Where to stay in New York: best areas and neighborhoods
Open IndexNew York is one of those cities you should visit at least once in your life. The skyscrapers, the lights, the thousand things to see and do: you will feel like you are in a movie! Even though it is nicknamed the city that never sleeps because it is busy 24/7, choosing what part to stay in is essential. New York is very vast and includes 5 districts, so it is not limited only to Manhattan, the most visited district and, of course, also the most expensive. But one thing in your favour is the excellent public transport, above all the metro, which will allow you to get anywhere in the city even if you choose to stay further away from the main attractions.
Here is your guide to staying in New York: tips and the best places to stay.
Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay in New York City
New York is a very large city, with an area of 783,8 km and more than 8 million inhabitants. It is made up of 5 districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and The Bronx.
The best district to stay in is definitely Manhattan, but also the most expensive, because it is home to the main attractions such as the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center with Top of The Rock, Times Square and Central Park, not forgetting the many museums, shops and events. Manhattan can be subdivided into many zones and districts, but it is generally split into Uptown, Midtown and Downtown.
In Manhattan there are also cheaper options such as hostels, but you will have to make some compromises. Conversely, if you want a large private room with its own bathroom, we recommend the districts of Brooklyn and Long Island, in Queens. The latter is particularly far from Manhattan so you will need to use the subway every day. Staying in Manhattan, you can stay in Harlem. For those travelling with children, we recommend quieter neighbourhoods, such as the residential areas of Upper West Side and Upper East Side.
- Recommended areas to stay on a budget: Long Island City, district in Brooklyn, Harlem
- Recommended areas for families with children: Upper West Side, Upper East Side, West Village
- Recommended areas for young people: Midtown Manhattan, Times Square zone
- Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in NYC. Check out our recommendations and make your reservation on Booking
Guide to the areas of New York City
As already mentioned, New York, is divided into 5 districts: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and The Bronx. However, we do not recommend staying in Staten Island or The Bronx. In Queens you can opt for Long Island City. In Brooklyn, choose the western part, the one near the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
Manhattan is the best district to stay in, due to its proximity to attractions and, above all, for the wide tourist offer. Moreover, even if it is impossible to visit all of New York on foot, by staying in Manhattan, a lot of the neighbourhoods and some attractions will be within walking distance. There are lots of districts in Manhattan, but they can be grouped into three general areas, each with their own characteristics and accommodation to choose from:
- Uptown Manhattan: the northernmost part, Upper West Side, Upper East Side and the Harlem neighbourhood. It develops around Central Park going north
- Midtown Manhattan: the heart of the district, includes attractions such as Times Square, MoMa, the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center
- Lower Manhattan: the southernmost part, includes neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village, Soho and Tribeca. It is also the heart of the financial district, with Wall Street and the World Trade Center
Not recommended areas: Although New York is a huge city, it is relatively safe. However, there are areas which are better to avoid and are off the tourist trail, so in any case there are limited options. We therefore advise against South Bronx, where it is recommended to move carefully, even during the day, and East Brooklyn (the attractions and main accommodations are concentrated in the western part). In general, it is recommended to remain vigilant in the more peripheral areas at night.
Uptown Manhattan / Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Harlem
Uptown Manhattan is the most northern part of Manhattan. Here you will find the Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighbourhoods, divided by Central Park, and the neighbourhood of Harlem further north.
It is an area most suited to families and it is also excellent for reaching Central Park quickly, ideal to visit with children thanks to the many activities to do, such as the Central Park Zoo or, in winter, the skating rink. In this area there are also important museums and it is well served by the subway. Thanks to the many stations, located in strategic points and near the main attractions, you can move quickly throughout Manhattan.
The Harlem neighbourhood is suitable if you are on a tight budget. Here it is easier to find slightly larger rooms. Travelling to other areas of Manhattan is very simple thanks to the efficient services of the subway and buses!
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about $80,00 for low-cost accommodation to $450,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking.
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Courtyard New York Manhattan/Upper East Side | 3-star hotel, 15 minutes from Central Park. Equipped with gym and parking. Ideal for families and couples |
| The Harlem Pearl | Harlem apartments with kitchens. Pets Allowed. Ideal for families, groups and couples |
| Hi NYC Hostel | Upper West Side hostel, 10 mins from Central Park. Shuttle service, restaurant. Ideal for young people and couples |
| Hotel Beacon | 4-star hotel. 805 m from Central Park. Suites equipped with kitchenette. Gym, bar and restaurant. Ideal for families and couples |
Midtown Manhattan / Times Square, Broadway
Midtown Manhattan is the heart of New York. Here you will find Times Square, Broadway, the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, one of the symbols of NYC.
