Manhattan Travel Guide
Manhattan is one of New York City’s five boroughs and, for many travelers, the first point of introduction to the city. This is where you’ll find the buildings you recognize from photos and movies. It’s also the area where most visitors to New York stay and spend their time, as many famous sights are close together and easy to reach on foot or by subway. Think of the Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Central Park.
Manhattan is too large to cover on a single page. That’s why below you’ll find a travel guide focusing on the topics that are most relevant to you as a tourist.
Where to Stay in Manhattan
Many travelers choose to stay in a hotel in Manhattan. This is mainly because a large number of well-known attractions are located here and relatively close to one another. You can easily get around on foot or by subway and spend less time on long journeys across the city, especially on a first visit.
Where you stay within Manhattan does make a difference. Hotels close to famous areas, such as Times Square, are often more expensive. Hotels a bit farther away from the crowds, in quieter neighborhoods, are usually more affordable.
Seeing Manhattan from Above
Many tourists experience Manhattan from above by visiting one of the city’s observation decks. These viewpoints can be found at various locations in Manhattan, with the Empire State Building being the oldest. Other options include Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, and Edge.
The observation decks differ in price and atmosphere, but each offers a unique perspective on Manhattan.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is the city’s oldest observation deck and is located in the heart of Midtown. From here, you have views over a large part of Manhattan.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is a modern observation deck with lots of glass and mirrored surfaces, located near Grand Central.
Edge
Edge is located at Hudson Yards and visibly juts out over the city, featuring a glass floor and an open outdoor platform.
Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock is located at Rockefeller Center and is known for its views toward Central Park and Midtown.
One World Observatory
One World Observatory is located in Lower Manhattan and is housed in the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Streets and Squares in Manhattan
Manhattan is the borough of New York where many famous streets come together, recognizable from photos and television. One of the best known is Fifth Avenue, a long street that runs through a large part of Manhattan and is home to many shops and display windows. Broadway also runs through several neighborhoods of the city and is especially known for the theaters and musical venues located along it.
In the south of Manhattan lies Wall Street. This street is about 800 meters long and is considered the financial center of New York. Because of the tall buildings, little sunlight reaches street level here, which has led to the nickname “Canyons of New York.” This area is also home to the Charging Bull and Fearless Girl statues. Farther north is Park Avenue, one of the most famous and expensive streets in Manhattan, with many apartments and office buildings.
Another important connecting street is 42nd Street. This street runs east to west through Manhattan and links different parts of the borough. Along 42nd Street you’ll find, among others, Times Square, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Terminal. In the southwest of Manhattan lies Bleecker Street, between Bowery and Hudson Street, a street best known for its musical history.
In addition to streets, Manhattan also has several well-known squares. Times Square is located at the intersection of several major streets and is one of the city’s most famous places. Herald Square is near Macy’s and is known, among other things, as the starting point of the annual Thanksgiving Parade.
Neighborhoods in Manhattan
Manhattan consists of a large number of neighborhoods that are located close to one another. During a stay, you’ll often walk through several neighborhoods, as many well-known sights are within easy reach of each other.
In Lower Manhattan you’ll find neighborhoods such as Little Italy, Chinatown, and SoHo, which are all close together. Closer to the center of the island is Midtown Manhattan, where many famous attractions, hotels, and office buildings are concentrated.
To the east are the East Village and the Lower East Side. On the west side of Manhattan you’ll find neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Meatpacking District. Slightly farther south is Tribeca.
In the north of Manhattan lies the Upper East Side. On its western side is Hell’s Kitchen, which borders directly on Midtown.
Subway in Manhattan
For many travelers, the subway is the most commonly used way to get around Manhattan. Nearly all neighborhoods and attractions are connected, making it easy to travel between different parts of the island. The subway is often used for longer distances, while much of the exploring in between is done on foot.
Parks in Manhattan
Manhattan is best known for its tall skyscrapers and many attractions, but there are also several parks spread across the island. The most famous is Central Park, which stretches across a large part of the center of Manhattan and lies between multiple neighborhoods.
