HomeTravel GuidesNew York

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
The train will pass through the Hudson Valley, Green Mountains, and by the shores of Lake Champlain.<br/>
Trending News
Burlington Gets Direct Train Service From New York City
The new train extension rolls out on July 29.
August 02, 2022 10:50 AM
 · 
Bailey Berg
Some of Harlem’s beautiful brownstones
Cities We Love
How to Celebrate and Support Black Culture and Businesses in Harlem
Sponsored by
How to Support Black-Owned Businesses in Brooklyn
Cities We Love
How to Support Black-Owned Businesses in Brooklyn
Sponsored by
A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of the Modern Women’s Rights Movement
History + Culture
A Pilgrimage to the Birthplace of the Modern Women’s Rights Movement
June 28, 2022 01:39 PM
 · 
Joseph Palmer
Discover Queens and Support Asian-Owned Businesses (and More) When You Visit NYC
Cities We Love
Discover Queens and Support Asian-Owned Businesses (and More) When You Visit NYC
Sponsored by
Hotels
A rendering of the The Langham, Venice showing the hotel's waterside view from the island of Murano
Hotels
Is This the Future of Luxury Hotels? This Hotel CEO Weighs In
The luxury hotel industry is changing fast. The Langham Hospitality Group CEO Bob van den Oord discusses how his brand is adapting—and what the future holds for high-end travel.
March 07, 2025 11:49 AM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
The Shore House Pool at sunset at the Hotel del Coronado in California
Hotels
12 Hotels Opening This Year Worth Planning an Entire Trip Around
Afar’s resident hotel expert uncovers 12 of the most alluring new and renovated hotels of 2025, from California to Indonesia.
February 14, 2025 12:54 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
Chiva-Som, Thailand
Hotels We Love
24 Wellness Resorts and Hotels You Should Book Right Now
These are the 24 hotels we recommend most for wellness.
January 31, 2025 01:00 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
The Lexington Avenue entrance of the Waldorf Astoria New York features two white statues and two large staircases.
Hotels
This Legendary Hotel Will Be One of New York City’s Most Important Debuts in Years
Afar’s hotel expert Jennifer Flowers got a hard-hat tour of the soon-to-reopen New Waldorf Astoria New York—here’s what it was like.
January 29, 2025 09:54 AM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
hotel lobby with columns and steps and trees in the background
Stay Here Next
This Iconic Manhattan Hotel Reopened With a New York–Themed Cocktail Menu—and an $80,000 Suite
The Four Seasons Hotel New York reopened in mid-November after four years of closure.
January 13, 2025 01:36 PM
 · 
Katherine LaGrave
A snowy landscape as seen through an igloo-style bubble hotel room, with a grey linen covered bed.
Outdoor Adventure
Hot Take: Glamping Is Better in the Winter
This winter, snuggle up in one of these insanely cozy bubbles, pods, cabins, and geodesic domes.
January 03, 2025 11:04 AM
 · 
Maggie Fuller
The facade of the Raffles Hotel Singapore has white columns and a red roof.
Hotels We Love
These Are the 16 Best Historic Hotels Around the World
These remarkable hotel makeovers of historic buildings are bringing the past to life again.
December 19, 2024 09:00 AM
 · 
Mary Holland
The Art Deco lobby of the Four Seasons New York with soaring marble columns, a high ceiling, and a massive, marbled sky light
Hotel News + Openings
This Legendary Hotel in New York City Has Reopened After Being Closed for Years
The luxury I. M. Pei–designed Midtown marvel is near Central Park—and it’s open to overnight guests again with a reimagined lobby restaurant and bar worth a visit even if you aren’t staying at the hotel.
December 13, 2024 02:15 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
This bedroom at the Renaissance New York Harlem Hotel has views of the city skyline.
Hotels We Love
These Are the 23 Best Four-Star Hotels in NYC
A dose of luxury, at a gentler price—these are the 23 best four-star hotels in New York City.
October 30, 2024 07:36 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
This Chamber King room at the Virgin Hotels New York has a view of the city.
Hotels
These 5 Hotels Aim to Make Solo Travel Easier
Traveling alone? More hotels are helping solo travelers make connections, stay safe, and have big adventures.
August 28, 2024 03:01 PM
 · 
Alexandra Cheney
A bartender in a white suit and black tie behind a stylish golden bar with five stools and palm fronds on either side
Bars + Nightlife
16 Hotel Bars We Keep Returning To
From lobby bars to rooftop lounges, these are the hotel bars Afar editors love checking out when they’re checking in.
July 03, 2024 11:05 AM
 · 
Ann Shields
Lake Kora Boat Dock
Hotels
Summer Like a Rockefeller at These Historic Adirondack Great Camps
Former vacation homes of the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers are among the beautiful, remote lodgings now open to the public.
May 30, 2024 10:59 AM
 · 
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher
The all-day restaurant and bar at the Warren Street Hotel is filled with pops of color and patterns.
