New York holidays

‘The Big Apple’ may be the most visited city in the US, but the best holidays to New York go beyond Broadway, skyscraper observation decks and Fifth Avenue shopping. To appreciate the full glory of the ‘Empire State’, hit the beaches, ski the Olympic-level slopes and gape at the jaw-dropping natural wonder of Niagara Falls.

Top destinations in New York

Buffalo

Less than an hour from the Canadian border, Buffalo radiates an urban spirit with world-class architecture, must-see museums and arguably the best chicken wings on the planet.

Ithaca

From waterfall hikes to farmers markets and cheap eats, see why upstate New York’s coolest college town remains refreshingly down-to-earth.

New York City

The city that never sleeps keeps you busy with epic parks, iconic landmarks and enough art galleries, pizza joints and Broadway shows to keep you coming back for more.

Rochester

Home to lakeside beaches, cascading waterfalls and one truly original hot dog, this city in upstate New York has everything you need for an action-packed getaway.

New York: fast facts

Language

English

Currency

United States dollar ($)

Time zone

New York City - UTC−5 (EST) and UTC−4 (EDT)

High season

May – August; November – December

Low season

January – March

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New York holiday highlights

Statue of Liberty

Visit Ellis Island

Ever since the Dutch landed here in the early 1600s, New York City has served as a new home for immigrants. The National Immigration Museum at Ellis Island gives you a glimpse at what some 12 million newcomers experienced upon arrival in the US. Plus, the quick ferry ride to Liberty Island lets you get up close and personal with the Statue of Liberty.

See Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is hands-down one of the best things to see in New York. At Horseshoe Falls, watching 5.6 million litres per second drop 53 metres is truly electrifying — charged particles in the air can make hair stand on end. For a sopping-wet good time, consider a boat ride on Maid of the Mist or a behind-the-falls tour with Cave of the Winds.

Olympic village

The winter wonderland town of Lake Placid in the Adirondacks region hosted the Olympics twice, and it continues to welcome world-class sporting events in bobsled and Nordic and alpine skiing. Slalom down some of the same runs as Olympians at Whiteface, or take a few laps of the outdoor speed skating oval just outside of the town centre.

Things to do in New York

Times Square

Top attractions

You can’t visit New York City without experiencing the electricity of Times Square and its dazzling billboards. The city’s beacon of freedom, the Statue of Liberty, can be viewed from land or by ferry — or seen from within by climbing up to its crown. The three roaring waterfalls that form Niagara Falls draw millions of visitors each year.

Beaches

The beaches in New York don’t disappoint. At the east end of Long Island, Montauk’s Ditch Plains is a surfing hotspot. Within New York City, check out the iconic boardwalk at Coney Island or take a riverside jog at Gansevoort Beach in Hudson River Park. Take a dip in the clear waters of Lake George at Rogers Memorial Park in Bolton.

Nature

With its cool rock formation and over 100 kilometres of hiking trails, Letchworth State Park is known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the East’. Ausable Chasm in the Adirondacks offers whitewater rafting and a heart-pumping cable bridge on the adventure trail. And ‘The Gunks’ outside New Paltz have craggy quartz walls that make for some of the best rock climbing in the region.

Cuisine

The restaurants in New York are some of the best in the world. But what should really be on your foodie checklist are a few iconic carbs and savoury starters. That means warm bagels, classic pizza slices and street cart hot dogs loaded with mustard and sauerkraut. In Buffalo, order the wings crisp, spicy and cooled with blue cheese dressing.

Culture and museums

You could spend weeks exploring the museums in New York. The Guggenheim, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art are all within walking distance from one another. For something unique, check out the Storm King Art Center, an outdoor modern sculpture museum in the Hudson Valley, or The Corning Museum of Glass in the Finger Lakes region.

Nightlife

New York City has the best nightlife in the state and, many argue, the world. The action is especially concentrated in the Lower East Side and Meatpacking District in Manhattan and Williamsburg and Bushwick in Brooklyn. In upstate New York, Albany is known for its craft beer and indie spirits scene and Buffalo for its live music venues.

Find the best time to visit New York

Weather in New York through the year

March – May: Spring begins peeking through in late March, but officially announces itself in April. The days are mild and warm, with passing showers.

June – August: New York’s summers are hot and humid, usually at their most intense in August. But aside from the occasional heat wave, temperatures rarely exceed 30°C in most areas.

