A short history of New York
Wall Street takes its name from a wooden wall the Dutch built at the northern edge of their settlement in the 17th century. That small colony at the southern tip of Manhattan was called New Amsterdam. The island is said to have been bought from the Lenape for a few dozen dollars' worth of goods, though how much of the story is true is debated. In 1664 the English took the colony and renamed it New York.
In the late 19th century the city became the gateway for immigrants crossing the ocean. The Statue of Liberty was unveiled in 1886, and after 1892 most new arrivals passed inspection on Ellis Island. You can still walk through that registry hall in the island's immigration museum.
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, opened in 1883, on foot is still one of the best walks in the city. The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, remained the world's tallest building for decades. Where the Twin Towers fell in the attacks of 11 September 2001, there is now a memorial with two pools and a museum.
New York neighbourhoods
In Harlem some churches welcome visitors to Sunday morning gospel services, as long as you stay quiet and respectful. The Apollo Theater on 125th Street and the soul food restaurants are a good introduction to the neighbourhood's everyday life.
DUMBO is a cluster of cobbled streets squeezed under the Manhattan Bridge. From the end of Washington Street you see the Empire State framed between the bridge's piers, and Brooklyn Bridge Park is a few steps away on the waterfront.
In Chelsea an old freight rail line has become the High Line walking park. Galleries line the streets beneath it, with the Whitney Museum at its southern end and Chelsea Market a little to the north.
Astoria, in Queens, is known for its Greek tavernas and bakeries. Reached from Manhattan on the N and W lines, it is also home to the Museum of the Moving Image, devoted to film and television. In summer the boardwalk and old amusement park of Coney Island wait at the end of the subway line.
Where to stay
- Midtown: Times Square, Broadway and the big hotels, close to every subway line.
- Greenwich Village: Tree-lined streets, jazz clubs and small restaurants.
- SoHo: Cast-iron buildings, boutiques and galleries.
- Lower East Side: An old immigrant quarter of bars, delis and nightlife.
- Upper West Side: A calm, family-friendly area between Central Park and the Hudson.
- Williamsburg: Brooklyn's young district of cafés and bars, one stop from Manhattan.
When to visit New York
Mid-September to early November is the best time to visit New York. The summer humidity has gone, days are 15-24 °C, and the trees in Central Park start turning in late October. The New York Marathon, run on the first Sunday of November, passes through all five boroughs, and hotels fill up that weekend.
Late April to mid-June is also comfortable for walking. July and August, on the other hand, mean 28-33 °C and sticky humidity, and subway platforms heat up like ovens. In return, free outdoor events such as Shakespeare in the Park in Central Park take place in summer.
The Thanksgiving parade is on the fourth Thursday of November, and the lights on the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center go on soon after. December is the city's most expensive month. January and February are the cheapest months of the year, but temperatures sit between -3 and 5 °C and you may run into a snowstorm.
Food culture in New York
In New York the easiest meal is the one you eat with your hands. A bagel in the morning, a single slice of pizza or chicken over rice from a halal cart at noon, a hot dog in the late afternoon. A bagel is best with cream cheese and smoked salmon, and you fold a pizza slice in half to eat it.
On weekend mornings the brunch queues get long, and this meal between breakfast and lunch is almost a tradition here. Dinner is 19.00-21.00, and popular restaurants may need booking weeks ahead. Dim sum in Chinatown, pastrami sandwiches on the Lower East Side, and Asian and Latin American cooking in Flushing and Jackson Heights tell the story of the city's immigration.
Sales tax is added to menu prices on the bill. If you were served at a table, adding an 18-22% tip to the bill is the custom here.
New York trip budget
Yes, New York ranks among the priciest cities anywhere, and accommodation is the biggest cost. A reasonable hotel room in Manhattan runs 250-400 $ a night, plus tax and, at some hotels, extra fees. At restaurants, once tax and tip are added to menu prices, the bill grows by about 30%.
In 2026 there are roughly three kinds of trip. A hostel bed, pizza slices and the subway come to 120-180 $ a day. A mid-range hotel, sit-down meals and a few museums mean 350-500 $. A good hotel, a Broadway show and smart restaurants take you to 700 $ and up.
A subway ride costs around 3 $, and with OMNY, rides after the 12th within seven days on the same card are free. Big museums such as the Met and MoMA charge around 30 $. The Staten Island Ferry is free and passes in front of the Statue of Liberty. Central Park, the High Line and the walk over the Brooklyn Bridge won't cost you anything either.
Prices are approximate as of October 2026.
Build your route on the New York map