New York City is a large and diverse city, with many different neighborhoods and attractions. For some people, a visit to New York City is truly a trip of a lifetime, as it can offer an unforgettable experience and many opportunities for exploration. Others may not feel the same way, as New York City is a very lively and often exhausting city. Overall, New York City is a city worth visiting, with the value of the trip depending on each individual’s personal preferences.
Do i need a Visa?
Greek citizens only need an entry permit for New York and not a visa, which can be obtained quickly and easily. To travel to the United States with a Greek passport, you will need to obtain an electronic ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). ESTA is an electronic entry permit required for citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which includes Greece. It allows you to stay in the United States for up to 90 days for tourism, business, or medical purposes. You must also have a valid electronic or non-electronic air ticket that confirms your return to your home country. The cost for the application is only $21/person, and you can apply up to 72 hours before your trip, but don’t leave it to the last minute. To apply for it, click here.
It’s important to note that ESTA is not the same as a visa. If you plan to stay in the United States for a period exceeding 90 days, or if you do not meet the criteria for ESTA, you will be asked to apply for a visa. Additionally, if you plan to visit the United States for university studies or work purposes, you will need to submit an application for the corresponding type of visa.
How can i move around economically?
In New York City, there are many transportation options for getting around the city. It depends on the area you are staying in and where you want to go, but some of the main types of transportation you can use are:
- Subway: Is one of the most popular means of transportation in New York City and is easy to use and very reliable. Using it requires purchasing a ticket ($2.75 per ride), which can be bought from ticket vending machines or ticket booths. However, what you may want to do is get a weekly pass, called the “METROCARD,” for unlimited rides. For more information, read also New York Travel Guide
- Buses: There are many bus lines serving New York City, and they are a good option for destinations not served by the subway. Bus rides within New York City are covered by the same card used for the subway. Buses going to other states, such as New Jersey, require the purchase of a separate ticket ($3.55 per trip).
- Taxis: Are widely available in New York and can be a good option for short distances or if you don’t want to deal with public transportation. However, they can be expensive and luckily we didn’t need to use them.
- Uber/Lyft: If you do need to take a taxi, it’s better to use the Uber or Lyft apps for getting around in New York. These apps allow you to call a vehicle through your mobile phone and pay through the app.
- Bikes: In New York, there is a bike-sharing system called Citi Bike that allows you to rent a bike for getting around the city. When registering for the app, your American number will be required.
Sightseeing of New York
Museums
Starting with museums, there are many interesting ones in New York City. Depending on your interests, it’s worth visiting the following:
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Collection of artwork from the beginning of the 20th century until today.
- American Museum of Natural History: One of the largest collections of natural history in the world, with over 33 million objects.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met): Collection of over two million works of art from around the world, from ancient times to the modern era.
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: A museum that focuses on the sea, air, and space. You will explore the Intrepid aircraft carrier, the USS Growler submarine, see the Concorde airplane, etc.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum: Dedicated to the memory of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
- New York Public Library: One of the largest public libraries in the world. Admission is free and the library is open to the public every day.
- Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration: Immigration museum on Ellis Island. Daily departures from Battery Park, south of Manhattan.
The good news is that you can find many free attractions, such as museums and parks, and enjoy activities without spending a lot of money. Read more on the New York travel guide
Skyscrapers
Apart from museums, admiring Manhattan from above, especially at night, is a unique experience! Therefore, it’s worth visiting one or even two skyscrapers among the popular ones that exist.
- Empire State Building: The most famous skyscraper in the city, which was built in 1931 and was the tallest building in the world for years. You can take an elevator to the 80th floor, and then use another elevator to reach the observation deck on the 86th floor.
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck: A panoramic observation deck located on the 70th floor at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
- Edge at Hudson Yards: A panoramic observation deck located on the 100th floor of the 30 Hudson Yards building in New York City. You can reach the deck in 57 seconds. We chose to visit this one because it has the highest observation platform in New York.
- One World Observatory: An observation deck located on the 100th floor of the One World Trade Center in New York City. As a visitor, you’ll go up in an elevator in just 47 seconds.
Which squares/parks should I visit?
Moving on, New York has many beautiful parks and squares that are worth strolling around and relaxing. Below we highlighted the ones we visited, but there are more to search for, if you have the time.
Popular parks in New York City:
- Central Park
- Bryant Park
- Bridge Park
- High Line Park
- Battery Park
- Washington Square Park
- Hudson River Park
Popular squares in New York City:
- Times Square
- Union Square
- Washington Square
- Madison Square
Search for parks and squares in the area where you will stay, discover beautiful landscapes, enjoy walks, and activities that they offer.
Where to stay in New York City?
New York City offers a wide variety of accommodation options depending on the type of stay you want and your budget. Below we suggest neighborhoods for your accommodation, but we also reveal where we chose to stay.
- Manhattan: Manhattan is the most popular area to stay in New York City. It includes many attractions, shops, restaurants, and museums. Additionally, it offers many accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels.
- Brooklyn: Brooklyn is a quieter area than Manhattan, with many attractions, restaurants, and bars. It offers many accommodation options, including large hotels and Airbnb.
- Queens: The area of Queens is located on the outskirts of New York and is known for its museums, gardens, and sport events. It also offers many accommodation options, from budget hotels to luxury hotels.
