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FALL FOLIAGE REPORT

New York State boasts one of the longest and most colorful fall foliage seasons in the country, typically starting in late September and ending in November. As the landscape transforms into vibrant hues of red, orange, and yellow, I LOVE NY's weekly fall foliage reports track the changing colors across the state's 11 vacation regions to help travelers plan their trip to experience fall in New York State at its peak. Watch the video below to explore last year's color-changing timeline and  start planning your autumn adventure  in New York State! Be sure to check back for updates on the 2024 fall foliage season.

DISCOVER FALL FOLIAGE TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES:

Fall foliage: when and where to go.

Discover beautiful foliage all across New York throughout the colorful fall season. more

Explore Fall Foliage by Train

Explore ways to see the best of New York's fall colors by rail. more

Explore Fall Foliage By Water

Get out on the water and see New York's fall foliage from a different perspective! more

New York’s Best Fall Photo Spots

Get your cameras (and Instagram captions) ready to fully embrace fall in New York State! more

2023 FALL FOLIAGE PHOTO GALLERY

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What Color Is New York? A Deep Dive Into The City’S Diverse Palette

New York City is known for its towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and diverse mix of cultures. But have you ever wondered what color best represents this iconic metropolis? If you’re looking for a quick answer – New York is a vibrant tapestry of colors that reflects its energy and diversity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the many hues that color the Big Apple.

We’ll start by exploring how New York’s iconic architecture adds striking pops of color to the cityscape. From the deep red of the Brooklyn Bridge to the gleaming silvery blue of the Chrysler Building, New York’s most famous structures each have their own distinct palette.

Next, we’ll look at how the city’s diverse mix of ethnic enclaves and neighborhoods represents a mosaic of rich cultural colors. From the deep greens of Chinatown to the pastel hues of Little Italy, each pocket of the city has its own unique aesthetic.

We’ll also examine how New York’s parks, gardens, and green spaces add soothing natural colors to balance out the city’s concrete jungle. Shades of green from Central Park’s lawns and tree canopies to the vibrant rainbow of flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden all contribute to the city’s diverse color story.

Finally, we’ll explore the electric neon glow that lights up New York City at night, making it truly the city that never sleeps. The bright lights of Times Square and theater marquees bathe the streets in an eye-catching mix of neon pink, blue, and purple.

The Iconic Architecture of NYC Boasts a Striking Color Palette

New York City is not only known for its bustling streets and vibrant culture, but also for its iconic architecture that adds to the city’s diverse color palette. From the red brick and granite of the Brooklyn Bridge to the silver blue spire of the Chrysler Building, each structure showcases a unique and striking combination of colors that contribute to the city’s visual appeal.

The Red Brick and Granite of the Brooklyn Bridge Adds Vibrant Color Against the Waterfront

One of the most recognizable landmarks in New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge stands as a testament to the city’s architectural prowess. Its red brick and granite structure not only provides stability but also adds a vibrant splash of color against the backdrop of the waterfront.

As the sun sets, the bridge’s warm hues create a stunning contrast against the cool tones of the surrounding water, making it a favorite spot for photographers and tourists alike.

The Silver Blue Art Deco Spire of the Chrysler Building Stands Out in the Skyline

The Chrysler Building is an architectural marvel that epitomizes the Art Deco style, and its silver blue spire stands out prominently in the New York City skyline. The sleek and elegant design, combined with the distinctive color, makes it a true standout among the surrounding buildings.

As the sunlight hits the metallic surface, the spire glistens and adds a touch of glamour to the cityscape, making it a favorite subject for artists and admirers of architectural beauty.

The Black Steel Frame and Curtain Glass Walls of the UN Building Exude Power

The United Nations Building, with its black steel frame and curtain glass walls, exudes power and authority. The color choice of black and the reflective glass creates a sense of strength and sophistication.

As the headquarters of an international organization, the building’s design and color palette reflect its significance on the global stage. It stands tall among the surrounding structures, serving as a symbol of diplomacy and cooperation.

The Intricate Multicolor Stonework of Grand Central Terminal Radiates Old-World Elegance

Grand Central Terminal is not only a transportation hub but also a masterpiece of design and architecture. Its intricate multicolor stonework, featuring a variety of shades and textures, radiates old-world elegance.

From the grand entrance to the intricate details on the ceiling, every corner of the terminal showcases a harmonious blend of colors that transport visitors back in time. The rich color palette adds to the overall grandeur and charm of this iconic landmark.

NYC’s Diverse Neighborhoods Form a Mosaic of Cultural Colors

New York City is renowned for its vibrant and diverse neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. As you traverse the streets of the city, you’ll be captivated by the rich tapestry of colors that paint the landscape.

From the vibrant red lanterns and green facades of Chinatown to the pastel pink, blue, and yellow townhouses of Brooklyn Heights, the city’s neighborhoods come alive with an array of hues that reflect the diverse cultures and communities that call New York home.

The Vibrant Red Lanterns and Green Facades of Chinatown

Stepping into the bustling streets of Chinatown is like entering a different world. The neighborhood is adorned with vibrant red lanterns that sway gently in the wind, casting a warm glow over the streets.

The facades of the buildings are often painted in shades of green, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. As you explore the labyrinthine alleys and narrow streets, you’ll be enveloped by the sights, sounds, and colors of this vibrant community.

Little Italy’s Classic Red, White, and Green Motif

Just a stone’s throw away from Chinatown lies Little Italy, a neighborhood that celebrates its Italian heritage with gusto. Here, you’ll find streets adorned with the classic red, white, and green motif of the Italian flag.

Restaurants and cafes exude an old-world charm, with outdoor seating areas adorned with red and white checkered tablecloths. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds, with the colors of Italy infusing every corner of this charming neighborhood.

The Rainbow Flags of the West Village’s LGBTQ Neighborhood

The West Village has long been a haven for the LGBTQ community, and the vibrant rainbow flags that line its streets are a testament to its inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. The neighborhood bursts with color, from the facades of LGBTQ-owned businesses to the street art that adorns the walls.

As you walk through the West Village, you can’t help but feel the sense of pride and acceptance that emanates from its vibrant and diverse community.

Vivid Murals and Graffiti of The Bronx Showcase Street Culture

The Bronx is a borough that wears its artistic heart on its sleeve. Vivid murals and graffiti art can be found on nearly every corner, showcasing the vibrant street culture that thrives in this part of the city.

From bold, larger-than-life portraits to intricate, colorful designs, the artwork in The Bronx tells stories of resilience, creativity, and community. It’s a visual feast that adds a burst of color to the urban landscape.

The Pastel Pink, Blue, and Yellow Townhouses of Brooklyn Heights

Brooklyn Heights, with its picturesque tree-lined streets and historic brownstone townhouses, delights with its pastel palette. The townhouses are often painted in soft shades of pink, blue, and yellow, creating a harmonious and charming streetscape.

As you stroll through the neighborhood, you can’t help but feel transported to a bygone era, where the colors of yesteryear blend seamlessly with the modern vibrancy of Brooklyn.

Soothing Natural Colors from NYC’s Many Parks and Gardens

New York City may be known for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, but it also boasts a surprising number of parks and gardens that offer a serene escape from the urban jungle. These green spaces not only provide a breath of fresh air, but they also showcase a diverse and soothing color palette that can be found throughout the city.

The Lush Green Meadows and Tree Canopy of Central Park

Central Park, often referred to as the “lungs of New York City,” is a sprawling oasis in the heart of Manhattan. With its vast green meadows and towering tree canopy, the park offers a soothing palette of lush greens.

As visitors stroll along the winding paths or relax on the grassy lawns, they are surrounded by the calming hues of nature. The vibrant shades of green create a sense of tranquility and provide a much-needed respite from the concrete jungle.

The Vibrant Rainbow of Seasonal Flowers at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is a floral paradise that showcases a vibrant rainbow of colors throughout the year. From the delicate pastels of cherry blossoms in the spring to the fiery reds and oranges of autumn leaves, the garden is a visual feast for the senses.

With its diverse collection of flowers and plants, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a kaleidoscope of hues that can brighten anyone’s day. Visitors can immerse themselves in a sea of blooms and experience the beauty of nature in full bloom.

The Tranquil Ponds and Cherry Blossoms of Prospect Park

Prospect Park, located in the borough of Brooklyn, is home to tranquil ponds and breathtaking cherry blossoms. As visitors wander through the park, they can admire the delicate pink and white blooms that adorn the trees during the springtime.

The cherry blossoms create a picturesque scene and bring a touch of serenity to the bustling city. The park’s ponds also add to the soothing color palette, reflecting the surrounding greenery and providing a calming ambiance.

The Winding Paths and Green Lawns of the High Line Park

The High Line Park, built on an elevated railway track, offers a unique and picturesque landscape in the heart of Manhattan’s West Side. As visitors meander along the park’s winding paths, they are treated to panoramic views of the city skyline and a lush greenery that stretches out before them.

The park’s green lawns provide a peaceful spot for relaxation, while the vibrant flowers and plants add pops of color to the urban landscape. The combination of the park’s winding paths and green lawns creates a tranquil and inviting atmosphere.

The Electric Neon Glow of NYC’s Nightlife

When the sun sets and darkness envelops the city, New York comes alive with an electrifying energy. The vibrant nightlife of the city is characterized by the mesmerizing glow of neon lights that illuminate the streets, creating a pulsating atmosphere that is truly unique to the Big Apple.

The Iconic Neon Extravaganza of Times Square Billboards

At the heart of New York City’s nightlife scene lies the iconic Times Square, a dazzling display of neon billboards that never fails to captivate both locals and tourists alike. The luminous signs, towering high above the streets, create a kaleidoscope of colors that dance against the nighttime sky.

From the iconic Coca-Cola sign to the bright lights of Broadway, Times Square showcases the epitome of New York’s neon extravaganza.

The Bright Broadway Theater Marquees and Signs

Broadway, known as the “Great White Way,” is not only a haven for theater enthusiasts but also a visual spectacle in itself. As night falls, the theater marquees and signs along the famous street come to life, illuminating the area with a burst of neon brilliance.

The vibrant colors and intricate designs of these signs add to the allure of Broadway, creating a captivating ambiance that sets the stage for unforgettable performances.

Pulsing Nightclub and Bar Signs Illuminate Downtown

Downtown Manhattan is home to a myriad of nightclubs and bars that offer a vibrant and lively nightlife experience. As one strolls through the streets, it’s hard not to be drawn to the pulsating neon signs that beckon revelers to step inside and enjoy the festivities.

These glowing signs, with their vibrant colors and eye-catching designs, contribute to the vibrant energy of the city’s downtown nightlife scene.

Glowing Purple and Blue City Streetlights

While the neon signs steal the show, it’s important not to overlook the subtle yet captivating glow of the city’s streetlights. New York’s streets are adorned with purple and blue-hued lights that cast an enchanting ambiance over the cityscape.

