Intro to New York's Neighborhoods: Where to stay based on your vibe

Use this guide as the starting point for planning your trip to New York City. Since it's so big, New York can be daunting, so choosing the neighborhood that you're going to stay in should be based on the vibe you're looking for. Do you want to focus on cool restaurants and shopping? Are you a first-time visitor, so you want to do more touristy things? I've taken into account all of these questions for you.

In this guide, you'll find information on each neighborhood worth staying in and my notes on why you might choose to stay there. Once you've chosen your vibe and location, you can dive into my other guides, which have recommendations for dining, nightlife, things to do with the kiddos, free things to do, and more! 

Midtown

Midtown is the heart of the city and is closest to all of the sightseeing buildings. 

Some of the main sights to see here are Times Square, the Theater District, Fifth Avenue shopping, 57th Street and Madison Avenue boutiques, the landmark buildings of Rockefeller Center, the Empire State Building, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and the Museum of Modern Art.

Meatpacking District

Meatpacking has a hip vibe and is great for a younger crowd. It's home to the most popular clubs in NYC and is the best spot for nightlife. 

My favorite thing to do in the Meatpacking is to go bar hopping in Hell's Kitchen. The neighborhood has a ton of good food options & restaurants. It's a great place for bar hopping & is LGBTQ-friendly, which makes a lot of the bars super fun. It's also more affordable. Some of my favorite spots are Dive Bar Lounge, The Spot, Mom's Kitchen & Bar (which isn't really a nightlife spot, but I still love it. They have the best food & the line is out the doors most of the days)."

Tribeca & Soho

If food and shopping are your priorities, I grouped these two neighborhoods together because I like them for the same reasons. If you're coming to New York for food, you'll want to stay in either one of these neighborhoods.

Tribeca and Soho are great for food and affordable, high-end shopping. You'll find high-end restaurants and lots of good ethnic food. It's really easy to get around and is super affordable for families. You'll also still be able to get a feel for nightlife without having to "go out." It's not crazy expensive or too crowded like Times Square.

Little Italy and Chinatown are both really close by. You can get the most authentic Italian food in Little Italy, and eating in Chinatown makes you feel like you're actually in “China."

Theater District

This neighborhood is best for first-time travelers to New York but expect a crowd. This neighborhood extends from roughly 42nd Street to 50th Street off 6th Ave. You'll find the greatest affordable variety of affordable accommodation choices here. Times Square is located here, and everything that any first-timer to New York might want to see is within walking distance. 5th Ave is close by, so you can shop till you drop! And it's home to all of the Broadway theaters. How can you visit New York and not see a Broadway show? There are also a ton of transportation options to help you get around.

Some of my favorite accommodation options here are the Row NYC (mid-range price) and The Chatwal (luxury). 

Upper East Side

The Upper East & West Side neighborhoods are the best neighborhoods for families to stay in. Safety is generally not a huge issue in New York; in fact, it's one of the country's safest big cities, but these two neighborhoods are the safest neighborhoods. There are fewer crowds and more locals living here. You may even spot a few celebrities in the area. The area is pretty quiet and less busy, with lots of playgrounds for the kids. Many hotels here offer family accommodations, and there are two main Subway lines to help you get around.

The best thing to do nearby is to visit the Museum of Natural History! 

Chelsea

Chelsea has dozens of art galleries. It also has the High Line Park, built on a former rail line running from 13th to 34th Streets. The park is home to several high-end clubs and restaurants.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is super up-and-coming and has a bunch of affordable accommodation options. It's cheaper than staying in Manhattan. There are a bunch of new hip restaurants that have opened. Most accommodations have a great view of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. It's also a great area for families with lots of parks to enjoy. The only downside is that if you want to explore Manhattan, you'll have to travel there, but it only takes about 20-30 minutes by Uber or train!