Hi there! If you’ve landed on this article, it’s because you’re in the midst of a monumental task: trying to decide where to stay while on your trip to New York, my hometown. As someone who grew up here and still lives in the city today (over in Brooklyn these days), I’ve dealt with the frantic cries of “Help! Where should I stay?!” from visiting friends and family members for my entire life, and I pretty well have this down to a science at this point.

After living across three different boroughs and being the go-to travel adviser for who knows how many visitors, I have a selection of tried and true neighborhoods that between them will work for just about everyone.

Having said that, this is an enormous city and there’s no single perfect place to stay within it, so you’ll need to be prepared to make some tough decisions and compromises no matter where you end up. New York is just too big, its attractions too spread out, and its neighborhoods too distinct for there to be any “one size fits all” recommendation.

And with five different boroughs to choose from (well, four really, because who the hell is staying in Staten Island?!) and countless neighborhoods within each of them, you have a seriously overwhelming array of options.

Then, even when you’ve decided on a particular borough - let’s say Manhattan in this case - you’ve still got your work cut out for you, as there are technically 56 neighborhoods in just that one borough alone! And while many of those little areas sort of bleed together and aren’t really worth distinguishing between, others are very distinct, and the atmosphere can change pretty markedly from one to the next at times.

Leaving the island of Manhattan behind, outer boroughs like Brooklyn and Queens are also worth considering, especially if you’re after a more local and residential feel or are just looking for somewhere a bit easier on your wallet. The main downside of staying in either of these areas is that you’ll need to use the subway a lot, as you’re inevitably still going to do most of your sightseeing over in Manhattan.

Ok, with those caveats stated, if this is your first or second time in New York City and you plan to do a good deal of sightseeing and typical tourist stuff (which you should, of course!), I think any of the 7 neighborhoods that I’ve recommended below are all excellent choices.

They’re pretty different from one another though - some are really busy, others quiet and relaxed; some are quite tourist-focused, while others are mostly local, but they’re all pleasant areas that have lots to see and do, are super walkable (you’ll never need a car in any of them), and provide easy access to many of the places that you’re surely planning to visit while in town.

Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, so it’s really just about the atmosphere you’re after and which of them provides the best access to the specific places that you’re interested in visiting while here.

Let’s dig in!

Table of Contents

Quick summary of my 7 recommended neighborhoods

1. Midtown (blue on the map above)

This is probably exactly what most people picture when they think of NYC, and Midtown, in all its chaotic glory, is the beating heart of the city. With skyscrapers all around you and iconic landmarks like the Empire State Building to the neon lights of Times Square, this is where you’ll check off most of your “NYC Must Do’s”, and it’s also the best place to be if you want to feel the energy and excitement that makes New York so special.

It’s overwhelming, loud, endlessly busy, packed with people on the street and traffic cruising by, and quintessentially New York. It’s also incredibly central and extremely well-served by public transportation, so is without a doubt the most convenient base for sightseeing.

2. The Flatiron District (black/grey above)

Located directly below Midtown, the Flatiron District provides easy access to all of the action up there but without having to be fully “immersed” in it. This is still a bustling area though, and it has tons of shops, great restaurants and cafes, and a really nice selection of boutique hotels.

It’s also much less touristy than Midtown, and is especially popular with young professionals and families, so has a nice social scene. It’s also near multiple subway lines and is walking distance to tons of major tourist sites, so I always recommend the Flatiron District to visitors who want to enjoy all the benefits of Midtown, but from the comfort of a slightly less hectic environment.

3. The Upper West Side (yellow above)

The Upper West Side (often abbreviated as UWS) is an upscale residential neighborhood that runs all along the west side of Central Park. Filled with gorgeous brownstones and tree lined streets, there's a certain Old World charm here and while it's always lively enough, the madness of Midtown feels a world away.

It's well connected by subway to the rest of Manhattan as well as Brooklyn, is full of places to eat, drink, and shop, and is especially ideal for families with children or anyone who values close proximity to the city’s best park.

4. The West Village (purple above)

Set along the Hudson River in lower Manhattan, the West Village is one of the city’s most idyllic and picturesque neighborhoods. The buildings here are low and tightly packed, the streets are narrower and quieter, and the entire area has an intimate, rather romantic feeling. You’ll find lots of charming brick townhouses and little cobblestone streets, and the atmosphere is pleasantly laid back. There are also tons of fabulous restaurants here, many of them tiny little spots with tables packed closely together and an almost European air.

It’s pretty quiet and relaxed during the day, but very busy at night, with people spilling out onto the streets and sidewalks from the many restaurants. If you stay here, you’ll be walking distance to a number of places of interest, and there are good transit connections, with a couple of subway lines passing through.

