Concrete jungle. The big apple. The city that never sleeps. Whatever you want to call it, the sights and bites in New York will have you feeling cooler than the friends from Friends.
Fancy a FREE helicopter ride?
Who are we kidding, course you do. Back by popular demand, instead of hopping in a cab from the airport to your New York hotel, you can get a FREE helicopter transfer to get you there in a (very scenic) jiffy. We even had Alison Hammond try it out for size, and let's just say...she approved. Read all about it on our blog, and check the bottom of this page for full terms.
Destination highlights
New York-style pizza. That's it, that's the highlight.
Loads to explore (from parks to museums)
Landmarks you'll recognise from TV and movies
Home to Times Square, where there's always something going on (catch a tune from the Naked Cowboy, if you're lucky). (He's not actually naked.)
What are the best sights to see in New York?
There's loads to do on a New York city break, but we've taken the liberty of sky-scraping together some of the good stuff. Sorry.
Empire State Building - duh, it's (almost) the title of an Alicia Keys song for a reason. Apart from being an iconic landmark from the outside, this Art Deco skyscraper has some seriously fun exhibits (so you can see what it'd feel like to star in King Kong), and it serves up some of the best views in New York, which you can cut the queue to if you bag an express pass straight to the top.
Brooklyn Bridge - you can see this whopping bridge from loads of places across the city, but if you'd rather be close to the action then you can pop your comfy shoes on and follow the walking route. It takes about an hour to walk the full bridge, and you can go from either Brooklyn to Manhattan or Manhattan to Brooklyn - although we recommend starting at Brooklyn so you can admire the skyline along the way. Don't forget - you don't have to walk the full thing, and you can turn back and go the way you came if you want to experience the bridge from both directions!
Statue of Liberty - for the best view of this famous landmark, you'll need to hop on a ferry across the water. You can either just ride past the island if you're only interested in snapping a few far-off photos, or, if you want a closer look, you can take a ferry over to Liberty Island where the statue lives. Spoiler: it's bigger than you think! There's a museum there too, in case you fancy grabbing a souvenir.
Central Park - that's right, it's not all concrete and skyscrapers - there are a few trees knocking about. Loads in fact, if you head to Central Park. Quite fittingly, this place is pretty central, so it's easy to get to from most points in the city, whether you walk, hop in a cab or take the subway. Once you're there, you'll have over 800 acres of pathways, woodlands and lakes to explore. It's even got an ice skating rink, outdoor yoga classes, and - get this - its own zoo. Talk about everything but the kitchen sink.
Rockefeller Centre - every ice-skating scene you've ever seen in a Christmas movie set in America happened here. Probably. Just trust us, it's iconic. While the rink and famous Christmas tree are the stars of the show in winter, in the warmer months you'll usually find pop-up bars and seating areas so you can enjoy a cocktail or a bite to eat in the heart of it all.
What are the top hotels in New York?
We know what you're thinking. Beach holidays are our jam, so we can't possibly sell hotels in the big apple, right? Wrong. We're branching out - get with the programme. Here are a few of our favourite hotels if you want the full New York experience:
Hotel Belleclaire - it's swanky, it's got a bakery on site, and its façade was the filming spot for some scenes in The Equaliser (the one with Denzel Washington). Need we go on?
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan Central Park - rooms with views, a city chic vibe and a full American breakfast buffet that dreams are made of (yep, there's bagels).
Hard Rock Hotel New York City Times Square - go hard (rock) or go home - that's the saying, right? This one's smack-bang in the middle of the Times Square action, with a rooftop bar, in-house yoga classes and speakers in all the guestrooms so you can play your favourite tunes.
Hyatt Grand Central New York - this place is cosied up alongside Grand Central Station, with a breakfast buffet and market for snacks to-go, a fitness centre and modern rooms with huge flatscreen TVs.
Doubletree by Hilton Hotel New York Times Square West - soak up the city skyline views from this four-star hotel, with a cocktail lounge, all-day restaurant and Hudson River Park just a short walk away.
Popular New York hotels
Weather in New York
Like the UK, the weather in New York is pretty seasonal, with cold (often snowy) winters, and warm, humid summers. Luckily, even if you visit in winter, the sights are still just as breathtaking. Winter temperatures will be similar to what you'd expect at home, while the summer months have been known to soar into the mid-twenties.
View destination on a map
View destination on a map
Reviews
At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers on New York Holidays for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.
FAQs
What currency do they use in New York?
What currency do they use in New York?
The official currency in New York is the American Dollar.
What language do they speak in New York?
What language do they speak in New York?
No need to fork out on international dictionaries or language classes - the official language spoken in New York is English.
How long does it take to fly to New York?
How long does it take to fly to New York?
The flight time to New York from the UK is just over 8 hours, but it's nothing a comfy neck pillow and a few downloadable movies can't sort.
What's the time difference between the UK and New York?
What's the time difference between the UK and New York?
The local time in New York is 5 hours behind the UK - but, hey - that just means that once you arrive, you'll have even more of the day to spend exploring.
Helicopter transfer terms and conditions
Helicopter transfer terms and conditions
Promoter
1. This promotion is offered by On the Beach Limited, whose registered office is 5 Adair Street, Manchester, M1 2NQ (“OTB”). By participating in the promotion, you shall be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions.
Eligibility
2. If you make a Qualifying Booking (see below), all passengers named on that booking will receive a one-way helicopter transfer from JFK or Newark airport (as applicable) to Manhattan (the “Helicopter Transfer”).
