Event Planning Guide
New York

Flying: Visitors can access NYC by flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in neighboring New Jersey. (NYC is the code for all New York City airports.) Taxis, buses, subways, and commuter trains are available to take travelers from the area airports to their final destinations.

Train: Amtrak operates from New York Penn Station, and its Acela express service runs between major stations along the East Coast including Washington, D.C., Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Nearby travelers can also reach NYC by NJ Transit, Long Island Rail Road, or Metro-North Railroad.

Car: While driving might not be the best way to get NYC, there are numerous routes that lead into the city including I-78 and I-80 from western New Jersey and beyond; I-87 from upstate New York and Montreal; and I-95 from Miami, which runs up the Eastern seaboard.

Anytime. That’s because you’ll never be bored in the Big Apple, and if you’re OK with bundling up during the winter months, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular holiday window displays and the twinkling Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Throughout the year, NYC plays host to a variety of events, festivals, parades, and more, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November; the St. Patrick's Day Parade in March; and Pride Month and Shakespeare in the Park in June. You’ll encounter fewer tourists from January to March, the city’s off-peak season, which means you typically can score bargains on airfare and accommodations during that time. And like most travel destinations, summer tends to be a popular season for families since kids are out of school.

Walking: Since New York is a totally walkable city, it’s best to travel short distances on foot, if you can. It’s the easiest and quickest way to learn the neighborhoods and get acquainted with your surroundings. Just remember to wait for the walk signal, especially if you’re unfamiliar with NYC.

Transit: The massive citywide network of subway trains and public buses allows visitors to navigate New York quickly and cheaply. You can purchase a MetroCard to use on the bus and subway, or you can pay for your subway fare through the OMNY (One Metro New York) system, which allows you to use contactless cards (credit, debit, or reloadable prepaid card), smartphones, and smartwatches to tap and pay.

Taxi: Hail one of NYC’s ubiquitous yellow taxi cabs or hop in a green one (these cabs are authorized to pick up passengers in northern Manhattan and in the other boroughs). Numerous local car services and app-based options like Uber and Lyft are also readily available.