New York for Students and Interns
Securing your internship or getting into your summer program required a ton effort. Now comes the fun part: planning your move to New York. Even if it’s just a few months, moving to New York is equal parts challenging and thrilling. Make the hard parts easier and the fun parts more fabulous with the New York for Students and Interns Web Guide.
Expand All Guide SectionsNew York Travel
You don’t need to hear someone stutter through the tongue twister, “Unique New York,” to know that New York is like no other place in the world. Get a general idea of what New York is like while you’re still at home by looking at some New York travel sites online.
Insights for New York Travel
- For an all-compassing source of information about the city and more of the Web’s best resources for exploring it, read the findingDulcinea New York City Guide.
Top Sites for New York Travel
For an overview of New York …
NYC & Company is the official tourism site of New York City. The site touches on all the basic aspects of a visit to the Big Apple. You’ll find information about activities and attractions, and help with planning your visit.
Gothamist is a daily blog that covers anything, and almost everything, happening in New York. Browse entries to get a taste of the varied, eccentric and intricate New York culture.
Ontheinside.info is an insider’s guide to activities in New York with content that’s generated and donated by influential New Yorkers. Discover bars, restaurants, stores and hangouts favored by New York’s creative types.
OneCampusNYC is a one-stop shop for New York students looking for information on a variety of topics. Sponsored by the city government, this site has information on all the city's academic institutions, along with advice on staying safe, finding a place to live, funding your education, finding a job and much more.
For images of New York …
TurnHere, a site that shows short films online, has a few that feature New York. Venture virtually into various neighborhoods and take a sneak peek at favorite local haunts.
Virtual NYC Tour lets you explore New York online using both panoramic photographs and an accompanying map. Select a neighborhood from the list on the left or from the map. Once the tour has loaded, be sure to check “Side Hints” to get little tips about what stores, attractions or spots of historical importance are on the surrounding streets.
Choosing a New York Neighborhood
You may want to live near your work or school, or explore another one of New York's diverse neighborhoods. Choosing a New York neighborhood is easier than ever with help from the Web.
Insights for Choosing a New York Neighborhood
- If you find that you can’t afford to live in your dream neighborhood, look at your New York transportation options. You might be able to find a neighborhood from where you can easily reach the areas you like.
- Most neighborhoods in New York have forums or listservs. If you’re considering moving to a particular spot, get a truthful picture of what it’s like by visiting those sites. Find them by entering “[neighborhood name] + forum” into a search engine.
Top Sites for Choosing a New York Neighborhood
For New York neighborhood overviews …
New York Magazine presents comprehensive evaluations of 25 neighborhoods in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. You’ll find a basic overview, tips on bargains, restaurants, some real estate analysis and related magazine features. Note that some information may be dated as the original article was written in 2003.
Brownstoner is a blog that covers Brooklyn “inside and out.” People looking to rent or buy in Brooklyn will find the site particularly useful, as it provides thorough coverage of various neighborhoods in Brooklyn and their real estate markets. You’ll also find some information about what it’s like to live there.
For New York crime statistics …
New York Police Department provides crime statistics for the entire city divided by borough and precinct. The information isn’t meant to scare you; in fact, sometimes just being aware of your surroundings and what to expect helps to keep you safe.
New York Apartments for Students and Interns
Many students and interns come to study or work in New York City for a short time; as a result, there are many New York apartments for students and interns available. Live at a college, in a student housing center or in a group accommodation that can set you up in a great location while fitting your budget.
Insights for New York Aparments for Students and Interns
- If you’re taking a summer class at a particular college or university, speak to your program coordinators about summer housing. Although directories of university housing options are often locked to the public, as a temporary student you should be able to use them.
- Investigate more New York apartment resources in the findingDulcinea Apartment Hunting in New York Web Guide.
Top Sites for New York Apartments for Students and Interns
For student housing centers in New York …
Educational Housing Services runs three housing centers in New York geared toward students and interns. Apply for housing by semester, summer sessions or term (9 month or 12 month). It’s a way to live off-campus but still reap many of the benefits of typical dorm life.
92nd Street Y runs the de Hirsch Residence student housing center, which offers a number of rooms for students, interns and young professionals. Benefits include maid service and access to a library with Internet access. Browse the site for information about rates and applications.
The Webster provides housing for women who are studying, interning or starting a career in New York. Residents live in a single room; maid service and two meals a day are included. Rates start at $265 a week.
