeca haunt owned by Robert De Niro to a SoHo hideaway with a rooftop pool.
By Alex Erdekian
Destinations
Where to Watch 4th of July Fireworks in NYC 2024
The best hotel parties, public vantage points, and river cruises for enjoying NYC's fireworks this 4th of July.
By Juliet Izon
News & Advice
The First-Ever LGBTQ Visitor Center in the National Parks System Is Open
The new Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center is an inaugural living landmark in queer history.
By Kat Chen
Air Travel
The First-Ever Delta One Lounge Opens This Week at JFK—See Inside
We visited the new Delta One Lounge at JFK, which sports shower suites, a wellness spa, and a full-service restaurant.
By Hannah Towey
Places to Stay
The Best Affordable Hotels in New York City
From Washington Heights to Williamsburg, these impressive NYC hotels have rooms for under $300 a night.
By Juliet Izon
Islands & Beaches
The 13 Best Beaches Around New York City
Classic boardwalks, surf scenes, and white sandy beaches are all within a couple hours' reach.
By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner and Laura Dannen Redman
Destinations
Where to Soak Up New York City's LGBTQ History
The gay bars, bookstores, museums, community centers, and more that are worth a visit to immerse yourself in queer scenes past and present.
By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner
Destinations
The Best New Restaurants in New York City
Korean fried chicken, smashburgers galore, and so much more are on the menu this spring.
By CNT Editors
Style & Culture
Susanne Bartsch on How It Feels to Be Called the “Queen of New York Nightlife”
A look into the new book by the legendary Swiss event producer responsible for throwing some of New York’s most legendary parties.
By Christian Allaire
Food & Drink
From Beirut to Brooklyn, Edy Massih Has Carried His Grandmothers' Recipes
In his new cookbook, Keep It Zesty, Edy Massih reflects on the long line of Levantine women who taught him about good food, and the act of sharing it.
By Edy Massih
Destinations
17 Easy Weekend Getaways From NYC
From wellness retreats in the Berkshires to scenic beach escapes on Long Island.
By Alex Erdekian and Hannah Towey
Destinations
The 15 Best Spas in New York City
From Japanese Shiatsu massage to a Roman bathhouse, New York's wellness scene has something for everyone.
By Gabby Shacknai
Future of Travel
What NYC’s Port Authority Bus Terminal Could Look Like After a $10 Billion Redesign
The sweeping renovation would take place over eight years—and transform the future of travel in NYC.
By Rachel Chang
Places to Stay
These NYC Stays Feel Straight Out of ‘Feud: Capote vs. The Swans’
From mid-century modern hotel rooms to rentals with Central Park views.
By Jamie Spain
More Destinations
- New York State Travel GuideAll of our best hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations in one place.
- Phoenix Travel GuideAbundant sunshine, potent summer monsoon storms, and the Suessian cactuses and ancient petroglyphs of the Sonoran Desert.
- Miami Travel GuideWarm temperatures—and hotter beaches
- Chicago Travel GuideSecond City? Not by our count.
- Charleston Travel GuideWhere Lowcountry meets high charm
- Key West Travel GuideWarm temperatures—and hotter beaches
- Los Angeles Travel GuideWelcome to the West Coast's cultural epicenter
- Yellowstone National Park at 150Wonderland: The early nickname of America’s first national park is as apt today as when Yellowstone was founded, in March of 1872. On its sesquicentennial, we celebrate this miraculous place—while exploring a history that has too often excluded its original stewards—and consider how to ensure its survival for generations to come.
- Boston Travel GuideCharming and legitimately historic
- San Francisco Travel GuideDon't forget to pack an extra layer
- Dallas Travel GuideHard to crack. Easy to love.
- Washington, D.C. Travel GuideIt all starts at the Capitol.
- Seattle Travel GuideOysters and craft beer so good you won’t notice it’s drizzling
- Savannah Travel GuideFamous for its ghosts, but plenty full of life
- Portland, Oregon Travel GuideBeverly Cleary, Matt Groening, and James Beard are all from here. Enough said.