Which Area of New York Should You Stay in for Sightseeing?

Where should you rest your head while exploring the Big Apple?
By Casey Makovich

Picking a great neighborhood to stay in can make or break your NYC trip. Our guide will help you decide on the best spot for your vacation - here are our top five.

Wondering where to stay in New York City? Planning a sightseeing tour of the Big Apple can seem overwhelming at first. There are so many attractions in the city that you won't want to miss, but seeing all of New York City could take a lifetime. The neighborhood in which you're staying plays a huge part in your trip. You want to research the neighborhoods that interest you the most and choose a hotel that's located in an area within easy reach of major attractions, such as:

  • The Empire State Building
  • Rockefeller Center
  • The 9/11 Memorial & Museum
  • The Intrepid
  • The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
  • Museum Mile on the East Side of Central Park

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Times Square, Theater District & Hell's Kitchen

Times Square

The Times Square area is one of the most iconic parts of New York and one of the most popular places to stay for sightseers. Centrally located to many of the biggest attractions, Times Square is in roughly the same area as the Theater District and the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood. This part of New York has everything!

Times Square itself is one of the world's most famous tourist attractions. You'll be within walking distance from attractions like Ripley's Believe it or Not and Madame Tussaud's New York. From Times Square, you're just a brief walk from major Broadway theaters in the city including the Shubert Theatre, the Minskoff Theatre, the Winter Garden Theatre, and the New Amsterdam Theatre.

If you like to eat good food when you're on vacation, you won't be disappointed by the offerings of Hell's Kitchen. This area of the city is notorious for its culinary offerings and offers world-class cuisine from all over the globe.

Stay in the Times Square and Theater District neighborhood if you want to be conveniently located to attractions like the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center and also hit a few Broadway shows during your stay.

Chelsea

High Line Chelsea

Chelsea is located to the south of Hell's Kitchen, extending from around 15th Street to 38th Street on the west side of Manhattan. If you're wondering where to stay in New York City to fully experience the arts and culture scene, Chelsea delivers.

Known as one of NYC's premier artsy destinations, Chelsea is filled with tons of art galleries that rival the MoMA and fine dining restaurants. If you stay in this neighborhood, one of its highlight attractions is Chelsea Market, a historical area that's home to a variety of eating establishments and little shops that sell fresh produce, meats, baked goods, crafts by local artisans, and more.

Another attraction that's convenient to Chelsea hotels is the Chelsea Piers Sports & Entertainment Complex on the Hudson River. This is a sporting complex offering a spa, indoor soccer fields, a rock climbing wall, ice skating rinks, and a marina. Chelsea is also not too far from attractions like the Empire State Building, the Broadway theaters, and Rockefeller Center.

Union Square & Flatiron

 

Flatiron

Union Square is centrally located toward the southern tip of Manhattan. It is just east of Chelsea and northeast of Greenwich Village. The Flatiron building, which was constructed in the early 20th century, is arguably the most iconic sight in this part of the city.

One of the biggest advantages of the Union Square/Flatiron area is that it is located at a central hub of the New York City subway system, making it a convenient place to stay for those who are planning on getting around by subway. 

Tip: Union Square/Flatiron is a good option for an area to stay if you want to hit both Midtown attractions like Times Square and the Empire State Building, plus major attractions way downtown like the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

The Financial District

Financial District

The Financial District is located at the southern tip of Manhattan. This area offers vacationers more peace and quiet than more bustling neighborhoods like the Theater District and Chelsea. However, the Financial District is also home to some New York attractions most vacationers won't want to miss.

Most people who sightsee in New York these days will want to see the emotionally charged World Trade Center Complex and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which recognizes one of the most important events in New York's history. The Financial District is close to other important historical attractions like the Statue of Liberty. 

The Financial District is the home of Wall Street and perhaps one of the most important business hubs in New York City and the entire world.

