New York Attractions & More: Your Guide to the Perfect City Break

Contents:

• Neighbourhoods by atmosphere – New York’s many faces
• New York’s most famous sights – with a few recommendations
• Museums – culture on a grand scale with unique experiences
• Parks & Nature – green oases in the metropolis
• A day straight out of a film – your movie tour of Manhattan
• Cuisine, Nightlife & Hotels – Discover New York’s diversity
• Practical tips – to ensure your New York trip goes smoothly
• Conclusion – New York in all its facets

Neighbourhoods by Mood – New York’s Many Faces

New York is a mosaic of little worlds. Every neighbourhood has its own character – sometimes classic, sometimes creative, sometimes surprisingly quiet. Anyone who immerses themselves in the city immediately senses that every street here tells a different story – and many of them lead to unique sights:

• Classic & iconic: Midtown, with Fifth Avenue, Times Square and the Empire State Building, is the New York of the postcards. The Upper East Side dazzles with elegant buildings, world-class museums and Central Park right on its doorstep. Tip for a peaceful break: the little Greenacre Park in Midtown – a hidden spot with a waterfall, a café and tables, offering a surprisingly quiet oasis amidst the hustle and bustle.

• Trendy & creative: Williamsburg in Brooklyn is full of vintage shops, rooftop bars and street art. Bushwick transforms grey façades into colourful open-air galleries, whilst the Lower East Side blends old-school delis with modern cocktail bars. Insider tip: Bushwick is known for its street art, alternative culture and a vibrant scene. If you’re in the mood for a taste of that ‘old Brooklyn feel’, you should pop into Molasses Books – a bookshop that doubles as a café and a meeting place. It’s a place that still retains a certain unpolished charm and shows why Bushwick is so fascinating to so many creative types.

• Relaxed & family-friendly: The Upper West Side exudes neighbourhood charm, with brownstones, bookshops and the American Museum of Natural History. In Brooklyn, Park Slope, with Prospect Park, is the perfect place to unwind. Insider tip: The Grand Bazaar NYC – a Sunday flea and food market on the Upper West Side, perfect for browsing and grabbing a bite to eat.

• Off the beaten track: Away from the big names, you can discover the authentic New York in smaller neighbourhoods. In Greenwich Village, narrow streets, jazz bars and small cafés invite you to take a stroll. This is also home to the long-established bookshop Three Lives & Company, which has been an institution for over 40 years. Named after Gertrude Stein’s first published book, it is famous for having virtually every work on its shelves. Nolita charms with its boutiques, street art and charming cafés. Particularly popular is The Butcher’s Daughter – a modern spot for brunch and plant-based cuisine. The name is chosen ironically, as you won’t find any meat here – instead, there are creative vegetarian dishes served in a stylish atmosphere. In Harlem, a soul food dinner at Sylvia’s is an absolute must. And in multicultural Queens, a surprise awaits: alongside street food from all over the world, it’s well worth a detour to the Louis Armstrong House Museum – the former home of the jazz legend, which today offers a very personal insight into his life and music.

New York’s most famous sights – with a few tips

New York is full of places you’ll recognise from films, photos or songs. Many of these sights are even more impressive in real life – and with a few handy tips, your visit will be even more enjoyable:

• Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island: A symbol of freedom and arrival in America. Tip: If you’d like to see the Statue of Liberty from a different angle, head to Red Hook and visit Louis Valentino, Jr. Park & Pier. From here, you’ll get a peaceful, almost private view of Lady Liberty – completely free of tourist crowds.

• Brooklyn Bridge: A stroll across the bridge is a classic. Tip: It’s best to walk from Brooklyn to Manhattan – the view of the skyline is unbeatable.

• Central Park: The city’s green heart, with lakes, bridges and meadows. Tip: Hire a bike or take a short boat trip on the lake to see more of the park.

• Empire State Building & Top of the Rock: Both offer fantastic views. Tip: For photos with the Empire State Building in the background, it’s better to go up the Rockefeller Centre.

• Times Square: Neon lights and crowds make it the epitome of the ‘Big Apple’. Tip: Pop by once in the evening, but don’t allow too much time – a quick glimpse is often enough.

• High Line: This park on the old railway line showcases the city’s creative side. Tip: Start at Hudson Yards and take a leisurely stroll to Chelsea Market for a bite to eat.

• One World Observatory & 9/11 Memorial: A blend of remembrance and views. Tip: Allow time for the Memorial – the pools bearing the names are particularly moving in the evening.

Museums – Culture on a grand scale with unique experiences

New York is a paradise for art and culture enthusiasts. The city captivates visitors with world-famous landmarks and innovative venues that allow them to immerse themselves in entirely new worlds.

