Category: Goats on the Road

New York City is one of those places that can feel slightly overwhelming before you arrive. There are five boroughs, dozens of neighborhoods, thousands of hotels, and an endless list of things to see and do.

So, where should you actually stay in New York City?

Having visited New York a few times ourselves, our recommendation for first-time visitors is pretty simple: stay in Manhattan.

Yes, you can sometimes find cheaper accommodation farther out, and both Brooklyn and Queens have some fantastic neighborhoods of their own.

But if this is your first trip to NYC and your goal is to see as much of the city as possible, Manhattan puts you right in the middle of the action.

And within Manhattan, Midtown is one of the best places to base yourself.

Nick and I have always stayed in this area when visiting New York. We love being able to walk out of our hotel and immediately feel like we’re in the New York we’ve seen in movies our whole lives!

Think towering skyscrapers, yellow taxis, steaming street grates, delis, Broadway theaters, rooftop bars, and some of the most famous landmarks on the planet.

In this guide, I’ll break down the three best New York City boroughs for first-time visitors, where to stay in each one, and why Midtown Manhattan gets our top pick.

Quick Answer: Where Should First-Time Visitors Stay in New York?

If you’re planning your first trip to New York and don’t want to overthink it, choose Manhattan – preferably somewhere around Midtown.

You’ll be within walking distance of all the major attractions while also having easy subway connections to Lower Manhattan, Central Park, Brooklyn, and pretty much anywhere else you want to go.

Our three top boroughs for first-time visitors are:

1. Manhattan: Best overall and best for sightseeing
2. Brooklyn: Best for atmosphere, restaurants, and a more neighborhood feel
3. Queens: Best for food, local experiences, and often better-value accommodation

Here’s a closer look at each borough.

1. Manhattan: Best Overall Area for First-Time Visitors

If you’ve never been to New York before, this is where I’d stay. Manhattan is home to all of the places you’ve probably put on your NYC bucket list.

Times Square, Central Park, Fifth Avenue, The Empire State Building, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, Wall Street, The High Line, Freedom Tower, and Chelsea Market.

The list goes on!

One of the things we loved about staying in Manhattan was how much we could see on foot.

New York is a very walkable city, and wandering between attractions is part of the experience. You’ll stumble across cafes, beautiful old buildings, tiny parks, restaurants, shops, street performers, and views that you would’ve completely missed underground on the subway.

On previous trips, Nick and I have covered a huge chunk of Manhattan this way.

We’ve walked around Battery Park and looked out toward the Statue of Liberty before making our way through Lower Manhattan.

We’ve wandered past the Charging Bull, Trinity Church and Wall Street, explored Chinatown and Little Italy, walked through SoHo and Tribeca, and visited the 9/11 Memorial.

And that’s just downtown.

Farther north, we’ve explored Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Columbus Circle, Chelsea Market, the High Line, Madison Square Garden and, of course, Times Square.

For a first trip (whether for a day, a weekend, or a week…), Manhattan simply makes seeing all of this easier.

Midtown Manhattan: Our Top Choice

Manhattan itself is huge, so deciding which part of the borough to stay in is key. If your priority is sightseeing, I think Midtown Manhattan is one of the best areas to stay in New York City.

This way, you’re putting yourself in the center of many of the attractions first-time visitors want to see.

The Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Times Square and Broadway are all in or around Midtown.

You’re also between Lower Manhattan and Central Park, making it easy to explore in either direction.

This is especially important on a shorter trip to NYC.

After all that walking, you’ll probably be a bit exhausted, so having a centrally located hotel means you can pop back to your room, change for dinner, drop off shopping bags, or just rest your feet for half an hour without trekking halfway across the city.

Where to Stay in Midtown: NH Collection New York Madison Avenue

One hotel that’s particularly well positioned for sightseeing is NH Collection New York Madison Avenue, located on Madison Avenue at East 38th Street.

The location is excellent for a first trip.

The hotel is within walking distance of the Empire State Building, Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park, Fifth Avenue and the New York Public Library, with Times Square and Rockefeller Center also nearby.

Grand Central is only a few minutes away on foot, which makes getting around the rest of New York straightforward as well.

And while we haven’t stayed at this particular NH Collection property, Nick and I have stayed with NH Hotels in Brussels and really enjoyed our stay, so it’s a hotel brand we’re already familiar with.

The New York property is set inside a restored 1923 building and was completely refurbished before reopening in 2021. Inside, it has contemporary rooms, a restaurant and bar, a fitness center, and select rooms even have views of the Empire State Building.

But for me, the big selling point is still the location.