Whether strolling along Central Park or wandering through the charming neighborhoods of Manhattan, the soft glow of these streetlights adds an ethereal touch to the vibrant tapestry of New York City.

Next time you find yourself in the city that never sleeps, take a moment to immerse yourself in the electric neon glow of New York’s nightlife. It’s a sight that truly encapsulates the spirit and energy of this iconic metropolis.

As we’ve explored, New York City boasts an incredibly diverse palette ranging from the iconic red of the Brooklyn Bridge to the lush green meadows of Central Park. The city’s architectural landmarks, cultural enclaves, natural parks, and electric nightlife all add their own distinct colors to the urban tapestry.

So what color is New York? While no single shade can encapsulate this vibrant metropolis, the multitude of diverse hues reflects the dynamic energy and spirit of the city. New York is not just one color – it’s a colorful mosaic that comes together to form one of the most iconic skylines in the world.

Hi there, I'm Jessica, the solo traveler behind the travel blog Eye & Pen. I launched my site in 2020 to share over a decade of adventurous stories and vivid photography from my expeditions across 30+ countries. When I'm not wandering, you can find me freelance writing from my home base in Denver, hiking Colorado's peaks with my rescue pup Belle, or enjoying local craft beers with friends.

I specialize in budget tips, unique lodging spotlights, road trip routes, travel hacking guides, and female solo travel for publications like Travel+Leisure and Matador Network. Through my photography and writing, I hope to immerse readers in new cultures and compelling destinations not found in most guidebooks. I'd love for you to join me on my lifelong journey of visual storytelling!

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Colourful Travel in New York: The Color Factory

I actually had no idea that Color Factory even existed before spotting it on the list of attractions for my New York Pass. But if you’re visiting New York, love colourful travel and interactive art, this is 100% your place.

Color Factory is a collaborative, interactive exhibit, with participatory installations inspired by colours collected around New York City, designed to engage all the senses through discovery and play. The original Color Factory opened in San Francisco in the summer of 2017, initially intended to run for a month. It was so popular, it ended up running for another eight, and made its way east to New York in August 2018.

Color Factory’s exhibits have been created by a collaborative team including  local artists, illustrators, food vendors and non-profit organisations. Through sixteen walk-through spaces, you can experience interactive and fun installations, all centred on the theme of…yeah, you guessed it. Color! (or, for us Brits…colour!)

I have to admit, I’m not the biggest of art buffs. I skipped out on MoMa and gave the Guggenheim a miss. I thought that my visit to Color Factory would probably involve a quick peek around, snap some Instagram shots, go for ice cream. Turns out, I was pretty wrong – although not about the ice cream, at least.

Unlike your usual art gallery, filled with ‘hmms’ and ‘ahhs’ at flat canvases and confusing sculptures, Color Factory is a truly interactive exhibit. The first thing you come across? A conveyor belt of macarons, which you’re invited to tuck into. Okay, maybe this IS my kinda art gallery after all.

Once you’ve chosen a coloured badge from the wall, there’s a bit of a queue (Americans: line) for the next exhibit. Which is kinda hard to describe, other than it looks like a really colourful prison visitation room, where you draw the person sitting opposite you and have some fun with coloured pencils. The results? Kinda hilarious.

Other rooms include a wind machine propelling metallic beach balls, a floor flowchart that leads you to ‘your colour’, and a disco room where you can show off your best moves. Each exhibit is really different and creative, and there are little sweet treats to enjoy along the way.

The final stop is probably the most fun you’ll have in New York with your shoes off. A giant blue ball pit, which we dived into and had a LOT of Boomerang fun falling over in! After some childlike fun, we had our final childlike treat – a big scoop of blue ice cream. They told us it’s squirrel flavour…which I don’t think was quite true.

It goes without saying, the whole of Color Factory is super photo-friendly – even the toilets! On entry, you exchange your email address for a card with a QR code – in the rooms, you can scan the code at photobooth points, and your pics are emailed to you the same day, ready to upload to your Insta feed.

At the end of the tour, you pick up a cute souvenir (I chose a whale pin) and can pick up a map that will take you to other colourful spots in the area. At $38 a ticket ( which you need to book in advance ), for an experience that lasts around an hour (although you can spend as long as you like in the rooms), I initially thought it was a bit pricey. But actually, for the amount you get to see, do, eat and take home, it’s pretty decent value. And if you buy the New York Pass, it’s included – but I’d advise getting there early in the day, as there are limited walk-up spots for the pass apparently.

Color Factory 251 Spring St, New York, NY 10013 (Spring Street Subway) Opening Hours: 10am-10pm daily (except Wednesdays)

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New York City: A Color-Your-Own Travel Journal (Color Your World Travel Journal Series)

Description.

“A whole new take on travel guidebooks...and a great gift.... These will become meaningful keepsakes.” — Forbes

Color your way around New York City with this coloring-book-meets-travel-journal featuring 30 expertly curated sites to learn about, color, and record so you can experience the city whether you’re already there, planning a trip, or dreaming about your next adventure.

Grab your pen and colored pencils—and get ready to travel the world! Whether your flights are booked or you’ll only be traveling in your mind, New York City takes you on an interactive, colorful tour of the metropolis.

This travel journal features 30 sites within the city to discover—from the bucket-list worthy must-sees like the Statue of Liberty and Times Square to lesser-known gems in the boroughs outside of Manhattan. Learn about each landmark with fascinating histories, fun facts, and travel tips. Accompanying journal pages allow space to record, plan, or imagine a dream vacation. Plus, all 30 landmarks feature beautifully rendered coloring pages to shade in while taking in the sites.

New York City is the perfect airplane take-along or gift for those dreaming about the city that never sleeps.

About the Author

Evie Carrick is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for travel, food, and adventure. She has lived in or explored over fifty countries and writes regularly for  Travel + Leisure ,  VICE ,  BuzzFeed ,  Outside ,  SKI , and  Insider . A graduate of the University of Denver with a BA in journalism and marketing, Carrick also attended the NYU Summer Publishing Institute. She has worked as an editor for both print and online media, as well as a developmental editor for book publishers. She splits her time between Ridgway, Colorado, and Paris, France.

Emma Taylor is a New York–based illustrator with a passion for exploring new places and cultures—and finding the best cup of espresso in every city. Since 2018 she has teamed up with various authors to help bring their stories to life visually through illustration. She has a BFA from the Hartford Art School and has dreams of one day continuing her studies and earning her MFA.

Praise for New York City: A Color-Your-Own Travel Journal (Color Your World Travel Journal Series)

"These will become meaningful keepsakes."

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New York City Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 25, 2024

It’s famous for….well, just about everything, New York City is the beating heart of the world — which is why I call it home. Every culture, language, and food is represented here.

Unsurprisingly, there is a never-ending list of things to do here. No amount of time you spend in NYC will be enough so don’t worry about running out of things to do. You could spend a lifetime exploring the city and never really see it all. And, whatever your interest, no matter how obscure, you can find it in NYC.

As a budget traveler, visiting NYC can be tough, especially when you don’t know the hidden tricks that make living here affordable. There are plenty of things to do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg — if you know where to look!

This travel guide to NYC can help you make the most of your visit, get off the beaten path, and not break the bank.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on New York City

Top 5 Things to See and Do in New York City

1. Meander through Central Park

It’s free, there are lots of little paths to walk, and, since it spans over 40 blocks, it’s easy to spend hours upon hours wandering around or having a picnic. During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions here too. From the spring to the fall, there are free guided walks on Saturdays as well. Personally, I’m a big fan of laying out in Sheep’s Meadow on a hot, sunny day with a book, some food, and a bottle of wine. If you want to take a guided tour around the park to learn more about the statues and sculptures, ponds, parks, and famous filming sites, take a guided tour with Get Your Guide ($25 USD). It will really give you a good understanding of the park.

2. Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

On September 11th, 2001, almost 3,000 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks in NYC and elsewhere. Visit this somber memorial and take in the view from the Freedom Tower. On the elevator up, you can see pictures of the historical development of the city and how it’s changed over the years. To get a deeper understanding of 9/11 and the events that unfolded, visit the museum. It’s home to moving exhibits that illuminate the scope and significance of the tragedy. The memorial is free to visit; museum entry is $33 USD (free entry Mondays from 3:30pm-5pm but tickets must be booked online). Get tickets beforehand so you can skip the line and save time!

3. Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met is one of the foremost collections of fine art in the world. If you only see one museum in New York, make it this one. It has a wide array of art, artifacts, photographs, and other exhibits from around the world. There’s a whole collection of armor and another dedicated to costumes. You’ll see pieces from the ancient world as well as contemporary art. I like its expansive Impressionist and Greek exhibits, but there are more than 490,000 works of art on display. It’s chaotic and filled with people, especially on the weekend, but since it is so big, you can usually find some quiet spots away from the crowds. Budget at least a half-day here as a few hours won’t do this place justice. Admission is $30 USD and you can buy tickets in advance.

4. See the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty is a massive Neoclassical statue gifted to the USA from France. It was dedicated in 1886 and stands 305-feet tall (95 meters). It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi though its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). It’s spectacular to see up close and is as big as you imagine, but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island. Here, you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC (you’ll even find my family’s name inscribed on the wall). There’s such a great sense of history there that you can’t help but be impressed. Admission is $25 USD.

Here’s an overview of what the tours are like .

5. Walk the High Line

Other things to see and do in new york city, 1. take a walking tour.

A great way to orient yourself to the city is with a walking tour. You’ll learn some history, see the main sights, and explore all the city’s nooks and crannies. I think free walking tours are a wonderful activity in any city (I always take them when I arrive somewhere new). If you’re on a budget, I recommend Free Tours by Foot. For paid tours, go with Take Walks . They have specific tours in the city that focus on art, food, and history, and they are pretty affordable too. (I wrote a whole blog post about New York City walking tours that you can check out here. )

2. Ride the Staten Island Ferry

That two-hour-long line to see the Statue of Liberty not appealing? Walk a few blocks to the Staten Island ferry. This free ferry takes you across the harbor and offers a nice view of both the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline. You won’t get to stop at Ellis Island but you’ll get a nice (and free) view while you enjoy the historical route that New Yorkers have been taking for centuries. The ride takes about 20 minutes each way.

3. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to get a picturesque view of the New York skyline and harbor. It’s a long walk, but good food and drinks await you on the other side. Stopping to take in the view and meandering along the way makes the walk about 40 minutes. I enjoy doing this walk at night when downtown Manhattan is all lit up. Otherwise, come early to beat the crowds. It’s a super popular spot for taking photos so be sure to bring a camera (or you can hire a NYC photographer if you really want to snag some impressive pics).

If you want a more nuanced experience, take a guided tour across the bridge . Not only will you learn some fascinating history but your guide can show you all the best spots to take photos.

