best travel tips for new york city

New York City Tips: 50 Dos & Don’ts for Visiting NYC Like a Pro

If you’re looking for New York City tips that have been tried and tested by a local New Yorker, you’re in the right place!

For more than 2 decades (and counting), New York has been my home. I even married a native New Yorker! The NYC dos and don’ts below come from my own experiences of living here and helping visitors navigate the city.

So whether it’s your first visit or fifth to New York City, I’ve got 50 of the best NYC tips to help make your time in the city a success,

New York City Tips: 50 Dos & Don’ts for Visiting NYC like a Pro!

Living in New York City was always one of my dreams. As a young girl, I was fascinated with Broadway, the bright lights, and the endless number of things to do in NYC.

Fast forward to when I arrived and I had no idea what I was doing!

On my first full day living in New York, my aunt tried to help me get my bearings. We walked around, and in between getting jostled by people racing to wherever they were going, I got every single one of the questions on her New York City quiz wrong.

Luckily for you, it’s been 25+ years since that failed quiz and now there’s no denying my status as a New Yorker!

I’m also a traveler, who knows that local tips can’t be beat when you’re exploring a new place, so I wanted to pass on some tried and true New York City tips for your first/next trip to the Big Apple!

NYC Tips: Planning Your Trip

When you’re planning a New York trip , there are a few basics you want to keep in mind.

It’s impossible to see and do everything. Instead, you want to focus on the time you do have and decide which places and activities are at the top of your must-see list.

Then, take advantage of the New York travel tips below to help you save money and time, as well as plan for your arrival.

1. Do plan ahead and spend enough time.

Ideally, you’ll want to spend at least 3 days visiting New York City, especially if you’re one of the many first-time visitors who come to NYC each year. This will ensure you have time to see some of New York City’s top sights, as well as a few nights to enjoy NYC’s restaurants and entertainment.

Maximize your time in New York City by planning sensible logistics (avoid backtracking) and making advance restaurant and ticket reservations to avoid missing an opportunity and waiting in long lines.

This includes booking timed-entry tickets for tourist attractions like Summit One Vanderbilt , the 9/11 Museum , and the Statue of Liberty if they’re on your list of places to visit.

And if there is a Broadway show that you’re deadset on seeing, it’s best to secure those tickets ahead of time instead of leaving to chance getting discounted tickets last minute.

2. Don’t overstuff your NYC itinerary.

It’s easy to be wide-eyed as you plan what to see and do in New York City. The city has an endless number of things to do. But you also want to take the time to enjoy your time and not just race from place to place.

Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Unless you’re an absolute die-hard art lover, don’t visit more than 1 art museum in a day. Museum fatigue is real and you’ll likely stop absorbing what you’re seeing after a couple of hours.

If you can, mix in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. For example, visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art or MoMA in the morning and then spend at least part of the afternoon in Central Park. Similarly, you might want to plan a morning or afternoon visit to the 9/11 Museum and the other part of the day walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or exploring Chinatown.

Lastly, if managing the entire day independently feels overwhelming, join a guided tour or activity for part of the day. Guided neighborhood walking tours can help you explore a new part of the city without worrying about where to go or what to see.

3. Do consider saving money with a sightseeing pass.

If you’re planning a heavy sightseeing itinerary, absolutely consider getting a bundled pass like The New York Pass or New York CityPASS . These passes can help you save a good amount of money when compared to buying tickets individually.

The New York Pass lets you choose the duration of your pass, from 1-10 days. This is a great way to pack together consecutive days of unlimited sightseeing with a choice of 100+ attractions.

The New York CityPASS , on the other hand, gives you access to 5 attractions (2 fixed and 3 of your choice from a set list) over 9 days. This pass is great if you want to sightsee at your own pace while mixing in other activities and experiences around the city.

4. Don’t miss NYC’s numerous free things to do.

Fortunately for your wallet, there are also plenty of amazing free attractions in New York City. Quite a few of them also happen to be top places to visit in NYC, too.

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, taking in the harbor and Lower Manhattan views. This is a top New York City thing to do and shouldn’t be missed!

Central Park, Bryant Park, the High Line, Little Island Park, Riverside Park, and numerous other green spaces are all free to explore. Some like the High Line come with art exhibitions, while Little Island Park hosts free performances.

In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the main branch of the New York Public Library, Rockefeller Center, and Grand Central Terminal…all for free!

Many of New York City’s museums have free days including MoMA, the Met, the 9/11 Museum, the Guggenheim, and the Morgan Library. Check individual museum websites for more info and, in some cases, to make a free reservation.

In Lower Manhattan, you can visit the 9/11 Memorial Reflecting Pools for free, as well as ride the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty and head to Governor’s Island for free.

And on any given day, the city hosts numerous free activities and cultural events from art shows to concerts and live theater productions. Use a resource like TimeoutNY to check free events happening during the days you visit.

5. Do learn how to navigate New York City’s streets.

One of the great things about getting around New York City is the grid pattern of its streets on most of Manhattan (down to 14th Street). The simple tic-tac-toe set-up combined with numbered streets makes it easy to orient yourself and find where you need to be.

NYC’s streets (i.e. 37th St., 38th St. 39th St.) run east and west across the island of Manhattan. Roughly 20 of these “city blocks” are about 1 mile. When you’re walking with the numbers going up, you’re walking uptown. If the numbers are going down, you’re heading downtown.

New York City’s avenues (Madison Ave., 5th Ave., 6th Ave., 7th Ave.) run north and south. These avenues intersect the numbered streets. The distance between avenues is greater than the distance between streets. About 7 avenues add up to 1 mile.

At 5th Avenue, you’ll find the dividing line between the west and east sides of the island.

For example, if you’re at 42nd St. & 5th Ave., walk in one direction along 42nd Street and you’ll see that it’s E.42nd Street. But if you walk the other way, you’ll notice the signs say W.42nd Street.

Street addresses get smaller the closer they are to 5th Avenue and bigger the farther they are from 5th Avenue. So, if you need to go to MoMA at 11 W.53rd Street, you know that the museum is on the west side of Manhattan and close to 5th Avenue because the building number is 11.

Lastly, New Yorkers typically use intersections or cross streets to explain where they are or to tell a taxi where to take them. You wouldn’t say to a taxi driver, please take me to 11 W. 53rd Street. Instead, you’d say, 53rd and 5th, please. This tells the driver the intersection where you’d like to be dropped.

6. Don’t rely on taxis to get to Manhattan from the airport

This might be one of the most important New York City travel tips on this list.

I highly recommend having a plan for getting from your airport to Manhattan. All the airports have taxi lines that will take you where you need to be. The problem is they’re expensive and sometimes come with a lengthy wait in line for an available taxi.

From JFK to Manhattan, taxis charge a flat rate of $70. This does NOT include extra for tolls, tips, and any surcharges in effect. From Laguardia and Newark Airports, taxi fares are calculated by the meter with tips, tolls, and surcharges tacked onto that. Depending on traffic, taxi fares calculated by the meter can add up quickly.

Instead, use public transportation or book a transfer service in advance so that you know the cost ahead of time. These guides will help you figure out the best way to get from each airport.

• JFK to Manhattan
• LaGuardia to Manhattan
• Newark Airport to Manhattan

7. Don’t shy away from spending Christmas in New York

I reject the idea that you should think twice about spending Christmas in New York .

Yes, it’s very crowded and hotel prices can be high especially right around the time of the Rockefeller Tree Lighting and during the school break week between Christmas and New Year’s.

But, Christmas in New York is absolutely beautiful. The city sparkles with lights and decorations. The atmosphere at the holiday markets is festive enough to warm even the coldest of Grinch hearts. Even “hardened” New Yorkers can’t help but feel the Christmas spirit.

8. Do know the mistakes to avoid spending Christmas in New York.

That being said, you want to make sure you’re a little extra prepared so that you don’t fall victim to some of the classic New York City Christmas mistakes.

Knowing what to avoid, how to dress, or the best places to ice skate all help to make your New York City Christmas trip a success!

New York Travel Tips: Getting Around

Pay attention to these New York tips for navigating the city. Getting around NYC (or lack thereof) can make or break your entire trip.

The last thing you want is the stress of getting lost or arriving late only to realize you’ve missed out on something you were really looking forward to.

The good news, though, is that with a little common sense and advance studying by reading these NYC tips, you’ll be on your way to getting around the city like a pro!

9. Don’t drive.

Traffic is horrendous and parking is worse. It can take a maddening amount of time to get around NYC by car and will inevitably waste hours.

And even if for one crazy fleeting moment, you think driving around New York City makes sense, remember that no restaurants, bars, shops, or sightseeing attractions have parking for their customers.

Bottom line. There are no good reasons to justify driving into or around New York City.

10. Do use public transportation.

The subway (and even walking) will typically be faster than taking a taxi, perhaps except for hours in the dead of night when NYC quiets down. (Although this is never a guarantee because night road work is always happening somewhere!)

Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are well connected by subway trains and buses. This is why millions of people use them every day,

You can get anywhere you’d want to go in the city and be much happier when you arrive…not to mention on time, too!

11. Don’t be a subway oaf!

The fastest way to annoy New Yorkers is to in any way block the turnstiles, the stairways, or the train entrance. We understand that you might not be familiar with the subway system. All we ask is that you move to the side or to a place that is out of the way so you can figure out which way you need to go.

Think of it like this. Navigating the subway is part of our daily commute. Would you stop your car in the middle of a highway entrance ramp (during rush hour) while you read all the signs or looked at a map? No. The subway tunnels, stairways, and turnstiles are no different.

Once you know the train you need, be sure to stand back on the platform. When the train arrives, don’t block the door. Step to the side to allow people inside to get off the train.

Once you’re inside, move all the way into the subway car. You’ll notice that New Yorkers have mastered the art of making no eye contact even when we are smushed together in a cramped space. You should practice this skill, too.

And, whatever you do, don’t lean your whole body on the poles inside the train. On a crowded train, these are the only things that a lot of people can hold onto once the train is moving.

Yes, it’s a petri dish of bacteria, but hold onto the poles with your hands so other people around you have space to hang on, too. This is exactly why those mini bottles of hand sanitizer were created in the first place.

12. Do have your subway payment method ready.

As of 2023, you can still swipe a MetroCard to enter the subway. Although, they will eventually be phased out. The subway and bus fare is $2.90.

Metrocards are refillable (except those that are single-ride cards) and can be used on buses, PATH trains to/from New Jersey, and for the AirTrain at JFK Airport. There are also 7-day unlimited ride Metrocards which make sense if you ride the subway at least 12 times no matter how long your New York City itinerary is.

You can also use the contactless payment system on all turnstiles with your smartphone or contactless credit card. Just tap to pay and you’ll be able to go through the turnstile. Be sure to use the same device or card so the system will recognize if/when you’ve reached 12 rides in a 7-day period. Any rides past that in the same window of time will be free.

13. Don’t get in an empty subway car !

While we’re talking about the subway, I feel obligated to mention this.

I did this once with a college friend of mine. I was new to New York City and flat-out didn’t know any better. Just trust me on this one…unless, of course, you enjoy breathing the foulest stenches in creation.

14. Do move down the platform and find a car with people on it.

If an empty subway car (while all the others are pretty full) pulls up in front of you on the platform, no you did not just get incredibly lucky. There’s 100% a reason why others have skipped the empty train car in favor of wedging themselves into a more crowded part of the train.

Instead of thinking you landed a jackpot, quickly move to a train car with people on it. Your nose and taste buds will thank you.

15. Do know the difference between local and express trains.

Several subway lines run express and local trains. It’s exactly as it sounds. The local trains make all the stops on the line, while the express trains bypass many stations stopping only in select places.

Know which one you need before you get on the train. Don’t waste time having to backtrack to a station because the accidental express train you were riding skipped your stop.

Look at an NYC subway map. Local stations are marked with a filled-in-all-black circle. Express train stops are marked by a white or unfilled circle. Where the white circle (or oval) overlaps several train lines, it means you can connect underground to these other lines without having to pay again.

Sometimes it’s knowing the simplest of NYC travel tips that can make all the difference.

16. Don’t block the subway station escalator.

Some subway stations have escalators to carry you to or from the train platforms. While riding these escalators, it’s expected that you move to the right if you’d like to stand and ride and move to the left if you’d like to climb the stairs and pass others.

Please don’t stand on the left or place suitcases there while others are trying to move quickly to wherever they are going (i.e. work, doctor’s office, picking their kids up from school).

17. Don’t be the cause of a sidewalk traffic jam.  

Other than the subway and buses, New Yorkers’ primary mode of transportation is their feet. The sidewalk in New York is like a pedestrian highway. Walking in a line across with your whole family blocks others from passing.

If you stop suddenly, the people behind you won’t expect this and just might walk into you. Just like there are rules of the road when you’re driving, NYC’s sidewalks come with similar protocols.

18. Do “pull over” to the right

Not to worry if you’re just strolling, are a slow walker, or want to stop and figure out where you are and where you’re headed! Just move to the right which signals to those around you that they are free to move past you.

This also applies if you want to look up or take photos of something. And don’t worry if you need to look at a map. Use Google Maps on your smartphone. No one will be the wiser that you aren’t sure which way to go because everyone else will be looking at their smartphone, too!

19. Don’t wait for a walk sign if there are no cars.

Ok obviously always check for cars before crossing the street. But if you want to blend in with real NYers, it’s okay to cross even when it doesn’t say “Walk” as long as no cars are coming.

20. Do watch for buses and bikes.

Just don’t forget about bike and bus lanes! Bike path traffic can be dangerous and they’re less forgiving than cars. So if you see a small painted green lane as you cross the street, be sure there isn’t someone racing by on a bike or e-bike!

New York City Tips: During Your Trip

The New York tips below are all about helping you take advantage of some of the best NYC has to offer while avoiding some of the pitfalls that an unknowing (first time) visitor might not realize.

21. Don’t spend too long in Times Square.

For that matter, don’t stay in Rockefeller Center, either. These places are iconic, sure. Go see them, take some photos in front of the ice rink or the giant billboards with their flashing lights, and then get out of there.

Times Square is full of tourist traps from costumed characters looking to be paid to take photos with visitors to chain restaurants overcharging for bad food.

Besides just seeing the spectacle that is Times Square, the only other reason to spend any length of time there is to get discounted Broadway show tickets at the TKTS booth on W. 47th Street.

22. Do explore other parts of New York City.

New York City is made up of 5 boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. And within these boroughs are countless neighborhoods, each with their own character and culture. Together, they make up the endless number of amazing things to do in New York City.

Why not head to Lower Manhattan to visit the Financial District and to see the 9/11 Memorial & Museum? The tiny streets at Manhattan’s southern tip are where the city first took root as a colony in the 1600s. When you look closely, you can see remaining bits of colonial history and even visit the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton.

Walk the High Line as it snakes through Chelsea or head uptown to the Upper West Side to visit the northern parts of Central Park and the iconic St. John the Divine. When you’re hungry, take the subway down to Chinatown to sample plates of noodles and Dim Sum.

When you’re ready, ride the subway to Brooklyn for a stroll through one of the most incredible open-air street art galleries in the world.

23. Don’t eat in Little Italy…unless you know where to go.

It pains me to say this as a girl of southern Italian ancestry but unfortunately what’s left of this neighborhood is just a couple of streets with souvenir shops and restaurants serving mediocre Italian fare.

If you do go, avoid the restaurants with wranglers trying to persuade you to sit down. The places worth visiting don’t have people doing this. For example, Di Palo’s on Grand and Mott is famous for their sandwiches and homemade mozzarella. (The line is worth standing in!) Il Cortile has fantastic northern Italian dishes and Ferrara Bakery has been making Italian sweets like cannoli for over 100 years.

24. Do walk down Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village.

Between 6th and 7th Avenues along Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village , you can taste delicious pizza at legendary places like Bleecker Street Pizza, John’s of Bleecker Street, and Joe’s Pizza. Save room for a couple of rice balls from Faicco’s Italian Specialties and cannolis at Pasticceria Rocco.

If you want to have a sit-down Italian dinner, New York City has no shortage of options! Some of my favorites are  Morandi , L’Artusi , and Via Carota .

And if you’re up for taking a bit of a trip “north,” head to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for another authentic Little Italy neighborhood!

25. Don’t take disrespectful selfies .

Sadly this makes the list, but crimes, tragic or sad events, homeless people, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum are off-limits when it comes to selfies. Just please don’t do it.

26. Do take photos of NYC’s iconic skyline.

That being said, please take as many photos as you’d like of the city itself and all of its beautiful sights and attractions. This is especially true of the New York City skyline as seen from above.

Contrary to what others might say, I recommend visiting one of New York City’s skydeck experiences. There are plenty of options so choose the one that speaks to you the most or works best with your itinerary.

For example, Summit One Vanderbilt is the most popular immersive skyline experience and has amazing views, especially of the Chrysler Building. The Empire State Building is an iconic art-deco building full of classic NYC history. The view from the Top of the Rock is gorgeous at night when you can see the Empire State Building and all of Manhattan lit up.

Take a look at each one to decide.

• Summit One Vanderbilt
• Empire State Building
• Top of the Rock
• One World Observatory

You might even splurge and take a helicopter ride over New York City to take in the epic views. Either way, it’s a quintessential NYC experience to see the city from above.

Can you accomplish the same thing by visiting a rooftop bar or restaurant?

That depends on where you go and what you’re hoping to see. Some rooftop bars and restaurants can come with fabulous views and even ones that are from a unique angle or height. But they’re also usually not the places where you snap off an endless number of photos without running the risk of irritating those around you.

Skyline experiences are for really marveling at the skyline and taking in the incredible scene before you. While rooftop restaurants and bars are for savoring the ambiance of being high up among the city’s skyscrapers.

27. Don’t eat at a chain or theme restaurant.

New York City is home to an unlimited number of incredible restaurants in every cuisine you can imagine. And you only have a limited amount of stomach real estate. Don’t waste it on food that you can get anywhere.

Besides if you’ve landed in one of these chain restaurants, you’ve most definitely fallen victim to one of NYC’s tourist traps. Restaurants like Olive Garden and Bubba Gump Shrimp typically exist in places like Times Square for a reason. You won’t find restaurants like these in the West Village or Dumbo in Brooklyn because most New Yorkers go for local restaurants instead.

You should do the same.

28. Do eat classic NYC foods.

That being said, not every meal has to be at a five-star restaurant. After all New York City is the land of pizza and bagels!

Order a bagel sandwich with cream cheese and lox (smoked salmon) from Absolute Bagels or Leo’s. Grab a slice of pizza at Prince Street Pizza or go for a classic margherita pie at Juliana’s in Brooklyn…my pick for the best New York style pizza in the city!

Try a new type of ethnic food. Whether you seek out local spots near your NYC hotel or you head to ethnic-specific neighborhoods like Koreatown or Little India, you won’t be disappointed by the endless array of authentic dishes. Not to mention, many of these spots are much better priced than what you might expect in New York.

29. Don’t eat at restaurants without an A rating.

Regardless of where you choose to eat, always look for the Health Department’s rating which must be hung in a prominent place in the front of every restaurant.

With so many restaurant options to choose from, there’s no reason to eat anywhere that doesn’t have an “A” rating. Hopefully, there’s no need to go into any more detail on this one.

30. Do take advantage of cheap eats in NYC.

In a city full of famous restaurants, you might think cheap eats in NYC don’t exist. You just have to know where to look.

Los Tacos No. 1 is hidden in plain sight in famous Chelsea Market. Gray’s Papaya is famous for its hot dogs & “recession special.” Mamoun’s Falafel is listed as one of the 1000 places you need to visit before you die. And Empanada Mama in Hell’s Kitchen will fill you up for about $10. Not to mention Chinatown and its plentiful options of cheap noodle and dumpling dishes.

Or keep your eyes out for any number of New York City’s famous food trucks from one of the Diso’s trucks around 46th Street or in the W. 50s. serving up Italian deli sandwiches to a Souvlaki GR truck also in midtown offering delicious Greek bites!

31. Don’t initiate small talk with locals.

This is not meant to seem rude. But most of us are out and about trying to run errands or get to appointments or work on time. In the process, we get a few moments to pop in our Airpods to listen to some music or a favorite podcast.

And for sure there’s a safety component to this, as well. There’s no need to open up a box of worms if you don’t have to. Better to just go about your business and let others do the same.

32. Do ask a local for directions if you’re lost.

Even with the above small talk NYC tip, I don’t want you to get the impression that NYers are really rude. In fact, I’ve seen countless New Yorkers go out of their way to help visitors who are lost or have a question…myself included!

So if you’re lost or need help, don’t hesitate to ask someone nearby, If you’re unsure about talking to a stranger, pop into a hotel or restaurant or even ask a doorman at one of the city’s many apartment buildings.

I guarantee you’ll come across a friendly local willing to help out!

33. Do avoid tourist traps.

In addition to chain restaurants, places like Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and experiences like a pedicab or horse-drawn carriage rides are best avoided.

They’re overpriced and gimmicky. Plus, in the case of the horses, they aren’t always treated right.

But for the record. I don’t think going to the top of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island, or the Book of Mormon are tourist traps, contrary to what you might read elsewhere. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

34. Don’t miss the chance to see a Broadway show.

In an era where everything is on a screen, the experience of seeing a live theater production is an unforgettable experience and totally worth it.

Feel free to choose the play or musical that most interests you. Broadway and the countless Off-Broadway theaters have something for everyone’s taste and budget.

Take advantage of discount tickets on websites like Broadway Box . Grab same-day discounted tickets from TKTS in Times Square or Lincoln Center. Or even try your luck at winning a Broadway lottery .

Either way, don’t miss this classic NYC experience!

35. Do tip appropriately.

Tipping in New York City is so important.

If you’re happy with the service you get from a waiter, bartender, delivery person, or taxi driver (to name a few), be sure to tip 15%-20%. These service workers make horribly low hourly wages and rely on these tips to survive in New York City. Don’t forget about tour guides, too, especially the ones giving free walking tours.

While it’s never an obligation if you don’t think a tip is earned, it’s greatly appreciated and often supports artists and students who live off these tips.

36. Don’t give money to beggars.

As difficult as it may be, don’t give money to beggars. You never know what that money is truly going to be used for. If the opportunity presents itself and you feel compelled, purchase a coffee or some food. But always beware that if it’s not asked for, your kind gesture can always be rejected.

And to be clear, I don’t consider musicians to be beggars. If you’re on a subway platform or walking through Central Park and appreciate the music someone is playing, feel free to contribute to their tip jar.

37. Do use bathrooms when they’re available.

Of all the travel tips for NYC, this one cannot be overstated. New York City has hardly any public restrooms. This poses a real challenge when you’re on the go all day.

So the golden rule (sorry pun not intentional!) is to always use a bathroom when you have one available to you regardless of whether or not you really feel like you need to go.

All of NYC’s top sights and museums have bathrooms for visitors. Be sure to use them when you’re visiting. The same goes if you’re at a restaurant or cafe for lunch or a coffee break. Take advantage of the access to bathrooms.

In an emergency, there are bathrooms at Grand Central Terminal. Nearby Bryant Park has one of the cleanest public bathrooms in the entire city. Public libraries have bathrooms, as do markets like Chelsea Market. Hudson Yards and the Shops at Columbus Circle have restrooms. And if you’re in Lower Manhattan near the 9/11 Memorial & Museum , the Oculus has bathrooms.

Otherwise, you’ll likely have to go to a coffee shop or restaurant and buy something to use the bathroom.

38. Don’t use ATMs outside of bank locations.

Nearly everywhere you go in New York City, debit and credit cards are accepted. So there’s never a reason to carry large amounts of cash. However, if you need some money, use an ATM at an established banking location.

ATMs in places like delis, bars, or drug stores aren’t monitored as closely making it easier for skimmers to add devices to card readers that’ll help them steal account numbers and PINS.

Tips for NYC: Safety

Is New York City safe is one of the most common questions I get from readers who are considering a trip to the Big Apple. So in this section of New York City tips, you’ll find the common sense safety advice that I live by.

39. Don’t walk scared .

Despite what you might see on the news, New York City is still one of the safest mega-cities in the world. Yes, the pandemic’s empty sidewalks allowed a rougher element to surface. You will see homeless and mentally unstable people more so than perhaps in the years just prior to 2020.

However, with each day that life has returned to normal, the city’s residents and visitors alike are reclaiming the sidewalks, so to speak. To be a part of this, walk with purpose…like you know the streets like the back of your hand.

The more confident you look (and the faster you walk), the more you’ll blend in with every other New Yorker.

40. Do stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Yet with any big city, you need to exercise some basic caution. You should always be aware of where you are and the others around you. And if something doesn’t look right, move yourself away from the situation quickly and calmly.

Remember, pickpockets and others hoping to pull off petty crimes are opportunistic. They’re looking for anyone who has an unzipped bag or isn’t paying attention to where their belongings are. Everyone has a smartphone but don’t flash other expensive electronics.

Leave your best jewelry at home and don’t walk around with huge amounts of cash. And never carry phones or wallets in your back pants pocket. It’s an invitation for a quick-fingered thief.

41. Don’t react to catcalling.

As a female living in NYC, I’ve experienced plenty of catcalling. It’s always eye-rollingly annoying, especially when you’re just trying to enjoy the city’s sights like everyone else without feeling self-conscious about how you look or what you’re wearing.

The most important thing is not to react. Just keep walking and don’t make eye contact. I know the feeling of wanting to react but trust me, it’s not worth it.

42. Do trust your gut.

But you should always trust what your gut is telling you. If the catcaller (or someone) escalates their advances or you feel unsafe in any way, don’t hesitate to get out of there, seek help, look for a police officer, or even draw attention to what’s happening.

Go into the first available shop or restaurant. Cross the street. Stop walking and let whoever is bothering you pass so that you can see them in front of you rather them being behind you. Speak loudly so that others nearby are made aware of what is going on.

The same holds true outside of a catcalling situation. Something feels off on a subway car you’re riding? Move to another car or get off the train. The street is too dark or quiet? Take a different route. Always do what you feel is right for your own safety and remember the majority of New Yorkers around you will help if they can.

NYC Tips: What to Wear

What you pack for your trip to New York City is so important! With a lot of your trip spent outside, you’ll need to wear clothes that align with whatever the weather happens to be, while of course, achieving a few fashion points along the way.

These tips for traveling in NYC are all about the best clothes and shoes.

43. Don’t pretend it’s spring when it’s winter .

It doesn’t matter if you’re hot all the time. The streets in Manhattan have a really special way of funneling the cold winter wind right in your direction. It might feel crisp and refreshing at first, but after a few hours of walking around, you’ll be shivering miserably.

What to wear in New York in winter is not the same as what to wear in spring, summer, or fall. It’s also not like home where you likely go quickly from your heated house to your heated car to your heated destination.

During New York City in winter you have to be prepared to spend long periods of time outside regardless of what the temperature is or what the weather is doing. Otherwise, the winter weather can quickly put a freeze on whatever you had planned during your trip to New York City.

44. Do dress for the weather.

No matter when you plan to visit New York City, you’ll be walking outside, a lot. No matter how much planning you do before your trip, it’s so important to check the weather in the days leading up to your arrival. The right clothes and shoes will make all the difference during your New York City trip.

Fall in NYC is a great time to visit, weatherwise! The days are comfortable, with little humidity and plenty of blue skies. Similarly, visiting NYC in April or May comes with moderate temperatures and blooming flowers.

Winter and summer, obviously, come with more temperature extremes.

But regardless of what the calendar says, the weather forecast should dictate how you pack. Visiting in April and New York City is going to be 80+ degrees during the day? Pack like it’s summer with some layers for potentially cooler evenings.

Or are you planning a Christmas trip to NYC with sunny weather and 60-degree days in December? Leave your heaviest winter gear at home. You’ll only end up hot and sweaty as you walk around Manhattan.

45. Don’t underestimate the importance of the right shoes.

In a blink of an eye, you’ll have walked 10k+ steps in New York City. You need the right shoes so that you can sustain this amount of pedestrian life for a successful trip.

Fashion sneakers, flat boots, and sporty sandals all work depending on the season and how comfortable they are when you’re walking in them all day. These sneakers are among the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn and I often wear them for everyday walking around New York City.

And of course, weather plays a role. Don’t wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty during hot summer days. That’s a recipe for blisters. (Which is also why you should travel with at least 2 pairs of comfortable shoes. You can switch them from day to day so that your feet aren’t being continuously rubbed in the same places.)

The same goes for wearing the right shoes in the rain or snow. Wet and cold feet or shoes that can’t grip the sidewalks on bad weather days are the fastest way to put a damper on what you hoped to do in New York City.

46. Do leave the high heels at home.

Seriously. Unless you’re attending a gala or making an appearance in a Sex and the City sequel, you likely don’t need them. Not to mention, they hardly double for a shoe you can also walk in…outside…for several blocks.

