New York City, The Big Apple, Manhattan, NYC
Welcome…
To the NYC Insider Guide, a New York City Travel Guide created by a fourth-generation lifelong New Yorker.
Planning a vacation is always fun, but in a place like New York City, with SO MUCH to see, do, tour, shop and eat – you want to make sure to do everything you can during your New York City Vacation. That is no easy feat, even for those of us who have lived in New York City our entire lives.
Consider me your very own NYC Insider to help you make the most of your NYC vacation, find our hidden treasures and advise you on the best New York City events, tours and attractions. I’ll also show you tons of discounts and coupons, how to see Museums for free and so much more!
Explore this New York City Travel Guide to book your trip and get New York City Insider tips, free maps, where to spend and save your money, secret ways of getting discounts and most importantly, what to book NOW so you don’t miss out!
NYC Insider Picks
Best US Tennis Open Hotels
Best NYC Locations, Cheap, Budget, Closest
The Best US Tennis Open hotels include our cheap, budget and lesser known discount hotels along with Hotels near...
Broadway Shows for Kids
Lion King, Wicked, Harry Potter and More!
Choosing the best NYC Broadway Show for Kids can be quite a challenge! NYC always has an amazing...
NYC Holidays
July 4th in New York City 2023 Fireworks
NYC Fireworks Boat Cruises, Hotels, Yankees+
July 4th in New York City is amazing! The weather is almost always wonderful and our 4th of July...
NYC Monthly Events
New York City Events January 2023
NYC January Events, Activities and Things to Do Calendar
Happy New Year! New York City Events January 2023 include catching the last of the Rockefeller Center...
New York City Events February 2023
NYC February Events and Activities Calendar
New York City Events February are full of sports, concerts, shows and special events, like Valentine's Day, Lunar...
New York City Events March 2023
NYC March Events and Activities Calendar
New York City Events March 2023 include March Madness, Big East Basketball, Kid's Night on Broadway, 20 at 20...
New York City Events April 2023
NYC April Events and Activities Calendar
New York City Events April 2023 include Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Joel, Bono, tons of comedy...
New York City Events May 2023
NYC May Events, Things to Do, Activities Calendar
The best New York City Events May 2023 include Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Taylor Swift,...
New York City Events June 2023
NYC June Events & June Things to Do
New York City Events June 2023 are packed with amazing outdoor culture and adventures, along with tons...
New York City Events July 2023
NYC July Events and Activities Calendar
New York City Events July 2023 include July 4th Fireworks, Bryant Park Movie Nights & Picnic Performances, Martini...
New York City Events August 2023
NYC August Events & Things to Do
New York City Events August 2023 include the US Tennis Open, Shakespeare in the...
New York City Events September 2023
NYC September Events, Festivals Calendar
New York City Events September 2023 include the US Tennis Open, Giants, Jets,...
New York City Events October 2023
NYC Insider Guide October Events Calendar
New York City Events October 2023 include New York Comic Con, Giants and Jets football, Nets and Knicks...
New York City Events November 2023
November Events & Things to Do Calendar
New York City Events November 2023 include the Rockettes at Radio City, Thanksgiving Dinner, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade,...
New York City Events December 2023
NYC Insider Guide December Events and Activities Calendar
New York City Events December 2023 are filled with dozens of New York Christmas Trees &...
New York City Activities
New York City Tourist Attractions include the typical Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Museums of Modern Art and Natural History, Central Park and so much more. Some of our newer attractions include the 9-11 Memorial Museum, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Times Square. But, do you also know you can have a martini and listen to classical music at a Museum? Or eat Chinese food while looking at the Statue of Liberty? Come enjoy NYC like a local….
New York City Tourist Attractions
...the best things to see and do in NYC
New York City Tourist Attractions include the typical Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Museums of...
List of NYC Broadway Shows
...find the BEST NYC Theater tickets!