Stay Here Next
This New Hotel in New York City Is an Ode to Global Art, Craft, and Design
The new Warren Street Hotel from British hotelier and designer Kit Kemp is brightening up New York City’s Tribeca neighborhood.
May 24, 2024 01:06 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
The Grand Staircase at Raffles London at The OWO features stone railings and a red carpet, and is illuminated by a large chandelier.
Hotels
The Future of Luxury Hospitality, According to the CEO of AccorHotels’ Raffles and Fairmont Brands
Omer Acar, the CEO Raffles and Fairmont, shares his vision behind the recent growth of both luxury hotel brands and talks about what great hospitality truly means. (Spoiler alert: It’s all about people.)
May 23, 2024 12:32 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
Three alpacas standing in front of a blurry barn in the background
Hotels
Penguins, Monkeys, and Alpacas, Oh My! 8 Wild Airbnbs for Animal Lovers
At these rental properties around the world, you can commune with wildlife and farm animals.
May 17, 2024 03:24 PM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
BNH-Lede-02.jpg
Hotels We Love
These Are the Best New Hotels of 2024
AFAR’s picks for the 31 best new hotels in the world.
April 04, 2024 09:00 AM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
The Tree Haus accommodations at the Green O are elevated 23 feet off the ground.
Hotels We Love
The 10 Top Cozy U.S. 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.
December 29, 2023 12:39 PM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
High Peaks Resort puts guests within reach of kayaking, hiking, paddle boarding, and more.
Hotels
The 8 Hotels in North America to Book for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse
Snag a room at one of these hotels in the path of totality next April—before it’s too late.
November 20, 2023 07:52 PM
 · 
Stephanie Vermillion
The Madison Suite Bedroom at the Ritz Carlton NoMad, featuring a palette of brown and bronze and a view of New York City.
Hotels We Love
The 15 Best Hotels in New York City
These are the finest places to stay in the Big Apple.
October 31, 2023 09:00 AM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
1-hotel-brooklyn-bridge-bed-view.png
Hotels
The 7 Best Hotels to Stay at in Brooklyn Right Now
Choosing a hotel in New York City can be overwhelming. Here, we narrow down the options to the best of the best in Brooklyn.
October 21, 2023 09:37 AM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
10 Affordable NYC Hotels for Under $250 a Night
Hotels
11 Stylish New York City Hotels With Rooms for Under $300 a Night
If you’re visiting New York on a budget, consider staying at one of these hip yet affordable NYC hotels with rooms for under $300 a night.
September 21, 2023 12:07 PM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
Facade of a couple classic brick apartment buildings in New York City
Hotels
Do New Airbnb Restrictions Mean the End of Vacation Rentals in New York City?
For some visitors, short-term rentals provide a way to access neighborhoods and pricing they can’t access otherwise with hotel stays. But residents complain about a depleting affordable housing supply.
September 18, 2023 08:00 AM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
The lobby of the Nine Orchard in New York City features nubby yellow couches and shares and floral wallpaper.
Stay Here Next
How a Restored Bank—and New Hotel—Became NYC’s Hottest Culinary Destination
A neoclassical bank in New York City’s energetic Lower East Side neighborhood has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel.
May 02, 2023 06:22 PM
 · 
Aislyn Greene
Barriere Hotel
Stay Here Next
Stay Here Next: Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York
A touch of Paris lands in Tribeca with the U.S. debut of the Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York.
March 27, 2023 12:42 PM
 · 
Kristin Braswell
A studio king guest room at the Hotel Chelsea, with a big white bed, a fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows with stained-glass details overlooking a balcony.
Stay Here Next
Stay Here Next: Hotel Chelsea in New York City
After a decade of closure, the revived NYC landmark is welcoming a new generation of travelers and local creatives into its legend-filled spaces.
February 24, 2023 05:11 PM
 · 
Billie Cohen
Suites at the Aman New York in Midtown Manhattan start at 745 square feet.
Hotels
Inside the $3,200-a-Night Aman New York, Manhattan’s Most Anticipated Hotel Opening
The room rates are eye-watering—but the promise from the brand is that a couple of nights at an Aman will feel like a week staying anywhere else.
October 11, 2022 01:36 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
The sprawling grounds of Canoe Place
Hotels
The Rebirth of an American Icon: Welcome (Back) to Canoe Place
Fully renovated and reimagined, the new Canoe Place Inn and Cottages in Hampton Bays is more than just a hotel. It’s a cultural crossroads where history buffs, art enthusiasts, and gourmands can gather once more.
Sponsored by
7 New NYC Hotels to Get Excited About
Hotels
The 9 Best New Hotels in NYC of 2022
Check into one of these new spots near Central Park, over in Brooklyn, and yes, even on Roosevelt Island.
August 03, 2022 02:09 PM
 · 
Lyndsey Matthews
This New “Boatel” Has Its Own Oyster Company on Site
Hotels
This New “Boatel” Has Its Own Oyster Company on Site
The Shoals opened in May on the North Fork of Long Island, New York.
