New York trips and vacations

See the city’s twinkling lights from the Top of the Rock Observation Deck or photograph sunsets from the Brooklyn Bridge. Whenever you book your trip to New York, the views across this city never fail to impress. At One World Observatory, sip curated cocktails after zipping up 102 stories in 47 seconds in SkyPod Elevators. 

Vacations to New York are one big tasty treat, with every conceivable cuisine on offer. Try soul food in Harlem and slurp noodles in Koreatown. Gourmands can tick off Michelin-star menus and celebrity chef venues, along with iconic restaurants that have been on the scene for decades. Order thick-cut pastrami at Katz’s Delicatessen where  the movie ‘When Harry Met Sally’ was filmed.

For museum hoppers, trips to New York are a dream. Admire the Gothic Revival-style building of The Metropolitan Museum of Art that houses one of the world’s premier collections of American and European art. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Guggenheim is only a five-minute walk from The Met. And in the American Museum of Natural History, a life-size model of a blue whale and a floor dedicated to dinosaurs thrill the kids as much as the history buffs.

To be in the heart of the razzle and dazzle, Manhattan is the best area to stay in New York. Load up your suitcase with goodies from shops along Fifth and Madison avenues. Be wowed by the neon lights of Times Square and see spectacular Broadway shows. Stroll between attractions in Midtown Manhattan, including Grand Central Station and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Good for: Entertainment, dining, shopping, nightlife

Visiting Long Island City’s Gantry Plaza State Park for unforgettable views of the Manhattan skyline is just one of the perks of staying in Queens. This diverse borough constantly tempts your taste buds with cuisine from all over the world. When you’re not eating, hop between attractions including the Museum of the Moving Image and the historic Bowne House, one of the oldest homes in the city.

Good for: International restaurants, museums, parks

This young, hip borough is where to stay in New York if you want to experience the city’s creativity minus the foot traffic. Slower-paced than Manhattan, Brooklyn is home to trailblazing wine bars, iconic vintage shops, unconventional art venues and a dining scene that’s not afraid to push the envelope. Don’t leave without taking a stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge, the city’s finest.

Good for: Theme parks, families, beaches

Eat ice creams along Coney Island Boardwalk and feel like a giant at the miniature world of Gulliver’s Gate. For more things to do with family in New York, check out the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! If the kids have energy to burn, visit Williamsburg’s Domino Park which features a playground and bocce and volleyball courts.

Leave room in your luggage (and your budget) to go shopping in New York. Splurge on Madison Avenue’s designer fashion and get retail therapy in the iconic stores of Fifth Avenue. Canal Street is a bargain hunter’s delight with its animated vendors and colorful stalls. For a more bohemian vibe, head to West Village and browse artsy souvenirs.

Admire greats like van Gogh and Picasso at Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). For new art and ideas, visit sister institute MoMA PS1 in Long Island City. Let the famous spiral ramp guide you through the Guggenheim's modern and contemporary displays, or board a boat to Ellis Island for The Statue of Liberty Museum.

From swanky clubs to sultry speakeasy jazz and cheesy karaoke tunes, the nightlife in New York captures the essence of the city that never sleeps. Club hop in the Meatpacking District or hang out in the trendy dive bars of the Lower East Side. Enjoy a drink in the wine bars of Hell’s Kitchen before catching a show at Theatre Row.

Whatever your taste buds crave, restaurants in New York serve it up. Chelsea Market is at the heart of its namesake foodie neighborhood, where tacos lead to churros and fine wines. From Little Italy to Chinatown and Koreatown, international restaurants abound. Wear your stretchiest pants to taste your way around Astoria’s scrumptious Greek and Egyptian menus.

Stick to your budget with all the free things to do in New York. Wander around iconic Central Park in Manhattan, explore outdoor art at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens and build sandcastles at Coney Island’s Brighton Beach. To see the sights from a new angle, hop on the free Staten Island Ferry. Enjoy views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Financial District skyscrapers.