If you need or want something dressier for nights out, consider shoes or boots with more of a platform or wider base that can also serve as functioning walking shoes.

47. Don’t wear your souvenirs here.

Your “I <3 New York”, subway line, or Broadway show tee-shirt will be much cooler at home. Not to mention, wearing items like these immediately identifies you as a tourist just when you might be trying to blend in with the crowd.

48. Do dress stylishly and comfortably .

With all the clothing tips for NYC focusing on comfort and the weather, you might think I’m suggesting you toss all fashion sense out the window. On the contrary! NYC is still a place to look put together. But you can do this in a smart way that combines utility and function.

Jeans are always a good start because you can dress them up or down. Boots, flats, oxfords, loafers, and fashion sneakers are all better choices than your standard gym sneakers.

Think minimalist fashion basics that are chic yet allow you to move comfortably (on foot) around the city. And don’t be afraid to accessorize with a scarf or a hat that will instantly add a bit of flair to your outfit.

49. Don’t wear white/light colors.

Ever wonder why a lot of New Yorkers seem to love wearing black? It’s because NYC is grimy and messy and most of us don’t have washers and dryers in our apartments!

This tip applies especially to pants, shoes, and jackets because they come into contact with park and subway benches and get splashed on by puddles and anything kicked up as you walk. Some of which may never come out even after being scrubbed or washed repeatedly.

Plus, if you’re trying to pack light and plan to wear things more than once, the soot and muck of New York City may upend that plan when it comes to those white pants or pastel pink jacket.

50. Do dress in darker colors.

Instead go for blacks, grays, and even dark colors like forest green, navy, or burgundy when packing bottoms and outerwear. You’ll have a better chance of hiding the inevitable filth that winds up on your clothes after traversing the city by foot and public transportation.

Not to mention, you’ll blend in with the crowd and have a better chance of re-wearing things you’ve packed.

New York City Tips Bottom Line

Your trip to New York City is destined to be fantastic now that you’ve prepared yourself with these NYC travel tips!

If you put these tips for visiting New York City into action, you’re on your way to saving money and time, as well as looking like a total pro as you sightsee, eat, and get around fantastic NYC.

What questions do you have about the best New York City travel tips?

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70 thoughts on “new york city tips: 50 dos & don’ts for visiting nyc like a pro”.

Perfect timing as we are going there in a few weeks, so have made notes from your post on NYC. Thanks

Excellent, Paula! So glad the tips will be useful. Enjoy your trip! 🙂

Love this tip – “Whatever you do, don’t take out a map. Look cool and use Google Maps on your smartphone!” haha. And are selfies ever respectful;?? Great post. It has reminded me that I really need to visit soon!

Glad to make you laugh, Dave! I only do selfies when the landscape behind me needs to be in the shot, like when I was hiking in Patagonia. Hope you make it to NYC soon!

Great tips. I used to spend summers in NYC growing up, but I have to admit, I’ve never been in the subway (mostly because of that petri dish of bacteria thing).

Thanks, Mags. The subway is THE way to travel while in NYC. If you’ve survived the air on planes, you’ll be fine. 🙂

I love your do/don’t format. You’ve given better options for things many tourists would probably want to do.

Thanks, Beverly! Local tips can’t be beat!

Great tips! We really want to make it back to NYC especially since we were there for such a short time on our last visit. I hate when people stop in the middle of sidewalks too–so frustrating!! And good thing to note about the empty subway cars! I would have probably jumped in one too, haha!

Thanks, Jenna! Seems logical to jump in that empty subway car, at first….but, oh how quickly you regret it! Thanks for your comments and hope you make it back to NYC soon!

I once was in the unfortunate position of having to drive in Manhattan. To this day that stands as the scariest thing I have ever done.

I believe it, Brianna! If you don’t know where you’re going and the aggressive style of the New York driver, then you’re in for a terrifying experience.

Dressing for the weather!! Definitely a good tip! I was in NY last winter and almost froze to death!! Great tips.

You’re not alone, Anna. Many people visit NYC, and are so used to getting in and out of their cars, they don’t realize how important dressing for the weather is.

Hi! great list! Thank you! #theweeklypostcard

Thanks, Tanja!

I’ve always wanted to go to NYC, I grew up only a couple hours away in Connecticut, have been inside JFK twice and to Yankee Stadium (the real one,) and that;s it. It was such a small taste and I need more… I gotta get my fix jack lol

So close, Adam! You should definitely not form your NYC opinions on JFK! And, I totally agree with you about the old Yankee Stadium being the real one! 😉

OK, now I am very afraid I want to know what on earth has happened inside an empty subway carriage. Especially as I gather this is a relatively frequent thing?

I would have to take a cab just once I think though. Unless New York taxi drivers are less legendary than they are painted? That would be disappointing.

*grins* I am not sure I agree with you about not wearing your souvenirs in country. I see it as an exuberant celebration of how much fun people are having when they are there, and am therefore quite tolerant. I am actually less so when people save it until they get home.

What good tips though. Especially about where is *really* interesting to go.

Thank you for your comments! If the subway car is empty, it’s typically because someone has become sick, a person who has not bathed in quite a while has taken a nap in there, or someone has used it as a bathroom. While I have a great deal of empathy in my heart for someone in these conditions, I don’t want, nor is it recommended, to ride in that car.

A taxi ride is an experience, but drivers can be hit or miss. Fair points about wearing souvenirs, even though it still wouldn’t be a “NYC Pro” move. Thanks again for your comments! 🙂

I live visiting nyc. Wanted to live there when I was younger but now I think the tourists and other inconsiderate people there would give me too much anxiety.

You would have loved it, Laura! But, it can, indeed, be a stressful city.

Great tips! I have to remember those for next time we visit. We did not take the subway once when we stayed in NYC for three days, we walked. And we did eat at non-chain restaurants we found near the hotel, and I’m glad of it. And yes, Times Square is a zoo!

The subway is a lot easier than it seems, Jolanta. Definitely give a try on your next visit. So glad you were able to enjoy some food at an NYC restaurant! Thanks so much for your comments! 🙂

I loved visiting NYC. There is just so much to love! I wish I had ventured out a little more to explore little restaurants and bars but there is always next time! Also “pulling over” out of peoples way should be practiced around the world haha

Absolutely, Sally! I agree with pulling over being a worldwide courtesy.

Really helpful tips! Bookmarking this one for future reference. Particularly like the one about the empty subway car as I’m sure I’ll be jumping on one if I didn’t read this, but now I know… 🙂

Thanks, Olivia! Good thing for your nose!

Great tips! I finally walked across the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time last year and it was one of the highlights of my trip!

The Brooklyn Bridge is my favorite too, Elena! It’s such a special landmark.

Great tips! We LOVE experiencing the restaurants in NYC. Some of the best food we’ve ever eaten. We often wonder how chain restaurants survive there. Who eats at a chain when there is a plethora of other amazing options!

Thanks, Amanda! Those chains survive only from the tourists who never venture outside of the Times Square tourist zone.

what a clever way to tell New York story:) i may not agree with all the tips, but i love that your personality shows through:) You got me with a paper map- I love those and will always use:)

Thanks for your comments, Victoria. Just be sure to pull over when you take out that paper map (wink wink!) 🙂

I must say, I read many articles about tips for NYC, this one ranks at the top! Most of the people writing about NYC have visited a few times. You are clearly someone who knows the city well! My biggest tip for any city I visit is to walk like you know what you are doing, even if you don’t. Duck into a store or side street to check where you are going rather than stopping in the middle of the sidewalk!

I have been planning a 10 day NYC itinerary for someone going for the first time. She gave me a list of places she wanted to see, and my first thing was to scoff. Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building. All these places are the things I was trying to tell her to avoid! But then I had to think like her, a person who has never seen NYC (and not like me—someone who grew up there), and understand that it is OK to want to see those places! They are iconic for a reason! So I guess my biggest piece of advice is that its okay to visit all of those popular tourist places in the city, just know that there is more to the city than Times Square!

Hopefully that all made sense! Cheers, Katie

Thanks, Katie! I’m so glad you got one of the post’s main points, which is to enjoy and explore New York City’s iconic sights, but also remember there’s so much more to see and do in the city! It’s such a fabulous city and, those of us who live or are from here, want everyone to get the most out of their trip. 🙂

Do go out and take in a comedy show, especially any of the local clubs that support upcoming talent.

Don’t wear sandals, especially if you are going to walk around Manhattan all day. Not only will your feet hurt, but it will take literally days to wash the sludge that built up in between your toes!

Do check out Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! It is probably one of the best outdoor festivals that you will ever see in your life.

Don’t get caught in the middle of an intersection during a red light unless you are cool with angry New Yorkers laying down on their horn like nobody’s business.

Do go to the Top of the Rock to get the best view of Manhattan. Don’t throw objects off the Top of the Rock. You might hurt someone and it’s illegal!

Been to NYC four times in my life and this city just gets better every single time!

Ray, these are awesome tips! Thanks for helping to make the list even better! Love the point about the sandals and walking around NYC all day and there is certainly no shortage of great comedy shows!

Interesting set of Do’s and Don’t while visiting NYC…..Thanks for Sharing Informative article…

Thanks for reading and commenting, Maggie.

This is great we are coming over from Australia in March and it is always a bit weird going to a new city! where would you recommend someone to stay? I was looking at the Roosevelt in Manhattan ?

thanks for the advice!

Hi Sharna, Thanks for reading. How exciting to be visiting NYC! I haven’t checked out the Roosevelt Hotel, but it is in a good location. You are just footsteps away from Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and the subway. Midtown east tends to be quieter at night than midtown west, but this is not so far east that you’d feel remote or unsafe. I have more hotel recommendations and all the tips to make your first trip a success in my NYC Guide . Plus, you can even download a cheat sheet to take with you if you want. 🙂

Hi Jackie, Thanks for your advice, what is the best area to stay in that is easy to get around, safe and not overly pricey ?

Thanks for reading and commenting. Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I’m traveling and my wifi is a bit spotty. Ugh! Of course, the most convenient areas to stay are right in midtown, but these will also likely be the priciest areas, too. I’d recommend looking uptown on the west side of NYC, close to the 1,2,3 (red) subway line. It’s quick and easy and has connections in Times Square to nearly every subway you could want. If you really prefer midtown, east will likely be cheaper than west. I wouldn’t go past the Lexington Ave area, though. It’s safe, but so far east it’ll be a long way to walk to a train or to the main tourist areas of Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, etc. Hope that helps, but feel free to comment again if you need anything else. Enjoy your stay in NYC! 🙂

Hi Jackie what a great post and so spot on! I am a former New Yorker, been gone 20 years and I was visiting recently last month. It was so much windier than I’d remembered. It must be the tall buildings creating wind tunnels or something. I don’t remember that for 20 years ago. Maybe the buildings have gotten taller. I would also recommend the Bronx Zoo and the Botanical Gardens which make you feel as if you’re in an English countryside.

Thanks for reading, Mary. How great to get back to the city after many years. Great tip about the NY Botanical Gardens. It’s a favorite of mine, especially in fall.

Hi Jackie! Thank you for sharing such interesting tips. I will be visiting my Uncle and his family this June and it is my first time to go to US, and I am glad to be visiting New York. However, I do not have any idea what type of clothes to bring. Your suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Hi Faith, Thanks so much for reading. 🙂 Summers in NYC are warm and some days even, really hot. Sundresses, short sleeve shirts, shorts, capris, elephant pants (loose-fitting pants) are all good. NYers always wear jeans no matter what time of year. As for shoes, NYers wear all kinds of shoes, but we are also used to walking in them. Sandals are fine if they’re comfortable to walk in. Also, there can be afternoon rain storms, so pack an umbrella or pick up one once you arrive. Finally, most places have Air Conditioning, so sometimes a light sweater or sweatshirt comes in handy! Hope that helps, Faith. If you’re looking for more first-timer NYC tips, check out this post . Enjoy NYC!

This is a great list, except that blocking people in the subway is absolutely not “the fastest way to ingratiate yourself with New Yorkers.” It is, in fact, just the opposite since to ingratiate yourself means to bring yourself into favor.

Ha! I can’t believe I never picked that up after all this time, Lizzy! I guess that’s why it’s good to have lots of eyes reading. 🙂

This is a great post love all the tips. I am traveling there soon so will be very handy.

Thanks so much for reading. Glad the tips will be useful.

Great post. I am a travel and sports blogger who was born and raised in New York City , even though I lived in other places. I would definitely recommend that tourists check out the Outer Boros. Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry , which is free. See the real Little Italy on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. See the Queens Zoo as well as attending a game at either Yankees Stadium or Citi Field . See the other Chinatown in Flushing. Have some Asian, Indian or Latin American food in Jackson Heights . Visit Grants Tomb or Alexander Hamilton ‘ s home Hamilton Grange in Harlem. There is more to New York City than times square . Also, please tourists , don’t take a picture of the rats on the subway. They’re just like their human New York City cousins , aggressive and in a hurry to get to the train.

Thanks for reading, Jo Ann, and for all the tips! You are soo right about getting to the outer boroughs. I’ve included many of these in my 100 things to see and do in NYC. 🙂 Love that last bit about the rats. They’re definitely camera shy!

NY is like a dream city to me. Thanks for the o do list and not to do list. Great. Thanks.

Thanks for reading, Jimmy. Enjoy NYC. 🙂

Hi going to New York for the first time late June for 4 nights then heading to upstate for a wedding. I’m getting freaked out because I’m disabled with visual and balance disabilities. So with that in mind do I stay in Manhattan and cab into the city for getting a feeling of NYC? I walk slowly and afraid of getting bumped around. 4th of July holiday Yikes what have I gotten myself into!?!

I’m so glad you reached out, Lisa. It’s more than possible to enjoy NYC in a way that you’ll feel comfortable. I’d recommend looking into the Global Greeter Network. There are locals who volunteer to show visitors around for free. It’s even possible to be paired up with a local who also has some type of disability. I’d also think about bus tours if the idea of getting bumped around too much is nervewracking. You’d be able to get around to different parts of the city without the stress of doing it on your own. Thanks so much for reading and I’m sure your trip to NYC will be great. 🙂

Ok list, but remember I think the the thing to remember is A LOT of people walking on streets in NYC are tourists! Been there many times and it runs like any other large city. I think the thing to remember, do what you want…there are no “rules” to walking around and subways just use common sense.

Thanks for reading, Nicole. Common sense goes a long way in NYC!

Wow, how kind of you to share this information. I am taking my wife Dec 14-18 and 3 exchange students–all 16, here for entire school year. This is a surprise for them (first trip), and I am attempting to put this all together, a play, a convenient hotel (will need two rooms) and recommendation would help. Prior post indicated you may have an article(s) out there with this information. Also, flying in from the south, ATL so all airports are reasonably price options, any recommendations there? Thanks again for taking time to share important information. Mark

Thanks so much for reading, Mark. That will be such an amazing surprise! I do have a where to stay in New York article. If you’re open to seeing any play or musical, I’d recommend going to TKTS the discount ticket booth in Times Square just before showtime. So if it’s an 8pm show, go to TKTS at 7:30. There will still be tickets available and no line like there would be had you gone earlier in the day. If you have a specific show in mind, look at websites like Broadway Box for discounts and buy in advance. As for airports, I have guides on all 3 NYC airports (JFK, LGA, and Newark) and how to get to Manhattan. I’d recommend JFK or Newark because their public transportation options are the best. But LGA also has options, so no need to worry if that’s where you fly into. 🙂

4 years on… do you have any new tips to add to the above? 🙂 Thanks Ryan

Thanks for reading, Ryan. If you’re visiting NYC for Christmas, I have these mistakes to avoid . I will also be updating this article soon. 🙂

I have a package deal and have to travel to NYC before 11/25/2020. When do you suggest I go? I would like to see the decorations and some iconic sites also and maybe a show or two but am only there 4 days and 3 nights. I will be staying somewhere in Manhattan, not sure where, yet.

Thanks for reading, Ellen. New York City in the fall is the best time to come. If you want to see some decorations, I’d recommend next November right before your package expires. The Rockefeller Center tree won’t be lit but there’s a chance it’ll be up. The ice rink will be up and the Bryant Park holiday markets typically begin right after Halloween. Not to mention the weather tends to be a little chilly but mostly pleasant for walking around. Hope that helps. If you need other NYC tips, start with this guide.

Would really like to know what was in that empty subway that made it smell so bad???

Also, great tips!

Thanks for reading, Shannon. 🙂 To this day, I don’t know. But it was absolutely putrid!

I plan on driving to visit New York from Virginia with my two teenagers this summer. I’m driving because we also plan on visiting family in Rochester. I do not want to drive in the city. Where do you recommend we stay and park our car while taking public transit into the city to sightsee?

Thanks for reading, Rachel. What I would do is to look for cheap parking around Newark Airport or JFK Airport. You can find cheap airport parking at hotels and off-airport sites and then take public transportation into NYC from there. Definitely a smart choice to avoid driving in Manhattan. Enjoy your trip!

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The Ultimate New York Travel Guide 2024

Our new york travel tips for first time visitors.

Are you traveling to New York for the first time and want to get an overview of what you should pay attention to? Here, I show you step by step the most important information you need to know for your New York trip. There’s a lot to see and do in New York, from world-famous landmarks like the Empire State Building to a wide selection of unique museums and New York-style foods that you should definitely try.

You may also like:

Where in new york should you stay.

• The 33 Absolute Best New York Attractions
• New York on a Budget

Now, sit back and enjoy our New York Travel Guide to help you have a wonderful time in New York City!

By the way, we now have over 1,600 spots in the city on our site. So, if you’re looking for suitable tours, bars, restaurants, and awesome spots to visit, then you’re in the right place!

Everything you need!

Hello you 👋 Here you will find everything you need for your New York trip!

These are our best New York Travel Tips for first time visitors:

Table of Contents

New York at a Glance

Best time to travel to new york.

Visiting New York is worthwhile at any time of year, but I personally like the warm months best. Summer in New York can be very hot and humid. So, for many, the best times to visit New York is April and June, and September and October.

Spending Christmas in New York or enjoying the pre-Christmas season in New York City is also a wonderful experience.  The ice rinks are open, the city is beautifully decorated, and, if it snows, the dream vacation at wintertime is perfect!

Paying in New York

You can pay for almost everything with your credit card, even the smallest amounts. Credit cards are accepted in hotels, stores, restaurants, and bars. Don’t have one yet? Then, check out the best credit card to have in the USA here.

New York for First Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know for Your Trip (70+ pages)

Best Way to Travel in New York

Finding your way around New York is quite easy, even if it doesn’t look like it at first. The streets’ checkerboard pattern makes finding your way around easy. These are the best ways to get around New York:

Metro / Subway: If you have longer distances ahead of you, then the Subway is your friend, because here you can travel really cheap. It’s easy to use! The MetroCard is available at every Subway station. You can buy single rides or the popular MetroCard for 7 days; that way you can travel for a week in New York at a fixed price. You can learn more about using the  Metrocard in New York here.

Taxi:  In New York, you can choose between the Yellow Cab and Uber. You can check out our tips and all the information you need to know in our following blog:  Taxi in New York City .

By bike: With many of the New York sightseeing passes (you can find out more about this budget tip in my New York Pass comparison ), the bike rental is included. We ourselves really love using New York’s Citi Bikes. This city bike program has over 1,000 stations throughout New York City, and it’s super-cheap. We’ll show you how it works in the Citi Bike New York article.

On Foot: You’ll be surprised how much walking you’ll do in New York. After all, there’s something to see on every corner. So be sure to bring comfortable shoes!

Where to Stay in New York?

Which neighborhood is best for you depends on several things: your interests, how close you want to be to the attractions and what your travel budget is. In the image below, I’ve drawn you my favorite neighborhoods of New York including the main attractions nearby.

And, on the subject of safety: In all of Manhattan, the Bronx , Brooklyn, and large parts of Queens, you don’t have to worry about being out and about in the evening. New York City is one of the safest cities in the world!

More than 100 hotels and over 70 neighborhoods to choose from –and after just 4 quick questions, I’ll show you which hotels in New York are best suited for you!

Where Should you Stay in New York?

Manhattan – it doesn’t get more central than this: Manhattan is the most famous borough of them all. Plus, it contains 95% of all the attractions New York is known for. Everything is within easy reach, and you are right in the middle of it all. On the other hand, the hotels are a bit more expensive than in Brooklyn or Queens .

Here, you can find my 33 hotel tips for Manhattan .

Brooklyn – urban and relaxed: For a long time, Brooklyn was the insider’s tip: now it’s “completely” normal neighborhoods. However, you’ll quickly notice one thing: life is much more normal, because it’s more of a residential area. It’s super relaxed, pleasant, and just as diverse as Manhattan. Above all, you can enjoy the Manhattan skyline from here!

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Brooklyn .

Queens – the new trendy neighborhood: Queens is a bit more “normal” than Brooklyn is, but, lately, we’ve noticed that it is getting more and more gentrified. The hotels in Long Island City (not to be confused with Long Island!) are especially popular because they are cheaper compared to Manhattan—and they have a perfect connection to the Subway, which makes Queens a great alternative to Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Here, you can find my 20 hotel tips for Queens .

What to See in New York?

One thing to know in advance: just because there is so much to see in New York, a little planning makes absolute sense. For highlights like the Empire State Building ( here ), the Edge Hudson Yards observation deck ( here ) or the One World Observatory ( here ), I recommend buying the tickets online in advance. This will not only save you waiting time on site, but you can also be sure that you will actually be able to visit your desired sights.

👉 These are our 33 best attractions in New York .

These are my tips after more than 20 visits to New York:

• Observation decks:  New York City has no less than five (!) major observation decks to offer, and each one is a dream in itself. My two favorites are The Edge Hudson Yards and the One World Observatory , because from here you have a sensational view of New York from above and you can see the Empire State Building . From the end of 2021, another cool option will be added with the glass One Vanderbilt . One more thing about the Empire State Building: It’s the most visited observation deck in New York, so it’s always busy. Avoid the crowds in the morning – and if you really want to go to the Empire State Building in the evening, choose Thursday, Friday or Saturday. During those times, a saxophonist plays on the observation deck. Important: book the Skip-the-Line-Tickets (you can do that here). Then, you can easily save 1-2 hours of waiting time!
• Visit the Statue of Liberty : The trip from Battery Park to the Statue of Liberty is super-popular. To save yourself long waiting times, make sure you take the first ferry of the day. Here, you can find the best Statue of Liberty Cruises right now.
• Definitely take a boat tour , because seeing New York from the water is like being on vacation. Choices range from the free Staten Island Ferry or the NYC Ferry ($2.90 each way) to sailing tours (gorgeous) and the classic sightseeing tours that are included with all major New York passes.
• Walk along the High Line from the Meatpacking District to Hudson Yards .
• Visit Times Square in the evening – that’s when it’s at its most impressive.
• Relax in Central Park or Bryant Park .
• Plan a maximum of three attractions per day . After all, you don’t want any sightseeing stress.

The 43 Absolute Best New York Attractions In 2024

10 FREE Things to Do in New York City

The 36 Absolute Best Museums in New York

The best observation decks in new york city, new york budget tip.

With the right New York sightseeing pass , you can easily save a lot of money on up to 100 tours and attractions. To find out if a New York Pass is worth it (or not), check out our free New York Pass Advisor to find out which New York Pass is best for you.

And on this page you’ll find our New York Pass comparison .

Itineraries in New York

You don’t know where to start? Then let us inspire you! We have some suggestions for you. By the way, the most popular is the 1 week New York itinerary .

The Perfect Itinerary For Your New York Trip

This itinerary contains over 50 spots and highlights of the city, including a map that shows you the best way to travel each day, taking you to or past the many big attractions. In addition, we‘ve added our favorite places, from great breakfast spots to start your day right to small bars and restaurants and hidden insider spots.

What awaits you here now is the perfect New York week, because this is what my itinerary would look like if I were visiting the Big Apple for the first or second time right now!

What to Do in New York?

For me, an unforgettable New York trip includes the following things in addition to visiting the main sights:

Go Shopping

New York is also really good for shopping. There are many small shopping spots and addresses, but also the big brands can often be found with flagship stores. If that’s not enough, you can go shopping in one of the outlets and flea markets of New York.

The best shopping areas in New York are Broadway, SoHo , Chelsea, the Meatpacking District, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. And, of course, 5th Avenue!

Avoid Times Square for shopping!

A real tourist trap are the stores around Times Square – they are not only overpriced, but also the quality is not right in most cases!

Here you can find our Guide to Shopping in New York  with everything you need to know!

Shopping in New York: The Ultimate Guide 2024

The Best Outlets in NYC – The Ultimate Guide for 2024

The 15 Best Flea Markets in NYC – Shop Vintage and Rare to Find Items

Shopping in SoHo NYC: The 25 Best Stores Right Now

Visit a rooftop bar.

I love the rooftop bars of New York . You can sit and relax, enjoy a sensational view of the city and listen to relaxing music. All this mixes with the so-typical sounds of the city in the background, and if you have something delicious to drink or eat on top of that, it can’t get any better! You can see where we like to go in our article on the 43 best rooftop bars in New York .

By the way, if you want to experience the view of New York when you get up early in the morning, check out my list of the 26 best New York hotels with a view !

Visit a Broadway Show

New York is known for its many musicals and Broadway shows – most of which are performed in the Theatre District around Times Square. Here are our tips on the  best Broadway Shows in New York . If you already know which Broadway show you want to see, I recommend ordering the tickets in advance ( here ). If you’re still flexible, you can buy leftover tickets at TKTS in Times Square, for example.

Attend a Parade or Special Event

OK, hotel is booked, attractions are on the list, the myNY itinerary is ready, shopping spots are sighted and the first restaurants and bars are also noted. Now comes the last step on the list to the perfect travel planning for New York: the events, parades, and holidays.

They are the icing on the cake of every New York vacation and, therefore, could not be missed in our New York Travel Guide! Just check out our monthly specials that are relevant to you:  January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , November and December .

Enjoying the Gastro Scene (in the Evening)

Now comes one of my favorite parts of planning our New York trips: the city’s many bars, restaurants, rooftop bars, and food markets. In our travel guide and insider guides on the website, we put a lot of emphasis on finding the best gastro spots and rooftop bars. So, feel free to browse through them, and if you like something, just add it to your myNY itinerary. Just click on the heart symbol, and you’re done!

The 24 Most Beautiful Bars in NYC Right Now

The 12 Best Food Markets in NYC

The 23 Best Waterfront Restaurants & Bars in New York Right Now

The Best Burger in New York City

Marvel at grand central station.

Be sure to take the time to see Grand Central Station . Not only is it the setting for many series and movies set in New York, it’s also very impressive and has a fantastic ceiling!

The 50 Absolute Best Things to Do in New York (90+ pages)

Walking through DUMBO and Soho

The neighborhoods of DUMBO in Brooklyn and Soho in Manhattan are among the most iconic neighborhoods in the city and are fascinating for their combination of old New York with new New York.

Things to Do in DUMBO

The 15 Best Things to Do in SoHo NYC – The Complete Guide 2024

What to eat in new york.

What should I start with first? With the New York pizza slice, the New York cheesecake, the wonderful pastrami sandwiches at Katz’ Delicatessen, or at the Pastrami Queen? In addition, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse and Luger are two really good steak restaurants waiting for you and if you want to eat really good burgers: go to J.G. Melon, the hidden Burger Joint or Shake Shack!

Get personal tips & tricks, specifically tailored to your trip!

We will provide you with individual tips & tricks as you prepare for your trip. How to plan, save money and make sure you experience the most of NYC are only some of the topics covered!

Specify dates

I hope my New York Travel Guide helped you plan your first trip to New York. Was there anything missing? Feel free to write it in the comments!

I wish you a wonderful time in New York City!

New York on a Budget: The 19 Best Money-Saving Tips for 2024

I'm a true New York fan! Not only have I visited the city over 25 times but also have I spent several months here at a time. On my blog I show you the best and most beautiful spots of the city, so that you have a really good time! You can also find lots of insider tips in our New York travel guide . Also check out my hotel finder for New York !

Hole dir deine wöchentliche Dosis New York mit meinem Loving New York-Newsletter! Er ist vollgestopft mit den neuesten Artikeln, Videos, Erfahrungsberichten und allem, was gerade Interessantes und Wissenswertes im Big Apple passiert.

Ich selbst war über 25x in meiner Lieblingsstadt und möchte dir mit meinen Emails dabei helfen, eine sensationelle Zeit vor Ort zu haben.

Und als BONUS bekommst meine ✔️ "24 Tipps für deine New York-Reise" ✔️ die U-Bahn-Karte und ✔️ die offizielle NYC-Karte zugeschickt. Ganz KOSTENLOS!

