Things to do in New York

Mid-Manhattan hotels carry the highest premium per square foot of any major US city — even a basic 3-star inside Times Square rarely dips below £200/night. Stays in Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO) or Long Island City often run 30–40% cheaper with a 15-minute subway ride to Midtown via the L or 7 lines. The Financial District has become a value play since the post-2020 office-to-hotel conversions, and weekends there are especially soft. Avoid early December through New Year (rates double for the tree-lighting and holiday window) and the UN General Assembly week in September. JFK to Manhattan is fastest via AirTrain + LIRR (40 minutes) rather than the subway (90 minutes); cabs run £55–90 with congestion pricing now in effect. The CityPASS pays back after three major museums or attractions.