Who Should Stay in Manhattan?

Manhattan is the best choice if:

• It’s your first time in New York City
• You’re visiting for just a few days
• Sightseeing is your priority
• You want to walk to major attractions
• You plan on seeing a Broadway show
• You don’t mind paying a little more for convenience

Accommodation can definitely be more expensive here, but for a short first visit, I think the convenience is worth it.

2. Brooklyn: Best for Cool Neighborhoods

If Manhattan is classic New York, Brooklyn gives you a slightly different side of the city.

Brooklyn has become a destination in its own right, with excellent restaurants, coffee shops, bars, parks, independent boutiques, converted warehouses, brownstone streets and some fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline.

For first-time visitors, I’d look primarily at areas with easy connections back into Manhattan, such as DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights or Williamsburg.

DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights are good areas if sightseeing is still high on your list.

You can walk across the Brooklyn Bridge into Lower Manhattan, spend time along Brooklyn Bridge Park, and get some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline.

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge itself is one of those quintessential New York experiences that’s absolutely worth doing at least once.

Williamsburg has more of a nightlife, restaurant and creative scene and can be a great option if you’d rather stay somewhere that feels a little less touristy at night.

Brooklyn does involve more commuting if most of your itinerary is in Manhattan, however.

That’s why I’d generally recommend it for someone who has visited New York before, or is staying for a longer trip.

Who Should Stay in Brooklyn?

Choose Brooklyn if:

• You want more of a neighborhood feel
• Restaurants, bars and cafes are a big part of your trip
• You don’t need to be beside Times Square or Central Park
• You’re staying in New York for more than a few days
• You’ve already experienced Manhattan before

For a first two or three-night trip, I’d still choose Manhattan. For a week? Brooklyn becomes much more tempting.

3. Queens: Best for Food and a More Local Side of New York

Queens probably isn’t the first place most people picture when they’re planning a trip to New York, but that’s also part of its appeal.

It’s one of the most culturally diverse places in the city, and the food scene alone is reason enough to explore it. Depending on the neighborhood, you’ll find excellent Greek, Chinese, Colombian, Indian, Mexican, Korean and countless other cuisines.

For visitors, Long Island City is usually one of the most practical areas to consider.

It’s directly across the East River from Midtown Manhattan, and you’re still close enough that you can get into Manhattan relatively quickly.

Some hotels here can also offer more space or better value than comparable properties right in Midtown.

That said, I wouldn’t recommend staying deep into Queens on a first trip if virtually everything on your itinerary is in Manhattan.

Saving money on your hotel sounds great until you’re spending tons of time every day commuting back and forth. Location matters in New York.

Who Should Stay in Queens?

Queens makes sense if:

• You’re looking for better accommodation value
• You’re staying close to a subway connection
• You enjoy discovering local neighborhoods
• Food is a major part of your trip
• You don’t mind commuting into Manhattan

For first-timers, I’d stick to Long Island City or another area with quick transportation into Manhattan.

Why Location Matters So Much in New York

New York looks relatively compact on a map…but then you start walking and realize that there’s a lot of ground to cover! There’s tons to see, and attractions that seem like they’be be close together can still involve quite a bit of walking.

During our trips, we’ve explored everything from Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan all the way up toward Central Park. Downtown alone could easily fill an entire day.

Start at Battery Park and you’ll have views toward the Statue of Liberty. From there, you can walk up Broadway past the Charging Bull, Trinity Church and Wall Street before continuing toward the Brooklyn Bridge.

Then you’ve got Chinatown, Little Italy, SoHo and Tribeca nearby, followed by the World Trade Center and 9/11 Memorial.

And that’s just one portion of Manhattan!

Another day could include Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Then there’s Chelsea Market and the High Line – this is one of my personal favorite places in New York.

The High Line transformed an old elevated railway into a pedestrian walkway filled with gardens, seating areas and viewpoints over the surrounding streets. It’s such a great place to wander, particularly later in the afternoon. The High Line  was a highlight of ours – don’t miss it!

From there, you can continue toward Madison Square Garden and eventually make your way to the glowing billboards of Times Square.

This is why I think first-time visitors underestimate how important choosing the right hotel location is. Trust me, you don’t want to spend your entire New York trip inside the subway.

A Few of Our Favorite Things to See in Manhattan

If you’re staying in Midtown, you can divide Manhattan into a few different sightseeing days.

Midtown & Central Manhattan

Start with the sights closest to your hotel:

• Empire State Building
• Bryant Park
• New York Public Library
• Grand Central Terminal
• Fifth Avenue
• Rockefeller Center
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Times Square
• Broadway
• Central Park

From NH Collection New York Madison Avenue, several of these are easily accessible on foot, including Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Empire State Building.