5. Williamsburg, Brooklyn (red/orange above)

Just across the East River from Manhattan, this exceedingly trendy Brooklyn neighborhood exploded in popularity 30 years ago and hasn't looked back since. Once working class and then a hipster enclave, this is now one of Brooklyn's most desirable neighborhoods, especially amongst wealthy young professionals in their 20s and 30s.

It's got a great dining scene, thumping nightlife, and tons of shopping ranging from vintage to mainstream to haute couture. I think it’s a great base for young people who want to be in a cool neighborhood that puts them in easy reach of both lower Manhattan and the rest of Brooklyn.

6. SoHo (green above)

Located downtown and bordering the West Village, SoHo is one of the city’s hippest neighborhoods and a major fashion hub. Another very pretty area, there are nice cobbled streets here and a wealth of beautiful cast-iron architecture that’s unique in New York. SoHo is definitely a particular vibe though, and much of what you’ll find here are luxury apartments, very high-end designer stores (as well as some mainstream ones), celeb-favorite restaurants, and trendy art galleries, so you’ll probably either love it or hate it.

Less “lived-in” than the West Village, parts can also feel a little bit empty at times, which is something worth considering. Because of its central location, it’s a quick walk from here to many other downtown neighborhoods and almost every major subway line stops nearby, so you can get anywhere in the city quickly. SoHo definitely isn’t for everyone though, and Overall I think it’s best. suited for younger “trend setting” travelers or anyone who wants premier access to the city’s best shops and nightlife.

7. Financial District (pink above)

Manhattan’s southernmost neighborhood, the Financial District is home to Wall Street (of course!) and a host of other major sights like the 9/11 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge. It's a modern finance hub full of skyscrapers that blot out the sun, but is also one of the most historic parts of the city with narrow streets and interesting pockets of old architecture.

Although not very atmospheric and far from the rest of Manhattan, it's extremely well connected by public transport (nearly every subway line stops here) and offers a wealth of relatively affordable hotels. It’s super busy during the day, but very quiet at night, once the office workers have headed home for the evening.

1. Midtown

Pros: Super central location, great access to nearly all the top tourist sights, very well connected by public transportation, super busy with that classic NYC feel

Cons: Some parts are very touristy, can be loud and crowded, hotels are expensive

*Looking out over skyscrapers in Midtown Manhattan. Photo:* *Rhododendrites*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Times Square lit up at night. Photo:* *chensiyuan*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

If this is your first time in New York and you want the quintessential experience - yellow taxis all around, impossibly tall skyscrapers towering over you, and crowds of people on the street 24/7 - Midtown is the place to be. This is the version of New York that we’ve all seen in the movies and on TV, and it has an energy that’s unlike anywhere else on Earth. When you’re in Midtown, you’ll never forget that you’re in the middle of one of the world’s great cities.

Let me level with you though: as a local, my instinct is to basically steer clear of this area at all times - especially the parts near Times Square. That’s because for me, Midtown is primarily two things: a center of industry, with office-filled high-rises and suit-clad office workers scurrying to and fro; and the center of the city’s tourism scene, with famous sights all around and crowds of tourists weaving their way between them.

So as someone who lives here and doesn’t work in an office, there’s just really no reason for me to be in this part of the city. But the fact that I don’t spend much time here doesn’t mean it’s not a great base for visitors - because it is! If you’re planning to hit the sights and do a fair deal of “touristing”, there’s nowhere better to be.

Spanning from 34th to 59th street, this incredibly chaotic area’s main and most compelling selling point is that it’s quite literally in the heart of everything. Plus, every major subway line connects through here, making it incredibly easy to get around the rest of the city.

Midtown is also home to a majority of the city’s most iconic landmarks and sites and this is where you’ll find places like Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, Carnegie Hall, MoMa, and much more - the list goes on and on. There’s so much to see and do right here that I actually don’t think it’s possible to check off all of Midtown’s tourist highlights in a single visit!

Of course, at the center of all this action is Times Square. Here, you’ve got Broadway theaters, costumed characters posing for pictures, massive neon billboard signs, and enormous flagship stores for some of the world’s biggest brands. While undoubtedly a sensory overload, even I have to admit that seeing Times Square at night is a necessary NYC experience.

As far as who you’ll see out and about in Midtown, while a lot of New Yorkers work here, this isn’t generally an area that we tend to hang out in and not many people actually live here. This is especially evident from the restaurants that you find here, which are often big and not very good chains or overpriced tourist spots that you probably wouldn’t go to in your own city.

On that note, if you do opt to stay here, I would strongly urge you to venture to other areas for at least some of your meals - this is New York after all, and there’s no excuse for eating badly in this crazy diverse city.