Start of your trip: We will remind you with current events when you are in NYC!

10 things you should know before visiting New York City

Mar 24, 2024 • 8 min read

These top tips from a local will help you be ready for your visit to New York City © Cavan Images / Getty Images

New York City's world-class cultural institutions , incredible diversity and everything-goes vibe make it a one-of-a-kind destination to visit.

Having moved here over 18 years ago, I think it's fair to say that I'm now officially a New Yorker. And as an official New Yorker, I've found myself playing tour guide for dozens of friends and family over the years.

In my experience, most visitors arrive full of excitement and clutching a list of places to go and restaurants to try. While these lists usually include some great New York City sites and bites, they often miss the information that will really help you fit in, feel like a local and make your trip easier and more fun. So, here are all the things I want you to know before your trip to New York City .

1. New York City is so much more than Manhattan

Don't get me wrong, Manhattan is great. After all, it's home to beautiful Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art , both of which are must-see stops in NYC. However, Manhattan is only one of five boroughs, and you're missing out if you don't go beyond it. Queens is the largest and most diverse borough, and it has some of the best food in the city. Not only can you find Bhutanese, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Thai food within a few blocks, but the Queen's Night Market offers a huge concentration of vendors in the summer.

The Bronx is known for its gritty past and being the birthplace of hip-hop. It also has the New York Botanical Garden , which is near Arthur Avenue, the city's real Little Italy (the one in Manhattan has become more of a stage set).

Brooklyn has become the coolest kid on the block with amazing waterfront parks (that offer the best views of Manhattan), world-class exhibits at the Brooklyn Museum , and a happening nightlife scene to keep you going until the wee hours. Staten Island might be called "the forgotten borough," but New York City wouldn't be New York City without it – take the (free!) Staten Island Ferry not just to catch views of the Statue of Liberty but to visit the Chinese Scholar's Garden in a secluded corner of Snug Harbor Cultural Center . Here, a team of 40 Chinese artisans used Ming-dynasty methods and handcrafted the lattice screens, pagoda-style roofs, pavilions, and bridges.

2. You can take the train anywhere and everywhere

New York City Transit's five-borough subway and bus network is famous for its 24/7 coverage and (relative) reliability. Locals like to complain about train delays and malfunctions (which are absolutely a thing, especially on the weekends), but overall it's pretty impressive.

NYC yellow cabs are iconic, and ride-hailing apps are popular and convenient, but in addition to fuel-filled vehicles being bad for the environment, traffic is horrendous in New York City, and the subway is usually faster than a car.

Navigate New York City like a local with our complete transportation guide.

3. Understand subway etiquette

Okay, you've decided to ride the train, good for you! Now, you just need to understand some basic subway etiquette. Take your backpack off and put it on the floor or swing it around to your front so you're not bumping people with it or taking up too much space. Step out of the way of the doors to let people on and off because blocking the doors (which annoying New Yorkers also do) really slows things down.

Even if you see locals blasting music, cutting their nails, ranting on the subway, or eating, please don't do that. Finally, if you see someone get on who is elderly, pregnant, or disabled, offer them your seat. As the classic New York Metro Transit Authority quote states, "Courtesy is contagious, and it begins with you."

4. Ride a bike

I promise my tips are about more than how to get around , but biking really is an amazing way to explore, with more than half a million cycling trips made in the city every single day. Want to get around like a New Yorker? Ride a bike! Loads of bike shops offer rentals (as do outfitters in Central Park, where the bike loop does tend to get super crowded on weekends), but you can also use our fabulous bike share.

The Citi Bike program includes thousands of bikes across four boroughs (sorry, Staten Island, CitiBike also forgot you), as well as Hoboken and Jersey City. Snag a free map from a bike shop and study NYC's extensive cycle path network. Popular places to ride are along the Hudson River Greenway, which runs along most of the western coast of Manhattan, and on the Brooklyn waterfront. If you're biking on city streets, be careful and wear a helmet.

5. Bring cash

Most businesses accept credit cards in the city, but smaller shops and street vendors may only take cash. Want to relax with a massage? Chinatown has loads of affordable massage parlors (I promise, most are legit), and some only take cash.

6. Understand NYC lingo

For the most part, New Yorkers talk just like other Americans. We do have our own slang, however, and much of it applies to food. If you're in the mood for a BEC (bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich, usually "on a roll," which is a soft kaiser roll), you go to a bodega (neighborhood convenience store). If you're buying pizza, you can usually get "a slice," a "grandma slice" (the square ones) or a whole "pie." In some American cities you can order a hoagie or submarine sandwich, but in NYC ask for a "hero," which can be either hot or cold. A "regular" coffee has milk and sugar.

Also, when it comes to so-called "New York speak," I feel compelled to mention Houston St in lower Manhattan. No, that street is not pronounced "Hugh-Stun," like the city in Texas. It's pronounced, "How-Stun." I don't know why, but it is, and anytime we hear someone say it otherwise, we know they're a tourist.

7. Don't eat a slice of pizza with a knife and fork

Please, please don't do it. Even the former Mayor of New York City, Bill De Blasio, was ridiculed for doing this back in 2014. De Blasio (who is originally from Boston) argued that his method was authentic to his Italian roots but New Yorkers weren't having it and mocked him even more. Grab your sloppy slice by both ends of the crust and fold it in half so the cheese doesn't spill out (or at least less cheese spills out).

8. From NYC classics to world foods, you should try it all

New York City is known for its food, from world-class dining to street food. Pizza, bagels, hot dogs, and pastrami on rye are our claims to fame, but as the most diverse city in the country, expect to find extraordinary food from all over the world. Not only do we have a huge amount of excellent Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Korean, and Vietnamese food, but there's also a tremendous number of restaurants specializing in cuisine that can be harder to find in the US.

Think Sri Lankan food in Staten Island; Colombian and Bhutanese food in Queens, Jamaican and Dominican food in the Bronx; and Trinidadian, Palestinian, and Haitian food in Brooklyn. As for Manhattan, you'll find everything from Burmese and Persian to some of the best soul food in the country.

Hungry for more? Continue your food tour at the best local restaurants in Brooklyn .

9. Safety tips for visitors

New York City is one of the most progressive cities in the country, but racial and gender-based discrimination still happens. For its size, NYC is one of the safest large cities out there, and most major crime tends to happen far away from tourist areas.

That said, visitors should be prepared for the same issues that are found in other cities around the world. Pickpocketing and purse snatching are far from rampant here (Paris and Barcelona seem bigger hubs for that), but don't tempt petty thieves – keep your belongings close to you and your phone tucked away.

10. Some of New York City is accessible, but much of it isn't

Travelers with disabilities should check out NYC Tourism's Accessible NYC Guide , which includes information on accessible dining, museums, festivals, and other attractions in the city. The site allows you to search activities by category, neighborhood, or type of accessibility (audio description, braille, assistive listening system, adaptive activity, sign language, neurodiverse programming, etc.)

Wheelchair-friendly subway stations exist but are unique to high-traffic hubs. Many of the city's 472 subway stations lack elevators and ramps, and they may not always be working in those that have them. Before heading out, check the MTA Accessibility page for a list of accessible stations and then cross-check that with the Alerts Page so you don't route your trip through a station that is under repair.

According to the MTA, 124 of its stations offer full access for visitors with a walking impediment, which is something, but true equal access for disabled visitors and residents across the five boroughs is a long way off.

This article was first published Aug 24, 2021 and updated Mar 24, 2024.

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New York City   Travel Guide

Why Go To New York City

Cool, cosmopolitan, crowded, constantly evolving … the Big Apple blends big city splendor with small-town charm. Amid New York's iconic landmarks and towering skyscrapers, you'll experience a vibrant culture permeating each of the city's distinctive neighborhoods and boroughs. Follow trendsetters to the East Village and Brooklyn to check out indie boutiques, iconic bakeries and trendy coffee shops. Afterward, peruse the racks of the sleek shops lining Fifth Avenue , admire the cutting-edge art collections at the MoMA  and the Met , catch a memorable show on Broadway or sit down for a meal at the latest "it" restaurant.

As the most populous city in the U.S. – set at the forefront of food, fashion and the arts – NYC requires stamina. But don't let the Big Apple's frenetic sights and sounds intimidate you from soaking up its grandeur. Enlist the help of a local to help you navigate it all. Wander through the concrete jungle and you'll discover roaring taxis zipping down bustling blocks, fast-paced pedestrians strolling past on their way to marquee galleries and trendy cocktail bars, and Times Square 's neon lights flickering at all hours. And yet, the city's twinkling lights and chaotic corners also invite you to embrace every New York minute, explore every enclave and create your own urban adventure. There are endless ways to spend your time in the city that never sleeps, but before you leave, stop and look around – what's here today will be transformed into something bigger and better tomorrow.

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• # 1 in Best U.S. Cities to Visit
• # 1 in Best East Coast Vacation Spots
• # 2 in Best Food Cities in the U.S.

See All 12 Rankings

Best of New York City

Best hotels in new york city.

• # 1 in The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, New York
• # 2 in The Plaza, A Fairmont Managed Hotel
• # 3 in Baccarat Hotel New York

Best Things to Do in New York City

• # 1 in Central Park
• # 2 in National September 11 Memorial & Museum
• # 3 in Empire State Building

Popular Tours

New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour

(10356 reviews)

from $ 99.00

New York City 90-Minute Cruise: Lady Liberty, Bridges and Skyline

(251 reviews)

from $ 29.99

SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket

(3838 reviews)

from $ 46.82

New York City Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit New York is anytime . Each season in Gotham offers visitors plenty of reasons to visit. Early fall offers crisp breezes, bright sun and comfortable temperatures while late fall and winter make merry with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday decorations. Deep winter – January and February – is cold, but that also means cheaper hotel rates . Spring is glorious and New Yorkers celebrate the thaw by taking to the streets, shopping at outdoor markets, frolicking in Central Park and dining outside. Summer is hot, but hey, so are lots of places, and at least this is New York. No matter when you decide to visit New York City, consider travel protection – such as a  travel insurance policy or a cancel for any reason plan – in the event you encounter weather issues or trip delays.

Weather in New York City

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Exercise shopping smarts If you're a high roller with a thick wallet,  Fifth  and Madison avenues are your shopping strips. Bargain-hunters should stick to SoHo and Chinatown.

Enter the subway with caution Many subway stations have different platforms for trains going uptown and downtown. Make sure you enter the correct platform before swiping your ticket through the turnstiles. 

Skip the train If you live in a major East Coast city, chances are you'll be able to reach New York City for a relatively affordable price by hopping on the BoltBus or Megabus , two companies that transfer visitors to NYC for cheap.

Take a tour Seeing all of the Big Apple's top sights can be a challenge, which is why signing up for a guided tour may be a smart idea. Whether you're looking for a walking tour , a  food tour , a boat tour , a helicopter tour  or a bus tour , you'll find a variety of experiences to choose from.

How to Save Money in New York City

Say no to cabs A cab here, a cab there … pretty soon, you'll find that cabs have eaten up all your spending cash. Yes, they're convenient but cost-efficient they are not. Learn the subway system instead, or try Uber or Lyft.

Say yes to street vendors Eat some cheap meals on the street at vendors, especially the ones with "Vendy Awards" posted, and you can put the money you would've spent on an expensive lunch toward your MoMA admission.

Say maybe to the TKTS booth If you're willing to spend an hour of your New York City vacation waiting in the half-price ticket booth in Times Square , you could save some serious money on a Broadway show.

Culture & Customs

New York City is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. So it should come as no surprise that it's also one of the most diverse. The city is known for its ethnic neighborhoods, as well as its status as the country's trendsetter, making it difficult to define one specific "culture" of the Big Apple. As home to the most vibrant theater and fashions scenes in the country and a large contingent of schools and Wall Street on top of that, NYC also shelters a large gay community as well as many students, artists, fashionistas, writers, businessmen and so on. 

Stereotypically, New Yorkers are portrayed as brash and rude. But as TripAdvisor explains, "New Yorkers are unfailingly proud of their great city, and this pride can, at times, come off as arrogance." Contrary to popular belief, most New Yorkers are happy to help you explore their home.

What to Eat

It's fitting that New York's most popular nickname includes a reference to food. Experts say that the city is jam-packed with delicious places to eat, from the high-end celebrity chef hot spots to cozy eateries. When you're in this cosmopolitan city, you'll have to sample some of its specialties. Most people associate NYC with pizza: New York-style pizza consists of hand-tossed thin crust, a light layer of tomato sauce, plenty of mozzarella cheese and an assortment of toppings. There are dozens of pizzerias dishing out traditional pies across the city, but locals say Joe's Pizza and Grimaldi's Pizzeria are two of the top spots to grab a slice of pizza . Another New York staple? Bagels. The large, soft, doughy bagels can be topped with thick cream cheese (often you can choose from various schmear flavors), lox or your favorite breakfast sandwich accoutrements. Experts say you can't go wrong with a bagel from Ess-a-Bagel , Bagel Bob's or Tompkins Square Bagels .

In addition to its casual eateries, New York City has a vibrant food market (visit Chelsea Market and Gotham West Market ) and farmers market scene. And of course, the Big Apple is home to numerous upscale restaurants highlighting cuisine from around the world. The list of must-try restaurants is constantly changing, but those looking to enjoy an exquisite multicourse meal should make reservations (well in advance) at Eleven Madison Park , Le Bernadin or Daniel . If you'd like to explore fine dining restaurants with more reasonable price tags, Butter , Scarpetta and Marc Forgione are a few celebrity chef-helmed eateries that won't completely bust your budget. The wealth of food options in the city is also part of why New York City consistently lands on the U.S. News ranking of the Best Foodie Cities in the USA . For a comprehensive understanding of the city's dining scene, take one of the Big Apple's top food tours .

What's more, New York City isn't only home to fantastic restaurants, but also to several stand-out bars and breweries . When the weather warms up, locals and travelers alike love heading to the top rooftop bars around the city to soak up the skyline views.

In the past, New York City has owned a reputation for being a rough and dangerous city, but now it's one of the safest large cities in the country. As a tourist, you're not likely to encounter any serious crimes, but you should still use common sense when exploring the city. In the evenings, stick to well-lit areas with other people and keep a close eye on valuables. To discourage pickpockets, keep your wallet in your front pocket and your purses zipped closed.

Like other large cities, New York City is filled with its own group of eclectic personalities. Should someone out of the ordinary approach you, follow many New Yorkers' leads and simply walk away. Be particularly wary in places like Manhattan's Lower East Side and parts of boroughs Queens, Brooklyn and especially the Bronx. Central Park can also get seedy at night.

Despite what people may think, the subway in New York City is safer now than it has ever been. That said, you should be particularly watchful of your belongings while riding, especially when the trains are packed and crowded. Stay near the ticket booths and get into cars with more people or with the conductor, who will normally stick his head out when the train stops. Consider taking a cab at night if you are alone.

Getting Around New York City

The best way to get around New York City is on foot as traffic is fairly heavy around-the-clock. That said, the subway system is a convenient option, too, and it extends throughout Manhattan and into the other New York boroughs. Buses are another affordable way to get around, but keep in mind they traverse streets clogged with weaving cars and cabs. Picking up a car isn't the best mode of transportation, as traffic is heavy. To get from the two main airports – LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International (JFK) – into the city, you'll likely want to take a taxi or ride-hailing service like Lyft or Uber. If you'd like to mix in a little sightseeing with your transportation, consider a bus tour  or a boat tour .

Many East Coast travelers tend to arrive in New York City on one of the bus services like FlixBus  or Megabus . Amtrak is another popular way of getting into the city and trains roll into Penn Station daily.

Central Park occupies more than 800 acres in the heart of Manhattan and is the largest urban park in the United States.

Explore More of New York City

Things To Do

Best hotels.

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50 Best New York City Tips For First Time Visitors (2024 Review)

Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Nicole

New York City is probably the one city in the world that is on everyone’s bucket list. It is filled with internationally renowned museums and art galleries, wallet cleansing shopping, exceptional restaurants, a dazzling array of fun and interesting attractions, and a mind bending night life. However, what makes this city so attractive also makes it an overwhelming destination for those planning their first visit. Accordingly, I decided to ask travel experts, industry insiders and native New Yorkers for their best tips for first time visitors to New York City.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you buy something through my site. This helps me run my website and produce the articles that I hope you find helpful.

New York City Attractions And Itinerary

I have been to New York City countless times over 30 years. I’ve gone on girl’s trips, with my husband, and also with my three teenage kids. My husband lived in New York for 4 years as did my oldest daughter for two years – but 30 years later! My normal stay has been around four nights, with three full days of exploring, and I always felt that was the perfect amount of time for a getaway, even when I had to travel from the West Coast.

I’ve written a couple of articles about my times in NYC. Mostly from the perspective of what I did with my teenage kids and whether they liked it or not. Quite frankly, my husband and I enjoyed ourselves as much as our kids even when we did New York city activities that we had done before. There is something about seeing the world through the eyes of your children.

However, fundamentally, New York is just plain fun. If you arrive organized with some basic understanding of where you are staying and how you want to organize your time, then you will have fun too. Like all holidays, the more you research and plan, the more you will see, the safer you will be, and the more money you will save. If it helps, I set out my step-by-step process of planning trips in my article – Planning A Holiday: A Foolproof Guide To Easy Vacation Planning . As for New York, these New York City tips are awesome and will give you even more insight into creating the best experience possible.

If you are interested in my New York City articles, please see:

An Action Packed 2 Day New York City Itinerary With Teens ; and

10 Unbeatable New York City Attractions With Teens .

Other Destinations

There are other destinations in the world that are just as overwhelming as New York. 

Las Vegas is one of them. If you are travelling to Las Vegas soon and want to arrive prepared, take a look at 50 Best Las Vegas Tips For First Time Visitors .

London, England is another. Here are 50 Best Travel Tips To London For First Time Visitors .

New Orleans  is one of the most unique cities in the USA. It offers culture, cuisine and southern hospitality derived from its French, African, Spanish and Creole influences. Things are done a little differently than most other places in the United States. For travel tips for first time visitors, please see  40 Best Travel Tips For First Time Visitors To New Orleans .

Best Tips For New York City For First Time Visitors

The best tips for New York City fall into several categories. Those include:

• How to get around;
• Ways to save money;
• Where to eat;
• Where to avoid;
• How to stay safe;
• Shopping tips; and
• Broadway Shows.

There were three tips that I consistently received from multiple travel experts and native New Yorkers.

Those were:

• Take the subway.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Avoid Times Square as much as possible.

Here are those tips explained and the rest of the best NYC tips.

Best New York City Tips For Getting Around

New York City is a fast paced and exciting city. There are cars, taxis, buses, subways, trains, and throngs and throngs of people almost everywhere. Knowing where to turn left or right much less how to get from one side of the island to the other can be confusing. However, there are ways to make this less stressful. Here are some of the best New York City tips for getting around.

Travel From Airport

All three airports servicing New York City (La Guardia, JFK, and Newark) offer mass transportation for a fraction of the cost of renting a car or opting for ride sharing, such as Uber or Lyft. Depending on the day and time, it could also be much faster. Research ahead of time and have a plan.

Take The Subway And Get a Metrocard

Anton from Airadvisor says, “Traffic in this city is ridiculous, and it does not stop. Streets are packed with cars and those yellow cabs day and night. Getting a MetroCard and using the subway will save you time and money.”

Purchase A Multi-Day MetroCard

Kristofer from Elevated Coffee Brew recommends exploring the 7 day MetroCard pass , even if you are in New York City for less time. You pay a flat fee and can use public transportation as many times a day as you want. Depending on your expected itinerary , this might still be less expensive than purchasing single tickets.

Learn How To Take The Subway

Angela from Boutique Travel Advisors says, “If you are unfamiliar with public transportation systems, like subways, then consider joining a private or small group tour that uses the subway to get around at the start of your trip to learn as you go.

For a large group, you can also hire a guide for the day thus saving the cost of private buses or the stress of leading your group in an unknown place.”

Download Subway App

Download one of the many apps for the New York Subway. Several work offline as well.

Deanna says from The Detailed Traveler , “Take your time to plan your route beforehand and understand where you’re going. I highly recommend downloading a NYC Subway maps app on your phone so you can plan your route and write down which line you are taking and what direction you need to go.

Trains like the 123 line can run on the same line for a bunch of stops and then farther down the line, they split into separate lines, the 1, the 2 and the 3. The train will always list its ending destination which is important to know, because it tells you which line you are going to go on. That’s why I recommend checking out the map beforehand and paying attention to the final destination of the train.”

If Not The Subway, Take The Bus

Sometimes you may not want to take the subway or you want air conditioning. Then, take the bus.

Axel from Tripplo says, “But beforehand, make sure to check the schedule as they run less frequently than subways and they can be harder to figure out.”

Allot Extra Time For Weekends

Sean from Living Out Lau says, “ When you are visiting New York City for the first time, the MTA Subway system is an excellent way for you to travel inside the city. However, the service that seems rather reliable and regular on the weekdays is an entirely different story on the weekends. Not only do subway trains run less regularly, but some of them either don’t run at all or they skip stops that they normally wouldn’t on the weekdays.”

If you have to be somewhere at a certain time, then this might be an extra stressor when taking the subway. However, it is also an opportunity to explore neighbourhoods that you wouldn’t otherwise have visited.

This seemed to happen quite frequently on one of our summer trips to New York. Several trains that we got on skipped a stop because of construction. We ended up having to wait until the next stop to get off, and then walk back. However, it ended up being a fun adventure and we discovered shops, cafes, even smaller museums that we never would have found otherwise.

New York is generally organized around a grid pattern.

The Hudson River is on the westside and the East River is on the eastside. The Avenues run north/south (up and down) or parallel to the rivers. They move chronologically from east to west – the easternmost avenue is 1st and the westernmost is 11th.

The streets run east/west. 5th Avenue is considered the center of the city and divides it between east and west.

New York does not follow the grid pattern below 14th street. However, you can generally rely on this grid pattern from 14th street as you move north.

Jessy from Brighter Things Planning says, “There are LOT of other random streets and avenues thrown in but remembering this will help you when you are exiting the subway station and you need to know whether you should be turning right or left.”

Best Tips To Save Money In New York City

New York City is expensive. Unfortunately, this is a reality that is largely hard to avoid. However, there are some very useful money saving tips to reduce some costs. Here are some of the best tips to save money in New York City.

Purchase A New York Pass

A is a prepaid sightseeing card that can be used to get free fast-track entry to the city’s top tourist attractions, including the  Empire State Building, and Top of the Rock Observatory. You can choose from over 100 NYC attractions. The Pass is valid for up to 10 days and can save you up to 70% compared to purchasing tickets at each attraction. Lastly, you can visit an unlimited amount of NYC attractions each day.

Purchase A New York Pass Online

to save time and hassle. In addition, you will save extra money off the retail price.

Go To Matto Espresso For Cheap Coffee

Sara from Restless Meanderer says, “A lot of us love our daily coffee but it can get so expensive, especially in a city where you’re tempted to go to all the cute cafes. Matto Espresso is a chain all over NYC and their whole business model is serving a wide range of great coffees and pastries at affordable prices. I wish I had known this my first time in NYC. I wouldn’t have spent so much time trying to look up the “perfect” cafe and would’ve just popped into Matto, grabbed a drink, and kept walking around the city.”

Avoid Tourist Spots

If you want to visit an iconic New York City attraction, do so, but avoid doing anything else nearby. Restaurants, cafes, and shops around them can be double the cost of the same product or service a few blocks away.

Take The Hop On And Hop Off Bus

A great way to tour the city on a budget is to take a . It will allow you to see the city at your own pace and take care of your transportation.

Tickets are valid for 24 hours and enables you to see and learn about the city. You can either get off and go into a specific attraction and catch the next bus after you are done, or you can go back to the attraction and explore after your bus ticket expires.

Find Free Activities

There are a lot of free things to do in NYC including iconic attractions such as Central Park, walking the High Line, and crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

Take The Staten Island Ferry

The State Island Ferry is free and it sails right past the Statue Of Liberty and Ellis Island, and gives you a stunning view of New York Harbor.

However, Brett from Behind The Flight Deck Door says, “Try to avoid peak hour traffic when it is full of worker commuting to Manhattan.”

Find Inexpensive Activities

There are also lots of inexpensive activities.

Deanna from The Detailed Traveler says, “A little hidden treasure is the boat rides at The Loeb Boat House in Central Park . For $20 per hour per boat with a $20 refundable deposit, you can cruise around the pond in central park, see the skyline, and just enjoy a moment of bliss. It’s one of our favorite things to do.” 

There are lots of bike rental shops around Central Park that either offer inexpensive hourly rentals or guided bike tours. We did a two hour guided tour with  Bike Rental Central Park . It only cost $29 per person and we had an amazing guide that showed us hidden treasures within the park. We could have easily spent the rest of the day in Central Park exploring and hardly spending any money.

Look For Free Events

Henrik from Every Country In The World says, “There are lots of free events that come and go. Take the time and research what is available when you are there.”

Try searching “things to do in New York this weekend” for the most up to date events.

Look For Deals

Darrelle says,”Look for restaurant and tour deals on LivingSocial or Groupon .”

Free or “Pay As Much As You Want” Museums

Once you find a museum or art gallery that you want to go see, find out whether they offer free admission on certain days or times, or allow you to pay only what you want.

Christine from Luxury Under Budget says, “I love going to museums in New York City and I used to pay full price until I realize that I could get into some of the best museums for free on certain days or times. Other museums allow you to pay only what you want or can afford.”

Avoid Paying Too Much For The Empire State Building

A standard ticket gets you to the 86th floor. Alternatively, you can pay almost 70% more and go 16 floors higher to the 102nd floor. However, it isn’t necessary. The views from the 86th floor are breathtaking and nothing really changes going 16 floors higher.

Go In Winter

Mark and Kristen Morgan from Where Are Those Morgans say, “In winter, not only will you find flights and hotels offering incredible value and deals but there’s also Broadway and restaurant week in late January early February. That means 2 for 1 tickets to the best theater shows in the world and eating at luxury high end restaurants for affordable prices.

“New York’s top attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and The High Line will be crowd free. Brooklyn Bridge is essentially impassable from spring through fall, but in winter, you can have sunsets and the Manhattan skyline almost entirely to yourself.

If possible, avoid driving in New York City. It is busy and stressful, and parking can be difficult to find and expensive. However, if you can’t avoid it, there are two ways to save money.

First, you can park on the street. This is by far the cheapest route to take, but depending on the day or time, a parking space may be difficult to find. If you do, make sure you read the street signs with parking restrictions and comply or run the risk of being ticketed or towed.

Second, if you don’t want to leave the stress of street parking, consider pre-booking a parking space. Jeannie from way.com says, “This is a much more relaxing and cost-effective experience to book parking ahead of time throughout the city.” You can see what is available and compare costs.

For other simple travel tips to save you money, please take a look at 10 Best Money Saving Travel Tips .

If you would like to Travel Cheaper, Smarter and Easier, then join the thousands of subscribers who receive my weekly newsletter filled with the most up to date and best travel tips around. Sign up with this link !

Best Tips For Finding The Best Food In NYC

New York City is a foodie paradise. You name the food and most likely, New York has a restaurant offering one of the best versions of it in the world. So, how do you figure out where to go, what to eat, and how much to pay for it? The experts have some suggestions. Here are the best New York City tips for food and restaurants .

Try the Bagels and Pizza

New York City is “known” for bagels and pizza. Sara from Restless Meanderer says, “In such a big city you are overwhelmed with options. If you are someone who likes all kinds of food it can be hard to decide where to go. It was helpful to have in mind a couple “must try” foods so that I would have less decisions to make come mealtime.”

Make Dinner Reservations

The good restaurants in New York City will be busy. If you want to try them, do not wait until the last minute to make a reservation or show up without a reservation. You won’t get seated and will be disappointed. Make dinner reservations as early as you can for the best choices at the best times.

Eat Where The Locals Go

Tammy at Dream Vacations says, “Whenever we are in a new location, we want to eat where the locals go. So typically, we ask a Police Officer. When we were in NYC we chatted with three Officers for about 30 minutes in Times Square, who were super friendly and helpful, and then we enjoyed the best seafood pasta dish EVER.”

Do A Food Tour

Deanna from The Detailed Traveler says, “The best way to experience famous NYC food is to do a food tour! One of my favorite companies is Free Food Tours By Foot . The tour is free and you only pay for what you want to taste at each stop (Usually $1-5 per stop). The guides only ask for a tip at the end. Usually for two of us, we only pay $50 total, which is a steal!”

Lanie from Make More Adventures says, “A food tour offers a great way to learn about a neighborhood and try a wide variety of food. If you are nervous about leaving midtown on your own, this is a great way to start. I suggest food tours to everyone, even those who live in NYC.”