3. Qualifying Booking means a booking which meets all of the following requirements:
Order must be for a package holiday to New York for at least 2 passengers that includes flights and 5* accommodation (as rated on the OTB website) with a minimum stay of 7 nights
Order must be for no more than 6 passengers
Order must be placed between 7 November 2023 and 21 December 2023, or 15 April 2024 and 31 May 2024
Departure must be between 1 September 2024 and 30 April 2025
The Helicopter Transfer is during the Operating Hours (see below)
Order must be fully paid and remain active
4. If you make a Qualifying Booking, we’ll contact you before your holiday to let you know the next steps.
5. The Helicopter Transfer is non-transferable and non-exchangeable and no cash equivalent will be given by OTB if you choose not to use it.
Supplier Terms and Conditions
6. The supplier of the Helicopter Transfer will be BLADE Urban Air Mobility, Inc., (“Blade”).
7. Although OTB will pay for the Helicopter Transfer on your behalf, your contract will be with Blade and it is your responsibility to comply with their terms so please read these carefully before you fly.
8. OTB will not be liable and you will not be entitled to any Compensation where Blade has refused access to the Helicopter Transfer or removed you from the aircraft because you have not complied with their terms.
Operating Hours
9. Blade are only able to provide the Helicopter Transfers during their operating hours between:
7am and 8pm Monday to Friday
3pm – 7pm on Sunday
the “Operating Hours”.
10. If your flight to New York is scheduled to arrive at a time which means you wouldn’t be able to take the Helicopter Transfer during the Operating Hours, or is scheduled to arrive on a Saturday, then you will not be eligible for the promotion and we will contact you to let you know if this is the case.
The Helicopter Transfer
11. The Helicopter Transfer will take you from your New York City airport to a helipad in Manhattan. A car (provided by Blade) will then take you from the helipad in Manhattan to your hotel.
12. You are required to arrive for your Helicopter Transfer at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive in time for your Helicopter Transfer. OTB will not be liable (and you will not be entitled to any Compensation) if you miss your Helicopter Transfer because you are late and you will then have to arrange your own transport to your hotel.
13. You are responsible for any additional charges payable to Blade in accordance with their terms such as late departure fees or damage fees.
14. As helicopters have a maximum weight capacity, we will need to provide Blade with your weight (and the weight for everyone on your booking) to help them with the balance of the aircraft so we will request this from you before you fly.
Delays and Cancellations
15. If your Helicopter Transfer is delayed or cancelled Blade will let you know this by contacting you on the telephone number you provide to us when you make your Qualifying Booking.
16. If:
your Helicopter Transfer is cancelled (for example because of bad weather); or
your flight to New York is delayed and Blade are unable to get you on a later Helicopter Transfer (because it is outside their Operating Hours, or for any other reason)
then Blade will provide a car to drive you from your New York City airport to your hotel at no cost to you. In these circumstances, we will try and book you a helicopter transfer for your journey back from Manhattan to JFK or Newark airport (as applicable) instead. If we are unable to do this, you will be entitled to Compensation (see below).
Luggage
17. The luggage allowance for the Helicopter Transfer is:
one standard size cabin bag (60cm x 45cm x 25cm); and
one small handbag (purse or briefcase) together weighing up to 11kg (the “Standard Luggage”).
18. If you will have extra luggage above the Standard Luggage, or if your Standard Luggage weighs more than 11kg, then you’ll need to let Blade know either by emailing reservations.eu@blade.com or calling them on +33 9 78 46 00 09 at least 24 hours before your Helicopter Transfer. Anything above the Standard Luggage will not be able to go with you on the helicopter, this will be taken to your hotel for you by Blade’s partner ToteTaxi at no additional cost to you.
19. OTB will not be liable (and you will not be entitled to any Compensation) if you are unable to board your Helicopter Transfer because your luggage is above the Standard Luggage and you did not notify Blade of this in advance.
20. OTB will not be liable to you for any lost, damaged or delayed baggage in connection with the Helicopter Transfer.
Compensation
21. If you make a Qualifying Booking and:
the Helicopter Transfer is cancelled and we are unable to book you a helicopter transfer for your journey back from Manhattan to JFK or Newark airport (as applicable); or
your flight to New York is delayed and Blade are unable to provide an alternative Helicopter Transfer and we are unable to book you a helicopter transfer for your journey back from Manhattan to JFK or Newark airport (as applicable); or
Blade change their Operating Hours which mean you will no longer be able to take the Helicopter Transfer;
then we will provide each affected passenger aged 2 and over with a cash alternative of £100 per passenger (“Compensation”).
You will not be entitled to any Compensation where:
it says so in these terms and conditions; or
if you make an amendment to your Qualifying Booking which means that your booking is no longer a Qualifying Booking or that the Helicopter Transfer would be outside the Operating Hours.
Legal
22. Nothing in these terms shall exclude or limit the liability of OTB (i) in relation to personal injury or death caused by OTB’s negligence or (ii) in respect of its obligations under applicable law.
23. The personal data you provide will be processed in accordance with OTB’s privacy policy: https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/privacy. OTB will use the personal information provided by you for the purposes of administering the promotion (and such use will include transferring personal information to Blade).
24. OTB’s standard booking conditions apply to bookings, please refer to https://www.onthebeach.co.uk/terms_of_business and the other terms and conditions displayed when making your booking.
