Why New York for a long weekend?
New York is the most famous city in the world and it earns it. Four days here barely scratches the surface — but what a surface. The skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge at dawn. A slice of coal-fired pizza at 2am. The Met, free on Fridays. Central Park in autumn. A jazz bar in the West Village where nobody knows you're a tourist.
New York is also more affordable than its reputation suggests, if you do it right. The subway is excellent ($2.90 a ride, no matter how far). The best bagel you'll ever eat costs $3. You can spend nothing or everything, and the city rewards both approaches.
Long weekend plan: Day 1: Brooklyn Bridge walk, Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights Promenade, pizza at Grimaldi's, Manhattan skyline from the bridge. Day 2: Central Park, MoMA or Met, 5th Avenue, Rockefeller Top of the Rock at sunset. Day 3: Lower East Side, Chelsea Market, High Line, West Village dinner. Day 4: Brooklyn food scene, fly home.
Best neighbourhoods in New York
Where to eat and drink
Breakfast & bagels: Russ & Daughters (LES) for smoked salmon on a bagel. Ess-a-Bagel, Murray's, or any deli counter — nothing fancy, just right. Diner coffee with unlimited refills everywhere. Brunch in Williamsburg is an event: Egg, Marlow & Sons, Sunday in Brooklyn.
Pizza: The great NYC debate. For NY-style slices: Joe's Pizza (West Village, $3.50 a slice, perfection). For Neapolitan: Lucali in Carroll Gardens (cash only, queue). For coal-fired: Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge. Don't go to the Famous Ray's on Times Square.
Dinner: The West Village has 50+ excellent restaurants in 10 blocks. Carbone for red-sauce Italian (book way ahead). Corner Bistro for the best $10 burger in the city. Momofuku Noodle Bar for ramen. Mission Chinese for innovative Chinese. The Smith for solid American brasserie.
Drinks: Attaboy (LES, no-menu cocktail bar — tell them what you like). Dead Rabbit for Irish craft cocktails. Any dive bar in the East Village for $7 beers. Rooftop bars: 230 Fifth, PHD Rooftop. Jazz: Village Vanguard (Monday nights, the oldest and best) or Smalls Jazz Club.
Weekend budget
New York is expensive, but manageable. Budget: €180–300 per person per day (excluding flights). Accommodation: €150–250/night for a good Manhattan hotel; Brooklyn is 20–30% cheaper. Food: €40–80/day eating well (breakfast $3–8, lunch $12–18, dinner $25–60). Subway: unlimited 7-day pass $34. Museums: MoMA $25, Met pay-what-you-wish (suggested $30). Flights from Europe: €300–700 return, best value from London, Dublin, and Amsterdam.
Getting around
The subway is your best friend — get an OMNY card or use your contactless bank card (tap-to-pay works at all turnstiles since 2023). The subway runs 24 hours, 7 days a week. Walking is also excellent — many of the best things in NYC happen on the streets between destinations. Cabs and Ubers are useful for late-night trips or airport runs. Avoid driving entirely.
When to visit New York
Apr–Jun: Spring in NYC is beautiful — Central Park in bloom, mild temperatures, the city coming alive. May is arguably the best month: not too hot, not too crowded. Book ahead for popular restaurants.
Sep–Nov: Autumn is stunning — the trees in Central Park, crisp air, Thanksgiving week (November) bringing crowds but incredible atmosphere. One of the best times to visit.
Dec–Jan: Christmas in New York is everything the films say it is — Rockefeller tree, ice skating, window displays. Cold (0–8°C) but magical. New Year's Eve in Times Square: memorable once, never again.
Jul–Aug: Hot and humid (30–35°C). The city is packed with tourists. Hotel prices peak. Broadway shows are abundant. Good flight prices from Europe — you'll want air-conditioning everywhere.
Fly to New York from these airports
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for the USA?
European and UK citizens typically qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) — a $21 online application valid for 2 years. Apply at least 72 hours before travel at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Canadians and Mexicans don't need an ESTA. Check your country's requirements as the VWP country list can change.
Is New York safe?
New York is significantly safer than its 1980s reputation suggests. The main tourist areas — Midtown, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, the Village — are very safe at any hour. Use common sense on the subway late at night (stay in populated carriages) and be aware of pickpockets in crowded tourist spots.
Which airport should I fly into?
JFK is the main international airport — it's further from Midtown but well-connected by subway (A train, about 60 minutes, $2.90) or the AirTrain+LIRR combination (30–40 minutes, $15). Newark (EWR) is in New Jersey and often has cheaper flights — NJ Transit takes 30 minutes to Penn Station. LaGuardia (LGA) is closest but has no rail link — take a cab or rideshare.
What's the tipping culture in New York?
Tip 20% at sit-down restaurants — it's not optional, it's how restaurant workers are paid (US minimum wage for tipped staff is $2.13/hour federally). At bars, $1–2 per drink. Taxis and Ubers: 15–20%. Hotel housekeeping: $5/day. The city's culture is built on tipping — budget for it.