New York Holidays

The concrete jungle (where dreams are made of). The big apple. The city that never sleeps. Whatever you call it, New York is good vibes all around, it's cooler than the friends from Friends and has more landmarks per square mile than anywhere else on earth.

Holidays to New York 2026 Highlights

• 🗽 Iconic skyline sights: Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, One World Trade, the Chrysler, the Flatiron, the silhouettes you've seen on screen for decades, all walkable from one hotel.

• 🎭 Broadway every night of the week: 41 theatres in Times Square, shows from around £80 upwards, and same-day discounts at the TKTS booth take 20% to 50% off.

• 🌳 Central Park, 843 acres of green in the middle of everything: a proper full-size park with lakes, woodlands, a zoo, ice rink, a Shakespeare theatre in the summer, and some of the city's best people-watching.

• 🏙️ Skyline views at every price point: Edge at Hudson Yards (highest outdoor deck in the Western Hemisphere), SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Top of the Rock, the Empire State's own observation deck, or free from the Staten Island Ferry.

• 🌉 Walkable on paper, huge in practice: Manhattan is a long thin island, most landmarks are closer than they look on the map, and the subway is 24/7 and cheap. Plan by neighbourhood, not distance.

Good to Know

• 🍕 Fun Fact - New Yorkers fold their pizza slices. It’s not rude, it’s tradition.

• 🏖️ Best Park (a city’s version of a beach!) - Central Park – over 800 acres of iconic green space.

• 🍺 Cost of a pint - around $8–10 (approx. £6.30–£7.80), but dive bars are your friend if you're after a cheap holiday.

🗣️ Local Lingo – Talk Like a New Yorker

Visiting New York City? You’ll notice the locals have their own way of talking. Here are some classic phrases and words to help you fit right in:

🚖 “Cabbie” – Taxi driver. You’ll hear this everywhere, especially when hailing a yellow cab.

🥪 “Hero” – What locals call a sub sandwich. Don’t ask for a “sub” unless you want a confused look.

🗽 “The City” – New Yorkers often mean Manhattan when they say this, even though NYC has five boroughs.

☕ “Regular coffee” – In NYC, this usually means drip coffee, black or with milk. If you ask for a “coffee,” you might get an espresso instead.

🛍️ “Bodega” – A small corner store open late, perfect for snacks, sandwiches, or that emergency bottle of water.

What are the best sights to see in New York?

There's loads to do on a New York city break, but we've taken the liberty of sky-scraping together some of the good stuff. (Not sorry).

• Empire State Building - duh, it's (almost) the title of an Alicia Keys song for a reason. Apart from being an iconic landmark from the outside, this Art Deco skyscraper has some seriously fun exhibits (so you can see what it'd feel like to star in King Kong), and it serves up some of the best views in New York, which you can cut the queue to if you bag an express pass straight to the top.

• Brooklyn Bridge - you can see this whopping bridge from loads of places across the city, but if you'd rather be close to the action then you can pop your comfy shoes on and follow the walking route. It takes about an hour to walk the full bridge, and you can go from either Brooklyn to Manhattan or Manhattan to Brooklyn - although we recommend starting at Brooklyn so you can admire the skyline along the way. Don't forget - you don't have to walk the full thing, and you can turn back and go the way you came if you want to experience the bridge from both directions!

• Statue of Liberty - for the best view of this famous landmark, you'll need to hop on a ferry across the water. You can either just ride past the island if you're only interested in snapping a few far-off photos, or, if you want a closer look, you can take a ferry over to Liberty Island where the statue lives. Spoiler: it's bigger than you think! There's a museum there too, in case you fancy grabbing a souvenir.

• Central Park - that's right, it's not all concrete and skyscrapers - there are a few trees knocking about. Loads in fact, if you head to Central Park. Quite fittingly, this place is pretty central, so it's easy to get to from most points in the city, whether you walk, hop in a cab or take the subway. Once you're there, you'll have over 800 acres of pathways, woodlands and lakes to explore. It's even got an ice skating rink, outdoor yoga classes, and - get this - its own zoo. Talk about everything but the kitchen sink.

• Rockefeller Centre - every ice-skating scene you've ever seen in a Christmas movie set in America happened here. Probably. Just trust us, it's iconic. While the rink and famous Christmas tree are the stars of the show in winter, in the warmer months you'll usually find pop-up bars and seating areas so you can enjoy a cocktail or a bite to eat in the heart of it all.

