It’s a question that’s often asked no matter who you’re talking with - New York City or Los Angeles? It’s especially true if you’re a person trying to decide which would be the more ideal travel destination for you. Both cities are indelibly embedded in American culture as well as two of the most desirable places for people to visit across the world. New York City, a buzzing metropolis that has long been the gateway to America for travelers and others around the globe. Los Angeles, a sun-kissed paradise that is home to the stars and a bevy of wonders. In this article, we’ll look to provide a breakdown of key things each city has to offer and what to look out for if you’re planning to travel there.
1. Getting Around
New York City (9/10)
Flying into New York City is a breeze for the most part - the two main airports are John. F. Kennedy Airport and LaGuardia Airport, with many also opting to fly into Newark-Liberty Airport in Newark, New Jersey. Another smaller airport is out in the suburbs of Long Island, MacArthur Airport in the town of Islip. The first two however are in the main five boroughs of the city and are heavily serviced by taxis and on demand car services, and JFK Airport has a train connected to the city’s subways. With that, of course, comes moments of gridlock that can cause anyone to grit their teeth.
The New York City subways are a core part of the public transportation services and run on a 24/7 basis throughout four of the city’s boroughs, the exception being Staten Island which is accessible by the Staten Island Ferry and by the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. It’s also the most convenient way for travelers to get around if they’re not driving. Driving in NYC can be tough at times, especially during rush hour. For those who are avid bikers, the city has undergone a major renaissance with their Citibike bicycle-sharing program and newly-established bike lanes over the past 5 years. Times Square and other parts of the city have also been modified to be more pedestrian-friendly. In addition, the city has boosted efforts when it comes to ferries on their waterways that serve the Brooklyn-Queens waterfront and the Rockaways section of Queens. With that in mind, NYC gets a score of 9 out of 10.
Los Angeles (5/10)
The Los Angeles area is mainly serviced by Los Angeles International Airport, also known as LAX. It ranks as the third busiest in the United States currently, and in the top ten worldwide. There’s also four other commercial airports within the area - Ontario Airport, Bob Hope Airport for San Gabriel and San Fernando Valleys, John Wayne Airport which caters to Orange County and Long Beach Airport. L.A. is undoubtedly known transportation-wise for its abundant network of highways and freeways. And with that lies one major gripe with the city by locals and tourists - traffic. Some reports have detailed that those in Los Angeles traffic have lost up to 72 hours on an annual basis, making it the most congested in the nation. It also contributes to the smog levels the city is dubiously known for. These facts aside, Los Angeles does have an ample public transportation system in place, comprised of 170 bus lines, two subway lines, four light rail lines and two rapid transit lines. This network covers the area from the San Fernando Valley right to the border of Orange County. In terms of airport connections, there is only one and that’s the regional Metrolink rail line from Bob Hope Airport.
If you’re aiming to get around on foot, L.A. isn’t exactly the best city to do so. For one, the sheer amount of vehicular traffic can be a bit much to deal with although the city has a few areas that are more amenable to walking such as the downtown area with a number of public escalators and skyways to fit in with the terrain. Another district for walkers to enjoy is the Santa Monica pier area. Those opting to use bikes to get around with find there are stretches throughout the city, most notably the Los Angeles River bike path. This is in response to more Angelenos using bikes to get to work. If you have ride sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, they may be your best bet to get around if you’re not planning to rent a car. In terms of getting around, L.A. notches a 5 out of 10.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
2. Safety
New York City (7/10)
Contrary to some past beliefs, visitors to New York City will find it to be one of the highest-ranked in the world when it comes to safety. According to recent analysis by travel safety brands, tourists in the city aren’t at risk if they take the proper precautions during their trip as long as they’re paying attention to their belongings in public. One thing that travelers have to be mindful of are scam artists who do haunt certain areas of NYC that attract tourists like Times Square and by Bryant Park. Another unfortunate element to arguably the most popular city in the world is the threat of terror attacks. In terms of places to steer clear of, there are pockets of trouble spots that are in a couple of Brooklyn neighborhoods and in some spots in the Bronx. However, there is a hefty police presence in and around the city, in particular on the subways. It also helps that while you’re walking around that you take stock of your surroundings and while crossing the busy streets because of the huge amount of human and vehicular traffic. For safety, the city gets a score of 7 on the scale.