International House offers housing for graduate students and people coming to New York to study in other programs. Apply for a short-term stay (under 20 days) or for a few months.
To live at a college or university in New York …
Polytechnic Institute of New York University, located in downtown Brooklyn, allows nonstudents to take advantage of its dormitories during the summer. Live inexpensively in an air-conditioned room with Internet access. Housing is available June 1 through the end of July.
Long Island University offers housing for its full-time students, but if you call the number listed on the site in late spring, you’ll find information about summer residence in Brooklyn for nonstudents.
For short-term housing in New York …
New York Habitat is an online real estate broker that locates temporary housing for as little as two nights and as long as “indefinitely.” Whether you’re looking for vacation housing, a furnished sublet or a roommate to share a home with, the site has an extensive selection to meet your needs. There’s a fee if you choose to book housing through the service, although you can get information about a rental free of charge.
For New York hostels …
NY.com, New York’s official tourism site, supplies a list of hostels in New York City that may be suitable for long-term stay.
New York Transportation
New York City has a fantastic public transportation system. Millions of people use the subways, buses and ferries each day to get to work, and tourists will find public transit a quick and cheap way to navigate the city sights. Use the sites below to make your New York transportation experience easy, interesting and as fast as possible.
Insights for New York Transportation
- Most subway maintenance and repair is done late at night or on weekends, which means that some subway lines may skip stops or not be running at all. Check the Metropolitan Transportation Authority site for service changes.
- If you’re going to be riding public transportation twice a day or more (such as to and from work) buying an unlimited MetroCard is an economical way to go. Rather than paying a $2 fare each way, you can buy a daily, weekly or monthly pass that gives you unlimited access to all of the subways and buses during that time period. MetroCards can be purchased at almost any subway station.
- You can tell whether a taxi is available by looking at the sign on the roof of the car: if it’s not lit, it’s occupied; if it’s completely lit, it’s off duty; if the middle section is lit, it’s available, and you can try to hail it.
Top Sites for New York Transportation
For planning your route …
HopStop helps you get from any address or intersection in New York to any other. Enter your starting point and destination and get train, bus or walking directions. Choose certain preferences for your trip (for example, less walking or subway only) and get oriented once you leave the subway: HopStop has 360-degree photos of a number of subway exits that indicate which way you need to go.
NY.com
calculates the cross street of a Manhattan address, and provides the complex algorithm (also found in most print telephone books) if you want to figure it out on your own.
For a New York subway or bus map …
Metropolitan Transportation Authority has all of the subway, bus and Staten Island Railway maps you could ever need.
For “learning to walk” in New York …
The New York Times has an article, “Think You Own the Sidewalk? Etiquette by New York Pedestrians Is Showing a Strain,” that provides seven tips for navigating the streets of New York. Tip number one? “[W]alking rules are like driving rules.”
The Morning News presents an article called “How to Walk in New York” that provides tips not only for the casual sidewalk walker, but also for those on escalators and subway stairs, and even jaywalkers.
New York Emergency Services
Hopefully, your stay in New York City will be a smooth one. But should an emergency arise, you can find a doctor, drug store, locksmith or plumber at any hour. Use the sites below for information on finding New York emergency services.
Insights for New York Emergency Services
- The directory sites listed below also offer valuable information on other topics. Use them to find restaurants, shopping locations, car services and transportation, gyms, travel services and more.
- Many of the businesses you’ll find in the directories are also reviewed on sites such as Citysearch and Yelp. If you have time, run a search on a business or clinic you might visit to get customer reviews.
Top Sites for New York Emergency Services
To find a 24-hour pharmacy or medical facility in New York …
Bolte Medical provides a directory of 24-hour pharmacies across Manhattan that includes the pharmacy name, address and phone number. You’ll also find urgent care, integrated medicine and house call options.
TravelMD.com helps you search for emergency care across New York. Look for links to urgent care centers, emergency care, 24-hour pharmacies and other important health and safety information. Visit “Travelers’ Wellness Center” for same-day appointments.
To find a locksmith in New York …
New York Locksmith.com finds locksmiths who can deal with home locks, car locks, commercial locks and more. The site explains what each service entails and allows you to enter your contact information and need via the Internet, or call a toll-free number to get a locksmith immediately.
To find a plumber in New York …
FindAPlumber.com allows you to search for plumbers by zip code. Results include a description of the business, contact information and links to the company Web site when available.