• The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art): A treasure trove spanning 5,000 years of art history – from ancient Egyptian temples to the Impressionist gallery. Tip: Be sure to visit the rooftop terrace, where a magnificent view over Central Park awaits.

• MoMA (Museum of Modern Art): Icons of modern art such as Van Gogh, Picasso and Warhol hang here alongside bold contemporary art. Tip: As well as the exhibitions, the museum garden – which is free to enter – is well worth a visit. Nestled amongst tall buildings, it’s a green oasis featuring sculptures and a small pond – a peaceful spot for a short break right in the heart of Midtown.

• Whitney Museum of American Art: Specialises in contemporary American art. Tip: Don’t just enjoy the exhibitions – the rooftop terrace offers magnificent views over the Hudson and the High Line.

• American Museum of Natural History: Dinosaur skeletons, ocean exhibits and a planetarium make it a family favourite. Tip: Allow plenty of time – the dinosaur galleries alone can fill an afternoon.

• Guggenheim Museum: Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiral architecture is just as worth seeing as the artworks inside. Tip: Even a walk through the building itself is an experience.

• Tenement Museum (Lower East Side): Authentic flats show how immigrants lived in the 19th and 20th centuries. Tip: Book a guided tour – they bring the stories behind the rooms to life.

• Mercer Labs – Museum of Art and Technology (SoHo): A new highlight: immersive spaces combining light, sound and projections. Tip: Book tickets in advance, as visitor numbers are limited per time slot.

Many museums offer ‘pay-what-you-wish’ evenings or free entry on certain days. If you’re flexible with your plans, you can save quite a bit. It’s also fascinating that New York doesn’t just boast traditional venues, but also innovative formats such as ‘Masquerade’ – an immersive version of *The Phantom of the Opera* that combines theatre, art and experience in a whole new way. And alongside the museums, the city hosts international art fairs such as The Armory Show – you can find out more about this in our blog post ‘The world’s best art events that are worth every flight’.

Parks & Nature – green oases in the metropolis

Amidst all the skyscrapers, New York never ceases to surprise with its spacious parks, tranquil gardens and little havens of peace – quiet attractions that are not only beautiful but also offer a genuine breather from the fast pace of city life:

• Central Park (Manhattan): The heart of the city, larger than Monaco, with lakes, bridges and meadows. Tip: Every summer, the Delacorte Theatre at Belvedere Castle hosts free Shakespeare performances – often featuring well-known actors. Tickets are in high demand; anyone lucky enough to get one will experience magical open-air theatre.

• Bryant Park (Midtown): Small, lively and nestled amongst skyscrapers. Tip: Watch films under the open sky in summer, and enjoy the Christmas market with its ice rink in winter.

• High Line (Chelsea): An elevated park built on old railway tracks. Tip: Take a stroll from Hudson Yards to Chelsea Market – it’s the perfect way to combine views, architecture and a bite to eat.

• Brooklyn Bridge Park (Brooklyn): Situated on the East River, with a fantastic view of Downtown Manhattan. Tip: Come at sunset – the play of colours across the skyline is unforgettable.

• Prospect Park (Brooklyn): Less well-known than Central Park, but just as charming. Tip: Have a picnic with the locals at the weekend – this is where you’ll get a real taste of Brooklyn.

• The Battery (Downtown Manhattan): Right on the waterfront with views of the Statue of Liberty. Tip: Ideal for a break before continuing on the Staten Island Ferry.

• Fort Tryon Park (Uptown Manhattan): Tranquil gardens and views of the Hudson River. Tip: Plan a detour to The Cloisters Museum – a medieval experience right in the heart of New York.

• Governors Island: A green island off the coast of Manhattan, accessible by ferry. Tip: Hire bikes and relax in the hammocks at ‘Hammock Grove’ – the perfect mini-break in the city.

Quick tip: Many parks offer free events – from yoga in Bryant Park to open-air concerts in Central Park. It’s worth having a look at the events calendar.

A day straight out of a film – your movie tour of Manhattan

New York often feels as though you’re standing right in the middle of a film scene. With this itinerary, you’ll experience the most famous film locations in a single day – from romance to action, from nostalgia to glamour – whilst discovering some of the city’s most cinematic sights.