Los Angeles (8/10)
In terms of L.A.’s safety, many do point to a couple of trouble spots that they say to avoid if possible. Those areas are South Los Angeles or South Central as it’s known colloquially, and Skid Row which is a part of downtown Los Angeles between Little Tokyo and the Arts District that stretches over four miles (6.43 km). The former area has been a notorious area due to gang violence that takes place there, and the latter is a focal point for a sizable amount of the city’s homeless population. While one can be cautious with heading through South Central to other areas to where they may not encounter trouble, with Skid Row’s proximity to some of the main sights to be seen, travelers do have to be more aware and guarded. These points aside, L.A. can be a relatively chill city to hang out in and when it comes to the highly popular areas, police aren’t too far away to lend a hand if needed. So out of 10, the City of Angels snags an 8.
3. Sights to see
New York City (10/10)
New York City doesn’t lack in attractions that you’ll want to visit. In fact, tourists can spend entire days looking around and engaging in activities in quite a few of the city’s neighborhoods and still not scratch the surface. There’s the sprawling Central Park, squarely in the middle of Manhattan with a zoo, walking trails, playgrounds and ponds throughout its 843 acres (341 hectare). The Empire State Building is a constant draw with its great views, lit up at night for everyone to see. Many also take time out to walk the length of the Brooklyn Bridge from either side, marveling at the 19th century structure. There’s a slew of museums throughout the city, from the American Museum of Natural History to the Museum of Modern Art and the MET.
There’s also countless historical sights from buildings to statues to be visited. Examples include the Statue of Liberty, the Flatiron Building and the Unisphere at Flushing Meadows Park in the borough of Queens. And getting back to parks, aside from Central Park there’s other beautiful green spaces across the city such as the High Line on Manhattan’s west side to the Socrates Sculpture Park in the Long Island City area of Queens. The list goes on and for this reason, NYC scores a 10.
Read our article for a more information on the best things to do in NY and the best things to do in NY if you’re travelling with kids.
Los Angeles (9/10)
Being regarded as the entertainment capital of the world means that there won’t be a lack of sights to take in while you’re in Los Angeles. Many start with the TCL Chinese Theatre built in 1927 with its plaza of stars’ footprints in concrete right outside and the Walk of Fame containing the handprints of stars stretching over a mile on Hollywood Boulevard. Some take advantage of studio tours at Universal Studios, and also the drive along the iconic Sunset Boulevard leading up into the posh landscape of Beverly Hills. Those who love art will amble over to a variety of institutions such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Wilshire Boulevard or the Getty Center over in the Brentwood area. If you want postcard-perfect places to hang out in, look no further than the Santa Monica Pier and the casual air of the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
Those who want to enjoy a bit of outdoor activity can check out Griffith Park, well known for its massive observatory but which also is home to Mount Hollywood and a 53-mile (85.3 km) trail great for walking or biking. If you want a stunning view of the Pacific Ocean, try a bike ride on the The Strand which runs from Santa Monica to Redondo. If sports is your thing, Dodger Stadium is a cool place to visit during a game - and it’s a bonus if you can get tickets in the All You Can Eat section. The Staples Center downtown where the Lakers and Clippers play basketball is a hot ticket and a buzzing center of activity with new shops and restaurants right around it. But for those who want a true California thrill, it’s hard to top driving down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway to really indulge in the beach life that so many associate with the state. There are also some great options for tours to experience L.A. if you feel like you want to fully immerse yourself in the city. In terms of things to do, L.A. gets a 9 on the scale.