Chelsea & The High Line

Another day, head toward:

• Chelsea Market
• The High Line
• Hudson Yards
• Madison Square Garden

Chelsea Market is great for grabbing something to eat before walking the High Line.

The High Line was one of my favorite parts of New York. I love finding green spaces in big cities, and this elevated park gives you an entirely different perspective of Manhattan.

Lower Manhattan

Give yourself at least half a day (preferably longer) for:

• Battery Park
• Statue of Liberty views
• Charging Bull
• Wall Street
• Trinity Church
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Chinatown
• Little Italy
• SoHo
• Tribeca
• One World Trade Center
• 9/11 Memorial

You could rush through these, but I’d rather pick fewer stops and actually enjoy them. PS, don’t miss the amazing food in Chinatown! We loved the soup dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai!

Manhattan vs. Brooklyn vs. Queens: Which Should You Choose?

If I were choosing accommodation for my first-ever trip to New York today, I’d still pick Manhattan. Brooklyn is fantastic, Queens is fascinating and has incredible food…

…but Manhattan gives first-time visitors the New York experience most people have travelled there for.

You’re surrounded by landmarks you’ve seen in movies and TV shows your entire life, and the density of attractions means you can experience an enormous amount of the city in a relatively short trip.

Within Manhattan, I’d narrow it down even further and stay in Midtown.

Being able to walk to the Empire State Building in the morning, wander through Bryant Park, stop at Grand Central, shop along Fifth Avenue and end your evening near Times Square or Broadway is pretty hard to beat.

Final Thoughts

There really isn’t one bad area of New York City – only areas that make more or less sense depending on the type of trip you’re planning.

If you’re returning for your fourth visit and want to spend a week eating your way around Brooklyn and Queens, absolutely stay outside Manhattan.

But for a first trip to New York City, particularly if you only have a few days, you’ll definitely want to stay in Manhattan.

More specifically, look around Midtown.

You’ll spend less time commuting, more time exploring, and you’ll be able to experience many of New York’s most famous landmarks simply by stepping outside and walking.

After visiting New York a few times ourselves and always choosing Manhattan as our base, it’s still where we’d recommend first-time visitors start. Pack comfortable shoes though…you’ll need them. 

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On your first trip to Barcelona, there are some places you just have to see. The Sagrada Família, Park Güell, the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla are on most first time itineraries for good reason.

But what about when you’ve already done all that?

One of the best things about returning to Barcelona is that you can forget about ticking off the big sights and start exploring more of the city. Spend time in neighbourhoods you barely touched on your first visit, find new places to eat, or use Barcelona as a base to see more of the Catalonia region.

If you haven’t been before, our guide to Barcelona for first timers is a better place to start. Otherwise, here are some of our favourite things to do in Barcelona when you’ve already experienced the usual highlights.

You’ve seen the Barcelona Highlights. Now What?

Think back to your first trip. What do you actually remember?

Probably a lot of Gaudí, crowds in the old town, a drink near the beach and a slow shuffle down La Rambla with several thousand other people.

That’s pretty normal for a first trip. You want to see the places Barcelona is famous for, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

The good thing about coming back is that you don’t have to do it all again.

Think about what you missed instead. If most of your meals were close to the tourist sights, make food more of a focus this time. If you barely left the Gothic Quarter, spend an afternoon somewhere completely different.

It can also be worth exploring with someone who knows the city well.

Companies like Fernwayer offer experiences with local guides that take you beyond simply moving between the main sights, giving you more of the stories and context behind the places you’re visiting. On a return trip, that can be a great way to discover parts of Barcelona you might otherwise walk straight past.

Explore El Raval

If the Gothic Quarter took up most of your first trip, start just across La Rambla in El Raval.

Historically a working class area and home to generations of migrant communities, El Raval is one of Barcelona’s most diverse neighbourhoods. It’s busy, a little rough around the edges in places (but totally safe), and packed with restaurants, bars, vintage shops and awesome street art.

It’s also home to MACBA, Barcelona’s contemporary art museum. Even if you don’t go inside, linger a while in the open plaza, Plaça dels Àngels, just outside to see the skateboarders doing tricks and soak in the vibrant atmosphere.

El Raval isn’t really somewhere you need a checklist for either. Just give yourself a couple of hours to have a wander.

Spend an Afternoon in Gràcia

Gràcia used to be its own town before becoming part of Barcelona in the 19th century, and it still has a quite a different feel from the centre itself.