New York Restaurants
Although New York has its mainstays—the pizza, deli sandwiches and bagels that have made it famous among food lovers—the city offers more than a few surprises when it comes to food and dining out. Use the sites below to get the lowdown on New York restaurants, find top-notch delivery service and learn about the biggest food events in the city.
Insights for New York Restaurants
- Many New York restaurants don’t take reservations, in which case you should be ready to wait for a table. But a growing number of eateries are allowing online reservations, according to The New York Times.
- The outer boroughs offer an outstanding array of ethnic foods and trendier upscale cuisines (especially in Park Slope and Cobble Hill in Brooklyn). Eating In Translation is a blog with sections about each borough; scroll down the right side to find the boroughs.
Top Sites for New York Restaurants
For an introduction to New York restaurants …
New York Magazine has a comprehensive guide to the best New York restaurants. Beginning with the hottest new eateries, this savvy rundown offers an A-to-Z list of top-notch noshes. Everything is covered: burgers, brunches, meatballs and neighborhood bagel shops and pizzerias, to name a few.
For iconic New York foods …
Time Out New York tips you off to the best hotdogs, cheesecake, burgers and knishes in the City. In this quick, entertaining feature, four New Yorkers compare their favorite to a challenger’s offering, with some surprising results. The magazine also weighs in on its favorite pizza.
For New York restaurant listings and reviews …
MenuPages’ restaurant search grants would-be diners access to menus of Manhattan and Brooklyn establishments. Search for New York restaurants by neighborhood and type of cuisine or use the interactive map to pinpoint a location.
Urbanspoon covers restaurants in a number of U.S. cities, including New York. This is a great one-stop site for comparing reviews from several different sources, including New York Magazine and The Village Voice. To access New York restaurant reviews and “best” lists, click on a neighborhood or type of food.
The New Yorker compiled its “Tables for Two” restaurant reviews from January of 2006 through the current issue, searchable by author and date or keyword. For additional archived results check off “Tables for Two” in the search tool. Reviews are often humorous, and just long enough to establish a restaurant’s character.
For reservations in New York …
OpenTable is an online reservation service for hundreds of restaurants in New York. Enter the date and time you wish to eat, neighborhood and/or cuisine, and a list of restaurants fitting your criteria is displayed. Complete a quick sign-up to make a selection and reservation for free.
For Brooklyn restaurants …
The Brooklyn Paper has an online dining section that helps locals and visitors discover new hot spots and trusted standbys throughout the borough. Search Brooklyn restaurants by neighborhood, cuisine or keyword. Results include detailed summaries of each restaurant, as well as contact information, average entrée price and the credit cards accepted.
For diners on a budget …
New York Magazine offers its annual list of the best cheap eats in the city, including new cheap eateries, chef’s favorites, cheap but locally grown food and “cheap expensive” eats. Each pick includes contact info, a profile and reviews, and a link to the restaurant’s official site.
For vegans and vegetarians in New York …
SuperVegan makes it easy to find vegan and vegetarian options with its “NYC Vegan Restaurant Guide.” Search or browse by cuisine, neighborhood, level of veganism and special features, such as free Wi-Fi and BYOB. Listings include star ratings and customer reviews, and links to restaurant Web sites.
For gluten-free restaurants …
Gluten-Free Restaurant Awareness Program helps the gluten-averse dine out. Search for New York restaurants by location or type of cuisine.
For kosher and halal food in New York…
Nachas.org lists kosher restaurants in New York State, and divides its New York City listings by borough and Manhattan neighborhood. Some entries include links to the restaurant’s Web site, and all have price and contact information.
Zabihah.com provides listings of halal restaurants in each of the five boroughs along with links to each site, payment information and menu descriptions. This site is cluttered but the content is thorough and helpful.
For dining in …
SeamlessWeb is an online delivery service connecting you to restaurants all over New York. Enter an address to get a list of nearby eateries with food ratings, prices, estimated delivery time, occasional discount offers and photos of food.
Delivery.com promises “Food at Your Fingertips” by using their free service. Enter your address (hint: for best results, enter street name/number and zip code only) for a list of participating New York restaurants, complete with essential info like minimum order amount, delivery hours and ratings of quality, value and speed.
Who knew?
New York Magazine
provides the details on DiFara’s pizza in Midwood, Brooklyn. DiFara’s rivals Grimaldi’s for being the most popular pizza in New York, with each pie handmade—slowly—by owner Domenico DeMarco. Be prepared to wait for your pizza, and treasure the Italian-imported ingredients. For an inside look before you go, visit YouTube for a selection of short videos taken inside DiFara’s.
