It's no secret that New York can be a bit overwhelming for first-time (and even seasoned) visitors. There's so much to do and see; knowing where to start can be a challenge for anyone coming to the Big Apple.
But don’t worry, we're here to help ease some of that pre-trip anxiety and let you in on a few great “starter neighborhoods” worth exploring. Keep reading for the areas you shouldn't miss on your introduction to NYC.
What might currently be the most stereotypical "hipster" neighborhood, Williamsburg (and neighboring area Greenpoint), is a perfect springboard into the fast pace of Manhattan. It's a mecca for creatives—you'll find no shortage of vintage stores, aesthetic cafes, a thriving nightlife, and a waterfront view perfect for wandering.
Recently, Williamsburg has seen an uptick in gentrified spillover from greater New York City but has a rooted long-standing residential Hasidic Jewish community, as well as a multitude of immigrants from Latin America and Eastern Europe. We recommend starting the day around Domino Park for some picture-worthy views of Manhattan before working your way in through this neighborhood.
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What might currently be the most stereotypical "hipster" neighborhood, Williamsburg (and neighboring area Greenpoint), is a perfect springboard into the fast pace of Manhattan. It's a mecca for creatives—you'll find no shortage of vintage stores, aesthetic cafes, a thriving nightlife, and a waterfront view perfect for wandering.
Recently, Williamsburg has seen an uptick in gentrified spillover from greater New York City but has a rooted long-standing residential Hasidic Jewish community, as well as a multitude of immigrants from Latin America and Eastern Europe.
We recommend starting the day around Domino Park for some picture-worthy views of Manhattan before working your way in through this neighborhood.
Greenwich is arguably New York's most charming neighborhood, despite becoming a little less bohemian in recent years than it once was. A historic home to cobblestone streets, ivy-covered brick buildings, and refuge for some of the world’s most recognized poets and free thinkers, the Village will have you believing you're buzzing around in a movie backdrop.
Get acquainted with this neighborhood by walking south along Fifth Avenue to get a glorious introduction to Washington Square Park and the famous Washington Arch overhead.
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Greenwich is arguably New York's most charming neighborhood, despite becoming a little less bohemian in recent years than it once was. A historic home to cobblestone streets, ivy-covered brick buildings, and refuge for some of the world’s most recognized poets and free thinkers, the Village will have you believing you're buzzing around in a movie backdrop.
Get acquainted with this neighborhood by walking south along Fifth Avenue to get a glorious introduction to Washington Square Park and the famous Washington Arch overhead.
There's always something happening in NYC's East Village, making it a perfect place to explore. Birthplace of punk rock and the counterculture art movement of the 1970s, the East Village today is tamer than it used to be but is still a one-of-a-kind neighborhood that seamlessly blends historic and modern.
Top iconic recommendations for your first time visiting this district include Strand Bookstore, the largest non commercialized bookstore in NY with 18 miles of books inside, 10.5-acre public greenspace, Tompkins Square Park, and Webster Hall, one of the longest-running clubs (130 years!) in the village that’s still standing after a brief closure in 2017. The only way to start a day in the East Village is with a Tompkins Square Bagel (get here early to beat the lines!).
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There's always something happening in NYC's East Village, making it a perfect place to explore. Birthplace of punk rock and the counterculture art movement of the 1970s, the East Village today is tamer than it used to be but is still a one-of-a-kind neighborhood that seamlessly blends historic and modern.
Top iconic recommendations for your first time visiting this district include Strand Bookstore, the largest non commercialized bookstore in NY with 18 miles of books inside, 10.5-acre public greenspace, Tompkins Square Park, and Webster Hall, one of the longest-running clubs (130 years!) in the village that’s still standing after a brief closure in 2017. The only way to start a day in the East Village is with a Tompkins Square Bagel (get here early to beat the lines!).
What began as an Indigenous American trading post and then an industrialized rail hub has become a gathering space for the world's most inspirational artists and community builders. Since the construction of the famous Chelsea Hotel, a haven for the struggling and respected artistic crowd, this NYC neighborhood has adopted the title of one of the more eclectic areas in Manhattan.
Today, Chelsea has become synonymous with galleries, flea markets, speakeasies, and an epicenter for LGBTQ+ eateries and bars. And if the sun is shining, take a walk along the 1.45-mile-long elevated High Line park.
