After arrival, you'll go through a quick customs check where they'll take your fingerprints and ask about the purpose of your visit. It's nothing to worry about. Finally, they'll stamp your passport, and you can head into the city. 

From the airport, follow the AirTrain signs that lead to the departure hall. You can buy an AirTrain ticket at the machines located before the terminals leading to the departure hall. The ticket price is 8.5 USD per person. 

At the same place, you can also buy a physical MetroCard for 7 days, as you'll be getting around New York mostly by subway. The card costs 1 USD + a 7-day pass costs 34 USD. The machine will guide you step-by-step through the purchase in both cases. You can pay with cash or a credit card. The elevated train will take you to Jamaica Station, and from there, take the subway to the city center. 

If you want to take a taxi, you can use the typical yellow cabs parked outside the arrival terminal. It's better to ask about the price in advance. The price should be in the range of 70 - 90 USD. Alternatively, you can book in advance here.

The boarding station if you are taking the subway (if you are traveling after dark, I RECOMMEND using a taxi!).

• If you are looking for how to get around using public transport - you can always find everything this way. For taxi transport, you can use Uber.

Safety in New York
During the day, you can comfortably get around New York using public transport. After dark, we recommend using official taxis or verified apps, especially when traveling outside of the busy center. Keep your valuables safely stored at all times and be aware of your surroundings. Follow basic safety rules.

It is the most populous city in the United States and a global hub for culture, finance, and tourism. The city consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island. Located at the mouth of the Hudson River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, the city is famous for its iconic skyline of skyscrapers, vibrant atmosphere, and vast ethnic diversity. 

• To enter the USA, you need an ESTA authorization, which is valid for 90 days. You can apply for it here. 

In the USA, tipping is an almost mandatory part of the culture, as it makes up the main portion of income for service industry employees. It usually ranges between 15-20%. For groups of 6 or more (sometimes fewer), restaurants often add a gratuity (typically 18%) directly to the bill. Fast food and coffee shops (like Starbucks) do not require tipping. In the USA, retail prices are always listed without tax. The tax is added at the register. In New York, expect to pay an additional 8.8% at the register.

In Coney Island, we can grab a hot dog. There's the first restaurant where the hot dog was invented - it's called Nathan's Famous. You can take a walk along the coast. There's a retro, yet still fully functional amusement park. A large aquarium is nearby, too.

Over the last few decades, it has undergone a dramatic transformation from an industrial zone and working-class district into one of the world's main centers of hipster culture, art, nightlife, and luxury living.  

In the evening, head to one of the most famous squares in the world, located in the heart of Manhattan. This place is famous for its giant neon and digital billboards, 24/7 hustle and bustle, and the Broadway theater district. You'll also find plenty of shops here.

On the way to the island, you'll see the Statue of Liberty; the ferry doesn't go directly to it.

If you want to go right up to the statue, you'll need to take a different paid boat that offers trips directly to it. For example, this one.

You can walk around Staten Island and then take the ferry back to Manhattan. 

Here you get off the boat and continue exploring other parts of Manhattan. 

Here you can find a 3.4-meter-tall statue called Charging Bull. It was created by artist Arturo di Modica following the 1987 stock market crash. In 1989, he placed it near Bowling Green as a gift to the people of New York. The large, muscular bronze bull represents the strength of American finance and the hope that things would soon improve.

Wall Street is a street in the southern part of Manhattan island ("Lower Manhattan") in New York, USA. It runs east from Broadway down to South Street at the East River through the historic center of the Financial District. Wall Street became famous as the permanent home of the New York Stock Exchange. Many major American stock and non-stock markets have their headquarters on Wall Street. At the end of the street is the beautiful Trinity Church.

It is a memorial site that honors the memory of the 2,977 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the 6 victims of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The entire complex is located at the site of the original trade center, known as Ground Zero. The memorial itself opened in 2011 and is free to the public. Two giant pools: They replicate the exact footprints of the original Twin Towers. The largest man-made waterfalls in North America flow deep into them. Names of the victims: The names of all the people who died in the attacks are engraved on the bronze parapets surrounding the pools. The names are arranged by their personal relationships, not alphabetically.

You'll end the day on the beautifully lit Brooklyn Bridge.

Start your morning by visiting this beautiful terminal, which holds the world record for the station with the most platforms in the world. This majestic Beaux-Arts style building opened in 1913 and today serves not only as a giant transport hub for millions of commuters, but also as one of the city's most visited tourist attractions.

This is a vast complex of 19 commercial buildings located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan between 48th and 51st Street and Fifth and Sixth Avenue. This iconic Art Deco urban complex was built in the 1930s by oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller Jr. as an ambitious "city within a city" project. Today, the center is one of the main hubs for culture, tourism, and media in the entire United States. The famous observation deck at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Top of the Rock, offers a unique 360° view of New York. Unlike the Empire State Building, from here you can see both the Empire State Building itself and the vast Central Park in all their glory. New experiences here include The Beam attraction (reminiscent of the iconic photo of workers on a steel beam) and the rotating SKYLIFT elevator.  You can find entry information here. I recommend buying tickets online in advance to avoid the queues. In the Rockefeller Center complex, you will also find a central plaza with the iconic golden statue of Prometheus. In the winter months, it turns into one of the most famous ice rinks in the world. More information about the rink's opening hours and prices can be found here. Every year, there is also a giant, festively lit Christmas tree. The complex is home to the American television network NBC. A world-famous theater and concert hall located in the western part of the complex, known, among other things, for the traditional performance of The Rockettes dance troupe.

