Manhattan
There are endless things to do in Manhattan, where visitors will likely spend most of their time. Explore parks like Washington Square Park, The High Line (an elevated park built on a former railway line), and Central Park, where you can stroll along scenic paths, rent a rowboat on the lake, or visit landmarks like Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields (a memorial to the Beatles’ John Lennon). If your visit aligns with the free summer concert series, Great Jazz on the Green Hill, or any of the other fantastic music series that take place here, make sure to get tickets, pack a blanket, and head to the lawn for a day (or evening) to remember.
Immerse yourself in world-class art collections spanning thousands of years at the renowned Metropolitan Museum of Art on Manhattan's Upper East Side. New York state residents are eligible for pay-what-you-wish tickets so that entry is accessible for all residents. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the American Museum of Natural History, and The Met Cloisters are a few other gorgeous museums in the city worth visiting. You can’t come to New York without catching a Broadway musical or play at one of the iconic Times Square theaters for a theatrical experience unlike any other. While you’re in the area, enjoy breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline from Top of the Rock Observatory, the observation deck atop Rockefeller Center.
Take a ferry ride to visit historic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to learn about the immigrant experience in New York City. Or rent a bike and pedal along the Hudson River Greenway, a scenic bike path that offers stunning views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline.
Where to Stay
Want to stay in Manhattan? We’ve got you covered!
The boutique-style Kimpton Hotel Eventi in Chelsea is cute and close to all the action. Steps from Chelsea Market and the High Line greenway, Kimpton Hotel Eventi has a 24-hour fitness center, three seasonally-inspired restaurants, and Big Screen Plaza, a 15,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor multi-level public plaza with a 30-foot multimedia art screen.
Hotel Indigo on the Lower East Side feels fiercely local, and welcomes you with a lobby mural by New York graffiti artist and actor Lee Quinones. Guest rooms are colorful and showcase stellar city views. The shining star here (you may have heard of it) is Mr. Purple, a 15th floor rooftop restaurant and bar with stunning floor-to-ceiling skyline views. Dine indoors or sip a cocktail on the terrace. New York favorites, like Katz’s Delicatessen and The Tenement Museum, are right down the block.
Bask in the luxuriousness of Midtown’s InterContinental New York Barclay, which has been welcoming guests for nearly 100 years. The Jazz Age-inspired hotel has been renovated over the years so while it gives off glamor, it’s also quite convenient. Near Grand Central Station, this is a wonderful place to stay when you want to explore the city’s finer things. Guests love the look and feel of this hotel as well as the service and cleanliness throughout. Amenities include an InterContinental Club Lounge, state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour valet parking, and pet-friendly accommodations. The lobby-level restaurant, The Parlour, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, and features locally-grown produce, locally-crafted cheese, and vodka that’s made nearby, as well. You’ll be delighted to learn that the restaurant uses honey from on-site rooftop hives, perfect in a Bee’s Knees cocktail. And the bar hosts live jazz a couple nights a week.
Food and Drinks
Get inexpensive and delicious dumplings at Shu Jiao Fu Zhou. Or head to the Greenwich Village Joe’s Pizza (this is the original location) for a hot and cheesy slice. One of the best Indian spots in the city, Dhamaka can be found inside Essex Market. And Via Carota is a cozy and cute Italian trattoria that only takes walk-ins. For cocktails, head to the dark and moody Irish pub, the Dead Rabbit, or Dante NYC, a 100-year-old establishment with an entire negroni menu (among other drinks) — there’s even a negroni on tap! Get tickets for live jazz at Smalls Jazz Club and enjoy a laid-back evening in the old-school, super cool space.
Transportation Tips
The subway system in NYC is extensive and cost-effective. You can get almost anywhere on the train. Taxis and rideshare are also available, but traffic can be heavy in the city. Walking is a great way to explore your surroundings, but we highly discourage renting a car.
