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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
A view of buildings in downtown San Francisco as seen from a highpoint on a brick walk.
Trending News
This U.S. City Was Just Ranked the Happiest in the Country
The recently released 2026 Happy City Index scores cities based on the happiness of their citizens. See which U.S. city ranked highest.
March 24, 2026 05:15 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
Sakura bloom in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Where to Go in Spring
15 Places to See Cherry Blossoms Across the United States
March 10, 2026 01:37 PM
 · 
Alina Polishuk
View of Manhattan skyline from the water. A woman with blond hair is holding up a camera to take a photo. Two other people are standing in front of her
Where to Travel Next
New York City Was Shaped by Women. This Walking Tour Wants You to Know Their Stories.
March 2, 2026 12:25 PM
 · 
Lucy Kehoe
Three people snowshowing towards snow-covered mountains, beneath a blue sky
Family Travel
10 Unexpected Family Travel Destinations Across the U.S. to Visit This Year
February 19, 2026 01:02 PM
 · 
Tim Chester
Kisa spread
Food + Drink
Bakeries, Boutiques, and Beauty Rooms: NYC Is Having a Korean Culture Moment
February 18, 2026 01:09 PM
 · 
Katie Chang
HOTELS
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
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
collage of six photos: exterior of waterside hotel, guide outdoors, meal viewed from overhead, guest room , person in small outdoor pool, chair iin room
Hotels
Our Most Memorable Hotel Stays of 2025: a Former Convent, a Cliffside Retreat, an Over-the-Top Penthouse Suite
Afar editors share the 2025 hotel stays they didn’t want to leave—and would happily return to.
December 22, 2025 01:48 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
PUBLIC Hotel - the roof exterior during the day
Hotels
16 Stylish New York City Hotels With Rooms Starting 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 less than $300 a night.
December 5, 2025 09:55 AM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
(Left) Mara Wittorp, (Right) The Mark Hotel in NYC
Hotels
What Happens When One of NYC’s Most Famous Hotels Opens the City Just For You?
The Mark Hotel turns New York City into your personal playground—these are a few of the most memorable options available.
October 3, 2025 12:09 PM
 · 
John Wogan
The lobby at Waldorf Astoria New York with soaring ceilings, large stained glass windows and sofas and armchairs tucked into several seating areas
Stay Here Next
A Legend, Restored: The Waldorf Astoria New York Returns to Park Avenue
After eight years dark, the Park Avenue icon returns as a 375-room hotel with restored art deco rooms and salons, livelier public spaces, and service calibrated to the building.
September 22, 2025 12:50 PM
 · 
Jennifer Flowers
Five leather, high stool seats line a golden bar area with a cheetah figure atop the counter and black panthers and New York landmarks featured on the wallpaper behind the bar
Hotel News + Openings
The Flashy Art and Bold Style of Faena New York, West Chelsea’s Newest Hotel
From over-the-top artworks to Argentine-influenced bars and restaurants, here’s a look inside one of the most exciting hotel openings in the city.
September 15, 2025 06:57 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
Driftwood_Landscape_.jpg
Stay Here Next
I Swapped NYC Subway Delays for Saddles at This New Catskills Ranch
At Driftwood Ranch Resort in the Catskills, Western-style charm pairs with mountain air and outdoor adventures.
September 1, 2025 11:53 AM
 · 
Susan Portnoy
A Steinway piano played by Cole Porter sits in the middle of Waldorf Astoria New York's Peacock Alley bar
Hotel News + Openings
Months Before Its Official Reopening, NYC’s Most Legendary Hotel Is Quietly Welcoming Guests
Waldorf Astoria New York’s updated guest rooms, restaurants, and bars are now available for reservations, ahead of a grand opening this fall.
July 18, 2025 02:02 PM
 · 
Devorah Lev-Tov
a long dining room table set with white flowers and eight chairs in a hotel room with floor to ceiling windows
Hotels
This Is What It’s Like to Stay in a $35,000 Hotel Suite in NYC
The Park Hyatt New York’s Manhattan Suite costs $35,000 a night—and will make you feel like royalty.
June 5, 2025 02:57 PM
 · 
Billie Cohen
A white wooden building with green roof and two porches on which sit blue and white striped umbrellas
Hotels
Where to Stay in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, New York, in 2025
11 snug boutique hotels for a weekend escape from the concrete jungle
May 29, 2025 03:02 PM
 · 
Sophie Friedman
Reception at the Twenty Two New York with dark wood features
Stay Here Next
This Fashion Crowd-Favorite British Members Club Just Opened a Hotel in NYC—and Anyone Can Book a Stay
A new outpost of a London-based members’ club, the Twenty Two New York offers a mix of British charm, intimate dining, and elevated exclusivity, all with a dash of whimsy.