4. Food
New York City (10/10)
NYC is a foodie’s dream come true. The city is rife with eateries both opulent and obscure, and all of the tastiness to be had in between. There’s a number of food staples that travelers here can indulge in. If you enjoy pizza, there’s Grimaldi’s which is right at the edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park or L&B Spumoni Gardens in the Bensonhurst district of that borough. There’s also an uptick in the number of food halls and weekend food festivals to be found around town like Smorgasburg which is held year-round in Brooklyn and The Pennsy in midtown. For those who like to rub shoulders with the upscale when dining, Ko and Le Bernardin rank among the best the city has to offer. Add to that a plethora of cafes and your palate won’t be disappointed. On top of that most of these places are open late with some being open 24 hours to serve any and everyone. New York gets a perfect 10 for food.
Learn more about NY’s amazing food options with our articles on the best brunch spots in NY, best delis around NY, best restaurants in the upper Manhattan and the best food tours in NY.
Los Angeles (10/10)
L.A. has been a prime birthplace to the food truck, and one can see why when traveling around the city. Taco trucks are king here, and it won’t be hard to spot one while out and about with each possessing their own flavor and clientele. But Kogi is seen as one that brought the food truck culture nationwide with their Korean short rib tacos, a fusion homage to two bustling communities in the city. In-N-Out Burger is the local burger chain that’s perfect for Angelenos with drive-up windows and a secret menu that’s now an open secret (read our guide to In-N-Out). Another L.A. food staple is Roscoe’s House of Chicken & Waffles, serving up soul food since 1975. There’s the classic French dip sandwich which has been a part of local debate between Cole’s and Phillippe The Original in the downtown area. L.A. also boasts a bevy of restaurants specializing in ramen such as Tsujita and arguably has some of the best Thai restaurants in the nation. This variety nabs the city a 10 rating on the scale.
5. Nightlife
New York City (10/10)
If you get called “the city that never sleeps”, you’ve obviously proven it time and time again. For those who like to hit the clubs and nightspots, New York City more than fits the bill with most places open until 4 am. There’s a multitude of bars throughout the boroughs, some of them with quirky themes like the tiki-adorned Otto’s Shrunken Head or the mysterious & attractive Apotheke. Nightclubs here are world-renowned, with standouts such as celebrity hangout PH-D and Le Bain, atop the chic Standard Hotel. There’s also a heavy amount of music venues throughout the city to catch shows at like Warsaw and Webster Hall and the legendary Madison Square Garden. One popular destination for those with a love for jazz is the Blue Note Cafe in Greenwich Village. Chalk up a 10 on the scale.
Los Angeles (9/10)
Los Angeles is an undisputed hot spot when it comes to nightlife, glamorized in all art forms including many a music video. For those who want to catch concerts in unique settings, the first venue that obviously comes to mind is the expansive Hollywood Bowl, first built in 1920 and host to a wide array of concerts which include the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual residency. The Walt Disney Music Hall is a stunning Frank Gehry-designed theater structure that’s part of a larger complex in the downtown area. This also puts visitors within easy reach of some of the more esteemed eateries for dining after performances beginning with the Patina restaurant in the complex.
If you’re looking for evening entertainment with a bit more pep, many flock to the The Hotel Cafe which features a schedule of shows by up and coming singers and songwriters in the downtown area, and The Edison which also has intimate shows and at times burlesque performances held in a renovated former power plant.
For those who want to dance the night away, there’s the Conga Room and The Mayan Theater and also the infamous Viper Room in West Hollywood. Each neighborhood in L.A. has their own choice lounges and bars that draw in a multitude of people, like the The Dresden Room famed for being in the classic movie Swingers and La Descarga, a Cuban-themed club complete with stirring music and a required dress code. One note however - most places do tend to have last call at 1:30. For their eclectic nightlife scene, Los Angeles gets an 9 on the scale.
Some final words on New York City and Los Angeles
Final Scores:
New York City: 44
Los Angeles: 41
While NYC comes out on top, it doesn’t dull the shine of Los Angeles one bit. Quite honestly, both cities have more than earned their reputation for being fantastic destinations that can delight any and all who visit them. If ease of getting around is a priority of yours, then we would suggest picking NYC. Whether you like to be low key or if you like to be engaged in more outgoing and dynamic activities, the City of Angels and the Big Apple will more than satisfy those travelers with those desires.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to