Where to Stay in New York | Top Neighborhoods & Hotels Near Activities

Most first-time tourists to New York City will want to book a stay in Manhattan, where many of the city’s top things to do are located. Travelers can decide where to stay in New York after studying up on the top five neighborhoods dotted around Central Park and just across the river in Brooklyn. Each district in New York contains unique activities and things to do. Plus, many neighborhoods contain hotels that fit every budget.
Where to Stay in New York | Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan is the epicenter of New York City. It stretches from the banks of Hudson Bay to East River and includes some of the city’s most famous attractions, like Times Square, Empire State Building, Majestic Theatre and Broadway Theatre. Hotels in Midtown are priced for convenience, so budget travelers may want to look for cheaper accommodations in surrounding neighborhoods.
Things to see in Midtown Manhattan
Best hotels in Midtown
Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection
The New Yorker, A Wyndham Hotel
Where to Stay in New York | Upper East Side
Nestled between Central Park and East River, the neighborhood of Upper East Side is a swanky residential area as well as a shopper’s paradise. Tourists can spend days browsing through luxury boutiques and fashion retailers along Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue. The area also is home to Museum Mile and gives guests direct access to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Central Park Zoo. The John Finley Walk promenade invites visitors for a scenic stroll along East River. Travelers with bigger budgets looking for luxury hotels should consider a stay in Upper East Side.
Things to do in Upper East Side
Recommended Hotels in Upper East Side
Where to Stay in New York | Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Known as the hip and trendy area of Brooklyn, Williamsburg sits just across East River from Manhattan. The fashionable neighborhood is a popular spot for artists and those who want to experience some of the best NYC nightlife, but it also sports its fair share of attractions and things to do. With direct access to Manhattan’s Lower East Side via historic Williamsburg Bridge, guests who choose to stay in Williamsburg get the best of New York City. Plus, accommodations in Williamsburg are more affordable than in areas connected to Central Park.
Things to do in Williamsburg
- McCarren Park
- Brooklyn Brewery
- Williamsburg Bridge
- The City Reliquary Museum
- Artists & Fleas Williamsburg flea market
Recommended Hotels in Williamsburg
Where to Stay in New York | Greenwich Village
For some of NYC’s best comedy clubs, jazz bars and Off-Broadway shows, tourists should consider a stay in or near Greenwich Village. Also, the area, located on the lower west side of Manhattan on the banks of the Hudson River, is well known for being one of the city’s friendliest LGBTQ neighborhoods. Greenwich Village is a hub for students from New York University, and Washington Square Park draws in visitors from neighboring communities. Travelers who stay in Greenwich Village will be less than two miles from the Empire State Building. Hotels are on the luxury side in Greenwich Village, but a few affordable options are available.
Landmarks in Greenwich Village
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Friends Apartment
- Washington Square Park
- Comedy Cellar
- New York University
Hotels in Greenwich Village
Walker Hotel Greenwich Village
Where to Stay in New York | SoHo
Meaning “South of Houston (Street),” the SoHo area of New York City sits just south of Greenwich Village and, you guessed it, Houston Street. The posh neighborhood features some of New York’s most historic cast-iron building façades and fanciest shopping spots. Visitors can stroll down cobblestone roads to visit the quaint restaurants, boutiques and brownstones (townhouses) for which SoHo has gained worldwide fame. Because of the neighborhood’s south-central location, travelers who stay in SoHo have easy access to Chinatown, Nolita (North of Little Italy) and Lower East Side, where guests will find the cheapest hotels and hostels in NYC.
Things to do in SoHo
- Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art
- SoHo’s Cast Iron District
- Film Forum
- New York City Fire Museum
- Black Tap burger joint
Hotels in SoHo
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