If you're counting down the weeks or months until you can take a much-needed vacation, you might be considering a trip to New York City. This diverse, exciting, and dynamic American hotspot is home to everything from excellent bars and restaurants to theaters, galleries, museums, shops, landmarks, green space, and so much more.
However, if you've never been to this part of the U.S. before, it can be tricky trying to decide which neighborhood to base yourself from during your trip. Each borough and zone has a different look and feel, not to mention appeal, so it pays to learn what's what, especially in the most popular suburbs.
Midtown
Many tourists stay in Midtown Manhattan when they go to New York City because this is the place to be for the heart of the action in "The Big Apple," and it's home to a considerable number of accommodation options. Stay in Midtown if you want to stand in the middle of Times Square, have a romantic moment at the top of the Empire State Building, or wander around Central Park.
This hotspot is also an excellent base from which to explore the Museum of Modern Art and the main New York Public Library or listen to a concert at Carnegie Hall. This neighborhood also gives you easy access to Macy's Department store, the Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Broadway if you want to take in a show. Plus, a stay in Midtown will keep you close to Grand Central Terminal, the famous historical railway terminal shown so often in films.
Lower East Side, SoHo, and East Village
If you're keen to stay in a part of New York City that gives you a grit-meets-glam vibe, head to the Lower East Side. It has many cultural layers and historically has been the center of multiculturalism in the bustling city. Today, it's an eclectic area boasting some of the best vintage stores in NYC, a raft of trendy bars and lounges, cozy cafes, chic restaurants, local diners, and hidden-gem sandwich shops.
Alternatively, base yourself in classic, fashionable SoHo. Named because it is "South of Houston," this chic zone features cobbled streets, impressive loft architecture, high-end restaurants, and swanky department stores. However, it still retains a comfortable neighborhood feel.
Another suburb to consider is The East Village. North of SoHo, this vibrant and beloved pocket has a broad mix of residents and has been the epicenter of bohemian life in the big city since the early 1900s. It was home to creators such as Allen Ginsberg and Diane Arbus and inspired great thinkers from many disciplines. It was also the birthplace of American punk rock. Today, it features many upscale shops, restaurants, and modern East Village hotel options, yet it remains a neighborhood that draws in innovators, misfits, and risk-takers.
Upper East and Upper West Sides
For travelers who love culture and high-end hotels and boutiques, the Upper East and Upper West Sides are a good fit. These zones have been home to many famous dynasties over the years and used as the settings for such iconic films and TV shows as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sex and the City, and Gossip Girl.
You'll find a wide variety of renowned galleries and museums nearby when you stay in these neighborhoods. There's the American Museum of Natural History, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim Museum, The Frick Collection, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Neue Galerie (for German and Austrian art). If you adore music and dance, you'll be close by to the New York Philharmonic symphony orchestra and the New York City Ballet, both of which base themselves at the Lincoln Center.
Brooklyn and Williamsburg
If you're looking for somewhere a little edgier and more removed from the center of Manhattan, cross the river via the famous Brooklyn Bridge to hip Brooklyn. While it used to be a gritty spot known for gangsters, today, the area is more famous for hipsters, particularly the Williamsburg suburb. It draws in the young and fashionable with many vintage stores, flea markets, trendy cafes, buzzing restaurants, and bright street art.
The neighborhood boasts a happening nightlife scene, with many bars and music halls, as well as seasonal venues that host outdoor concerts. The waterfront in Brooklyn gives visitors and locals alike brilliant views of the Manhattan skyline, plus from this suburb, you're only a train ride away from Coney Island for some nostalgic arcade fun.
There are numerous other top spots in New York City to check out, so do your research to find the area that's the best fit for your tastes and needs. Or, better yet, stay awhile in the "City that Never Sleeps" so you can try many of them!
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
