In a metropolis with around 350 neighborhoods, you can bet there’s an area to suit your budget and interests. That said, you’ll need to factor in how many days you’re spending here and figure out whether you want to base near the sights or elsewhere. Once you find a district that fits your itinerary, your trip will go much more smoothly. Here are our favorites!
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Area to Stay in NYC?
The best area to stay in NYC depends on your priorities during your visit. Here is our best-for list to make your decision easier.
- Best for first-timers: Midtown Manhattan
- Best for classic NYC charm: West Village or Greenwich Village
- Best for families: Upper West Side
- Best for nightlife: Lower East Side or Williamsburg
- Best for value: Long Island City or Downtown Brooklyn
- Best for luxury: SoHo, Tribeca, or Upper East Side
How to Choose the Best Place to Stay in New York
Everyone travels differently. Some will choose convenience over everything, while others will sacrifice it if it means saving a few quid.
When it comes to NYC, you need to consider a few key factors before deciding where to stay.
- Subway access: How close you are to a station makes getting around much easier.
- Airport connections: After securing cheap flights into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), you’ll need an easy way into the city.
- Walkability: Being able to get around on foot saves you money on transport.
- Hotel prices: A neighborhood’s popularity directly affects nightly accommodation prices.
- Noise: New York is loud, so if you want a good night’s sleep, stay somewhere quieter.
- Safety: Certain parts of NYC have a bad reputation with regards to safety, such as Brownsville and East Harlem.
- Restaurant access: Foodies will want to choose one of the best places to stay in New York for their gastronomic offerings, such as Manhattan Chinatown, SoHo, NoHo, and Nolita.
- Distance from attractions: Unless you’re near the main sights, you’ll spend a good chunk of your time stuck in traffic or waiting for public transport.
Think About Your NYC Itinerary First
It’s a good idea to plan your itinerary before settling on an area. This way, you can choose somewhere within easy reach of the sights you want to see.
For example, anyone who has Times Square, Broadway, Central Park, or some of the city’s main museums in their plans will be better off staying in Manhattan. On the other hand, if you’re more interested in eating and nightlife and want a more local vibe, Brooklyn or Downtown Manhattan are the best places to stay in New York City for you.
Balance Hotel Cost With Transport Time
Finding a cheap hotel in Staten Island might get you excited, but then you realize it’s almost an hour on public transport. That’s before you even factor in inevitable delays.
The more affordable parts of New York are only really a good idea if there’s a subway connection; otherwise, you’ll spend half your time traveling. It’s better to splash a little more on a place in one of the best areas to stay in NYC than to turn every trip into a pilgrimage.
Best Places to Stay in New York for First-Time Visitors
First-time visitors to New York should focus on the city’s pockets that have decent amenities close by. Midtown Manhattan is a good example, with numerous subway stations, plenty of sights, theaters, shopping, and connections to major airports.
Even though Midtown Manhattan is considered one of the best areas to stay in NYC, the traffic situation can be quite chaotic. Plus, it’s always bright with all the flashing lights, and it’s expensive to stay there. So weigh up the pros and cons before making a decision.
Midtown Manhattan
Among the best places to stay in New York City, nothing beats Midtown Manhattan for sightseeing. You have everything you could ask for in one location. Solid dining options, good transport links, and plenty of attractions like Times Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and Broadway. However, if you’re not a fan of big, busy areas, it might not be for you.
Times Square and Theater District
The best areas to stay in NYC for travelers who value convenience are Times Square and the Theater District. Although they may not have much of a local atmosphere and can feel loud, you can’t fault their transport links and international eateries like Tony’s Di Napoli. This is where many Broadway shows take place at venues like the Belasco Theater, so expect busy streets late into the night.
Bryant Park and Grand Central Area
Want to be a short distance from Times Square, but not right in the middle of it? Bryant Park and the Grand Central area are the best places to stay in New York City for that, serving as a slightly calmer Midtown base for your stay. Subway stations like Grand Central–42 St, 5 Av, and 42 St–Bryant Pk are all within a short walk of one another, and the iconic Grand Central Terminal is nearby as well.
Best NYC Neighborhoods for Classic New York Atmosphere
For me, I like to stay in places with nice character and allure. Somewhere I can walk outside, and the smell of arabica from locally run cafes fills the air, as residents pop into independent stores. The hidden parts of NYC , with brownstones far removed from the landmarks, with some real authentic charm.
Here are the best places to stay in New York City for that classic neighborhood feel.
West Village and Greenwich Village
West Village and Greenwich Village have such a lovely ambiance. Their elegant, tree-lined streets are filled with cozy coffeehouses like 787 Coffee and countless restaurants, including chic French bistros such as Boucherie. After dark, iconic jazz clubs such as Village Vanguard fill up with both locals and tourists.
These two hubs up there with the best places to stay in New York, particularly for couples and repeat visitors, but be aware they’re on the pricier end.
