New York Car Rental

Guide to New York City

Geography

Most of New York City is spread out over Manhattan, Long Island and Staten Island. The city consists of five large neighborhoods, or boroughs: Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, and Manhattan.

Climate

NYC experiences a humid subtropical climate – that means summers (June-August) are hot and winters (December-February) are moderately cool. Rainfall is heavy throughout the year. The best time to visit is in the transition months of spring or autumn, since that’s when the weather is most balanced.

Culture in New York

The city is extremely ethnically diverse. As far as national pride and heritage go, NYC is known as the birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance and the modern gay rights movement.

Things to do in New York City

Visit global neighborhoods

NYC’s neighborhoods aren’t as culturally compact as they used to be, but two diverse enclaves still exist here. One is Little Italy, an Italian area that should be familiar to fans of the Godfather films. The other is Chinatown, home to the largest Chinese population in the Western Hemisphere. These neighborhoods are filled with enough shops and restaurants to make you forget which continent you’re on.

Enjoy the iconic public spaces

With an area of 843 hectares, Central Park is the most famous park in the country. While you’re exercising, exploring, or simply relaxing in this mini-forest, it’s hard to remember you’re in the middle of a bustling city! If you fancy yourself a connoisseur of high culture, head to Times Square. Nothing can prepare you for the crowds, giant digital screens with advertisements and theatre district, Broadway.

Admire the architecture

When it was built, the Empire State Building was the tallest manmade structure in the world. Today, it is still an awe-inspiring sight. Out by the waters of the Upper New York Bay stands the Statue of Liberty, seen by many as the cultural heart of America. With a torch in one hand and a slab inscribed with the date of American independence in the other, Lady Liberty gazes out at the horizon, an enduring symbol of freedom and acceptance.

Eating out in NYC

New York City’s food is as diverse as its people. Il Buco, on Bond Street, is a Spanish/Italian restaurant often visited by celebrities. The bomba rice options here are a real bomb! Adda Indian Canteen, on Thomson Avenue, makes North Indian dishes, such as paneer do pyaz, that aren’t well known in the West but are popular in India. Try the legendary laksa at Native Noodles, a Singaporean joint on Amsterdam Avenue. For some good old farm-fresh American food, head to Olmsted, a Vanderbilt Avenue restaurant that grows many of its ingredients in its backyard garden.

NYC Transport

Airports

NYC is served by not one, but three airports: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The latter is the airport that receives the highest number of international tourists in America.

Getting around

You’ve probably heard of NYC’s iconic yellow taxis, but the subway and bus systems are great ways to get around the city, too. If you plan to explore outside the tourist hotspots or take road trips to upstate New York, consider renting a car from well-established companies like Hertz, Avis, or Enterprise.