Upper East Side

Upper East Side

Historically, the Upper East Side (UES) has been home to the crème de la crème of New York society. This is one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city with some of the most valuable real estate. The UES is also an ideal place to stay if art and culture are what is drawing you to New York.

It's convenient for visiting the Museum Mile, home to some of the best art museums in the city. This stretch of Fifth Avenue runs along the East side of Central Park and is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. In addition to the art museums, Central Park itself is very accessible to hotels on the Upper East Side and is a must-see New York attraction.

So, which New York neighborhood will it be?

Choosing where to stay in New York City to maximize your sightseeing itinerary is a great start to planning your trip. Next, choose the hotel in that area that works best for your budget and needs. Remember, being in close proximity to the most popular attractions will save you time and allow you to check more attractions off your sightseeing wishlist.

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Best Burgers In Manhattan

Burgers are love. Burgers are life. The age-old sentiment shared by people reading this blog all around the world. A perfect marriage of bread, veg, meat, and cheese. And sometimes, other more exotic things. Man Hattaners rejoice, finally you have a one-stop-shop for all your burger cravings. Finally. So fast for a day, and get ready to adorn your loosest belts. Here's our list of the best burgers in Manhattan. Featuring: Burger Joint Emily The Spotted Pig J.G. Melon And more... Burger Joint For the first burger on our list, you've gotta do a bit of searching. Head to Le Park Meridien hotel in Midtown West and raise your burger-seeking hand. Its light should guide you to a hidden room literally behind a curtain. Once there, feast on a no-nonsense, messy burger. Cooked to perfection. And then ponder on all the boasting you can do at work the next day. Because you will. And they'll hold you up, carry you through the office chanting "BURGER LORD". Or keep it to yourself, whatever. Emily Head over to the West Village to try the taste sensation that's sweeping the nation. PRETZEL BUNS. Truly as decadent as it sounds, Emily's delicious take on the American classic needs to be seen to be believed. Just look at that picture below. The Spotted Pig If you're familiar with the West Village, you're probably aware of The Spotted Pig already. It's a burger joint to the stars and is Dorsia-levels of hard to get a table. However, unlike Partick Bateman, resist the urge to take our frustration out on your co-workers. Even if they don't appreciate the magnificence of Huey Lewis. Simply persist, hungry one. Their noodle-cut fries are to die for. In hindsight, perhaps that's the wrong way to phrase it. Easily one of the best burgers in Manhattan, if you can get in the door. J.G. Melon Looking for a burger without any of the overindulgent trimmings? A classic burger. A burger that embodies the simple truth of the American Dream? Well, J.G Melon's might be just the thing. Just beef, lettuce, onion, pickles and cheese in a bun. It's simple. It's fantastic. Rumour has it that