Where to stay in New York: the best areas for your trip

In short: for a first visit, stay in Midtown, in the heart of Manhattan. With kids, the Upper West Side by Central Park; as a couple, Greenwich Village or SoHo; on a tighter budget, Brooklyn, Long Island City or Jersey City. In New York, a nearby subway station beats a bigger room: accommodation is often small.

Understanding New York in two minutes

New York has five boroughs, but most visitors stay in Manhattan, the long, narrow island where most of the sights are. In the middle is Midtown (Times Square, Fifth Avenue); to the north, Central Park, framed by the Upper West Side and the Upper East Side; to the south, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, SoHo and the Lower East Side, then Lower Manhattan and Wall Street. Across the East River lie Brooklyn and Queens.

The subway runs day and night: choose a place near a station served by several lines.

The right area for your trip

First visit: Midtown

Around Times Square, the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center, Midtown is the most convenient area: Broadway theatres, Fifth Avenue and Central Park are on foot, and almost every subway line passes through. Very busy and noisy, especially around Times Square; the side streets (towards Bryant Park or Murray Hill) are quieter.

With kids: the Upper West Side

Between Central Park and the Hudson, the Upper West Side is residential and pleasant, with the American Museum of Natural History, bakeries and roomier apartments. The subway reaches Midtown in minutes.

Upscale and museums: the Upper East Side

Along Central Park, around the Metropolitan Museum and the Guggenheim: elegant, quiet and safe, ideal for older travellers and museum lovers.

As a couple: Greenwich Village, West Village, SoHo

Tree-lined streets, brick townhouses, cafés and small restaurants: the Village is one of the city’s most charming areas. SoHo, with its cast-iron buildings, is a shopping paradise. Further north, Chelsea has the High Line and art galleries.

Nightlife: the Lower East Side and East Village

Bars, music venues and restaurants from all over the world: the liveliest atmosphere in Manhattan at night.

Practical and more affordable: Lower Manhattan

The Financial District, around Wall Street and the 9/11 Memorial, is quieter in the evening and at weekends, with hotels that are sometimes more affordable. Ferries to the Statue of Liberty leave nearby.

On a budget: Brooklyn, Queens, Jersey City

• Brooklyn: Williamsburg for nightlife, DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights for views of Manhattan.
• Long Island City (Queens): one or two stops from Midtown, with newer and often cheaper hotels.
• Jersey City (New Jersey): across the Hudson, linked to Manhattan by the PATH train.

Getting to New York

• JFK: the AirTrain connects to the subway or the commuter train (LIRR) to Manhattan.
• Newark (New Jersey): the AirTrain connects to trains to Penn Station, in Midtown.
• LaGuardia: buses link the airport to the subway.

For timetables and fares, check the official websites. A private transfer takes you straight to your accommodation, handy if you arrive late with luggage.

Our booking tips

1. Look at the total price: taxes are added to the displayed rate, and some hotels charge a nightly “destination fee”.
2. Choose hotels: rentals under 30 days are tightly regulated in New York, and many listings are not allowed.
3. Book early for the festive season, the marathon (November) and summer.
4. Rooms are small: check the size and number of beds, especially with kids.
5. Choose free cancellation when it is offered.

Once you’re there

To plan your days, see our guide Things to do in New York, and for the rest of your trip, our guide Travel in the United States. The areas and useful services are on our New York page.