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
See the best of NYC with The New York Pass®
Entry to many of these popular New York attractions and activities are included on The New York Pass®. Used by over 3.5 million travelers, the New York Pass is the ultimate sightseeing pass, which includes admission to 90+ attractions, fast track entry at select attractions, a free guidebook, & much more.
Learn more about the New York Pass benefits & how to save up to 50% off attractions.
Times Square, Theater District & Hell's Kitchen
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
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
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
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
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.
Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass®
Planning your New York trip? With The New York Pass®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets.
✈️ Buy The New York Pass® ✈️