the J.G stands for Just Great. It probably doesn't. We just made that up. BarBacon Ever heard of a bacon flight? For the uninitiated, a bacon flight is a taster plate of bacon from different places, cured with different techniques, all with unique tastes. If that sounds like the best thing ever then you're right. It is. And BarBacon, in Hell's Kitchen, should be on your bucket list. Along with their salivating bacon flights, they also do burgers. Damn good burgers to boot. Why not compliment said burger and said bacon flight with some fried pickles? Then simply run around Manhattan for about 2 days to burn off all those amazing calories. Easily deserves its place as one of the best burgers in Manhattan. Burger & Barrel This SoHo joint doubles up as a 'winepub', so if you want to trick a date into thinking you're sophisticated, take them here. Alongside their diverse and delicious wines, they also have a signature 'bash burger' that's topped by a handsomely-sized portion of onion rings. A burger so good it's won the NY Food & Wine Festivals Event a grand total of five times. Just make sure to do all your neanderthalling in the bathroom. No one needs to see you picking stuff out of your hair and smelling it. Le Rivage Bonjour, mes amis. Want a little taste of the tricolor with your American burger? Le Rivage has you covered. It also has a French onion soup burger, covered in cheese sauce and onions. All of that between a decidedly English muffin, and topped with a pickled onion. Mon Dieu! Grade school French is finally paying off. Keens Steakhouse As you'd expect from a prestigious steak house like Keens, their burger is a meaty force to be reckoned with. A thick, juicy patty that would put some steaks to shame is partnered with lashings of cheese, onion, tomato, and pickle. If you don't have much work to do after lunch, go order one from the bar and then vegetate in the office until the end of the day. Whitmans Ever thought to yourself 'I'd love to eat a cheeseburger where the cheese is inside the patty'? How oddly specific of you. However, you are indeed in luck. It's called a Juicy Lucy, and it already exists! And thanks to the good folk at Whitmans, you can now pick one up on your doorstep, or thereabouts. With locations in the East Village, Hudson Yards and SoHo, you're sure to find an oozing patty within walking distance. 4 Charles Prime Rib We end this list, last but certainly not least, with this intimate supper club in the West Village. While not a burger joint per se, their American Cheeseburger is one of the best around. It's simple yet sublime, no gimmicks necessary. It's also served with a steak knife right through its heart. Definitely enough to sink your teeth into. Van Helsing would shed a tear. Apologies, I'm done with the vampire shenanigans. And that's our list of the best burgers in Manhattan. If these aren't enough to pique your fancy, then what the hell is wrong with you? Of course, Manhattan is teeming with delicious burger joints, so let us know if we missed any of your favorites in the comments below. Looking for something to do after you eat? Why not check out the best jazz clubs in town?
Dom Bewley
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NYC Labor Day 2019: Everything You Need To Know

