Discover boutique hotels in New York City, United States

When to go

Winter can be bitterly cold. While Christmastime is wonderfully awash with Santas and fairy lights, you may want to skip the snow in January and February. August is hot, hot, hot (which is why many locals flee to the Hamptons on summer weekends).

Getting there

• Planes

  There are three major airports: JFK | La Guardia and Newark. Buses run between Manhattan and JFK and La Guardia; see www.nyairportservice.com.

• Boats

  You can get water taxis, cruise liners and ferries from the west and southern points of Manhattan.

• Trains

  Amtrak (www.amtrak.com) provides all long-distance services from Penn Station.

• Automobiles

  A cab from JFK will charge a flat rate of $45 plus tolls. This is not the place to be renting a car: parking is a headache | while the subway and cabs are cheap and easy.

• Taxis

  Yellow cabs are abundant except during rush hour and when it’s raining, but be warned: it helps if you know exactly where you’re going, as drivers aren’t always as knowledgeable as you might hope.