New York
Travel Guide
Planning a trip to New York City? You’re in the right place.
We spent 10 magical days exploring New York with our then three year old daughter, experiencing everything from iconic observation decks and festive Christmas lights. With advice from my aunt, who’s visited New York over 40 times, we were able to balance the must see highlights with more local and budget friendly experiences.
This New York travel guide brings together all of my detailed itineraries, honest attraction reviews, and practical tips to help you plan your own trip with confidence, whether you’re visiting for the first time, travelling with kids, or planning a festive Christmas visit.
You can also watch our trip unfold day by day over on my Instagram highlights @tinytoesbigtrails, where I’ve saved the best moments and tips for travelling to New York with a toddler.
Start with the itinerary, or browse the guides below to plan your perfect New York trip.
New York travel essentials at a glance
🗣️ Language: English is the official language in the USA
💵 Currency: US Dollar ($)
🕐 Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
🔌 Plug type: Type A and Type B plugs
💳 Cash or card: Card is accepted but cash is useful for tips
📅 Best time to visit: All year is great, but April-June and September-November, temperatures are comfortable, and December is magical for Christmas, but busier and expensive
👨👩👧👦 Family friendly: Very, there are plenty of playgrounds and activities for children
✈️ How to get there: Direct flights from UK into JFK, Newark or LaGuardia
🚅 Public transport: Subway is the easiest and cheapest way to get around
🍕 Cuisine: Bagels, pizza and international cuisines
Plan your trip
If you’re in the early planning stages, these guides will help you get your bearings, how long to go for, what to prioritise, and how to experience New York without trying to do everything.
NYC itinerary
A realistic, first timer itinerary covering Downtown, Midtown, Central Park, observation decks and Christmas highlights, with tips for UK travellers and families.
NYC on a budget
How to visit New York affordably, including cheap flights, budget accommodation, free things to do and getting around without taxis.
Best observation deck New York
This quick guide compares all the main NYC viewing platforms to help you choose the right one for your trip.
In-depth observation deck comparisons
If you’re deciding which observation deck is best, these detailed comparisons break down views, experiences and which one we found to be the most family friendly.
Summit One Vanderbilt vs The Edge
Top of the Rock vs Summit One Vanderbilt
The Edge vs Top of the Rock
Christmas in New York
If you’re visiting New York in December, the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere make the city feel so magical. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting the famous Dyker Heights Christmas lights.
How to use this New York travel guide
If you’re planning your first trip, start with the itinerary and budget guides. If you’re choosing attractions, head straight to the observation deck comparisons. And if you’re visiting at Christmas, don’t miss the festive posts.
This New York travel guide will continue to grow as we add more NYC experiences, all based on real visits, honest opinions, and practical tips for families and first time travellers.
My New York travel guides
