Travel Tips

Manhattan Vacations & Complete New York City Guide

Locations in this article:  Brooklyn, NY Miami, FL New York City, NY

Manhattan skyline - New York CityWhen people imagine New York City travel guides, they often instinctively think of Manhattan’s various landmarks and how to visit them.

But many Manhattan vacation guides will get you only one borough’s worth of what New York City has to offer. From restaurants to shopping to the city’s secret hotspots, our comprehensive New York City guide offers what you need to know to visit America’s largest city.

Since Peter’s broadcasting his radio show from Midtown Manhattan this weekend, PeterGreenberg.com figured it would be a good time for a comprehensive travel guide rounding up all of our travel articles on New York City.

In honor of Peter’s hometown, we’ve assembled a comprehensive New York City travel guide covering everything from attractions and restaurants, to great views and hidden hotspots, to helpful transportation options and hot hotels.

First off, do you know the best way to get to NYC if you’re flying in? Let’s just put it this way: friends don’t let friends fly into LaGuardia. Find out how to avoid gridlock at the city’s busiest airports by seeking out some of America’s Best Alternate Airports.

Of course, if you’re on a budget, there are even cheaper ways to get to the Big Apple. New bus lines serving the city may make you see bus travel in a whole new way. Check out: Evaluating One-Dollar Bus Fares from DC to NYC.

Now that you’ve arrived in style, it’s time to get the lay of the land. Why not survey the city from on high? Sure, there’s always the Empire State Building and the observation deck at Rockefeller Center, but why hang out with all the other tourists when you don’t have to? Find out the Best Free Views of Manhattan’s Skyline.

New York City's Brooklyn Bridge in black and whiteThere are adventures around practically every corner in New York City’s five boroughs. From the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens to the Bronx Weekend Trolley, there’s never a shortage of things to do, whether you’re in Park Slope or Red Hook. Get the scoop on some of the city’s lesser-known attractions in our Off the Brochure Travel Guide: New York City.

New York’s culinary scene is world-renowned for its diversity, from French-African fusion to coal-fired Italian pizzas, and from impossibly chic celebrity haunts to greasy spoon diners. Take advantage of the city’s culinary delights during your visit with these options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and more: Three Days, Nine Meals (and More): New York City.

And it’s not just New York’s culinary scene that’s known for its diversity. New Yorkers themselves hail from all parts of the globe and ethnic neighborhoods here often have a distinctive flair. And when there’s an ethnic neighborhood that needs exploring, culturally savvy Ana Berry, aka-America’s Gypsy, is always up for the challenge. First she explores a little-known ethnic enclave in Rego Park: New York’s Bukhari Community. Then, for Bollywood sights and Hindi sounds, join America’s Gypsy Discovering South Asia in New York’s Jackson Heights.

Want to do a little shopping on your trip? PeterGreenberg.com’s got you covered. First, shopper extraordinaire Suzy Gershman sends a missive from Manhattan describing her latest finds, along with a new airport scam that she nearly fell for. Don’t miss her insider knowledge and sassy style in Suzy Gershman’s Postcard from Manhattan: New Stores, New Scams. Suzy’s partner-in-Prada, Sarah Lahey, recently rode the high-speed Acela Express train into town for some retail therapy and found the latest in men’s fashion, women’s handbags and convenient and comfy rail travel. Don’t miss her Manhattan Shopping Guide & Amtrak Acela Express Review.

At this point in your whirlwind tour, a bit of rest may be in order. With hundreds of hotels in Manhattan alone, finding the right one can be intimidating. First off, avoid the worst: New York’s Hotel Carter Tops Dirty Hotels List — Again.

New York City's Standard Hotel Next, know what you’re getting yourself into before you book: New York’s Standard Hotel Attracts Exhibitionists, Voyeurs–and Complaints. Then see how one hotel did when a demanding Mom vetted this upscale option in: Putting Concierge Services to the Test: Loews Regency Hotel, New York.

Of course, those are just three hotels, how do you choose among the rest? First off, check out this Video Tip: Tips on Choosing the Right Hotel Room. After doing a bit of browsing, score a great deal with: How To Get Better Deals at Hotels.

If New York’s temperamental weather takes a turn for the worse when you’re in town, don’t worry. There are plenty of indoor activities to keep travelers occupied, no matter the season. Check out Winter in NYC: 10 Indoor Activities Off Manhattan.

Want to feel like a local and discover some real hidden hotspots in Manhattan? Three New Yorkers offer their take on their city in the Ask the Locals Travel Guide: Midtown Manhattan.

Of course, there are a few standard tourist activities that you probably won’t want to miss. While you used to have to gaze from afar at the Statue of Liberty, now you can go right on in. Find out how with Lady Liberty’s Crown Reopening July 4th.

Want a relaxing diversion from the hustle of the city that never sleeps? Perhaps surprisingly, there are plenty of less urban adventures waiting for you just outside the city limits. For example, did you know there are vineyards on Long Island? There are. Lots of them, in fact. Check out the Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Long Island’s North Fork, the Hamptons Alternative.

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, Peter broadcast his radio show from The Russian Tea Room in New York City. Check out guests from the show here.

Listen to this show here:

By Matthew Calcara for PeterGreenberg.com.

To check out radio guests from Peter’s most recent show from Midtown Manhattan, click here.