New York Holidays

New York uses the US Dollar as its currency. You can find today's rate and can order your dollars commission-free on our Hays Travel Money page. Card is king in New York - contactless and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, from Broadway box offices and Fifth Avenue stores to yellow cabs and the subway. That said, it's worth carrying some cash for the small things that make the trip: tipping (usually 15-20% in restaurants, and a few dollars for bellhops, housekeeping and tour guides), hot pretzels from a street cart, or that spontaneous coffee in Central Park. Plenty of smaller delis and food trucks still love a cash sale.

• The answer here is lots! One of the main attractions of New York is the wealth of activities you can do, sights you can see and food experiences you can enjoy. Explore our list of some of the top must-see things to do below.
  Visit the Statue of Liberty. When visiting New York city, you should go visit this amazing statue as it is well known around the world and something you should tick off your bucket list. You can also visit the Ellis Island located right next to the statue of liberty which is home to the Immigration Museum.
  See the view from the top of the Empire State building. This iconic should be on your next stop when exploring the city. At the top of this building, you can see the breathtaking New York skyline and see places such as the Chrysler Building and Central Park.
• Relax on Coney Island. A fun filled place for all the family at the beach. Famous Hot dogs, Ferris wheels, an aquarium and luna park await for you to have an amazing break away from home. This long seaside beach is a perfect spot to relax when visiting New York city.
• Explore Central Park. This amazing park is made up of 843 acres of preserved greenery. There are many things to do here with activities such as having a nice scenic walk, bike ride around the park, stop the restaurants, skate and visit the fountains.

New York’s climate has clearly defined seasons, with hot summers and chilly winters. Visit in spring and autumn for warm days. A summer adventure in the Big Apple features long days, bustling street festivals, spectacular outdoor performances and concerts and is the perfect time to for a beach trip to Coney Island.

Perhaps the most magical time to plan your visit is in the build-up to Christmas and New Year. A time when strings of lights decorate 5th Avenue and Christmas trees adorn Manhattan, the atmosphere of New York at Christmas is unlike any other. Wrap up warm, you may even see Manhattan dusted in snow.

The most popular place to stay for tourists visiting the city, if you want easy access to the top sights, Manhattan is the place to be. For quieter residential areas near Central Park, stay in Uptown. For tons of attractions and hotels right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, stay in Midtown. However, if you’ve visited the city before and are looking for a change of scene, why not check out Brooklyn?

The ideal length of a New York holiday depends on what you'd like to see and do. For many first-time travellers, a New York city break of 3-4 nights allows enough time to squeeze in the highlights, but 5-8 nights really lets you explore every corner of the city. Whether you're booking a short New York city break or a longer New York holiday package, planning your itinerary in advance will help you make the most of your time in one of the world's most exciting destinations.

It is possible to enjoy a cheaper New York holiday experience. Budget-friendly hotel options are available in most areas and there are plenty of free activities on offer. Travel outside of the peak summer and winter seasons (between February and April) when prices are lower due to less demand, and stick to budget-friendly eateries to keep costs down.

Yes! New York has lots of accommodation available. This means even if you’ve left it to the last minute to book, there will still be many options available.

Getting around New York is refreshingly easy, and part of the fun. The subway runs 24 hours a day and is the quickest and cheapest way to cross the city. The iconic yellow cabs are everywhere and easy to flag and Manhattan's neat grid of walkable blocks means many of the big sights are closer than you'd think.

You'll usually fly into one of three airports, each a different distance from Midtown Manhattan:

JFK (John F. Kennedy) is around 15 miles out, typically 45-60 minutes by car, or a straightforward journey on the AirTrain and subway.
LaGuardia (LGA) is the closest airport to the city centre, around 8 miles out and usually 30-40 minutes by car.
Newark (EWR) is roughly 16 miles out in New Jersey, approximately 45-60 minutes by car, with an AirTrain and train link into the city.

Travel times vary with New York's famous traffic, so it's always worth allowing a little extra time.