Ask Away: You'll be right, in old New York

There is much to see and do in New York. Photo / Getty Images

Eli Orzessek finds the answers to your travel questions.

I want to stay for roughly five nights in New York for sightseeing and to go to some sports games. Where are the best places to base myself in the city?
Ideally I'm looking for somewhere safe and close to food options. Uber/Yellow cabs will help me the rest of the way.
Jared

Safety isn't generally too much of an issue in New York City these days — it is considered one of the safest big cities in the world. The crime rate is relatively low and when crimes do occur, they don't usually take place in touristy areas. However, there are a few things to be aware of as a tourist. You'll want to avoid Central Park at night — while it's an idyllic spot for a walk during the day, the majority of cases of crime and violence in the park take place at night. Be vigilant on the subway and avoid taking the train late at night, if possible.

Pickpocketing is probably the biggest threat, so keep your valuables hidden and stay aware of your surroundings.

There are definitely some areas that are safer than others and I've asked my contact at booking.com for a few hotel tips in some of the city's best areas.

Home to some of NYC's wealthiest residences, the Upper East Side is a safe area and is also home to "Museum Mile", eight excellent institutions along Fifth Ave, including the world famous Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's bordered by Central Park and Carl Schurz Park, with a promenade along the East River. In this area, my contact recommends The Mark New York, an artistically designed hotel located one block from Central Park and 15 minutes away from Times Square by subway.

Midtown is the best neighbourhood for sightseeing, shopping and theatre — it's also home to the Rockefeller Centre, the Empire State Building, St Patrick's Cathedral and the Museum of Modern Art. There are also plenty of dining choices here. In this location, you could base yourself at the Langham on Fifth Ave, which includes an onsite Michelin-starred Italian restaurant, Ai Fiori.

With streets lined with classic New York brownstone buildings, the Upper West Side is home to the Lincoln Center, the city's cultural hub, and the American Museum of Natural History. Bordered with parks, this is a good area for those who prefer a quieter neighbourhood. For accommodation, you could consider the Mandarin Oriental New York, which is at the top of the Time Warner Centre and features great views of Manhattan.

For historical resonance, look no further than Lower Manhattan. The central borough features a thriving restaurant and shopping scene. Hotel 50 Bowery has access to the Lower East Side, Tribeca, Soho and Brooklyn neighbourhoods.

Readers respond:

On booking trains in Europe, Elizabeth Fordham wrote in to say that not all MPT seats in the first-class carriage are made available for pass holders, so definitely book well beforehand. You can get on the train but it means you have to stand up if all the seats are booked. Rail Plus in Newmarket, Auckland, can assist.

Email your questions to askaway@nzherald.co.nz

Eli cannot answer all questions and can't correspond with readers.

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