I think staying in Midtown is a great choice if you have limited time here (let’s say 3 days or less) and your priorities are sightseeing, experiencing “big city New York”, and ease of access to other areas. However, if you’re hoping to mingle with locals in a less touristy and less work-focused neighborhood, or just want a quieter place to sleep, I’d recommend looking elsewhere. After all, basically no matter where you stay, you’ll be able to easily take the train over to Times Square to bask in the neon glow!

Realistically, the biggest “downside” to staying in Midtown is that it can be incredibly busy and crowded, which I personally find to be super overwhelming. But that bustling energy might be exactly what you came to this city for, so I recognize it will actually be a positive for many visitors. To each their own!

Where to stay

Casablanca Hotel - This 4-star, luxury property boasts a gorgeous Moroccan-inspired design and is just one block away from Times Square. $350-450.

Hotel Riu Plaza - This massive 4-star property is in the middle of the Theater District, making it a fantastic choice for Broadway fans. $350-400.

The Knickerbocker - Eco-friendly luxury property situated right in the heart of Time Square, guaranteeing you’ll be in the center of all the action. $300-400.

Refinery Hotel - Contemporary 5-star property right next to Bryant Park. I especially love their rooftop lounge, which offers amazing views of Midtown. $300-350.

45 Times Square Hotel - Nice midrange hotel down the street from the heart of Times Square and near several main subway lines. The rooms are pretty basic, but a great value for the location. $250-300.

2. The Flatiron District

Pros: Very central just below Midtown, lots of shopping and good restaurants, impressive architecture, great green space in Madison Square Park

Cons: Few tourist sights, mainly offices and shops, very busy during the day

*Looking north from Flatiron Plaza. Photo:* *Tdorante10*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Buildings on West 23rd Street, right by Madison Square Park. Photo:* *Hanc Tomasz*, *CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Located directly below Midtown, The Flatiron District is always my go-to recommendation for visitors who want to have that quintessential “city experience” without being engulfed by the crowds of Midtown and flashy billboards of Times Square.

With much of central New York easily reached on foot from here and numerous subway lines that will take you most anywhere else you want to go, this is a super convenient base that provides a nice middle ground between the busyness of Midtown and the quieter atmosphere in some of the more residential neighborhoods that I’ve recommended below.

In terms of ambiance, the Flatiron as a whole is still very urban, made up mostly of busy avenues lined by mainstream retailers and offices. However, there are also a number of quiet side streets filled with local eateries and bars, which is where you’ll find the many young professionals and families that live in the neighborhood. I especially love that despite being in the middle of the city, a few of the streets here are pedestrian-only, which is a really nice break from constantly dodging traffic!

The architecture is also quite particular, with the soaring skyscrapers of midtown replaced by much prettier historic cast-iron and Neoclassical-style buildings. And of course, the best example of this is the main architectural focal-point of the neighborhood - its namesake Flatiron Building. Now, even though that lovely triangular-shaped landmark draws in thousands of visitors, I think the true gem of the area is actually Madison Square Park. Located directly in front of the Flatiron Building, this compact urban park is my favorite place to decompress when I’m running errands in the area (which is often).

The main reason I encourage staying in this neighborhood is that besides Midtown, the Flatiron is the most centrally located area in the city. The Empire State Building is a short walk away, as are countless other landmarks and tourist sites.

Basing yourself here also puts you in close proximity to several other very nice neighborhoods, like Grammercy, Greenwich Village, and Chelsea. Personally, I always love strolling from Madison Square Park just south to Union Square, a fun and youthful plaza that’s home to a lively farmer’s market, several nice shops, and fantastic people watching.

Overall, I really don’t think that the Flatiron District has any downsides for travelers, and it’s the one neighborhood in this guide that I think basically everyone would be at least reasonably pleased with. It’s busy and feels very much like New York but isn’t overwhelming, has great access to the big sights but isn’t overly touristy, and provides a good balance between commercial and residential.

If you’re just looking for a good place to stay and don’t have super specific requirements or want a very particular atmosphere, you can stop reading this guide right now and just book a hotel here now!

Where to Stay

Ace Hotel - Artsy 4-star boutique hotel just north of Madison Square Park and only two blocks away from a convenient subway. $350-450.

Freehand New York - Very youthful 4-star hotel just two blocks away from Madison Square Park. This lively property has a great rooftop bar and restaurant and is often my first suggestion to friends visiting the city. $300-350.

Arlo NoMad - Trendy 4-star property near Madison Square Park and less than five blocks from the Empire State Building. Several amenities are offered, making it one of the best value hotels in the area. $200-300.

The Flat NYC - Set in a historic walk-up building, this midrange property feels more like an apartment than a hotel. The rooms are basic but clean, and the location is down the block from Madison Square Park and multiple subway lines. $200-250.

