New York City —
two visits, two very different stays & the start of our USA road trip
We've been lucky enough to experience New York twice. In 2017 we stayed in New Jersey and crossed into the city; in 2024 we came back and stayed right in the centre. Between the two trips we've packed in everything from Ellis Island and the Empire State Building to Broadway, an NFL game and some very New York tours.
Take a virtual drive through New York
Want a feel for the city before you go? Our friends at Drive From Home let you take a virtual drive through New York — real dashcam footage paired with local sound, so you can wander Manhattan's streets, see the neighbourhoods and get your bearings before you plan the real thing.
They've also got a written guide to New York that's a great companion piece to plan alongside our notes below.
2017 versus 2024
We visited Ellis Island and explored one of the most important immigration sites in American history — the entry point for more than 12 million immigrants.
One of the classic New York experiences — seeing Manhattan spread out beneath you from the Empire State Building's observation deck.
A New York trip had to include Broadway, and we went to see MJ, the Michael Jackson musical. The atmosphere on Broadway itself was as much of the experience as the show.
We also went to an American football game to see the New York Jets — a completely different side of the New York experience, and huge fun for a first NFL match.
A bus tour helped us cover more of the city and get our bearings among New York's neighbourhoods and landmarks — a great option on a first visit.
And for something completely different, we did a Sex and the City locations tour around Manhattan — a fun, lighthearted way to see corners of the city you'd otherwise walk past.
A powerful piece of New York history
Ellis Island was one of the historic experiences we made time for. More than 12 million immigrants were processed there during the peak years from 1892 to 1924, and today the main immigration building houses the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration.
If you're planning a visit, the National Park Service advises booking the authorised ferry in advance. The same ferry service provides access to both Ellis Island and Liberty Island.
Getting around Manhattan and beyond
- The subway is king. Fastest, cheapest and most iconic way to get around. Runs 24/7 across all five boroughs. Buy a MetroCard or use contactless tap-to-pay (OMNY) at the turnstiles.
- Walk whenever you can. Manhattan is famously walkable — many of the classic sights are closer to each other than they look on the map.
- Yellow cabs, Uber & Lyft. All widely available. Ride-share is often easier in outer boroughs; yellow cabs are quicker to hail on the street in Midtown.
- Buses are useful for crosstown routes (e.g. across Central Park) where the subway doesn't help.
- Don't drive in Manhattan. Traffic and parking are punishing — even locals often don't own cars.
- City passes like the New York CityPASS or Sightseeing Pass can be great value if you're hitting several paid attractions in a short trip. Do the maths first.
Our New York photos
All photos from our 2017 and 2024 New York visits — no stock images.
Right in the middle of Times Square
Times Square is one of those places that really does feel exactly as full-on as it looks — giant screens, neon everywhere and people in every direction. Here's a quick glimpse from our own New York trip.
Skip-the-line tickets, shows & tours
The New York attractions we did — the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Broadway shows and city tours — can all be booked in advance through GetYourGuide, which almost always beats turning up at the door on the day.
Disclosure: Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A New York trip means a lot of walking, big weather swings by season, and long days out. Keep it simple:
You'll walk a lot
NYC weather swings
110V US sockets
Long days, lots of photos
Cabs, coffee, baggage
New York → Philadelphia → the Deep South → Miami
New York was also where our big Deep South journey began. From here we headed to Philadelphia and Washington DC before continuing through Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana and Florida — all the way to Miami over 13 nights.