4. Museum hop

New York City has dozens upon dozens of museums worth visiting. You have The Met, Natural History Museum, the MoMA, Frick, Guggenheim, the Museum for African Art, Museum of the City of New York, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (a branch of the Smithsonian Institution), The Whitney, The Brooklyn Museum, and so many more! Pick the ones you want to see the most and visit those unless you have weeks in New York to see them all. Admission varies, but expect to spend around $28 USD per person per museum.

5. Visit Radio City Music Hall

Is there a more American theater than Radio City Music Hall? This timeless testament to entertainment has captivated visitors since the 1930s (at the time, it was the largest auditorium in the world). It’s the home of the precision dance company The Rockettes, who have been performing here since 1932. It’s also been the venue for all kinds of award shows, including the Tonys and the Grammys. There are still concerts, comedy shows, and other entertainment happening all the time. Check their website to find out what’s happening during your visit. There’s also an hour-long tour you can take that will get you behind the scenes to see the Great Stage and The Roxy Suite. Tickets start at $42.

6. Take in the theater

You can’t come to NYC and not see a Broadway show. There are tons of amazing shows here from grand musicals to traditional Shakespeare to offbeat shows. There’s nothing better than witnessing NYC theater, and it’s such an integral part of life here you should check it out. Current highlights include Hamilton, Chicago, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Six, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Lion King, and more. Most shows have performances roughly eight times per week. If there’s a specific one you’ve been wanting to see, you should be able to find a time while you’re in the city. Visit the TKTS booth in Times Square to get half-price tickets. To see what shows are playing during your visit, check out broadway.com.

7. Wander Times Square

No matter when you go to Times Square, it will be packed with people (usually other tourists). There are pedestrian areas where you can sit and hang out and tons of (overpriced) restaurants and stores. It’s still a fabulous place to people-watch for a few minutes from the top of the red steps of the TKTS kiosk. Try to come at night when it’s all lit up with all the signs and neon lights. That’s when it looks the best!

8. Experience the Prohibition Bars

I love the 1920s. One of the reasons I love NYC so much is because there are tons of other people here who love the Jazz Age. There are lots of Prohibition-style bars serving classic drinks and hosting live jazz and swing music. While the fancy cocktails they serve may not be cheap ($15–20 USD), I’m hooked on the atmosphere. Stepping into these bars with the music playing, people dancing, and everyone dressed the part transports me to an era when things were classy, carefree, and fun. Some of my favorites are The Back Room, Apotheke, The Dead Rabbit, and Bathtub Gin.

9. Visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum

This museum highlights how immigrants from around the world lived during the late 1800s and early 1900s as they tried to make it in America. It’s a good follow-up to what you see on Ellis Island. You can only visit this museum via guided tours, and they need to be booked in advance. The museum is actually an apartment building that’s been used to recreate the living conditions during different periods of the city’s history. Each tour tells the story of a different family and what their life was like here during their time. The tour will take you through apartments that have been recreated to match the time period of the story. You can choose from tours that highlight women or specific immigrant groups. I like that live actors are used to portray and share the stories of newly arrived immigrants as it makes the experience much more memorable. Tours last 60-75 minutes. Admission is $30 USD.

10. Visit Trinity Church

Built in 1698, the original Trinity Church was a small parish church constructed by the Church of England. When the British seized New York after George Washington’s retreat, it was used as a British base of operations. After the war, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton regularly worshipped here. The graveyard dates back to the 1700s and holds many a famous Americans, including Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth, Francis Lewis (signatory on the Declaration of Independence), John Alsop (Continental Congress delegate), Albert Gallatin (founder of NYU), and Horatio Gates (Continental Army general).

11. Head to Top of the Rock

This area is always filled with hustle and bustle. Wander around Rockefeller Center to see where they film The Today Show , shop, snack, and then take the elevator to the “Top of the Rock” for a bird’s-eye view of the city (I personally think the view is better than the Empire State Building since you get the Empire State Building in your pictures). Tickets cost $40 USD.

12. Just wander

Walk from the east side to the west side and marvel at the beautiful New York City architecture such as Grand Central Station, Union Square, the New York Times building, the Chrysler Building, the Flat Iron building, and more. There are so many historic buildings in New York City to see! You can talk a walk past the United Nations Headquarters on the East side of Manhattan. Madison Square Garden and Chelsea Market are great spots for wandering on the other side of the island. In lower Manhattan, you can grab a slice of pizza in Little Italy or take in the bustle of Chinatown. Just wandering around the city and seeing what there is to see is a fun afternoon activity for every budget traveler.

13. Relax in Battery Park

Located on the southern tip of Manhattan, this park is where the Dutch built Fort Amsterdam in 1625 to defend their settlement. The British took the area over in 1664 and eventually renamed it Fort George. While the fort was mostly destroyed during the Revolution, the battery was expanded after the war’s end. Today, there are over 20 monuments and plaques in the park, covering everything from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to immigration and much more. You can wander around the fort and then stroll through the surrounding park and take in the beautiful waterfront views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

14. Visit Wall Street

Take a photo with the famous charging bull statue (which was created in 1989) and then walk to Wall Street and see where all those bankers destroyed the economy. There’s heavy security in the area, but you can sit and watch people whiz in and out of buildings on their way to cause some other financial disaster. Guided tours around Wall St with Get Your Guide cost $35 USD and cover the highs and lows of the (in)famous finance hub, highlighting the lives of famous elites from John D. Rockefeller to Warren Buffet. I found the tour really interesting!

14. See Federal Hall

One of the most overlooked museums in the city sits across the street from the NY Stock Exchange (NYSE). Federal Hall, built in 1700, is where George Washington took his oath of office. You’ll see the Bible that was used when he was sworn in as president, which was loaned to him from the local Masonic Lodge. It was the site of the US Customs House in the late 1700s and the first capitol building of the US. Though the original facade was rebuilt, it’s one of my favorite attractions in the area. I especially love the old vaults. I highly recommend you visit. Admission is free.

16. See Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the city’s historic train station. It was going to be torn down in 1975 but was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy, who raised money for its preservation. I love coming to the main concourse and looking up at the “stars” in the ceiling as everyone races to and fro. There’s also an amazing eatery in the basement called the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant. And for fancy (and expensive) cocktails, visit The Campbell and step back into the 1920s (dress code enforced). It was once the office of John W. Campbell, a member of the New York Central Railroad’s board of directors and finance tycoon from the 1920s.

17. Visit The Cloisters

Few people make it up to the Cloisters (it’s up near 204th Street), a branch of the Met devoted to medieval Europe. It took me years to finally see it, and I kicked myself for waiting so long. It was built with Rockefeller money from parts of five European abbeys between 1934 and 1939. (They even stipulated that the land across the river would forever remain undeveloped so the view would be unspoiled!). The building and its stunning cloistered garden are very, very peaceful, and beautiful. It’s one of the best things to do in the city. There are free tours each day that explain the history of the museum and the paintings and exhibits. Admission is $30 USD (which includes same-day entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art).

18. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Head over to the MoMA for lots of beautiful (and weird) modern art and some vivid impressionist art. Personally, I dislike modern art. I just don’t “get” it. How is a shovel on a wall art? While I’m not a fan, this museum does have Van Gogh’s Starry Night as well as other post-impressionist art, so I can’t hate it completely. If you love modern and contemporary art, this (I’m told) is one of the best in the world. The galleries display works from the 1880s through the modern day. The museum regularly has events that are interactive for kids, teens, and adults. They also show films as part of their art exhibitions. Check their website to see what’s on while you’re visiting. Admission is $28 USD. The MoMA’s Sculpture Garden is free of charge to the public daily from 9:30am–10:15am.

19. Hang out in Prospect Park

Get out of Manhattan and explore Brooklyn’s version of Central Park, which spans almost 600 acres. While you’re here, don’t miss the nearby Brooklyn Museum. Spend the afternoon discovering its vast collection of both historical and contemporary art and artifacts (there are over 1.5 million items in its collection). It has art exhibitions highlighting ancient Egypt, Medieval Europe, colonial USA, and more. Tickets are $20 USD.

20. Visit the Bronx Zoo

Head north for a look at one of the oldest and biggest zoos in the United States. Opened in 1899, the zoo spans almost 300 acres and sees over 2 million visitors each year. Home to over 650 different species, it’s a great place to visit with kids. Gorillas, birds of prey, bison — there is a huge assortment of animals here and you’ll definitely learn a lot during your visit! Admission is $37.95 USD. Tickets are $17.95 USD on Wednesdays.

21. See a Yankees/Mets/Rangers/Knicks game

Like sports? NYC has some world-class sports teams. I’m not a big sports fan (the Yankees play soccer, right?), but games are fun when you have friends to share the experience with. If you have a chance and the desire, don’t miss a sporting event, because New Yorkers are serious about their local teams!

22. Attend a taping

TV shows like Saturday Night Live , The View , The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , The Daily Show , Last Week Tonight , Late Night with Seth Meyers , and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon offer free tickets to their tapings (although they must be reserved well in advance). See each show’s website for details and to make reservations.

22. Talk a walk through Green-Wood Cemetery

Green-Wood in Brooklyn was the first rural cemetery in the US and is now a National Historical Landmark. You’ll see graves of famous Americans like the Roosevelt family, Laura Keene (she was one of the actresses on stage when Lincoln was assassinated), and many others. There’s a free map at every entrance so you can easily find where you want to go in the 478-acre grounds. This was also the site of the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. The grounds are open year-round and free to visit.

23. Visit the Louis Armstrong House

Jazz legend Louis Armstrong and his wife lived in this house on 107th Street in Queens which has been turned into a museum, which opened to the public in 2003. The main exhibition features Louis’s life, career, and impact within the musical and local communities. Other exhibits show the collection of music, photographs, recordings, and other personal items from Louis and his wife, Lucille. You’ll even see a trumpet that Louis gave to King George V of England. There are guided tours available for $20 or you can walk through the exhibit on your own for $10.

( Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to New York City filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc.), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book! )

New York City Travel Costs

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels start at $120 USD per night during the winter and about $160 USD a night the rest of the year. Expect basic amenities like TV, AC, and coffee/tea makers. If you want cheaper accommodation, it’s much better to stay in Hoboken/Jersey City or Brooklyn, where there’s more budget options. In Manhattan, accommodation is going to be the most expensive, especially if you come during the summer, where most hotels are around $200 USD or more per night.

Airbnb is technically banned in NYC for anything under 30 days, unless the host lives there. Private rooms start at $80 USD per night but average closer to $130-150 USD, especially if you want to stay in Manhattan. For entire places, you can still find some listed online but Airbnb is constantly trying to remove those in order to comply with the law. I’d try to avoid them.

Food – New York has every kind of cuisine you can think of — and at every price range too. This is the land of cheap eats and $1000 dinners! Post-COVID, prices have risen a lot and, while can get pricey here, there’s still a few cheap ways to save.