Brooklyn
Some would say Brooklyn is Manhattan’s cooler, younger sister and they’re not wrong. From Williamsburg to Dumbo, Coney Island and beyond, there are endless things to do and see in New York City's most populous borough. Take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or the Williamsburg Bridge (you can start in Manhattan and walk into Brooklyn or vice versa). Visit the Brooklyn Museum and spend some time at Brooklyn Botanic Garden, McCarren Park, or Domino Park. Prospect Park, with its vast green spaces, scenic trails, and a serene lake, is the perfect place to escape the city with a picnic. Take a day trip to Luna Park, Coney Island’s amusement park, or get some sun and burritos or tacos at Rockaway Beach.
Where to Stay
Two of our favorite IHG hotels are located in different Brooklyn neighborhoods.
On Metropolitan Avenue, the contemporary Hotel Indigo Williamsburg is right next to a subway station in a very walkable part of town with gorgeous East River and skyline views. The guest rooms are bright and airy, and there’s a courtyard firepit for guests to enjoy. Here, you’re close to Domino Park, the Williamsburg Bridge, and lots of restaurants, shops, and bars. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, complimentary bicycles for guests to use, and self-parking for a fee. Dine on-site at Brook and Lyn or visit the fourth floor ALIYA, a Caribbean and Asian-inspired cocktail bar with an outdoor terrace for good-weather days.
EVEN Hotel Brooklyn in Boerum Hill overlooks Barclays Center and is close to must-visit attractions like the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Prospect Park. The guest rooms are cool here because they include state-of-the-art in-room fitness zones (in addition to the 24-hour fitness center). The pet-friendly hotel is also home to EVEN Kitchen & Bar, which is open daily and has a menu packed with healthy bites.
Food and Drinks
Peter Luger Steak House is a classic, serving beef in a beer hall space since the late 1800s. For Venezuelan food, Caracas Arepa Bar (which has been open for over 20 years) hits the spot. Share some seasonal Peruvian plates and fun takes on cocktails like the pisco sour at Llama Inn. BKLYN Larder, on Flatbush Ave, is a quick and easy spot to grab the most amazing meatball sandwich, cheese, ice cream, and other provisions. In a converted auto repair shop, Lilia Ristorante serves pastas, whole fish, an all-Italian wine list, and more. For cocktails, head to the Clover Club and for wine, Rhodora Wine Bar serves natural wines, tapas-style dishes, and has a zero waste goal.
Transportation
In Brooklyn, subway lines A, C, F, and G serve the borough well. Otherwise, it’s pretty walkable, especially neighborhoods like the family-friendly Park Slope, Red Hook, Greenpoint, and Fort Greene. It’s also easy to bike around Brooklyn as a way to get from one area to the other.
Queens
The largest borough of New York City by land area, Queens is known for its diversity and various neighborhoods, each with its own unique character. The area’s multicultural population is reflected in the eclectic food scene with cuisines from around the world, and there’s art, shopping, and even a lively nightlife, for those looking for that authentic New York experience. Must-visit museums in Queens include Museum of the Moving Image, MoMA PS1, and Queens Museum. Embrace the outdoors with a stroll through local greenspaces like Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, and Socrates Sculpture Park.
Where to Stay
A boutique hotel in the Flushing area of Queens, the pet-friendly Hotel Indigo Flushing LaGuardia is minutes from the LGA Airport, and even offers a free shuttle service to get there. Visit Queens Zoo nearby or hop on the 7 train or Long Island Railroad (both near the hotel) for a ride into Manhattan. The hotel offers valet parking and NYC skyline views in addition to a 24-hour fitness center, business center, and restaurant. Located on the third floor, Botanica Bar & Lounge is open daily and offers delicious international dishes, beer, wine, and breathtaking city views.
Also near La Guardia Airport, voco® Fiorello-LaGuardia East is just a few miles from Citi Field, Forest Hills Stadium, Billie Jean King Tennis Center, and Louis Armstrong House Museum — perfect for sports and music lovers. The upscale property is pet friendly and features a state-of-the-art fitness center and secure parking with EV charging stations. On-site restaurants include the lobby level Achilles' Lounge and Little Flower's Lookout, a gorgeous rooftop restaurant offering daily breakfast dishes like omelets and smoked salmon bagels. Chic guest rooms feature espresso machines and electric tea kettles. If you’re aiming to relax, book a Grand Room, which comes with a big soaking tub in the bathroom.