New York Shopping
New York is a shopping paradise, regardless of your budget. Whether you’re in search of designer threads or aching to score a perfectly faded vintage t-shirt, you can find it in New York. In this section, we’ll show you where to find the best in New York shopping, with a few surprises mixed in.
Insights for New York Shopping
- For smaller boutiques, try smaller neighborhoods (for example, SoHo and various neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn).
- Flea market shopping has long been a favorite pursuit among New Yorkers but according to New York Magazine, flea markets’ heyday might have passed. Get out there before it’s too late!
Top Sites for New York Shopping
For New York shopping maps …
Jargol is an online shopping magazine headed by a University of California, Berkeley grad. Browse the list of New York shops, and click to see where each is on the map. You’ll also get quick but detailed summaries of each store, pricing and location info, and links to store Web sites.
Superfuture provides a downloadable PDF map of New York neighborhoods dotted with many stores and restaurants—for a fee of $20. The map can give you a general idea of the shopping scope of each area and help you get familiar with street names and layout.
For store listings in New York …
The New York Times features a guide to New York, including a section on shopping with brief listings of stores spanning the boroughs. Some shops have reader ratings.
The Village Voice displays insider knowledge in its "Best Of" shopping and services section. Find reviews of video stories, book shops, bodegas, clothing designers and more.
New York Events
New York is a cultural Mecca but to truly take advantage of it, you may need a little guidance. Use the sites below to find general information on New York events.
Insights for New York Events
- The arts and entertainment section of a local New York newspaper is always a good place to search for activities. Chances are, the more popular ones will be highlighted.
- New York, as you’ve probably figured out, is full of people anxious to have a good time, and space at those good times often sells out quickly. If there’s an event you’d like to attend, call for tickets as soon as you learn about it.
- The findingDulcinea New York City Guide lists resources for specific New York entertainment opportunities such as theater, movies, museums and concerts.
Top Sites for New York Events
For an overview of New York events …
Time Out New York is the entertainment listings bible. If you’re looking for something to do, head here first. Search by zip code or keyword, or browse through categories of events.
Metromix New York is a site devoted to New York entertainment. Find news, reviews and features about music, movies, theater and events, as well as restaurant and nightlife information.
For outdoor concerts in New York…
SummerStage is an annual tradition in Central Park. Held in Rumsey Playfield (at 70th Street, approximately) from June to September, SummerStage is a weekly concert series featuring some widely renowned musicians and artists. Best of all, it’s free.
River To River Festival sponsors concerts and other performing arts in various outdoor locations in lower Manhattan.
New York Nightlife
They call New York “the city that never sleeps,” and it’s not because everyone is lying in bed counting sheep. New York is home to some of the country’s most famous bars and clubs, as well as its fair share of dive bars. Use the sites below to get up to speed on New York nightlife.
Insights for New York Nightlife
- If nighttime safety is a concern for you, visit the New York Police Department for information about new “best practices” for a safer nightlife.
- New York is expensive. You might find yourself paying $10 for a drink at a so-called dive bar and more than $20 at a place that’s considered trendy. But don’t despair; the sites below can also direct you to a $2 beer.
Top Sites for New York Nightlife
For an overview of New York nightlife …
JoonBug keeps you current on New York nightlife. Get on lists and buy tickets for events, read about upcoming parties, check the nightlife blog and even browse pictures of past events.
New York Magazine’s guide for visitors lists its selection of the top 25 New York clubs and bars. Choices include all types of institutions. And if you’re looking to save some cash, check out the compilation of New York’s best happy hour deals. Also note the “always cheap” list (scroll down to find it).
For New York clubs, bars and events …
Shecky’s New York Nightlife offers lists of recommended New York bars and clubs, and has reviews of many others. Search for bars and clubs by category or by neighborhood, and explore them through reviews and pictures.
Time Out New York’s “Clubs” section lets you search for a club, event or article. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, simply select a borough or date and hit search, then browse through the long listings. Or take a chance on one of the “Most viewed in Clubs” (on the right sidebar) or the “Find Events” section for daily listings.
The Village Voice boasts a list of more than 1,200 bars and clubs in New York City. Choose whether to sort by Voice picks, price or letter of the alphabet.
For free and/or cheap drinks in New York…
Myopenbar.com gives you a weekly schedule of New York's open bar events. Often the events are completely free, but sometimes there’s a small cover.
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