What's the history behind Labor Day in NYC? Why should you celebrate Labor Day? How can I celebrate Labor Day in NYC? Why not celebrate Labor Day in style with the New York Pass? Labor Day is nearly upon us. Raise your glasses, and switch off your alarm clocks. Hopefully you're one of the millions of people celebrating Labor Day this weekend. If you'll be in New York over the holiday, then congrats. You might want some tips on what to do. You may even want to know more about the day itself. Never fear, read on. Here's everything you need to know about Labor Day in NYC. What's the history behind Labor Day? The first Labor Day was observed over 130 years ago, way back in 1882. The ultimate goal - to celebrate the achievements of the American workers who helped the US become one of the most prosperous nations on Earth. To this day, we still don't know who suggested it. Some say it was conjured from the mind of Peter J McGuire, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor. Others posit that one Matthew Maguire, secretary of New York's Central Labor Union at the time, willed it into being. Either way, don't look a gift holiday in the mouth - most of us still get a long weekend. Why should you celebrate Labor Day? Well, you probably work really hard and definitely never call in sick when you want to binge awful reality shows. Right? While you're out gallivanting, spare a thought, and pour a beer out for those of us who sadly find themselves working. Likely the same person who sold you said beer in the first place. Never mind. How can you celebrate Labor Day in NYC? We're glad you asked. Thankfully, this being the greatest city on earth, you're simply spoiled for choice. Here are the 10 best things to do on Labor Day in NYC: Labor Day Parade What better way to spend Labor Day than to go to the parade, aka the West Indian Carnival. It’s back in Brooklyn, so if you’re looking for a good time and want to celebrate Caribbean culture with some authentic jerk chicken and cocktails, go. Millions of people stop by every year, so why not join them? You can even dance to some reggae, if you’re the sort that likes ‘having fun’. Werk: Labor Day White Party If you’ve never been to a white party, it’s a little complex so we’ll try and break it down for you in layman's terms. You wear white, and you go to a party. What better way to celebrate all that hard work you definitely do every day than getting to work on the dancefloor at House of Yes’ free party. DJ Dirtyfinger will be ripping up the decks. With any luck, he’ll play Will Smith for the entire day. Electric Zoo Festival Randalls Island again plays host to New York’s biggest EDM night with the Electric Zoo Festival. For those of you who don’t have your finger on the pulse like we do, EDM stands for Electronic Dance Music. So put your dancing shoes on and go throw some shapes. Tiesto is playing, and he’s widely considered as the Godfather of EDM. That makes Electric Zoo an offer your cannot refuse. The U.S. Open It’s back. Tennis’ biggest competition is finally here. Prepare your body as people in shorts hit a yellow ball over a net. That’s right, it’s TENNIS TIME. Catch some of the world’s biggest tennis athletes as they do their best to take the prize. Who will win? Who knows, but it’ll probably be the most tennis that any human could possibly handle in the history of ever. Nowadays BBQ How does a barbecue in Brooklyn sound? Walk in to Nowadays for absolutely free this Labor Day, and put your money toward some sweet chargrilled goodness and refreshing craft beer. It’s all outdoors, so you might as well make the most of the sun while it’s out. Plus there’s live music to fill the awkward gaps in conversation between you and your friends. It’s OK, we all have them. Statue of Liberty Tour Go back in time and explore the humble beginnings and history of the Statue of Liberty. The Statue of Liberty Museum recently opened its doors to the huddled masses. There’s lots to see inside, including a model by the French artist who designed it, and even a copper model of the statue’s face you can creepily stroke with your fingers. Just don’t let anyone see you doing it. The shame. And on Labor Day of all days. New York Unicycle Festival Millennials unite, moustaches firmly waxed and shorts extra tight. It’s time for four days of ONE WHEEL MADNESS at this definitely real festival. Not only will you be able to weird flex your unicycle skills/gear with all of your unicycling peers, but there’s also public performances (people doing tricks), unicycle hockey, unicycle basketball, and unicycle SUMO. We can only begin to imagine how amazing that last one must be. And hey, if you’re a uni-virgin then never fear, they even have Learn-to-Ride area. So you can learn to ride a unicycle. Very cool. Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit Fancy a bit of culture? How about a trip to the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit? On Labor Day you even get the chance to chat to the artists about their work, and there’s prints and other goods you can pick up. Whether you’re buying or browsing, backflip into Washington Square Park and get arty. Summer HD Festival Opera lovers rejoice! Totally free screenings of opera productions are being held every night a the Metropolitan Opera’s Summer HD Festival. Rain or shine, you can expect some of opera’s biggest classics to be shown, like... Madam Butterfly? But if there’s any lightning, run as fast as you can. Not really, just leave in an orderly fashion. Showings start at 8pm, but get there early to ensure you get a seat. No one stands at the opera. Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise Finally, Cap’n, you could take to the seas on a Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. You’ll get to see the city’s skyline in all its glory, without any of the car horns or death-wish cyclists. Every cruise is about an hour long, so make sure your phone’s charged up and 'gram like there's no tomorrow. Why not celebrate Labor Day in style with the New York Pass? Whether you call the Big Apple home, or you're visiting from afar, why not make the most of Labor Day with the New York Pass? You'll get free entry to the Statue of Liberty Museum, the Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise, and over 100 top New York attractions like the Empire State Building! That's everything you need to know about Labor Day in NYC. What are your plans this weekend? Let us know below!
Dom Bewley
Aerial view of Central Park, New York.
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Things to do in Central Park New York

