Best Area to Stay in New York City for Your First Time: Safe, Scenic, and Subway-Ready
New York City is the most populous city in the US with 8.8 million people condensed to 303 square miles.
For comparison, Los Angeles has 3.8 million people in 502 square miles.
Naturally, when planning your trip to New York, it’s important to find somewhere to stay that’s safe, reliable, and well-connected. But, given the size of the city, it’s understandable overwhelming to narrow down the options.
I’ve been visiting New York for over 10 years now and after multiple trips, I’ve stayed in different areas in various hotel types. So, I can confidently share some top places to stay and even more importantly, the best areas to stay in New York City. These recommendations were chosen for first time visitors to the city but they’re certainly not enjoyed exclusively by first timers.
So, whether it’s your first time or your 5th, here are the best areas to stay in New York City with hotel recommendations, budget information, and pros and cons of each!
Summary of Where to Stay in New York
🚇 Most well-connected: Tempo by Hilton Times Square ($197+ per night)
🚶♀️ Best for walkability: Moxy Lower East Side ($234+ per night)
🌇 Best views: Ace Hotel Brooklyn ($344+ per night)
Keep reading for more options and lots of details to ease your planning!
Map of Top New York Neighborhoods to Stay
Let’s Get Oriented (Understanding the Layout of New York)
Before we dive into where to stay, it’s important you understand how New York is laid out.
New York City is made up of 5 boroughs aka the major governmental areas of the city. They are Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
When we talk about visiting New York, especially as a first timer, we’re pretty much talking almost exclusively about Manhattan.
That’s piece number one.
Secondly, each borough is made up of smaller neighborhoods. There are over 50 neighborhoods in the borough of Manhattan alone!
Naturally in planning your trip to New York, it’s important to narrow that down to find the best neighborhoods to stay.
Where First Timers Spend Time in New York City
That brings us to where you’ll likely be visiting within Manhattan as a first timer.
The biggest attractions are in the following neighborhoods:
- Midtown (Times Square, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock)
- Lower Manhattan/Financial District (Wall Street, One World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial and Museum)
- Chelsea (The Highline, Vessel, Chelsea Market)
- Upper East Side (The Met, Guggenheim, 5th Avenue, Central Park)
- West Village (Stonewall Visitor Center, arts and foodie scenes)
Now just because you’ll be spending time in those places doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily want to stay there.
In fact the West Village only has one hotel! So, it’s not as simple as it may seem.
Top Areas to Stay in New York for First Timers
Before I dive in here, just know that there really are A LOT of options. These recommendations come from my personal experience staying and traveling in these neighborhoods. Plus the months spent planning numerous NYC trips has given me insight to where you’ll find more affordable accommodation.
Financial District (FiDi)
The Financial District is your ticket to exploring a lot of big name attractions from the 9/11 Museum, One World Trade Center, Wall Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park and ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
This is downtown, so FiDi is known for skyscrapers and stereotypically wall street business people. It’s also steeped in history with important landmarks such as Federal Hall, where the US Congress first met and George Washington gave his first inaugural address.
Pros:
- A lot to do in just one square mile
- Historic sights
- The only free shuttle that runs in NYC (called the Downtown Connection Bus)
- Many name brand hotels at reasonable prices, especially given the location
Cons:
- Not centered in Manhattan, so you’ll need a bit more time to get around (for example, it takes 30 minutes to get from the center of FiDi to Central Park)
- Lack of nightlife
Lower East Side
One of my favorite neighborhoods I ever stayed in was the Lower East Side. It felt more local where underrated gems were within walking distance and with access to all the big attractions via subway.
I loved being steps from the Tenement Museum, Katz Delicatessen, and Chinatown.
Pros:
- Local feel
- Underrated gems, especially for food
- Mix of name brand hotels and smaller properties, so you can find exactly what you’re looking for
Cons:
- Not necessarily farther from main attractions, but not as well connected, so you may need to switch subway lines more frequently
- Can be loud from nightlife
Midtown
Midtown is certainly the most tempting area to stay in because of all the big attractions here from Times Square and Broadway to the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center.
If you want to prioritize location, connectivity, and attractions, Midtown is best!
Pros:
- Well connected and right in the middle of Manhattan so it takes equal time to get around
- Lots of big attractions within walking distance
- Most options because it’s the most touristy
Cons:
- Most touristy, so more scams and price gouging, especially for food
- Fewer authentic restaurants (more chains)
- Loud from nightlife and overwhelming
- More commercial feeling than anywhere else
Flatiron District
The Flatiron District is just South of Midtown, so it comes with the perks of Midtown without the noise or commercial feel.
Here, you’ll find the Flatiron Building (of course), the Harry Potter Store, Madison Square Park, and ample shopping including the very popular Fishs Eddy where you can buy the cutest souvenir dishes.
