Travel Guide New York
As soon as you get into the cab from John Fitzgerald Kennedy airport, the trip to New York begins. Sitting on the back seat, you can see Manhattan and its skyline in the distance. All the known images of the city are mixed. Times Square, theEmpire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge are still amazing. And these memorable places are only the visible part of a city with a thousand facets. New York is also the narrow streets of Greenwich Village, the liveliness and smells of Bleecker Street, the Victorian houses of Ditmas Park, the cafes of Williamsburg, the stores of Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue, the concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Broadway shows. Visiting New York means getting lost in its streets. And you get to know the locals. They are Americans, Mexicans, Chinese, Puerto Ricans, Filipinos, Italians, but above all New Yorkers. And they love it when you discover their city. They will tell you that the Big Apple gives them the desire to surpass themselves. A world city where the melting pot is a golden rule, New York brings together more than 8 million souls living at a frantic pace. You only have to look at the diners, which offer the most classic American dishes, to see that they are packed after midnight. With its five boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island, all different from each other, New York will not disappoint. While it's impossible to tame the city, a New York City tour guide will help you make the most of the daily spectacle.
What to visit New York?
Suggested addresses New York
When to go to New York?
There really is no such thing as high or low season in New York City, the city runs at full speed, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, here are some tips on when to go to New York.
High tourist season: the peaks of frequentation take place at Easter (with notably many French tourists at this period), in July-August and at Christmas. The month of June is an ideal time for its mild weather and the many festivals and activities that take place outdoors. Finally, during the Christmas period, the city's streets, shiny and festive, are often covered with layers of snow. The white coat that covers the Big Apple (very nice walks in Central Park, where you are likely to meet a local on skis in the valleys of the park) offers an even more cinematic landscape. The Americans have a sense of festivity and celebrations, and you will discover a city entirely decorated in the colors of Christmas and gigantic festivities.
Mid-season: September and October are also recommended: the summer crowds have left the city, and the delicious Indian summer gives way to a yellow-red light that suits New York perfectly.
Weather at the moment
September and its famous Indian summer bring temperatures in the 20-25°C range, beautiful sunshine, and clear skies, whereas July and August are often sweltering and hot. Spending the Christmas vacations in the United States can also be a great experience. It is very cold, but dry cold. The city's oceanic climate often results in blue skies and strong sunshine. The coldest months are January and February (-15°C on some days).
New York (Manhattan)
New York is an expensive city. You will spend at least 10 US$ for a snack bar, 90 US$ for a shabby hotel, 3 US$ for a bus ticket. It is difficult to stay in New York without shopping, etc. You are about to enter the world temple of consumerism and entertainment. Wherever you are in the city, you will be asked to spend money.
You need a biometric passport to enter the United States. This passport allows you to benefit from the Visa Waiver Program for stays of less than 90 days. To do this, you need to fill in the ESTA form online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov and pay the US$14 administration fee, which has been charged since September 2010. Be sure to complete the form via the above-mentioned site only. Finally, for any stay of more than 90 days, visitors must be in possession of a visa. Several types of visa exist (student, work, etc.), but they are all fairly difficult to obtain. Further information at https://fr.usembassy.gov/fr/
There are no health risks when you go to New York and the United States. The health level is the same as in France. No particular vaccine is necessary. On the other hand, note that the American health system is much less efficient than ours and an unexpected medical consultation can be very expensive. Therefore, plan a special insurance if you stay for a long time.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
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How to go to New York? Our advice & tips
New York is one of the most popular destinations for tour operators. There are many possibilities, a long weekend, a whole week, a thematic tour, a tour that includes excursions around the city... An organized tour will help you if you don't speak English or if you are looking for facilities to visit the different emblematic sites. Tour operators sometimes provide passes to popular attractions.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationNothing could be easier! The city is always full of tourists. Accommodation options are plentiful and you can easily use public transportation or simply walk. The only thing to think about is that major attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building, should be planned in advance - we recommend buying tickets in advance - to avoid hours of waiting.
By subway, bus, cab, on foot or by bicycle (for the more adventurous), New York is a city of all possibilities. You'll have no problem getting around in its streets, especially since the American-style grid makes it easy to find your way around. And don't forget the classic horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park!