Pizza slices can be found for as little as a dollar, though typically they cost around $3 USD for a slice of cheese and about $5 USD for one with a topping. A bagel with cream cheese or a hot dog is usually around $3-5 USD. The famous “BEC” (bacon, egg, and cheese) sandwich will cost about $10 USD. There are plenty of street vendors with meals between $5-10 USD.

Sandwich shops, kebab places, salad shops, and cafes are generally going to be between $15-20 for a meal.

You can eat a sit down restaurant for $15-25 USD per main course. Appetizers can range from $8-15 USD. Dinner for two with drinks usually averages around $100 USD. This is any random place in NYC that’s not too fancy. Think the random Mexican, Thai, or Italian place you walk across. For sushi, you’re looking at about $40-50 USD for a meal (though you can get lunch specials for around $15 USD) and about $100 USD for an omakase.

If you like fast food (I don’t), you can usually find value meals for $10-15 USD.

Prices just go straight up from there as NYC has some really fancy and expensive restaurants. I mean, you can pay upwards of $350 USD for a prix-fixe dinner! main courses at many high-end restaurants can sometimes be $50 USD each! If you were to go to a really fancy place, you’d probably spend at least $200 for two people, especially if you got drinks.

A latte/cappuccino is $5 USD while bottled water is $2 USD. For drinks, you’ll find beer for around $8 USD, wine between $12-15 USD, and cocktails for between $15-20 USD. (For tips on how to get cheaper drinks, see the money saving section below.)

If you cook your own food, expect to pay between $65-80 USD per week for groceries that includes basic staples like pasta, rice, vegetables, and some meat. Shop at Fairway for inexpensive groceries. If you don’t have a kitchen, Whole Foods and Wegman’s have really good prepared meals and hot / salad bars.

Backpacking New York City Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking New York City, expect to spend around $100 USD per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, public transportation, cooking your own meals, and free attractions. If you plan on drinking, add $40 USD more per day.

A mid-range budget of about $300 USD covers staying in a cheap hotel, eating cheap, enjoying a couple drinks, taking the occasional taxi, and doing more paid activities. You could probably lower this cost a bit (see the next section) but, given the price of accommodation, it’s the most realistic daily budget.

On a “luxury” budget of $600 USD or more per day, you can stay in a fancy hotel and do whatever you want! The sky is the limit after that!

New York City Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

New York City can easily drain your wallet. It is expensive and your money really, really quickly if you aren’t careful. Prices for everything have dramatically increased post-COVID. Luckily, this is the city of starving artists so there are always deals and ways to save. Here are some ways to save money in New York City:

• Take a free tour – Taking a free walking tour is the best way to get introduced to the city. You get to see the main sights and ask all your questions to a local guide. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end! This post on NYC walking tours can give you my favorite companies .
• Get a MetroCard – You’ll be taking the subway a lot and fares can add up. Get one of the Unlimited MetroCards and save yourself a bundle during your trip. 7-day unlimited cards are $34 USD.
• Get cheap theater tickets – Broadway tickets can easily run hundreds of dollars, especially for new and popular shows. The TKTS stand in Times Square offers 40-50% off select shows. You need to arrive at the counter the same day to see what they have but it’s usually a wide selection. Be prepared to wait in line for about an hour. TKTS also has offices at the South Street Seaport and in Brooklyn.
• Visit the museums for free – NYC is full of some of the best museums in the world. In addition to the MoMA, many offer free entry on certain days of the week: the Whitney Museum of American Art is pay-what-you-wish on Thursday afternoons, the Solomon R. Guggenheim has pay-what-you-wish between 4-6pm on Saturdays, the Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design has a pay-what-you-wish policy on Saturday nights.
• Visit the tourism website – New York City’s tourism website has a great list of free activities, museums, and shows. Visiting their website can help you figure out what is free in the city. While NYC is expensive, there’s always free things going on. The tourism board’s website is a great place to find those things.
• Eat on the cheap – Between the food carts, dollar slice shops, kebab places, and cheap eateries (Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai are some of the cheapest places in the city) you can eat really cheap in NYC. Some of my favorite places to eat cheap are The Dead Rabbit (oyster happy hours), Percy’s Pizza, Noodle Q (Chinese food with big portions), and Gray’s Papaya (cheap hotdogs).
• Get the lunch special – Most restaurant in NYC have lunch specials and those are usually the best time to eat out. You can usually find set lunches for around $15-20 USD. Personally, I tend to eat at lunch and cook my dinners because it’s so much cheaper.
• Hit the happy hours – Happy hour is the best time to get discounted food and drinks in the city. We NYers love happy hour because it’s one of the best ways for us to save money while still going out. Drinks will be about 50% of what you normally find. I love the happy hour at The Gray Mare. For current best happy hours, try Eater. They have a good list!
• Consider getting the New York Pass – This sightseeing pass allows you free entry to over 115 attractions. If you plan on seeing a ton of attractions, this can save you money. A one-day pass is $134 USD per person while the two-day pass is $179 USD.
• Redeem hotel points – Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards before you go and use those points when you travel. This is especially helpful in NYC because hotel prices are really high, especially since Airbnb has been banned. Be aware that most hotels charge parking fees if you have a car, and adjust your budget accordingly.
• Hit the oyster happy hours – Love oysters? Eat them during the happy hours that happen all over the city where they cost around $2 USD.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is expensive in NYC and, with few hostels, there aren’t many options for a budget traveler. Use a hospitality website like Couchsurfing to stay with locals for free. There is a huge network in the city with tons and tons of hosts. To increase the chance of success, request as far in advance as possible!
• Save money on rideshares – Uber and Lyft are cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in New York City

Accommodation is very expensive in New York, and there aren’t a ton of hostels in the city. Here are some places to stay in NYC:

• HI New York City Hostel
• Heritage Hotel NYC
• The Local NYC
• Pod Brooklyn
• Chelsea International Hostel
• The Marlton

For more hostel suggestions, check out my complete list of the best hostels in New York City.

How to Get Around New York City

If you can’t get to where you’re going by subway, the bus will get you there. Like the subway, the fare is $2.90 USD, but an express ride is $7 USD (you can’t use a regular Unlimited Ride MetroCard for express rides).

The Staten Island Ferry is a staple of morning commuters. It operates 24/7 and is free. The NYC Ferry Service is also a reliable way to commute and connects Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx along the East River. The ferries make many stops along the East River and are the same price as the subway.

Taxis – Taxis are definitely not the cheapest option for getting around New York City. The minimum fare starts at $3.00 USD and goes up another $3.50 USD per mile. Skip them if you can. However, during peak times, they are cheaper than Uber since they have set fares.

Ridesharing – Uber, Lyft, and Via are way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. The shared/pool option (where you share a ride with other people) offers even better savings.

Bike rental – You can bike just about anywhere in New York City, especially if you want to explore big parks like Central and Prospect. Citi Bike is a bike-sharing system, starting from $4.79 USD per 30-minute ride, or $19 USD for 24 hours. There are about 10,000 bikes all over the city, so one is always within reach!

When to Go to New York City

Anytime is the best time to visit New York! Each season offers visitors plenty of reasons to visit. Early fall offers crisp breezes, bright sun, and comfortable temperatures while late fall and winter make merry with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday decorations.

Deep winter – January and February – is cold, with temperatures ranging between 18-23°F (-7 to -5°C). But coming in winter means better hotel rates, ice skating, and hopping around cozy cafes and bookstores.

Spring is glorious and New Yorkers celebrate the thaw by taking to the streets, shopping at outdoor markets, frolicking in Central Park, and dining outside. Summer is hot, with average daily temperatures around 77-86°F (25-30°C).

Personally, I think the shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) offer the best experience: there are fewer crowds and the weather is more bearable, averaging around 56-63°F (13-17°C) in the spring and 53-78°F (11-25°C) in September and October. Walking around snapping photos is a great way to see the city, but doing so when it’s sweltering can be challenging. If you love the heat, however, then summer is the time to visit!

How to Stay Safe in New York City

New York City is a safe place to visit. Violent attacks are rare and tend to be confined to certain areas. And there’s not a lot of gun violence. Petty crime, like theft, around popular tourist landmarks and on the subway will be your biggest concern. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

During COVID, crime went up for a bit but crime going down now. There are very rarely instances of violence or crime in any place you’d want to go as a visitor. In Manhattan, most of Brooklyn, and Queens, the city is really safe and you’re unlikely to encounter any major crime. In all my years living in the city, I don’t know anyone that has had something violent happen to them.

That said, there has been a rise in homelessness and vagrants, especially on the subway so you’ll just want to follow the locals and stay vigilant. Most people I know don’t ride the subway after midnight just because there’s not enough people on it.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply. For specific safety tips, consult one of the many solo female travel articles on the web.

Beware of anything that seems too good to be true in Times Square — it probably is. Try not to buy any tickets, massages, facials, or experiences from hawkers in the area. They prey on tourists here. If you do, you risk getting your credit card charged multiple times, getting less than you paid for, or getting ripped off altogether. Also, if you want to take a photo with the life-sized costumed characters in Times Square, they will demand money from you.

You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

New York City Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to New York City!

While I have a lot of free tips on New York City, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorites restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of New York City that I got from living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.

New York City Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on United States travel and continue planning your trip:

How to Experience Milwaukee Like a Local

The 7 Best Hotels in New York City

The 7 Best Hotels in Miami

Where to Stay in Miami: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

How to Spend 24 Hours in Raleigh, North Carolina

The 6 Best Hotels in Austin

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TravelAsker

What is the meaning or significance of New York colors?

Travel Destinations

June 16, 2023

By Kristy Tolley

New York Colors

New York City is often called "The Big Apple" or "The City that Never Sleeps," but it is also a city known for its vibrant and diverse colors. From the yellow taxis and orange street cones to the red brick buildings and green parks, New York City is a colorful place. The colors of New York have significant meanings and history, and they are used to represent the city and state in many ways.

The Colors of the New York Flag

The New York State flag is a dark blue field with the state coat of arms in the center. The coat of arms features a shield with a sun rising behind it, representing the state’s motto "Excelsior," which means "ever upward." The shield is surrounded by symbols of liberty and justice, including an eagle, a globe, and a banner that reads "E Pluribus Unum" or "Out of many, one." The color blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and the Hudson River, while the sun represents progress and a bright future.

Colors of the New York State Seal

The New York State Seal features Lady Liberty holding a staff and cap, with the state motto "Excelsior" above her. The shield of the seal features the sun rising behind a mountain, with the Hudson River and a ship in the foreground. The colors used in the seal are blue, white, gold, and orange. Blue represents the Atlantic Ocean and Hudson River, white represents purity and innocence, gold represents the wealth and resources of the state, and orange represents the Dutch origins of the state.

New York’s Official State Colors

New York’s official state colors are blue and gold, which were adopted in 188 state legislation. Blue represents the state’s waterways and Atlantic Ocean coastline, while gold represents the wealth and resources of the state.