Welcome to the List of NYC Broadway Shows, which I hope will help you find the best seats to...
New York City Concerts Shows | Live Music in NYC
Shows, Events and Sports Calendar
New York City Concerts 2023 include some of the world's BEST talent you will ever see in the...
NYC Vacation Itineraries
Sample Vacation Itineraries...NYC Insiders Share Their Trips
New York City Vacations offer so many incredible things to do, sometimes its hard to...
Visiting New York With Kids
Favorite Family Things to Do, Hotels, Attractions
Visiting New York with kids is truly a delight. After all, it is how I first experienced my...
New York City Nightlife
Night Tours, Cruises, Rooftops, Clubs, Attractions
New York City Nightlife offers something for everyone, every day and every night. After all, this IS the city...
New York City Museums
Many Museums are actually FREE? Yes, they are!
New York City Museums range from the world-renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC and American Museum of...
New York Restaurant Guides
Pizza, Bagels, Steak, Food Trucks and More
New York Restaurant Guides cover the almost 19,000 restaurants in NYC... you can eat at different one every...
New York City Shopping
Insider Guide to Shopping in NYC
New York City is a shopping and fashion paradise, but some of the best New York City shopping is...
New York City Sports Teams
Giants, Jets, Yankees and Mets!
Cheering on one of our New York City Sports Teams is a top pick for any NYC trip. Make sure...
NYC Events Today
Over 50 Things to do in NYC and NYC Events Today!
NYC events today, like every day, include shows, concerts, Broadway, sports, kids...
New York City Tours
...Walk, Bike, Bus, Blade and Fly Over NYC
There are so many special New York City Tours. You can tour New York by walking, bus,...
Fun Things to do in New York in Spring
There are hundreds of fun things to do in New York in Spring. With the cherry blossoms, green foliage, sparkling rivers and warm weather as your backdrop, Spring is the time to take advantage of rooftops, biking, tennis, volleyball, walking tours and so much more.
- Things to Do in NY in Spring
- Volleyball in New York City
- Tennis in New York City
- Biking in New York City
- Insider Guide to Central Park
- Things to do in NYC in March
- Things to do in NYC in April
- Things to do in NY in May
- Mother's Day in NYC
- Best NYC Hotel Rooftops
- Free Things to Do in NYC
- 100 FREE things to do in NYC in Summer
July 4th Cruises - NYC Insider Guide Best Sellers
Book your front row seat to the Macy's July 4th Fireworks on a variety of private, upscale and family-friendly cruises, with on-board DJ’s to get you dancing the night away, plus food and drinks.
July 4th Hot Sellers Right Now
Explore and Indulge Like a Real NYC Foodie
There is no shortage of pizza, bagels, street vendors, cupcakes, craft beer and cocktails, rooftops and mini food parks to explore and so many more food choices in the five boroughs, along with wonderful guides who can't wait to show you them all!!!!
Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
NYC Hotel Rooftops offer some of the best skyline views in the whole City, along with cocktails and food, views, pools, cabanas, sundecks and retractable roofs. Our top picks for the most surreal views and cocktails include:
- Ink48 Hotel - right next to the Intrepid Museum and my ALL time favorite rooftop!
- The Ready @ Moxy NYC East Village - all-season rooftop with an amazingly eclectic vibe and great skyline views. (photo)
- The Empire Hotel - year-round indoor/outdoor rooftop with seasonal pool and cabana rentals
See More: Best New York City Hotel Rooftops
Museums
Museums and attractions are open, some with reduced capacity, safety protocols, reservations and vaccination proof. Check out the new Museum of Ice Cream (SoHo), Guggenheim, MoMA, Whitney and so many more NYC Museums from which to choose.
Attractions & Sightseeing
NYC attractions are open, some with reservations required. Whether you want to sightsee from the sky or selfie with celebs @ Madame Tussauds, you can be safe and explore.
