Planning notes for New York

New York City, located at the mouth of the Hudson River, is a major North American port and the most populous city in the United States. Established as a Dutch trading post in 1624, the settlement passed to British control in 1664 and served as the first capital of the United States under the Constitution. In 2026, the city will serve as a primary site for the United States Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary).

Must-try foods nearby

• New York-Style Pizza
  The quintessential NYC slice: large, thin, and hand-tossed with a light layer of tomato sauce and full-fat mozzarella.
• Bagel with Lox and Schmear
  NYC bagels are distinctive for being kettle-boiled before baking, resulting in a dense, chewy interior and a shiny, salt-flecked crust.
• Pastrami on Rye
  A towering monument to Jewish deli culture, specifically at Katz’s Delicatessen. The pastrami is dry-cured, smoked, and steamed until it reaches a melt-in-your-mouth consistency.
• Halal Cart Chicken and Rice
  The definitive street food of the modern era. This dish consists of yellow basmati rice topped with chopped, spiced chicken (or gyro meat), iceberg lettuce, and pita.
• Chopped Cheese
  Born in the bodegas of Harlem and the Bronx, this is the true 'insider' NYC sandwich.

When to go: The best months to visit New York are April to June and September to October, when the weather is mild and the city's parks are in bloom or vibrant with fall foliage. While summers are hot and humid and winters can be freezing with occasional snow.

Local tips

• Walk on the right side of the sidewalk and step to the edge near a building or curb if you need to stop to check your phone or take a photo.
• Pay for subway and bus fares by tapping any contactless credit card or mobile wallet at the OMNY readers to avoid purchasing physical MetroCards.
• Allow passengers to exit the subway car completely before you attempt to board and move toward the center of the car to keep the doors clear.
• Tip between 18% and 20% at sit-down restaurants, as gratuity is often not included unless you are dining with a group of six or more.

What travelers are noticing

• The New Museum Expansion: A massive 60,000-square-foot OMA-designed addition on the Bowery featuring the 'New Humans' exhibition and a zero-waste restaurant.
• The Hip Hop Museum: The long-awaited opening of the world's first major cultural institution dedicated to hip hop, located at Bronx Point.
• CANYON: A new 40,000-square-foot 'durational art' space on the Lower East Side specializing in immersive video, sound, and performance art.

Extra place context

• Don Angie
  Still one of the most sought-after Italian-American tables in the West Village. Their pinwheel lasagna has become an iconic NYC dish, representing a modern, highly creative take on red-sauce classics that continues to dominate the local dining conversation.
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