New York is one of those cities that people have always talked about, that you've seen a thousand times in movies, TV shows, music videos, and yet, when you set foot there for the first time, it hits you. Hard!!
The city is both exactly what you imagined and completely different from everything you thought. Noisy, intense, alive on a level you've never felt anywhere else. And a week is both too short and enough time to fall in love with it.
What is the best time to visit New York?
New York can be visited all year round, but each season has its own personality.
Spring (April – June) is our favorite. Temperatures are pleasant (15°C to 25°C), Central Park is in bloom, and the city comes alive after winter. It's the ideal time to walk for hours without even realizing it.
Summer (July – August) is hot, humid, and packed with tourists. But the outdoor cafes, free concerts in the parks, and summer energy have an undeniable charm. If you go in the summer, prioritize early morning visits and less touristy neighborhoods in the afternoon.
Autumn (September – October) is probably objectively the best time. The colors of Central Park, perfect temperatures, and a city that regains its rhythm after summer. It's also Fashion Week — a guaranteed lively atmosphere in the streets.
Winter (November – February) has a special magic — Christmas lights on 5th Avenue, the Bryant Park market, and the city under snow if you're lucky. It's cold (sometimes -10°C) but it doesn't dampen the city's spirit.
Our advice: aim for September-October or April-May. You'll enjoy everything without battling heat or cold.
New York in 1 week: our day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Manhattan: arrival and icons
On the first day, let yourself be overwhelmed. No need to plan everything, just walk, look up, and take in the city.
Start with Central Park in the morning. 4 km² of greenery in the heart of Manhattan is the best antidote to jet lag. Rent a bike (Citi Bike, around $15 for the day) and cycle around the park. The view of the buildings from Sheep Meadow is unforgettable.
In the afternoon, walk down 5th Avenue. The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) alone deserves half a day. Admission is officially $30, but it's actually a suggested donation. You can pay what you want. We'll leave that to your conscience.
In the evening, go up to the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Center) rather than the Empire State Building; the view is better because you see the Empire State in the panorama. Book online to avoid queues and aim for sunset.
Day 2 — Brooklyn: the other face of New York
Brooklyn is where New York breathes. Fewer glass towers, more brownstones, street art, and coffee shops where people work on their projects from 10 am.
Start by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, from Manhattan (City Hall side) to Brooklyn. A 30-minute walk with a view of the Manhattan skyline that's worth all the entrance tickets in the world. Free, of course.
Once in Brooklyn, explore DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), the trendy neighborhood with its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and the iconic view of the bridge framed by the streets. You've definitely seen this photo on Instagram.
In the afternoon, head to Williamsburg, the ultimate hipster neighborhood. Independent boutiques, giant murals, brunch that lasts until 4 pm. This is also where we found gems for our NYC t-shirt, but we'll get back to that.
Day 3 — Culture & Museums
New York is one of the world's cultural capitals. A day of museums is a must.
The MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) is a must-see if you appreciate contemporary art; Warhol, Pollock, Dalí, everyone is there. Expect to pay around $25 for admission, but on Friday evenings after 5 pm, it's free (and packed, so arrive early).
If classic museums aren't your thing, the Whitney Museum on the High Line is more accessible and often less crowded. The collection of 20th-century American art is impressive.
End the day on the High Line, a former railway line converted into a 2.5 km elevated park above Manhattan. Views of the streets, art installations, and sunset over the Hudson River. Free admission.
Day 4 — Shopping & Neighborhoods
Shopping in New York is a high-level sport. Here's how to navigate it without breaking the bank.
SoHo for major brands and designer boutiques; Nike, Apple, luxury brands, everything is there. Beautiful to look at even if you don't buy anything.
Nolita & Lower East Side for independent and vintage boutiques; this is where trendy New Yorkers shop. More reasonable prices, unique pieces.
Century 21 (if you want big brands at reduced prices) or Nordstrom Rack for good deals. That's also part of American shopping.
💡 Important tip: don't forget to add sales tax (8.875% in NYC) to the displayed price — labels never include it. And clothing under $110 is tax-exempt. Good to know.
Day 5 — Lower Manhattan & History
Wall Street and the Financial District in the morning: the Stock Exchange, the Charging Bull, and the 9/11 Memorial. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is a powerful experience; take your time there. Budget $33 for the museum; the outdoor memorial is free.
In the afternoon, take the Staten Island Ferry from Whitehall Terminal; it's free, and you'll get a magnificent view of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline from the ferry. The best value for money in the city.
