When to go
Spring or fall, to avoid summer heat waves and winter’s chill.
Where to stay
Opt for a hotel in Manhattan to be where the action is and enjoy New York City by night.
What to eat
Taste the Shack Burger at one of the city’s Shake Shack restaurants.
Getting around
On foot or by subway, which is easy to use. To be avoided: by bicycle.
Important information about this destination
Planning to visit soon? Below are full details on the country’s entry requirements and health restrictions.
Read the legal notes
CAA-Quebec Travel has partnered with Sherpa to offer an information portal, for reference purposes only.
Third-party site subject to Sherpa policies. The Sherpa tool is a guide to help you understand the key requirements for your planned itinerary. When you visit the Sherpa website and guide, you are leaving the CAA-Quebec website environment. CAA-Quebec does not control the Sherpa website or how your personal information and data are collected, stored, used, shared, and disclosed. CAA-Quebec cannot be held liable in any way when you are redirected to this third-party website. You must read the terms of use and the privacy and cookie policies specific to the site and tool before deciding whether to submit your information.
Information not guaranteed to be accurate. While Sherpa works hard to keep the information in the guide up to date, global geopolitical and regulatory developments continue to occur and the implications of COVID-19 continue to evolve. Official guidelines and requirements in many countries are changing rapidly. We strongly recommend that you check the official entry requirements for your destination country and your situation prior to travel (types of vaccines accepted, predeparture and/or post-arrival testing, quarantine requirements, etc.) and that you regularly check the Canadian government website, the official site of your destination or transit country, and the IATA travel centre.
Your responsibility: It is your responsibility to ensure that you and everyone travelling with you, including children, meet all entry, transit, and exit requirements for all countries and regions of your itinerary, as well as the requirements for leaving and returning to Canada. The final decision on whether you are allowed to enter or transit a country rests with that country’s government and officials.
CAA-Quebec Travel is not liable for how complete or accurate the information provided by Sherpa is. CAA-Quebec Travel and its employees cannot be held liable in any way for damages, claims, losses, costs, expenses, or any other issue arising from the consultation or use of information found on the Sherpa website.
Rainy-day New York
Even when it rains, New York City teems with things to do. It’s home to several prestigious museums for all tastes, like the Met, MoMA and the Guggenheim. The Big Apple, of course, is also all about shows and entertainment, from impressive Radio City Music Hall in the heart of Rockefeller Center to the big Broadway musical theatres. Buy your tickets ahead of time online and get attractive discounts!
Shopping is an absolute must in this extravagant metropolis, from world-famous Macy’s department store to M&M’s World to the giant Toys ‘R’ Us – complete with a Ferris wheel! –, in Times Square, the chic boutiques of Fifth Avenue, or Chinatown for all kinds of little souvenirs.
New York at Easter
Easter Weekend is one of the best times to visit the city. Rockefeller Center rolls out its themed garden, featuring an Easter Bunny topiary and giant Easter eggs. There’s also the famous Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival on Sunday, along Fifth Avenue, with participants decked out in crazy hats, and Easter egg hunts in public parks. And don’t forget to stop by the flagship Macy’s store at Herald Square for the colourful Flower Show!
Christmas in New York
The sight of the enormous lighted Christmas tree and skating rink at Rockefeller Center alone is worth the trip. Window-shopping is another must during the Holidays, with each retailer trying to outdo the next with imaginative storefront displays. At Macy’s, for example, a magical Christmas village takes up an entire department. And why not stick around until December 31 and usher in the New Year with the famous Ball Drop celebration in Times Square!
Contact one of our counsellors to start planning your visit to the “capital of the world,” where anything is possible.
Contact a counsellor
Tourist attractions
New York from on high
The Empire State Building is the most well-known edifice in the city, and one of the tallest. Two observation decks, on the 86th and 102nd floors, offer spectacular views of the iconic Manhattan skyline.
A panoramic view of Central Park
Top of the Rock, the 70th-floor observation deck at Rockefeller Center, provides a 360-degree view of the New York City—and the line-up is often shorter than at the Empire State Building.
Commemorating September 11, 2001
An indoor observation deck, One World Observatory, features a panoramic view of the city from the 102nd floor of One World Trade Center, built on the site of the fallen Twin Towers.
Up-in-the-air park
The High Line is an elevated linear park in Manhattan, built on a former rail line, with gardens and other greenery. Visitors can walk along it for 2.33 km from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street.
New York City’s “lungs”
More than a public park, Central Park is a living space where you can picnic, listen to a concert, see a show, and enjoy a unique vantage point on Manhattan’s majestic buildings. Tip: rent a pedicab—the park won’t seem as vast, and your visit will be less tiring!
TOP 5
Must-dos
-
1
Guided walking tours on themes ranging from chocolate to photography
-
2
Hop on the Staten Island Ferry for a return trip (it’s free!) and see the Statue of Liberty
-
3
Stroll through famous cultural districts like Chinatown, Little Italy or Harlem
-
4
Hang out in Gansevoort Market in the Meatpacking District
-
5
See locations where popular films and TV series like Sex in the City and Seinfeld were shot
We love these addresses
Eataly at 200 Fifth Avenue, where you can sip the best cappuccino in the city and taste or buy great Italian fare.
Washington Square Park in the heart of Greenwich Village, with its marble arch modelled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It’s the place to hang out, have a coffee, enjoy activities or play an outdoor game of chess.
Ellen’s Stardust Diner at 1650 Broadway, a retro eatery with a one-of-a-kind concept: don’t be surprised, while awaiting your food, to see your server mount a stage and become the star of the moment singing a solo.
Strong points
- Many pedestrian walkways.
- Continuous police surveillance.
Keep in mind
- The large crowds can be intimidating at certain times of year, so try to schedule visits to the most popular attractions at the end of the day or during mealtimes, when the line-ups are often shorter.
Discover our exclusive explore cruises and tours
- An amazing New York getaway Tours
For your safety...
Before any foreign trip, visit the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories page to find out about the current situation in the country you wish to visit.
Travel insurance: Don’t leave home without it!
Costs for medical care in the United States are very high—among the highest in the world, in fact. Protect yourself with Emergency Medical Care coverage. That way, if an unexpected event lands you in the hospital, you won’t come home to a huge medical bill. Medical coverage is actually a must whenever you leave the province, even for a short stay.