Where to stay in New York City
A neighbourhood guide to New York — Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens — plus how to pick a base near the subway and the sights.
New York City rewards staying close to a subway line more than any single neighbourhood — the five boroughs are vast, and the train is how you cross them. Here is how the main areas compare for a visit.
Manhattan
- Midtown — closest to Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building and two major transit hubs; busy and central, ideal for first-timers.
- Lower Manhattan (SoHo, Tribeca, Financial District) — the 9/11 Memorial, the ferry to the Statue of Liberty, and quick access to Brooklyn.
- Upper West / Upper East Side — quieter and residential, framing Central Park and the big museums (the Met, the American Museum of Natural History).
Brooklyn & Queens
- Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope) — brownstones, waterfront skyline views, and some of the city’s best food and nightlife, minutes from Manhattan by train.
- Queens (Long Island City, Astoria) — often better value, great food, and fast trains into Midtown.
Getting around & when to go
- The subway runs 24/7; a tap-to-pay OMNY fare works on any card or phone. Stay within a few blocks of a station.
- Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant; December brings the holiday lights, and summer is hot and humid.
Browse places to stay in New York and Washington, D.C. to base your trip near the sights.