Vacation rental apartments in New York
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Top-rated apartments in New York
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Stay near New York's top sights
A walk, peddle, or carriage ride through the crisscrossing pathways of Central Park is a must-do on anyone's New York City itinerary. In winter, you can even lace up your skates and glide across Wollman Rink. This huge park in the city center, a half-mile wide and 2.5 miles long, is one of the things that makes New York such a beautiful and livable city. Besides being a great place to experience a little nature, Central Park has many attractions within its borders, and most of them are free, making it one of the few cheap things to do in NYC. Some of the most popular places to visit include the Belvedere Castle, Strawberry Fields, the Central Park Zoo, and the Lake. If you are exploring the park on your own, start by picking up a map at one of the visitor centers and plot your routing.
The best place to take a picture with the biggest christmas tree in the city. It's one of the most iconic places in NYC during the christmas holiday. The ice skating rink is very popular. Go up top of the rock to get amazing views of NYC. If you get hungry, no worries, the ground floor has many places to eat at. Across the street from Saks Fifth Avenue, which offers the most amazing christmas light show.
Tips from New York locals
Get advice about the city from the people who know it best. Local hosts share their tips and recommendations for travelers like you.
What should I pack?
What should I pack?
“Bring comfortable shoes! Most of the tourists' attractions are walking distance from each other. so expect to walk a lot!”
“If you are going to visit nyc wear comfortable shoes. Take you camera or cellular phone for pictures to remember. if you are going to nyc to see shows on broadway check ticket master for time and dates. also check broadway.com to save money on shows, restaurant, massages and more check groupon.com”
What's the best way to get around?
What's the best way to get around?
“Subway is fastest to get around There are many subway maps you can download for your phone. i like "roadify" and "mymta" - once installed, you don't need wifi to see the maps if you are down in the station without service”
“Citi bike Citi bike is an app where you can pick up bikes and drop them off all over the city. there is a limit of 30 minutes for each ride. in my opinion, it's the best way to see the city. get a day pass unlimited for only $12 and you'll easily be able to see all the best attractions in one day. the hudson path is an amazing bike route on the edge of the city that is super easy to ride on with great views. download the app citi bike to use. there are also kiosks at most docking stations. you can ride on the street where the cars on too when you're in the city if there aren't bike lanes. this might sound scary but the cars are super attentive to bikers.”
“Subway riding Getting around on the subway seems intimidating but it's rather easy. once you get into every station, you'll see uptown signs (north) and downtown signs (south). google maps has a public transit tab that looks like a train. this will guide you to the right subway station. when getting around, it's important to know there are often local and express trains (skips some stations and is faster).”
“Car service If you're looking for a car service to pick you up, there are different services in nyc than elsewhere. there is still lyft and uber, but there is also juno and via. juno & via are cheaper than uber and lyft. via has both private car options and shared car rides that are extremely cheap compared to other services. via is also cheapest service to and from the airports.”
“Subways are quickest & cheapest We recommend you use an app like google maps on your smartphone to navigate the subway system. it is very intuitive and simple to learn.”
“Try revel electric mopeds! If you have a valid driver's license, you can download the revel app and rent any of the blue mopeds on the sidewalk in the area. they're cheap, fun, and you can leave them wherever you go! use code "fkrpc" for $5 off!”
“Get weekly subway pass for unlimited rides Weekly subway passes are a great way to get around affordably. late nights or after a long day, uber, lyft, via, and juno are a great on-demand alternative and tend to be cheaper than yellow cabs.”
What's the local culture like?
What's the local culture like?
“Local art galleries From 16th st. to 29th st., between 10th and 11th avenues, there are more than 350 art galleries that are home to modern art from upcoming artists and respected artists. chelsea art district is one of the most important and influential in the world. while you're there, be sure to stroll along the highline, a recently redesigned aerial greenway that runs along the lower west side of manhattan.”
“Smoking Smoking is banned in all city parks, restaurants and bars.”
“Phone etiquette It's not polite to order or speak to someone when you are looking at your phone. also, if you are walking down the stairs or trying to catch the subway, be sure not to text at the same time.”
What should I not miss?
What should I not miss?
“Hudson river greenway Perfect for biking or walking and taking in the beautiful views. to enter follow the ramp on 158th that goes under the henry hudson parkway. the bike path and pedestrian path runs all way downtown from here. excellent attraction in order to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, have a picnic, have a bike ride, and enjoy the nature and beautiful water views.”
“Edgemere farm hosts a market every friday, and there is a great farmer's market on beach 74th street Farmer's market saturday and sunday is great, hosted in a small warehouse- can get most everything organic, from green tomatoes to fresh lavender.”
