New York City, The Big Apple, Manhattan, NYC
the greatest city in the world!
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!
New York City Events November 2019
Things To Do in New York in November
NYC Concerts Shows November
New York City Events December 2019
Things To Do in New York in December
Radio City Christmas Spectacular with Rockettes
Latest News
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 Hotel Deals
Christmas in New York Holiday Season Calendar
Half Price Broadway Tickets
NYC Travel Guide and Vacation Planner
Feel free to browse some of the most popular New York City Vacation Planner pages below or head straight to the complete New York City Travel Guide.
Save with a New York City Pass
Get savings coupons and find the best New York City 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 New York 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
- Digital or Physical Pass
- New York Pass
NY Explorer Pass
- Choose from 55+ sights
- Good for 30 Days
- Smartphone, print or physical card
- Explorer or Build Your Own
Where to Stay in New York City in December
December is the perfect time to watch the world's most famous ball drop at midnight from your own New Year's Eve NYC Hotel, check into one of our hotels near Rockefeller Center (Rockettes at Radio City, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Ice Skating) or near Central Park for more iconic Ice Skating.
Best Hotels Near Rockefeller Center
Some of our top value picks near Rockefeller Center include:
- The Jewel facing Rockefeller Center - great value and location. My NY high school classmates stayed here for our reunion
- Night Hotel - Rated the #1 Sexiest Hotel in America (best for couples)
- 3 West Club - consistently receives excellent reviews, especially the location and value for the price.
See the Insider Guide for dozens more Hotels Near Rockefeller Center. Rockefeller Center runs from 47th - 50th Streets, between 5th and 6th Aves. Download our free neighborhood maps at Midtown East Hotels and Midtown West Hotels
Best New Years Eve NYC Hotels
If watching the world's most famous ball drop at midnight from your own New Year's Eve NYC Hotel is on your bucket list, then don't miss your chance to reserve a special NYE package in NYC. Some of our favorites include:
- New York Marriott Marquis - rooms with Ball Drop views, multiple parties in hotel
- Casablanca Hotel Times Square - champagne on the rooftop close enough to "touch" the ball
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton - special hotel access to Times Square all night and to watch ball drop
See More: Best New Years Eve NYC Hotels
Central Park NY Hotels
These are NYC Insider hand picked hotels that are not just "near" Central Park, as most NYC hotels claim to be...but on the Park itself, either Central Park South, Central Park West or Fifth Ave. Many other hotels are nearby, or within a few blocks, but these are the closest, and all offer Park views from select rooms.
Some of our top value picks near Central Park include:
See the Insider Guide for dozens more Central Park NY Hotels and download our free Central Park map at Central Park NY Guide
NYC Hotels Best Holiday Decorations
Ready to have your own private winter wonderland during your NYC stay? Holiday Trees, Twinkling Lights, Santa's Mailbox, Menorahs and more.
- Lotte New York Palace - “Beautifully decorated for the holiday season” (photo)
- The NoMad Hotel - "calm oasis in midtown NYC with perfect lighting, comfortable velvet seating and a festive Christmas tree"
- Roosevelt Hotel NYC - "Loved the holiday decorations and festive feel”
See More: NYC Hotels Best Holiday Decorations
New York Christmas Vacation Packages
Prices on hotels tend to skyrocket during NYC's busiest time of year! Luckily, we have a fantastic NYC Vacation Company that has scoured the city to bring you the BEST deals and help you enjoy your NYC vacation. December is a great time to book your all inclusive NYC Vacation Package and save. All New York Christmas Vacation Packages include Hotel, Taxes, Free Attractions and Museums, Discounts, Maps, Vacation Planning Assistance and more.
Best New York Christmas Vacation Packages:
- Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Vacation Package
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular Hotel Package
- Christmas Dinner Staycation in New York City
- New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop Gala
- New Year's Eve Times Square Hotel
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.
Best Value Hotels
Enter Dates, Check Value and Secret Deals
Hotels.com NYC
Straight to All NYC Deals Page
NYC Insider Guide
Hotel Tips Promo Coupon Codes
New York City Deals and Coupons
There are New York City Coupons and Discounts available for almost everything one can do in NYC! The New York City travel guide reveals ALL our local steals and deals...
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NYC Insider Print Map and Guide to Manhattan
Download over 100 pages of NYC maps, information and recommendations in less than 5 minutes! Our NYC Insider Printable Map Guide Book, Travel Planner and Bonus Map Guides include organized, easy to follow, color coded guides, detailed maps of every neighborhood, weekly chart of Free Museum Days and Times and free weekly neighborhood tours, Best of NYC Categories and lists by ALL native New Yorkers. Download everything you need to know NYC Like a Pro and make the most of your NYC vacation.
The information provided is exactly what we were looking for to be able to plan our trip this year to NYC!! We are over the moon at all the information and maps we received. Our excitement has grown exponentially since we got our info. Thank you for the thoroughness of your guides! Well worth it! - Odette (March 2019)
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Manhattan Neighborhood Map
See our complete Manhattan Neighborhood Map and Guides
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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 learn more). 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.
NYC Skyline at Dusk
If you come to NYC, stay in a Times Square hotel, jump on a Hop On Hop Off New York City 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
Mom and Cousin on my Uncle's Checker Cab
(scanned photo - circa 1950)
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.
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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