New York has a different place in the hearts of tourists, just like a symbol of America. However, there are many attractions here and scattered, and you may not know how to arrange it for the first time. Don’t be afraid, this guide will take you from pre-trip preparation to itinerary, and comprehensively plan your New York trip!
Pre-departure guide
Why choose New York
New York is one of the most desirable tourist cities in the hearts of travelers. It is the largest city in the United States and the largest city in the world, with many world-renowned museums, exciting landmarks, colorful entertainment and Unparalleled shopping. It can be said that if you want to understand the United States, come to New York. It doesn’t fully represent America, but you can find everything about America here.
Choice of travel season
Best from April to October. The weather in New York and Beijing is similar, with four distinct seasons. Spring is warm and warm, summer is hot, autumn is slightly cooler in the morning and evening, and winter is full of snowflakes. Generally, the temperature begins to rise in April, and the temperature gradually becomes comfortable until October, when the sunshine time is longer and it is suitable for play.
choice of transportation
Subway: There are 24 subway lines in New York, with a total of 469 stops. It is the most commonly used means of transportation here. The one-way fare is 3 US dollars.
Double-decker sightseeing bus : The two-story open-air sightseeing bus is very suitable for tourists. It covers most of the attractions in New York with hop-on and hop-off. It is suitable for tourists who do not have enough travel time.
Taxi /Uber : New York taxis start at $2.50 on the meter, then charge 50 cents per 1/15 mile, and there is a 50-cent tax on each trip, and an additional 50 cents or $1 will be charged at certain special times , the tip is 15-20%. Compared with Uber, it is much more affordable, no consumption is required, and orders are placed on the mobile app on call.
Consumption
New York’s tax rate is high, and tourism cannot be refunded, but if the unit price of clothes and pants is less than 110 US dollars, no tax will be charged.
Map and area analysis
New York City consists of five boroughs, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The main tourist and entertainment districts are concentrated in Manhattan, and classic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, etc. are gathered in this 13.4-mile-long, 2.3-mile-wide Manhattan district. And Manhattan can be divided into upper, middle and lower cities, which is convenient to play.
Analysis of must-visit attractions
Uptown, Manhattan
Introduction to Central Park: Central Park , located in upper Manhattan, is not only the back garden of New Yorkers, but also a favorite destination for tourists from all over the world. Surrounded by skyscrapers in New York, it has a unique view and is the first artificially constructed landscape park in the United States. Here, you can not only go to Strawberry Fields in memory of John Lennon, the lead singer of the “Beatles”, but also come to Park Lake, sit next to the Bethesda fountain to enjoy the lake view, and walk on the boulevard. These are the places where the most movies are filmed, and they are also a must-see in Central Park. Address: Terrace Dr, New York, NY 10024, USA Ticket
Price: Free Opening Hours: 6:00-01:00 the next day
Transportation: 1. Take Subway Line A, B, C to 72 St or 86 St or 81 St station get off. 2. Take bus M86-SBS to W 86 St/Traverse Rd stop, M10 to Central PK w/w 84 St stop.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Introduction: Founded in 1870, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the United States, and is also known as the world’s three largest museums along with the British Museum and the Louvre. The museum is divided into four floors and currently has a collection of 3 million exhibits. It is the world’s leading large-scale museum, covering various precious cultural relics and works of art from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Europe, Asia and other places.
Address: 1000 5th Ave, New York, NY 10028, USA
Ticket price: $25 for adults, $17 for seniors, $12 for students
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:00am-05:30pm, Friday-Saturday 10:00 00am-09:00pm
Transportation:
- Take bus M1/M2/M3/M4 and get off at 5 Av/w 81 St stop; M86-SBS road and get off at E 84 St/5 Av stop.
- Take Metro Line 4 (circle), Line 5 (circle), Line 6 (circle/square) and get off at 86 St.
About the American Museum of Natural History :
Founded in 1869, the American Museum of Natural History is the largest natural history museum in the world and one of the major natural history research and education centers in the United States. The collections of paleontology and anthropology here rank first among museums in the world. In addition to specimens collected from the United States, representative specimens from South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia are also collected.
Address: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024, USA
Ticket price: $23 for adults, $18 for students
Opening hours: 10:00am-5:45pm
Transportation: Take subway lines A, B, C to 81 St – Get off at Museum of Natural History Station
Midtown Manhattan
Times Square
Introduction to Times Square: Times Square is a block in Manhattan, New York, surrounded by dense high-rise buildings, gathering numerous shopping malls and theaters, and is a prosperous entertainment and shopping center. From the ground to the sky, every inch of Times Square is flickering with changing red lights. From product logos to visual advertisements, it is the most iconic landmark in New York and the shooting location of many film and television dramas.