“Sightseeing like a local Smorgasburg in brooklyn, central park great lawn, walk across the brooklyn bridge, sunset ferry ride between manhattan and brooklyn. grab a drink at the public hotel (reserve for dinner to be secured a table on the rooftop) and hop on the ferry back to midtown manhattan, you'll pass all 3 major bridges while the sun sets behind the skyline.”
How can I save money on this trip?
How can I save money on this trip?
“New york citypass New york citypass includes one-time admission to 6 of new york's most famous attractions: empire state building, american museum of natural history, the museum of modern art, guggenheim museum or top of the rock, & statue of liberty.”
“Metrocards are cheaper if you buy a bundle! Each fare is $2.75. depending on how many days, and how much walking you may intend to do, consider buying an unlimited 7 days metrocard for only $31 dollars. unlimited cards can be used as many times as you need daily on buses and trains. but the best! is not having to stop to replenish your card!”
“Museums are free on tuesdays! Also, new york museums are funding by private organizations, therefore, they have enough money so they do not need to charge. you don't need to pay their entrance fees, give them a contribution, and you are good to go!”
“Bring your water bottle! New york tap water is perfectly fine to drink, you don't need to buy bottled water at any time.”
What are some local customs?
What are some local customs?
“Madison square park Grab a bite to eat near madison square park and enjoy the people watching. we recommend dig in for salads, or the famous shake shack in the park. or try indian food from desi galli on lexington and 27th.”
“Escalators When on escalators, stand on the right side. this allows people that want to walk the escalator to pass on the left.”
“Homeless people There is a decent homeless population in the city. don't engage with them and anyone that asks you to buy anything just keep walking. it's normal and they will leave you alone. walk with a purpose and you won't look like a tourist. you may see them on the subway as well, don't give them money. it's illegal to beg for money on subways and it only encourages them. this may sound heartless but the homeless in new york are well taken care of and there are lot's of places for them to eat. if you give them money, 99% of the time you're fueling their drug habit.”
Your guide to New York
All About New York City
The city that never sleeps is also a showcase of the best the United States has to offer. Manhattan’s bustling, gridded streets are home to some of the nation’s most famous landmarks, such as Times Square, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center, as well as neighborhoods made famous by TV shows, such as the West Village and the Upper East Side. But there’s more to New York City than Manhattan. Explore the other four boroughs, too: the Bronx (home of the New York Yankees and Italian-infuenced Arthur Avenue), Staten Island (a free ferry ride away and a world all its own), Brooklyn (a mix of trendy eateries and family-friendly communities), and Queens (including the waterfront Long Island City and the culturally diverse Astoria).
How do I get around New York?
With more than 100 airlines servicing the city’s three major area airports — John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Queens, and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) across the Hudson River in New Jersey — there’s no shortage of flights to the nation’s most populous city. Speed into the city from JFK via the AirTrain to the subway, or from LGA from a bus to the subway; a train links EWR to Penn Station. New York’s famous yellow cabs have set rates from the airports into town, while rideshare services and shuttles offer varying prices. Once in the five boroughs, zip around town like the locals do: on the subway. If you prefer to stay above ground, the streets are packed with taxis, rideshares, bikeshares, and buses, though you’ll need to pack your patience to navigate the gridlocked streets, especially during peak hours. If you’re spending most of your time in Manhattan, skip the rental car, as parking can be an extremely expensive challenge.
When is the best time to stay in a vacation rental in New York?
All four seasons bring their own special touch to the Big Apple. Summer highs are in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, the perfect weather for a cooling riverfront stroll or drinks at a rooftop bar. Once the high temperatures fall into the brisk 50-to-70-degree range in September, the fall colors, especially in Central Park, paint the city in cozy hues. While winter can bring chills, with highs in the 30s and 40s, there’s nothing more magical than the city draped with a layer of snow. Springtime offers its own brand of hope, as the urban jungle blooms again, and temperatures rise into the 50s, 60s, and 70s. But as fast as the city moves, so does the weather, so plan ahead and be prepared for quick changes.
What are the top things to do in New York?
Central Park
As the rapid urbanization of New York City surged in the 1800s, the 843-acre Central Park was carved out in 1858 to ensure Manhattanites had their own backyard. Now they share it with 43 million visitors a year. No agenda is needed to explore the wonders of the green space, but among the highlights are the Bethesda Fountain, Belvedere Castle, and Strawberry Fields’ Imagine sign.
Empire State Building
While plenty of city skyscrapers offer sprawling views — including the One World Observatory, Top of the Rock, and Hudson Yards’ Edge — the classic New York City aerial view is still from the top of this 102-story building, completed in 1931.
Statue of Liberty
Located on Liberty Island in the Hudson River, the 22-story copper Lady Liberty is accessible via ferry from Battery Park or New Jersey’s Liberty State Park, and includes a visit to Ellis Island.