JW Marriott Essex House New York

The best time to visit is May, September, and October, when temperatures are mild and rain is less frequent. June and July are the hottest months, with July also being the rainiest. Winter months are cold, but the city is festive around the holidays.

Midtown suits first-timers, with Times Square and the Theater District close to Broadway and the Empire State Building. The Upper East Side is quieter and more residential, near the Met and Central Park, ideal for a relaxed stay. Brooklyn offers a local feel with easy access to Manhattan, good for those wanting a different pace. Chelsea is a good pick for its galleries and the High Line, with the Pendry Manhattan West nearby.

Central Park offers a vast green escape with iconic spots like the Bow Bridge and Bethesda Terrace. The Empire State Building gives classic skyline views from its 86th-floor observatory. The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom, reachable by ferry to Liberty Island. Bryant Park is a lively midtown green space with seasonal activities. The Metropolitan Museum of Art spans 5,000 years of art, from ancient relics to modern works.

The full-day tours from New York cover the city itself, not outlying destinations. For a day trip, take the train to Philadelphia for Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, or to Boston for the Freedom Trail and Harvard. A ferry to Staten Island offers harbor views and the Statue of Liberty, though it's a short ride. These are well-known, easy trips from the city.

Plan 4 days: 3 full days for the core sights and 1 extra if you take a day trip. Spend one day on Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, another on the Empire State Building and Top of The Rock, and a third on the Statue of Liberty and the High Line. A day trip like the hop-on hop-off bus tour adds a fourth day.