The Color of New York’s Iconic Taxi Cabs

New York City’s iconic yellow taxi cabs were introduced in 1967 as part of a city-wide effort to improve taxi safety and visibility. The color yellow was chosen because it is easy to see in any weather condition, and it stands out in a sea of other cars and trucks on the city’s busy streets.

The Significance of Black and White in NYC

Black and white are often associated with New York City because they are the colors of the city’s iconic checkerboard taxi cabs and the uniforms of many city workers. Black and white also represent the city’s diversity, as people from all walks of life and cultures live and work in the city.

The History of Blue and Orange in NYC

Blue and orange are the colors of New York City’s official flag, which was adopted in 1915. Blue represents the city’s waterways, while orange represents the Dutch origins of the city. Blue and orange are also the colors of the city’s two major sports teams, the New York Mets and the New York Knicks.

The Meaning of Red in New York

Red represents passion, energy, and power in New York City. It is the color of the city’s iconic red brick buildings and the famous red steps in Times Square. Red is also used to represent the city’s commitment to social justice, as seen in the AIDS awareness ribbon that is worn by many in the city.

Green’s Significance in New York City

Green represents nature, growth, and sustainability in New York City. The city is home to many parks and green spaces, including Central Park and the High Line. Green is also the color of many of the city’s environmental initiatives, including the Green New Deal.

The Importance of Yellow in NYC

Yellow is a color that represents optimism, happiness, and hope in New York City. It is the color of the city’s iconic taxi cabs and many of its street signs. Yellow is also the color of the smiley face, which was invented by a New Yorker in 1963.

The Role of Gold in New York City

Gold represents wealth, prosperity, and opportunity in New York City. It is the color of the city’s financial district and the famous Wall Street bull statue. Gold is also the color of the iconic New York City skyline at sunset.

New York’s Colorful Diversity: The Rainbow Flag

New York City is known for its vibrant and diverse communities, and the rainbow flag is a symbol of that diversity. The rainbow flag was first created in San Francisco in 1978, but it has since become a global symbol of pride and inclusivity. In New York City, the rainbow flag is often flown during the city’s annual Pride Parade, which celebrates the city’s community.

Kristy Tolley

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New York City is spectacular, but sometimes you just need to get away from it all. The drive from New York City to Niagara Falls in autumn will wash away your stress, calm your head, and center your spirit.

When you think of leaf peeping, you likely think of hiking and camping, which is certainly a great way to immerse yourself in nature. However, you can also frolic in the foliage on a luxurious adventure — particularly in the Adirondacks — enjoying first-class resorts, great wine, fabulous food, and the unbelievable display put on by the local deciduous trees.

Prime leaf-peeping season in Upstate New York runs from the last week in September through the third week in October. It is a busy time of year, and you’ll need to make reservations far in advance to ensure your trip is all that you hope it will be.

Here’s where to stop on a fall foliage road trip through New York.

New York City is one of the most impressive places in the United States. It is a fun place to spend a few days, but the fall foliage is essentially confined to Central Park. Why not take a traditional carriage ride through the park and enjoy the colorful trees? You can order your carriage ahead of time through Get Your Guide or come to terms with one of the many scattered around the park.

Whether you plan to spend a few hours or a few days in the Big Apple, you’ll want to head to this page for advice on what to see and do.

To truly enjoy New York State’s gorgeous fall foliage, you’ll need to get out of the city. Your first stop is just under 3 hours north of New York City: Albany , New York’s capital city. Another city, albeit a cozy one. The ride to Albany will whet your appetite for the glorious vistas that await.

John Boyd Thacher State Park is home to the Helderberg Escarpment, a must-stop on your foliage journey. The panoramic view from the top includes the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. You can drive across the park, but the best way to view the foliage is to hike the easy half-mile Indian Ladder Trail .

Saratoga Springs

Saratoga is synonymous with horses — its racing, polo, and equestrian shows draw crowds from around the globe. Unfortunately, the races end in early September and do not run during the fall.

The Saratoga Casino provides a nice break from the outdoors with a neon color wheel for your gaming enjoyment. Whether you like to hit the slots, electronic table games, or Keno, the casino has something for every gamer.

While you are visiting the casino, you might as well stay the night. The Saratoga Casino Hotel offers everything you need in one place: a great location, entertainment, fine dining, and an elegant Adirondack vibe. It is a popular destination and books up quickly, so be sure to plan ahead.

For traditional American fine dining, try Morton’s The Steakhouse , which offers perfectly cooked steak paired with a bold red wine to finish off your day of sightseeing.

Plan a picnic lunch in Congress Park , a beautiful natural refuge. Then take a stroll through the historic park and immerse yourself in Saratoga’s culture.

Tucked away in the Adirondacks is the village of Lake Placid , which hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics. Known for its exceptional winter sports, the Lake Placid area is also famous for its spectacular leaf peeping.

The Northway Loop is a 2-hour scenic drive through the area with stops at Split Rock Falls on the Bouquet River and Roaring Brook Falls on Roaring Brook. If you are interested in rock climbing, Giant Mountain offers a challenging 6-mile out-and-back loop. You can watch the brave hikers scale the rock face from Roaring Brook Falls for a safer, vicarious climb.

The Whiteface Lodge will bring you back to the time when the Adirondacks were the summer playground of New York’s wealthy. Every summer, families would retreat to Upstate New York for rest and relaxation. The classic rustic decor, the mountain views, and the superb service will leave you feeling rejuvenated. Dine with mountain views framing the warm, cozy dining room; sip a fine wine by a roaring fire; and retire to your comfy accommodations during a pampered stay.

Saranac Lake

Experience Saranac Lake from the water by heading to the Saranac Lake Marina and renting a pontoon boat. Stop at the Lakeview Deli for a takeaway picnic lunch — they offer classic, yummy fare to add to your cooler. Round out your plans with your favorite beverage and head out for a crisp autumn day on the lake.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the adventure options in Saranac Lake. We have rounded up a few of our favorites in 11 Incredible Outdoor Adventures In Stunning Saranac Lake, New York .

Chittenango Falls State Park

Chittenango Falls State Park is home to a 167-foot waterfall. Viewing the falls surrounded by the vibrant sugar maples is picture perfect. The viewing platform is at the top of the falls near the parking lot. The Chittenango Falls Trail is an easy half-mile walk down to the gorge, where you will be rewarded with a gorgeous, classic view of the falls.

Syracuse is more than a college town — it is a part of Erie Canal history.

The Labrador Hollow Unique Area is a glacial kettle lake surrounded by hills and has a 2,000-foot-long accessible boardwalk that winds through the bog-like hollow. The sensation of being immersed in the colorful trees and hemmed in by distant mountains gives a real feeling of being one with nature.

Avid adventurers can rent a houseboat and travel down the Erie Canal. Erie Canal Adventures will outfit you with a houseboat, offer instructions for navigating the canal and locks, help you plan the perfect itinerary, and send you on your way. What better way to discover New York’s autumnal beauty than spending a relaxing few days floating down the Erie Canal?

The Seneca Lake Wine Tasting & Tour in Rochester will transport you through the winding Finger Lakes region . Spend half a day enjoying local wines and lunch at one of the wineries. The best way to enjoy wine touring is to leave the driving to a professional.

The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge offers two easy hiking trails, one through the woodlands and one bypassing the marshy area. Both are just over a mile long and are well-trafficked trails full of crispy, colorful fallen leaves.

Niagara Scenic Parkway

The Niagara Scenic Parkway is a 15-mile stretch of highway skirting the Niagara River that is dotted with lookouts for your enjoyment. Alternatively, you can take the free hop-on, hop-off Discover Niagara Shuttle. The colorful autumnal backdrop of the roaring Niagara River will have you wanting to discover more of this beautiful area.

The most classic way to experience Niagara Falls is on the Maid of the Mist cruise. Don the iconic blue slicker and prepare to get wet!

Niagara Falls State Park offers a 3-mile scenic trolley tour around the park. It is ideal for foliage viewing, since the driver knows all the best spots. The tour is narrated, and you can hop on and hop off to capture those picture-perfect moments.

Book a private Niagara Falls helicopter tour for a unique view of the Horseshoe Falls. This Niagara Falls adventure includes a flight over the falls, a Hornblower Cruise, a behind-the-falls walk, and lunch at Skylon Tower , renowned for its unparalleled views of the falls and rotating dining room.

Pro Tip: Upstate New York’s fall foliage is a spectacular show of crimson, orange, yellow, and green. This treasured trip requires advanced reservations for accommodations, dining, and tours.

Sandi loves writing about culture, cuisine, adult beverages, cruising, golf, skiing, road trips, hiking, New England, and photography. Traveling solo, with hubby Chris, or the entire Barrett clan there is always a story waiting to be told.

New York City

New York City Skyline Sunset (Photo: Mike Lee via Flickr)

Writer Tom Wolfe declared: “One belongs to New York instantly; one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” And that is the beauty of visiting New York, where a tourist can blend into the crowd and become part of the energy of the city in one magical moment. An island only 13 and a half miles long and just over two miles wide at its broadest point, Manhattan packs more famous icons and attractions into one compact area than any other place on earth. With limitless activities and events, time is your only constraint, so plan accordingly! The diversity of its inhabitants is matched only by the to the variety of things to do, from Central Park, the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the world-renowned museums, Times Square and Broadway, to the local flavor of each distinctive neighborhood and the hidden treasures they have to offer. And don’t forget the other four bustling boroughs: walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, eat ethnic food in Astoria, Queens, visit the Bronx Zoo, and take the Staten Island ferry for a glorious (and free!) view of Lady Liberty. Discover your own version of New York City by wandering its streets and taking it all in, becoming fully immersed in the NYC experience.

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Welcome to Color Factory NYC!

Take a journey through 14 immersive art exhibits as stunning as they are colorful. Fun for all ages, Color Factory New York is the place for celebrations, reunions, or just a family day out! Our interactive art museum celebrates the many shades of the city - from the bright yellow of a taxi cab to the creamy brown of a street pretzel.

Each visit to Color Factory includes surprise giveaways, sweet treats, and complimentary digital photos that capture all the best moments from your experience. From the ball pit to the confetti room, each colorful room is designed in partnership with an exceptional roster of local and international artists and collaborators, this multi-hued homage to NYC will leave you inspired. Ready to jump into color?

Take a peek at some of the colorful experiences inside Color Factory

Embrace the moment by getting swept up in the colors of winter, spring, summer, or fall! The colors of this confetti room change to reflect the unique, natural shades of each NYC season.

Catch glimpses of secret NYC scenes through this dreamy and disorienting experience by Carnovsky. As colored lights wash over the piece, what lies beneath the surface are momentarily revealed.

Let the quiet, golden glow of this room fill you with energy before slipping on your headphones and letting DJ Spinderella’s playlist carry you onto the dance floor.

Sink into the many hues of blue inspired by the sparkling sky that peeks through Manhattan’s famed skyscrapers.