Best New York City Tips For A Broadway Show

Broadway is synonymous with New York City. Many people can’t fathom a trip to NYC without going to at least one Broadway show. However, they are pretty expensive and if the show is popular, tough to get tickets. Here are some of the best tips for going to a Broadway show in New York for the first time.

Purchase Tickets Early

If you know that you want to see a certain show that is popular, buy your tickets as early as possible. They are not going to get any cheaper and chances are, you will have to pay more if you wait because you might have to go to a ticket resell site or you will have to purchase seats in a more expensive section.

Purchase Discount Theatre Tickets

There are several websites that offer advance tickets to Broadway shows for discounted prices. Broadway Box  is one of them. You can subscribe and also receive weekly notifications of newly discounted shows.

Alternatively, you can wait and purchase discount tickets once you are in New York. TKTS is the best option for same day discounted broadway tickets. There is a booth in Time Square as well as other locations. Check for opening hours as they change daily.

For the best choices, go early. Depending on the day, you may have to wait an hour or two so you have to decide whether that is how you want to spend your time.

Robin from Around The World With Kids says, “My advice is to skip the booth in Times Square when you can. Go to another location where they will have a significantly shorter line and the same ticket selection.” 

Lastly, many shows, including sold out ones, offer online lotteries for discounted tickets one day to one week before the date of the show in which you are interested.  Further, many shows offer “rush” tickets which is the ability to purchase same day discounted tickets at the box office. In addition, some shows offer standing room tickets at discounted prices. Playbill  provides a comprehensive list of all these shows. Here is the link. –  Broadway Rush, Lottery and Standing Room Only Policies .

Know Proper Behaviour

Bailey says, “Live theatre is a shared experience. Talking and cell-phone use during shows can distract not only audience members, but the performers on stage. They can see everything!”

Celebrate Your First Broadway Show

Audience members can go to the merchandise counter and ask for a “My First Broadway Show” sticker sheet with two stickers: one for the Playbill, and one for the audience member.

Consider Off Broadway Shows

An off broadway show is one that is showing in a theatre with less than 500 seats. It doesn’t speak to the quality of the show or the actors, or whether it is worth seeing. You will likely pay much less than a Broadway show and may see an upcoming show or actor before they become famous.

Pick A Show You Will Like

Do not pay a premium for a show that you won’t enjoy simply because everyone says it’s “the best” show on Broadway or has won Tony awards. If you don’t like musicals, save your time and money, and don’t go to one. You only have so much time in New York – make the most of it.

Best Tips For Shopping In New York City

Everybody has different tastes and budgets. Accordingly, giving shopping tips is a bit of a hit or miss topic. However, everyone likes a deal. Here are the best New York City tips for your next shopping spree.

Spend And Help Others

Housing Works is a chain of social enterprise Thrift Shops which help fund the organization’s mission to end homelessness. It consists of 10 brick and mortar locations throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn as well as an eShop .

Jada says, “The shops offer expertly curated goods in home and fashion. The Thrift Shops are also the best kept secret for interior designers as well as fashion stylists looking to secure one-of-a-kind items for their clients. Housing Works also does celebrity collaborations. The stores also offer a unique insight to the city’s residents as as each location is uniquely merchandised to reflect the sensibilities of the local neighborhood.”

Century 21 Department  stores offer top designers at discounted prices.

Best Tips For Choosing Accommodation In NYC For First Time Visitors

Choosing accommodation in New York City can be an overwhelming task. There are hundreds of options, price points, and locations. However, there are some strategies to make this easier. Here are some of the best tips for choosing accommodation in New York.

Stay Where You Plan To Play

Angela from Boutique Travel Advisors says, “New York City is enormous and divided into 5 different boroughs. If you plan to spend most of your time near Central Park and attend Broadway shows, then stay in Uptown or Midtown. On the other hand, if you plan to visit the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, 9/11 Memorial and Museum, look at staying in Tribeca or Soho.”

Know What’s Available

Once you choose your hotel, make sure you know where to find easy eats or groceries. You may start early or end late, and you want to be able to pick up something at all hours of the day.

Avoid Staying In Midtown If On A Budget

Midtown Manhattan is expensive relative to other parts of New York. It also lacks a neighbourhood feeling. For less expensive accommodation, consider Brooklyn or Queens. You will also get a true New York “neighbourhood” experience. You can easily take the subway into Manhattan.

Best Tips For First Time Visitors To Times Square

I received so many comments about Times Square that I felt compelled to create a separate heading. Travel Experts and frequent visitors felt very strongly about these recommendations. In essence, go, see it, take some photos, and then leave as quickly as you can. Here are more tips for visiting Times Square in New York.

There Is So Much More To NY Than Times Square

Sara from Restless Meanderer says, “As someone who had never been to NYC, the first time I went of course I was going to Times Square! However, the constant crowds was crazy overwhelming! Yes, there are some amazing stores around but I couldn’t believe all the ads, noise, street performers, and tourists that were there with me. That weekend was a blur of running from one street corner to the next trying to push my way through everyone.

The next time I went I explored a little further from Times Square and realized how pretty and actually relaxing NYC can be! I found areas way less crowded but the experiences were just as amazing and unique.”

Be Careful In Times Square

Deanna from The Detailed Traveler says, “Don’t take a picture with any characters unless you plan on paying them for it. Don’t take any mixed tapes or handouts on the street, again, unless you plan on paying for it. Be on your guard in this area as it is easy to get pickpocketed, lost in the crowd and plain old just taken advantage of.”

Don’t Eat In Times Square

Lanie from Make More Adventures says, Times Square is great for a photo, but you do not need to spend time there and you definitely do not need to eat there. If you need to eat and you happen to be in Times Square, walk a few blocks east or west to find better and cheaper restaurants. Same for street food. It is more expensive the closer you are to Times Square.”

Don’t Book A Hotel In Times Square

You should visit Times Square on your first visit to New York City, but don’t book a hotel in that area. It is crowded, noisy and less safe than other areas. Also, everything is a lot more expensive as it is solely a tourist attraction.

Lanie says, “While it is great for transportation, you can easily stay further downtown and still find the subway line that you need. Plus if you stay in a neighborhood like Greenwich Village, Soho, or Chelsea, there is more for you to do near your hotel than just hang around Times Square. You will save money on meals and they will be much better restaurants.”

Best Tips For First Time Visitors To Stay Safe In New York

New York is a big American city and like all cities, you have to make good choices and be aware of your surroundings. Personally, I have never felt unsafe in New York, but I grew up in a city. Regardless, here are some safety tips to keep in mind.

Know What You Are Doing

The best defence to something bad happening is being prepared. Where are you going? How are you getting there? How much should it cost? In New York, be suspicious of someone trying to help you without you asking. New Yorkers are happy to help but they aren’t spending their day looking for lost tourists.

If you are unlucky and stumble upon the wrong person who thinks you don’t know what you are doing or where you are going, they will likely try to take advantage of you. If it doesn’t feel right, walk away.

Don’t Walk With Earphones In

Claire from The Detour Effect says, “Don’t walk the streets with your earphones in (especially at night, and as a solo female). When I was walking home one evening from my subway stop, I was blasting music in my headphones and wasn’t aware of my surroundings. Next thing I know, I was mugged. Had I been listening and aware of my surroundings, I don’t think that would have happened.”

Be Aware Of Pick Pockets

Keep valuables close to your person and if things must be in your pockets, keep them in the front, or keep your hands in your pockets alongside them.

Claire from The Detour Effect says, “I also noticed that sometimes when walking in the streets or through the subway system, other people would go out of their way to walk or bump into me to the point where it couldn’t possibly have been an accident. Someone told me it’s because they’re trying to pickpocket me. I did start to notice that it mainly happened when I would wear big coats with pockets.

Stay Away From Platform Edges On The Subway

On the subway, avoid standing by the platform edge at all times. Instead, you should stand with your back against the metal beams on the platform or simply be far enough away from the edge that you are not at risk of someone accidentally or intentionally knocking you onto the tracks.

Bernadette from Explorer Chick says, “Being aware of your surroundings is even more important when on the subway and waiting for the train on the platform. Unfortunately, there are instances when people have been pushed onto the tracks.”

Best Tips For First Time Visitors To New York City

Some of the best New York City tips for first time visitors defy a category. However, these tips are equally important.

You Can’t Do Everything

You have to be realistic about what you can do with the time that you have allotted. The minimum amount of time that you want on your first visit is four nights so that you have three full days to explore. Pick one major tourist attraction for each day, then fill the rest of the day with eating, shopping, going to a Broadway Show or exploring an area.

Book Tickets In Advance

Angela from Boutique Travel Advisors says, “You are not going to have time to wait in lines, nor do you want to find out something is SOLD OUT when you get there.” 

Join A Tour

Joining a tour often allows you to skip the line and pay less when you add up transportation costs, admission, and the guide.

Don’t Only See The Iconic Attractions

Do some research and find out what else is available that may interest you.

Emily says from Family Destinations Guide says, “Don’t only go to the most famous spots like the Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, etc, as there are a lot more amazing things to do that you may have never heard about before.”

Brian from Timeshatter says, “Remember New York City is divided into five boroughs and all five have their own unique charm. So many people end up only visiting Manhattan and while Manhattan is great, it’s not the full NYC experience. Plan ahead before you go and research what you may want to see throughout all five boroughs.” 

Make A Plan Before You Arrive

Marc from JT Travel says, “You can maximize the number of places you visit and stretch a buck at the same time if you plan and find the best deals and offers beforehand.”

Get Out Of The Way

Lanie says, “Keep walking and get out of the way if you stop. The easiest way to identify a tourist is that they stop in the middle of the sidewalk and hold everyone else up. Just step to the side and check your phone or map or whatever it is that is making you stop. This is how to make friends in New York City !

Buy A Sim Card

If you don’t have a phone plan that covers New York, buy a local Sim Card so you can easily access maps.

Isabella from Boundless Roads says, “In the subway station you get free wifi, and sometimes in others spots in the city, but it’s not always reliable. If you are somebody who loves to walk and explore, a local SIM card will allow you to access maps and never get lost.”

Purchase Advanced Tickets To Go Into The Statue of Liberty

Anyone can line up to catch the ferry to Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty sits. The amount of time you wait depends on demand. However, a better way is to purchase advanced tickets. Not only can you skip the line and get on the ferry faster, but you can purchase tickets to go into and up the Statue of Liberty. Only a limited number of tickets are available each day to actually go inside the Statue of Liberty. In high season, they sell out months in advance.

Wear Comfortable Footwear

It sounds obvious, but it bears reminding. You are going to be on your feet all day and without comfortable supportive shoes, you are going to be miserable.

Sherry says, “Of course we want to look our best. But New York is a very busy city and traveling by foot is what makes it interesting.”

Ravi from Rover Pass says, “It is equally as important for your entire foot to be covered. Native New Yorkers know the importance of closed-toed shoes – from dirty streets to the busy Subway, you never want your feet to be exposed!”

Travel Solo

New York welcomes all kinds of travelers, including those traveling alone. Here are 35 fun things for solo travelers to do in NYC .

New York City is a dream destination. However, it is big, busy, and intense. That means your experience can be amazing and exhilarating, or overwhelming and scary. If you come prepared and follow these best tips for first time visitors to New York City, you should be one step closer to having one of the best times of your life.

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33 Best Things to Know Before Traveling to NYC (Tips from a Local)

Written by Becca

Updated on August 30th, 2024

Are you thinking, “What do I need to know before traveling to New York?” Check out these New York City tips for first-timers, and the best tips for traveling to and visiting NYC.

This article may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commissions when you purchase via those links — and it's free for you. It's only us (Becca & Dan) working on this website, so we value your support! Read our privacy policy and learn more about us .

Posted in New York

Table of contents

• NYC is not just Manhattan (and not just Midtown and Downtown Manhattan)
• Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island are all really, really big
• NYC has three airports, actually
• The subway has both “local” and “express” trains
• If you try riding a bike, do so with caution
• The best pizza is the type for one dollar
• Dining out doesn’t have to cost a fortune in NYC
• Where to stay
• There’s more to the theatre scene than Broadway
• Expect to pay tax and tip on sit-down meals and any time you receive service
• Taxis, Ubers and Lyft ride shares don’t come cheap
• Summer can be really hot, and winter can be really cold
• There’s a lot to do in NYC completely for free
• Bathrooms can be a little hard to come by
• If you plan to come for more than 4 days, get a weekly Metrocard pass
• You can travel the world within NYC: see how
• NYC is one of the best places to exercise and work out
• Traveling by foot is one of the best ways to see and experience NYC
• Don’t be scared to check out the Bronx
• The Staten Island Ferry is the world’s best free ride
• You can visit NYC’s only forest, in the heart of Brooklyn
• NYC is in fact very, very safe
• Don’t be surprised if you see rats, mice or roaches
• In addition to English, NYC speaks Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Yiddish and Haitian Creole
• The NYC subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Watch out for flash flood warnings: they are no joke!
• NYC can get blizzards between October and March
• The best time for fall foliage in NYC is mid October to early November
• NYC has some great beaches!
• NYC is also a great jumping-off point for lots of day trips, weekend getaways and side trips
• Book your accommodation in advance, as holidays, weekends and all of summer are high season
• New Yorkers are very helpful, so never hesitate to ask questions
• The best places to see the NYC skyline are from New Jersey, Brooklyn and Queens
• If you only have a few days, pick a few NYC bucket list items and play the rest by ear
• No matter how your NYC trip goes, it’ll be worth remembering

There’s no perfect answer for what to know before traveling to New York, but I’ll bring it to you straight: visiting NYC is one of the best trips you can take, and there are a bunch of tips to know for traveling to New York City.

My best New York tips for first-timers include everything from what to know, to what to avoid, and all these funny things to know about New Yorkers like the local secrets about pizza, safety, getting lost and how to save money taking the subway.

If you’re asking, “What do I need to know before traveling to New York?” and “How do I not get ripped off as a tourist?” then you’ve come to the right place.

Let’s start off with my favorite top tips for your first trip to New York City with my guide to insider recommendations for traveling in NYC.

NYC is not just Manhattan (and not just Midtown and Downtown Manhattan)

If you’ve watched lots of TV and movies that take place in New York City, usually they’ll focus on Manhattan.

It’s for a good reason! Manhattan is the densest and most crowded part of NYC, and it’s the borough that gets the official name “New York, NY.” But, I recommend getting out to the “outer boroughs” to see a wider slice of attractions, which you can see in our photo guide to Coney Island and a short trip to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx .

Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island are all really, really big

Did you know that if Brooklyn were its own city, it would be tied with Chicago? Brooklyn on its own would be the biggest city in the USA.

NYC is huge, and if you come from a smaller city in the United States, it is hard to imagine just how many people live and work in NYC, and how big in terms of physical size all the boroughs within the confines of the NYC city borders are.

Never underestimate the amount of time it will take to get from JFK Airport to Midtown Manhattan (it’s far), or from Flushing, Queens, to the Upper West Side. We’re talking lots of miles and sometimes between one and two hours, just to travel within NYC.

NYC has three airports, actually

No matter which airport you’ve heard of first, consider that NYC in fact has three international airports, and they are LaGuardia (LGA), John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark, NJ (EWR).

If it’s your first time, consider that taking a taxi from JFK and Newark will cost the most, if you’re going to Manhattan, and if you’re staying in Manhattan, Newark may be your best bet because it is a short train ride on the NJ Transit trains.

JFK is most accessible by the NYC subway, but will take a l-o-o-o-ng time, and LGA will typically be the shortest ride by taxi if you’re in Manhattan or most parts of Queens. As a bonus, there is a convenient city bus that’ll take you right to LGA, but you have to account for traffic.

Here’s our ultimate guide to how to choose which NYC airport to fly into , with a rundown of the difference between LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Airport.

The subway has both “local” and “express” trains

Many out-of-town-ers and first-time NYC visitors are challenged by the extremely efficient subway trains we have here underneath NYC. These subway trains take us everywhere in NYC, from Riverdale at the top of the Bronx, to the Rockaway Beaches in Queens.

If you’re going far distances, look for an express train. These trains will skip local stops, so they go faster.

If your destination is a “local stop,” then you’ll have to be on a local train, or your tran will skip the stop if you’re on an express line. If you have questions, you can always ask someone on the platform, or pay close attention to directions in Google Maps.

If you try riding a bike, do so with caution

Many first-time visitors to NYC and tourists like to rent bicycles and ride around Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridge Park; however, beware! As for cycling in NYC, it is the law to abide by vehicle regulations, which means riding with the flow of traffic, abiding by stop lights and not riding a bicycle on sidewalks.

Breaking these rules will actually get you fined by the police! We also suggest wearing a helmet for safety, as many cars in NYC still don’t watch out for cyclists. If riding at night, it is crucial to have good bike lights (CitiBikes, which we recommend in the NYC budget guide have great lights and reflectors).

We discuss biking and what to expect in our guide to safety in NYC .

The best pizza is the type for one dollar

Within NYC, a city known for pizza, there is pizza at every price range.

Whether you’re short on cash, or even if you’re not, treat yourself to some ‘dollar slice.’ For $1, while it lasts, this is the best meal in the city.

And for honorable mention, the street carts with hot dogs, halal meat and gyros aren’t bad choices for eating on the cheap in NYC, either.

Dining out doesn’t have to cost a fortune in NYC

Many people describe dining in NYC as going to the top restaurants and bucket list places for eating. This isn’t the case at all, and some of the best food is on the street, in food trucks or in hole-in-the-wall shops that you can get for takeaway and eat in a park.

Plus, there’s SO much variety in food in NYC that you really can’t go wrong eating just about anywhere you see first.

Where to stay

NYC is home to LOTS of excellent hotel options. When traveling to NYC, where you stay is less important (in my opinion), unless the hotel is part of the thing that you want to experience. Because your days will be jam-packed, and NYC hotel rooms are known for being small, pick a place that is somewhat central and has a lot of different train options near by.

Where to stay in New York City

• Staypineapple Check Availability
• Soho Grand Hotel Check Availability
• The Greenwich Hotel Check Availability
• Courtyard New York Manhattan Check Availability
• The Algonquin Hotel Times Square Check Availability
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Check Availability
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There’s more to the theatre scene than Broadway

Of course Broadway is the creme de la creme when it comes to theater, but if you’re looking for some last minute tickets, you can try Off-Broadway shows, or Off-off-Broadway shows, or comedy shows or improv shows. NYC has the best of everything when it comes to theatre, dramas and comedies.

Expect to pay tax and tip on sit-down meals and any time you receive service

Remember that sitting down and receiving service will incur tax and tip in NYC, where the tax rate is 8.875% and tips are standard at 18-20%. For excellent service, you can tip your server 25%.

Tips are expected for the following services:

• Being served at a restaurant
• Being served at a cafe or coffee shop
• Being served a drink at a bar
• Getting a haircut, or other beauty service (nails, massages, etc.)
• Taxi / Uber / Lyft
• Technical services like fix-it repairs
• People who help you with your luggage in a hotel

Taxis, Ubers and Lyft ride shares don’t come cheap

You’ll see as soon as you take your first taxi, the fare starts increasing and increasing and hardly stops, and then add tax and tip and you’re in for quite a fee.

Keep in mind that taking any type of ride at rush hour or in Manhattan might even be slower than taking the subway, and when going far, unless flat fee to JFK airport, taxis will be on the expensive side, relative to most other major cities.

Summer can be really hot, and winter can be really cold

Summer can be a scorcher in NYC, especially with humidity! The hottest months are July and August, when a standard temperature is the mid-80s to low-90s (Fahrenheit) and in the past few years, summers have even been in the high 70s at night.

Beware of taking the subway in the heat of summer: the steamy temperatures stay locked down underground so you’ll probably find yourself in a sweat as you wait for a train.

Still confused about the best and worst times to visit NYC? Let us outline which time of year to visit NYC when planning your trip.

There’s a lot to do in NYC completely for free

There is SO much to do in NYC for free, despite the lists of tours, excursions, private experiences and other entertainment types you may be bombarded with before your first trip to the Big Apple. To push all the noise aside, visit our guide of some free things to do in NYC .

Bathrooms can be a little hard to come by

NYC is notorious for not having public restrooms. If you’re looking for a bathroom on the fly, the best places for that are a public park (Bryant Park on the 42nd Street side has a nice public restroom, actually), a playground or a Starbucks (sort of a joke, but also true).

If you’re out and about looking for a friendly cafe where you can have a coffee and find a restroom at the same time, I suggest taking a look at my list of the best cafes in Manhattan with WiFi , where I’ve made notes about which ones have bathrooms and which don’t.

If you plan to come for more than 4 days, get a weekly Metrocard pass

If you plan to be in NYC for more than three or four days, buy a weekly Metrocard, which will give you the freedom to ride the subway multiple times per day (even for 1 stop!) all for a flat fee and unlimited rides.

Planning to come for a month? Get a monthly Metrocard for the same type of freedom and deal.

You can travel the world within NYC: see how

One of our favorite local secrets for visitors to NYC is that you can travel the world without leaving New York City. And how? Visit all the “little” neighborhoods, and by this I mean Little India (Jackson Heights), Little Mexico (Sunset Park), Little China/Chinatown (Flushing, Queens), Little Russia/Odessa (Brighton Beach) and Little Greece (Astoria).

NYC is one of the best places to exercise and work out

If you think NYC is all urban jungle, think again! NYC has miles of coastline, parks and green spaces, where you can work out, do yoga, go biking, attend a workout class and more.

See our guide to the best places to run in NYC , which is also a great guide for bikers.

Traveling by foot is one of the best ways to see and experience NYC

Even as a local, I love traveling by foot in NYC, and that is why I’m recommending it to you as one of the best things to know as a first-time visitor to NYC. Traveling by foot and walking endlessly is one of the best ways to see a cross-section of the city, traveling slowly to take in the sights, sounds and smells of this beautiful metropolis.

Don’t be scared to check out the Bronx

Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens receive shares of NYC’s annual tourism, in that particular order, and many people forget about the Bronx; however, if you’re staying in the Upper West Side or Upper East Side of Manhattan, the Bronx might be only a few blocks away.

Here are a few places to check out in the Bronx for first-timers:

• The Little Italy neighborhood at Arthur Avenue
• Yankee Stadium
• The NY Botanic Garden (NYBG)
• The Bronx Zoo
• Orchard Beach
• Van Cortlandt Park

The Staten Island Ferry is the world’s best free ride

For $0, you can get million-dollar views of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, just by taking New York City’s most free mode of public transit, the Staten Island Ferry!

The ferry leaves from Whitehall Ferry Terminal (also known as South Ferry) in Manhattan.

You can visit NYC’s only forest, in the heart of Brooklyn

Think NYC is full of concrete and brick? Not so fast. Know this: NYC has a forest, and it is in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. If you’re looking for a natural respite, check it out as it’s one of our favorite photo spots in Brooklyn .

NYC is in fact very, very safe

Unless you flash money and jewels in the dead of night in a not-so-great neighborhood, you will find that NYC is one of the safest cities, with crime rather reserved to farther-flung areas away from where tourists would hang out.

I recommend NYC for family trips without hesitation in my guide to how to plan a trip to NYC with a baby !

Of course, be mindful of your pockets, especially in large gatherings like concerts, the subway, buses and indoor shopping areas, but in terms of being worried about safety, there are much bigger things of concern (like where your next slice of pizza will be).

Interested in jumping into the topic of safety in NYC? We answer the question of, “ Is NYC a safe place to travel to right now?”

Don’t be surprised if you see rats, mice or roaches

The rats, mice and roaches you see are just part of NYC’s excellent wildlife collection. If you’re lucky, you may see squirrels, raccoons, birds, ducks or turtles, though (turtles can be found in Prospect Park, Brooklyn).

In addition to English, NYC speaks Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Arabic, Polish, Yiddish and Haitian Creole

English may be the official language of the USA, but once you step foot in NYC, you’ll be appreciative of all our public signage in a smattering of world languages from Chinese to Yiddish, depending on which neighborhood you’re in.

If you’re a language enthusiast, or if you’re bilingual, check out the PSAs in the subway, which often list safety advice in any of these 8 major tongues.

The NYC subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Know this: the subway never stops (and neither should the action on your epic NYC trip).

Watch out for flash flood warnings: they are no joke!

In recent years, NYC’s seaside location has made it a magnet for flash floods. If you get a “flash flood warning” or worse, an “emergency” warning pinged to your phone, get to a safe place and wait out the storm! The subways can get really messy, wet and flooded.

NYC can get blizzards between October and March

True story: everyone has their own “vision” of a perfect NYC day, and if you come between the prime winter months, your trip could get hit with snow or a blizzard.

For some people, it’s a dream to see NYC in the snow (and if you ask locals, they can’t wait til the snow is plowed and slush puddles are gone).

The best time for fall foliage in NYC is mid October to early November

This one’s an easy explainer: did you know that New York City has GORGEOUS fall foliage? Look no further than a prime example of this in our photo gallery of Fort Greene Park in autumn .

NYC has some great beaches!

Buildings and density aside, NYC has great beaches and they are all free. From the Bronx to Brooklyn to Queens, I highly recommend visiting NYC’s beaches as a first-timer or someone who is constantly coming back to the city. They are great escapes from urbanity and are all accessible on the subway.

NYC is also a great jumping-off point for lots of day trips, weekend getaways and side trips

There is oh-so-much to say about all the places you can get to easily from NYC if you’re here for a week or month and have some time to go out for a side trip. See our guide to essential side trip ideas from NYC here .

Book your accommodation in advance, as holidays, weekends and all of summer are high season

Book in advance for where to stay in NYC. Hotels, hostels, Airbnbs (in the good locations) and other accommodations do sell out, especially in summer and around the holidays, so book as early as possible.

We do have a favorite place to stay for first timers (with a roof deck!) and it’s The Local, in Long Island City, Queens .

New Yorkers are very helpful, so never hesitate to ask questions

New Yorkers are (contrary to popular long-held belief), very friendly and helpful. Ask anyone on the street for directions, and you’ll not only get several people answering, but you’ll get several people offering you their opinions on the best directions out there.

The best places to see the NYC skyline are from New Jersey, Brooklyn and Queens

Shhh… the best places to “see New York” are from spots on the Hudson River and East River, along with a nice spot perched at the top of Sunset Park.

Our favorite spots for seeing the NYC skyline are:

• Long Island City (Gantry Plaza State Park), Queens
• Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn
• Brooklyn Heights Promenade , Brooklyn
• The waterfront in Hoboken, NJ

For more inspiration, follow these NYC Instagrammers and influencers who have lots of tips on the best spots.

If you only have a few days, pick a few NYC bucket list items and play the rest by ear

As mentioned above, NYC is huge, and getting from place to place is definitely a factor if you have limited time. For example, if you’re staying in Queens (like at one of our favorite hotel-hostels, The Local ), consider that going out to Coney Island will take over an hour.

If this is a bucket list item for you, base the rest of your trip around the time it’ll take to get there and back so that you’re not in for any surprises in terms of how your itinerary pans out.

No matter how your NYC trip goes, it’ll be worth remembering

There is no right or wrong way to take a trip to NYC whether for the first time or 100th time, so go with the flow, take in all the sights, sounds and tastes, and enjoy every moment!

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New York City Guide: Planning Your Trip

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New York City is an iconic destination chock full of attractions — but it can also be overwhelming to visit. Which days are best to visit busy places like the Met and the Empire State Building, and how do you avoid tourist traps and discover local hangouts? Did you know the city has tons of outdoorsy activities for all seasons? And what about deciding between so many acclaimed bars and restaurants of all types?

Whether you want to spend the weekend in the city or a whole week exploring, planning your trip is important to ensure you make the most of your time. Let’s explore the best the city has to offer and help you decide when to visit, learn what to see and do, and discover where to eat, drink, and stay during your trip.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: Figuring out the best time to visit really depends on what you want to do on your trip. New York City is a great destination year round, but each season has its own perks (and disadvantages). Winter is great for visitors who want to experience the wonders of the  holiday season in New York City  and after New Year’s crowds really dwindle and prices drop. Spring and fall are ideal in terms of mild weather and being able to take full advantage of everything the city has to offer. And while summer can get very hot and humid and it also brings lots of crowds, there are tons of free events and beaches , pools , and parks are in full swing.
• Language: English is the official language of New York, but you’ll also hear a lot of Spanish   , Mandarin, and plenty of other languages in this melting pot.
• Currency : U.S. dollar
• Getting Around: Public transportation makes getting around New York City easy, fast, and affordable. Quite often, you’ll find it’s best to take a bus or the subway to avoid traffic and save money. Before you give it a go, familiarize yourself with the routes by looking at maps so you don’t get lost or take the wrong  train . Sometimes though, it can be more convenient or appropriate to take a taxi, Lyft, Uber , or  car service . A cab is a good option for a group and might save money. You also might feel safer in a car late at night, although buses and the subway run all night long   . Renting a car if you’re staying in the city is generally a bad idea as parking is difficult to find and/or very expensive. Plus, traffic is typically horrendous.
• Travel Tip: Remember, New York City is more than just Manhattan and all five boroughs are worth visiting, especially Brooklyn and Queens , which are quite easy to get to from Manhattan. To avoid crowds, get an early start to your day and consider visiting the mot popular sites during the week if you can.