Food and Drinks
There are many Greek restaurants in Queens, but Taverna Kyclades is a local favorite. Slurp some delicious Tibetan noodles at Lhasa Fast Food, and sit down for all-day breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, smoothies, and Brazilian sodas at Pão de Queijo. Casa Enrique serves traditional Mexican dishes from the Cintalapa, Chiapas region, where the owners’ mother is from, and The Freakin Rican has been cooking up Puerto Rican dishes like pasteles, mofongo, and pernil for a decade (first as a pop-up and then as a brick-and-mortar). For classic cocktails, head to Dutch Kills in Long Island City, or Astoria Bier & Cheese for craft beer, cheese, and charcuterie. Donovan’s Pub is a great Irish-American bar, serving burgers, wings, and Shepherd’s Pie.
Transportation Tips
The 7 train runs across Queens and the borough is served by multiple subway lines and buses. Queens has some areas that are very walkable and others that are less so. In neighborhoods like Astoria, Long Island City, and Jackson Heights, you can find a high level of walkability. These areas often have plenty of amenities like shops, restaurants, and public transportation within walking distance.
Trip Extras
Are you an IHG One Rewards member? Book tours, activities, and things to do in New York City and earn points toward future travels. Some fun ones include a helicopter tour of the city, the Liberty Super Express cruise that sails around the Statue of Liberty and back, and a walking food tour of Little Italy and Chinatown that includes four food tastings in places that blend history, culture, and delicious, authentic, and local flavors.
The Bronx
Home to the world-renowned Bronx Zoo, the borough also has a rich musical heritage. Catch a show at the Bronx Music Heritage Center, or take a tour of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, showcasing contemporary works. Yankee Stadium for a baseball game is a no-brainer, of course, and New York Botanical Garden features stunning seasonal displays. If you are a history or literature buff, you must make a stop at the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage.
Food and Drinks
Enjoy diverse dining options in the Bronx, including authentic Italian cuisine on Arthur Avenue, the neighborhood’s very own Little Italy. Some restaurants we love include Roberto’s Restaurant (Salerno-inspired dishes in an old-school setting), Havana Café (serving both innovative and classic Cuban food, plus mojitos), and The Bronx Beer Hall (which is inside an Italian market). Tino’s Delicatessen and Edigio Pastry Shop (open for over a century) are a couple other area favorites.
Transportation Tips
The 4, B, and D subway lines serve The Bronx well in addition to multiple buses and express buses available in the area. Some walkable neighborhoods in the Bronx include Mott Haven, Melrose, Fordham, and Riverdale.
Staten Island
A tranquil escape from the bustling city, Staten Island offers a little getaway filled with natural beauty and charming attractions. Take in city views from the Staten Island Ferry, which offers a free ride and breathtaking vistas of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. Visit the Greenbelt for hiking trails, lush forests, and serene lakes. History enthusiasts can explore Historic Richmond Town, a living history village that showcases 17th-century life. The Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden combines art, culture, and nature in one picturesque location. Experience the quiet, welcoming atmosphere of Staten Island for a refreshing New York adventure.
Food and Drinks
For Sri Lankan food, head to Lakruwana, which hosts an amazing all-you-can-eat, BYOB weekend buffet. Enoteca Maria is extra special because the food is cooked by grandmas from all over the world. Lee’s Tavern is casual and makes the best Staten Island-style pizzas. And Taqueria El Gallo Azteca serves massive tacos at value prices (try the torta here, too).
Transportation Tips
The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers a scenic ride between Manhattan and Staten Island. Bus lines and local trains are available throughout the borough, too. Staten Island is generally considered the least walkable of the five boroughs. It has a more suburban feel, with many neighborhoods featuring detached single-family homes and fewer high-density areas. There are some areas in Staten Island that are more walkable, particularly around St. George, Tompkinsville, and Stapleton. These areas are closer to the Staten Island Ferry terminal and offer access to local shops, restaurants, and public transportation