In the evening, explore Chinatown and Little Italy for dinner: $10 dim sum or homemade pasta in a family-run Italian restaurant. The kind of meal that reminds you New York is a city of immigrants, and that's exactly what makes it unique.
Day 6 — Harlem & Upper Manhattan
Harlem is one of Manhattan's most authentic neighborhoods, yet often skipped by tourists. A mistake.
The Apollo Theater is an institution; if you're lucky enough to catch a concert there, go for it. Otherwise, the facade is worth seeing, and the neighborhood has a palpable musical and cultural energy on every street.
The Met Cloisters (the MET's medieval branch) in Fort Tryon Park is a hidden gem — a museum of European medieval art with a view of the Hudson River. Calm, magnificent, and included with the MET ticket.
Day 7 — Last gems and farewell
Last day — we slow down.
Chelsea Market in the morning for brunch or coffee; it's an indoor market in a former Oreo cookie factory, with dozens of artisanal food stalls. Great atmosphere.
Greenwich Village to get lost in the small streets; it's NYC's bohemian and literary neighborhood, with its Victorian houses and coffee shops where Dylan and Kerouac once stayed.
And end with a final sunset on the rooftops. Rooftop 230 Fifth or the bars at the Standard Hotel in Meatpacking with a local beer and Manhattan in front of you. You'll understand why people always come back.
How to get around New York without breaking the bank?
The subway is your best friend; it covers the entire city 24/7. A single ticket costs $2.90, but the OMNY card (contactless) or the MetroCard with a 7-day pass at $34** is well worth it if you travel a lot.
The bus is slower but perfect for seeing the city from the window. The M15 bus on 1st Avenue is almost as good as a tourist bus tour for $2.90.
Walking — New York is a city made for it. Midtown Manhattan is easily traversed on foot, and you discover ten times more than by subway.
Avoid yellow taxis during peak hours — Uber and Lyft are often cheaper and faster. And a tip of at least 20% is expected. Include it in your budget.
What to eat in New York without breaking the bank?
New York is a city where you can eat incredibly well for not much, or spend a fortune in a Michelin-starred restaurant. It's up to you.
Affordable must-tries:
- Cream cheese bagel — $3 to $5, the quintessential New York breakfast
- Pizza slice — $5 to $6 a slice, eaten standing like a local
- Street hot dog — $6 to $8, iconic
- New York cheesecake — try it at Junior's in Brooklyn, the best in the city
- Sunday brunch — between $15 and $25 per person, an institution
💡 Tip: delis (neighborhood grocery stores) are open 24/7 and offer sandwiches, salads, and hot meals for $8 to $12. New Yorkers eat there every day. Do as they do.
Is New York expensive?
Yes, let's be honest. New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But with good planning, you can enjoy it without mortgaging your house.
Some benchmarks:
- Night in a decent hotel in the center: €150 to €250
- Meal in a local restaurant: $15 to $25
- Subway ticket: $2.90
- Museum pass: the New York Pass can be worth it if you visit a lot (from $134 for 2 days)
- Average daily budget (excluding accommodation): $80 to $120
💡 Smart tip: book your accommodation in Queens or Brooklyn — 30 to 40% cheaper than Manhattan, and the subway gets you to the center in 20 minutes.
The HVA CO. t-shirt inspired by New York
Some cities leave a mark, others transform you. New York belongs to the second category. This organized chaos, this vertical energy, these millions of lives that cross paths without touching, we wanted to capture something of it. The result is our NYC t-shirt. Simple, direct, like the city. No frills, just the essentials. Like a New Yorker. 🖤
New York in brief — what you need to know before you go
Some practical benchmarks:
- ✈️ Flight from France: 8 to 9 hours (Paris CDG → JFK or Newark)
- 🗓️ Ideal duration: 7 to 10 days
- 💶 Average daily budget: €100 to €150 (excluding accommodation)
- 🌡️ Best time: April-June / September-October
- 🗣️ Language: English (but NYC is so multicultural you'll find French, Spanish, Mandarin everywhere)
- 🛂 Visa: ESTA mandatory for French citizens ($21 online, to be done before departure)
Are you planning a trip to New York? Questions about a specific address or neighborhood? Send us an email and we'll reply very quickly. And if New York has left as much of an impression on you as it has on us, tell us what you brought back from it.
And if you want to see the design of this destination 👉 It's available in our shop.
HVA CO.🗽
Clothes that travel with you.