Sit opposite a partner (just like colors in the color wheel) and participate in a guided exercise that encourages connection and creativity.

Included (free!) with every visit:

Color Factory NYC

251 Spring Street

New York, NY 10013

We’re located in the SoHo area of Manhattan. The closest trains are: C & E (Spring Street station) and the 1 (Houston Street, Canal Street stations).

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The toughest reservation in nyc spending hundreds to be told what colors you should wear.

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Never mind the buzzy new Italian restaurant, the hottest reservation in town is being told the colors you’ve been wearing for years are all wrong.

Seklab — a “personal color analysis salon” —  has a waitlist of more than 2,000 people, according to the Midtown hotspot’s co-owners.

Yes, the 1980s trend where women attended Tupperware-like parties to learn if they were a “spring” or a “summer” and what shades they should wear is back, thanks to social media and popularity abroad.

In New York City, there are currently only a handful of businesses offering the service, and their appointments are going fast.

“It’s like booking concert tickets,” says Lizzie Heo, 32, co-founder of Seklab with sister Lily, 29.

The two, who were born in South Korean and grew up near Philadelphia, opened the salon a year ago. Initially, appointments on the weekends booked up quickly.

Now, all their slots — roughly five analyses a day — fill up within 10 or 20 minutes of going live on the Seklab website.

Appointments, which cost $245 for an 80-minute analysis, open up twice each month.

Most of their clients are women in their 20s and 30s who come for private appointments or in groups for birthdays and bachelorette parties.

“It’s a lot from the hype from TikTok and Instagram,” said Lizzie, who returned to her native Korea, where color analysis is very popular, to train. “Most of our clients are in the early careers, so they’re trying to [look] more professional.”

Appointments begin with an intake interview about what colors a client typically wears. Next, large fabric swatches in dozens of colors are draped over their shoulders to determine what shades are most flattering against their skin tone and features. If a person has dyed hair, it’s covered up for the draping to ensure an accurate analysis.

But the verdict isn’t just limited to four seasons. In Korean color analysis, each of the four main seasons is divided into three sub groups, such as “warm spring,” “dark winter” or “dull autumn.”

Clients walk away with 10 or so reference swatches of their best colors as well as makeup recommendations and advice on which metal — silver, gold or rose gold — they should opt for with jewelry.

Christine Sachs had her colors done at Seklab last August, ahead of her 50th birthday, after booking five weeks out. She said the appointment was worth waiting for.

Growing up on Long Island, Sachs had her colors done using Carole Jackson’s “Color Me Beautiful” system. Jackson’s 1980 book of the same name sold over ten million copies, was on the New York Times bestseller list for years and launched a network of licensed consultants across the country.

According to that system, a teenage Sachs, who was born in Korea and adopted by a caucasian family, was a winter.

But, when she walked into Seklab, they immediately said that was wrong and eventually declared her a “light spring” — much to her shock.

“I was screaming, I called my mother, I called my husband,” Sachs told The Post. “Light spring is the absolute opposite of everything in my closet. My closet is typical New Yorker: white, black and gray. Light spring is all of the Easter egg colors.”

In the months since, she’s changed her wardrobe and friends and family have showered her with compliments and blunt affirmations

“My husband was like, ‘Oh yeah, the bags [under your] eyes do look less noticeable when you wear the light colors,'” she said with a chuckle. “I’m one of the only people who looks good in sea-foam green.”

Sachs, who works as an executive coach and lives in Murray Hill, changed her everyday uniform from black leggings and a black top to light blue or cream-colored jeans and a light top. For her 50th birthday party, she splurged and went on a shopping spree at Fendi.

She told the salesperson about her color journey and they brought out a pale blue frock for her to try.

“I would never in a million years have picked it out,” she said of the dress.

Seklab’s not the only game in town.

House of Colour, an Iowa-based company with “franchises” run by specially trained stylists across the country, has an outpost in Downtown Brooklyn .

The location’s owner, Fernanda Vazquez, said she does a brisk business charging $585 for a private color analysis, which runs two to three hours.

“You can get it done [more] cheaply, but you get what you pay for,” Vazquez said. “Color analysis with TikTok has become something that people think of as a parlor trick.”

On the Upper West Side, the Outfit Curator has been offering color analysis since 2020.

Founder Mariana Marques, 29, said the offering has suddenly been “very popular” in recent months. She charges $299 for a private analysis, and doesn’t have any availability until late July.

Becca Havian, a 27-year-old Brooklynite, had her colors done with Marques this past February.

She shocked her mother and aunt when she asked for color analysis for a birthday gift.

“They were like, ‘Isn’t that a thing of the past?'” she recalled

Havian, a graduate student in mental health counseling at New York University, had previously favored browns, blacks, tans and olive green.

@queer_quarterback And now people are really barking up this tree #coloranalysis #colorscience #fyp ♬ original sound – Becca Havian

But Marques declared her a “true winter” and suggested she wear rich jewel tones such as dark teal, magenta and forest green.

She’s been gradually changing her wardrobe — with good results.

“Every time i’m wearing one of my colors,” she said, “someone will make a comment about how it makes my eyes pop or a top is a flattering on me.”

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New York’s Hindu community celebrates Holi, marking the start of spring

N EW YORK (PIX11) — New York City shed its winter blues Sunday with a vibrant explosion of color at Pier 17, celebrating Holi, the Hindu festival of colors.

For Stacey Burt and her four eager children, today’s event was a chance to immerse themselves in a new culture.

“We’re really excited,” Stacey shared, “This is our first time.”

While traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Holi’s message of joy and inclusivity resonated with the diverse crowd at Pier 17. Stacey, her family, and many others were “dusted in vibrant hues,” becoming active participants in the festivities.

“I think one of the best things about New York is the diversity you get to experience,” remarked a passerby. “Being exposed to other cultures when you’re young is amazing.”

As always, the highlight of the celebration was the throwing of colored powders. These vibrant pigments symbolize not just happiness and love but also the shedding of winter’s woes and a chance to embrace the fresh start that spring brings.

Holi is most widely celebrated in India and Nepal, but its message of joy transcends borders, as evidenced by the enthusiastic crowd at today’s event.

Beyond the visual spectacle, the celebration offered a feast for the senses. Attendees enjoyed captivating dance performances, delicious Indian cuisine from local restaurants, and unique artwork displayed by vendors.

Anuseh Gal, founder of The Culture Tree, the organization behind the event, explained the significance of Holi:

“This is the time when spring is really announced in India, and Hindus celebrate this festival of colors. Holi embodies the colors of spring, just like the flowers and vegetation.”

As Stacey and her family continued to learn and experience Holi’s rich traditions, their smiles reflected the festival’s spirit—a joyous celebration of new beginnings and cultural exchange.

For more information on The Culture Tree, visit  theculturetree.com .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.

Found: The Best Hair Colorists in New York City

I'm booking my salon appointment as we speak.

Whether you're considering coloring your hair a rich auburn (one of the biggest 2024 hair trends ), refreshing your blonde , or going for a soft pink or peach, you'll need a talented hair colorist to fine-tune the perfect shade and tone. Picking your inspiration picture is the easy part. But finding the best hair colorist for the job? That can be overwhelming—especially if you live in New York City.

"In New York, people are always looking to make a statement," shares hair transformation specialist Lucille Javier , who works at the genius-colorist-studded Mark Ryan Salon in Manhattan. In a way, that level of experimentation has attracted hundreds of talented individuals to the city. But, on the other hand, your "best hair colorists New York" search might turn out a few too many results.

Fear not: we've gathered the best of the best right here for you, all vetted by Marie Claire editors and members of NYC's it-crowd. Keep reading to discover the best hair colorists in New York City.

Jenna Perry, Jenna Perry Hair

There is no world in which this list wouldn't include Jenna Perry . Beloved by a host of (quite famous) cool girls including Emily Ratajkowski, Tommy Dorfman, and Bella Hadid, Perry works out of her namesake salon, Jenna Perry Hair Studio, in SoHo and the East Village. The inventor of "hot girl hair," Perry is a balayage master who can tackle an all-over color if that's more your jam (no, I can't stop thinking about Hadid's dark gloss from December 2023). Beauty Editor Samantha Holender also swears by Perry's skills for tinted gloss in between bleaches. "Jenna can find the perfect blonde-brown shade to flatter my skin tone—my hair always looks incredibly natural after she's glazed it."

Address: 347 W Broadway, New York, NY

Color consultations available online .

Lucille Javier, Mark Ryan Salon

"Color was always something I've innately been drawn to. Whenever I’d draw something, I'd be so excited to color in the lines," shares Javier, the go-to stylist of Marie Claire 's Fashion E-Commerce editor Julia Marzovilla . Specializing in color corrections, double processes, creative color, and free-hand painting, the artist built much of her business on transformations other colorists might peg as too "difficult."

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She isn't afraid of thick strands or time-consuming transformations. "I’m Filipino and Mexican and I found that, over the years of doing hair and in some of the places I've worked, I had to seek out people who could do people of color’s hair," she shares. "A lot of people say no to thick, dark hair—it can take eight to 10 hours for some clients—but I sort of geek out and really enjoy the process."

Address: 135 West 20th Street, New York, NY

Book online or call 212-675-3600.

Patrick Wellington, Wellington Hair Spa

A post shared by WEllINGTON HAIR SPA A photo posted by wellingtonhairspa on

With over 20 years of experience in the hair industry, Wellington Hair Salon founder Patrick Wellington prides himself on techniques that are both personalized and flawless. Specializing in natural and textured hair, his objective is to create "hair that glows with inner health"—an excellent outlook for a colorist, as we all know bleach can wreak havoc on your precious strands.

Address: 119 West 23rd Street, New York, NY

Call 212-206-7962 to book.

Gloria Bonilla, Sally Hershberger Salons

I miss the days when Caroline Calloway shared every aspect of her life on the internet, mostly because I'm so enchanted by her style. Luckily, she's still down to offer some insight—if you know when to catch her. "I'm literally at Sally Hershberger right now," the Scammer writer shared when I reached out about her favorite colorist. You MUST ask for Gloria Bonilla ."

And what exactly does Miss Calloway ask her stylist for? “Imagine I’m a brunette surfer. I live on the beach. I’m in the sun every day. I’m swimming. I’m in the ocean. I’m pursuing my passion for surfing. But wait, plot twist: I’m a brunette surfer in a movie . This is a MOVIE. I’m a brunette surfer in a movie. So, imagine a natural brunette who’s living on the beach, but then add a pinch of Hollywood magic on top of that so it really pops on camera.”

Address: 25 W 26th St 2nd floor, New York, NY

Call 212- 206-8700 to book.

