City guide · United States
Our guide to New York: Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty, SoHo shopping, the High Line, Midtown's skyscrapers, Central Park and its museums, and the iconic Brooklyn Bridge view: hours, prices and the best addresses.
New York reveals itself neighborhood by neighborhood, on foot and by subway.
From Wall Street to Harlem, by way of Midtown's skyscrapers and Brooklyn's cobbled streets, Manhattan and its surroundings pack in an unmatched density of landmarks, shops and great addresses. You explore it by zone, from the historic south up to the leafy north around Central Park.
Ground Zero · Wall Street · Statue de la Liberté
The southern tip of Manhattan holds the city's history: historic skyscrapers, the 9/11 memorial, and views over New York Bay.
Lower Manhattan's new skyline
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, with its two reflecting pools marking where the Twin Towers stood, is unmissable — as is the Oculus and the adjoining Liberty Park. Nearby, One World Trade Center and its One World Observatory offer the most vertiginous view over the city.
In the footsteps of Ghostbusters and the stock exchange
The Wall Street bull, the New York Stock Exchange, and the neighboring Trinity Church tell the story of the city's financial history. Don't miss St Paul's Chapel, the vintage department store Century 21, New York's City Hall and its park, and — a nod to film buffs — the Ghostbusters headquarters at 14 North Moore Street.
The icon of New York Bay
The ferry crossing to Liberty Island and Ellis Island — once the main entry point for immigrants to the United States — remains one of the city's must-dos. Budget around €30 for the standard crossing, €30 with pedestal access, or opt for a full helicopter flight over Manhattan (~€200).
« New York isn't seen all at once — you cross through it, neighborhood by neighborhood. »
Broadway · Chinatown · Little Italy
New York's streetwear temple
Between Broadway, Lafayette Street and Greene Street, SoHo concentrates the must-visit flagships: Kith, Carhartt WIP, Glossier, Converse, Nike, Levi's and The North Face on Broadway, plus Anine Bing, Loewe, Patagonia and Acne on Greene Street, or Rag & Bone on Mercer Street. A sweet stop at Levain Bakery, right across from Kith, is recommended.
Immersion in two worlds
At the corner of Bowery and Pell Street stands the Edward Mooney Townhouse, the oldest house in Manhattan (1785). Right next door, Little Italy is concentrated between Broome Street and Canal Street, with Mulberry Street as its most "Italian" stretch — a great Audrey Hepburn-style photo spot. For food, head to Katz's Delicatessen, a New York pastrami institution since 1888.
That's the Les Voyagistes principle: tell us your dates, and we'll reveal the destinations that are in perfect season — New York can be visited year-round, with a special charm in spring and fall.
Find my destinations →High Line · Chelsea Market · Washington Square
The most photogenic cobbled streets
Cobbled lanes, brick facades and hidden cafés: Greenwich Village and the West Village are among Manhattan's most charming neighborhoods. Head to Washington Square Park and its iconic arch, before a stop at Magnolia Bakery for the famous cupcake.
The world's longest green roof
This former elevated railway offers a unique vantage point over the city — walk to 10th Avenue Square for the best view, with The Edge, the world's highest open-air platform, and The Vessel, the honeycomb structure at Hudson Yards, both in sight. Nearby: Chelsea Market (with the Kellogg's Bar).
A floating park on the Hudson
Set on cup-shaped piers above the Hudson River, Little Island (Pier 55) is Manhattan's newest park. Lawns, an open-air amphitheater and river views make it an unexpected green break, especially photogenic at dusk.
Market and Art Deco architecture
Union Square, with its farmers' market held several times a week, and the Flatiron Building, one of the city's first skyscrapers with its distinctive triangular silhouette, round off the visit to southern Manhattan.
Empire State · Times Square · Rockefeller Center
Manhattan's beating heart holds the most famous skyscrapers, the big department stores, and Broadway shows.
Flagships and storefronts of 5th Avenue
The Apple Store (open 24/7), Tiffany & Co., Saks, Abercrombie, Anthropologie and the Lego Store line the legendary 5th Avenue. A food stop at Maman (Midtown East) is a must, or the NBA Store for basketball fans.
A panorama over all of Manhattan
Head to Top of the Rock, the Rockefeller Center observatory, for one of the best views over the city (with the Empire State Building in sight). Nearby: Radio City Music Hall and the majestic St Patrick's Cathedral, Manhattan's neo-Gothic jewel. Art lovers should continue on to MoMA.
The most beautiful station hall in the world
Opened in 1913, Grand Central Terminal is far more than a train station: its vast central hall, crowned by a painted ceiling depicting the night sky, is one of New York's most photographed spaces. Beneath its arches hide a gourmet market, historic restaurants like the Oyster Bar, and the famous four-faced opal clock, an iconic meeting point for New Yorkers.
The icons of New York architecture
The New York Public Library and its two famous lions, "Patience" and "Fortitude", the neighboring Bryant Park, the Art Deco Chrysler Building, and of course the Empire State Building form an unmissable architectural walk — not forgetting a shopping stop at Macy's.
Neon lights, musicals and sports
Times Square and its giant screens, a Broadway night (The Lion King or Aladdin for families), Madison Square Garden and Madison Square Park — with its unusual dog park — round off the visit to Midtown. For a 360° view, head to the Summit.
Central Park isn't crossed — it's strolled, by bike or on foot.
Central Park · Musées · Harlem · Yankee Stadium
Manhattan's green lung
Renting a bike (many rental shops around the park, like Bike Rental Central Park at 1391 6th Avenue) remains the best way to explore Central Park. Don't miss Strawberry Fields, the memorial dedicated to John Lennon across from 72nd Street, the giant Alice in Wonderland statue, and a stroll along chic Park Avenue.
Three museums, three worlds
Bordering Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum with its spiral architecture, and the American Museum of Natural History offer three complementary cultural experiences — plan on half a day for each.
Gospel, African-American history & baseball
Attending a gospel service in Harlem, at First Corinthian Church or Abyssinian Baptist Church, is an experience in itself — Sunday morning, smart dress required, and arriving early is recommended. A bit further north, in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium hosts the legendary New York Yankees: catching a game remains one of the most authentically American experiences, between hot dogs, the national anthem, and the electric atmosphere of game nights.
Pont de Brooklyn · Dumbo
The most famous view of Manhattan
The best-known entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge is on the Brooklyn side, at the corner of Tillary Street and Adams Street — impossible to miss, since the walkway starts right in the middle of the intersection. Once on the Manhattan side, take the subway to Dumbo for the iconic view from Washington Street, with the Manhattan Bridge in the background. While there, Juliana's serves some of the best pizza in Brooklyn.
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