Things To Do

Whether it’s your first or tenth visit, New York City has so much to offer. It is brimming with attractions and activities, from world-class museums and monuments to stunning parks to shopping galore . There are things for kids and families , romantic activities for couples, and friend groups can be kept busy for days. Architecture fans, history buffs, entertainment lovers, foodies , shoppers , art hounds, and culture vultures will all be happy here. Don’t miss these activities:

• Museums and Galleries: Visitors would be hard pressed to visit all the museums in NYC; from art to history to science and even food, there are hundreds of museums and galleries   to see. Beyond the classics like the Met , MoMA , American Museum of Natural History , and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum , await the Brooklyn Museum , Queens Hall of Science , Museum of the City of New York, El Museo del Barrio, and the Museum of Food and Drink, to name a few.
• Boat Rides: Remember that New York City is surrounded by water   and seeing the sights by boat is a great experience. A number of companies offer  boat tours and cruises  around the city, pay a few bucks to ride the East River Ferry to a number of locations, or hop on the Staten Island Ferry for free. 
• Theater and Shows : Broadway shows are a highlight for many visitors and for good reason. There’s also plenty of Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and experimental and avant-garde venues putting on some of the best theater in the world. And don’t forget the music scene — almost every band comes through NYC to play at one of its most famous concert venues, like Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall , Lincoln Center , Bowery Ballroom, Kings Theatre, and Music Hall of Williamsburg.

Where to Eat and Drink

New York City is known for its plethora of food options, including iconic dishes that are must-eats on any trip. Be sure to grab a slice of pizza , a bagel with lox, a bodega egg and cheese on a roll, a classic deli sandwich, and a hot dog . And don’t forget to partake in brunch , a NYC tradition. But the best part about New York City is that you can find foods from across the globe here thanks to immigrants from around the world, be it inside Michelin-starred dining rooms or hole-in-the-wall eateries serving everything from Ethiopian to Burmese to Korean to Italian to Israeli to Mexican and beyond . You can go big at a steakhouse or find cheap eats throughout the five boroughs. And every neighborhood has something unique to offer if you look hard enough — even Times Square .

Drinking is just as important as eating in NYC and there are plenty of craft cocktail bars, historic taverns, breweries and taprooms, wine and Champagne bars, and even alcohol-free drink spots. And, there are some incredible coffee shops to start your day at.

Explore our articles on the most romantic restaurants , the best family-friendly restaurants, and the most expensive restaurants in NYC.

Where to Stay

Hotels are easy to find in New York City, but finding the right room for you is a different story. Where you stay is going to depend on which borough and neighborhood you prefer, if you’re alone, with a significant other , or with your family , and how much you want to spend . Midtown Manhattan is the most popular place to stay because it’s where most of the tourist attractions are but it is also one of the most expensive areas. If you’re willing to move north or south, there are some good  budget-friendly hotels in Manhattan available. And of course, if you want to stay somewhere with a  view of Central Park , near nightlife in Chelsea , or in the center of trendy SoHo , expect to pay a premium but be very happy. If you’re amenable to heading over the bridge to Brooklyn, there are some excellent options, and many people prefer its more low key vibe. Other options aside from hotels include short-term apartment rentals (a good value if you’re staying for three nights or more and may want to cook instead of eating out), hostels  for those on a tight budget, and Airbnb rentals—although beware that these might be operating illegally   .

Explore the different neighborhoods you can stay in, and see our recommendations on the best hotels in NYC with Pools and the Best NYC Airport Hotels .

Getting There

There are myriad ways to get to NYC: flying, by train, by bus, or driving. The main airports are:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport is the largest and has the most international flights, but it can be intimidating and exhausting to traverse its many terminals. It is 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan and there are various ways to get there .
• La Guardia International Airport in Queens is more manageable and recent upgrades have greatly improved its look, functionality, and services. It also has plenty of flights from most major carriers but less international options than JFK and EWR and some airlines, like Delta and United, use the other area airports as their hubs and so have fewer flights from La Guardia as a result. It is a little closer to Midtown Manhattan at 8.5 miles away and there are various ways to get there .
• Newark Liberty International Airport  in Newark, New Jersey, is 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan and sometimes flights there can be cheaper (but taxis generally cost more from there to NYC). It is the hub for United so almost all United flights will arrive and depart from here and it also has robust international offerings.

Amtrak trains to other major East Coast cities run fairly often to and from Penn Station and there are also trains to cities farther afield. Buses are usually the cheapest option, with Greyhound , Megabus , Bolt Bus, and smaller companies serving the city. And of course, driving is always an option but keep in mind that parking can be difficult and expensive.

Culture and Customs

New York City has a culture all its own and there are several unwritten rules that locals follow, including how to walk on a busy sidewalk (hint: don’t stop in the middle of it), subway etiquette , how to hail a cab, and proper bicycle behavior.

Tipping is important in NYC; be sure to tip taxi drivers, wait staff at restaurants, and bartenders.

Is New York City safe?  It's a question visitors ask all the time and, in general, it is a safe city   . However, swindlers and thieves can often spot “out of towners” so a little common sense is required.

Money Saving Tips

• There are tons of awesome free activities , events , and places to visit in NYC, from parks to museums.
• Several museums and attractions have certain days or times that are Pay What You Wish or are sometimes free .
• If you plan on riding the subway and taking buses at least several times a day, you can save money by getting an MTA MetroCard for a day or week of unlimited rides.
• Check out TKTS and other discount venues for cheaper Broadway tickets and don’t forget about standing room only .
• Head to the outer boroughs for many excellent yet more affordable restaurants and eateries.

U.S. Census Bureau. " Languages Spoken at Home ." 2018

MTA. " How to Ride the Subway ."

NYC & Company. " Museums & Galleries in NYC ."

The Official Website of the City of New York. " New York City Water Bodies ." 2014

Airbnb. " New York, NY ." 2020

The Economist Intelligence Unit . "Safe Cities Index 2017."

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The 43 best things to do in New York City

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

One of the mysterious things about New York City is that the closer you look – even at something as minor as a street corner – the more you see. And the longer you look, the more quickly it changes before your eyes. People can live here for 100 years and never run out of places to go or people to meet; deciding what to do first in New York is daunting, which is why we're narrowing your options. Whether you're a local itching to get out of your neighbourhood or an out-of-towner who doesn't know The Met from the Mets, these new and classic activities will dazzle you. From wandering Central Park to slurping soup dumplings in Chinatown, these are a few of our very favourite things to do in New York City, from Midtown to Brooklyn .

Governors Island

Located in New York Harbor, only 800 yards from Manhattan and 400 yards from Brooklyn, walking onto quirky, car-free, brick-covered, 173-acre Governors Island feels like being transported to an alternate universe from the city – but in reality, it's a quick, affordable ferry ride away. One-way fare is $4, and boats are serviced from Lower Manhattan’s Battery Maritime Building every day, as well as from Brooklyn Bridge Park and Atlantic Basin in Red Hook on the weekends. In the past couple of years, Governors Island has become an even more popular city destination and has welcomed a slew of new luxury businesses. One is special in particular: Collective, the only place you can stay overnight on the island. Collective is a glamping experience, offering plush beds inside the tents, morning yoga , sunset cocktails, and iconic skyline views – Lady Liberty included, herself. Which is all to say, you’re by no means roughing it here. On the menu at their restaurant, you’ll find grilled seafood, gorgeous spreads of pastries, and more. Another luxury experience new to the island is QC NY Spa, with top-grade saunas and a skyline view-filled pool.

Lincoln Center

World-renowned performing arts centre Lincoln Center is always worth visiting when the opportunity arises, and in October 2022, David Geffen Hall, home to the New York Philharmonic, reopened after a major renovation that improved the venue’s acoustics and spiffed it up with a modern look. The sprawling Upper West Side complex is also home to the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Ballet, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Juilliard. All kinds of music, dance, theatre, and films show here; some highlights from the upcoming calendar include the rapturously energetic New York Film Festival (catch the latest films long before they hit theatres, embedded in one of the reactive audiences on this Earth), the operas like The Life and Times of Malcom X and La Boheme , and ballets like The Nutcracker . Whether you’re on a special date or reconnecting with an old friend when you’re in town, seeing a live performance at Lincoln Center will always make for an elegant and memorable night out.

Rockaway Beach

One of the best public beaches you can visit in New York City proper, Rockaway is a sandy, sprawling stretch of surf located in Queens on the Atlantic Ocean, complete with a 5.5-mile boardwalk of delicious concessions. A summery way to get there in style? Take the ferry from Wall Street or Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and let the wind blow through your hair as you take in the city views, sailing under the Verrazano Bridge and past Coney Island on the way. From just about everywhere else in the city, you can also get there via the A train. Each stretch has a different crowd and personality: Beach 90-106 is the busiest section, with the most food and drink options; Beaches 67-69, as well as 90-92, are the surfing zones; between Beach 153 and Beach 169, you’ll find Jacob Riis Park, which is popular with young people and is a summer gathering place for the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

Empire State Building

Though many across town are trying, there's still no better way to enjoy Manhattan's cityscape than from the top of the Empire State Building . The 102-story skyscraper was the tallest building in the world for 40 years, and though it's been outgrown by dozens of projects across three other continents, it's just the classic viewing point. There are, of course, always long lines to buy tickets, but that's nothing a little planning and purchasing in advance can't solve. It's also still a functioning office building with a bustling Art Deco lobby, so the people-watching on the way up is excellent.

Located in Brooklyn on a hip stretch of Bushwick’s Jefferson Avenue, Elsewhere – a vast, three-story nightclub and live music venue with multiple dance floors, stages, and a rooftop – has become one of the city’s best nightlife destinations. Spinning disco balls and kaleidoscopic lights set the scene. A somewhat recent staple in the city’s nightlife scene, Elsewhere is a converted warehouse that opened in 2017. Blocks away from similar venues like Avant Gardener and House of Yes, Elsewhere stands out for its inclusivity, its intimate vibe in spite of its size, and for lifting up smaller, up-and-coming acts.

Central Park

To get that Nora Ephron New York experience, you have no choice but to take a stroll through Central Park while in the city. As you step off the crowded sidewalks of 59th Street into a mass of green, you’ll hardly realise what lies before you: 693 acres of man-made gardens, meadows, forests, and hillsides. If you ambled down every one of Central Park’s pathways, you would walk 58 miles. Along the way, you pass sculptures, bridges, and arches, plus 21 playgrounds, a winter ice-skating rink, and even a zoo. But you’d hardly notice the four major crosstown thoroughfares, which cleverly disappear into foliage-covered tunnels. Map your park route to stop at classic Central Park landmarks, like the Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge, Belvedere Castle, and the Strawberry Fields John Lennon Memorial.

Chinatown is one of those neighbourhoods that makes lower Manhattan vibrant and unforgettable. After surfacing from the steps of the Canal Street subway station onto the sidewalk, meandering past thick crowds, neon light shops, and vendors peddling fake designer bags, you’ll find yourself in the narrow streets of Chinatown, where there are bright heaps of produce, succulent ducks hanging in windows, and restaurants old and new. Touching Tribeca, SoHo, Little Italy, and the Lower East Side, Chinatown has a rich history and began being populated by Chinese immigrants as early as the 1850s. You can visit in whichever way makes sense for you. Whether you spend an hour devouring a box of roast pork or duck from street-style Wah Fung No. 1 before you have to proceed elsewhere, or you spend half a day shopping for produce, dining out, and paying a visit to the Museum of Chinese in America , everyone will gain something from a visit to Chinatown.

Yankee Stadium

A spring or summer day spent cheering at a NYC ballpark is a classic activity for a reason. Located in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium is the home field of New York’s 27-time World Champions. It’s a half-hour subway ride from Penn Station and approximately a 20-minute subway ride from Grand Central Terminal, making it easily accessible from Manhattan. It replaced the 1923 original in 2009 and cost $1.5 billion to build, making it one of the world’s most expensive stadiums. It seats 50,287 fans. New York Yankees games, obviously, are the main event here, but you can also attend concerts, college football, and soccer matches.

The Morgan Library & Museum

The Morgan is like a multi-hyphenate millennial – only instead of actress/model/influencer/whatever, it’s museum/library/landmark/historic site/music venue. Inside the multimillionaire’s personal library, expanded into a must-see museum and cultural space, you'll find rare artefacts, paintings, and books, some dating back to 4000 BC, that are worth more than your house. In particular, the museum is home to one of 23 copies of the original Declaration of Independence; Mozart's handwritten score of the Haffner Symphony; the collected works of African American poet Phillis Wheatley; the only extant manuscript of Milton's Paradise Lost ; and Charles Dickens’s manuscript of A Christmas Carol . Swoon.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine on 112th and Amsterdam in Upper Manhattan’s Morningside Heights is the largest cathedral in the world and the sixth-largest church by area. Hundreds of thousands of visitors walk through these doors annually for a reason. The cathedral itself – and its remarkable Gothic architecture, story-telling stained glass windows, and 17th-century tapestries – is already worth visiting. But there is artwork that is especially meaningful to New York City here as well, including Keith Haring's white gold and bronze altarpiece and a 9/11 memorial sculpture by Meredith Bergmann, which holds debris of the towers in it. The cathedral holds daily and Sunday worship services, which welcome all. There is no charge to pray, meditate, or contemplate in the cathedral. Visitors who show up for sightseeing purposes can enter for $5 admission. Special tours are offered depending on the day of the week.

The sister institution to MoMA is no ordinary art museum. Located in a striking Renaissance Revival former public school building in Long Island City, Queens, MoMA PS1 ’s setting is just as interesting as its collection. All manner of cutting-edge contemporary art is shown here, with a collection of over 200,000 pieces, from the likes of James Turrell and Ai Weiwei. The people-watching can be just as good as the art, as creative types from around the city come here to find inspiration.

Bemelmans Bar

At Bemelmans , Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations – you might remember them from the Madeline books – adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often, a dirty gin Martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive – it’s clear why you’re here – so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way.

For locals and first-time visitors alike, seeing a Broadway show is a special experience and one that is exclusive to New York City. Times Square is ordinarily a drag, but when you’re moseying into Midtown Manhattan for a show, the bright billboards and lights don’t flash in your face – they dazzle in your eyes. A Broadway show's costumes, sets, songs, and stories are the stuff of dreams. And after going dark during the pandemic, Broadway is back. Exalt in the return of live performances with acclaimed shows like Six and Hadestown.

New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden has carefully manicured flower gardens, lush fields, winding hikes, and impeccable greenhouses. There are spaces that feel deeply intimate as if you're truly separated from the world, and there are vast expanses where it's hard to believe you're still in the Bronx. In winter , the greenhouses host an annual train show recreating all of New York City in miniature; the warmer months bring every floral delight imaginable, from cherry trees to peonies. Plan to spend at least half a day here and pack a picnic.

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

It’s one thing to be in the midst of Manhattan, on the ground; it’s quite another to look upon it from across the river. In Brooklyn Heights, a couple of subway stops away from lower Manhattan, the city’s image looms large before you. Arguably the best view of the skyline in the city, the Brooklyn Heights promenade hovers above the Brooklyn-Queen Expressway. Underlying the peaceful, tree-lined walkway, traffic rumbles below. The promenade stretches from Remsen Street at the south end to Middagh Street at the north. Around the corner, pedestrians can discretely cross a basketball court to access a suspended footbridge that zigzags down to the piers of Brooklyn Bridge Park. While in the picturesque neighbourhood, make stops at the New York Transit Museum , the Sardinian Trattoria River Deli , and the old-time dive bar Montero .

Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is more than just one of the busiest train stations in the world – it's a window into old New York and into a time when train travel was the ultimate luxury for the wealthy and a necessity for the working man. If you aren't commuting in or out of the city, avoid coming during rush hour, and take your time admiring the landmark architecture and checking out the top-notch dining and shopping.

9/11 Memorial and Museum

Every American should visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at least once. As you enter the museum, you descend from the street to bedrock level – the foundation of the former Twin Towers – and are placed in a meditative mindset, forced to recall where you were on that fateful day. The museum itself is a masterful balance: It's grand in scale, contemplative in its construction, and personal in its execution. It pays homage to the enormity of the loss, both physical and spiritual.

Brooklyn Bridge

When the Brooklyn Bridge was constructed in 1883 – extending 1,595 feet across the East River, connecting lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights – it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Now, it’s a historic staple of the New York City skyline, transporting commuter car traffic underneath and touristic foot traffic above. Standing before arches and rectangles with city skyscrapers rising in the distance, will at once inspire a sense of grandiosity and slightness.

The Cloisters

Located on four acres in northern Manhattan's Fort Tryon Park, the Met Cloisters is a branch of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is America’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the art and architecture of the Middle Ages. The building overlooks the Hudson River and actually incorporates five medieval-inspired cloisters into a modern museum structure, creating a historic, contextualised backdrop in which to view the art.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Located in Midtown Manhattan, the MoMA is larger than it appears as you approach it from the street below. One of the world’s most influential museums – displaying the works of important artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali, and Diane Arbus – it has 630,000 square feet of space and attracts more than a million visitors a year. While making a beeline for the fifth-floor Collection Galleries to take in The Starry Night and Monet’s Water Lilies is understandable, don’t miss the exhibitions, which tell new stories and can only be experienced in a limited time frame. Allocate time to spend pouring over the remarkable books and objects in the famous gift shop, too – an NYC must-visit in its own right.

Apollo Theater

Countless careers have been made, and stars have passed through this world-famous, legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem – Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Ross, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo to name a few. The venue – which began as a white-only burlesque destination until 1934, when under new ownership, it began welcoming and becoming central to the Black community – has been active for 88 years, with swing, blues, jazz, R&B, and comedy acts taking the stage. Today, visitors can attend events like Amateur Night at the Apollo, one of the city’s most long-standing, fame-making live shows. Capacity is 1,500, with three levels of seating, and contrary to the way it appears on 'Showtime at the Apollo,' is intimate without much legroom.

Prospect Park

Prospect Park is in many ways the Central Park of Brooklyn; in fact, it was designed shortly after by the same team of architects, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and has many of the same features: sprawling meadows, walking trails, and picturesque bodies of water. In feeling, though, it’s more rambling and less manicured than its touristed Manhattan counterpart. Prospect Park Woodlands is Brooklyn’s last remaining forest, with 250 acres of trees, turtles, chipmunks, 200 species of birds, and other fauna and flora. There's also basketball and tennis courts, a carousel, playgrounds, a zoo, and a 3.35-mile loop for runners and bikers (they’re fast – watch out!). While there, make a trip to the adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Garden , particularly lovely during cherry blossom season.

Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg

Sip iced coffee in McCarren Park, catch an indie show at Baby's All Right, and walk two blocks over to some of the city's most-coveted Italian at Lilia (with a month-in-advance res, of course.) This is the busiest thoroughfare in hip Williamsburg: Bedford Avenue – and the L train that feeds it – might as well be North Brooklyn’s own personal people-watching catwalk. Pedestrians with voluminous pants, dogs with miniature rain boots, and high-speed scooters will swish past you. As you make your way south from the subway station, likely en route from the East Village, you’ll pass local businesses that characterise the area, like Catbird (ethereal, vintage-inspired jewellery), Spoonbill & Sugartown Books (poetry, special design and cookbooks, cards), and Awoke Vintage (best-known for their genuine denim often from the ‘90s.)

Dover Street Market New York

Dover Street is more than just a luxury department store; it’s a fashion-meets-art exhibition space. Featured designers configure their own display areas, allowing the shopper to interact with the clothes in a holistic manner that takes you inside the designer’s world – as opposed to just picking through dresses hanging on a metal rack. Also, don’t miss the ground-floor café, Rose Bakery.

Coney Island

Coney Island has a reputation as a circus-worthy tourist trap, which is exactly what it is. But you may be surprised by the old-timey charms of this beachfront American town. You’ll definitely be impressed by the food and drinks – Totonno's Pizza, Gargiulo's and Coney Island Brewery in particular. Locals and tourists hang out on the beach , eat ice cream cones on the promenade, and stand in line for the famed Cyclone roller coaster. The beach and boardwalk, along with spots like Nathan’s, are open year-round. The amusement park itself is seasonal. Events like the annual Mermaid Parade (crowded as they may be) are worth watching for the audacity and theatrics you can’t find anywhere else in the world but Coney Island.

Washington Square Park

If people-watching is your sport, Washington Square Park is your place. Entertainment is a given in this intimate, not-quite 10-acre space, filled with career chess players, musicians, performers, students, sunbathers, strollers, and general throngs of Greenwich Villagers, desperate for a bit of fresh air. Take your time as you go through: Pause beneath Washington Arch, honouring our country’s first president (for whom the Park is named), and observe the laurel wreaths and intricate motifs that extend from the base to the keystones, atop which twin eagles perch like constant watchmen. Washington Square Park is the beating heart of this vibrant New York neighbourhood.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

For nearly a century and a half, the Met has remained the cultural epicentre of New York City, thanks to forward-thinking exhibits and an extensive permanent collection. With its Gothic-Revival-style building, iconic tiered steps, and Central Park location, the building is a sight to be seen. But step inside its Great Hall – as a ceaseless parade of museumgoers moves to and fro – and you’ll feel the overwhelming sense of possibility and discovery that lies beyond. If you've got limited time or compatriots with limited attention spans, start with the Temple of Dendur, a 2,000-year-old soaring Egyptian temple (the only complete one in the Western Hemisphere).

Blue Note Jazz Club

Blue Note has been one of the best jazz clubs in New York, and the world, since the 1980s. It offers music every night at 8pm and 10.30pm, and on Friday and Saturday nights, it has a late-night series at 12.30am, which showcases emerging talent. If you're looking to get a taste of jazz in NYC, you can do no better. Over the years, legendary musicians including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ray Charles have performed on the Blue Note Stage, as well as contemporary jazz acts such as Wynton Marsalis, Keith Jarrett, and Chris Botti. Tables are intimate, close-set, and all-ages (with the bar being 21-plus).

Union Square Greenmarket

Union Square is a place of the people, not unlike the agoras of ancient Athens – and no offering of Union Square showcases this quality quite like the bustling Greenmarket. From upstate New York, the Berkshires, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, vendors sell artisan bread, honey, fresh-cut flowers, heritage meats, pastries, seasonal fruits and vegetables both common and uncommon, and much more. Don't miss the free events, like book signings and more: Cooking demos take place at the Market Information tent daily, beer and spirits pop-ups show seasonally, and the education station offers tours and tastings.

Rockefeller Center

Rockefeller Center sits in the heart of midtown Manhattan, both in terms of its physical location and its prominent place in the city's folklore and culture. Whether you want to check out a performance on the plaza outside The Today Show , visit the Christmas tree, or practice your best moves on the ice skating rink, you're in for an iconic, family-friendly experience. If you buy a ticket to Top of the Rock, you'll enjoy spectacular views of the city below. No matter where you are, you're bound to be constantly pointing and shouting, “Hey, look at that!”

Comedy Cellar

None of the promoters on MacDougal Street shouting “stand-up comedy tonight!” are trying to get you into the Comedy Cellar , where the show is already sold out. Blockbuster stars like Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy made their names at the Cellar; if you're lucky, one may show up the night you're there. Seating is intimate and close together, and there is a two-item minimum on food or drinks. It's 21-plus and be prepared to surrender your phone at the door, too. There's no bad seat in the house but sit in the front at your own risk of getting (playfully) heckled by the host or a comic.

American Museum of Natural History

Truly one of the world's great natural history museums, the American Museum of Natural History spans four city blocks just across from Central Park. All aspects of the natural world are represented here, from a vast collection of taxidermy mammals, to depictions of the life of Native American tribes, to an entire hall dedicated to marine life – including a life-size model of a blue whale. The crown jewel is the dinosaur floor, with an imposing Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton that dominates the room. The newest attraction comes in the form of the long-awaited Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation, which opened in May of 2023 and, among many other things, boasts a comprehensive insectarium and vivarium. Breathtaking architecture from Chicago-based Jeanne Gang doesn't hurt, either.

The Strand Book Store

With its towering stacks, filled with more than 2.5 million titles, this 94-year-old bookstore is less neighbourhood haunt and more globally recognised institution. You could call the Strand's employees tour guides, considering their deft ability to find the exact title you're looking for and recommend a book you may not have otherwise plucked from the shelves. The store will make you question why you don’t read more, and chances are you won’t leave empty-handed.

With more than 700 different animal species spread across 265 acres of parkland thoughtfully designed to mimic natural habitats, the Bronx Zoo is a great place to escape from Manhattan for the day, especially if you're travelling with kids . Don't miss the giraffe building, the Congo gorilla forest, the house of reptiles, the flamingos in the sea bird aviary, and the sea lions, who always make for an exciting show. If you're looking for a quiet and meditative way to spend a few hours, skip it. But if you want to blow the minds of a bunch of kids, you can do no better.

Russian Turkish Baths

The Russian Turkish Baths is a really nice place to hang out for half a day – beneath the churning East Village, sweating it out in a no-frills den of functionality. Up a steep, nondescript stoop in that neighbourhood and through a heavy door, and you’re in, leaving your wallet in a safety deposit box in exchange for a locker room key and then down another stair to the subterranean saunas and steam rooms. They’ve got ‘em all here, from the red-hot Russian room (where they also perform the platza venik treatment) to a more bearable Turkish, with a cold plunge and showers for in-between regulation. There’s also a bountiful food menu serving up such classics as borscht and beef stew to keep you nurtured.

Tenement Museum

The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is, as the name implies, a historic tenement house (two, if you want to get technical). On a tour of the tenements, you’ll hear the personal histories of the working-class individuals who lived there and see how they made do with cramped quarters to build new lives in America. On a neighbourhood walking tour – the other way to visit the museum – you’ll learn about the evolution of the Lower East Side and how its thriving immigrant population made it the most densely populated area in the country during the 1900s.

Jewish Brooklyn: Tours of Hasidic Brooklyn

The pockets of Brooklyn inhabited predominately by the Hasidic are not often explored on the average Big Apple itinerary. There are two guided tours you can take of Hasidic Brooklyn: Frieda Vizel's of conservative Williamsburg and the Friedman family's of the slightly more flexible Crown Heights (none yet open us to the cosmopolitan Borough Park.) The former rendezvouses in the bus plaza just below the Williamsburg Bridge, the latter around the dining room table of a family home. From there, you're off to the races learning from people who know and love their subject deeply. You'll also sample kosher sweets and stop at the deli, dip into a toy store or wigmaker, and meet quite a few friendly faces. Both are excellent ways to immerse yourself, for a few hours, in the culture of some of Brooklyn’s more enigmatic inhabitants.

Staten Island Ferry

One of the first things associate editor Hannah Towey did when she moved to New York City was board the (free! bright orange!) Staten Island Ferry by Battery Park at Manhattan's bottom, watch the sunset over the water on her way to that far-flung borough and then turn around and get right back on for the return to Manhattan. Forget the outrageously expensive Statue of Liberty cruises and the discomfort of the official ferry (although Ellis Island, unfortunately, the next stop on the same trip, is worth a visit) – here you see plenty of Lady Liberty, Governor's Island, and the skyline without opening your purse. It's a dreamy 25 minutes each way, passed easily, watching the myriad terns dip into the ship's wake. This is not to say you shouldn't spend a few hours on Staten Island if you have the time – the Botanical Garden is as gorgeous as it is free, and the food is impeccable with abundant Sri Lankan options (try New Asha, although you can't go wrong anywhere) and excellent Italian at Enoteca Maria for nonnas and their appreciators.

Arthur Avenue

Almost every awning along the stretch of The Bronx's Arthur Avenue between D'Auria-Murphy Triangle and Ciccarone Park marks an Italian name possessing something – a pizzeria, a restaurant, a bakery. But just because it's all Italian, all the time along these two blocks, doesn't mean all aren't welcome to come and patronize these establishments. It's some of the absolute best Italian food in New York City lined up for your convenience, bustling with life and good eats. Executive editor Erin Florio's relatives still do their Sunday shopping in the market, which she describes as "dusty but great." Poking around and picking a few things up, there is really where it's at – bright seasonal produce, sausages of all stripes dangling from the ceiling, fresh-baked bread, and vinegar imports from the old country line the walls in cans and jars. It's true one-stop shopping.