Go HIGH or Go Home
Top of the Rock, Empire State Building, One World Observatory, Edge or the new SUMMIT? Which is best and, if we have to choose, which should we visit? There is no easy answer, but here are some facts to help guide your choice.
- Empire State Building - (86 and 102 floors) Best for patient movie and history buffs who need to check it off their bucket list. Recently redone indoor 102nd Floor Observatory
- Top of the Rock - (67-70 floors) Best for sweeping 360° vista views, including of the Empire State Building and Central Park. Shorter lines and cheaper than the ESB.
- One World Observatory - (100-102 floors) Best for homage to the Twin Towers. Modern and high tech, with phenomenal views
- Edge - (100-101 floors) Highest outdoor observation deck, glass bottom floor, deck extends 80 feet away from building (photo)
- Summit One Vanderbilt - (91-93 floors) Opened Oct 2021, all glass elevator, indoor and outdoor decks and glass terraces off the side of the building. One of the hottest tickets in town
Secret NYC Insider Tours
Explore our subways secrets with a local guide, go behind-the-scenes at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, uncover surprising gems and historical tales of Grand Central Station, cocktail your way through Manhattan’s best and most secretive speakeasies and much more!
Fun Things to Do in NYC
NYC Neighborhood Guides
Save with a NYC Attractions Pass
Get savings coupons and find the best NYC Attractions Pass Discounts for your NYC vacation. Unbiased reviews of the New York City Sightseeing Passes. Which is the BEST – NY Sightseeing Pass, New York City Explorer Pass, New York Pass or CityPASS?
NY Sightseeing Pass
- Choose from 100 sights
- Choose 1-10 days or # of Attractions
- Unlimited Hop On Hop Off Bus
- New York Sightseeing Pass
The New York Pass
- Includes 100 tours and attractions
- Choose 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 Days
- New York Pass
NY Explorer Pass
- Choose from 100+ sights
- Good for 60 Days
- Choose 1-10 days or # of Attractions
- Explorer or All Inclusive Pass
NYC Insider Printable Guides
"The guides are exactly what we were looking for to help us navigate NYC and the highlights of each area.
THANK YOU for taking the time to put this together."
"Amazing, Melissa. This is my second copy! Congratulations for this always excellent guide. I have been living in this area for 18 years, but I still leave the guide as a treat when people come to visit me by their bed. So comprehensive!"
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Manhattan Neighborhood Map
See our complete Manhattan Neighborhood Map and Guides
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Broadway Shows NYC
Buy Great Broadway Tickets Today!
Top Picks for Broadway Tickets
- TicketNetwork - best selection and seats in the house! Very popular and trusted ticket company!
- Direct Tickets - all Ticketmaster shows original source tickets. See telecharge.com and seatgeek.com for theaters not covered by Ticketmaster
- Ticketmaster Deals - lots of shows with 2 For 1, Me+3 and 4-Pack deals.
- American Express Ticketmaster Deals - for cardholders.
- StubHub - great selection, NY's most popular ticket reseller
Note: All of our ticket partners are legitimate, recommended ticket sellers and guaranteed to sell you official NYC Broadway tickets.
NYC Hotels Times Square
The best NYC Hotels Times Square chosen by a NYC local! If you want to be in the heart of Broadway, all the tourist action, Restaurant Row, lounge by a pool, check out the best views from a rooftop or splurge on the live NYE Ball Drop, we will show you the best places to stay.
