Your digital welcome book in New York

Welcome to New York, the city that never sleeps

New York is the very definition of difference, diversity and cultural and social blending. Arriving in New York always shakes you up, for better or for worse. This city isn't for everyone, but it's still one to see once in your life.

Bracing yourself for the shock

For anyone unused to big-city life, America's economic capital is bound to come as a shock. Yes, it's vast, crowded and loud. You brush past countless people you'll never see again and who don't even notice you. But alongside that comes an enormous cultural richness, and the promise of something to do at any hour of the day. Neighbourhoods steeped in history, iconic spots, world-famous landmarks and a passion for coffee and burgers. Let's set off together to discover a city we at StyQR are particularly fond of.

Practical tips for your visit

A quick practical note before the tour begins: we'd recommend buying a city pass. Depending on what appeals to you, it lets you visit three to five attractions at far better value than buying each ticket separately.

Skyscrapers as viewpoints

New York is, above all, its sky-high towers. Whichever one you pick, you'll get a different angle on the city. Head up the Empire State Building, for instance, and you'll look out over the very centre of Manhattan. Choose Top of the Rock and you'll get a superb view of the Empire State Building and Central Park. And if you opt for an observation deck out towards the edges of the city, such as The Edge, or further south like One World Observatory, you'll take in part of New York plus a view across to New Jersey, just the other side of the Hudson.

Emotion and history

A solemn place and an essential stop because of its history: you can visit the Twin Towers memorial. There's a stillness and a depth of feeling there that you won't find anywhere else in this city.

Wandering through the neighbourhoods

If you're after a real taste of New York life, wander through the city's different neighbourhoods. Whether around Hell's Kitchen, Greenwich Village and SoHo to the south, or the smarter Upper East and Upper West Sides on either flank of Central Park. You'll catch yourself saying, more than once, "it's just like in the films". And it's true: that really is the effect it has.

Around Times Square

Of course, you can't skip Times Square, hugely famous and hugely touristy. And it's from a neighbouring street that you'll find the theatres hosting all the Broadway shows.

Parks and gardens

If you're worried about a lack of greenery, don't be. You obviously can't miss Central Park, and you shouldn't! Belvedere Castle, Turtle Pond and the old Shakespeare amphitheatre are all part of a visit to this iconic park. But there's more. If you'd like a park a little less overrun by visitors, take a stroll through Riverside Park. It runs the length of the city from Wall Street to the Bronx, with a magnificent view over the Hudson. Finally, you can walk the High Line, which leads you to Chelsea Market: the perfect place to refuel and browse small artisan stalls. A particularly pleasant, enjoyable thing to do.

Go and discover Brooklyn

Go and discover Brooklyn, and Williamsburg in particular, well known for its delicious brunches and its street art. Brooklyn really is another version of New York. At times you could believe you were in a different city altogether. The nicest way to get there is definitely to walk across Brooklyn Bridge and enjoy the sweeping view of downtown. Do it at night if you get the chance: it's something else.

For sports fans

As you'll have gathered, New York is a state of mind, a way of life and a passion for sport. So if you're there in season, catch a basketball game at Madison Square Garden: you don't need to be watching an NBA final to enjoy the atmosphere and the fans' enthusiasm. Or if you prefer baseball, head to Yankee Stadium to cheer on the team. Just be prepared, because it caught us out: a baseball game can last four hours.

A holiday feeling

And to finish on a lazy holiday note, head to Coney Island. It's the seaside amusement park in its purest form. Enjoy an ice cream, ride the rollercoaster or sunbathe on the beach. Either way, your day is guaranteed to be a good one.

One last piece of advice before we leave you: New York traffic can be very heavy and very stressful. The city is exceptionally well served by the subway and buses. Simply pick up a MetroCard to keep things easy and you're all set to explore. We hope you've enjoyed this article as much as we enjoyed discovering the city. Do use it to enrich your welcome book and to spark ideas for a future trip.