• Times Square - it seems like a no brainer that you're gonna wanna pound the pavement on your New York holidays, and where better to get your steps in than the iconic Times Square? The screens light up the night and no matter what time you're strolling through there's guaranteed to be a buzz; we're talking street performers, food vendors and the hubub of chatter from people going here, there and everywhere. Try some of the bars nearby for a tipple or two, hit up a restaurant for some delish food, or make your way to Broadway and catch your next fave show.

Where to stay on your holidays to New York

New York’s packed with buzzing boroughs, boujee hotels, and hidden-gem neighbourhoods – but choosing where to stay can make or break your Big Apple jollies. Here’s our no-nonsense guide to the best areas to stay in New York for every kind of traveller:

• 🏙️ Midtown Manhattan - Best for first-timers

Smack bang in the heart of it all, Midtown is the classic choice. You’ve got Times Square, the Empire State Building, Broadway, Rockefeller Centre – the whole New York bucket list within walking distance. Yes, it's busy, touristy, and never sleeps, but that's half the charm. Great for short stays and first-timers who want it all on the doorstep.

• 🌆 Downtown Manhattan - Best for culture & cool vibes

Slightly less hectic but still buzzing, Downtown has a more local feel. You’re near Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial, SoHo, and the ferry to Lady Liberty. Hotels are often better value than Midtown, and there’s a gorge mix of rooftop bars, indie boutiques and classic NY delis. Proper New Yorker energy without the tourist crush.

• 🌉 Brooklyn - Best for trendsetters on a budget

Across the river but still just a short subway ride away, Brooklyn brings that cool-kid energy. Think brunch spots, food trucks, and warehouse art galleries. It’s ideal for longer stays or anyone who wants value without sacrificing style. Plus, walking the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan? 10/10 moment.

• 🌳 Central Park Area – Best for peace & green space

Want a calmer city break with leafy views and morning strolls? Stay near Central Park. You’ll be steps from the park itself, world-class museums (hello, MET), and high-end shopping on Fifth Ave. It’s more boujee than budget, but perfect for couples or families looking for space to breathe.

What are the top hotels for your New York holidays 2026?

Whether you're planning your 2027 holidays well in advance or if you've had some last-minute inspo, we've got a hotel for that. You can see all hotels in New York or browse a few of our favourites below:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Arthouse Hotel New York is on the Upper West Side, a 10-minute walk to Central Park and a 5-minute walk to the American Museum of Natural History. Dinosaurs, green space and easy subway access, properly family-friendly.

• Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan Central Park serves a full American breakfast buffet (bagels included), has rooms with city views, and is 3km from the Empire State Building. Reliable and no-surprises for families who want a proper hotel breakfast.

• Hotel Beacon offers spacious rooms and suites with Central Park and Hudson River views. The extra space works well for families who need room to spread out after a day on their feet.

• DoubleTree by Hilton New York Downtown is near the Staten Island Ferry and Statue of Liberty, with rooms and suites across 44 floors, and the famous DoubleTree warm cookies at check-in.

❤️ Couples

• Hard Rock Hotel New York City Times Square brings five-star swank with a rooftop bar, in-house yoga classes and music-themed rooms right on Times Square itself.

• Hotel Belleclaire is Upper West Side elegance with a bakery on site and a façade that's popped up in films including The Equalizer. If it's good enough for Denzel, it's good enough for us.

• The Knickerbocker Hotel is a legendary NYC landmark reborn, tucked between Times Square and Bryant Park. Rumour has it the Martini was invented here, and the rooftop bar has some of the best skyline views in Midtown.

• CIVILIAN Hotel is pure theatre-lover heaven in the Broadway district. Rooms styled like dressing rooms, a disco-themed toilet (yes, really), and steps from the best shows in town.

✨ Luxury

• The Plaza Hotel needs no introduction, the five-star icon on Fifth Avenue has hosted royalty to Hollywood legends since 1907. Afternoon tea in the Palm Court is the signature experience.

• The New Yorker, A Lotte Hotel is Art Deco glamour with a 24/7 American diner and an underground steakhouse tucked inside a former bank vault. A distinctive address rather than a generic five-star.

🎉 Groups

• Moxy NYC Downtown is built for group bookings in Lower Manhattan, modern rooms with 50-inch TVs and surround sound, rooftop bar, and walking distance to One World Trade Center, Tribeca and Chinatown. The quirky-but-reliable city hotel at scale.

• Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan is a five-minute walk from Penn Station, which puts every subway line and every stadium group trip on the doorstep. Big-hotel amenities, spa-style showers, and Times Square and Madison Square Garden both within a 10-minute walk.

• The New Yorker, A Lotte Hotel also works brilliantly at scale for groups — see the Luxury pick above. The 24/7 diner alone earns its keep for a big booking.