Address: Manhattan, NY 10036, USA
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: All Day
Recommended Tour Time: Times Square is even more shocking after dark
Traffic:
- Take the subway N, Q, R and get off at 49 St station Walk two blocks south; or take subway line 1 to 50 St station and walk three blocks south; or take subway lines B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts – Rockefeller Ctr and walk west up.
- Take bus M104 to get off at 7 Av/w 47 St stop; or take bus M50 to get off at W 49 St/7 Av stop and walk two blocks south; or take bus M7, M20, M104 to arrive 7 Av/w 44 St station and walk two blocks north.
Introduction to Grand Central at Grand Central : a famous landmark in New York and a public art gallery. This is a favorite filming location for many TV movies, such as “Gossip Girl”, “Men in Black” and “The Godfather”. It is also the largest train station in the world and the busiest train station in the United States. Not only the four-sided clock worth millions, but also the twelve constellation astrology charts for hundreds of years. The decoration is retro and luxurious, and it is very splendid.
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017 Ticket
price: Free
Opening hours: 5:30am-2:00am the next day
Transportation: 1. Take subway 4-7, S and get off at Grand Central Station 2. Take bus M1 -M4, M42, M101-4, Q32
About the Empire State Building
The Empire State Building was once the tallest building in the world, a symbol of economic recovery in the United States, and a landmark in New York City. From the observation decks on the 86th and 102nd floors, you can enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree view of New York City. scene. Among them, the outdoor viewing platform on the 86th floor is the highest open-air viewing platform in New York, and has been used as the location for many film and television dramas.
Address: 20 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
Ticket price: $38.15 for adults, $36.05 for seniors, $31.95 for children
Opening hours: 08:00-02:00 the next day
Transportation: Take subway B, D, F, N, Line Q, R and get off at 34th St. Take bus M2, 3, 4, 5, 32 and get off at 34th St.
Introduction to Top of the Rock
The Top of the Rock Observation Deck , located on the top floor of Rockefeller Center, cost $75 million to build, and was selected by Time Out New York magazine as “the first viewing point in New York”. Surrounded by a two-meter-high glass security wall, the viewing platform can clearly overlook New York. It feels closer to the building than the Empire State Building and has fewer people. It is known as a “must-see” in New York.
Address: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
Ticket price: $35 for regular tickets, $85 for fast-track tickets
Opening hours: 8:00am-12:30am the next day
Transportation: Take subway lines B, D, F or Q to No. 47– 50th Street/Rockefeller Ctr; also take 6 to 51st Street; 1 or 9 to 50th Street; N, W or R to 49th Street.
About the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum：This is a military and maritime history museum docked at Pier 86 that showcases the USS Intrepid and the USS Growler submarine . Intrepid participated in the Pacific War of World War II, the Vietnam War, as an anti-submarine aircraft carrier, and participated in the US space program. In 1986, it was named a National Historic Landmark of the United States. The cockpit of the Intrepid is facing the high-rise Manhattan district, and a different Manhattan street view can be found from the command cabin of the cockpit. In addition to this, there is also the Space Shuttle Pavilion, which features the first space shuttle and the Roaring nuclear submarine.
Address: Pier 86, W 46th St, New York, NY 10036
Ticket price: $31 for adults, $27 for seniors and students, $24 for youth, $17 for children
Opening hours: 10:00-17:00
Transportation: M50 can be taken Get off at 12 Av/w 46 St.
Introduction to MOMA
The Museum of Modern Art in New York is located in Manhattan and is one of the most important modern art museums in the world today. The museum initially focused on displaying paintings, but gradually expanded its scope to include sculpture, printmaking, photography, print, commercial design, film, architecture, furniture and installation art, among which the most famous work is Van Gogh’s “Star and Moon”. Empty” and Picasso’s “Girls of Avignon”.
Special Note : MOMA Museum of Modern Art is now closed for maintenance and is expected to reopen on 10/21/2019.
Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Ticket price: $25
Transportation: Take bus X9 and BXM2 and get off at 6 Av/w 53 St.
Introduction to Broadway Broadway
Britain has the West End of London, and the United States has Broadway in New York. Broadway is an avenue that runs through Manhattan Island from north to south. Because of the numerous theaters on both sides of the road, it has become a symbol of American drama and musicals. Broadway is very long, from the riverside pier on the southeast tip of lower Manhattan, through the bustling downtown and quiet residences, through skyscrapers and tree-lined lanes to the heartland of northwest New York State.
Ticket price: Free on Broadway, admission fee depends on theater and performance
Opening hours: All day
Transportation:
- Bus: Take bus M50 to W 49 St/7 Av stop, M104 to 7 Av/w 47 St, M7/M20/M104 to 7 Av/w 44 St or 7 Av/w 53 St (direct access to Broadway Theatre at 7 Av/w 53 St).
