Flights from Zurich (ZRH) to New York (NYC)

About New York

New York, a city of neighbourhoods and energy

New York is a city where every street feels familiar yet full of surprises. From the glass towers of Midtown Manhattan to the converted warehouses of Brooklyn, each borough has its own rhythm, landmarks, and local stories. You can walk from quiet tree-lined side streets into bright avenues filled with theatres, galleries, and bustling cafés within minutes.

You will find classic sights alongside emerging districts. Iconic avenues are balanced by waterfront parks, community gardens, and rooftop views that open up the skyline in new ways. Whether you plan to explore museums, attend performances, or simply wander and discover your own corner of the city, New York offers an itinerary for every pace.

For many travellers, New York is also a gateway. Major rail hubs and ferry terminals connect you to nearby states and coastal towns, so you can combine time in the city with day trips and longer journeys. The result is a destination that works just as well for a first visit as it does for a return stay focused on one neighbourhood or interest.

Top sights in New York

Central Park

Stroll, cycle, or row a boat through this vast green space that offers meadows, lakes, and skyline viewpoints in the heart of Manhattan.

Times Square

Experience the bright billboards, theatres, and late-night buzz of one of the citys most recognisable crossroads.

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Take a harbour cruise to see the Statue of Liberty up close and learn migration stories at the Ellis Island museum.

Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for sweeping views, then explore DUMBOs cobbled streets, galleries, and riverfront parks.

The High Line

Follow this elevated park built on a historic rail line, with city views, public art, and landscaped gardens above the streets.

Experience the culture of New York

New York invites you to explore its culture through performance, art, and everyday life. Spend time in world-class museums, from modern collections to institutions dedicated to design, photography, and local history. Smaller galleries and independent spaces throughout the boroughs give you a sense of the citys creative energy beyond the main avenues.

Live performance is part of the citys identity. You can plan an evening at a Broadway or Off-Broadway theatre, seek out live music in intimate venues, or watch dance and comedy shows scattered across different neighbourhoods. Daytime walking tours, focusing on architecture, food, or film locations, offer another way to connect stories to the streets you move through.

Outdoors, the city offers more variety than first impressions suggest. Walk riverside esplanades along the Hudson and East River, join a bike ride over bridges, or explore renewed districts like Hudson Yards and the Brooklyn waterfront. Seasonal events, markets, and festivals bring additional colour, giving you new reasons to pause in parks and plazas as you explore.

A taste of New York

The dining scene in New York ranges from quick bites to carefully curated tasting menus, giving you options at any time of day. You can start with a classic bagel, grab a slice of pizza between sights, or sit down for long lunches in neighbourhood bistros and contemporary restaurants. Food halls and indoor markets bring multiple vendors together under one roof, so you can sample different flavours in one stop.

Each area has its own food character. In one district you might find long-established delis, in another, minimalist cafés and bakeries with inventive pastries. Street food trucks and casual counters add variety, especially around office and museum districts, while waterfront restaurants pair menus with views of bridges and the skyline.

Reservations are recommended at popular spots, especially for dinner and weekend brunch. If you prefer flexibility, explore smaller side streets and local favourites where you can often walk in without planning ahead. Wherever you choose to eat, New York makes it easy to combine familiar comfort dishes with something new.

Retail therapy in New York

Shopping in New York spans flagship stores, independent boutiques, and creative markets. In Midtown and along Fifth Avenue, you will find international brands, department stores, and specialist shops that make window shopping an activity in itself. Nearby, concept stores and bookshops invite you to linger and discover carefully selected collections.

Neighbourhoods like SoHo, Nolita, and parts of Brooklyn focus on design-led fashion, homeware, and lifestyle goods. Here, cobbled streets and converted lofts house local labels and emerging designers alongside established names. Weekend markets and pop-up spaces often showcase handmade items, vintage pieces, and small-batch products.

For a different pace, head to shopping centres and outlets on the edge of the city or accessible by train and bus. These areas offer a broad range of brands in one location, ideal if you want to cover your list in a single outing. Many districts stay open late, so you can combine an afternoon of sightseeing with evening browsing.

Best time to visit New York

Spring in New York (March to May) typically ranges from 7°C to 20°C (45°F to 68°F) and is a shoulder season. Trees and parks come back to life, making it a pleasant time for walking tours, outdoor cafés, and exploring neighbourhoods before summer crowds arrive.

Summer (June to August) is warm and lively, with temperatures around 20°C to 29°C (68°F to 84°F) and is considered peak season. Long days and outdoor events make it ideal for rooftop views, river cruises, and evenings in parks, with plenty of festivals and performances across the city.

Autumn and early winter (September to February) span low season and shoulder season, with temperatures from 0°C to 22°C (32°F to 72°F). Crisp days and colourful foliage in autumn are followed by a cooler period that adds atmosphere to city walks, indoor attractions, and seasonal displays throughout New York.

Frequently Asked Questions