SoHo and Nolita
SoHo and Nolita are two of the best areas to stay in NYC for a chic, upscale experience thanks to their wealth of design hotels. Both locations are home to fantastic shopping, with plenty of big-name brands like Nike, as well as an excellent mix of restaurants and cafés.
What many people appreciate is just how close they are to Downtown Manhattan, which can easily be reached on foot. One word of warning, though: hotel rates here can be through the roof, especially on weekends
Flatiron and Chelsea
Flatiron and Chelsea are two of the best places to stay in New York City, which are seen as quieter alternatives to Times Square. Although they’re centrally located, they’re nowhere near as busy, yet you’ll still have attractions like the High Line and Madison Square Park on your doorstep. On top of that, there’s a handful of fantastic food halls, including Chelsea Market, and you’re only a short distance from both Downtown and Midtown Manhattan.
Best Places to Stay in New York for Families
Coming with your kids? Check out our selection of the best areas to stay in NYC for families, with walkable avenues, lush green urban spaces, strong subway links, spacious hotel rooms, and relaxed eateries.
Upper West Side
The Upper West Side consistently ranks as one of the best places to stay in New York City for families, thanks to its location next door to Central Park. There’s also plenty here to keep your little ones entertained, such as the American Museum of Natural History, and Times Square is just a subway ride away.
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is just a stone’s throw from Central Park and has a more low-key, relaxed atmosphere than some of the other best areas to stay in NYC. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is right there, as is Carl Schurz Park, where kids can run around and play.
Downtown Brooklyn
Families who want to keep costs down should consider Downtown Brooklyn, as it offers better value than most of the best places to stay in New York City, including Manhattan. The kids will love spending time at Brooklyn Bridge Park, where they can admire the iconic bridge before stopping by nearby Junior’s Restaurant & Bakery for something sweet.
Best Areas to Stay in NYC for Nightlife and Food
Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn remain two of the best areas to stay in NYC for stuffing your face and partying. From trendy bars to acclaimed restaurants and live music venues, there’s plenty to keep you entertained long after dark.
Lower East Side
Every foodie will tell you that you can’t visit the Big Apple without swinging by the Lower East Side. This bustling district has its fair share of cocktail lounges like BAR GOTO, laid-back joints such as La Contenta, and rock clubs including Arlene’s Grocery. Plus, it sets you up nicely to explore more of the best places to stay in New York City, such as the East Village, Chinatown, and SoHo.
East Village
The East Village attracts a younger crowd, with a wealth of great hangouts like Pineapple Club for mixed drinks and 11th St. Irish Bar (these are my people). While it’s one of the best areas to stay in NYC, the hotel options here are fairly limited. If you can get your hands on a room, grab it while you can.
Williamsburg
Set across the river from Manhattan, Williamsburg is often overlooked due to its slightly less convenient location. However, if you’re willing to grin and bear the commute, you’ll be rewarded with boutique hotels, great food, and incredible views of the NYC skyline. Its nightlife also gives it an edge over many of the best places to stay in New York City, with everything from cozy taverns to heavy metal bars like Duff’s.
Best Places to Stay in New York on a Budget
Budget travelers, don’t worry, I haven’t left you out. Even with limited funds, you can still pick up great accommodation deals if you book at the right time. That said, a lower price doesn’t always mean better value once you consider subway travel times and airport connections.
Bagging affordable last-minute flights when booking with Kiwi can certainly free up some extra cash for accommodation in some of the best areas to stay in NYC.
Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City doesn’t get as much attention as the other best places to stay in New York City, and that’s what keeps prices down here. With more low-cost hotels, quick subway links into Midtown, and calm riverside parks like Queensbridge Park, Long Island City ticks all the boxes.
Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill
Can’t afford Manhattan, but it’s on your bucket list? Downtown Brooklyn and Boerum Hill get you close to the action without having to splash out on an overpriced hotel in one of the best areas to stay in NYC.
Financial District
The Financial District may sound like the opposite of the best place to stay in New York City for budget travelers, but hear me out for a second. On weekends and public holidays when there aren’t as many business professionals in NYC, hotel occupancy rates are low, so property owners often lower their prices. You’ll be well connected to the Statue of Liberty ferries, able to take in the Brooklyn Bridge from different angles, and right by multiple subway stations.
Ready to Plan Your New York Stay?
By now, you should have a good idea of the best place to stay in New York for you. This city is by no means cheap for accommodation, so any chance you get to free up some extra cash, you should take it. And that’s easy to do when booking flights with Kiwi.
Our multi-airline virtual interlining model helps you save money on airfares. Mixing a few carriers into one itinerary instead of flying with just one can save you tonnes of Dollars. Ditch the direct routes with American Airlines and add a stopover with JetBlue instead. You’ll have more left for boutique hotels, boat tours, and pizza, so you can do NYC properly.
