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New York

It’s no wonder New York is one of the most visited states in the U.S. Home to New York City, one of the world’s great metropolises and a hub of art, culture, food, theater, and, well, almost everything, as well as beautiful nature like the Adirondacks and Hudson Valley, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind destination for travelers.

Person wearing blue gloves shucking oysters hot from above

Photo by Doug Young

Overview

Planning your trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip in New York.

READ BEFORE YOU GO
Marcus Whitman Hotel interior with fireplace
Hotel News + Openings
The 9 Best Historic Hotels in the United States in 2026 and Why Each Is Worth Traveling For
Book a storied stay at one of these winners of the 2026 Historic Hotels of America Annual Awards of Excellence.
October 16, 2026 03:26 PM
 · 
Jill K. Robinson
Pedestrians walk by the Aurora Theatre on Main Street in East Aurora, Sunday, September 1, 2024. The movie theater was built in 1925 equipped to show motion pictures and host dramatic performances and musical entertainment. Photo by Sharon Cantillon
Cities We Love
Visiting This Upstate New York Town Feels Like Traveling 100 Years Back in Time
October 14, 2026 12:41 PM
 · 
Sucheta Rawal
Fifth Avenue Hotel suite with teal walls and dark wood furnishings
Hotels
This Maximalist NYC Hotel Costs More Than $1,000 a Night. Is It Worth It?
September 28, 2026 04:27 PM
 · 
Chris Dong
Bluegrass musicians perform during a weekly jam session at Sonny’s bar in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y, 2026.
Art + Culture
New York City Is the Best Place in the U.S. to Hear Bluegrass—Here’s Why
September 8, 2026 09:35 AM
 · 
Justin Goldman
A modern, curved metal building housing a museum
Art + Culture
University Museums Are Underrated Places to See Art, Often for Free. Here Are 10 of the Best in the U.S.
August 26, 2026 12:18 PM
 · 
Pat Tompkins
HOTELS
Viceroy Park Avenue rooftop pool rendering surrounded by green lounge chairs
Hotel News + Openings
After 7 Years Away, a Luxury Hotel Returns to NYC, This Time with Rooftop Cocktails and a Wellness Suite
Viceroy Park Avenue will bring 252 spacious guest rooms and suites, a rooftop pool, Tao Group Hospitality dining, and a wellness penthouse to Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood before the end of 2026.
August 12, 2026 04:25 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
The William Vale
The William Vale
Hotels We Love
Brooklyn’s Best Hotels, from Warehouse Lofts to Waterfront Retreats
These are the hotels we recommend across the borough, whether you’re after skyline views, great restaurants, or a quieter side of New York.
August 7, 2026 10:40 AM
 · 
Deanna Ting
New York_TheManner_Rooftop_PR_0150.jpg
New York_TheManner_Rooftop_PR_0150.jpg
Hotels We Love
The Best Luxury Hotels in Manhattan for Every Kind of New York Trip
Heading to New York City? These are the best luxury hotels for every type of traveler in Manhattan—whether you’re hiding out, showing off, chasing restaurant reservations, or waking up next to Central Park.
June 23, 2026 06:41 PM
 · 
Heidi Mitchell
Hotel Corduroy - Room x Drifter King 1
Hotel News + Openings
How One Hospitality Group Is Reviving Classic Hotels in Beloved Summer Destinations
From Montauk to Jackson Hole, a new wave of hotel openings is bringing fresh energy to iconic destinations through design-rich spaces rooted in local character and lore.
May 27, 2026 01:39 PM
 · 
Ellen Carpenter
Wooden cabin exterior surrounded by trees
Wooden cabin exterior surrounded by trees
Hotels We Love
The Best Hotels for a Nature Escape From NYC—No Airport Required
From the Hudson Valley to the Catskills, Berkshires, and Finger Lakes, these hotels immerse you in forests, lakes, and mountain landscapes—all within a few hours’ drive of New York City.
April 15, 2026 03:16 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
JW MARRIOTT PHOENIX DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA. PHXDR
JW MARRIOTT PHOENIX DESERT RIDGE RESORT & SPA. PHXDR
Hotels We Love
