Where to stay in New York City: the best areas, with a walk through each
6 areas compared. Watch the streets before you book.
New York is a city of neighbourhoods, and each one feels like a different town. The subway runs all night and links them all, so the real question is not location alone but the atmosphere you want outside your door: neon and crowds, leafy brownstones or late-night bars.
These are the six areas most visitors choose between, five in Manhattan and one across the river in Brooklyn. For each you'll find who it suits, who should look elsewhere, what is on foot, and a walk through its streets so you can feel it before you book.
The best areas to stay in New York City at a glance
| Area | Best for | Vibe | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown Manhattan | First-timers, Broadway, Short stays | Skyscrapers, Times Square lights and non-stop energy | Most subway lines meet here; walk to Central Park |
| Lower Manhattan | Sightseeing, History, Value | Wall Street towers, historic lanes and harbour views | Subway hub at Fulton Street; ferries to Brooklyn and Staten Island |
| Greenwich Village | Couples, Local feel, Food lovers | Brownstones, tree-lined streets, jazz clubs and cafés | Subway at West 4th Street and Christopher Street |
| Lower East Side | Nightlife, Young travellers, Food | Tenement streets, bars, galleries and late-night food | Subway at Delancey Street and Second Avenue |
| Upper West Side | Families, Museums, Quiet nights | Elegant apartment buildings between two great parks | Subway lines 1, 2, 3, B and C to Midtown in minutes |
| Williamsburg, Brooklyn | Repeat visitors, Nightlife, Skyline views | Waterfront parks, rooftop bars and independent shops | L train to Manhattan in about 10 minutes; East River ferry |
1.Midtown Manhattan
- First-timers
- Broadway
- Short stays
Walk through Midtown Manhattan: video by Walking Alice on YouTube.
The New York of postcards: Times Square, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue and the Broadway theatres. It has more hotels than anywhere else in the city and puts you a short walk or ride from almost everything.
Stay here if
- It's your first visit and you want the icons on foot
- You're going to Broadway shows
- You want the widest choice of hotels and subway lines
Skip it if
- Crowds and noise wear you out
- You want a neighbourhood feel with local cafés and bars
Within a 10-minute walk
Times Square · Rockefeller Center · Empire State Building · Bryant Park · Grand Central Terminal · Fifth Avenue
2.Lower Manhattan
- Sightseeing
- History
- Value
Walk through Lower Manhattan: video by HP Walking Tours on YouTube.
The Financial District and the oldest streets in the city, around Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial and Battery Park. Weekend hotel rates are often lower than in Midtown, and the Statue of Liberty ferries leave from here.
Stay here if
- You want the 9/11 Memorial, Wall Street and the Statue of Liberty ferries close by
- You're looking for better weekend rates
- You'd like walks along the harbour and over the Brooklyn Bridge
Skip it if
- You want lively streets at night: parts of the area go quiet after office hours
- You'll spend most evenings in Midtown or uptown
Within a 10-minute walk
9/11 Memorial & Museum · Wall Street · Battery Park · Brooklyn Bridge · Seaport · Staten Island Ferry
3.Greenwich Village
- Couples
- Local feel
- Food lovers
Walk through Greenwich Village: video by Strolling The City on YouTube.
Leafy streets of brownstones and townhouses that break Manhattan's grid, with Washington Square Park at the centre. It is one of the city's most charming places to stay, full of small restaurants, music venues and bookshops.
Stay here if
- You want a romantic, residential New York
- You love eating out and live music
- You'd like to walk to SoHo, the High Line and the Meatpacking District
Skip it if
- You're on a budget: there are few hotels and they're not cheap
- You want big hotel amenities
Within a 10-minute walk
Washington Square Park · Bleecker Street · The High Line · Christopher Street · SoHo · Chelsea Market
4.Lower East Side
- Nightlife
- Young travellers
- Food
Walk through Lower East Side: video by Pictures of New York on YouTube.