Central Park is the largest green space in Manhattan, attracting millions of visitors each year. Situated in the heart of the city, this public park serves as a meeting area for visitors and locals alike and stands as an emblem of New York City culture. Whether you’re looking to catch a rowboat on the lake, visit your favorite furry friends at the zoo, or watch classical theater in the great outdoors, you’ll find plenty of reasons to love this urban oasis. So, if you’re thinking about exploring this area of the city, have a read through our comprehensive list of things to do whilst you’re there! Hit the Classics One of our favorite things to do in Central Park is taking a horse-and-carriage tour. A classic New York activity and total crowd-pleaser, the carriage rides at Central Park provide a great way to get to know the city. Along the way, you’ll pass by famous landmarks, beautiful greenery and movie sites. In addition, your tour guide will take you through the unique history, culture and architecture which makes New York New York. Don’t forget to bring your phone so you can capture the magnificent towering structures and interesting statues! To appreciate the natural beauty of the park in all its glory, head over to the Conservatory Garden. Since its opening in 1937, the enclosure has been delighting visitors and locals alike with its spectacular floral displays and gleaming water lily ponds. The garden is made up of three areas, each with a distinct design: the French-style North Garden, the Italianate Center Garden, and the English-style South Garden. Take your time exploring and stop to check out the Vanderbilt Gate and Untermeyer Fountain. Those travelling with family might want to check out Central Park Zoo. Since its opening in 1864, the institute has grown to become one of the most popular destinations of its kind in the city. Situated at the southeast corner of the park, the zoo seeks to provide an engaging and educational experience, with a focus on the restoration of endangered species populations. Upon entrance, you’ll be able to view over 130 species of animals and learn more about where they come from. Before you go, make sure that you check the schedule for penguin and sea lion feedings! Take in the Views Though Central Park is recognized as one of New York’s most beloved outdoor attractions, it’s home to many impressive and unique architectural marvels. Located at Vista Rock, Belvedere Castle is a total must-see for architecture buffs and history geeks alike. Visitors can take tours to view its stunning interiors, as well as an expansive collection of historic artefacts. In addition, this beautiful folly grants stunning views of Turtle Pond and Great Lawn, the Ramble, and the bordering cityscape. See Central Park from a whole new perspective with the next item on our list. From April through to November, visitors can catch a rowboat to admire some of the park’s most picturesque sights. On the ride, you’ll be able to get a closeup of the gorgeous greenery, birds and butterflies, all flourishing in this unique manmade living system. Afterwards, why not grab a bite at the Loeb Boathouse restaurant whilst admiring the beautiful scenery? We couldn’t think of a better way to spend the afternoon! If you’re visiting New York in the springtime, you might want to check out the cherry blossom trees, which should be in full bloom around this time of the year. The best place for cherry blossom peeping runs from 72nd street right through to 96th street, with the biggest clusters around the Reservoir, Cherry Hill and Pilgrim Hill. Try Something New After a long day of exploring, you’ll probably need to stop for some sustenance. Luckily for you, Central Park’s culinary offerings are next to none. Nestled in a quiet idyllic setting, Tavern on the Green serves as the perfect spot for visitors to enjoy a bite whilst taking in those captivating views. But what supports the restaurant’s popularity is the delicious food: grilled lobster and sweet pea risotto, roasted garlic shrimp, and oysters with Asian pear mignonette sauce. With its warm atmosphere, beautiful décor, and breathtaking scenery, this place is well worth the stop. Central Park isn’t just a pretty face; in fact, it serves as a host to a wide variety of interesting and exciting activities. All throughout the summertime, Shakespeare in the Park works to bring first-class productions to a broad audience. Presenting classical theater against the wondrous backdrop of Central Park, this longstanding tradition provides a unique cultural experience to remember. A thoroughly remarkable and captivating experience, this one should be in everyone’s itineraries! Another one of our favorite events held in Central Park is the New York Philharmonic. Each year, the event brings people together from all walks of life to enjoy live classical music right in the heart of the city. Whether you’re a classic music maestro or a casual listener, the experience of one of America's most revered symphony orchestras playing against the backdrop of the starry night sky is a magical experience you won’t want to miss out on. We recommend taking your own food and drink, as well as a waterproof liner to sit on, since there is no official seating. As one of the top New York attractions, Central Park perfectly embodies the city with its bustling atmosphere, historic architecture, and picturesque landscapes as far as the eye can see. The area itself is home to some one-of-a-kind structures, hidden treasures, and exciting activities which can be enjoyed all year round. In addition, you can find seasonal events and programs which are sure to blow your mind. During the springtime, check out the cherry blossom trees, and in the height of summer, enjoy classic music under the sparkling night sky. To make the best out of your vacation, check out the New York Pass. For more information, connect with us on Instagram.
Stuart Bak

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