Pros:
- Less commercial, but still close to Midtown attractions
- Beautiful architecture
- Well connected via subway
Cons:
- Fewer attractions within the actual neighborhood
- Not as much nightlife
Brooklyn
While not in Manhattan, Brooklyn is its own borough full of fun things to do, incredible views of the Manhattan skyline, and truly delicious restaurants.
Many people walk across the Brooklyn Bridge during their visit to New York and spend time in the DUMBO area (which stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). But, with cheaper accommodation, a local feel, and underrated foodie scene, Brooklyn can be a great option!
Pros:
- Stellar views of the iconic NYC skyline
- Still connected via subway to Manhattan
- Local feel
Cons:
- More removed from the action of Manhattan
- Takes a solid 40 minutes to get to Manhattan via subway (but only 10-15 mins via ferry, which is also part of the public transit system)
Best New York City Hotels for First Timers
I’ve been to New York 5 times now and have stayed somewhere new each time. I’ll share my personal recommendations and where I’d stay if I return.
In the Financial District
Millennium NY (most walkable)
For my most recent trip to New York, I was in town for a conference being held in Lower Manhattan aka Downtown New York, so I stayed in FiDi twice.
First at the Millennium Downtown New York.
My favorite part of this hotel was its location. It was super walkable for not only FiDi and Lower Manhattan, but also to neighboring Tribeca, which is where you’ll find Ghostbusters Headquarters and popular restaurants like Bubby’s and The Odeon.
- Address: 55 Church St, New York, NY 10007
- Cost: $244+ per night
- Closest subway stop: Cortlandt St. (lines R & W)
- Book here
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Financial District (on the water)
FiDi borders the East River and the Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Financial District sits along the water near Pier 15. It’s within walking distance to the Brooklyn Bridge and Chinatown, plus all the attractions in FiDi.
I loved this hotel, too, because breakfast was included! That’s rare, especially for New York hotels.
- Address: 161 Front St, New York, NY 10038
- Cost: $218+ per night
- Closest subway stop: Wall St (lines 2 & 3)
- Book here
In the Lower East Side
Moxy New York Lower East Side (walkable to great eats)
I once visited New York with mom and her close friend and we stayed at the Moxy in the Lower East Side. I loved this funky hotel!
The decor was so fun, quirky, and unique plus the rooms were incredibly clever in how they conserved space.
They have a nice rooftop bar, solid food options at the lobby bar and rooftop bar, and a cafe with breakfast options.
My favorite part though is that it was so close to a subway stop and within walking distance to some foodie essentials like Katz Deli, Russ and Daughters (for bagels), and Scarr’s Pizza (one of the few Black-owned pizza shops!).
- Address: 145 Bowery, New York, NY 10002
- Cost: $234+ per night
- Closest subway stop: Bowery (lines J & Z) or Grand (lines B & D)
- Book here
In Midtown
Tempo by Hilton Times Square (in the action)
I’ll admit, I’ve never stayed in Midtown at Times Square. As an introvert, I just know I wouldn’t thrive being there. However, if I decided to brave it, I would go with the highly rated Tempo by Hilton in Times Square.
I prefer to use name brand hotels in the more scam-prone areas of a city because they often have better security than smaller hotels.
The floor-to-ceiling windows look especially wonderful for that perfect, immersive New York experience.
- Address: 1568 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
- Cost: $197+ per night
- Closest subway stop: 49th Street (lines N, R, & W)
- Book here
Blue Angel Hotel NYC
For an option in Midtown, but not Times Square, I’d go with the Blue Angel Hotel NYC. This boutique hotel has a rooftop terrace and is within walking distance to all the big ticket items like Rockefeller Center and Central Park.
Plus, they’ve listed their hotel as being LGBTQIA+ friendly in their Google business profile. As no more than an ally, I couldn’t vouch for an LGBTQIA+ experience firsthand, but I’d say the designation is a good start.
- Address: 152 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
- Cost: $185+ per night
- Closest subway stop: Lexington Av/53rd St (lines E & M)
- Book here
In the Flatiron District
Sonder Henri on 24th (most underrated)
If I were to choose any of these hotels to stay at the next time I visit, it would be Sonder Henri on 24th.
This is an elevated boutique stay by Marriott. The touches in this hotel are incredible inside and out.
For example, they partner with a gym down the street for complimentary gym access for hotel guests. Say goodbye to crappy hotel gyms and get a proper workout in, at a proper gym.
It’s also right at a subway stop, for easy access around the city.
Sonder Henri on 24th looks like the ultimate relaxing escape in the bustling city.