Emaly Baum, Beauty Supply New York

Beauty Supply owner Emaly Baum can make you a blonde, but she's also great with brunettes and redheads. The mastermind behind Jennifer Lawrence 's softer-than-soft light strands that we loved so much in 2023 and Scarlett Johansson's blonde from her 2020 Marie Claire cover, Baum (who often goes by Emaly B professionally) specializes in everything from dramatic transformations to subtle natural highlights—although, as you've probably guessed, her blondes are perhaps the most famous.

Address: 237 Centre St. 2nd Floor, New York, NY

Call 646-899-3650 or email [email protected] to book.

Aura Friedman, Suite Caroline Salon

Aura Friedman is famous for her color wizardry—she showed Javier how to do double processes when she worked at Sally Hershberger.—and she has quite the famous client list to show for it. Tessa Thompson, Hari Nef, and Selma Blair are a few of the names filling her books. "Aura’s approach to color is inspired by haute couture, a variety of musical genres, and influenced by her artisanal training. She strives for understated elegance, making color choices for clients not just by skin tone and eye color, but by personality and personal style," reads her official bio . "Aura achieves an authentic feel by emulating the variations in tone and highlight of nature and natural hair, even with the most dramatic colors."

Address: 65 Greene St #2F, New York, NY

Call 212-431-4400 for appointments and consultations.

Kimberly Cannon, Mark Ryan Salon

Marie Claire contributor Katherine J. Igoe first met Kimberly Cannon "approximately one million years ago" when she was first living in New York and needed an inexpensive highlight. "She and I bonded immediately, not just because she's amazing, but also because she's just an incredible person to be around. Since then, she's only gotten more amazing as a colorist. It's no wonder she's now considered one of the best in the biz," shares the writer. "She somehow has given me the softest, lightest, most dimensional blonde of my life—and it grows out amazingly . She did my wedding highlights. That's how much I love her."

Address: 135 W 20th St Suite 400, New York, NY

Call 212- 675-3600 to book.

Elizabeth Hiserodt, Cutler Salon

A local color icon for 20-plus years, Elizabeth Hiserodt is the person "Die Hot With a Vengeance" (my most anticipated book of 2024!) author and beauty expert, Sable Yong trusts for her precious and always funky locks. The duo have collaborated on an impressive array of shades (blue!), tones (blue- gray !), and surprising platinum piece placements. "I love my colorist! She’s been coloring my hair since 2015 and always does a bang-up job, even when navigating the fraught state of my chemically traumatized hair," says the writer.

Address: 465 W Broadway, New York, NY

Call 212-308-3838 for consultations and appointments.

Michelle Hong, The Team

The former founder of Brush NYC and a senior colorist and educator at Fekkai, Michelle Hong currently owns NYC The Team hair salon. With over 20 years of industry experience, she lends her talents to various celebrities and local tastemakers (seriously, she's done chef Daniel Boulud's hair), including content creator Kelsey Barberio . "Michelle is exceptional with color. She’s the kind of stylist that can recommend a look that’s even better than what you dreamed up in your head," notes Barberio. "She just gets it!"

Address: 135 5th Ave FL 7, New York, NY

Call 929-884-5202 for consultations and appointments.

Sophia Vilensky is a freelance beauty writer at Marie Claire, where she writes about the latest and greatest skincare launches, hair colors, and Cardi B manicures. Her work can also be found at Byrdie, Bravo, and Us Weekly. You can find her on Instagram @sophiavilensky .

"I didn't know how to breathe yet."

By Danielle Campoamor Published 27 April 24

Turns out, even a royal dad has to get his hands a little dirty.

"I was like an older sister."

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Delta is reinforcing its No. 1 position as the largest U.S. carrier to Africa this winter by relaunching daily* service to Lagos, Nigeria (LOS), from  New York-JFK on Dec. 1. Fleet enhancements in service to Accra, Ghana (ACC), and South Africa are also underway. 

The airline carries more than half a million customers between the U.S. and Africa each year on more than 34 weekly flights. 

“These enhancements reflect our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning. “We’re expanding our options for customers to experience the premium service and elevated hospitality they expect from Delta.”    Delta currently operates daily service between Atlanta and Lagos and, with the resumption of daily New York-JFK service, will offer a total of 14 weekly flights to Nigeria in December through the first half of January and 10 weekly flights for the remainder of winter 2024. 

Customers on this flight will have a choice of Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin experiences on the  Airbus A330-200 . Once on board, customers in Delta One can look forward to an extensive food and beverage program that includes thoughtfully curated menu options, as well as specialty snacks and premium beer, wine and spirits. Customers flying in Delta Premium Select will have more space to relax and stretch out, with a wider seat, deeper recline, an adjustable footrest and leg rest. 

All customers can enjoy a wide selection of in-flight entertainment options – movies, TV series, music, podcasts and more – via Delta Studio. Delta also partners with diverse suppliers worldwide for in-flight products such as artisan-crafted amenity kits and beverages like Thrive Farmers Tea.

Premium upgrades in service to Ghana and South Africa 

As the first U.S. airline to initiate service to Ghana, Delta remains the largest operator in the U.S.-Ghana market, offering year-round daily service from New York-JFK.  

Furthermore, in late October 2024, Delta will upgrade its aircraft serving Ghana to the 281-seat Airbus A330-900neo , adding nearly 1,000 more seats each week, providing 30% more capacity between Ghana and the U.S. The aircraft features four differentiated cabin experiences: Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin.

Delta One Suites feature a sliding door for enhanced privacy, memory-foam mattress and soft bedding made from recycled materials. Delta One customers can also enjoy more beverage options and a seasonal chef-curated four-course meal.      Delta is also upgrading its aircraft from Atlanta to South Africa, where it operates 10 weekly flights year-round to Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT). With the introduction of the higher-premium 35H  Airbus A350-900 , this upgrade will provide an additional eight Delta One Suite seats, bringing the total to 40, along with improved operational performance. Customers can look forward to these changes for JNB effective Jun. 20 and CPT on Sept. 9.   For more information and to book travel, visit delta.com . 

*This route will initially fly daily, shifting to three times per week on Jan. 16, 2025. 

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Trump criminal trial wraps for the day after opening statements and first witness

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell in the courthouse

Key takeaways from opening statements and the first witness in Trump's hush money trial

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness — a former National Enquirer publisher — was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president.

Each side got their first chance to lay out a theory of the case for jurors. Prosecutors told jurors that the reimbursement of hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels was part of a larger conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The former president’s attorneys responded by telling the jury that Trump was innocent and not involved in the creation of the 34 business records he’s charged with falsifying. They also pointedly added that there’s “nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.”

Here are key takeaways from Monday:

• Prosecutors say Trump schemed "to corrupt the 2016 presidential election": The district attorney’s office framed the case for jurors as illegal payments to try to influence illicitly influence the 2016 election that Trump then tried to illegally cover up by falsifying business records. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo walked the jury through Trump’s efforts, along with Michael Cohen and former American Media Inc., chief David Pecker, to keep damaging information from coming to light during the 2016 election.
• Defense says Donald Trump is innocent: Defense attorney Todd Blanche began his opening statement with a simple assertion: “Donald Trump is innocent.” Blanche told the jury that the story isn’t as simple as prosecutors laid out and argued that Trump was not involved with any of the business records he’s accused of falsifying beyond signing the checks. Blanche didn’t dispute the paper trail existed, but he argued to the jury there was nothing illegal about signing non-disclosure agreements — or trying to influence an election.
• Tabloid publisher testifies first: Prosecutors called former AMI CEO David Pecker as the first witness in their case against Trump. He testified for less than 30 minutes Monday morning before the trial adjourned for the day. He’s expected to continue testifying Tuesday. Colangelo teed up the former tabloid publisher as a key player in Trump’s “catch and kill” scheme to control the public narrative about him ahead of the 2016 election.
• Gag order hearing will lead off court on Tuesday: Before the trial resumes Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan is holding a hearing on allegations that Trump violated the judge’s gag order barring discussion of witnesses. The district attorney’s office asked the judge to fine Trump $1,000 for each of several gag order violations leading up to and since the trial started. In addition to the fines, prosecutors want the judge to remind Trump he could be imprisoned if he continues to disobey the order.
• Trump was thinking about the $175 million bond hearing down the street: Meanwhile, other lawyers for Trump were in a courtroom a block away arguing over the legitimacy of the $175 million bond Trump posted to appeal the judgment in his civil fraud trial. Trump, who could not attend the civil hearing because he’s required to attend each day of the criminal trial, railed against Attorney General Letitia James.

Fact check: Trump falsely claims Michael Cohen’s crimes "had nothing to do with me"

From CNN’s Daniel Dale

Speaking to reporters Monday after opening statements in his criminal trial in Manhattan, former President Donald Trump declared that the crimes committed by his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen “had nothing to do with me.” 

Cohen is expected to be a key  witness for the prosecution . Trump said: “The things he got in trouble for were things that had nothing to do with me. He got in trouble; he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me. This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned – and medallions and borrowing money and a lot of things – but it had nothing to do with me.” 

Facts First:  Trump’s claim that Cohen’s prison sentence “had nothing to do with me” is false. Cohen’s three-year sentence in 2018 was for  multiple crimes , some of which were directly related to Trump. Most notably, Cohen was sentenced for  campaign finance offenses   connected to a hush money scheme  during the 2016 presidential campaign to conceal Trump’s alleged extramarital relationships -- the same hush money scheme that is central to this prosecution against Trump. Cohen was  also sentenced to two months in prison , to run concurrently with the three-year sentence, for  lying to Congress in 2017 in relation to previous talks about the possibility of building a Trump Tower in Moscow, Russia , including about the  extent of Trump’s involvement in the aborted Moscow initiative  and about when in 2016 the discussions ended. (The discussions continued into June 2016, the month after Trump  became the presumptive Republican nominee , and did not conclude in January 2016 before the first votes were cast, as Cohen had claimed.)

Referring to Trump as “Individual-1,” Cohen  said  at the time of his 2018 guilty plea for making false statements to the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence: “I made these statements to be consistent with Individual-1’s political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual-1.” When Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to the campaign finance violations, he  said  he broke the law “in coordination and at the direction of a candidate for federal office,” Trump. 

David Pecker is an important witness in prosecutor's quest to prove criminal intent, legal analyst says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

David Pecker will be back on the stand on Tuesday to continue testimony in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Not only is he the first witness to answer questions from the prosecution, but he is also a critical piece of how the state is trying to prove criminal intent, one former federal prosecutor said.

Criminal intent means that “not just an act happened, but an act happened for a purpose,” said Elliot Williams, a CNN legal analyst. “The defendant did something wrong to carry out some criminal purpose.”

As the then-chairman of American Media Inc., which publishes the National Enquirer, Pecker was involved in numerous “catch-and-kill” schemes he orchestrated on behalf of Trump, and he allegedly helped broker the deal with adult film star Stormy Daniels which is at the center of  the case.

“It’s not just the catch-and-kill payments, but catch-and-kill payments for the purpose of concealing information from voters in the context of an election,” Williams explained, referring to the 2016 presidential election. 