3. Upper West Side

Pros: Beautiful architecture, peaceful neighborhood, great for museum and art lovers, walking distance to Central Park, very residential

Cons: Quite expensive, minimal nightlife, not a very central location so you’ll need to take public transportation to explore more of the city

*Central Park West, looing at high-rises in the Upper West Side. Photo:* *Mikin24seven*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*The Museum of Natural History in the Upper West Side. Photo:* *Ingfbruno*, *CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

If sophisticated brunches, gorgeous brownstones, and a lavish night at the opera sound like your ideal trip to New York City, then I highly recommend staying in the Upper West Side. Filled with gorgeous pre-war buildings and cultural landmarks, and bordering Central Park, I consider this to be one of New York’s most refined neighborhoods.

For me, the Upper West Side’s biggest appeal is that it’s so close to Central Park - my favorite place in the entire city. The neighborhood stretches all along the western side of the park, so you’re never far from the tranquil lawns and pathways of Manhattan’s most treasured green oasis. Because of this, I always recommend the Upper West Side to travelers with young children or anyone who wants to balance their city break with some outdoor recreation.

The architecture throughout the neighborhood is also particularly stunning; as you stroll through the tranquil, leafy streets here, you’ll pass tons of gorgeous brownstones and historic buildings known for their incredibly ornate facades. I personally love coming here and just wandering through the neighborhood, admiring the grandeur of these luxury homes.

In terms of demographics, the Upper West Side is a very upscale, residential area and the people who live around here tend to be mostly older couples or wealthy families with kids. Although the area as a whole is pretty quiet, there are still a good number of restaurants, cafes, and high-end boutiques, so it’s not as if there’s nothing but apartments.

There are also some nice cultural institutions here, like the Lincoln Center and American Museum of Natural History, which is one of my favorite places in all of New York. Even though I’ve been coming to this museum since I was a little kid, I never grow tired of it, and I especially recommend paying a visit to the planetarium.

The biggest downfall of the Upper West Side is that it’s not a very central area, so I'd keep that in mind if you’re planning to do a lot of sightseeing downtown. Along those same lines, you’ll probably want to look for a hotel in the southern half of the neighborhood (let’s say 86th street and below), as you’ll just be too far north of most other places of interest otherwise. With that said, there are a couple of subway lines that run the entire length of the neighborhood, so if you’re ok taking public transit regularly, you’ll be able to get to other parts of Manhattan very quickly.

I should also mention that there aren’t tons of affordable hotels in this part of town, so this isn’t the most budget friendly option. In general, if you’re on the younger side of 30 or maybe even 40, are looking for a lively nightlife scene, or are on a budget, the Upper West Side probably isn’t the best choice for you.

However, I think it’s an excellent fit for families with kids, anyone who wants to be near Central Park, and travelers with deep pockets who want a quiet and refined place to base themselves.

Where to stay

The Wallace - Gorgeous 4-star hotel set along an idyllic tree-lined street and three blocks away from the subway. $400-450.

Arthouse Hotel - Boutique 4-star hotel in the heart of the Upper West Side and down the street from the subway. Their rooftop terraces offer great views of the Hudson River. $300-350.

Hotel Belleclaire - Set in a historic landmark building, this gorgeous luxury property is situated just three blocks away from both the Museum of Natural History and Central Park. $200-300.

The Lucerne Hotel - This very upscale 4-star property is also housed in an historic landmark building and only one block away from the Natural History Museum. $200-250.

4. The West Village

Pros: Incredibly charming, quiet and relaxed local feel, great restaurants, fun but low-key nightlife, lots of jazz and comedy clubs

Cons: Not many hotels in the area, expensive, not very close to tourist sights so you’ll likely need to rely on public transportation

*West 4th Street in Greenwich Village. Photo:* *Kidfly182*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Gay Street in Greenwich Village. Photo:* *Jean-Christophe BENOIST*, *CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

The West Village is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in New York. Think ivy-clad brick townhouses, narrow cobblestone streets, and tiny but charming little restaurants whose tables spill out onto the sidewalks. This is a wonderful place to just stroll about and you could easily spend a couple of hours weaving your way through it while admiring the architecture and popping into its cafes and boutiques.

If there’s anywhere in New York that feels a little bit European, this is definitely it!

Located fairly far down Manhattan’s southwestern side, this is a trendy residential neighborhood that feels quite sophisticated but also surprisingly laid-back. This partly because you’ll find a wide mix of demographics here, spanning from older folks to families and young professionals in their 30’s and 40s to college students. This last group doesn’t live here, but the main campus of New York University borders the West Village, so you’ll find lots of students out and about.

I think staying in the West Village is ideal if your priority is spending time in a more relaxed, local neighborhood, rather than hitting every top tourist site. While the area may not have many major landmarks, it’s brimming with designer boutiques, vintage stores, cafes, cool cocktail bars, and incredibly charming apartment buildings.