June 22, 2022 08:22 AM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
The Most Exciting Hotel Openings in New York’s Catskills and Hudson Valley in 2021
Hotels
The Most Exciting Hotel Openings in New York’s Catskills and Hudson Valley in 2021
Plus a bonus hotel in New York’s Capital Region worth adding an extra hour to your drive.
July 27, 2021 05:02 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
Resources to help plan your trip
The Perfect Weekend in New York City
If you only have a weekend in NYC, we can’t guarantee a ton of sleep but you can expect fantastic cultural experiences, from live music to medieval art in a bucolic setting. We’ve mapped out three days that immerse you in a mix of old and new New York. Start with iconic cultural sites in Upper Manhattan; explore the Lower East Side’s gritty past and gentrified present; and cross the river for a leisurely day in Brooklyn’s buzzed-about Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods, capped off with rooftop drinks.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
The Best Outdoor Spaces in NYC
Explore NYC by taking advantage of its amazing outdoor public spaces. For people-watching, walking, and communing with nature and public art, these parks, paths, and viewpoints bring the beautiful city into a sharper focus.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Kirsten Alana
A Local’s Guide to New York City
New York City is a place of extremes - an overload of diversity, energy, color, sights, sounds, smells, ideas, hopes and dreams. Though the city can be overwhelming, most people find themselves swept up by a huge rush of energy. Nowhere else will you feel this alive and inspired. I have lived in New York City for twenty years and each year I love it more. My favorite things? People watching and the endless variety of good food.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Charissa Fay
Where to Find Old New York City
New York City’s history is rich and varied—from the glitter of the Gilded Age to the struggles of the immigrants who sought a better life in America, the city’s past shapes its present. There are still many opportunities to experience a different era here, before skyscrapers, smart phones and consumer culture took over. Take a quiet moment and step back in time.....
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Charissa Fay
The Best Free Things to Do in New York City
People-watching and wandering New York’s distinct neighborhoods are two of the city’s greatest—and cheapest—thrills. You may also be pleasantly surprised by how many historic sites, cultural venues, and green spaces are free day in and day out. We’ve included 20 here. But there are many more like MoMA and the Bronx Zoo that have select free entry times, so be sure to do your research before you pay up.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
The Best Bars in Buffalo
For decades, Buffalo was home to several corner pubs and a handful of breweries, but as the population shrank, so did the bar count. Thankfully, with the city’s resurgence came a slew of local taverns, high-end cocktail bars, cozy coffee shops, and late-night clubs that, together, have created a better-than-ever drinks scene. From Elmwood Village to Hertel, there’s no shortage of places to imbibe in Buffalo these days.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Sean Flynn
The Best Things to Do in Buffalo
Buffalo may be best known for its chicken wings and chilly temps, but the City of Good Neighbors is also home to world-class art, unbeatable architecture, fascinating history, and outdoor recreation in spades. Sure, hit Anchor Bar for wings, but also make time for plenty of culture, sightseeing, and adventure.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Sean Flynn
The Best Shopping in Buffalo
When it comes to shopping, Buffalo has you covered with everything from quaint boutiques and high-end fashion retailers to consignment stores, vinyl shops, and a variety of small, family-run spots. A stroll through Allentown, Elmwood Village, the West Side, and Hertel reveals one-of-a-kind clothing, classic home decor, vintage records, and pretty much everything in between—no need to head out to the suburbs for a mega-mall experience here.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Sean Flynn
The Best Hotels in Buffalo
Many of Buffalo’s best hotels used to be something else, from Victorian mansions and architectural landmarks to an insane asylum designed by one of America’s most famous architects. A stay at any offers the chance to learn the city’s history while exploring what’s new and exciting in town.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
Legendary American Live Music Venues
Good live music can transport you to another place—let you de-stress and just get lost in the rhythm and beat. From giant stadiums to intimate clubs, the U.S. is filled with live music venues, some of which have reached legendary status. Whether this status is for amazing natural acoustics, like those found at metro Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheater, or historical infamy, like The Fillmore in San Francisco, these American venues are famous for putting on a great live show.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
Becca Blond
The Best Bars in New York City
Whatever your nightlife scene or drink of choice, there’s a New York watering hole to satisfy your tastes. Longtime dive bars and historic taverns are thriving, even as beer gardens and speakeasy-style lounges continue to spread from the East Village to Williamsburg and beyond. Credit for the craft cocktail revival goes largely to NYC native Sasha Petraske, whose legacy lives on at spots like Dutch Kills and Pegu Club. Here are more favorite drinking destinations, from happy hour at Maison Premiere to last call at an iconic hotel bar.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
The Best Shopping in New York City
New York City’s distinct neighborhoods offer up all kinds of shopping experiences. Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and the side streets of SoHo are hubs for designer and indie boutiques. Department stores have their flagships planted on Madison Avenue around 57th Street, and you can score bargains at downtown’s Century 21. Here are some of the most unique places to shop in the Big Apple, including flea markets and museums.
December 16, 2020 01:21 PM
 · 
AFAR Editors
Load More
Sign up for our newsletter
Join more than a million of the world’s best travelers. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter.