New York

New York City vacation rentals

The skyline, the parks, the shows — the city that needs no introduction.

Best time to visit

April–June and September–November for walking weather; December for the holiday spectacle despite the crowds.

Rental types

Longer-stay apartments · Licensed short-stay units · Brownstone rentals (30+ nights) · Aparthotel-style stays

Getting there

Fly into JFK, Newark (EWR), or LaGuardia (LGA) — all connect to Manhattan by rail or taxi. Once in the city, the subway and your feet beat any car.

About New York City

New York rewards every kind of traveler: first-timers get the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and a Broadway show; return visitors get the city's real texture — morning bagels in the Village, a Met afternoon, a sunset walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, a late set in a basement jazz club.

Each neighborhood is its own destination. Central Park anchors the middle of Manhattan with 843 acres of meadows and rambling paths; the High Line floats above the Meatpacking District; and the outer boroughs — Brooklyn's brownstones, Queens' food scene — hold half the city's best experiences.

Vacation rentals in New York City

New York regulates short-term rentals strictly: under Local Law 18, stays under 30 days are only legal when the host is present and registered. In practice, that means most vacation-rental options are 30-night-plus apartment stays — ideal for remote-work months and slow travel — plus licensed aparthotel-style units for shorter visits.

For a month-long stay, a brownstone apartment in Brooklyn or the Upper West Side delivers the real New York life at a fraction of hotel costs. For shorter trips, consider licensed condo-style properties, and always verify registration before booking. Rates peak in December and during the UN General Assembly in September.

Things to do in New York City

Walk Central Park, then the Met or the American Museum of Natural History
See a Broadway show — TKTS in Times Square for same-day deals
Ride the free Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise, then explore DUMBO
Visit the 9/11 Memorial and One World Observatory
Eat through one neighborhood deeply — the Village, Flushing, or Arthur Avenue

First-timers, culture seekers, and slow travelers

First visits should stay near Midtown or the Upper West Side for easy sightseeing. Culture seekers base in the Village or Chelsea for galleries and nightlife. And the 30-day rental rules make NYC one of America's best month-long stays — live like a local in Brooklyn and take the city at walking pace.

Where to stay in New York City

Midtown & Times Square

Broadway theaters, Fifth Avenue, and the classic first-timer's base.

Upper West & Upper East Side

Central Park on your doorstep, the Met and the museums, residential calm.

Greenwich Village & SoHo

Brownstones, jazz clubs, and the downtown dining scene.

Williamsburg & Brooklyn

Skyline views, indie music, and some of the city's best restaurants.

New York City FAQs

Are vacation rentals legal in New York City?

Short-term rentals under 30 days are heavily restricted by Local Law 18 — hosts must be present and registered. Stays of 30 nights or more are unrestricted, which is why NYC is best for month-long apartment stays or licensed short-stay properties.

What is the best area to stay in New York City?

Midtown for a first visit's sightseeing, the Upper West Side for Central Park and museums, Greenwich Village for dining and nightlife, and Williamsburg for a Brooklyn base with skyline views.

How many days do you need in New York City?

Four to five days covers the major sights at a sane pace. A week lets you add the outer boroughs and museums properly — and a month lets you actually live there.