A trip away with friends can be the perfect break from everyday life. A chance to reconnect, explore a new place, and spend time with some of the people who know you best – isn’t this what traveling is really about? These trips can take many forms, but a city break to New York is hard to beat!
With its world-famous attractions, vibrant nightlife, and multitude of restaurants, the City that Never Sleeps is a fantastic place to explore with your friends.
But don’t book your trip just yet – this guide will give you some essential tips and tricks to make your city break truly unforgettable.
Finding the Perfect Place to Stay
Where you stay can make or break your trip. City breaks are usually short and you want to maximize the time you have to explore, rather than spending too much time traveling from one place to another. So, location should be one of the first things you consider.
If you haven’t been to New York before, you want to be close to the action. Look for accommodation in Midtown to ensure you can easily walk to all the main attractions. You might think that prices will be higher, but you can still find some of the cheapest NY hotels and many offer discounts for group bookings.
For example, the Ameritania Hotel at Times Square has special rates for groups and perks like complimentary room upgrades. Or try the Refinery Hotel which has a stunning rooftop bar overlooking the Empire State Building – a great place to enjoy a cocktail with your friends.
However, Manhattan can be noisy and busy, as well as a bit on the pricey side. If you’re looking for a quieter vibe or something a bit more budget-conscious, look outside of Midtown to areas like Queens or Brooklyn.
The Local NYC in Long Island City, for example, is only a short subway ride away from the main attractions and has a great rooftop terrace with city views. Or, The Hoxton in Williamsburg is close to a diverse range of bars and restaurants, while still only a 10-minute subway ride from Manhattan.
Where you choose to book may depend a lot on how large your group is. If you’re traveling with just a few close friends then a hotel might be ideal, but for larger groups, a vacation rental could provide the extra space you need. You’ll also have access to kitchen facilities in case you don’t want to eat every meal out.
Navigating the Big Apple
You and your friends might have a long list of places to visit and sights to see, so take some time to plan your itinerary before you go – just make sure to leave a little time for spontaneity and to soak up the vibrant city atmosphere.
Once you have an idea of your top places, you can then look at how you’re going to get to them. New York boasts a comprehensive public transportation system that, with a little know-how, will have you and your friends traveling around the city like native New Yorkers.
The Subway: This might seem a little daunting to start, but is one of the cheapest and most efficient ways to get from A to B – it also runs 24 hours a day. Depending on the length of your trip, consider purchasing a 7-day unlimited MetroCard or make use of the OMNY contactless payment system.
Buses: These can be great if you want to take in the city as you travel. They also run all day, and the MetroCard you bought for the subway can also be used to ride the buses.
Taxis: Is there anything more iconic than hailing a yellow cab in NYC? And if you’re splitting the cost between friends, then why not make use of the door-to-door service they provide? Just remember that they can get pricey as fares are metered.
Walking: There is no better way to explore the city with your friends than strolling through the streets. Depending on where your location is, you might even be able to walk to the majority of the main attractions.
Must-See Attractions
Now on to what to do to make the time spent with your friends utterly unforgettable.
The Empire State Building: Offering breathtaking panoramic views, this New York icon is a must. Consider visiting early in the morning or late at night to avoid the crowds. You can also buy express passes to jump the queues.
The Statue of Liberty: If this is on your list, book tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Another trick is to catch the ferry from Liberty State Park in New Jersey – the queues are often shorter and there are more tickets available.
Central Park: A great place to visit with friends. Why not take a picnic or hire bikes to fully enjoy the park together?
Broadway: Is a trip to NYC complete without a Broadway show? Try to book your tickets well in advance, especially if you want to see Aladdin or The Lion King. It’s also worth looking for discount options like the TKTS booth, online lotteries, and rush tickets.
MoMA: The Museum of Modern Art is a great place to go if you and your friends want to immerse yourselves in some of the art world’s greatest masterpieces. There is also free admission on the first Friday of every month.
Final Tips
- Here are some final tips to help you plan an unforgettable trip:
- The best times to visit the city are May-June and September-October. You’ll avoid the heat of the summer and the potentially poor winter weather.
- Make sure to factor tipping into your budget.
- Book tickets for Broadway shows and popular attractions well in advance
- If you and your friends are looking to visit lots of attractions, consider purchasing a city pass like the New York Pass or CityPASS for discounted entry to some of the major sights.
With so much to see and do in NYC, you and your friends are sure to have an unforgettable experience. You’ll be talking about your city break for years to come.