A former immigrant neighbourhood of tenement buildings that is now one of Manhattan's liveliest nightlife areas. Small galleries, dive bars, cocktail lounges and classic delis share the streets.
Stay here if
- You want bars and restaurants on your doorstep
- You enjoy history and a gritty, creative atmosphere
- You'd like the East Village and Chinatown on foot
Skip it if
- You're a light sleeper, especially on weekends
- You want polished, classic Manhattan
Within a 10-minute walk
Tenement Museum · Orchard Street · Essex Market · Chinatown · East Village · Seward Park
5.Upper West Side
- Families
- Museums
- Quiet nights
Walk through Upper West Side: video by Pictures of New York on YouTube.
A calm, residential neighbourhood between Central Park and Riverside Park, home to the American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center. It feels like everyday New York, with bakeries, markets and brownstone side streets.
Stay here if
- You're travelling with children: the parks and museums are on foot
- You prefer quiet evenings and local life
- You want Central Park for morning walks or runs
Skip it if
- You want nightlife on your doorstep
- You'd rather be close to downtown neighbourhoods
Within a 10-minute walk
Central Park · American Museum of Natural History · Lincoln Center · Riverside Park · Columbus Avenue · Strawberry Fields
6.Williamsburg, Brooklyn
- Repeat visitors
- Nightlife
- Skyline views
Walk through Williamsburg, Brooklyn: video by Maximiniano Nascimento on YouTube.
Brooklyn's trendiest neighbourhood, just across the East River from Manhattan. It has waterfront parks with skyline views, weekend food markets, vintage shops and a big bar and music scene, often at lower hotel prices than Manhattan.
Stay here if
- You've seen Manhattan before and want a different side of New York
- You like rooftop bars, live music and independent shops
- You want Manhattan skyline views at sunset
Skip it if
- It's your first, short visit and the Manhattan sights are the priority
- You'd rather not depend on one main subway line
Within a 10-minute walk
Domino Park · Bedford Avenue · East River State Park · Williamsburg Bridge · McCarren Park · North 6th Street waterfront
Manhattan or Brooklyn?
On a first trip, Manhattan saves the most time: Midtown for the icons, Greenwich Village or the Lower East Side for neighbourhood life, the Upper West Side for families. Brooklyn suits repeat visitors and travellers who want a more local, creative city and a little more space for the money.
Getting around
The subway runs 24 hours, and you can tap in with a contactless card or phone; fares are capped after a set number of rides in a week. Walking between neighbourhoods is part of the fun, and many sights in this guide are only 15 to 30 minutes apart on foot.
From JFK, the AirTrain connects to the subway and to Long Island Rail Road trains into Penn Station in Midtown. From Newark, trains run to Penn Station as well.
Hotel tips
New York rooms are small and city taxes add to the price, so compare the final total. Midtown hotels are often cheapest on weekdays in quieter months, while Lower Manhattan can be good value at weekends.
Where to stay in New York City: common questions
What is the best area to stay in New York for first-timers?
Midtown Manhattan, for Times Square, Broadway and the main landmarks on foot. If you'd prefer a neighbourhood feel, Greenwich Village is a charming alternative a short subway ride away.
Is it better to stay in Manhattan or Brooklyn?
Manhattan on a first, short visit, to save travel time. Brooklyn, especially Williamsburg, is great for repeat visitors, nightlife and skyline views, and is usually a little cheaper.
Where should families stay in New York?
The Upper West Side, next to Central Park and the Natural History Museum, with calmer streets and good subway links.
Which New York neighbourhood is best for nightlife?
The Lower East Side and the East Village in Manhattan, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Is it safe to stay in Times Square?
Yes, it is busy and well policed day and night. The main drawbacks are crowds, noise and prices, so many visitors prefer a hotel a few blocks away.
Areas change over time. Check recent reviews and the exact location of your hotel before you book. Hotel links may earn Walking Atlas a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring New York City
The New York City city guide has more 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
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