I especially love coming here to spend time in Washington Square Park, where you’ll find a hodgepodge of students, young families, and even a local community of avid chess players. It’s one of the best spots for people watching in the city.

I also really like the nightlife here, which is lively but never raucous. As evening sets in, the streets begin to fill up with people - many of them dressed to impress -, and you’ll find couples enjoying romantic dinners at the cute little restaurants, groups of friends getting together to do a some low-key bar hopping, and all sorts of folks hitting the jazz and comedy clubs.

And if you want to extend your evening or are looking for something a bit less tame, just head to the northern end of the West Village, where the vibe changes from serene to super trendy as you enter the Meatpacking District. Here, quaint brownstones and brick townhouses are traded in for industrial-chic, with uber popular nightclubs and very exclusive restaurants. Personally, my days of clubbing are long gone, so I steer clear of that area, but it can be a good time as long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In case it’s not already clear, I really, really like this area, but I do recognize that it has a couple of drawbacks from a touristic perspective: there aren’t a lot of hotels (and what few there are are very expensive), the neighborhood has no typical tourist sights, and it’s pretty far from a lot of the places you’re probably going to visit during your trip. If you can find somewhere to stay within your budget, I think it’s definitely worth it, but I understand that not everyone will want to have to hop the subway every time you want to go see the sights.

Overall, if you’re willing trade in a bit of sightseeing convenience in return for a charming residential neighborhood with great dining and nightlife, I highly recommend staying here. However, if you want to wake up to the soaring skyscrapers of NYC and be in close proximity to major tourist sites, then it’s probably not the best choice.

Where to stay

The Standard, High Line Hotel - Extremely trendy 4-star hotel that towers over the High Line and is known for getting pretty rowdy at night due to its popular rooftop bar. While it might be a fun splurge, I don’t think this is a great fit for families or anyone looking for a quiet stay. $450-500.

Washington Square Hotel - Nice 3-star boutique hotel overlooking Washington Square Park and just two blocks away from a large subway station. $400-500.

Incentra Village Guesthouse - Simple midrange accommodation set in a brick townhouse from 1841 and located in the heart of the West Village. The property is adults-only, so this one definitely won’t be a fit for young families. $300-400.

Dream Downtown - Contemporary 4-star property just north of the West Village and a few blocks from a convenient subway station. The hotel rooftop has a glass-bottom pool- a luxury amenity that you don’t see often in the city! $250-350.

5. Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Pros: Very youthful and local feel, charming neighborhood, tons of restaurants and bars, great shopping, just one subway stop away from Manhattan

Cons: Few traditional tourist sights, very expensive, can be loud at night, you’ll need to take the subway into Manhattan

*Crowds of people out in Domino Park. Photo:* *Andre Carrotflower*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*A stretch of Bedford Ave, one of the main streets in Williamsburg. Photo:* *Enzo Ticà* on *Unsplash*

*The corner of Bedford Ave and North 7th St. Photo:* *LWYang from USA*, *CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*Typical low-rise houses on a side street in Williamsburg. Photo:* *Alex Proimos from Sydney, Australia*, *CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

If you want to stay in Brooklyn rather than Manhattan, the incredibly trendy neighborhood of Williamsburg, in the north of the borough, is the obvious choice. Sitting right along the East River and just across it from Manhattan, Williamsburg is blessed with fantastic views of New York’s skyline and is just a quick ferry or subway ride away from it (one stop, to be precise).

The neighborhood was once a major hipster hotspot, and parts of it still are - mostly on the outer margins -, but it’s been squarely on the map for at least a couple of decades at this point and is really just a super nice neighborhood now. It’s especially popular with fairly high-earning young people in their 20’s and early 30’s, and the atmosphere is accordingly youthful, lively, and lots of fun.

There has been an absurd amount of development here over the past years, especially along the waterfront, where you’ll find tons of luxury glass-clad high-rise apartments and condos. As you head away from the river, the architecture transitions to older, mostly 3 and 4-story apartment blocks, and it becomes much more densely packed.

The main streets are commerce-heavy, with tons of shops - ranging from vintage to boutique to big commercial chains -, along with an insane array of restaurants dishing out cuisines from all over the world, cafes and coffee shops on basically every corner, and a fantastic array of bars and music venues. Because the crowd is pretty young, you also have a good selection of all of the above at wide-ranging price points, so you can eat, shop, and go out for relatively reasonable prices (by New York’s standards anyways).

Williamsburg is busy day and night alike, and you’ll find people out and about everywhere you go, sometimes so much so that you’ll wonder whether anyone has a job (they do though!).