Union Square is a vibrant historic square and park at the crossroads of Manhattan, serving as a dynamic hub between the Flatiron District, Chelsea, Greenwich Village, and Gramercy. Its name didn't come from a political union, but rather because two major city arteries—Broadway and the Bowery (now Park Avenue)—converged here in the 19th century. The famous year-round GrowNYC farmers market fills the north and west sides of the park every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM). Over 140 farmers from surrounding states bring their produce, including fresh vegetables, cheeses, ciders, fish, and flowers. In the southern part of the park, local chess masters gather year-round. For a few dollars, you can challenge them to a game of blitz chess while spectators watch. The park is decorated with several important monuments. You’ll find a monumental equestrian statue of George Washington, as well as statues of Abraham Lincoln, the Marquis de Lafayette, and a more modern monument to Mahatma Gandhi. There are also plenty of restaurants and shops around. It's the perfect spot for lunch.

It is one of the oldest, largest, and most vibrant Chinatowns outside of Asia. This fascinating enclave in Lower Manhattan operates literally like a "city within a city." It is characterized by an authentic atmosphere, narrow streets lined with Chinese signs, street markets, and hundreds of restaurants.

Yankee Stadium in New York is a legendary baseball stadium located in the South Bronx neighborhood. The current modern arena opened in 2009 right across from the original historic stadium from 1923, which was known as "The House That Ruth Built." With a capacity of over 46,000 spectators, the stadium serves as the home field for one of the most famous sports clubs on the planet – the New York Yankees. If there isn't a game being played, you can visit the stadium as part of an organized tour. The approximately 60-minute guided tour includes visits to Monument Park, the team museum, and a look near the field. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Tours  start at the Hard Rock Cafe next to Gate 6 (intersection of 161st St and River Ave). If you'd like to catch an actual game, you can buy tickets in advance here.  

It is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States, spanning 107 hectares and home to more than 10,000 animals.

You can find information about admission here. For Wednesdays, you can buy a ticket for any amount. The reservation system for that Wednesday always opens on Monday at 5:00 PM local time. You can purchase Wednesday tickets here. A free ticket only includes general admission to the grounds and some basic exhibits. It does not include so-called premium attractions, such as the gorilla exhibit and others.

The Empire State Building is an iconic, 443-meter-tall Art Deco skyscraper standing at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street in New York. Completed in 1931, it held the title of the world's tallest building for 40 years. Today, it serves as a key Manhattan landmark, a popular tourist destination, and a cultural symbol that has appeared in dozens of famous films. You can visit the 86th floor (Main Deck), a legendary open-air observation deck that offers a 360-degree view of all of New York, including Central Park and the Statue of Liberty. Or, head to the 102nd floor (Top Deck), which is a completely enclosed glass deck with views from the skyscraper's highest point. You can find opening hours and prices here on the official website, where you can also purchase tickets in advance. 

Madison Square Garden (or MSG for short) is a legendary multi-purpose arena in the heart of Manhattan. Often called the "world's most famous arena," it serves as the home stadium for the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL). Outside of the sports season, the arena hosts major concert tours. Tickets for all events and backstage tours can be purchased through official networks like ticketmaster. 

It is a branch of the famous Smithsonian Institution and is located in the historic Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House building in Lower Manhattan. The museum is housed in a magnificent 1907 Beaux-Arts style building by architect Cass Gilbert, dominated by a huge rotunda and historic decor. Admission to the museum is completely free, and no tickets are required. It is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (except for December 25th). It includes the interactive imagiNATIONS Activity Center, which offers educational games and programs perfect for children.

The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest and most famous suspension bridges in the United States. It spans the East River, connecting two major New York City boroughs – Manhattan and Brooklyn. The perfect spot to relax and get the best view of the Manhattan skyline is from Brooklyn Bridge Park, a sprawling park along the riverfront right beneath the bridge.

Central Park in New York is the most famous city park in the world, covering 341 hectares (843 acres) right in the heart of Manhattan. Around 42 million people visit it annually, finding an oasis of calm, greenery, and culture amidst the skyscrapers. The park was designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and architect Calvert Vaux in the second half of the 19th century.

The American Museum of Natural History is one of the largest and most famous museums in the world. It is located in Manhattan near Central Park and is famous for its giant dinosaur skeletons, the blue whale model, and as the backdrop for the movie Night at the Museum. You can find information about admission and opening hours here.

Cable car boarding station. The aerial tramway connects the island with Manhattan. A regular MetroCard works for it. It offers breathtaking aerial views of the East River and the surrounding skyscrapers.

It is a narrow island in New York, approximately 3 kilometers long. The most interesting part is the ride on the aerial tramway, from which you get a beautiful view of the city. 

A public library that appears in several films. This monumental Beaux-Arts style building from 1911 is located in Midtown Manhattan. 

For tourists and researchers alike, the main building offers several unique spots: Rose Main Reading Room: A huge third-floor reading room famous for its massive chandeliers and ornate ceiling with murals of the sky. Astor Hall: A grand entrance hall built entirely of white marble. The Polonsky Exhibition: A permanent exhibition that shows the library's greatest treasures for free, such as the original Gutenberg Bible. Winnie-the-Pooh: The children's department displays the actual original stuffed toys that belonged to Christopher Robin and inspired the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. Information and opening hours can be found here.

Before your flight, if you have some time, we could go shopping, maybe at the famous Macy's department store. It's one of the most well-known American department store chains, specializing in designer clothing, cosmetics, accessories, and home goods.

Don't forget to be at the airport 2-3 hours before your flight.