Expedia <3s New York City: Our Guide to the Big Apple

Check out great facts, tips and deals from Expedia's own New York expert, Christina Scarce.

New York City is one of the top three destinations booked on Expedia.com and with good reason! The city that never sleeps has something for everyone. Whether you’re a budget-conscious college student, a couple looking for a luxurious romantic weekend or a family looking to take in the sights you’ll find the trip that’s right for you on Expedia.com.

Did you know:

• New York City is a top destination for travelers from the Northeast. Customers from the Northeast make up four of the top five top five origins on Expedia.com (New York, Boston, Washington, D.C. , Los Angeles and Philadelphia).
• There is so much to see and do in New York Citythat it may be difficult to know where to start. Flex passes and hop-on/hop-off tours are a great way to get a taste of the entire city with just one ticket. Need some more inspiration? The top 10 activities booked on Expedia.com are:
  • NYC CityPass
  • GrayLine NY All Loops Tour
  • Empire State Building Observatory
  • Wicked
  • The New York Pass
  • The Lion King
  • Madame Tussauds Wax Museum New York
  • The Phantom of the Opera
  • 9/11 Memorial
  • Statue of Liberty Flex Pass
• Consider the types of things you’ll want to do during your visit when choosing where to stay. Looking to take in a Broadway show? Times Square is for you. Perhaps you want something a little more quiet and romantic? Try the Upper West Side or Midtown. How about something more like the locals experience? Check out Chelsea or SoHo. The most popular areas booked on Expedia are:
  • Broadway – Times Square
  • Midtown East – Grand Central
  • Empire State Building – Madison Square Garden
  • Central Park
  • Chelsea – West Village - NYU

Top Deals:

• New York City is full of luxurious hotels that will help you experience the city in style.  You can indulge in the luxury for less with these great offers!From complimentary nights at the Peninsula New Yorkto 25% off 4+ night packages at The Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Parknow is the time to take advantage of these great rates!
• If you’re looking for something more affordable, try the hip new Pod Hotel New Yorkwith rates from $124 per night or the Park 79 Hotelfrom $85 per night.
• A great trip to New York City doesn’t have to be planned months in advance. In fact, 40% of our customers book their trip within 14 days. Check out our Last Minute Dealsfor some of our best rates!

Get to Know New York City:

• If you’re looking for a great night in the Big Apple, head to P.D.T. for a speakeasy style cocktail experience in the East Village,  The Standard Hotelin the swanky Meat Packing area, Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria, Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg, Bemelmans Bar on the Upper East Side at The Carlyle Hotel for a truly classic New York City experience, White Horse Tavern in the West Village, Birreria at Eataly near Madison Square Park for great rooftop views or Stone Street in the Financial District.

• You can eat any type of food at any time of day in New York, so it can be tricky to choose a restaurant. Head to ABC Kitchen or The Dutch for something unique and delicious. Something new and trendy? Try The Breslin Bar and Dining Room or if you’re in the mood for Italian you cannot miss Torrisi Italian Specialties on Mulberry Street. Minetta Tavern fits the bill for those looking for classic New Yorkdining.

• Experience the Harlem of the 1920s through music and food with the Harlem Soul Food and Jazz Tour! Visit the contrasting areas of Harlem, from down in the “valley” to high on the “hill”, and then dig into real home-style soul food.

• New York City is home to some of the best museums in the world. Take time to see the Guggenheim or head to MoMa – the Museum of Modern Art– which houses one of the best shops in the city.

• New York City is famed for its shopping. The streets off Broadway in SoHo house some of the best shopping in Manhattan. The Upper West Side is a great relaxed shopping destination with good brunch restaurants and bars mixed with good boutiques. 

Christine’s Tips:

• Using the subway is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to get from the airport into the city. You’ll save money over taking a cab and save time not sitting in city traffic!

• For a great couples’ night out, you can’t beat dinner and a show. The lights of Broadway never disappoint and there is a show for every taste.

• The hustle and bustle of the city can be overwhelming at times so I always like to spend some time in Central Park, the city’s most famous urban oasis. The Sheep Meadow and the Great Lawn are fantastic places to relax and enjoy the outdoors. If you’re traveling with a family, the Central Park Zoo and the Friedsam Memorial Carousel are great.

What Expedia Fans on Facebook Have to Say:

Expedia fans know a lot about travel, so we turned to them to find out what they have to say about the Big Apple:

Christina said…

• Some of the best things in NYC are free: a sunset walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, strolling through the Union Square Greenmarket and The Strand Bookstore on a Saturday morning, people watching on the red steps in Times Square, reading bench plaques along the Literary Walk in Central Park and popping into the lobbies of the historic hotels.

Tammy said…

• Go up on top of the Empire State Building at sunset. What a view!! It was one of the defining moments not only of my trip but of my life!

Stefanie said…

• Walking the Brooklyn Bridge and visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art are both fun things to do. Plus the museum has an Egyptian Temple!

Sheryl said…

• Do the "tourist" stuff.  Visit the Top of Rockefeller Center, Alfredo's restaurant, Times Square (but go there off hours if possible, such as 10 am), Bryant Park (better ice skating there than the overly crowded Rockefeller Plaza), double-decker bus, etc. Also, a great off the beaten path place is Brooklyn Heights. It’s cool with great ethnic spots and an amazing view of lower Manhattan.

Paulwyn said…

• Riding the subway to Brooklyn and walking back across the Brooklyn Bridge with my grandson was a memorable experience and offered a wonderful view.

Patricia said…

• If you're staying in Midtown, go to the Basilica for dinner.  It is inexpensive, hole-in-the-wall Italian featuring delicious food and great service! I look forward to going there every time we go to NYC. Also, it is fun to go to Grand Central for a drink at Michael Jordan's or Cipriani. Grand Central is beautiful and there is great people watching.

Kelly said…

• Last tip - find a local (someone in a shop, a local business person, someone who works in the restaurant business) and ask them where their favorite watering hole, fine dining, and lunch spot is...we've gotten our best recommendations that way for places you might not otherwise find.