- Address: 37 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010
- Cost: $158+ per night
- Closest subway stop: 23rd St (lines F & M)
- Book here
In Brooklyn
Ace Hotel Brooklyn (stunning skyline views)
Similarly to the Flatiron District, Brooklyn is up there on my “next trip I’ll stay here” goals. And top of that list is Ace Hotel Brooklyn.
This boutique hotel has a fun, hipster kind of vibe inside with wood paneling and greenery in a sleek industrial building.
They have a gym, artists gallery, and floor-to-ceiling windows for iconic Manhattan skyline views!
- Address: 252 Schermerhorn St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
- Cost: $344+ per night
- Closest subway stop: Hoyt – Schermerhorn Sts (lines A, C, & G)
- Book here
FAQs about choosing accommodation in NYC
What’s the most important thing in choosing a hotel?
The number one priority you should be looking for is a hotel’s proximity to a subway station. The closer you are, the easier you can get around and the less time you’ll spend walking between the station and your hotel, especially at night.
To double check this, you can search the hotel on your map app of choice and look for MTA icons that denote a subway stop.
The hotels on this post are within blocks of a subway stop, always.
Should you stay in Times Square?
It can be quite tempting to stay in Times Square. Not only are there appealing budget stays, but you’re in the heart of the action.
However, most people would agree Times Square is overstimulating. Not only that but it’s the most touristy part of the whole city. The problem isn’t with being touristy (you should definitely see it once!), the problem is that more tourists brings more scammers and petty crime.
Take that as you will in planning your trip to New York. I’d personally advise against staying at Times Square as there are so many other lovely places to stay that are more peaceful, safe, and interesting than Times Square.
If you’re adamant about staying in Times Square, I’d opt for a name brand hotel that comes with higher security than a budget hotel like Tempo by Hilton in Times Square on this list.
How much are hotels in New York?
I’m gonna hold your hand when I say this…hotels in New York are expensive. There’s no way around it.
Even the most budget hotels are 20% more expensive than the next big city.
Part of this has to do with how condensed New York is and where travelers spend their time. Sure you can find less expensive hotels in Long Island or Newark, NJ, but you don’t want to spend precious time just commuting into the city.
Expect to pay $200 per night minimum including taxes and fees. The average cost of a hotel per night is $437 according to the Google machine, so take that how you will.
For my one week stay in New York, it cost me $1800. I used credit card points to book it for only $120, so if you’ve never travel hacked, that can be a good way in. My favorite starter card is here!
Are the rooms really that small?
It’s no secret that New York City is a packed place…with 8.8 million people to be exact.
Space is limited and that extends to accommodation. Expect smaller rooms than you’re used to even in name brand hotels.
The average hotel room size is 300 square feet with significantly smaller options like budget pod hotels (ex: Pod 51) and bunk bed rooms (ex: Arlo SoHo), which can be as small as ~ 80 square feet. There are even sleeper cabins similar to those popular in Japan that range from 27 – 57 square feet (ex: Now Now Hotel).
The benefit of smaller spaces is that the price is typically adjusted accordingly.
Smaller room = smaller price.
What’s the most budget-friendly place to stay?
I get it, you’re browsing hotels and the price tag is making your head spin. I felt the same way in planning my trips.
If you want the most budget-friendly hotels, look for those with small rooms and/or shared bathrooms.
For example, the Pod brand hotels have rates starting at $119+ per night with bunk rooms and shared bathrooms.
Alternatively, consider a sleeper cabin hotel that has lockers, shared bathrooms, and simply put, a bed in a small enclosed cabin (obviously, not a good idea if you’re claustrophobic). An example of this kind of hotel is Now Now Hotel with rates starting at $131+ per night.
Planning a trip to New York? These posts will help:
My Travel Essentials
- Travel Insurance – Going on an international trip? Don’t forget travel and medical insurance with SafetyWing.
- Travel Card – If you’re new to travel hacking, fear not! My favorite card for beginners gives you $750 in rewards when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months, plus lounge access, 10x points on hotel bookings, and free TSA pre-check!
- Get Your Guide – Check out Get Your Guide for a one-stop-shop for booking travel activities.
- Booking.com – This is my favorite hotel search aggregator, specifically for reading reviews. On Booking.com, the reviews can be searched for keywords like WiFi, breakfast, pool, amenities, etc.! So helpful!
- Anti-pickpocket bag – Worried about having your valuables swiped? PacSafe makes the best travel bags with zippers and straps that lock and with mesh steel enforced fabric.
- Give the Gift of Travel – This is the perfect gift for travelers in your life! Tinggly allows you to gift experiences around the world, perfect for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
- Staycation Idea – Check out Resort Pass, which gives you day passes to resorts so you can use their pool, spa, and fitness center, a great staycation idea!
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