When the weather’s nice the riverfront promenade is always a blast, where a series of recently updated parks - definitely pay a visit to Domino Park among them- offer the perfect vantage point for admiring the skyscrapers on the other side of the river. I’d also recommend taking a walk over the Williamsburg Bridge, which will bring you into the Lower East Side in Manhattan. I know the Brooklyn Bridge gets all the (well-deserved) attention, but this is a great alternative if you want to take in the view while steering clear of the crowds.

And when you want to get into Manhattan a bit quicker, you can always hop on the L train which will take you straight there in less than five minutes. For a fun alternative, you can also opt to take the ferry which makes multiple stops along the east side of Manhattan.

There’s not really anything bad to say about Williamsburg, but I do think it’s important to make clear that this is not the cool, edgy, hipster neighborhood that you’ll often see it described as. That might have been true 20 years ago, but this is now an incredibly gentrified neighborhood and it can sometimes feel a bit too trendy I guess. Prices have also skyrocketed here, and it’s not really any cheaper than Manhattan nowadays.

If you want to get a feel for a real neighborhood where lots of young locals live and you don't mind relying on public transportation, I think this is a great choice. However, folks traveling with kids or just anyone who wants to be within walking distance to the city’s top landmarks and cultural institutions will be better off sticking to any of the 6 Manhattan that I’ve recommended in this guide.

Where to stay

Arlo Williamsburg -Very trendy 4-star hotel set along the waterfront, offering great views of the skyline and a really nice dining area. $450-500.

The Hoxton - This luxurious 4-star hotel is one of the most upscale options in Williamsburg. It boasts a cool modern-industrial design and has a large rooftop bar overlooking the Manhattan skyline. $350-400.

The Penny Williamsburg - Perfectly situated in the heart of Williamsburg’s most lively area, this 4-star boutique hotel has a great on-site restaurant and is just a few blocks from the subway. $300-400.

Pod Brooklyn - Basic, but solid 3-star budget option in the heart of Williamsburg. Most of the private pods sleep up to two people and the property offers free bike rentals. $250-300.

6. SoHo

Pros: Great high-end shopping, tons of trendy restaurants (which might actually be a con depending on your style), very pretty neighborhood, easy access to lower Manhattan

Cons: Can feel pretentious and fashion/trend-obsessed, very touristy, is super busy during the day but kind of weirdly quiet at night

*The intersection of Mulberry and Prince St. Photo:* *Jess Hawsor*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

*The Louis Vuitton store in SoHo. Photo:* *Jess Hawsor*, *CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

It doesn’t get much trendier than SoHo, and if designer shops, en-vogue restaurants, gallery openings, exclusive pop-ups, and a high likelihood of celebrity sightings sounds like your idea of a good time, then you’ll probably love this downtown enclave. If the above makes you roll your eyes though, I’d keep looking.

Lying in southern Manhattan between Greenwich Village and Chinatown, this is one of New York’s shopping meccas, and it has a huge array of shops and boutiques, from high-end designers to big commercial retailers. Shopping is definitely the theme of the neighborhood, but it’s not everything, and you’ll also find a lot of hip art galleries, carefully “curated” coffee shops, and very expensive and exclusive restaurants that are often frequented by A-listers (or at the very least, stylish New Yorkers dressed like celebrities).

Central SoHo is mostly a commercial hub, with shops and restaurants mixed in with offices, but the surrounding side streets are actually pretty residential, home to a rather young demographic of fashionistas, successful artists (or not-so-successful ones from rich backgrounds), and deep pocketed businesspeople who want to mix it up here with the trendsetters and celebrities. It’s definitely touristy, as tons of visitors come here to shop and/or try to spot famous people, but it’s also a real neighborhood that people live in.

Personally, the social scene in SoHo isn’t my favorite but I recognize that it has a definite, if rather particular appeal. What I actually find most appealing about the neighborhood is the architecture, which is a unique cast-iron style that you won’t see really anywhere else in the city, and which gives the area a distinct charm. The streets are also pleasantly light on traffic and many of them are made of cobblestones, so like Greenwich Village, this is another more intimate part of the city that’s really nice to wander around.

The atmosphere also shifts significantly depending on the time of day; the area is incredibly busy from the afternoon through to early evening, mostly filled with tourists, people shopping, and workers from the surrounding offices, but it’s very quiet in the mornings and later in the day, which are either before the flood of shoppers have arrived or after they’ve left. And if you choose to base yourself here, you’ll be able to explore the neighborhood at those times, enjoying it basically all to yourself.

SoHo is definitely a polarizing place and I’ve tried to give you a really clear picture of it because you will probably either love it or hate it, and if you choose to stay here, it needs to be an informed decision. If you’re into fashion, love staying up on the newest trends, want to do a lot of shopping, and like the idea of an exclusive and posh atmosphere, I think you’ll really enjoy yourself.

