New York City holiday packages

Flight and hotel New York

Discover New York

As one of the world’s most iconic cities, New York is a must-visit destination for passionate travellers. City breaks in New York offer any sort of entertainment you might desire, from world-class museums, famous landmarks, nightlife, and a truly international myriad of cuisines. Schedule your flight and hotel for New York and get ready to hit the pavement.

First colonised with explorer Henry Hudson's 1609 landing, present-day Manhattan was a capital of New Netherland until the city was captured by the British army in 1664 and named New York, in honour of the Duke of York. Fast forwarding to the completion of the first skyscraper in 1902, the city's expansion and development was rapid. The Empire State Building and Chrysler Building, still icons today, were both completed in 1931. Presently, with over 60 million annual visitors, New York is clearly a premiere destination.

New York: Know Before You Go

Fly to New York and you’ll land at one of three international airports. Most international flights come into JFK, and if you’re taking a flight from Dublin to New York or a flight from Cork to New York, for example, this is probably where you’ll land. La Guardia Airport mainly handles domestic flights, while Newark International Airport in nearby New Jersey is served by both domestic and international flights. Visitors from many European countries including the UK and Portugal, as well as other countries such as New Zealand, don’t need a visa to enter the US for 90 days or fewer. However, all international visitors will need to file an online ESTA, or visa waiver, which can be done directly from the US government’s webpage. The ESTA should be filed at least 72 hours before your date of departure, and travellers are advised to do so even earlier.

When’s the Best Time to Visit New York?

When to take a weekend in New York will depend on what you want to do there. For a glittering Christmas with a good possibility of snow, travel in December. If you'd like to take part in an American tradition, you might consider a November visit, over Thanksgiving, in time for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Spring brings temperate though occasionally wet weather, while early to mid-autumn can be both temperate and golden (or wet). June through August are hot but popular nonetheless. Expect both high temperatures and humidity at this time.

What Is There to Do in New York?

City breaks in New York yield much to do, but perhaps the best advice is to simply relax and let the city carry on around you. Even those spending the weekend in New York will leave feeling as though they’ve done enough for two weeks. Here are some ideas:

• Walk around Central Park: enjoy trails, lawns, and hidden architectural gems, right in Manhattan.
• Catch a show on Broadway: the musicals staged here are renowned for a reason.
• See Grand Central Terminal: even if you’re not catching a train, it’s well worth visiting this stunning, landmarked station.
• Take a trip to Coney Island: with its rides and attractions, in warm weather Coney Island makes for a fun day out for the family.
• Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge: this is a must-see landmark! Enjoy the incredible views between Brooklyn and Manhattan.
• Enjoy a breath of fresh air at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Once over the bridge, head to this stunning riverside park to relax and take in more incredible views. From here you can also explore the beautiful neighbourhood of DUMBO.
• Go ice skating: visitors taking their package holidays to New York in winter months might want to go ice skating. Just in Manhattan, rinks include the one Rockefeller Center and in Central Park, Wollman Rink.

What Places Must I Visit in New York?

Take a flight and hotel for New York and you might feel as though you’ve landed on another planet. There are so many places to visit, how to decide where to go first? Here are some ideas:

• Statue of Liberty: Visit New York’s iconic statue, either up close or see it from a tour boat.
• Empire State Building: another must-see icon is the Empire State Building. Enjoy 360° views from the observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors.
• The Guggenheim: Set in an iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building, the Guggenheim is one of the world’s top museums.
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art: with over two million works of art from five millennia, this museum will take days to truly explore.
• Times Square: perhaps one of the best spots for people watching in New York, Times Square is home to street performers, colourful characters, and lots of lights.
• Washington Square Park: Head to the quaint Greenwich Village area downtown and take a breather in this iconic city park.

Where to Eat in New York

Package holidays in New York leave most visitors quite satiated. Head to Chinatown in either downtown Manhattan or downtown Flushing for steaming noodles and dim sum. There are also Koreatowns in both Manhattan and Queens. Speaking of Queens, Astoria offers an array of cuisines from around the world, including Greece, Thailand, and Mexico. Back in Manhattan, Harlem is known for its soul food. For a leisurely weekend brunch, head to the West Village, or to Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, or Park Slope, all neighbourhoods in Brooklyn.

Shopping in New York

As a shopping destination, New York is second to none. Those with an eye for high-end fashion will want to head to Fifth Avenue's midtown stretch, where you'll find brands like Tiffany & Co. and Louis Vuitton, as well as the iconic Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue department stores. To buy unique gifts, check out boutiques on the Lower East Side, in the East Village, or in Williamsburg, in Brooklyn.