• Morning – Classic films & grand backdrops: Start at Bryant Park, one of the city’s most charming spots. Right next door is the New York Public Library – legendary from *Ghostbusters* and even more impressive in real life. A few steps further on, the main hall of Grand Central Terminal gleams, where superheroes and aliens have already taken centre stage (*The Avengers*, *Men in Black II*).
• Lunchtime – Icons to marvel at: Stroll along Fifth Avenue to the Empire State Building – a fixture of film history ever since King Kong. Then on to the Rockefeller Centre, which exudes a festive atmosphere with its ice rink (Elf, Home Alone 2). A break in one of Midtown’s delis or food markets fits perfectly into the script.
• Afternoon – Romantic scenes: Central Park offers a cinematic, romantic setting: the Bow Bridge overlooking the water, Bethesda Terrace with its impressive staircase and fountain – scenes from *Enchanted* and *Home Alone 2* were filmed here. Anyone still with energy can carry on to the famous Met Steps, which have been world-famous ever since Ocean’s 8, if not before.
• Evening – Grand Finale: To round off the day, the route takes you to Times Square – one of the most filmed crossroads in the world. Neon lights, crowds, pure energy. Unforgettable scenes from *Spider-Man*, *Vanilla Sky* and *Birdman* were shot here. For fans of TV series, it’s worth popping into the Friends Apartment Building in Greenwich Village – the iconic façade, which features time and again in the series, makes for the perfect stroll through downtown.

Extra tip: If you’d like to spend a second day on the tour, continue on to Brooklyn – with a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge, one of the city’s most famous landmarks, which has featured in films such as *Sex and the City* and *I Am Legend*. The iconic photo spot in DUMBO was made famous by *Once Upon a Time in America*, and a nostalgic evening on the Coney Island Boardwalk brings to mind classics such as *The Warriors* or *Requiem for a Dream*.

Cuisine, nightlife & hotels – discover New York’s diversity

New York tastes of pizza slices at midnight, bagels for breakfast and innovative cuisine in trendy restaurants from Nolita to Williamsburg. A dinner at Atomix – recently voted number one in the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list – is particularly impressive: a fine-dining experience that takes modern Korean cuisine to world-class levels. If you prefer something classic, order a pastrami sandwich at Katz’s Delicatessen, which has enjoyed cult status ever since *When Harry Met Sally*. More tips from our selection: the Australian-inspired Banter, with huge avocado toast variations and excellent espresso, Citizens of Chelsea with its laid-back brunch vibe, or the French-inspired Chez ma tante in Greenpoint, famous for its pancakes. For coffee breaks in between, it’s worth popping into Saltwater Coffee – a cosy little spot serving first-class flat whites.

As the sun goes down, New York reveals its other side: rooftop bars such as the stylish Refinery Rooftop in Midtown offer drinks with a view and a genuine New York atmosphere. For music lovers, the Village Vanguard remains a jazz icon, whilst the Mercury Lounge on the Lower East Side showcases indie bands and up-and-coming acts.

There’s something to suit every mood when it comes to accommodation too. For a luxurious stay, head to The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue – a classic with plenty of glamour. Those who prefer a more modern style will find minimalist design and a rooftop bar with panoramic views at the Public Hotel on the Lower East Side. And in Brooklyn, the Wythe Hotel is a standout: a former factory building with cool loft-style rooms, a creative atmosphere and views of the Manhattan skyline.

Practical tips – to make sure your trip to New York goes smoothly

• Getting there & transport: From JFK or Newark, you can get to Manhattan cheaply via the AirTrain and the Underground or train. Taxis and ride-sharing services are more convenient, but more expensive.

• Public transport: The Subway runs 24/7. With OMNY, you can check in contactless using a credit/debit card or your smartphone. Tip: Walk more than you think – many attractions are closer together than you might realise.
• Payment & Tipping: Card payments are standard; you’ll rarely need cash. In restaurants, a tip of 18–20% is customary, and taxi drivers, hairdressers and hotel staff also expect small tips. With the Swiss Bankers Travel Card, you can pay conveniently, securely and worldwide without any nasty surprises. You can also easily order cash by post – ideally before you set off.
• Prices & Taxes: In shops, prices are usually displayed excluding sales tax – so there’s a bit extra to pay at the till.
• Safety: Busy areas are safe even in the evening. Nevertheless, as in any major city, stay alert and keep valuables close to your body.
• Admission & Tickets: For popular attractions (Top of the Rock, Broadway, museums), it’s best to book tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.
• Further information: On our country information page for the USA, you’ll find useful advice on entry requirements, the security situation, payment methods and local regulations – all in a concise and up-to-date format.

Quick tip: Comfortable shoes are a must – even if you’re using the Subway, you’ll easily clock up 15–20 kilometres a day.

Conclusion – New York in all its facets

New York is loud, vibrant and full of energy – yet at the same time surprisingly green and inspiring. Anyone who explores the classic sights and is open to making little discoveries will feel the true magic of this metropolis.

Or, as they so beautifully put it in *Sex and the City*: “If you only get one great love, New York may just be mine.”..........