Where to Stay in New York City: Best Neighbourhoods for First-Timers, Families and Budgets

The best areas to stay in New York City, from Midtown and Times Square to SoHo, the Upper West Side, Brooklyn and Long Island City, with pros, cons, prices and subway tips.

New York City has more than 100,000 hotel rooms, and where you stay shapes your whole trip. A hotel in the right neighbourhood can save you hours on the subway and put the city's best food, parks and nightlife on your doorstep. Here is our guide to the best areas.

Quick picks

Midtown

Best for: first-time visitors, short trips.

Midtown covers the area roughly between 34th and 59th Streets. It includes the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park and Fifth Avenue shopping.

Pros: subway lines everywhere, walkable to many sights, huge range of hotels. Cons: busy and corporate, many chain restaurants, can feel impersonal. Tip: Midtown East and the area around Bryant Park feel calmer than the blocks right by Times Square.

Times Square and the Theater District

Best for: Broadway lovers, first-timers who want the full spectacle.

Pros: steps from Broadway shows, open late, excellent transport. Cons: very crowded and noisy, often higher prices for smaller rooms, restaurants aimed at tourists.

SoHo, Nolita and Tribeca

Best for: couples, shoppers, boutique hotel lovers.

SoHo's cobblestone streets and cast-iron buildings are full of shops and galleries. Nolita is smaller and cosier; Tribeca is upscale and quieter.

Pros: stylish hotels, great restaurants, walkable to Little Italy, Chinatown and the West Village. Cons: expensive, fewer budget hotels.

West Village and Greenwich Village

Best for: couples, foodies, romantic stays.

Tree-lined streets, brownstones, cafés, jazz clubs and Washington Square Park.

Pros: charming, residential atmosphere, excellent dining. Cons: limited hotels and higher prices.

Lower East Side and East Village

Best for: nightlife, younger travellers, food lovers.

Pros: lively bars and live music, diverse food, often better hotel value than SoHo. Cons: noisy at weekends; some streets feel gritty.

Chelsea, Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards

Best for: art lovers, trendy stays, walking the High Line.

Pros: galleries, Chelsea Market, the High Line, modern hotels. Cons: Hudson Yards can feel corporate; subway access varies.

Upper West Side

Best for: families, longer stays, quieter nights.

Between Central Park and Riverside Park, with the American Museum of Natural History and Lincoln Center.

Pros: residential, safe, family-friendly, good subway links. Cons: fewer hotels, quieter nightlife, a longer ride downtown.

Upper East Side

Best for: museum lovers, luxury stays.

Museum Mile includes the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and more.

Pros: elegant, safe, close to Central Park. Cons: expensive, quiet in the evenings.

Long Island City (Queens)

Best for: value, skyline views.

Just across the East River from Midtown, LIC has many newer hotels, often cheaper than Manhattan.

Pros: quick subway rides to Midtown, great views, newer rooms. Cons: less atmospheric, fewer restaurants than Manhattan.

Brooklyn: Williamsburg, DUMBO and Downtown Brooklyn

Best for: repeat visitors, foodies, nightlife.

Pros: creative scene, waterfront parks, excellent food, often better value. Cons: longer journey to Midtown and Uptown.

Hotel fees and taxes

New York hotels often add a destination or facility fee, and city and state hotel taxes add a noticeable percentage to your bill. Since May 2025, the FTC's rule requires mandatory hotel fees to be included in the total price shown upfront, but taxes can still be listed separately until checkout. Compare final totals. See resort fees explained.

Short-term rental rules

New York City's Local Law 18 requires short-term rental hosts to register, and generally bans whole-apartment stays of under 30 days. For short trips, a hotel is usually the safer and more reliable choice. See hotel vs Airbnb.

Money-saving tips

1. Visit in January to early March (outside holiday weeks) for lower prices.
2. Avoid Thanksgiving to New Year if you are on a budget; it is peak season.
3. Stay near express subway stops.
4. Consider LIC or Brooklyn for value.
5. Watch for big events like the New York City Marathon, the UN General Assembly in September and major conventions.
6. Budget for tipping; see our tipping guide.

Getting from the airports

Tips for UK and Australian visitors

• Budget for tipping: housekeeping, bell staff, bars and restaurants all expect tips.
• Room rates usually exclude tax, so the final bill is higher than the nightly rate.
• Two-queen rooms are common and good for families or friends sharing.
• Most UK and Australian visitors need an approved ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program. Check official US government sites for current requirements.

Which neighbourhood suits which traveller?

A three-day New York itinerary

Day 1: Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, then Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and Top of the Rock at sunset.

Day 2: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry, the 9/11 Memorial, then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO for skyline views.

Day 3: The High Line and Chelsea Market, Greenwich Village and SoHo, and a Broadway show in the evening.

Room size expectations

New York hotel rooms, especially in Midtown and older buildings, are often small. If space matters, check room size in square feet, look at newer hotels in LIC, Brooklyn or Hudson Yards, or consider a suite-style hotel for families.

The bottom line

Choose Midtown for convenience on a first trip, SoHo or the West Village for charm, the Upper West Side for families, and Long Island City or Brooklyn for value. Wherever you stay, being near a subway station is the key to enjoying New York.

Prices, fees, taxes and booking rules change often and vary by hotel, date and country. Figures in this guide are typical ranges for planning, not quotes. Always confirm the total price and cancellation terms with the hotel or booking site before you pay.