The Noguchi Museum

This intimate, meditative museum in Long Island City was conceived and built by Isamu Noguchi himself. Here, his mostly abstract sculptures and often-copied paper lamps are displayed across two levels of exhibition space and throughout a quiet, ivy-covered walled garden. Even if you're not familiar with Noguchi's work, you've probably come across one of his Akari light sculptures – geometric or globular lamps made of washi paper and bamboo that glow softly from within – which have become something of a modern design trope since he started designing them in the early 1950s.

Industry City

This stretch of waterfront has been a hub of Brooklyn manufacturing since Irving T. Bush first developed his family's rail-marine terminal (then called Bush Terminal) in the mid-1890s to add warehouse structures. The sprawling campus that stands today in the quiet Sunset Park neighbourhood is Industry City , the ripe and succulent fruit of decades' worth of redevelopment efforts. The idea here is one-stop shopping: Pick up a coffee from one proprietor and sip it while flitting through the Makers’ Guild’s wonderful artisan shops. There's also a slate of full-service restaurants and outdoor spaces – manicured lawns on par with what you'd expect from those in a private, luxury apartment building.

Keith McNally's flagship restaurant – this is also the master behind such atmospheric Manhattan mainstays as Pastis, the Odeon, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi, each also worth a visit if I may suggest a “Keith McNally crawl” – is a high-ceilinged, brasserie-inspired scene to end all scenes. Martinis are omnipresent at the bar and in deep red-leather booths. So are steak frites smothered in peppercorn sauce. But the asset that's fabulous with the greatest diversity are the patrons – like if that New York magazine cover all convened to share a meal. Alison Roman once told Interview : “The food is so bad, it’s too expensive, I love going there.” She's being facetious for comedic effect – the food is just fine, but it is true that you're really going there to go there. With your expectations duly measured, enjoy an uncomplicated onion soup gratine and some yummy, well-buttered escargot for starters before moving on to the steak frites main event. For dessert , there's nowhere worth going more than the perfect profiteroles, poured with warm chocolate sauce tableside.

This is the last independent, nonprofit cinema in New York City. Little has changed about this humble, unpretentious theatre since it first opened in 1970 as a screening space for independent films – there's the big marquee outside, lighting up an otherwise quiet stretch of West Houston; a ticket booth with microphone and glass partition; and a red carpet underfoot. It's retro without feeling dated, a warm place out of time. Behind the concessions counter, by the way, are some very nice people selling some very good espresso and baked goods (try the cakes carrot and orange bundt) in addition to regular sodas and candies. From new and obscure cinema made outside the US to a dazzling assortment of global classics that has most recently included Midnight Cowboy and Le Samourai, you can rest assured that every last thing on the marquee is worth a few hours of your time.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

7 Key Things To Know Before Your First Trip To New York City

• Destinations
• New York City
• United States

New York City is diverse, lively, dense, and home to iconic sights and symbols like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. Streets are filled with skyscrapers. It’s a mix of cultures and foods and world-class art. Theater is top quality here. You can shop till you drop. At Times Square, you will marvel at the oversized flashing lighted signs that surround the crowds below. And when you are tired of the bustle, escape to the wonders of Central Park with its lakes and trees and grassy hills.

With all New York City has to offer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed when planning a trip, especially if it’s your first time in NYC. Here are some major things to know that will help. Be flexible once you get to New York, but at least have a game plan ahead of time so you can best enjoy this wonderfully complex city.

1. New York City Is Manhattan And More

New York City is made up of five boroughs, with Manhattan at its core. While you can venture to Brooklyn , the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island, you will want to center your first trip in Manhattan. This is where you’ll find the Empire State Building , Times Square, Broadway shows, and Central Park . If you have time, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge or take the subway to the Bronx. If you have only a few days, plan to spend most of your time in Manhattan.

2. Sleep In Manhattan But Not In Times Square

Staying in Manhattan on your first trip allows you to fit in the most sightseeing. That doesn’t narrow it down a lot, though, as Manhattan is large and there are hundreds of hotels. Many people book a hotel in Times Square because they’ve heard of it and seen the ball drop on TV on New Year’s Eve. But I recommend staying at least a few blocks away from the chaos and noise and giant neon signs of Times Square. Choose a place in your budget and preferences at least a few blocks away.

I like staying near Grand Central Station on East 42nd Street. This puts you at a transportation hub within walking distance of Rockefeller Plaza, Bryant Park, Times Square, and Central Park. I can recommend the Hyatt Grand Central as a mid-priced, clean, attractive option.

If you’re after lower prices, you can opt to stay in New Jersey or Brooklyn, or anywhere outside the middle of Manhattan. The trade-off is more time spent on the train or subway. I like to pack my sightseeing days full of sights, walking out the door of my hotel and being right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Figure out what’s best for you.

3. Decide On The Iconic Attractions You Want To See

While your interests will determine how you fill your time in New York City, there are three iconic sights that will top your list on your first trip.

The Statue of Liberty National Monument . Lady Liberty, recognized around the world as a symbol of freedom, stands waiting to welcome you to New York. Before you go, think about whether you want to take the boat out to the island and see the statue from her pedestal. Or are you fine with taking the free Staten Island Ferry and getting a close-up view from the water? Do you also want to go to nearby Ellis Island, where immigrants were brought and processed into the U.S. for years? You can get tickets to see both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Allow basically a morning or afternoon to do the joint tour.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum

Built where the Twin Towers once stood, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum honors those lost in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Be prepared for an emotional experience .

If you are short on time, you can visit just the memorial pools outside the museum. Allow at least 2 hours for the museum.

Central Park

This famous green oasis covering more than 800 acres calls to visitors and locals alike. Stroll along the tree-lined paths or relax on the grassy lawns of North Meadow and Sheep’s Meadow. Marvel at the lovely curves of Bow Bridge. And visit the Imagine memorial to John Lennon.

If time is limited, enter the park at the south end and wander as long as you can. There’s more to see than at the north end of the park. Download a map or app of the park so you can easily find the points you most want to see.

4. Discount Passes May Save You Money

For your first trip to New York City, consider an attractions pass. This can save you money, especially if you plan to visit the most popular places. Basic options include:

All-Inclusive

These are for a set number of days. Fit in as many attractions as you like in that time. Some come with skip-the-line perks. Two to look into are the Sightseeing Pass and the New York Pass .

Number Of Attractions

These are for a set number of attractions, such as three or five choices from the options given. If you know what you most want to see, these are a good kind of pass. One to consider is The Explorer Pass .

Pre-Packaged Passes

You don’t have a choice of which attractions are included. But many of the most popular are included. Check out the CityPass , which is a booklet of six tickets

Do a cost comparison with what you want to see between having a pass and no pass to find out whether you want to invest in one.

5. Choose Where You Will Take In The City Views

The vastness of New York City never ceases to amaze people. And taking in a view of the city from above is a must when you visit. Not only do you see the density of the buildings but you have the water, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty to spy on from up high. Here are four main places that feature a panoramic view. Book tickets ahead of your visit to get the time of day you prefer. If you can choose two of these viewing sites, book one in the daytime and the other at sunset for views of NYC in all lights.

The Edge is an outside platform 101 stories up, and it literally hangs off the edge of the building. You see West Manhattan and south to the Statue of Liberty. The angled glass walls allow you to lean out over the city. And there’s a glassed section of ground where you can stand and look straight down at the city below.

This is my favorite of the city view places. After you get over the strange sensation of feeling like you’re on the brink of falling 100 stories to the sidewalk, it’s quite exciting. And the views are certainly breathtaking.

Top Of The Rock Observation Deck

From the top of Rockefeller Center, you can take in views of Central Park and Manhattan Midtown from 70 floors up. And from the Top of the Rock you can clearly see the Empire State Building. That’s one reason some people recommend this one if you are choosing just one view site. And with indoor and outdoor viewing decks, you can stay inside if it’s cold or rainy.

Empire State Building

This grand symbol of New York, the Empire State Building , is billed as the “world’s most famous skyscraper.” Get your ticket and ride the elevator to the 86th floor, where you can look out at the city from the 360-degree observatory. See the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty.

If you choose, you can include a visit to the 102nd floor as well. Here are floor-to-ceiling views that can cover up to 80 miles away on a clear day.

Summit One Vanderbilt

The newest entry into fantastic NYC viewpoints is the Summit . The entrance is inside Grand Central Station. It does have a view of the city, and it also has other floors with mirrors and shiny objects. It’s an experience that goes beyond taking in the city sights. Take a look at the website and see if it’s something you want to do. 

6. It’s Okay If It’s Rainy Or Very Cold

As your trip gets close, check the weather. If it looks like a day of rain or extreme cold is coming, no problem. Plan for amazing indoor options. A few top picks:

Metropolitan Museum Of Art

This world-class art museum offers so much to see that you could easily spend days here. Not only does it display art from different historical periods and countries, but also the architecture of the building alone is worth a visit.

Like the Louvre in Paris and the British Museum, the Met can be enjoyed in short sessions. Plan for a morning or a few hours. Then, look at the online information about the exhibits. Choose two or three areas that fascinate you and start there. You will likely want to return to see more!

American Museum Of Natural History

This grand museum has been around for 150 years. While it’s a great way to keep young ones in your party busy and happy, I’ve found as a grown-up that I love natural history displays.

Popular exhibits include the brown bears in the North American Hall of Mammals, the massive blue whale model that measures 94 feet, and the huge Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.

New York Public Library

This imposing building is a great place to shelter from the weather. The stately lions standing guard on the front steps are named Patience and Fortitude. The architecture inside the library is noteworthy. And it’s free.

7. Wear Comfortable Shoes

You may think of New York City as a fashion mecca and figure you need to dress up. But while there are upscale stores and elegant restaurants, for sightseeing, you don’t need to be fancy. You will walk and walk and walk. And that’s the best way to experience New York. So, wear comfortable shoes or flat-heeled boots. And it may be surprising but rest assured that casual clothes are fine for Broadway shows and most restaurants.

These tips touch on some things that can make your trip easier and more fun. With a bit of planning, you will enjoy your time in New York. I’m betting you’ll want to return for more incredible experiences in this fascinating city.

Go over to our New York City category to find out more about the Big Apple:

• 9 Best Places In New York City To Escape The Crowds
• 10 Best Spots To Try New York City Pizza, According To The Locals
• 10 Luxe Lounges To Visit In New York City

As the owner of the travel blog, Exploring Our World , Sharon enjoys taking her readers on a journey with her. Articles often delve into the history of a place, and by adding in a generous number of photos, she inspires others to explore for themselves. In her early travels, she was most frustrated by coming back home and learning that she had missed a fascinating sight or a hidden gem. Now she helps travelers prepare for a trip by passing along travel tips, pointing out lesser known things to see, and alerting them to enjoyable day trips from major cities.

Her travel articles have been published by Stripes Europe Newsletter and the World War 2 Writing and Research Center. Whether she's discovering more about her hometown of San Diego, California or flying to faraway places, she enjoys sharing with travel lovers around the world.

New York City Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 25, 2024

It’s famous for….well, just about everything, New York City is the beating heart of the world — which is why I call it home. Every culture, language, and food is represented here.

Unsurprisingly, there is a never-ending list of things to do here. No amount of time you spend in NYC will be enough so don’t worry about running out of things to do. You could spend a lifetime exploring the city and never really see it all. And, whatever your interest, no matter how obscure, you can find it in NYC.

As a budget traveler, visiting NYC can be tough, especially when you don’t know the hidden tricks that make living here affordable. There are plenty of things to do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg — if you know where to look!

This travel guide to NYC can help you make the most of your visit, get off the beaten path, and not break the bank.

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on New York City

Top 5 Things to See and Do in New York City

1. Meander through Central Park

It’s free, there are lots of little paths to walk, and, since it spans over 40 blocks, it’s easy to spend hours upon hours wandering around or having a picnic. During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions here too. From the spring to the fall, there are free guided walks on Saturdays as well. Personally, I’m a big fan of laying out in Sheep’s Meadow on a hot, sunny day with a book, some food, and a bottle of wine. If you want to take a guided tour around the park to learn more about the statues and sculptures, ponds, parks, and famous filming sites, take a guided tour with Get Your Guide ($25 USD). It will really give you a good understanding of the park.

2. Visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum

On September 11th, 2001, almost 3,000 people were killed in a series of terrorist attacks in NYC and elsewhere. Visit this somber memorial and take in the view from the Freedom Tower. On the elevator up, you can see pictures of the historical development of the city and how it’s changed over the years. To get a deeper understanding of 9/11 and the events that unfolded, visit the museum. It’s home to moving exhibits that illuminate the scope and significance of the tragedy. The memorial is free to visit; museum entry is $33 USD (free entry Mondays from 3:30pm-5pm but tickets must be booked online). Get tickets beforehand so you can skip the line and save time!

3. Visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met is one of the foremost collections of fine art in the world. If you only see one museum in New York, make it this one. It has a wide array of art, artifacts, photographs, and other exhibits from around the world. There’s a whole collection of armor and another dedicated to costumes. You’ll see pieces from the ancient world as well as contemporary art. I like its expansive Impressionist and Greek exhibits, but there are more than 490,000 works of art on display. It’s chaotic and filled with people, especially on the weekend, but since it is so big, you can usually find some quiet spots away from the crowds. Budget at least a half-day here as a few hours won’t do this place justice. Admission is $30 USD and you can buy tickets in advance.

4. See the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island

The Statue of Liberty is a massive Neoclassical statue gifted to the USA from France. It was dedicated in 1886 and stands 305-feet tall (95 meters). It was designed by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi though its metal framework was built by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). It’s spectacular to see up close and is as big as you imagine, but the real highlight of this combo is Ellis Island. Here, you can learn about the immigrant experience and get a sense of the people who helped build NYC (you’ll even find my family’s name inscribed on the wall). There’s such a great sense of history there that you can’t help but be impressed. Admission is $25 USD.

Here’s an overview of what the tours are like .

5. Walk the High Line

Other things to see and do in new york city, 1. take a walking tour.

A great way to orient yourself to the city is with a walking tour. You’ll learn some history, see the main sights, and explore all the city’s nooks and crannies. I think free walking tours are a wonderful activity in any city (I always take them when I arrive somewhere new). If you’re on a budget, I recommend Free Tours by Foot. For paid tours, go with Take Walks . They have specific tours in the city that focus on art, food, and history, and they are pretty affordable too. (I wrote a whole blog post about New York City walking tours that you can check out here. )

2. Ride the Staten Island Ferry

That two-hour-long line to see the Statue of Liberty not appealing? Walk a few blocks to the Staten Island ferry. This free ferry takes you across the harbor and offers a nice view of both the Statue of Liberty and the city skyline. You won’t get to stop at Ellis Island but you’ll get a nice (and free) view while you enjoy the historical route that New Yorkers have been taking for centuries. The ride takes about 20 minutes each way.

3. Walk the Brooklyn Bridge

Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to get a picturesque view of the New York skyline and harbor. It’s a long walk, but good food and drinks await you on the other side. Stopping to take in the view and meandering along the way makes the walk about 40 minutes. I enjoy doing this walk at night when downtown Manhattan is all lit up. Otherwise, come early to beat the crowds. It’s a super popular spot for taking photos so be sure to bring a camera (or you can hire a NYC photographer if you really want to snag some impressive pics).

If you want a more nuanced experience, take a guided tour across the bridge . Not only will you learn some fascinating history but your guide can show you all the best spots to take photos.

4. Museum hop

New York City has dozens upon dozens of museums worth visiting. You have The Met, Natural History Museum, the MoMA, Frick, Guggenheim, the Museum for African Art, Museum of the City of New York, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum (a branch of the Smithsonian Institution), The Whitney, The Brooklyn Museum, and so many more! Pick the ones you want to see the most and visit those unless you have weeks in New York to see them all. Admission varies, but expect to spend around $28 USD per person per museum.

5. Visit Radio City Music Hall

Is there a more American theater than Radio City Music Hall? This timeless testament to entertainment has captivated visitors since the 1930s (at the time, it was the largest auditorium in the world). It’s the home of the precision dance company The Rockettes, who have been performing here since 1932. It’s also been the venue for all kinds of award shows, including the Tonys and the Grammys. There are still concerts, comedy shows, and other entertainment happening all the time. Check their website to find out what’s happening during your visit. There’s also an hour-long tour you can take that will get you behind the scenes to see the Great Stage and The Roxy Suite. Tickets start at $42.

6. Take in the theater

You can’t come to NYC and not see a Broadway show. There are tons of amazing shows here from grand musicals to traditional Shakespeare to offbeat shows. There’s nothing better than witnessing NYC theater, and it’s such an integral part of life here you should check it out. Current highlights include Hamilton, Chicago, Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Six, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Lion King, and more. Most shows have performances roughly eight times per week. If there’s a specific one you’ve been wanting to see, you should be able to find a time while you’re in the city. Visit the TKTS booth in Times Square to get half-price tickets. To see what shows are playing during your visit, check out broadway.com.

7. Wander Times Square

No matter when you go to Times Square, it will be packed with people (usually other tourists). There are pedestrian areas where you can sit and hang out and tons of (overpriced) restaurants and stores. It’s still a fabulous place to people-watch for a few minutes from the top of the red steps of the TKTS kiosk. Try to come at night when it’s all lit up with all the signs and neon lights. That’s when it looks the best!

8. Experience the Prohibition Bars

I love the 1920s. One of the reasons I love NYC so much is because there are tons of other people here who love the Jazz Age. There are lots of Prohibition-style bars serving classic drinks and hosting live jazz and swing music. While the fancy cocktails they serve may not be cheap ($15–20 USD), I’m hooked on the atmosphere. Stepping into these bars with the music playing, people dancing, and everyone dressed the part transports me to an era when things were classy, carefree, and fun. Some of my favorites are The Back Room, Apotheke, The Dead Rabbit, and Bathtub Gin.

9. Visit the Lower East Side Tenement Museum

This museum highlights how immigrants from around the world lived during the late 1800s and early 1900s as they tried to make it in America. It’s a good follow-up to what you see on Ellis Island. You can only visit this museum via guided tours, and they need to be booked in advance. The museum is actually an apartment building that’s been used to recreate the living conditions during different periods of the city’s history. Each tour tells the story of a different family and what their life was like here during their time. The tour will take you through apartments that have been recreated to match the time period of the story. You can choose from tours that highlight women or specific immigrant groups. I like that live actors are used to portray and share the stories of newly arrived immigrants as it makes the experience much more memorable. Tours last 60-75 minutes. Admission is $30 USD.

10. Visit Trinity Church

Built in 1698, the original Trinity Church was a small parish church constructed by the Church of England. When the British seized New York after George Washington’s retreat, it was used as a British base of operations. After the war, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton regularly worshipped here. The graveyard dates back to the 1700s and holds many a famous Americans, including Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth, Francis Lewis (signatory on the Declaration of Independence), John Alsop (Continental Congress delegate), Albert Gallatin (founder of NYU), and Horatio Gates (Continental Army general).

11. Head to Top of the Rock

This area is always filled with hustle and bustle. Wander around Rockefeller Center to see where they film The Today Show , shop, snack, and then take the elevator to the “Top of the Rock” for a bird’s-eye view of the city (I personally think the view is better than the Empire State Building since you get the Empire State Building in your pictures). Tickets cost $40 USD.

12. Just wander

Walk from the east side to the west side and marvel at the beautiful New York City architecture such as Grand Central Station, Union Square, the New York Times building, the Chrysler Building, the Flat Iron building, and more. There are so many historic buildings in New York City to see! You can talk a walk past the United Nations Headquarters on the East side of Manhattan. Madison Square Garden and Chelsea Market are great spots for wandering on the other side of the island. In lower Manhattan, you can grab a slice of pizza in Little Italy or take in the bustle of Chinatown. Just wandering around the city and seeing what there is to see is a fun afternoon activity for every budget traveler.

13. Relax in Battery Park

Located on the southern tip of Manhattan, this park is where the Dutch built Fort Amsterdam in 1625 to defend their settlement. The British took the area over in 1664 and eventually renamed it Fort George. While the fort was mostly destroyed during the Revolution, the battery was expanded after the war’s end. Today, there are over 20 monuments and plaques in the park, covering everything from the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 to immigration and much more. You can wander around the fort and then stroll through the surrounding park and take in the beautiful waterfront views of the harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

14. Visit Wall Street

Take a photo with the famous charging bull statue (which was created in 1989) and then walk to Wall Street and see where all those bankers destroyed the economy. There’s heavy security in the area, but you can sit and watch people whiz in and out of buildings on their way to cause some other financial disaster. Guided tours around Wall St with Get Your Guide cost $35 USD and cover the highs and lows of the (in)famous finance hub, highlighting the lives of famous elites from John D. Rockefeller to Warren Buffet. I found the tour really interesting!

14. See Federal Hall

One of the most overlooked museums in the city sits across the street from the NY Stock Exchange (NYSE). Federal Hall, built in 1700, is where George Washington took his oath of office. You’ll see the Bible that was used when he was sworn in as president, which was loaned to him from the local Masonic Lodge. It was the site of the US Customs House in the late 1700s and the first capitol building of the US. Though the original facade was rebuilt, it’s one of my favorite attractions in the area. I especially love the old vaults. I highly recommend you visit. Admission is free.

16. See Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the city’s historic train station. It was going to be torn down in 1975 but was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy, who raised money for its preservation. I love coming to the main concourse and looking up at the “stars” in the ceiling as everyone races to and fro. There’s also an amazing eatery in the basement called the Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant. And for fancy (and expensive) cocktails, visit The Campbell and step back into the 1920s (dress code enforced). It was once the office of John W. Campbell, a member of the New York Central Railroad’s board of directors and finance tycoon from the 1920s.

17. Visit The Cloisters

Few people make it up to the Cloisters (it’s up near 204th Street), a branch of the Met devoted to medieval Europe. It took me years to finally see it, and I kicked myself for waiting so long. It was built with Rockefeller money from parts of five European abbeys between 1934 and 1939. (They even stipulated that the land across the river would forever remain undeveloped so the view would be unspoiled!). The building and its stunning cloistered garden are very, very peaceful, and beautiful. It’s one of the best things to do in the city. There are free tours each day that explain the history of the museum and the paintings and exhibits. Admission is $30 USD (which includes same-day entrance to the Metropolitan Museum of Art).

18. Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Head over to the MoMA for lots of beautiful (and weird) modern art and some vivid impressionist art. Personally, I dislike modern art. I just don’t “get” it. How is a shovel on a wall art? While I’m not a fan, this museum does have Van Gogh’s Starry Night as well as other post-impressionist art, so I can’t hate it completely. If you love modern and contemporary art, this (I’m told) is one of the best in the world. The galleries display works from the 1880s through the modern day. The museum regularly has events that are interactive for kids, teens, and adults. They also show films as part of their art exhibitions. Check their website to see what’s on while you’re visiting. Admission is $28 USD. The MoMA’s Sculpture Garden is free of charge to the public daily from 9:30am–10:15am.

19. Hang out in Prospect Park

Get out of Manhattan and explore Brooklyn’s version of Central Park, which spans almost 600 acres. While you’re here, don’t miss the nearby Brooklyn Museum. Spend the afternoon discovering its vast collection of both historical and contemporary art and artifacts (there are over 1.5 million items in its collection). It has art exhibitions highlighting ancient Egypt, Medieval Europe, colonial USA, and more. Tickets are $20 USD.

20. Visit the Bronx Zoo

Head north for a look at one of the oldest and biggest zoos in the United States. Opened in 1899, the zoo spans almost 300 acres and sees over 2 million visitors each year. Home to over 650 different species, it’s a great place to visit with kids. Gorillas, birds of prey, bison — there is a huge assortment of animals here and you’ll definitely learn a lot during your visit! Admission is $37.95 USD. Tickets are $17.95 USD on Wednesdays.

21. See a Yankees/Mets/Rangers/Knicks game

Like sports? NYC has some world-class sports teams. I’m not a big sports fan (the Yankees play soccer, right?), but games are fun when you have friends to share the experience with. If you have a chance and the desire, don’t miss a sporting event, because New Yorkers are serious about their local teams!

22. Attend a taping

TV shows like Saturday Night Live , The View , The Late Show with Stephen Colbert , The Daily Show , Last Week Tonight , Late Night with Seth Meyers , and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon offer free tickets to their tapings (although they must be reserved well in advance). See each show’s website for details and to make reservations.

22. Talk a walk through Green-Wood Cemetery

Green-Wood in Brooklyn was the first rural cemetery in the US and is now a National Historical Landmark. You’ll see graves of famous Americans like the Roosevelt family, Laura Keene (she was one of the actresses on stage when Lincoln was assassinated), and many others. There’s a free map at every entrance so you can easily find where you want to go in the 478-acre grounds. This was also the site of the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War. The grounds are open year-round and free to visit.

23. Visit the Louis Armstrong House

Jazz legend Louis Armstrong and his wife lived in this house on 107th Street in Queens which has been turned into a museum, which opened to the public in 2003. The main exhibition features Louis’s life, career, and impact within the musical and local communities. Other exhibits show the collection of music, photographs, recordings, and other personal items from Louis and his wife, Lucille. You’ll even see a trumpet that Louis gave to King George V of England. There are guided tours available for $20 or you can walk through the exhibit on your own for $10.

( Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to New York City filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc.), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book! )

New York City Travel Costs

Budget hotel prices – Budget two-star hotels start at $120 USD per night during the winter and about $160 USD a night the rest of the year. Expect basic amenities like TV, AC, and coffee/tea makers. If you want cheaper accommodation, it’s much better to stay in Hoboken/Jersey City or Brooklyn, where there’s more budget options. In Manhattan, accommodation is going to be the most expensive, especially if you come during the summer, where most hotels are around $200 USD or more per night.

Airbnb is technically banned in NYC for anything under 30 days, unless the host lives there. Private rooms start at $80 USD per night but average closer to $130-150 USD, especially if you want to stay in Manhattan. For entire places, you can still find some listed online but Airbnb is constantly trying to remove those in order to comply with the law. I’d try to avoid them.

Food – New York has every kind of cuisine you can think of — and at every price range too. This is the land of cheap eats and $1000 dinners! Post-COVID, prices have risen a lot and, while can get pricey here, there’s still a few cheap ways to save.

Pizza slices can be found for as little as a dollar, though typically they cost around $3 USD for a slice of cheese and about $5 USD for one with a topping. A bagel with cream cheese or a hot dog is usually around $3-5 USD. The famous “BEC” (bacon, egg, and cheese) sandwich will cost about $10 USD. There are plenty of street vendors with meals between $5-10 USD.

Sandwich shops, kebab places, salad shops, and cafes are generally going to be between $15-20 for a meal.

You can eat a sit down restaurant for $15-25 USD per main course. Appetizers can range from $8-15 USD. Dinner for two with drinks usually averages around $100 USD. This is any random place in NYC that’s not too fancy. Think the random Mexican, Thai, or Italian place you walk across. For sushi, you’re looking at about $40-50 USD for a meal (though you can get lunch specials for around $15 USD) and about $100 USD for an omakase.

If you like fast food (I don’t), you can usually find value meals for $10-15 USD.

Prices just go straight up from there as NYC has some really fancy and expensive restaurants. I mean, you can pay upwards of $350 USD for a prix-fixe dinner! main courses at many high-end restaurants can sometimes be $50 USD each! If you were to go to a really fancy place, you’d probably spend at least $200 for two people, especially if you got drinks.

A latte/cappuccino is $5 USD while bottled water is $2 USD. For drinks, you’ll find beer for around $8 USD, wine between $12-15 USD, and cocktails for between $15-20 USD. (For tips on how to get cheaper drinks, see the money saving section below.)

If you cook your own food, expect to pay between $65-80 USD per week for groceries that includes basic staples like pasta, rice, vegetables, and some meat. Shop at Fairway for inexpensive groceries. If you don’t have a kitchen, Whole Foods and Wegman’s have really good prepared meals and hot / salad bars.

Backpacking New York City Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking New York City, expect to spend around $100 USD per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, public transportation, cooking your own meals, and free attractions. If you plan on drinking, add $40 USD more per day.

A mid-range budget of about $300 USD covers staying in a cheap hotel, eating cheap, enjoying a couple drinks, taking the occasional taxi, and doing more paid activities. You could probably lower this cost a bit (see the next section) but, given the price of accommodation, it’s the most realistic daily budget.

On a “luxury” budget of $600 USD or more per day, you can stay in a fancy hotel and do whatever you want! The sky is the limit after that!