Williams said it’s likely that prosecutors will focus much of their questioning trying to uncover what was discussed in meetings between Pecker and Trump.

The question at the heart of the argument, Williams said, is if the payments were intended to conceal information from voters, “or was it just Donald Trump saying, ‘Well, you know, this is embarrassing to my wife and my kids, I really want to keep this hidden.’”

Read about the stages of Trump's criminal trial — and what they mean 

From CNN's Lauren del Valle, Jhasua Razo and Gillian Roberts

Former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial is expected to take six to eight weeks from start to finish.

This trial, related to a  hush money payment  to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, is the first of  four ongoing criminal cases  that are expected to head to trial for the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee.

Now that opening statements are done, prosecutors are presenting trial evidence through witness testimony and exhibits. David Pecker, the ex-publisher of the National Enquirer, will resume testimony Tuesday.

Defense attorneys can cross examine the prosecution’s witnesses and typically aim to discredit their testimony. Witnesses’ responses are considered evidence, but not the questions posed by an attorney.

Read more about the stages of the trial, and what they mean here.

Michael Cohen jabs back at Trump's claim that Cohen's crimes have nothing to do with him

From CNN's Laura Dolan

Michael Cohen, who is expected to be a key witness in Donald Trump’s criminal trial, jabbed back at his former boss in response to comments Trump made about him outside the courtroom Monday.

Speaking to reporters in the courtroom hallway after court concluded, Trump said Cohen’s crimes have “nothing to do with me."

“He got in trouble, he went to jail. This has nothing to do with me,” said Trump. “This had to do with the taxicab company that he owned, which is just something he owned — and medallions and borrowing money.”

Shortly after those comments. Cohen posted on social media, “Hey Von ShitzInPantz … your attacks of me stink of desperation. We are all hoping that you take the stand in your defense. 

Cohen, who is Trump’s former attorney, served time in federal prison after pleading guilty to breaking federal campaign laws when he facilitated the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, which is directly linked to the charges against Trump.  As for the taxi medallions that Trump referenced, Cohen was also sentenced for tax evasion related to a taxi medallion enterprise and lying to a bank in relation to a home loan. 

Trump is under a gag order and was ordered by Judge Juan Merchan not to comment about any witnesses in the trial.

CNN's Daniel Dale contributed to this post.

See courtroom sketches from today's Trump trial

No cameras are allowed inside the Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump's hush money trial is underway, but a sketch artist captured the scene as opening statements unfolded and the first witness took the stand.

Biden builds early advertising edge as Trump spends millions on legal fees

From CNN's David Wright

President Joe Biden and his allies have nearly tripled Donald Trump’s network in ad spending over the last month and a half while the former president has had to devote millions of campaign funds to legal expenses — and sit in a New York courthouse for his hush money trial.

Since March 6, after Super Tuesday when Trump effectively secured the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, through April 21, Biden’s campaign and other Democratic advertisers spent $27.2 million on advertising for the presidential race, while the Trump campaign and GOP advertisers spent about $9.3 million, according to AdImpact data.

Ad spending data (presidential race, March 6 to April 21)

• Democrats: $27,153,293
• Republicans: $9,344,948

During that time, Biden's campaign has spent millions in key battleground states, including $4.1 million in Michigan, $3.9 million in Pennsylvania, and at least $2 million in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Georgia. And the Biden network has used its plentiful airtime to promote the administration’s first-term record and slam Trump, focusing on key issues such as the  cost of living  and  abortion rights .

Meanwhile, Trump’s network has failed to match that effort since he became the presumptive nominee, though a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., recently ramped up its advertising, booking over $1 million worth of airtime in Pennsylvania to coincide with Biden’s recent campaign swing through the state last week.

Trump has also benefited over that stretch from a nearly $3 million anti-Biden campaign from outside groups aligned with the oil and gas industries, which have been  running ads  in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, criticizing California fuel standards  defended  by the Biden administration. But despite some recent signs of activity, Trump’s network has been significantly outspent on the airwaves since his general election matchup with Biden came into focus. And  the latest round of FEC filings  shows how Biden’s fundraising edge is enabling that advertising advantage, as Trump’s ongoing legal battles drain millions from his campaign coffers.  

How we got here: A timeline of the Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels hush money case

From CNN’s Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell, Annette Choi and Gillian Roberts 

The first criminal trial of a US ex-president is underway in New York, where former President Donald Trump faces charges from the Manhattan District attorney related to a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. 

This is the first of four criminal cases expected to go to trial for Trump, also the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee. CNN compiled a timeline of the key events leading up to the historic trial. 

Here’s how we got here: 

• September 2016: Donald Trump discusses a $150,000 hush money payment understood to be for former Playboy model Karen McDougal with Michael Cohen who secretly records the conversation . McDougal has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump beginning in 2006, which he has denied. 
• October 7, 2016: The Washington Post releases an "Access Hollywood" video from 2005 in which Trump uses vulgar language to describe his sexual approach to women with then show host Billy Bush. 
• October 27, 2016: According to prosecutors, Cohen pays Daniels $130,000 to her attorney through a shell company in exchange for her silence about an affair she allegedly had with Trump in 2006. This $130,000 sum is separate from the $150,000 paid to McDougal. Trump has publicly denied having any affairs and has denied making the payments. 
• November 8, 2016: Trump secures the election to become the 45th president of the United States. 
• February 2017: Prosecutors say Cohen meets with Trump in the Oval Office to confirm how he would be reimbursed for the hush money payment Cohen fronted to Daniels. Under the plan, Cohen would send a series of false invoices requesting payment for legal services he performed pursuant to a retainer agreement and receive monthly checks for $35,000 for a total of $420,000 to cover the payment, his taxes and a bonus, prosecutors alleged. Prosecutors also allege there was never a retainer agreement. 
• January 2018: The Wall Street Journal breaks news about the hush money payment Cohen made to Daniels in 2016. 

See the full timeline.  

Trump is also facing charges in 3 other criminal cases

From CNN’s Devan Cole, Amy O'Kruk and Curt Merrill 

The hush money criminal trial against former President Donald Trump is just one of  four criminal cases  he faces while juggling his presidential campaign.

The former president is facing at least  88 charges  over the four criminal indictments in Georgia, New York, Washington, DC, and Florida. Trump has pleaded not guilty to every charge in these cases. 

Here's a recap of each case: 

• Hush money:  Trump was first indicted in March 2023 by the Manhattan district attorney on state charges related to a hush-money payment to an adult film star in 2016. Prosecutors allege Trump was part of an illegal conspiracy to  undermine  the integrity of the 2016 election. Further, they allege he was part of an unlawful plan to suppress negative information, including the $130,000 payment. 
• Classified documents:  Trump was indicted in June 2023 by a federal grand jury in Miami for taking classified national defense documents from the White House after he left office and resisting the government’s attempts to retrieve the materials. The National Archives said in early 2022 that at least 15 boxes of White House records were recovered from the estate, including   some that were classified . The charges were brought by special counsel Jack Smith. 
• Federal election interference:  Smith separately charged the former president last August with four crimes over his efforts to reverse the 2020 election results. The indictment alleges Trump and a co-conspirator "attempted to exploit the violence and chaos at the Capitol by calling lawmakers to convince them ... to delay the certification" of the election. That case is currently on hold as the Supreme Court weighs Trump’s claims of presidential immunity in the matter. 
• Fulton County:  State prosecutors in Georgia brought a similar election subversion case against Trump and others. An Atlanta-based grand jury on August 14, 2023, indicted Trump and 18 others on state charges stemming from their alleged efforts to overturn the former president’s 2020 electoral defeat. A trial date has not yet been set in that case. 

Read more about  the four criminal cases  Trump faces.  

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Automatic Refunds and No More Hidden Fees: D.O.T. Sets New Rules for Airlines

The Transportation Department issued new requirements on refunds when flights are canceled or delayed and on revealing “junk” fees before booking. Here’s what passengers can expect.

By Christine Chung

The Transportation Department on Wednesday announced new rules taking aim at two of the most difficult and annoying issues in air travel: obtaining refunds and encountering surprise fees late in the booking process.

“Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them — without having to ask,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement, adding that the changes would not only save passengers “time and money,” but also prevent headaches.

The department’s new rules, Mr. Buttigieg said, will hold airlines to clear and consistent standards when they cancel, delay or substantially change flights, and require automatic refunds to be issued within weeks. They will also require them to reveal all fees before a ticket is purchased.

Airlines for America , a trade group representing the country’s largest air carriers, said in a statement that its airlines “abide by and frequently exceed” D.O.T. consumer protection regulations.

Passenger advocates welcomed the new steps.

Tomasz Pawliszyn, the chief executive of AirHelp, a Berlin-based company that assists passengers with airline claims, called it a “massive step forward and huge improvement in consumer rights and protection” that brings the United States closer to global standards in passenger rights.

Here’s what we know about the D.O.T.’s new rules, which will begin to go into effect in October.

There’s now one definition for a “significant” delay.

Until now, airlines have been allowed to set their own definition for a “significant” delay and compensation has varied by carrier . Now, according to the D.O.T., there will be one standard: when departure or arrival is delayed by three hours for domestic flights and six hours for international flights.

Passengers will get prompt refunds for cancellations or significant changes for flights and delayed bags, for any reason.

When things go wrong, getting compensation from an airline has often required establishing a cumbersome paper trail or spending untold hours on the phone. Under the new rules, refunds will be automatic, without passengers having to request them. Refunds will be made in full, excepting the value of any transportation already used. Airlines and ticket agents must provide refunds in the original form of payment, whether by cash, credit card or airline miles. Refunds are due within seven days for credit card purchases and within 20 days for other payments.

Passengers with other flight disruptions, such as being downgraded to a lower service class, are also entitled to refunds.

The list of significant changes for which passengers can get their money back also includes: departure or arrival from an airport different from the one booked; connections at different airports or flights on planes that are less accessible to a person with a disability; an increase in the number of scheduled connections. Also, passengers who pay for services like Wi-Fi or seat selection that are then unavailable will be refunded any fees.

Airlines must give travel vouchers or credits to ticketed passengers unable to fly because of government restrictions or a doctor’s orders.

The vouchers or credits will be transferable and can be used for at least five years after the date they were issued.

Fees for checked baggage and modifying a reservation must be disclosed upfront.

Airlines and ticket agents are now required to display any extra fees for things like checking bags or seat selection clearly and individually before a ticket purchase. They will also need to outline the airline’s policies on baggage, cancellations and changing flights before a customer purchases a ticket.

The rules, which apply to all flights on domestic airlines and flights to and from the United States operated by foreign airlines, have varying start dates.

For example, automatic refunds must be instituted by the airlines within six months. But carriers have a year before they’re required to issue travel vouchers and credits for passengers advised by a medical professional not to fly.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Christine Chung is a Times reporter covering airlines and consumer travel. More about Christine Chung

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .