New York City Travel Guide, News and Information

Important Things To Know

Currency

New York City uses the American Dollar.

This currency is used nationally, and the good news is that you don’t need too much cash in this city. All major credit cards are accepted. If you want access to cash, there are plenty of ATMs around the city.

National Languages

The most widely spoken language in New York City is English. You’ll also find plenty of Spanish-speaking people in the city, as well as Chinese.

Time Zone

The New York City official time zone is UTC-05:00. This is locally known as Eastern Standard Time.

Climate And Weather

New York City is classified as having a humid subtropical climate, with part of the city transitioning towards having a humid continental climate.

Don’t let the word ‘subtropical' fool you. While New York gets fairly warm in summer, its winters are icy cold!

In winter, most of the precipitation in New York falls as snow. If you’re looking for a white Christmas, NYC is the place to be!

The city implemented Daylight Savings Time annually, which is done to preserve daylight hours during the short winter days. Clocks are set forward an hour around mid-March, and this remains in effect until around mid-November.

When To Visit New York City

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Aerial view of Central Park sitting amid New York City skyscrapers, New York. (photo via iStock/Getty Images E+/naphtalina)

This depends on whether you prefer cold or warm weather. The summer months in New York City are from June to August, and the winter months are from December to February.

If you prefer the weather to be somewhere in the middle, fall or spring are great times to visit.

Best Attractions In New York City

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View of New York City from the CIVILIAN Hotel. (photo by Patrick Clarke)

Broadway Shows. The shows on Broadway change all the time, but they’re all incredible. Grab tickets online before going to make sure you don’t miss out.

Time Out Market New York. This food market spans two storeys, offering delicious food and drinks to try as well as some cultural events. Enjoy these and more while enjoying the view of the Manhattan skyline.

Times Square. Times Square is iconic, so we think it’s a must-see for every New York visitor. It’s home to some of the world’s largest billboards and unique shopping opportunities.