- Astoria: In Astoria, there are many Airbnb apartments and studios that can offer a more affordable accommodation option, although you should carefully check prices and amenities before booking an apartment.
- Staten Island: The Staten Island area is a more remote part of New York City and offers many parks and natural attractions, such as the Staten Island Ferry and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. There are fewer accommodation options in this area compared to other areas of New York City, but you can find accommodations in small hotels and Airbnb.
- Bronx: The Bronx area is located in the northwestern part of New York City and includes attractions such as the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium. There are many accommodation options in this area, including budget hotels and Airbnb.
- New Jersey: It is considered a different state and therefore traveling there requires purchasing another ticket. Buses depart from the city center every 10 minutes and cost $3.55 per person. If you buy 10 tickets together, you get a discount of $0.50 per trip. In no more than 20 minutes, you are in New Jersey. The reason we ended up staying there is that we rented an entire apartment in a very competitive price for 7 nights.
Which neighborhoods should I visit?
New York City has many neighborhoods worth visiting, each with its own unique character and style. Here are some of the most popular neighborhoods in the city that you can explore:
- Manhattan: Manhattan is perhaps the most famous neighborhood in New York City and includes famous landmarks such as Central Park, the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, and Times Square. It is also known for its shopping centers and variety of restaurants and bars.
- West Village: This is one of the most traditional and picturesque neighborhoods in Manhattan, New York. There, you will find the apartment where Carrie from the popular TV show “Sex and the City” lived on Perry Street. It is worth visiting the famous square of the area, Washington Square.
- Harlem: Harlem is a neighborhood in the northern part of Manhattan, known for its African American culture and historical significance in the struggle for their political rights. It is worth visiting the Apollo Theater, one of the city’s most famous music theaters, as well as the Studio Museum in Harlem, an art gallery dedicated to African American artists. Finally, it is worth experiencing live jazz in one of Harlem’s most historic speakeasy jazz bars. Read more about this great live jazz here.
- Gramercy: The neighborhood of Gramercy is located in the center of New York City, in the Manhattan area, and is one of the most aristocratic and expensive neighborhoods in the city. The neighborhood includes the famous Gramercy Park, which is one of the few private parks in New York City and offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Brooklyn: Brooklyn is a popular area in New York City with a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and fashion stores. It is also known for its art galleries and narrow streets, as well as the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
- Williamsburg: Williamsburg is a neighborhood in Brooklyn that has become known for its alternative character and independent arts and music scene. Here you can find many bars, clubs, and music venues that offer a wide variety of musical genres.
- Queens: Queens is a multicultural neighborhood in New York City, with many cultures and traditions from different parts of the world. Queens has some of the largest parks in the city, such as Flushing Meadows Corona Park and Forest Park.
- Astoria: Astoria is a neighborhood located in the northern part of Queens, New York. The neighborhood has historical roots from Greek immigrants and today is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in New York City. You can travel to Astoria on the Roosvelt Island Tramway, completely FREE (if you have a metro card), while enjoying the view from above.
- Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Paris: Each of these neighborhoods has its own unique history and cultural traditions. So, you have the opportunity to experience a different side of New York City and explore different cultures.
- Staten Island: Staten Island includes some of the city’s most beautiful parks, such as Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden and Silver Lake Park. Here you can also visit the Staten Island Zoo and the National Lighthouse Museum, as well as enjoy the panoramic view of the city and the Statue of Liberty for FREE, from the Staten Island Ferry. The Ferry departs daily every half hour from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal Bar, next to Battery Park, south of Manhattan, and it’s free.
These are just some of the neighborhoods in New York City that are worth visiting, depending on your interests and the time you have, of course.
What attractions are worth seeing in New York?
New York has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, such as musicals, theaters, concerts, NBA games, and nightlife. We selected one spectacle from each category and we would highly recommend you to do the same. As such, we attended a live jazz performance, an NBA game, and a Broadway musical.
Read about our experience, the cost, and the necessary booking sites: New York: 3 must see attractions
In addition, New York is famous for its vibrant nightlife. There are many bars, clubs, and venues in the city that offer various music genres and rhythms, from rock to electronic music. Greenwich Village and East Village are neighborhoods that are famous for their lively nightlife.
Where to go shopping?
Depending on your interests and budget, a visit to an outlet village may be worth it. You will find branded products at lower prices than those you will encounter in regular stores.
Famous outlet villages in New York include:
- Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
- The Mills at Jersey Gardens
You can take a bus departing from the center of Manhattan
How can I have phone/internet access?
To have access to telephone and internet services in New York, you can purchase a local SIM card and data plan. This can be quite expensive, with packages ranging from $60 for 12GB over two weeks. Alternatively, you can consider purchasing an e-SIM, which can be installed on compatible mobile phones and allows you to buy data at a much better price. With an e-SIM, you can purchase the GB you need in over 200 countries, install the app and activate it before your trip, and it will automatically activate when you arrive in your destination country. To download the app and purchase the e-SIM, click here.
What should I do with foreign currency & card transactions?
On all our travels, we exchange only a few, usually at the airport to avoid any hassle, and use our Revolut card for our transactions. This card offers lower or zero fees for transactions abroad, such as cash withdrawals and payments at merchants. This way, you can save quite a bit of money during your travels. To obtain it, click here.
Read also: New York Travel Guide
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