New York, NY Area Guide

New York City's past is visible everywhere, from the colonial-era buildings scattered across Lower Manhattan to the brownstone-lined streets of Brooklyn. The Fraunces Tavern, built in 1719, still serves diners in the same space where George Washington once held meetings during the Revolutionary War, as well as functioning as a museum. St. Paul's Chapel, dating back to 1764, remains the oldest surviving church building in Manhattan. The Alice Austen House on Staten Island, constructed in 1690, preserves the life and photography of one of the city's pioneering artists through its museum and events.

Museums and landmarks throughout the five boroughs make history a living part of the rental experience. The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses centuries of global artifacts, while the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria traces film and television history in the neighborhood where much of it was actually made. Central Park itself is a National Historic Landmark, offering 843 acres where you can walk the same paths that generations of New Yorkers have used for more than 150 years.

Without question, New York is one of the greatest food cities in the world. Its unparalleled cultural diversity means residents can explore virtually every cuisine on the planet — from authentic dim sum in Flushing, Queens, to aromatic Ethiopian stews in Harlem, hand-pulled noodles in Chinatown, and some of the finest French dining anywhere outside of Paris. Of course, NYC has its own iconic food identity as well.

New York-style pizza, with its wide, foldable slices and perfectly crispy-yet-chewy crust, is legendary, and New York bagels, boiled and baked to golden perfection, are considered by many to be the best in the world. Whether you're grabbing a hot dog from a street cart, browsing the incredible vendors at Chelsea Market, or sitting down for a world-class tasting menu, the city's food scene effortlessly spans every price point and occasion.

For those who love food history alongside their meal, NYC is home to some truly iconic culinary institutions. Katz's Delicatessen, open since 1888, has been serving its legendary pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on the Lower East Side for well over a century. Peter Luger Steakhouse, a Brooklyn landmark since 1887, remains one of the most celebrated steakhouses in the country. And Rao's, a storied East Harlem Italian-American restaurant established in 1896, is famous not only for its timeless recipes but also for inspiring the beloved jarred pasta sauce that bears its name.

Beyond the classics, New York’s food culture is constantly evolving, with award-winning restaurants redefining dining through bold new ideas, inventive fusion, and fresh takes on established cuisines. Food markets and pop-up events add to that momentum, rounding out the ever-changing dining scene in the city.

Most New Yorkers move through the city without thinking twice about walking or hopping on the subway. That pedestrian day-to-day life is supported by an extensive public transit network, led by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates 472 stations across multiple numbered and lettered lines connecting all five boroughs. The subway makes it easy to get from Brooklyn to Midtown, Queens to the Financial District, or the Bronx to the Upper West Side without ever getting behind a wheel.

For those in Staten Island, the free Staten Island Ferry offers a direct connection to Lower Manhattan. Bus service fills in the gaps where the subway doesn't reach, and commuter rail options like the Long Island Railroad at Penn Station extend access well beyond city limits. Taxis and rideshares are widely available too, and yellow cabs remain a go-to option throughout Manhattan. Residents also have convenient access to three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in Queens, along with Newark Liberty International Airport just across the river in New Jersey.

Cycling has become a common method of city navigation as New York continues to expand its network of bike lanes across the boroughs. The Hudson River Greenway, which runs along Manhattan’s west side, is among the busiest shared-use paths in the country, and Citi Bike makes short trips more accessible with thousands of docking stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, with continuing expansion. Traffic congestion is a constant reality, so many New Yorkers prefer walking, biking, and public transit as a faster and more practical way to get around.

With more than 30,000 acres of parkland across the five boroughs, New York City makes green space part of everyday life. Central Park remains the city’s most famous, home to landmarks like the Delacorte Theater, Belvedere Castle, and the Central Park Zoo in the heart of Manhattan. In Brooklyn, Prospect Park adds another beloved destination with the Prospect Park Boathouse and its historic carousel, while Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens is instantly recognizable for the Unisphere, along with the Queens Zoo and the New York Hall of Science.

In the Bronx, Pelham Bay Park stands out for Orchard Beach and its expansive shoreline along Long Island Sound, while Bronx Park is home to two of the city’s standout attractions: the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. The city’s appeal extends well beyond its marquee parks, from the High Line, a one-of-a-kind public space built on a historic freight rail line, to Staten Island’s Greenbelt, a vast network of forests and wetlands, as well as waterfront destinations like Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hudson River Park, and Battery Park.

New York, NY is one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $4,081 per month, with studios averaging $3,310 and two-bedroom units coming in at $4,081. Three-bedroom apartments average $7,065 per month. Rent across all bedroom types has seen year-over-year increases, ranging from 2.4% for three-bedroom units to 4% for four-bedrooms. New York state as a whole also leads the nation in average one-bedroom rent at $3,003 per month.

The city is home to a population of over 8 million residents spread across 365 square miles. New York City's economy is one of the largest in the world, with major industries spanning finance, media, technology, healthcare, and real estate. The city serves as a global hub for commerce and trade, providing a broad and diverse job market for residents across a wide range of professional fields

New York City is one of the world’s great shopping capitals, offering everything from high-end fashion to neighborhood bargains. Fifth Avenue remains one of the most iconic shopping corridors in the country, lined with flagship stores and luxury retailers that have drawn visitors and locals alike for generations. In SoHo, cobblestone streets and cast-iron buildings set the scene for independent fashion boutiques, art galleries, and design shops, while Herald Square offers a more classic shopping experience centered around the long-standing Macy’s flagship.

Shopping in New York City can also take on a distinctly local feel. Chelsea Market, housed in a historic former factory, brings together artisan food vendors, specialty retailers, and local makers under one roof. For those who love hunting for deals, Brooklyn Flea offers a lively weekend atmosphere with vintage goods, antiques, and one-of-a-kind finds. Queens' 165th Street Pedestrian Mall gives shoppers a neighborhood-focused alternative to the bustle of Midtown. Whether you're drawn to world-class fashion, locally made goods, or weekend market browsing, New York City delivers a shopping experience unlike anywhere else.

New York City is unlike anywhere else in the world. As the most populous city in the United States and a global hub for finance, culture, fashion, and entertainment, NYC delivers an experience that's hard to match. Iconic landmarks are woven into everyday life here — from the Statue of Liberty and Times Square to the sprawling 843-acre Central Park, a National Historic Landmark. World-class museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Museum of Modern Art sit alongside legendary Broadway theaters and historic venues like the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Getting around the city is remarkably accessible thanks to one of the most extensive public transit systems in the world, with subway lines connecting all five boroughs, the free Staten Island Ferry, and bike-friendly streets throughout. The dining scene is equally impressive, with options ranging from five-star restaurants to iconic corner delis and food carts. Some establishments, like Katz's Delicatessen and Peter Luger Steakhouse, have been serving the city for well over a century. Whether you're drawn to SoHo's cobblestone streets and boutique shopping, the waterfront parks of Long Island City, or the tree-lined blocks near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York City offers an endless variety of neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character and charm.