September – November: Many consider autumn to be the best time to visit New York. The skies are blue, the air is crisp, and the foliage puts on a show.

December – February: In New York City, the temperature doesn’t often dip below −2°C, with only occasional snow. Upstate, you can expect more frigid temps and a nearly permanent blanket of powder.

Events in New York

Tribeca Festival (June): This popular film festival is known for its well-curated mix of independent movies, music, TV and more. You can buy tickets for single screenings or a pass to nearly two weeks of programming.

New York State Fair (August to September): Set in the college town of Syracuse, this is a supersized version of the classic American fair. It’s best after dark, whether you’re looking out at the neon-lit stalls from the giant Ferris wheel or attending one of its many concerts.

New Year’s Eve Ball Drop (December): Around a million visitors brave crowds and cold to be part of one of the most famous New Year’s Eve parties in the world, held in Times Square.

Know before you go

Budget

Even in New York City, there are budget-friendly options to be found, like bagels or pizza by the slice. Buffalo is a great hub for cheap holidays in New York. You can find an inexpensive meal for about 30 US dollars ($) and a cappuccino for less than $5. A quick taxi ride will run you about $11.

Health and safety

Locals may casually jaywalk in New York City, but visitors should be more cautious and heed traffic lights when crossing busy streets. In rural areas, wear insect repellent and check for ticks after hikes, especially from spring to autumn. When driving in winter, take it slow — snow and black ice can send cars spinning out.

Free things to do

For sweeping New York City views without spending a dime, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or ride the Staten Island Ferry (which passes by the Statue of Liberty). Or visit Chelsea’s free art galleries for some culture, then walk across The High Line, an elevated railway track turned garden. Free hiking trails abound throughout the state, including the 1,210-kilometre-long Empire State Trail.

Family friendly

Don’t miss New York City’s American Museum of Natural History with its storied collection, including a famous Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. At nearby Central Park, families race model boats in a pond or paddle the real thing around a lake. Outside the city, look for LEGOLAND in Goshen, the Kartrite Indoor Waterpark in Monticello and The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.

Getting around New York

The High Line

Public transport

Buses: Greyhound is the largest bus operator in New York. Megabus and Trailways also have extensive bus networks and ultralow fares. Within New York City, buses are operated by the MTA, which also runs the subways.

Trains: Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road commuter rails connect New York City to the surrounding suburbs. The rest of the state is criss-crossed by Amtrak trains.

Boats: The bulk of the ferries operate around New York City’s five boroughs, transporting commuters and tourists alike. Upstate, ferries carry visitors from New York to Vermont’s Lake Champlain.

Domestic flights

New York City’s JFK and LaGuardia are the biggest airports in the state. Many find it equally convenient to fly in and out of Newark, New Jersey, located just outside the city. The rest of the state is well served by a mix of regional and international airports, including hubs in Buffalo, Rochester and Albany.

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Driving and car hire

Multiple interstate freeways make driving in New York state fast and efficient. Some major roads, like the New York State Thruway, require tolls. Avoid driving in notoriously gridlocked New York City and take the subway instead.

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FAQs about New York holidays

Staying in New York City is a given. Midtown Manhattan provides easy access to marquee attractions, while places like the Upper West Side and Brooklyn let you experience the city like a local. Further afield, try the Finger Lakes wine region in summer, the Catskills’ small towns in autumn and the Adirondacks for winter sports.
New York City occupies a tiny fraction of the state’s total landmass, so there is a lot to see beyond the five boroughs. You could easily spend four days in the city and then a handful more exploring Long Island and upstate communities.
Spring and autumn have mild, pleasant weather, making them the best times to visit New York. September and October, in particular, offer great foliage-viewing opportunities upstate, as well as warm days for walking the beaches on Long Island. If winter sports or holiday shopping are your passion, plan to visit in the winter.
New York is very safe and tourist friendly overall. In crowded areas, on public transport and in popular tourist spots, take common-sense precautions with your valuables. If you are visiting beaches on the south shore of Long Island, be aware of rip currents.
English is the official language of New York, with Spanish being the second most commonly spoken language. In New York City, you can hear dozens of languages being spoken, from Russian and Arabic to Chinese and Haitian Creole.
New York’s currency is the US dollar ($), which can be withdrawn at ATMs in banks and shops all over the state. Credit cards and mobile payments are widely accepted, but it’s smart to carry some cash for smaller purchases. Tipping 20% on meals is standard practice.