Where to Stay in Manhattan
When it comes to accommodation in Manhattan, it’s safe to say that there is a huge catalog to choose from. From studios to 2 bedroom apartments, all visitors can find the perfect match for their requirements, whether they are going solo or in a group.
TheSqua.re’s selection of serviced apartments in Manhattan easily accommodates those looking to stay on either short term or extended stays - with apartments being spacious enough to house a whole family! Offering clean and spacious bathrooms, air conditioning throughout and a fully fitted, fully equipped kitchens (giving you the freedom to prepare and cook in your own time), settling in will be easy for all.
While every furnished apartment might come with everything, sometimes the location is more important. And luckily for picky travelers, there are plenty of neighborhoods in the Manhattan borough that can provide comfort as well as convenience, such as:
- Upper East Side
- Lower Manhattan
- Financial District
- Chelsea
- Upper West Side
- Midtown
- SoHo
- Sutton Place
Each one has its own sense of character, style, and class - from Upper East Side’s posh disposition to Chelsea’s trendy outlook. In short, there’s a neighborhood in Manhattan for everyone.
Facts about Manhattan
Manhattan has a rich history that stretches back a fair way, long before the Europeans arrived. But rather than waffling on from the beginning of time, here are a few facts about Manhattan that visitors need to know:
- The name Manhattan derives from the Munsee dialect of the Lenape language 'manaháhtaan'
- Florentine explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano became the first documented European to visit the area that would become NYC in 1524
- Dutch colonists acquired Manhattan on May 24, 1626, from Native American people, in exchange for traded goods worth 60 guilders - about US$24
- Manhattan was at the heart of the New York Campaign, a series of major battles in the early American Revolutionary War
- Manhattan was at the heart of a series of major battles in the early American Revolutionary War
- Manhattan became the first stop for millions of migrants seeking a new life in the US
- Some of the world's tallest skyscrapers were completed in Manhattan during the 1930s, including the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and the 30 Rockefeller Plaza
While there are many more that could be added to the list, this is a brief overview that works for first-time travelers or those looking to refresh their minds.
Things to Do in Manhattan
After when the perfect Manhattan apartment has been booked up, travelers will then begin to ask a simple question: “What should I do first?” While there are no easy answers, there are many things to do in Manhattan that deserve to be mentioned. Whether it’s a bit of history or somewhere to relax, these pertinent questions can help lost souls out:
Q. What are the most popular things to see in Manhattan?
These are the top 10 attractions in Manhattan:
- Times Square
- The Statue of Liberty
- Empire State Building
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park
- American Museum of Natural History
- Rockefeller Plaza
- Intrepid Air and Space Museum
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Guggenheim Museum
Q. What are some free things to do in Manhattan?
Here are 10 free things to do in Manhattan:
- Spending Friday evenings at the MoMA
- Doing yoga at Bryant Park
- Watching outdoor movies at two major parks
- Going to the Chelsea Galleries
- Attend a cultural event at the New York Public Library
- Taking a tour of Central Park
- Walking through the crowds, taking in the city’s character
Where should you spend your nights in Manhattan?
This is how guests need to spend their night in Manhattan:
- Go to the Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Center
- Go indoor rock climbing
- A night walk around Central Park
- Go to Feinstein’s / 54 Below
- Head to a jazz bar
- Go to an old cinema like the IFC Center
- Watch a game of baseball, basketball or ice hockey in a bar
Places to Visit in Manhattan
Once guests are fully settled into their short term apartment in Manhattan, they can begin to explore the borough at large, and take in the icons that make NYC the destination it is.
Manhattan’s top 10 attractions can be found below:
- Times Square
- The Statue of Liberty
- Empire State Building
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Central Park
- American Museum of Natural History
- 30 Rockefeller Plaza
- Intrepid Air and Space Museum
While ticket prices will vary, it is best for visitors to buy a travel pass that will cover entry to about 6 of the above attractions.
Places to Eat in Manhattan
When visitors don’t want to use their serviced apartment’s fully equipped kitchen, they can eat out and have whatever cuisine takes their fancy thanks to Manhattan’s resourceful supply of restaurants.
Q. What foods should visitors try in Manhattan?
Here are 10 foods that every traveler should try:
- Pizza
- Bagels
- Hotdogs
- Doughnuts and Cronuts
- New York Cheesecake
- Pastrami on Rye
- Cupcakes
- Burgers
- Brunch
- Japanese food
Q. What are the best restaurants in Manhattan?
Here are 10 that have to be checked out:
- Atla
- Via Carota
- Estela
- Atomix
- Le Coucou
- Le Bernardin
- Eleven Madison Park
- Gramercy & Flatiron
- Wildair
- Per Se
Q. What are Manhattan’s cheaper dining options?
Saving money is easy when eating here:
- Joe’s Pizza
- B and H Dairy
- Baohaus
- Crif Dogs
- Tasty Hand-Pulled Noodles
- Los Tacos No. 1
- M and O Market and Deli
- Mamoun’s Falafel
- Punjabi Grocery and Deli
- The Kati Roll Company
Street Food in Manhattan
There’s more to New York’s street food than hot dogs; there’s donuts, bagels, falafel, Mexican food, mac & cheese, chili and lobster rolls too.
A few street food vendors that are worth mentioning include:
- King of Falafel & Shawarma - All the falafel that anyone can eat
- Milk Truck - Mac & cheese, turkey chili, and grilled cheese sandwiches
- Red Hook Lobster Pound food truck - Lobster rolls
- Lumpia Shack - Lumpia, crispy, Filipino-inspired spring rolls
- Dirty water dogs - Hot dogs, hot dogs, and more hot dogs
- Calexico - Mexican food
- Solber Pupusas - Salvadoran corn tortillas
- Bolivian Llama Party - Saltenas and Chola sliders
- Breakfast cart bagels - Many, many bagels with many, many toppings
Shopping in Manhattan
While the borough is home to big-name attractions such as the Empire State Building, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square, Broadway, and the High Line, there are, of course, the shopping attractions that adorn the bright city. There are many places to shop, but 5th Avenue is the most famous - best known for its luxury boutiques and big department stores.
Visitors can find an Apple Store, Bergdorf Goodman, Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, Gucci, H&M, Michael Kors, Prada, Victoria’s Secret and Tiffany & Co all in the area.
Transportation in Manhattan
Taxis are the most convenient means of public transportation in Manhattan. There are over 13,000 yellow taxis operating in the Big Apple, not including the other 40,000+ for-hire vehicles (For trips between Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is around $45 plus the cost of tolls).
No matter where someone is staying in Manhattan, they will never be stuck for transport - flagging down a taxi in the street or hopping on the train via the metro is the way to go.
Weather in Manhattan
Like many cities in the west, New York’s weather varies from season to season. New York’s average temperature varies throughout the year, with the months of April to September generally being the warmest months. But, in the city during the peak of summer can get very hot, so guests need to be sure to stay hydrated.
New York weather in the winter can be very cold, with temperatures frequently reaching below zero Celsius.
The average temperature in New York in the summer is around 27°. In winter, the average temperature is 5°, while the average temperatures in Spring and Autumn are 7° and 12° respectively.