💰 Value

• Pod Times Square Hotel is the budget-friendly anchor in Hell's Kitchen, compact rooms with soundproof windows, and a short walk to Broadway, Bryant Park and the Hudson. The reliable cheap base in a prime location.

• Pod Hotel 39th Street is the sister property a few blocks south, stylish compact rooms, an on-site taqueria with strong happy-hour prices, and 500m from the Empire State Building. Same Pod formula, different neighbourhood feel.

• Broadway Plaza Hotel is a 69-room refurb in the Flatiron District, 24-hour reception, in-room food delivery, and a notably modest resort fee for NYC. Guest reviews are consistently high, proper value without the trade-off.

👉 All hotels in New York

New York holidays 2026 travel guide

❤️ Things to do in New York for couples

• 🌉 Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise or sunset: free, quieter in early morning, properly atmospheric at golden hour. Walk it from the Brooklyn side for the classic skyline approach.

• 🚣 Row a boat on Central Park's Lake: Loeb Boathouse rents rowing boats by the hour, around £15. A proper Manhattan-rom-com moment.

• 🍷 Rooftop cocktails at The Press Lounge in Hell's Kitchen: uninterrupted Hudson and skyline views at sunset. Cocktails £14 to £18, worth every dollar of the view.

• 🏰 The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park: a medieval-monastery-themed branch of the Met at the northern tip of Manhattan. A train ride out, total fairytale vibes, dramatically underrated.

• 🍽️ Dinner at Le Bernardin: three-Michelin-star seafood and the classic New York date-night splurge. Book a month in advance, tasting menu around £280 per head.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Things to do in New York for families

• 🦕 American Museum of Natural History: home to the whopper blue whale, dinosaur halls and the planetarium. Book timed-entry tickets online to skip the queue. Around £22 per adult, £13 per child.

• 🎢 Coney Island: the D, F, N or Q train out to the seaside, ride the Cyclone, eat a Nathan's hot dog on the boardwalk, splash around in the Atlantic. A proper New York day out.

• 🗽 Statue of Liberty ferry ride: book ahead if you want to climb the crown (months in advance). For a free look at Lady Liberty, the Staten Island Ferry passes right by her.

• 🐒 Central Park Zoo: small enough to do in a morning, leaving the afternoon for the Heckscher Playground right next door. £16 per adult, £10 per child.

• 🎪 Top of the Rock: the observation deck with the clearest view of the Empire State in the photo, and two open-air decks that kids tend to prefer over indoor glass. £35 per adult, £30 per child.

🎉 Things to do in New York for groups

• 🎤 Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village: the legendary basement club where Seinfeld, Rock, Chappelle and friends drop in unannounced. Tickets around £30 per head, food and drinks separate.

• 🍸 Rooftop bar crawl through Hell's Kitchen: The Press Lounge, 230 Fifth and Bar 54 all within walking distance, each with a different view of the skyline. One big evening, £50 to £80 a head depending on how many cocktails.

• 🏒 A Knicks, Rangers or Nets game: Madison Square Garden or the Barclays Center, genuinely good group entertainment even for non-sports-fans. Tickets from around £60 a head on the cheap seats.

• ⛴️ Liberty and Ellis Island group tour: round-trip ferry plus timed audio tour, around £30 a head. Big-group-friendly and covers two landmarks in a morning.

• 🎲 Broadway matinee plus pre-show dinner: the TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at 20% to 50% off, so a group can walk up, grab whatever's available, and eat round the corner beforehand.

🌎 More Places to Visit in America

If you’re planning a US adventure in 2026, there’s a ton to explore beyond New York. Here’s a quick guide to the main regions and what makes them special:

East Coast

☀️ Florida – Theme parks, beaches, and year-round sunshine. Home to Orlando, Miami, and the Florida Keys. Go all-in with our all-inclusive Florida breaks!

🗽 New York – The Big Apple. Broadway, Central Park, world-class museums, and iconic skyline views.

🍁 Boston – Historic charm, Fenway Park, lobster rolls, and stunning autumn colours.

West Coast

🎬 California – Road trips, beaches, and Hollywood glamour. Includes Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.

🎰 Las Vegas – Neon lights, casinos, pool parties, and world-class shows in the Nevada desert.

🏜️ Arizona – The Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks, desert stargazing, and classic Wild West vibes.

The South

🎷 New Orleans – Jazz, Mardi Gras, incredible Creole food, and nightlife on Bourbon Street.

🤠 Texas – Big skies, bigger steaks, live music in Austin, and proper cowboy culture.