The streets are narrower, small squares pop up all over the neighbourhood and there are plenty of independent shops, cafés, restaurants and bars.

You can quite happily come here without much of a plan. Grab a table in Plaça del Sol, order a drink and stay for a while. Then wander from there and see where you end up.

That’s about as complicated as an afternoon in Gràcia needs to be.

Eat Your Way Around Sant Antoni

La Boqueria is worth seeing, but if you’ve already been there, try Sant Antoni this time.

The huge Mercat de Sant Antoni reopened in 2018 after a major renovation and is worth visiting for the building alone. Inside you’ll find stalls selling meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and other produce.

The surrounding streets are just as much of a reason to visit, with cafés, bakeries, bars and restaurants all within a short walk of the market.

Bonus for if you’re there on a Sunday, there’s also a huge book and collectors’ market that pops up outside.

Give Montjuïc More Than an Hour

If your only memory of Montjuïc is riding the cable car, taking in the view and heading back down again, give it more time on your next visit.

Montjuïc Castle sits at the top of the hill and has a very dark political history, including periods when it was used as a prison and execution site. Elsewhere you’ll find the Olympic Stadium, botanical gardens, museums and buildings dating back to the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.

It’s also one of the greenest areas of the city. Once you move away from the busiest viewpoints, there are gardens and walking paths where Barcelona suddenly feels a lot less hectic.

See a Different Side of Barcelona in Poblenou

Poblenou defintely isn’t the Barcelona you picture before you arrive.

It was once of the city’s major industrial areas and packed with factories and warehouses. Some of those old buildings are still standing today, although many have been turned into offices, studios and cultural spaces, with newer developments built around them.

You can explore independently, but this is one of those places where knowing a bit about what you’re looking at by taking a guided tour with a local makes wandering around much more interesting.

Go for Pintxos in Poble Sec

For an easy evening away from the busiest parts of the old town, head to Poble Sec.

Carrer de Blai is known for its pintxos bars, where small dishes are laid out along the counter. Grab one or two, order a drink and then move on to the next place.

There are plenty of local bars and restaurants in the surrounding streets too, so there’s no need to stick to the main street if somewhere else catches your eye.

The whole point is to make a night of it rather than sitting down for one long meal.

Get Out on the Water

You’ve probably already seen Barceloneta from the sand. Seeing Barcelona from the water gives you a completely different perspective.

Boat trips leave from the waterfront throughout the day, ranging from short sightseeing cruises to longer sailing trips. It can also be a great option if you’re looking for more romantic things to do in Barcelona, particularly later in the afternoon or around sunset.

Once you get further out, you get a much better sense of how the beaches, Olympic waterfront and city skyline all fit together.

Time it for later in the day and you can head for drinks or dinner when you get back.

Drink Wine in Alella

You don’t need to travel particularly far from Barcelona to find yourself in wine country.

Alella sits between the hills and the Mediterranean just north of the city and is one of Catalonia’s smallest wine regions. It’s known particularly for its white wines, and there are several wineries in the area offering tours and tastings.

It’s close enough to Barcelona to visit for half a day, although it’s worth booking tastings ahead rather than simply turning up.

If you have more time, stay for lunch and turn it into a full day away from the city.

Take a Proper Day Trip

If you’ve already given Barcelona itself plenty of time, use a day to see somewhere else in Catalonia.

Montserrat is the obvious one, but that doesn’t make it a bad choice. The monastery and its huge jagged mountain backdrop are around an hour from Barcelona, and there are hiking trails if you want to do more than visit the abbey and head home. Our guide to planning your visit to Montserrat covers how to get there and what to know before you go.

Girona is around 40 minutes away by high-speed train. Its historic centre is compact enough to explore in a day, with medieval walls, narrow streets, the cathedral and the colourful houses lining the River Onyar.

Or head south to Sitges. It’s an easy train ride from Barcelona and has a completely different feel, with beaches, a pretty old centre and a long waterfront promenade.

You’re Never Really Done With Barcelona

If you think you’ve seen everything, that actually means you just followed a basic tour and saw all the big stuff. But Barcelona is way more than that.

The second or third visits can be a lot more fun than the first because you can kind of find your way around some parts of the city, and you also get to be surprised by everything you didn’t see the last time.

Besides, the parts that stick with you usually aren’t the ones where you’re standing with a camera in your hand, looking at a famous building.

So go back to somewhere you loved. Try a neighbourhood you missed. Take the train out of town. Spend too long over lunch. Book something you didn’t have had time for on your first visit. But most of all, just slow it down and enjoy!

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