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What began as an Indigenous American trading post and then an industrialized rail hub has become a gathering space for the world's most inspirational artists and community builders. Since the construction of the famous Chelsea Hotel, a haven for the struggling and respected artistic crowd, this NYC neighborhood has adopted the title of one of the more eclectic areas in Manhattan.
Today, Chelsea has become synonymous with galleries, flea markets, speakeasies, and an epicenter for LGBTQ+ eateries and bars. And if the sun is shining, take a walk along the 1.45-mile-long elevated High Line park.
Soho (South of Houston street) is one of the more iconic NYC neighborhoods within the greater Lower Manhattan District. Known as a shopping enclave with hundreds of high-end boutiques and world-class restaurants, Soho is famous for a reason. From iconic cast-iron architecture to pop-up art galleries, there's something for every city-lover in this Manhattan locale.
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Soho (South of Houston street) is one of the more iconic NYC neighborhoods within the greater Lower Manhattan District. Known as a shopping enclave with hundreds of high-end boutiques and world-class restaurants, Soho is famous for a reason. From iconic cast-iron architecture to pop-up art galleries, there's something for every city-lover in this Manhattan locale.
Pro tip: start your day of exploring with a coffee and shakshuka from beloved Israeli café and restaurant, 12 Chairs, in the heart of Soho.
While most tourists and first-time visitors flock to Manhattan, Astoria is perfect for those who want a more local experience. In addition to being a more affordable place to stay than the largest borough, Astoria has easy access to Midtown, stunning parks and green space, and more open-air restaurants, bars, and cafes than you could possibly fit into one vacation.
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While most tourists and first-time visitors flock to Manhattan, Astoria is perfect for those who want a more local experience. In addition to being a more affordable place to stay than the largest borough, Astoria has easy access to Midtown, stunning parks and green space, and more open-air restaurants, bars, and cafes than you could possibly fit into one vacation.
Notable recommendations include the Welling Court Mural Project, Socrates Sculpture Garden, Astoria Park, and the LetLove Inn. We recommend popping in to Kinship Coffee and grabbing a light breakfast to-go before strolling through Astoria Park.
We have one word for why you should visit Park Slope in Brooklyn on your first trip to the big apple: brownstones. Chances are, any film you've seen that takes place in New York City in autumn features at least one scene in front of these gorgeous townhouses and tree-lined streets.
Even better, this neighborhood borders one of the city's most neglected-by-tourists green oases, Prospect Park (fun fact: this 586-acre park was designed by the same developers of Central Park and is a great starting point for a day of wandering!).
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We have one word for why you should visit Park Slope in Brooklyn on your first trip to the big apple: brownstones. Chances are, any film you've seen that takes place in New York City in autumn features at least one scene in front of these gorgeous townhouses and tree-lined streets.
Even better, this neighborhood borders one of the city's most neglected-by-tourists green oases, Prospect Park (fun fact: this 586-acre park was designed by the same developers of Central Park and is a great starting point for a day of wandering!).
No list of best areas to visit for an initial trip to New York would be complete without mentioning Midtown or the Upper East Side (though you'd be hard-pressed to find many locals hanging out here on the weekends). Midtown sits at the center of NYC's expansive grid. It’s home to dozens of the most popular tourist attractions including Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, and Broadway.
Also bordering Central Park, the wealthy UES is primarily residential but also houses incredible cultural institutions like The Guggenheim Museum, The Neue Galerie, The Frick Collection, The Jewish Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum. Pro tip: begin your time exploring this sprawling part of Manhattan around the Empire State Building or Times Square and work your way up to Central Park.
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No list of best areas to visit for an initial trip to New York would be complete without mentioning Midtown or the Upper East Side (though you'd be hard-pressed to find many locals hanging out here on the weekends). Midtown sits at the center of NYC's expansive grid. It’s home to dozens of the most popular tourist attractions including Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building, and Broadway.
Also bordering Central Park, the wealthy UES is primarily residential but also houses incredible cultural institutions like The Guggenheim Museum, The Neue Galerie, The Frick Collection, The Jewish Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum. Pro tip: begin your time exploring this sprawling part of Manhattan around the Empire State Building or Times Square and work your way up to Central Park.
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