New York City Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

New York City can easily drain your wallet. It is expensive and your money really, really quickly if you aren’t careful. Prices for everything have dramatically increased post-COVID. Luckily, this is the city of starving artists so there are always deals and ways to save. Here are some ways to save money in New York City:

• Take a free tour – Taking a free walking tour is the best way to get introduced to the city. You get to see the main sights and ask all your questions to a local guide. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end! This post on NYC walking tours can give you my favorite companies .
• Get a MetroCard – You’ll be taking the subway a lot and fares can add up. Get one of the Unlimited MetroCards and save yourself a bundle during your trip. 7-day unlimited cards are $34 USD.
• Get cheap theater tickets – Broadway tickets can easily run hundreds of dollars, especially for new and popular shows. The TKTS stand in Times Square offers 40-50% off select shows. You need to arrive at the counter the same day to see what they have but it’s usually a wide selection. Be prepared to wait in line for about an hour. TKTS also has offices at the South Street Seaport and in Brooklyn.
• Visit the museums for free – NYC is full of some of the best museums in the world. In addition to the MoMA, many offer free entry on certain days of the week: the Whitney Museum of American Art is pay-what-you-wish on Thursday afternoons, the Solomon R. Guggenheim has pay-what-you-wish between 4-6pm on Saturdays, the Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design has a pay-what-you-wish policy on Saturday nights.
• Visit the tourism website – New York City’s tourism website has a great list of free activities, museums, and shows. Visiting their website can help you figure out what is free in the city. While NYC is expensive, there’s always free things going on. The tourism board’s website is a great place to find those things.
• Eat on the cheap – Between the food carts, dollar slice shops, kebab places, and cheap eateries (Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai are some of the cheapest places in the city) you can eat really cheap in NYC. Some of my favorite places to eat cheap are The Dead Rabbit (oyster happy hours), Percy’s Pizza, Noodle Q (Chinese food with big portions), and Gray’s Papaya (cheap hotdogs).
• Get the lunch special – Most restaurant in NYC have lunch specials and those are usually the best time to eat out. You can usually find set lunches for around $15-20 USD. Personally, I tend to eat at lunch and cook my dinners because it’s so much cheaper.
• Hit the happy hours – Happy hour is the best time to get discounted food and drinks in the city. We NYers love happy hour because it’s one of the best ways for us to save money while still going out. Drinks will be about 50% of what you normally find. I love the happy hour at The Gray Mare. For current best happy hours, try Eater. They have a good list!
• Consider getting the New York Pass – This sightseeing pass allows you free entry to over 115 attractions. If you plan on seeing a ton of attractions, this can save you money. A one-day pass is $134 USD per person while the two-day pass is $179 USD.
• Redeem hotel points – Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards before you go and use those points when you travel. This is especially helpful in NYC because hotel prices are really high, especially since Airbnb has been banned. Be aware that most hotels charge parking fees if you have a car, and adjust your budget accordingly.
• Hit the oyster happy hours – Love oysters? Eat them during the happy hours that happen all over the city where they cost around $2 USD.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is expensive in NYC and, with few hostels, there aren’t many options for a budget traveler. Use a hospitality website like Couchsurfing to stay with locals for free. There is a huge network in the city with tons and tons of hosts. To increase the chance of success, request as far in advance as possible!
• Save money on rideshares – Uber and Lyft are cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in New York City

Accommodation is very expensive in New York, and there aren’t a ton of hostels in the city. Here are some places to stay in NYC:

• HI New York City Hostel
• Heritage Hotel NYC
• The Local NYC
• Pod Brooklyn
• Chelsea International Hostel
• The Marlton

For more hostel suggestions, check out my complete list of the best hostels in New York City.

How to Get Around New York City

If you can’t get to where you’re going by subway, the bus will get you there. Like the subway, the fare is $2.90 USD, but an express ride is $7 USD (you can’t use a regular Unlimited Ride MetroCard for express rides).

The Staten Island Ferry is a staple of morning commuters. It operates 24/7 and is free. The NYC Ferry Service is also a reliable way to commute and connects Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx along the East River. The ferries make many stops along the East River and are the same price as the subway.

Taxis – Taxis are definitely not the cheapest option for getting around New York City. The minimum fare starts at $3.00 USD and goes up another $3.50 USD per mile. Skip them if you can. However, during peak times, they are cheaper than Uber since they have set fares.

Ridesharing – Uber, Lyft, and Via are way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. The shared/pool option (where you share a ride with other people) offers even better savings.

Bike rental – You can bike just about anywhere in New York City, especially if you want to explore big parks like Central and Prospect. Citi Bike is a bike-sharing system, starting from $4.79 USD per 30-minute ride, or $19 USD for 24 hours. There are about 10,000 bikes all over the city, so one is always within reach!

When to Go to New York City

Anytime is the best time to visit New York! Each season offers visitors plenty of reasons to visit. Early fall offers crisp breezes, bright sun, and comfortable temperatures while late fall and winter make merry with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and holiday decorations.

Deep winter – January and February – is cold, with temperatures ranging between 18-23°F (-7 to -5°C). But coming in winter means better hotel rates, ice skating, and hopping around cozy cafes and bookstores.

Spring is glorious and New Yorkers celebrate the thaw by taking to the streets, shopping at outdoor markets, frolicking in Central Park, and dining outside. Summer is hot, with average daily temperatures around 77-86°F (25-30°C).

Personally, I think the shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) offer the best experience: there are fewer crowds and the weather is more bearable, averaging around 56-63°F (13-17°C) in the spring and 53-78°F (11-25°C) in September and October. Walking around snapping photos is a great way to see the city, but doing so when it’s sweltering can be challenging. If you love the heat, however, then summer is the time to visit!

How to Stay Safe in New York City

New York City is a safe place to visit. Violent attacks are rare and tend to be confined to certain areas. And there’s not a lot of gun violence. Petty crime, like theft, around popular tourist landmarks and on the subway will be your biggest concern. Keep an eye on your belongings at all times.

During COVID, crime went up for a bit but crime going down now. There are very rarely instances of violence or crime in any place you’d want to go as a visitor. In Manhattan, most of Brooklyn, and Queens, the city is really safe and you’re unlikely to encounter any major crime. In all my years living in the city, I don’t know anyone that has had something violent happen to them.

That said, there has been a rise in homelessness and vagrants, especially on the subway so you’ll just want to follow the locals and stay vigilant. Most people I know don’t ride the subway after midnight just because there’s not enough people on it.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply. For specific safety tips, consult one of the many solo female travel articles on the web.

Beware of anything that seems too good to be true in Times Square — it probably is. Try not to buy any tickets, massages, facials, or experiences from hawkers in the area. They prey on tourists here. If you do, you risk getting your credit card charged multiple times, getting less than you paid for, or getting ripped off altogether. Also, if you want to take a photo with the life-sized costumed characters in Times Square, they will demand money from you.

You can read about common travel scams to avoid here .

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

New York City Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to New York City!

While I have a lot of free tips on New York City, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorites restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of New York City that I got from living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.

New York City Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on United States travel and continue planning your trip:

Where to Stay in San Francisco: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 12 Best Things to Do in Chicago

The 5 Best Hotels in San Francisco

How to Experience Milwaukee Like a Local

The 7 Best Hotels in New York City

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17 New York City Tips Every First Time Visitor Should Know

By: Author Sunset Travellers

Posted on Last updated: June 15, 2024

Categories New York City , Travel , United States

We had our first visit to New York City at the end of August.

These 17 New York City tips are essential to know before you visit NYC for the first time. Even if it is not your first visit we are sure you will learn something. 

Travelling around the world, we have visited many busy cities such as Sydney , Melbourne , London, Manila , Singapore, etc.

New York City is one of a kind. 

NYC city indeed never sleeps, the noise and traffic are constant, which can be quite challenging for anyone new to the city.

But don’t worry we are here to help!

We spent five days in this concrete jungle and loved it! Since then we have been lucky enough to visit NY a few more times. 

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Let’s begin our New York City tips

Let’s begin our NYC tips!

1. New York City Tips – The traffic is ridiculous.

Sounds obvious right? But the traffic in New York City is constant and loud.

Streets are packed with cars, cabs and buses and let me tell you; it is loud.

Day or night it just doesn’t stop.

You might think that it gets better at night, but it feels like it’s busier at night than during the day.

The engine noise, people beeping, fire/ambulance sirens sound all day every day.

The great thing is that after a day or two you actually will stop noticing it and it will become standard to you.

2. New York City Tips – The “five-star” hotel rooms are tiny.

Looks a lot bigger than it is.

After checking into a five-star hotel, you will quickly realise that the bedrooms are small.

The website pictures do not mirror the size of the room, and a room upgrade to an executive room will probably be pointless. All you will gain is that one extra square meter of space.

For our holiday we decided to splash out and get an executive Times Square View, but our view ended up being a wall, a few rooftops and a tiny glimpse of Times Square in between other buildings.

Moving rooms didn’t make any difference either.

If you are looking to splash out and have a ridiculous 5-star stay check out this place (it is not cheap haha)

3. New York City Tips – Always have a valid credit card when booking a hotel room.

Although we had given our right bank card while booking a room online, we spent too much on the card, and there were no sufficient funds for the hotel to take payment before we even arrived.

Upon check-in, we discovered that they had cancelled our booking and it took a very unnecessary and rude attitude from the receptionist to reinstate our reservation.

Keep in mind that on Booking.com they told us no prepaid amount was required.

Even if your hotel confirmation states free cancellation and that no payment is taken until check-in, this might not be the case. So keep in mind that your room might not be waiting for you upon check-in.

There are many amazing apartments available on Airbnb so make sure to check them out.

4. New York City Tips – Taxi is not always the fastest way to get from point A to B.

As we have mentioned earlier, the traffic is constant .

Therefore a taxi might not be the best option for you.

If you are on a schedule and need to get somewhere in time, NYC subway could be your best choice. We also did a lot of walking.

If you have a flight to catch, the JFK airport is about an hour drive from Manhattan , so make sure to allow enough time to get there.

5. New York City Tips – New York City has the best doughnuts.

Get in my belllyyyy

It’s entirely accurate and a tasted statement. In general, we do not have a sweet tooth, but the doughnuts here are to die for. Every doughnut is enormous and can easily feed two.

Many places are selling delicious, fluffy doughnuts with every flavour you can dream of.

You can’t visit New York and never try a doughnut here.

6. New York City Tips – Central Park is as amazing as they say.

We spent the whole day in Central Park and fell in love with it. First, we rented a bike to explore the entire area (about $15-30 for 2 hrs), then again on foot.

The place doesn’t disappoint. Packed with so many beautiful spots, we could stay there forever.

If you are in New York for the first time, most of all Central Park should be on your bucket list.

We also loved the  Loeb Boathouse restaurant , where you can enjoy a meal or just sit back with a drink and breath in the beautiful scenery.

Did you know? New York City’s Central Park gets all the hype about being a huge city park, but Phoenix Park in Dublin is actually twice the size of Central Park. More Irish facts here.

7. New York City Tips – Eating out is a lot more expensive than you might think.

Visiting New York and planning on eating in restaurants?

This might cost you a lot. We had a budget of US$200 a day for two for attractions and food which might feel like a lot. Well let us tell you, there is no way of splashing out on fancy dinner with such a budget.

Our food choices were mainly pizza, pasta or other cheap food options.

New York has so much to offer in regards to food choices, but if you are on a budget, your options get limited.

If you are in a central location, venture out a bit for different restaurant options and more reasonable prices.

Don’t forget to tip! 🙂

8. New York City Tips – Tourist attractions are very expensive.

Travelling around the world, we had expected that New York is going to be costly when it comes to sightseeing. But the prices really exceeded our expectations.

As you can imagine, with our daily budget, our sightseeing options had to be carefully evaluated.

We got a great deal of $30 for two for the hop on hop off cruise which was great, and we enjoyed the experience.

If you don’t have much time, you can take an hour-long  NYC Liberty Cruise . 

In a day we managed to see Wall Street, beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ground Zero and much more.

The New York hop on hop off bus is also a great option, and you can grab tickets from as little as US$29 per person.

With the New York hop on hop off tour, you create your own sightseeing itinerary.

In our opinion, it’s the ideal way to explore every corner of the Big Apple and, with lively tour guides to keep you entertained and informed, you are going to learn facts old and new about the city that never sleeps!

You can grab your tickets here .

As you can imagine getting around on the bus can take a lot of time depending on the traffic so consider your choices before going for it.

The Empire State Building entry fee is at $34-$54 depending on if you want to go up to the very top.

Want to see it all for a reasonable price? Check out the New York City Pass .

9. New York City Tips – Be prepared to queue everywhere.

In the five days in New York, we had queued more than in the past year altogether.

If you have been to London attractions, you patiently waited for your turn; here it takes twice as long. Even public toilet queues can be exhausting (applies to us ladies).

The attractions are popular seven days a week year-round, and there is no way of skipping the queue unless you purchase expensive VIP passes.

10. New York City Tips – No, tv or music stars don’t stand on every corner waiting to be spotted.

New York is famous for celebrity spotting , but it’s not as easy to see them unless this is your only holiday goal. In five days in the city, we haven’t seen any stars during our trip, unfortunately.

If you want to see all the hotspots you can take a guided tour of New York sites from your favourite movies and television shows, including Friends, Birdman, Glee, and more. 

This is by far one of the best ways to see all the famous locations from movies and TV shows. 

The tour takes approximately 3 hours and costs US$43. You can find more details here . 

11. New York City Tips – There is a park you can legally have a drink in.

The Bryant Park , located just by the Public Library, has a great outdoor bar where you can enjoy a cold alcoholic beverage.

Also, the park itself is very popular for events, outdoor summer cinema and much more. It’s a small but gorgeous park worth visiting when in the city.

12. New York City Tips – It might be easier just to walk.

Although you might hate walking, New York by foot can be more fun than you think.

There is something around every corner, and because of the constant traffic, it might be easier if you just put comfy shoes on and walk.

In this short visit, we have learnt that you will get somewhere faster if you use your own two feet.

It is a lot of fun being able to walk the streets and blend in.

New York is also very popular for its walking tours and you can explore some of the most exciting locations and capture your experience on a private walking tour . 

13. New York City Tips – There are food stands on every corner and make sure to take advantage of them.

This is a fact that you must take advantage of. Selling a variety of food, the stands are a must try.

14. New York City Tips – Eating cheap = eating unhealthy.

New York serves international cuisine, and you can find here every possible dining option.

Being on a budget, unfortunately, will equal eating cheap food, meaning fast food.

Although the pizza places are delicious , after a few days you just crave for a healthy green salad.

This rule might not be applicable everywhere, but if you are right in the heart of the city, be prepared to pay a lot for not necessarily the healthiest options.

If you are keen to get the taste of the best food the city has to offer while sightseeing, why not go on a delicious food cruise ? 

15. New York City Tips – There is a Starbucks coffee shop on every corner.

Well almost.

The city has 277+ Starbucks shops so even if you are not a fan of their coffee, the store might become handy when looking for a nearby restroom. 🙂

16. New York City tips – Everyone is in a hurry – and you better not get in their way.

As you can imagine, the city is bustling.

Even if people are keen to help when asking for directions, do not dear to slow them down.

Everyone seems to be on a mission to get somewhere, and they will not slow down if you get in their way trying to take a picture. So be aware and try to blend in and you will be just fine.

17. New York City tips – The city is shopping heaven!

If you are coming to New York to do some shopping, you are coming to the right place.

The city has the best shopping I’ve ever seen and trust me, it’s hard not to go shopping when here.

Make sure to put some $$$ away to have at least a bit of fun and go shopping.

Shopping makes everyone happy, and we guarantee that you will enjoy it a much as we did.

In conclusion what other New York City tips do you wish you had known?

If you are planning to visit New York soon and looking to see everything in 3-4 days why not get the New York City package ? 

You can design your own itinerary of Manhattan and Brooklyn on a hop-on-hop-off double-decker bus tour.

Then head over to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty with a ferry ticket, cruise around the harbour and see the city from above with your choice of Top of the Rock Observation Deck or the Empire State Building admission

We do appreciate every comment so please share with us.

We also hope that you have enjoyed these New York City tips.

Connect with us on Facebook and   Instagram  for updates and recommendations.

Don’t forget to share this article with anyone visiting New York for the first time.

Monday 27th of December 2021

- To save time in queue at any tourist stop, go EARLY. If you’re going to have a lazy morning and arrive at 9 or 10:00, you’ll be adding HOURS on to your wait. - If you want to take a pedicab for fun, be sure to read the price on the side before you get in! We saw prices ranging from $2.99 a minute, to $8.99 a minute. Eek. We took one before realizing the differing prices and paid $56 for a 14 minute ride. He was constantly stopping to take photos for us… - Get a subway pass! Cheap and easy. - Buy a City Pass if you want to go to multiple tourist spots! Saves money and you get to do more. For the best views, go up to the Top of the Rock for great views of the city and Empire State building during the day, and go to the top of the Empire State building at night. We were there at midnight. Basically no line, and an incredible view!

Sunset Travellers

Tuesday 18th of January 2022

Hi Sue, thanks so much for your detailed comment :) Great tips

Stephanie Johnson

Sunday 9th of June 2019

The Staten Island Ferry is free and a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and the island from a distance.

Monday 10th of June 2019

Thanks Stephanie, we meant to include this so will update it soon :) Have a great day!

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20 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting New York by a native New Yorker

November 4, 2019 by Karen Turner 119 Comments

I’m a proud New Yorker who was born and raised in New York City. When someone asks me what they should know when visiting New York for the first time, I don’t always know where to start as there’s so many things to do in New York. I’ve decided to take a different approach here with some NYC local secrets to help you navigate your trip better.

Expect some humorous tips for first time visitors to New York (although those on their fifth trip to NYC might find this travel advice helpful). I sincerely hope that these New York travel tips come in handy and help you avoid some of the mistakes that people make on their first trip to New York. 20 Insider tips for New York under the cut.

• 1 You have not seen all of New York City until you’ve left Manhattan. ​
• 2 NYC taxis are slow due to traffic and there is a proper way to call a taxi.
• 3 Public Transit in New York is great, including the subway.
• 4 Should you bring your car to NYC? No.
• 5 Don’t walk everywhere
• 6 Avoid Times Square unless you’re a Broadway fan.
• 7 Check if restaurants have an “A” rating from the NYC health department.
• 8 Eat all the delicious food in NYC! Don’t eat at chain restaurants and don’t feel like you only need to go to only cool hotspots.
• 9 Give New York enough time.
• 10 The holiday season in New York is magical, but expensive.
• 11 A cheap New York trip is​ possible if you do your research ahead.
• 12 Don’t obsess about the main tourist attractions in NYC; you can’t see everything in one trip.
• 13 Don’t waste your money on a view alone!
• 14.1 How to befriend New Yorkers
• 15 Be aware of yourself: Safety tips for New York
• 16 New York City is tough for solo female travelers.
• 17 Avoid the tourist traps in New York and don’t buy anything off the street!
• 18 You don’t need to be fashionable in New York, but it can’t hurt.
• 19 New York is filthy
• 20 There’s not ONE New York culture; New York is ever-changing
• 21 Final thoughts
• 22 Have you been to New York? Did you fall in love with New York? 

You have not seen all of New York City until you’ve left Manhattan. ​

Most people only associate New York City with Manhattan, however New York has so much more to offer, including four other boroughs. That includes Brooklyn, Queens , Bronx , and Staten Island .

I cannot tell you how many times people have told me that they’ve been to New York and they’ve done everything.  When I ask if they’ve been to Queens, it’s always a no. ( Hint : I grew up in Queens, which is also where LaGuardia Airport and JFK are located. This is also one of the most diverse counties in the United States!)

NYC taxis are slow due to traffic and there is a proper way to call a taxi.

You know the movies where the hero calls a cab in New York and rushes to tell the one that he/she loves her/him? You won’t make it in time in real life.

Taxis are generally very expensive in New York and if you’re in a rush, traffic will make it about the same speed (or slower) than the subway. Sometimes, walking is even faster .

Side note: When you’re walking, you’ll see metal grates and cellar doors. Don’t walk over them. There’s  always some horror story about them. Urban legend? Probably, but better safe than sorry.

If you want to call a taxi in New York City, this is how to do it: Stand on the curb NOT by a bus stop , put your arm confidently UP and stand there intensely looking at the cars.

Public Transit in New York is great, including the subway.

Don’t be afraid of the subway in NY besides the handrails [ more about this later ].  I’m not really sure where the stigma of the subway comes from, but I promise you: I’ve never met a mole person (although I admit: count the rats is a real game that I play with friends).  The week unlimited subway pass is worth it if you’ll be taking the train a lot over 4-5 days.

Subway etiquette includes NOT making eye contact. Like, you’re allowed to look around ~subtly, but don’t be that creep who stares directly at someone the whole time. It’s weird and creepy. It’s only okay if someone has a kitten that they’re carrying on the subway. In that case, feel free to go crazy over it. (Thanks to Mae Ahern for this amazing photo.)

Express v. Local Subway Trains (or Buses). Don’t get on the express subway or bus unless you’re sure that it’s going to stop off where you want it to.  The regular train will stop at the majority of the stops (with skipping some) while the express trains will skip on average half the stops. Don’t get on the local train because it will take twice the time.

You need to know which entrance you need for the subway via the direction that you’re headed. Check before you pay to get into the subway station as you might need to exit to get to the other side.

East Bound/ West Bound and Uptown / Downtown can be a bit confusing if the endpoint is in a different borough, but a good subway map should help you figure out the endpoint. If you’re in Manhattan, imagine a grid with yourself looking up (uptown) and to the right (east).    Click for a full post of subway tips.

Should you bring your car to NYC? No.

In general, I don’t recommend driving or parking in New York City.  When my husband drove with me to New York, he was shocked about the cost of the bridges, which are not cheap. You can’t really avoid them, so if you can find reasonable parking, it’s nice not needing to deal with parking and driving in New York City. Most New Yorkers also hate paying the bridge tolls, even if they get a discount.

If you’re visiting New York City and you have a car, the best thing to do is to find a parking lot near a New Jersey transit station or Newark airport and park it there.  It’s typical to pay at least $25 per day.

If you don’t have a choice, my dad swears by the BESTPARKING app for checking deals at various parking garages to find the cheapest ones and getting coupons by reserving a spot.  The only thing is that you need to “reserve ” the spot then show your deal to the parking attendant.

Don’t walk everywhere

I consider this one of my most important tips for first-time visitors to NYC.  It takes a while to get around New York, so take public transit in between neighborhoods. Although I definitely encourage you to walk around New York, it’s best to limit your walking to smaller neighborhoods where you won’t be going 6+ blocks without seeing anything you’re interested in.

Although you might think that walking is a good idea (and you can see a lot), your feet will be killing you by the end of day 1.  It’s good to see one neighborhood, hop on the train to the next, and then hop back on the train once you’re done.

When showing friends around, they worry that they’ll be missing out if they take the train, however, if you take the train in some of the boroughs outside of Manhattan, you’ll have a very scenic train ride. It depends on the subway, however I always love taking the N, Q, and 7 trains in Queens due to the fact that you’re above ground. This is also the case for some Brooklyn trains as they head towards Coney Island .

Don’t worry: You’ll still be walking enough to burn off those bagels and delicious meals , but you’ll be able to see SO MUCH more than if you decide to walk just for hours on end. (Also it gets tiresome to walk past the millionth office building in between SoHo and Midtown.)

Avoid Times Square unless you’re a Broadway fan.

I think of Times Square as a light bulb as it attracts the worst of NYC: the crowds, overpriced things, and chain restaurants. Don’t bother visiting Times Square during the day or rush hour. Besides it is a must for most visiting tourists (especially at night), there’s mostly overpriced chain food directly on the Square. You can check out my guide to Times Square for a surprisingly good local coffee shop that I love with fantastic desserts, but otherwise, I only head to Times Square for occasional shopping, subway transfers, and when people are visiting.

That said, I understand if you want to see it at night. Times Square at night is like daylight, so your photos will actually come out better and it’s quite atmospheric to see the entirety of Times Square lit up like its Christmas every day.

My insider tip is to get a last-minute ticket at the TKTS booth in Times Square for a Broadway production (clear your morning) and once you’re in a Broadway show, you’ll finally understand why New Yorkers endure this area. You’ll also find a lot of TV shows filming in this area, so you might be able to watch a favorite comedian or talk-show host filming for free!

Check if restaurants have an “A” rating from the NYC health department.

Only eat at restaurants that have an A rating from the NYC Health Department. If you do not see an “A” posted outside of the restaurant, leave and do not eat there. To be fair, street food does not currently have ratings, so use your judgment in evaluating whether or not you want to eat at a place.

Simply: A non -A rating means that they do not have a clean kitchen and/or the restaurant received infractions on their cleanliness rating for something.  My dad always looks at  what the infractions are prior to committing to eating at any restaurant, but I can’t really say that it’s always appetizing to read these reviews….

Eat all the delicious food in NYC! Don’t eat at chain restaurants and don’t feel like you only need to go to only cool hotspots.

There are about a million cool eateries and the best places to eat in NYC list is ever-changing, however, there is something to be said for the foods that make me miss New York.

That list is fairly constant and includes bagels, pizza, and Chinese food.  Just take out some cash as many cheaper New York restaurants that mostly cater to locals are  cash only .  You’ll easily find ATMs all over Manhattan, so don’t worry about finding one.

Food lovers, consider this a competition of how many you can try while in New York: bagels (with lox and schmear [cream cheese)), New York Style PIZZA (don’t ever let anyone tell you Chicago style is better), great Dim Sum (Flushing), Chicken & Rice (Halal Brothers), Bialy (the delicious cousin of bagels), Black & White Cookies, Cheesecake from Junior’s, Babka (delicious chocolate loaf cake), steak, pastrami sandwiches, knishes, hamburgers (Shake Shack), and delicious Ramen.  Click for my tips on where to find the best classic New York City foods!

Note that rainbow bagels are  not  on this list as they taste like play-doh. There are so many better foods to eat AND Instagram while you’re in New York.  Prioritize taste over appearance.  It’s also great not having to wait in line for one treat. For bagels, I think that it’s harder to find a place with a bad bagel… At least I haven’t found one yet!

Give New York enough time.

Wondering how long to spend in New York City? New York City is SO BIG and I usually recommend that you take spend 3 days in New York at a minimum . I think that this is the minimum for just going to the main attractions in Manhattan.

I consider 5 days in New York City to be the sweet spot for being able to explore New York without being rushed. If you have more time, seven days is great as you can take more time to see the outer boroughs!   For more info on what to see, do, and eat over 5 days in NYC, click here for my insider’s guide!

The holiday season in New York is magical, but expensive.

New Year’s Eve in New York City….is definitely something to experience once. Personally, it wasn’t for me between the waiting, crowds, and lack of bathrooms, but some people love it. I went one year with friends and I found it claustrophobic and cold. I wrote a bit more about my experience here: Click for insider tips for visiting New York City for the holiday season, including Thanksgiving and New Years !

More generally, the holidays are a magical time in New York City due to the Christmas windows at the stores, but you’ll pay a premium to be in New York around this time. Book your hotels well in advance and plan your meals carefully on days when many restaurants will be closed.

There is something about cozying up with a hot chocolate watching the Thanksgiving parade floats being blown up. As a child, my parents brought me quite a few times to see the Thanksgiving floats blown up the night before. It is really worth it!

For getting off the beaten path, Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is famous for their crazy Christmas light displays! I have a weakness for the Christmas windows along 5th Avenue myself. I wrote an entire post focused on Christmas in New York that includes what to do on Christmas itself.

A cheap New York trip  is ​ possible if you do your research ahead.

New York doesn’t have to be expensive, but you need to do your research ahead to know which museums you can get into with a suggested donation and which areas to stay in. It’s very important to do your research in New York on good neighborhoods as not everyone is used to big cities and NYC is big enough that you want to think carefully about what makes sense for your trip.

Just book your hotel ahead of time and if you can, avoid using Airbnb. Airbnb has been a mess in New York City and New York has been cracking down on illegal rentals.  Given how tight the New York housing market is for locals and how Airbnb has not helped the housing situation, I encourage you to stay at a hotel.

You can save a lot of money by staying outside of Midtown in Queens, Brooklyn, or even Staten Island.  Even now, there are more hotels that are a mix of budget and luxury with great central locations although you will always sacrifice something if you find a cheaper hotel in New York City.    I have a few recommended affordable hotels that I recommend staying in. 

A lot of the best parts of New York involve just walking around and soaking in the city.  A little glimpse into my favorite free activities: wandering around Central Park, walking around the Lower East Side , doing a self-guided food tour of Flushing (one of the best neighborhoods in Queens!), and strolling around the High Line.  Click for free and budget activities in NYC all under $10 including tips on finding cheaper accommodations!

Don’t obsess about the main tourist attractions in NYC; you can’t see everything in one trip.