- Subway: Take Subway Line N, Q, R to get off at 49 St; or take Subway Line 1 to 50 St; or take Subway B, D, F, M to 47-50 Sts – Rockefeller Ctr station (B, D, E to 7 Av station for direct access to Broadway Theatre).
Downtown Lower Manhattan
Introduction to the Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of the United States. It stands on Liberty Island at the mouth of the Hudson River. It wears a radiant crown, holds the torch of liberty, and holds the Declaration of Independence. On the ferry to Liberty Island, you can not only see the high-rise buildings in New York from afar, but also climb the Statue of Liberty to see what its interior is.
Boarding address: Liberty State Park in New Jersey or Battery Park in New York
Ticket prices: Ground and pedestal tickets are $18.5 for adults, $9 for children, and $14 for seniors. Crown tickets are $21.50 for adults, $12 for children, and $17 for seniors.
Opening hours: 08:30am-5:00pm
Transportation: From the city center, take Metro Line 1 or 9 to South Ferry Station, or at 4, 5 Bowling Green Station, or take M1, M2 and get off at Battery Park City, Then take the ferry to Liberty Island.
Wall Street, Charging Bull
Introduction: The bronze bull statue on Wall Street is one of the most important symbols of American capitalism. It attracts thousands of tourists to take pictures here every day. It is said that touching the copper bull can bring good luck.
Address: Charging Bull, New York, NY 10004, USA
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: All Day
Transportation:
- Take bus M55 and get off at Broadway/Morris St stop.
- Take subway lines 4 and 5 and get off at Bowling Green Station.
One World Observatory Introduction
The new World Trade Center is located next to the original World Trade Center. It took 13 years to complete after the 9/11 incident. It is currently the tallest building in the United States and cost 3.8 billion US dollars to build. Here you will have a brand-new visual experience, reaching the top of the building in 60 seconds and overlooking the infinite charm of New York City.
Address: 285 Fulton St, New York, NY 10006, USA
Ticket price: $34 for adults, $32 for seniors, $28 for children
Opening hours: 9:00am-9:00pm
Transportation: Take subway A, C to CHAMBERS ST. Station, Subway E to WORLD TRADE CENTER, Subway 1 to RECTOR ST., Subway 2, 3, 4, 5 to FULTON ST., Subway R, W to CORTLAND ST.
Brooklyn Bridge
Introduction: The Brooklyn Bridge has a unique structure and is the oldest suspension bridge in the world, one of the most symbolic landmarks in New York, and the location of countless movies. Standing on the bridge, backed by high-rise buildings and facing the East River, the scenery is very charming. The mottled traces on the bridge and the magnificent cable slings have made this more than 120-year-old bridge a pilgrimage site for many artists. The romantic carousel in the glass house under the bridge, Jane’s Carousel, is also popular, attracting countless young people to take wedding photos.
Address: Brooklyn Bridge, New York, NY 10038, USA
Ticket Price: Free
Opening Hours: All Day
Transportation: Take Subway Lines 4, 5, and 6 and get off at Brooklyn Station, or take Lines A and C and get off at HighSt.BrooklynBridge Station Car
About the Flatiron Building : The Flatiron Building has a long history and is located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. When it was completed in 1902, it was the tallest building in New York. Because of its unique shape, it looks like an iron, and it has been a must-visit place for tourists in New York until now. Although there are many taller buildings in New York now, it does not affect the status of the Flatiron Building of the last century in the hearts of tourists.
Address: 175 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010 Ticket
Price: Free
Opening Hours: All Day
Transportation: Take Subway N and R Lines and get off at 23 St Station
route guide
three-day tour
DAY1 Upper Manhattan: Metropolitan Museum of Art – Central Park – Natural History
MuseumDAY2 Lower Manhattan: Statue of Liberty – Wall Street – Trinity Church – 9.11 World Trade Center – One World Observatory
BridgeDAY3 Midtown Manhattan: Times Square – New York Central Station – Rockefeller Center – Empire State Building
two day tour
DAY1 Uptown + Midtown: Metropolitan Museum of Art – Central Park – One World Observatory – Times Square
DAY2 Down Town + Midtown: Statue of Liberty – Wall Street – Brooklyn Bridge – Grand Central Station – Empire State Building
day trip
DAY1 Wall Street – One World Observatory– Statue of Liberty – USS Intrepid Museum – Metropolitan Museum of Art – Times Square
Accommodation Guide
Among the five areas of New York City, the main tourist areas and entertainment areas are concentrated in Manhattan, so Manhattan is the best accommodation choice, and there are also many hotels. If the budget is not enough, you can also choose Brooklyn or Queens, the price is much lower than Manhattan, but the attractions are farther away.
Epilogue
If you also have a different attachment to New York, then hurry up and set off! I believe that when you come to New York, you will definitely feel the charm of this unique big city.
