Why New York City
New York moves fast and rewards curiosity: world-class museums, a skyline you already know, Central Park’s green heart and a food scene spanning every culture — all reachable on a 24-hour subway.
01 Best time to visit
Late spring (April–June) and autumn (September–November) bring the most pleasant weather. Summers are hot and humid; December dazzles with holiday lights but is cold and busy.
A single sightseeing pass or the CityPASS can pay off if you plan to hit several paid observatories and museums — do the maths against the two or three you really want.
02 Weather & climate
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☔ 100% New York has a humid continental climate — hot, sticky summers and cold winters with snow. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots, with crisp air, clear light and comfortable days for walking.
| Season | Avg high | Avg low |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 39°F 4°C | 28°F -2°C |
| Spring | 63°F 17°C | 45°F 7°C |
| Summer | 84°F 29°C | 68°F 20°C |
| Autumn | 64°F 18°C | 48°F 9°C |
03 Top 13 things to do in New York City
04 Plan your New York City trip by theme
Short on time, travelling with kids, counting the pennies or dodging the rain? These curated guides pull together the right things to do for how you travel.
05 How long to stay in New York City
A single day? Walk from Times Square through Central Park to the Met, then head downtown for the 9/11 Memorial and catch sunset over the harbour on the free Staten Island Ferry.
06 Where to stay
07 Food & drink
New York eats around the clock and around the world: dollar pizza slices and bagels, pastrami on rye, dumplings in Chinatown and fine dining everywhere in between. Follow your nose — some of the best food is from a cart or a hole-in-the-wall.
08 Day trips
09 Getting into New York City from the airport
New York has three airports: JFK and Newark (EWR) for most international and long-haul flights, LaGuardia (LGA) mainly for domestic routes.
| From the airport | Time | Cost (approx) |
|---|---|---|
| AirTrain + subwayJFK AirTrain ($8.50) + subway ($2.90) — cheapest | 60–75 min | ~$11 |
| Taxi (JFK flat fare)Flat $70 to anywhere in Manhattan | 45–70 min | ~$70 + tolls/tip |
| Ride-hailingUber/Lyft; varies with demand | 45–75 min | ~$60–90 |
From Newark the AirTrain links to NJ Transit trains into Penn Station; from JFK it links to the subway and LIRR.
10 Entry & visa for US citizens
- Passport
- Not needed for domestic US travel; from 2025 a REAL ID-compliant licence (or passport) is required to board a domestic flight.
- Visa
- None for US citizens — this is a domestic trip.
- Cost
- —
- Good to know
- Foreign visitors usually need an ESTA (~$21) under the Visa Waiver Program, or a US visa.
Last checked 2026-09-08. Entry rules change — always confirm with the official government source before you book.
11 Getting around New York City
Fly into JFK, Newark (EWR) or LaGuardia (LGA); the AirTrain plus subway, or an express bus, reaches Manhattan in 45–75 minutes. In the city, the 24-hour subway is the fastest way around — tap a card or phone to ride.