On the other hand, if you’re older, are traveling with little kids, or just don’t really care about influencers or fashion/style, keep on walking - this won’t be for you. SoHo is also predictably expensive, so while there are a good number of hotels here, you’ll need to be prepared to shell out a hefty bit of dough if you want to stay in them.

Where to stay

The Nolitan - Trendy 4-star property on a quiet street just outside of Soho’s epicenter and a few blocks from several subway lines. $350-450.

The Roxy Hotel - Stylish 4-star hotel towards the southern end of Soho, tucked away on a quiet side street. There are lots of unique amenities onsite, including a basement jazz club and private movie theater. $350-450.

11 Howard - Lavish 5-star property on the border of Soho and Chinatown and next to several subway lines. Many of the rooms come with furnished terraces overlooking the neighborhood. $350-400.

Sohotel - Nice mid-range hotel housed in a 19th-century building and tucked a few blocks away from Soho’s busiest streets. A convenient subway line is also just a two minute walk away. $250-350.

7. The Financial District

Pros: Great for history and architecture lovers, near several top landmarks, very well connected by public transportation

Cons: Doesn’t have a very local or neighborhood feel, gets pretty dead at night, is far from the rest of Manhattan

*Beaver St in the Financial District. photo:* *Billie Grace Ward from New York, USA*, *CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped*

*Looking at Battery Park and the Financial District behind it. Photo:* *Joe Mabel*, *CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Located along the southern tip of Manhattan, the Financial District is always my top recommendation for history-buffs visiting New York. I know that seems weird, but this is actually the oldest settlement in the city and the entire area is dotted with fascinating landmarks that date as far back as the early 1800’s. In addition to its historical significance, the neighborhood also has a very wide range of hotels and it’s incredibly well served by public transportation, making it a really convenient base for travelers.

In my opinion, the most appealing part of the Financial District is its distinctively unique layout and architecture: instead of following a neat and orderly grid, which most of Manhattan does, here you’ll find a labyrinth of cobblestone alleys and narrow streets wedged between monumental glass and steel skyscrapers. Wandering through these slender pathways is a great way to really get a sense of how steeped in history the neighborhood is.

Within just a few blocks of each other, you have the country’s first capitol building, the city’s oldest public park, the gravesite of Alexander Hamilton at Trinity Church, and ferry tours to the Statue of Liberty. There are also several more modern landmarks to explore, namely the iconic Charging Bull sculpture, the reflecting pools of the 9/11 Memorial, and the Freedom Tower - NYC’s tallest building.

Outside of the area’s historical prominence, the Financial District is of course world famous for being NYC’s economic epicenter. All along Wall Street are some of the world’s biggest financial institutions, including the New York Stock Exchange. This is a global center of finance and it’s accordingly packed with bankers, financiers, and and all sorts of other “finance types”.

During the day, it’s busy and fast-paced, with congested streets filled with tourists and workers rushing from meeting to meeting. The streets are especially overwhelming during the lunchtime break and morning and evening rush hours. It can be really fun to see, but you’ll probably want to avoid the area during those times after you’ve experienced the deluge of people once or twice. The atmosphere change enormously in the evening though, becoming almost eerily quiet, as not many people actually live here so most everyone heads elsewhere as soon as the workday ends.

Having said that, I have definitely noticed more young professionals starting to move to the area in recent years, but it’s still mostly a business downtown rather than a lived-in neighborhood. You’ll still find some lively bars and restaurants in the evenings (mostly filled with people out for business meals or post-work drinks), but overall the dining scene is mostly quick grab-and-go spots that heavily cater to the lunch crowd. There’s also not much in the way of nightlife.

I think the lackluster evening atmosphere is the biggest drawback to staying here, but the location is also less than idea, as it’s pretty far removed from the rest of Manhattan and you won’t be able to walk to most places (remember, it’s all the way on the far southern extreme of the island).

Even so, literally every major subway line stops here, so you can still get everywhere, just by public transit rather than on foot. There’s also a ferry route that runs from here up to Midtown, which I always opt for when I have time. It won’t be as quick as the subway, but the views of the skyline are exceptional!

Overall, if you’re drawn to New York’s historic sites, don’t care about having a lively evening atmosphere, and are fine taking public transportation, I think the Financial District can be a very good choice. As with Midtown, it’s also an ideal neighborhood if you’re only here for a short stay and want easy access to several top landmarks. However, if you’re looking for a more local, lively, or neighborhood feel, or want to be walking distance to Midtown and other neighborhoods/sites of interest, this probably isn’t the right spot.

Where to stay

Mint House at 70 Pine- Elegant 4-star apartment-hotel situated in the heart of the Financial District. Most rooms are equipped with full kitchens, and several have their own washing machines. $400-500.

33 Hotel- Stunning 5-star property located next to the Brooklyn Bridge. Several rooms also come with lovely terraces overlooking the river. $300-350.