- Best NYC Hotels Times Square
- NEW NYC Hotels Times Square
- Cheap Hotels in Times Square
- Suite Hotels in Times Square
- Boutique Hotels in Times Square
- Best New Years Eve NYC Hotels with Ball Drop Views
- Best NYC Times Square Hotels with Rooftops
See All: NYC Hotels Times Square & Broadway
New York City Shopping Guides
- New York City Shopping Guide
- Shopping in NYC Department Stores
- Discount Budget Shopping in NYC
- Resale and Consignment Shops
- Shopping Guides by Neighborhood
- NYC Designer Sample Sales
- New York Outlet Malls
- New York City Gift Shopping
- Holiday Markets in NYC
- New York City Shopping Tours
- Add YOUR NYC Shop,Tour, Sample Sale
Best Hotels for NYC Events & Holidays
NYC events and holidays bring in massive amounts of visitors, all of which want prime views and access to the July 4th fireworks, Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, New Year's Eve fireworks, Marathon finish line and more. Here are our top hotel picks for NYC's most popular annual events.
NYC Hotels by Type
NYC offers hotels of every type you can imagine. Boutique hotels with cool features like pools, rooftops and gyms, to suite hotels which are more comfortable for families or those who want more apartment-type lodging, to cheap budget hotels with bunk beds, check out our top choices appealing to all budgets and tastes.
NYC Hotels by Amenity
Turn your NYC stay into your home away from home with our amazing hotel amenities. Get an in-room jacuzzi tub to soothe after a long day of sightseeing, check into a hotel with an amazing rooftop to watch our skyline twinkle at you while sipping a cocktail and dive into the nooks and crannies of Central Park with a free bike. We've hand picked all the best of the best - the places where New Yorkers check into for a stay-cation.
New York City Hotel Map
Booking.comTop of New York City Hotel Deals
NYC Hotels By Attraction - I Want To Be Near...
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How to Save on Hotels in New York City
Check out all our tips and dozens of promo codes to help save on NYC Hotels. Whether you are visiting NYC on a budget, or just looking to save a little on luxury, we share all our insight on How to Save on Hotels in New York City.
NYC Printable Guides - Available for Immediate Download
REALLY??? This is a lifesaver! I’m too ADD-riddled to ever have been able to compile all this info in a useful way. Thanks to these tools, our 3 short days in NYC will be spent just how we want with no time wasted. I really can’t say enough good things. To anyone on the fence about this purchase…it truly is the best $20 you can spend and will probably save you way more than that in time alone.
Honestly this was the best book I’ve ever purchased and it was worth every single dollar I spent on it!!
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Why You Will Love New York City
My favorite world travel experiences are always when I have a local guiding me before or during my trip. We all love to have recommendations from someone we know and trust before we hop on that plane or train (and if you don't know me, yet, feel free to read more About NYC Insider Guide and why I started this website).
Please explore the New York City Insider Guide at your own pace. I hope it helps you plan your New York City Vacation, so you not only go home as a NYC Insider, but plan to visit us again soon.
If you come to NYC, stay in a Times Square hotel, jump on a HOHO Bus Tour, go only to the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, well, you may actually never run into another New Yorker; and you certainly won't get to experience some of the most amazing things this city has to offer. I hope to be able to show you how do it all - see our world-famous and historical attractions, while also experiencing some of our local culture.
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About the Insider New York City Travel Guide
Don't believe a word of the hype - we are some of the most diverse, friendy, smart and fun people you will ever meet. I mean that wholeheartedly - it takes me almost 30 minutes to walk the two blocks to the subway, because I'm always saying hello to my neighbors, doormen, shoe guy, manicurist, bartender, dry cleaner, deli, gym...and that's all on my block!
I love this city so much and nothing makes me happier than when you love it, too. Please enjoy my insider tips, the kinds of things you discover only when you have hundreds of friends and family members and our collective prior generations passing down "insider" information.
Mom and Cousin on my Uncle's Checker Cab (scanned photo - circa 1950)
I have no connections with the New York City tourism and travel industry, so all the information on this site is genuine. I will never recommend anything unless I'm absolutely confident it's the best (and by my and NYC standards, that's pretty high!). Please enjoy all the real information from a real person who lives here.
I can't wait to show you some of my favorites.
Thank you for visiting the NYC Insider Guide ...welcome to our city and I hope you love it as much as I do!
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