From French Polynesia to Paris, These 11 Hotels Around the World Are Getting Accessibility Right
The hotels on this list are as thoughtful about accessibility as they are about design, going beyond compliance to make travel more comfortable and intuitive for disabled guests.
April 3, 2026 02:01 PM
 · 
Kelly Dawson
Exterior of the Langham, London.
Hotels
The Hotel Brand That Transformed Modern Hospitality
From Victorian London to Boston and Pasadena, Langham hotels continue to define timeless elegance and modern hospitality.
Sponsored by
Faena - Living Room
Stay Here Next
This Maximalist NYC Hotel Is One of the City’s Buzziest Openings
We checked in to the newly opened Faena New York to see if it lived up to the hype. We found theatrical design, a see-and-be-seen crowd, and key amenities that are still on the way.
February 11, 2026 12:28 PM
 · 
Mark Ellwood
New York_TheManner_Rooftop_PR_0150.jpg
New York_TheManner_Rooftop_PR_0150.jpg
Hotels We Love
These Are the 25 Best Four-Star Hotels in NYC
A dose of luxury, at a gentler price—these are the 25 best four-star hotels in New York City.
February 6, 2026 08:13 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
The Tree Haus accommodations at the Green O are elevated 23 feet off the ground.
The Tree Haus accommodations at the Green O are elevated 23 feet off the ground.
Hotels We Love
America’s 13 Coziest Hotels to Visit This Winter
With their firepits and comfort-minded interiors, these are the best hideaways where you can embrace the chill this season.
January 13, 2026 12:55 PM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
RESOURCES TO HELP PLAN YOUR TRIP
History + Culture
Heavenly Music, Space-Age Architecture, and the Many Surprises of Armenia
A writer who grew up in Moscow finds echoes of her past on a spontaneous trip to a former Soviet Republic that’s forging a new identity.
February 1, 2018 12:30 PM
 · 
Anya von Bremzen
Art + Architecture
In New York’s Times Square, Public Art With Heart
The winning entry in the city’s annual Valentine’s Day art contest, an enormous 3-D-printed lens, debuts this week.
January 31, 2018 01:25 PM
 · 
Matthew Phenix
Hotels
Checking In with the Park Hyatt New York
A contemporary art collection and one-of-a-kind amenities are among the reasons this Midtown Manhattan hotel meets our “AFAR Recommended” standards. Here’s a closer look at what to expect.
Sponsored by
Hotels
6 Festive, Wintery Hotel Packages to Book Now
Whether it’s a staycation or a trip to a far destination, these hotels have activities to keep you (and your kids or travel buddies) busy during the winter season.
December 18, 2017 01:25 PM
 · 
Samantha Juda
Art + Architecture
A Look at Ai Weiwei’s Takeover of New York City’s Public Spaces
You’ll find his politically charged pieces throughout the five boroughs through February.
October 20, 2017 12:11 PM
 · 
Laura Itzkowitz
Bars + Nightlife
Avant-Garde Chef Grant Achatz Reinvents the Hotel Cocktail Bar in NYC
AFAR sat down with the innovative mastermind behind Chicago’s Alinea restaurant to discuss his new twist on the classic hotel bar, late-night eats, and smuggle-worthy chartreuses.
October 4, 2017 11:27 AM
 · 
Megan Krigbaum
Art + Architecture
Life Artists: Where Fashion Designer Sheena Sood Finds Inspiration
With her cheery clothing designs, the globally minded designer of abacaxi gives new life to traditional handmade fabrics.
September 13, 2017 03:49 PM
 · 
Illy, the iconic coffee company
Cities We Love
Is This the Most Transcendent Way to Explore New York City?
A New Yorker rediscovers her city by crossing the bridges that connect it.
August 28, 2017 08:26 PM
 · 
Valerie Rains
Art + Architecture
Life Artists: Why Aelfie Oudghiri Is Drawn to Rug Design
As a young woman making rugs, Oudghiri is an outlier putting a fresh spin on a traditional craft while tapping into her own family’s roots.
Sponsored by
Art + Architecture
Life Artists: How Leather Craftsman Dana Glaeser Found His Purpose
The creator of Slightly Alabama reflects on the process that led him to embrace working with his hands and why travel is essential for creativity.
August 11, 2017 05:11 PM
 · 
Illy, the iconic coffee company
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