Overview: NYC is dense, fast, and walkable in a way few cities match.
Manhattan is the iconic core, but Brooklyn, Queens, and other boroughs are essential. The subway runs 24/7 and goes almost everywhere.
Walking is often faster than driving. Expect to spend more than you planned and walk more than you thought possible.
Famous for: - Skyscrapers (Empire State, One World, Chrysler).
- Broadway theater.
- World-class museums (Met, MoMA, Guggenheim).
- Food from every cuisine on earth.
- Central Park.
- Brooklyn Bridge.
- Pizza and bagels.
- Energy that never stops.
Transportation:
**SUBWAY**: Buy an OMNY-enabled card or use contactless payment. Use the same credit card every time—in a 7 day period you will only get charged up to $35; beyond that you ride for free. Runs 24/7 but slower late night.
**WALKING**: Often fastest in Manhattan. TAXIS/UBER: Useful for outer boroughs or late nights. Don't drive—parking is expensive and traffic is brutal. From JFK: AirTrain + subway or Uber (~$80-120). From LaGuardia: Uber ($50-90) or bus+subway.