May 28, 2025 10:04 AM
 · 
Tiana Attride
Morning Exterior 1 Full Res (1) (1).jpg
Morning Exterior 1 Full Res (1) (1).jpg
Hotels We Love
These Are the 17 Best Historic Hotels Around the World
These remarkable hotel makeovers of historic buildings are bringing the past to life again.
May 23, 2025 09:00 AM
 · 
Mary Holland
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 7, 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 3, 2025 11:04 AM
 · 
Maggie Fuller
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 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 3, 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
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
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
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Air Travel News
This Is NYC’s Most Exciting New Airport Lounge—and It Includes Killer Tapas From Chef José Andrés
A new culinary-focused lounge concept is the latest enhancement to the LaGuardia experience. We took a look around.
February 17, 2026 05:42 PM
 · 
Chris Dong
Art + Culture
Plan Your Travel Year: 8 Art Shows Worth Traveling for This Year
Whether you want to see a K-pop idol’s art collection in San Francisco, Keith Haring’s lesser-known sculpture in Arkansas, or Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits in Houston, these are the best museum exhibits to build a trip around in 2026.
February 12, 2026 08:02 AM
 · 
Ellen Carpenter
Trending News
One of America’s Most Iconic State Parks Is Expanding
It will absorb two neighboring parks, which will add 150 acres to the area and more connecting trails and overlooks.
February 5, 2026 07:27 PM
 · 
Bailey Berg
History + Culture
Harriet Tubman’s Story Didn’t End With the Underground Railroad—See Where Her Life Began Again in New York
From a historic church to a quiet grave site, Auburn, New York, tells the story of Harriet Tubman’s life after the Underground Railroad and why those final 50 years are as important as her courageous rescues.
February 2, 2026 04:10 PM
 · 
Tykesha Spivey Burton
Air Travel News
We Got a Sneak Peek of JetBlue’s First-Ever Airport Lounge—Here’s What We Loved (and Didn’t)
The 9,000-square-foot lounge located in Terminal 5 at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport offers attractive design accented by blues. There are plenty of hits and one major miss.
December 11, 2025 08:26 AM
 · 
Chris Dong
Where to Travel Next
Times Square Is Not Just for Tourists: A Surprising Guide to New York City’s Most Polarizing Neighborhood
The Crossroads of the World is home to such unexpected finds as a Portuguese sardine shop, a bookstore for theater lovers, and a pizzeria inside a subway station.
December 3, 2025 10:36 AM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
America 250
America 250 Celebrations in the Northeast: Boston Activism and the Oldest Fourth of July Parade in the USA
From Boston to Bristol, the nation’s birthplace leads the charge in celebrating 250 years of American independence.
December 3, 2025 06:04 AM
 · 
Ashlea Halpern
Holiday Travel
8 U.S. Cities Putting Their Own Spins on the Holidays, From Festive Boat Parades to Nouveau Nutcrackers
American cities are ringing in the holiday season with unique local traditions, including country music concerts in Nashville and film-focused festivities in Los Angeles.
November 24, 2025 10:37 AM
 · 
Nicholas DeRenzo
Museums + Galleries
What to Buy at the World’s Coolest Museum Gift Shops. Because We All Know the Shops Are Why We Go to Museums.
Because sometimes the finest masterpiece is the one you take home.
November 24, 2025 07:58 AM
 · 
Ashlea Halpern
Art + Culture
The Studio Museum in Harlem Has Finally Reopened, and It Has a Story to Tell
Originally located in a rented loft in 1968 and then in a former bank, the Studio Museum in Harlem finally opens the doors of its new purpose-built, custom-designed building—one that reaffirms its connection to the evolving neighborhood it calls home.
November 12, 2025 02:11 PM
 · 
Shannon J. Effinger
Restaurants + Cafés
10 U.S. Restaurants Where the Views Are as Amazing as the Food
While some restaurants with views coast on their good looks, these eateries across the country serve food as impressive as the scenery.
November 10, 2025 01:01 PM
 · 
Alina Polishuk
Cities We Love
The World’s 10 Best Cities of 2026 Have Been Announced—and Only One American City Made the List
Resonance Consultancy’s annual ranking is based on a survey of 33,000 people from 43 countries plus research on GDP per capita, cultural programming, airport connectivity, and social trends on Instagram, TikTok, and Google.
November 5, 2025 11:48 AM
 · 
Laura Dannen Redman
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