There is no shortage of shops, restaurants and clubs, as well as discos and bars open all night! It is the ideal place to stay if you want to be central and close to everything. Obviously, the prices are slightly higher, but you can also find excellent low cost solutions in hostels, for the most part they are clean and organized, and here there are lots, especially suitable for young people. Before choosing accommodation, we always recommend you to read the reviews left by previous guests. Obviously there is no shortage of super luxurious options either, with incredible views of New York and prices from $650,00 a night!
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about $90,00 for low-cost accommodation to $650,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking.
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Park Terrace Hotel on Bryant Park | 4-star hotel 500 metres from the Empire State Building and Times Square. 24h reception, gym, restaurant, rooms for the disabled. Ideal for families and couples |
| Radio City Apartments | Apartments 500 m from the Rockefeller Center. Family rooms available, 24-hour reception, private parking. Ideal for families, couples and groups of friends |
| The Langham New York Fifth Avenue | 5-star hotel on 5th Avenue. Room service, 24-hour reception, restaurant, bar and parking. Ideal for couples and families |
Lower Manhattan / Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca
Lower Manhattan is the southern part of the district. It is the financial heart of New York, due to the presence of Wall Street and the World Trade Center, the place where the Twin Towers once stood. Today you can visit the 9/11 Memorial here.
This area of Manhattan is also great for choosing accommodation as there is plenty to choose from and the neighbourhoods in this part of the borough are very different from each other. Greenwich Village is ideal for families, Soho and Tribeca are artistic districts full of designer shops and art galleries, more suitable for couples. Soho is a very expensive neighbourhood to live in, so the prices here are very high.
If you are staying in this area, you can easily reach many attractions: the subway will take you to both Midtown and Upper Manhattan. Ferries also depart from here to reach the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.The subway station to get to the terminal is South Ferry Station.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about $90,00 for low-cost accommodation to $650,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking
Recommended Accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hotel Arlo SoHo | 4-star hotel with bar and restaurant. Non-smoking rooms, rooms for the disabled. Ideal for families and couples |
| WeLive Wall Street | Apartment less than 2 km from the 9/11 Memorial and the One World Trade Center. Family rooms, restaurant and bar available. Ideal for families, couples and groups of friends |
| Crosby Street Hotel | 5-star hotel in Soho. Non-smoking rooms, gym, restaurant, airport shuttle service. Ideal for couples |
District of Queens / Long Island City
Staying outside of Manhattan is not a great choice, as you risk wasting a lot of precious time traveling by public transport. But if you want to get to know a different area, perhaps quieter but with excellent connections, then we recommend Long Island City. It is located in Queens and is an option because it is much cheaper.
Long Island City is located in the most westerly part of Queens and is bordered by the East River. From its shore you can admire the wonderful New York skyline. Here, the accommodation facilities are numerous, so you will have no problem finding something for your needs. In addition, the links to Manhattan are excellent: you can also get to the opposite bank of the river with the ferry that connects Hunters Point South, Long Island, and East 34th Street, Manhattan. Plus, the purple 4 subway connects Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue Station to Bryant Park Station, a short walk from Times Square.
Average prices in the neighborhood range from about $60,00 for low-cost accommodation to $300,00 for more expensive options - compare the best accommodation on Booking.
Recommended accommodation
| Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
| Hyatt Place Long Island City | 3-star hotel with gym, restaurant, parking. Pets Allowed. Ideal for couples and families. 300 metres from the metro station |
| LIC Hotel | 3-star hotel with terrace, bar and private parking. 200 metres from the metro station, great for couples |
| The Local NY | Hostel with shared kitchen, skyline terrace, bar, 24-hour reception. Ideal for groups of friends and young people |
| Ravel Hotel by Wyndham | 4-star hotel with views of Manhattan skyline. Gym, private parking, seasonal outdoor swimming pool, rooms for the disabled. Ideal for couples and families |
Places to stay near New York
Being a very large city, made up of 5 large districts, staying in neighbouring cities is not recommended, as it would take too long to reach the attractions you intend to visit.
Nor should the cost of public transport to reach Manhattan be underestimated. There are several subscriptions that will save you money, but it is still quite expensive. Also, after a long day walking the streets of New York, it could be quite stressful and tiring to spend more than an hour on public transport to reach your accommodation.
However, a viable alternative is Jersey City, New Jersey, right on the border with the state of New York and in the Liberty State Park area, where the Statue of Liberty is located. This area is not part of New York, but there are attractions to visit nonetheless, such as the Hoboken neighbourhood. There are also numerous accommodations to choose from, from hotels to hostels. To reach Manhattan you can take the metro, the bus or the ferry that crosses the Hudson River - Hotels and b&b's start from $90,00 per room
If you are in New York for business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com