Gild Hall, a Thompson Hotel- Gorgeous 4-star hotel in the heart of the Financial District. The bedrooms are pretty spacious for NYC standards, and there’s a cozy wine bar onsite. $250-300.

The Cloud One Hotel- Great midrange hotel conveniently located near the New York Stock Exchange. Set in a high-rise building, the property offers amazing views of Lower Manhattan. $200-250.

Hotel Indigo NYC Downtown- Centrally-located 4-star property right off Wall Street, providing easy access to several subway lines and nearby landmarks. $200-250.

Other neighborhoods to consider

While I think the 7 neighborhoods that I’ve recommended above are the best choices for the vast majority of visitors, I wanted to include a couple of other options here that I think may appeal to specficic subsets of people.

They’re local and residential areas that are all really nice places to live, but since they’re mostly a bit more removed from the main sights, they aren’t as convenient from a tourism/sightseeing perspective. But if you’re ok with longer travel times and want to check out some really nice residential neighborhoods with very distinct appeals, you might find somewhere great here.

Let’s have a look.

The Upper East Side

*East 69th Street. Photo:* *Gryffindor*, *CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons*

Directly across town from the Upper West Side, the incredibly affluent Upper East Side is brimming with extravagant architecture and is mostly inhabited by a wealthy, older demographic. I personally think this can be a great area for families or anyone looking for a relatively quiet getaway, though I wouldn’t recommend it for young couples or friends. There’s very little in the way of nightlife and most restaurants in the area are quite elegant and pricey.

Outside of its serene atmosphere, the biggest draw to the Upper East Side is its proximity to several museums. This is where you’ll find Museum Mile, a section of Fifth Avenue that features six of the city’s top museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (my personal favorite). Additionally, the entire neighborhood runs along the east side of Central Park, adding to the area’s tranquil ambiance.

Because the Upper East Side is very residential, it can be difficult to find accommodations here. However, there are a small handful of expensive hotels and airbnb’s scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Long Island City

Tucked along the East River and directly across from Midtown, I think this up-and-coming Queens neighborhood is a nice option if you want to admire views of Manhattan without having to actually be in Manhattan. Long Island City (locally known as LIC) is an eclectic neighborhood with several waterfront hotels and rooftop bars, plus it’s just one quick subway stop away from Midtown.

Because of its easy access to the city’s main hub, the area has been growing in popularity among tourists and locals alike.

What was once an entirely industrial neighborhood has slowly become one of the more popular areas in Queens. You won’t find much in the way of tourist sites, but there are a number of diverse restaurants and cafes popping up, along with a lovely riverfront park.

Although I wouldn’t recommend this neighborhood to anyone who wants to be walking distance to most activities, I do think Long Island City could be an ideal fit for youthful travelers on a tighter budget.

Downtown Brooklyn

Similarly to Long Island City, Downtown Brooklyn offers the convenience of great views and quick access to Manhattan. The area has an eclectic mix of office workers, students, and families, and its architecture is as diverse as its community. Depending on which street you’re on, you’ll either find towering hig-hrise buildings or three-story brownstones.

In addition to Brooklyn Borough Hall, the area is an easy walk to local favorites like Fort Greene Park and the DUMBO waterfront. To get to Manhattan, you can choose between a number of subway lines in the area or opt to take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge.

I personally think that Downtown Brooklyn could be ideal if you’re looking for a more diverse, local neighborhood. However, there aren’t really any tourist sites here and you’ll need to travel a bit to reach Manhattan.

Chelsea

Straddling the West Village and Flatiron, this west-side neighborhood is known as the city’s art district and is another area that I would recommend to anyone looking for a more residential atmosphere. Wide avenues are lined by gorgeous brownstones, contemporary bars and a myriad of independently owned art galleries.

The High Line, a lovely elevated linear park, also runs straight through Chelsea, allowing you to easily walk to Midtown or the West Village. In general, Chelsea’s demographic is made up of young professionals looking for a relaxed environment while still maintaining a strong nightlife scene.

The biggest cons of the neighborhood are that it can be quite pricey and isn’t as well connected to the rest of Manhattan. There is only one train line in Chelsea and depending on how far west you’re staying, you may have to walk quite a few blocks to reach the subway, which I find to be a bit inconvenient.

Where to Stay in New York City - A Local’s Neighborhood Guide

Quick summary of my 7 recommended neighborhoods

1. Midtown

Where to stay

2. The Flatiron District

Where to Stay

3. Upper West Side

Where to stay

4. The West Village

Where to stay

5. Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Where to stay

6. SoHo

Where to stay

7. The Financial District

Where to stay

Other neighborhoods to consider

The Upper East Side

Long Island City

Downtown Brooklyn

Chelsea

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