In addition to Central Park, New York has more than 1,900 parks in total, many of which are located within Manhattan. In Midtown you’ll find Bryant Park, close to 42nd Street and the New York Public Library.
In Lower Manhattan you’ll find Washington Square Park and Battery Park, among others. Washington Square Park is named after George Washington, the first president of the United States. Battery Park takes its name from a battery of cannons placed here in the 17th century by Dutch settlers to protect New York Harbor.
Along the west side of Manhattan are several parks along the Hudson River. Hudson River Park runs along the river and borders multiple neighborhoods. In the same area is the High Line, the elevated park built on a former railway line. Little Island is also located here, a city park that opened in 2021 and was designed by Heatherwick Studio.
Buildings and Bridges in Manhattan
Manhattan is known for its tall buildings that together form New York’s skyline. Spread across the island are buildings that have been a permanent part of the city for decades, interspersed with newer developments.
One of the most famous buildings is the Empire State Building, which for a long time was the tallest building in the world and is located in the heart of Midtown. In the same area you’ll also find Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal, two places that are popular with tourists. Nearby stands the New York Public Library, a building of more than 23,000 square meters, making it the second-largest public library in the United States.
Farther south is One World Trade Center, also known as the Freedom Tower. This building is located in Lower Manhattan and is the tallest building in the United States. In the same area is the Oculus, a transportation hub designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The building serves as a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks and is part of the World Trade Center complex, together with the Westfield World Trade Center shopping center.
Along the edges of Manhattan are several famous bridges. In total, the island is connected to the surrounding boroughs by 21 bridges. The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the city and connects Manhattan with Brooklyn. The Manhattan Bridge also runs between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Museums in Manhattan
Manhattan is home to a large number of museums spread across the island. They vary widely in subject and location and focus on topics such as art, history, science, and contemporary issues.
One of the best-known museums is the American Museum of Natural History, located along the edge of Central Park. This museum focuses on nature, science, and history. On the east side of the park is the Guggenheim Museum, recognizable by its circular building. In Midtown you’ll find the Museum of Modern Art, also known as MoMA, with a collection of modern and contemporary art.
In Lower Manhattan is the 9/11 Museum, part of the World Trade Center complex and dedicated to the events of September 11, 2001. In the same part of the city you’ll also find the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, housed on a former aircraft carrier on the Hudson River.
Also located in Midtown is Madame Tussauds New York, a wax museum featuring figures from film, music, and sports.
Travelers planning to visit multiple museums in New York can make use of a discount pass. With passes such as the New York CityPASS or the New York Explorer Pass, you get access to several museums and attractions across the city. Which museums are included and how the pass works varies by pass.
Shopping in Manhattan
In various parts of Manhattan you’ll find long shopping streets where large chains, well-known brands, and smaller shops sit side by side. Some streets are mainly defined by big stores and flagship locations, while other areas of the city are better known for boutiques and local shops.
One of the most famous shopping streets is Fifth Avenue, home to many international brands and large retail stores. Midtown is also where you’ll find Macy’s Herald Square, one of the city’s largest department stores. In addition, there are several Apple Store New York locations spread across Manhattan, including the one on Fifth Avenue.
In other neighborhoods, such as SoHo and parts of Lower Manhattan, you’ll find more small shops and boutiques.
Broadway musicals in Manhattan
Broadway is located in Midtown Manhattan and is known for its theaters, where musicals and other performances are staged daily. Many of these theaters are close together, especially in and around the Times Square area.
The shows on Broadway change regularly. Some musicals run for many years, while others are only on stage for a limited time. The theaters vary in size and style, but almost all of them are within walking distance of one another in Midtown Manhattan.
Tickets for Broadway musicals are available in several ways, depending on the show and the time of your visit. Some tickets are booked well in advance, while others are also available shortly before the performance.
New York Info
Hi, I’m Edward, an experienced New York enthusiast. Over the past few years, I’ve visited the city multiple times and explored it from north to south. On New York Info, I share my own experiences, practical tips, and honest recommendations to help you plan your city trip to New York. Do you have any questions? Feel free to send me an email.
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Last updated: January 15, 2026
