New York City travel from Canada: 12 things to do

New York City travel is one of the most-saved travel searches on Pinterest in Canada right now, and it is easy to see why: a direct flight from Toronto, Montreal or Ottawa takes roughly 90 minutes to two hours. This guide gives you 12 things to do in New York City, with tips for Canadian travellers on timing, costs and what to pack.

Most of these stops are walkable or a short subway ride apart, and several are free. Late October to early December is a popular window for Canadians because of the fall colours in Central Park and the start of the holiday displays. Check current passport and border entry rules before you book, buy travel health insurance because provincial plans cover little outside Canada, and budget in U.S. dollars. A credit card with no foreign-exchange fee helps.

New York City travel ideas: 12 things to do

1. Ride the ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Ferries to Liberty Island leave from Battery Park in Manhattan and from Liberty State Park in New Jersey. Book tickets ahead through the official operator, because summer and holiday slots sell out, and bring photo ID for the security screening. Go early in the day for the best light on the statue.
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2. Take the free Staten Island Ferry. The orange ferry between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island costs nothing and runs around the clock. The round trip takes about an hour and passes the Statue of Liberty, so it is a budget-friendly alternative to a tour boat. Stand on the outside deck on the way out and dress for harbour wind.
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3. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge. The bridge opened in 1883 and still has a pedestrian walkway above the traffic. Start on the Manhattan side near City Hall and walk toward Brooklyn so the skyline is in front of you. Plan on 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace, longer if you stop for photos.
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4. Explore DUMBO in Brooklyn. The name stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. The cobblestone streets under the bridge are known for a classic view of the Manhattan Bridge, with waterfront parkland, cafes and shops close by. Walk down from the Brooklyn Bridge to make a half-day of it.
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5. Spend an autumn morning in Central Park. The park covers 843 acres, and foliage often peaks from late October into mid-November, which lines up well with a Canadian fall getaway. Walk The Mall, the tree-lined promenade, then loop past the lake. Wear shoes that handle damp leaves.
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6. See Times Square at night. The billboards are at their brightest after dark, and the crowds are thickest in the evening, so keep bags zipped and phones in an inside pocket. Ten minutes is enough for most visitors. The surrounding blocks are the theatre district if you want to add a show.
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7. Go up the Empire State Building. The Art Deco tower opened in 1931. Its observation decks sit on the 86th floor and the 102nd floor. Buy timed tickets online, aim for late afternoon to see both daylight and the city lights, and check the weather first because cloud can hide the view.
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8. Walk the High Line. This park runs about 2.3 kilometres along a former elevated freight rail line on Manhattan’s West Side, through Chelsea. It is free and flat, with art, gardens and street views along the way. Start at Gansevoort Street in the south and finish at Hudson Yards.
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9. Look up in Grand Central Terminal. The station opened in 1913 and its main concourse has a painted ceiling of constellations. It is also a handy hub for subways and commuter trains. Stop in for ten minutes, then use the dining concourse below for a quick lunch.
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10. Catch the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. The tree tradition at Rockefeller Center goes back to 1933, and the tree is usually lit in late November or early December. Check the official lighting date before booking, since the crowds that night are very large and the best views come on a weekday morning.
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11. Spend an afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Met sits on Fifth Avenue along Central Park and is the largest art museum in the Americas. You cannot see it all in one visit, so pick two or three wings, such as Egyptian art or the European paintings, and leave time for the rooftop in warmer months. Check the museum’s current admission rules for visitors from outside New York State before you go.
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12. Eat a New York slice. A folded slice from a corner pizzeria is the city’s classic cheap meal, and Joe’s Pizza in Greenwich Village is one long-running stop. Expect to eat standing up, and carry some cash in case a small shop is cards-only on a busy day.
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Getting there from Canada is straightforward. Flights land at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, and Amtrak’s Maple Leaf train runs from Toronto to Penn Station in about 12 hours if you prefer the scenery. Compare fares on both sides of the border and keep your boarding documents handy for the return crossing.

Planning a longer winter trip? Our guides to women’s winter boots, touchscreen gloves and gift ideas by budget can help you pack and shop. Browse more picks in our Amazon.ca storefront. Canada News Media earns a commission on qualifying purchases.

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