Don’t feel like you need to do everything . A lot of my friends come to NYC feeling overwhelmed and like they need to see/do all the major attractions. As someone who grew up in New York, I can tell you: you will NEVER see everything. I’ve tried, but New York City never stays the same… That said, the major attractions remain there for your next trip.

Nothing remains stationary, so even if you live in New York, you’ll constantly be discovering new neighborhoods, museum exhibits, and eateries! I love to pick up Time Out New York or check their website to find out about upcoming parties, events, and museum exhibitions. A new edition comes out each week.

I think that one of the most important things to know when traveling to New York is that you can try and rush about to see AS MUCH AS possible, but at some point, consider what you actually want to see rather than ticking off every box off some list you found on the internet.

Don’t waste your money on a view alone!

Don’t waste your money on a view if you can get a drink AND a view for half the price. There are so many great rooftop bars in New York City, so don’t feel that you need to go to the top of the Empire State Building if you’re 21+.

There are many rooftop bars in New York that vary in terms of how formal and crowded they are.  I recommend looking into Pod39, which is one of the lesser-known ones, where you can also buy a taco.  In general, it’s best to dress up if you intend to get into a rooftop bar. It’s a bit easier to get in earlier in the day, especially in the afternoon.

New Yorkers are not that rude

A lot of people that I meet expect New Yorkers to be very rude, but like anywhere, you might find someone you don’t like. Maybe we’re a bit more brusque than Midwesterners or Kentuckians.

We’re 99% human underneath all those black clothes (I kid; I own a red dress).   I’d say on average that we’re a bit more skeptical of strangers, but we’re good souls who will talk your ear off given the opportunity about how amazing (and expensive) New York City is.

​Please don’t give a 5-minute explanation if you’re asking for directions. I recommend avoiding people with headphones and those who are on the phone as they’re just busy!  Look for someone who isn’t in a rush (the biggest barrier to being able to help!) and ask your question straight away, “Where is X?” or “ How can I get to X using Y?” “Which stop do I get off at for Z?”

Even I’m guilty of getting impatient with visitors who tell me that they’re visiting from _____ and it’s their first time in NYC, but you will always find people happy to help if you’re not taking up a lot of time. Just prepare your question before you stop someone.

How to befriend New Yorkers

• Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk to look up and/or take photos.
• Let fast people walk in the middle on the right side and if you’re going slow, stay on the edges away from the middle.​
• Don’t dance on the subway poles.
• If you’re with a group, do not walk all together in a group in a row blocking everyone from passing you.
• Don’t block the subway doors even if it’s crowded as people might be trying to get out of the subway doors.
• Let people exit the subway/bus before you get on.
• Asking us to say the word coffee a million times. The New York accent is very real although surprisingly diverse. Mine has receded a bit in recent years, but it’s still there!

I swear that we’re nice. Just give us a chance and don’t cut us in line.

Be aware of yourself: Safety tips for New York

I wish that I didn’t need to write this, but crime can be an issue in some areas of New York, especially compared to some very smaller towns that many people visit from.

It depends on the neighborhood, so always look up the reputation of the neighborhood where you’re staying before you book .  Be smart. Do not wear your headphones at night and don’t flash all your electronics in public places. Lots of New Yorkers have iPhones, but it’s best not to carry around items that you don’t need. Secure your laptop and other items in your hotel room.

New York is safe most of the time , but you need to use your common sense and not leave your items out unattended . Pickpocketing isn’t an issue like in Europe, but if you leave something out, you might not get it back.

Most importantly: use your spider senses. If you’re not feeling good about a situation, get out of there. I generally don’t like walking in parks late at night and I’d say that this is generally good advice, especially on Fridays and Saturday nights.

New York City is tough for solo female travelers.

NYC is not a cakewalk for solo female travelers. I love New York, but I’ve experienced some of the worst sexual harassment that I’ve ever endured anywhere…in New York.

Even after traveling to almost 30 countries, I’m still shocked by how many patronizing comments you’ll hear as a young woman just walking down a street by passing dudes. “Why don’t you smile?”  “ You look so sexy “

I once got harassed by a passing truck driver while I was wearing a puffy down jacket, baggy pants, and winter boots!?  I take a strong stance that women should be able to travel without harassment, but this is a reality for many women here. It’s gotten better as I’ve gotten older, but it can get to you.

If you’re uncomfortable, don’t feel like you need to be  nice .  I find just walking away is very effective although putting in your headphones works too. For the record, it does NOT matter what you wear.  If anything happens, find a nearby cop or call 911. If you’re worried that you’re being followed, work at trying to step into an open shop and losing your tail by a series of quick turns if possible. Also, consider finding another woman to recognize on the street before explaining your situation.

Avoid the tourist traps in New York and don’t buy anything off the street!

There are a lot of tourist traps in New York and some people will tell you anything to get you in the door. If you’re walking through a heavily trafficked area and someone gives you a flyer for an attraction promising you that you’ll see Aziz Ansari (or any other comedian) for $0/$5, don’t believe it. Those comedy nights rarely include anyone famous and many of these shows are “free” as long as you meet the $15 drink minimum.

Similarly, there are a lot of restaurants that CLAIM to have authentic food, but the ones that are authentic don’t need to assert that they were the first or the best. The real ones will be FULL with locals waiting for a table, so use Yelp to find the real thing.

Don’t buy stuff, especially water bottles, on the street. I always check if the bottle has been previously opened, however paying more than $1 for a water bottle is a rip-off.  No matter how thirsty you are, keep walking to the nearest bodega.  The CVS down the street, as well as the local bodega, are good places to buy a bottle of water. (You can refill your water at water fountains usually found within parks!) Paying with a card shouldn’t be a problem. I wrote a guide about finding the best souvenirs in New York on a budget, so skip the aggressive street sales and go straight for stores with set prices.

If someone offers you something on the street, please don’t take it whether it’s drugs, fake designer purses, or an offer for a massage. You know it won’t end well.

You don’t need to be fashionable in New York, but it can’t hurt.

Wondering what to wear for your trip to New York? Don’t feel like you need to be a fashionista and wear comfortable shoes.  Despite its reputation, nobody cares whether you look fashionable OR cool beyond not looking sloppy.

You can look cool (and black is always in), but go for comfy cool. Think black dresses with white sneakers or chic comfy flats, but if you want to wear the craziest outfit you have, go for it. If anything, someone might ask you for a photo as they love your outfit.  (It’s happened to me!) Uniqueness is valued, so bring some fun clothes with you (or buy them here).

Don’t wear heels if you can’t walk for miles in them.  You can always carry them in your bag if you want them for photos, but if your goal is to SEE as much as possible, I recommend a comfortable pair of sneakers rather than heels. You’ll be walking miles, even if you don’t intend to!

New York is filthy

After reading enough studies about subway handrails (touching one is like shaking hands with 10,000 people), I always carry antibacterial gel with me at all times and avoid touching the handrails/buttons everywhere.  I strongly recommend that you do the same.

You will need to pay for a clean bathroom whether it’s by buying a coffee or a water or…just paying a fee. Starbucks is on every corner, but don’t use the bathroom of the one in Penn Station.

​If you’re walking around, I generally do not recommend the public bathrooms and/or the bathroom at the local bodega (corner store) most of the time. Pay for anything at a coffee shop, bar, or restaurant and trust me, it is worth every penny. My recent habit is to go into nicer looking bars (if you’re over 21+) as the women’s restroom is generally well maintained.

There’s not ONE New York culture; New York is ever-changing

NYC might be famous for its skyscrapers, but at its heart, New York is a city of immigrants. It’s estimated that more than 800 languages are spoken in New York and all that matters for being a New Yorker is that YOU call yourself a New Yorker.

Most New Yorkers are not born in New York City ( I’m an exception ), let alone the United States, but this means that we have a common bond: our love of this gritty, dirty, noisy, iconic city that we call home.

If you come to New York looking for the New York that you see in movies/TV shows, you’ll find it. But, I think it’s far more important to see the real New York that inspired it.

You’ll understand why people fall head over heels for this dirty city ( I warned you ), you need to experience the uniqueness that defines New York: the many different groups that coexist here side by side with their own distinct bits that they contribute to New York’s culture.

Whether you’re after knishes, Chinese food from a region next to the Korean border, Colombian areas, Yemeni tea, Himalayan food, cannolis, or even New York cheesecake, you’ll quickly understand why we love this city before dinner time.

Final thoughts

New York City is just magical. You know that saying: ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN NEW YORK?   It’s true, including the fuzzy feel-good stories that made Humans of New York famous, people carrying around kittens on the subway, seeing some of the world’s best fashion on the street, spotting celebrities walking into your neighborhood deli, impromptu dancing in the street, and even getting discovered by modeling agents (it happened to Jennifer Lawrence).

New York City can wear you down, but if you allow it to show itself to you with all its quirks, beauty, and charm, you’ll fall in love with New York (or just really hate it). I hope that you get the chance to judge it for itself.

Have you been to New York? Did you fall in love with New York? 

• For more insider tips for New York City, keep reading:
• 5 Days in New York: Your Ultimate Guide by a New Yorker
• New York City on a Budget
• Two days in New York
• Where to shop in New York
• New York Off the Beaten Path
• Best Museums in NYC
• The Best of NYC for the Holidays
• NYC for Christmas
• JFK Airport to Manhattan
• Your guide to the New York City Subway by a New Yorker 

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

July 20, 2017 at 7:20 am

I’ve been to NYC and was too scared to take the subway, which is funny because I grew up riding trains all the time (I grew up in Japan). Your tips are awesome and I’ll def make sure not to make eye contact! 🙂

July 20, 2017 at 7:31 am

Loved it. I cant wait to go to NY.. got my visa and plotting my bucketlist. Will be referring to this article when planning.thanks

July 20, 2017 at 3:54 pm

This is a terrific list – love the tip about finding a clean bathroom. I’m not sure I would enjoy the ‘count the rats’ game, ha!

November 22, 2019 at 12:04 am

I’m from Portugal and I am planning to spend 10 nights in NY in April. It will b my 1st time in the city. I loved your post and took many notes. Thank you for your great post!

July 20, 2017 at 8:06 pm

Awesome post. I love the way you describe New York and I agree. Based on my three days experience at Christmas time in Manhattan 😀 Since that time I always wanted to come back to explore the other neighbourhoods, too. I will do so one day, for sure!

July 20, 2017 at 8:22 pm

Right on. I grew up in Jersey so I have visited NYC quite a bit. I recently went during Christmas time because like you said, it’s magical. I found myself laughing quite a bit during this post ESPECIALLY about making eye contact. I live in Texas now and have to let people know that making eye contact is something I have to gradually condition myself to.

July 21, 2017 at 1:17 am

Thanks so much for commenting Courtney! I really think kittens make everyone’s day, but yeah I’m also bad at eye contact. I either do it too much or I avoid it. Glad it made you laugh!

July 20, 2017 at 8:23 pm

That’s a great tip about the A ratings for restaurants, and thanks for being so honest about NYC for female travellers. Really appreciate that.

July 21, 2017 at 10:29 am

Great post and insight! I really like that you included the Queens/Brooklyn bit. My best friend lived in Astoria for a bit and I couldn’t get over how different it was when I visited her many moons ago. I def agree with dining locally; but I think that should always be the case for anyone traveling in the USA. Mom and Pop places are the best! I’ve been to NYC quite a few times (and lived in Greenwich Village for a summer when I was 16), but I was a bit salty that we had to go to Times Square and other touristy things last time I was there as James wanted to see it all. We did some fun stuff as well 🙂 There’s always something to see and do there!

July 21, 2017 at 7:08 pm

Seriously great list girl, I’ve never seen tips this practical and real! I’m headed to NYC next week, so this is perfect!

July 21, 2017 at 11:29 pm

I love all these tips! I made the mistake of #5 and realised quickly that NYC was massive… and i had sore feet the next day!!!!

July 22, 2017 at 12:49 am

Very interesting post. I didn’t know anything about New York to be honest so this post was a nice read and very helpful as well. I especially had to laugh at the How not to piss off the locals tips – that was a great one and I think everyone who travels should read this as it counts for every single touristy city!

July 22, 2017 at 1:15 am

Loved every minute of this Karen! I’ve NEVER been to NYC – can you believe that? But it is on my list, especially now I’m living in North America. Not only is this list super comprehensive – there are a myriad of other articles that i’m now about to spend 2 hours reading haha. Absolutely returning to this to make notes when I finally book my trip!

I particularly enjoyed your taxi advice – haha! Cash only restaurants is so useful, would never have thought about that as I only ever pay on card! The different neighbourhoods I will definitely explore now – you should do neighbourhood guides too!

How not to piss off locals was hilarious – it sounds EXACTLY like London. The number one way to piss of a local there however is to STAND on the wrong side of the escalator and block the people who are in a rush. Is that the same in NYC?? I wonder if it’s the other side like the roads…hahaha. Great work!

July 23, 2017 at 12:16 am

Hey Elise, London reminded me A LOT of NYC actually. I definitely feel like I did when I was there just because my American sense was making me think that I should be on the other side …. Oops.

I’m so glad that you loved this and I can’t wait to hear your feedback after you visit NYC for the first time.

Best, Karen

July 22, 2017 at 12:16 pm

Haha the bit about not pissing off the locals is basically all true for London too except the ‘coffee’ part! Also OH MY GOD A KITTEN. I’ve been to New York a few times (the first time I spent most mornings queuing at the TKTS booth for Broadway shows and I never once felt unsafe despite being on my own). These are great tips, if I ever go back I’m going to make it my mission to explore further out than just Manhatten/Staten Island.

July 22, 2017 at 2:17 pm

What a great post filled with the perfect tips! I tell everyone #13. I however love walking everywhere cause you always see something new or experience something different!

July 22, 2017 at 2:30 pm

It makes me sad when I see people eating at the chain restaurants! I have such a long list of restaurants I want to try.

July 22, 2017 at 3:16 pm

Some excellent points! I am a fellow Northeasterner (Boston) so I’ve been to New York a handful of times and these are things I definitely needed a reminder of because New York is SOOOO much bigger than Boston and is a totally different vibe. My favorite were your tips to not piss off locals, lol!

July 22, 2017 at 8:18 pm

First things first… The kitten is adorable! I spent a few moments just admiring the little guy! That being said…. I agree with using your spidey sense. Not just in New York City (I haven’t been there yet! Need to !) but wherever in the world you may live or travel to. If you sense something is wrong then get your butt out of there! Better safe than sorry!

July 22, 2017 at 9:29 pm

As a fellow New Yorker, I found myself nodding in agreement to all of this! So many great tips and pointers (which everyone who lives here will appreciate). It’s always nice to see an NYC post that’s more in depth than “visit the Highline!”

July 22, 2017 at 9:40 pm

Great post, agree 100% on the comfortable shoes! By the end of day one in New York I was craving my workout trainers 🙂

July 22, 2017 at 10:15 pm

Great list! I’d add for #16 that it’s more annoying than that you feel unsafe. One of the things I love about NYC is that there are always people around so there’s always someone you can go to if you need to just roll your eyes at someone about something or if you truly do need help.

July 22, 2017 at 10:59 pm

Hi Erin, I’d disagree. It really depends on the time of day and where you are. There have been times where I’ve been totally alone and felt unsafe. I’m glad you haven’t had these experiences, but they are mine.

July 22, 2017 at 11:31 pm

I love New York, it’s one of my favourite cities in the world. It is, however, not that easy for newbie visitors. Your post is one of the best I’ve read — I agree with all your tips, and learned a lot too.

July 23, 2017 at 12:05 am

I love the photos in this post – especially the one with the white triangular roof. Gorgeous! I feel like I had done NYC to death as a tourist, but now I know a few of the local hints and tricks I might be tempted to go back. Even just to count the rats 😉

July 23, 2017 at 12:13 am

Hi Anna, That’s the new One World Trade with all credit to my dear friend Laura. 🙂 I hope you return soon to see it for yourself!

July 23, 2017 at 12:34 am

I’m so glad I saw this post! I happen to be heading to NYC next week for the second time and this was actually super helpful. Last time I was there, I did a lot of the “touristy” stuff, so I’m more excited to try local foodie spots and a couple happy hours. Thanks for the encouragement about visiting the other boroughs! I’ve only been to Manhatten and Brooklyn, so I might branch out more this time :). Great post!

July 23, 2017 at 1:26 am

I grew up right outside of NYC and this article is spot on!

July 23, 2017 at 1:28 am

Love this post, Karen! I am visiting NYC around Labor Day and am excited to utilize your tips. Pinning for later! Thank you so much! <3

July 23, 2017 at 1:49 am

I loved reading this post, New York is one of my favourite places in the world. I’m visiting twice later this year, first by myself and second right before christmas which I’m so excited about. As I’ve been to quite a few of the main tourist attractions before, I’m really looking forward to exploring the city further and finding some amazing food places! xo

July 23, 2017 at 1:54 am

omg I actually LOVED #14, made me giggle a bit on your mention of Midwesterners (I live in Wisconsin). I’d applied for my dream job fresh out of college and it was in NYC, and a direct quote from my dad was “You’re going to get eaten alive in NYC.” (The job was for Buzzfeed, which of course I had no chance in getting but HAD to apply)

I’m also just super curious about the urban legends around the cellar doors and metal grates… now going to look those up!

July 23, 2017 at 2:42 am

I 100% agree with all these tips for visiting NYC for the first time! I just came back from visiting the city for the 4th time and actually spent most of my time in Brooklyn and some time in Queens!! I’m definitely excited to go back again because NYC is constantly changing, which is what I love the most about it!! Thanks for summing up all these tips!

July 23, 2017 at 4:03 am

I wish I had read this in February when I went to New York because I booked an Airbnb. That is an essential tip. Also, I’ve always wondered what the NYC rainbow bagels taste like….it’s good to know I’m not missing out! This post definitely made me miss all of the wonderful food, especially the photo of the bagel and lox. I’ll keep these tips in mind for when I visit NYC next 🙂

January 2, 2018 at 10:01 pm

ok so I am researching booking a trip in october and I was considering airBnB. Is it really that bad? also I will be with my elderly grandparents so I want to stay somewhere comfortable for them. any thoughts?

July 23, 2017 at 5:15 am

Well I was 13 when I went to New York so it’s safe to say that I haven’t seen much of the city . . . and I have been dying to go back ever since. This is very useful, especially because it’s good to be reminded that there is no “one” New York. New York is so many things to so many different people from different backgrounds. I want to experience what calls to me, not just what is on the top lists because for me that’s the best way to see any place.

July 23, 2017 at 7:43 am

Love this, as someone who used to live in NYC, I can 100% agree with all of this. My favorite tip is, and always will be, do not go to Times Square!!! Lol

July 23, 2017 at 9:52 am

I visited NYC about 10 years ago and wandered around totally aimlessly as I had no idea what to see! I still really enjoyed it though and was charmed by the yellow taxis and steam rising from the pavement grids. It seemed just like the movies. I visited Williamsburg and Brooklyn so hopefully didn’t only spend my time in Manhatten. I remember sharing beers with some firemen at a bar and being in awe of their accents (I’m from England). A great city! Such a helpful post. Makes me want to revisit.

July 23, 2017 at 10:14 am

Wish I had known some of these tips before I went to NYC. The first time we used the subway we were unaware of the normal vs. express line. So we just hopped on one train. After a few stops, I was like “Ehhh, isn’t this already past Central Park??” I checked the map and found out that we were on an express line… Well, we learned from this experience 😀 We spent only 4 days and in Winter. I definitely wanna go back for a week in spring because I also wanna see more outside Manhattan 🙂

July 23, 2017 at 10:23 am

Been to New York several times and still learned something from your tips 🙂 Not surprised by the sexual harassment part – same in LA, I feel like… Unfortunately!

July 23, 2017 at 12:20 pm

I lived in NYC for 7 years and cannot love and agree with this list more – esp #8! Fine dining in NYC is next level but the local spots are still some of the best food I have had in the world.

July 23, 2017 at 2:41 pm

Oh New York. One of my favourite cities in the world. Absolutely love the city and your guide!

July 23, 2017 at 4:57 pm

This was so much fun to read through! Having been to NYC on many occasions to visit some of my native New Yorker friends, I’m sure they would wholeheartedly agree with you! And I’m proud to say that I’ve been to Queens and Brooklyn and The Bronx!

July 23, 2017 at 10:33 pm

Such awesome tips for New York ! It sounds like an incredibly vibrant city. I love your sense of humour : How not to piss off locals was hilarious ! And I love also the tip about finding a clean bathroom !

July 23, 2017 at 11:26 pm

This post made me laugh – I’ve been to NYC countless times (including Brooklyn but not Queens yet!) and so much of this is true! I learned quite a few things too (re: rainbow bagels hah)! I feel like you covered it all and it was a fun read 🙂

July 24, 2017 at 10:52 am

This is so on point! Wow! I have visited many times and lived in Brooklyn for 6 months while working UES so I totally get so many of these things. Someone needed to write this! I had so many issues with the damn cabs. I was smiling at the memories of all the great food you mentioned. The pizza, bagels, shake shack. MMM. The “why don’t you smile” makes me homicidal! Oh and the shoes part! During the height of the Sex and the City era I tried walking everywhere in ridiculous Carrie Bradshaw type shoes and deeply regretted it!

July 24, 2017 at 4:52 pm

I absolutely loved this post! As a NYCer, #1 and #2 especially stuck out to me. There are so many amazing things can be be found off the island of Manhattan and so many visitors (and people who even live here!) don’t explore as much as they should and to #2, amen to walking sometimes being faster!

July 24, 2017 at 6:24 pm

As someone who has lived here for 13 years now, it is a great guide! My family is coming this December and I can’t wait to share the holiday season in NYC with them. It will be pricey but I am trying to find some great things for them to see/do on a budget!

July 27, 2017 at 9:44 pm

Those tips are amazing – thank you so much! I’ve always wanted to go to NYC, maybe I’ll treat myself for my next birthday 🙂 Where would you recommend staying? Like, where is coolest?

July 27, 2017 at 10:10 pm

Hi Kathi, Definitely hope you do! It is a GREAT vacation spot.

I really love Astoria and LIC. Williamsburg is pretty cool too! You can go even more hipster and go to Greenpoint, but the train connection is more difficult. 😉

September 26, 2017 at 8:08 pm

I think you’re right: 4-5 days is the sweet spot, for a first-timer or a veteran like me who realizes she’s better suited for the mid-size cities she left New York for 😉 Anything more than that can take a toll on you. I think doing a Thursday-Monday weekend to New York every year or so allows you to explore so many different parts of it in more digestable chunks of time.

December 17, 2017 at 9:15 am

thanks for writing that, I am sure it will help when we visit May 18

December 21, 2017 at 7:17 pm

I am originally from Long Island, NY. I also spent time living in upstate NY in the Catskill Mountain region. I now reside in Pennsylvania south of Pittsburgh. About a month before 9/11 I went back to Long Island for a visit. On the way home, at night I missed my exit by mistake and found myself in an area I wasn’t familiar with. I tried to use my sense of direction and drove towards where I thought I would get back on track. I was looking for the Holland Tunnel. I found myself in front of one of the World Trade Towers. There was a man outside that was dressed like a doorman. I asked him while still in my car if he could tell me how to get to the Holland Tunnel. He was very rude and just shook his head. There was also a man and woman there and the woman wanted to tell me but the man that was with her told her not to tell us. The woman was nice and tried arguing with the man to let her tell me how to get to the tunnel and finally she just pointed where I had to go without giving me any directions on how to get there. I thought this was very strange. Can someone tell me why these people acted so strangely?

December 21, 2017 at 8:28 pm

Hi Lori, What a strange situation to say the least and what weird people. Luckily, Google Maps exists now, so you won’t encounter these weird people again.

On an unrelated note, I absolutely love the Catskills and that part of Pennsylvania close to Fallingwater.

December 22, 2017 at 4:40 am

Hi Karen! Thank-you for replying. Yes, I found it weird too but I keep wondering why these people acted like they did. Could it be because I have a NY accent and they thought I was pranking them? Like maybe they thought I lived in NYC and thought I was pranking them? I don’t know I used to live in a town called Cairo in the Catskills. Do you know the town? It used to be a big resort town but no more. I can remember the days during the summer all the people that would come up from the city and Main Street would be packed. All those beautiful resorts. Some of them were turned into apartments. It’s sad to see other resorts with grass and weeds overgrown. There used to be famous people that came up to put on shows for the resorts. People like Joey Castle which was a personal friend of mine. He passed away from a brain tumor. He sounded a lot like a young Elvis and you can listen to his songs on Youtube. I also remember George Valentine. He was a comedian. One of the places he performed was the Acra Manor. Then there was Al Martino. He was an Italian singer. Then there was the Catskill Game Farm and Carson City. I enjoyed going to those places. Fallingwater…yes I don’t live very far from there. There is also the Laurel Caverns.

December 29, 2017 at 2:26 am

This was a fantastic read, and eye opener and very helpful thank you! We are hoping to head to NY for Christmas next year with our 3 kids all the way from Australia! These tips will surely make things smoother for us!

December 29, 2017 at 3:15 am

Hi Zara, I’m so glad to hear that. I’m not sure if you’ve seen my NYC holiday post, but I really think Christmas is one of the best times of the year to visit New York. Have a great trip and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions. 🙂

January 2, 2018 at 10:15 pm

I think it really depends on the person. My parents don’t find airbnbs comfortable just as they prefer the comforts of a hotel and the ability to call downstairs any time of night if anything is wrong. I’ve heard it can be good for those with young kids, but I’d ask your grandparents what they think about it. A hotel is probably more familiar and the price difference isn’t much, so I’d go with a hotel personally.

February 1, 2018 at 9:35 am

I’m so glad I found your blog, great insider tips. I was looking for AirBnBs but will check out hotels now too. We live in the Netherlands and are planning to visit New York with our teenagers. Any tips for teens are very welcome!

February 5, 2018 at 9:24 am

Hi Dhani, I’m glad to hear that! I’m trying to think what I liked as a teenager. I think that I’d definitely recommend a Broadway show (pick a cool one), Central Park, the Village (close to NYU), and maybe Coney Island if it’s summer. I very clearly remember refusing to go to a lot of art museums as they were “boring.” I hope you all have a great trip. 🙂

February 13, 2018 at 3:09 am

Very insightful and useful tips for travelling to New York. I have bookmarked this link would be using this when we plan our next travel.

February 21, 2018 at 2:51 am

This is a great list..awesome post!! Heading to NY this coming weekend..for the first time! Thanks for the tips

February 21, 2018 at 1:01 pm

So glad to hear that Violet! I hope you have a great time!

March 4, 2018 at 8:56 pm

I had a wonderful experience with Airbnb last May/2017! It was in Brooklyn Heights, which is beautiful and only 5 minutes from Manhattan by Subway!!

March 15, 2018 at 5:27 am

Omg! Thanks so much for this helpful info. I’m going to NY too meet up with My Sister for vaca. I’m going 2days before she arrives. I love all the info you provided and have screen shoot it!! Blessing…

March 16, 2018 at 8:11 am

There are many good tips here. However, on one I must disagree.

Eat only at “A” rated restaurants? Are you kidding? While some places with “B” ratings MAY have problems, anyone who works around the bar and restaurant can tell you that the ratings system in the city can be more of a shakedown racket than a true measure of cleanliness or an indicator of bad business practices. I’ve seen super disciplined and near spotless places get downgraded by inspectors that do major excavations and get into deep areas where any food or drink establishment is going to have some evidence of some germ or some dirt. There’s no such thing as complete antiseptic conditions, and the city makes a lot of money intimidating businesses with these practices.

OK, “C” ratings seem pretty drastic, but I’m still suspect of some of those too. By no means pass up intriguing or compelling restaurants and bars just because of a “B” rating. Use your head, and your eyes, and look over the crowd. Be smart, don’t just look for a “sign” of approval. You’ll miss some great meals and beverages otherwise.

March 17, 2018 at 12:41 am

Hi Justin, I get that it’s a bit strict, however I generally go a bit more overly cautious here as I really want people visiting New York to have good experiences eating the delicious food here from kitchens that are (mostly) clean without getting sick. I get that the food violations in the grading criteria sometimes seem kind of petty/small, but that’s why I often look up the recent grades before commiting to a place with a B as I like to know upfront if it’s something like mice droppings or something less noteworthy regarding silverware. In some cases, I’ll also overlook it myself. I think that it’s good to be informed at least about the food rating system (as many of my friends from out of town had no idea what the letters stood for) and to take it into account when deciding about a restaurant. Best, Karen

March 27, 2018 at 12:22 am

Thank you for the tips. Planning to go in August for the first time so this helps a lot.

I have a question about the water. Is it okay or do I have to make sure I don’t drink it like when I brush my teeth or take a shower?

Aloha from Hawaii Ann

March 27, 2018 at 9:44 pm

Hi Ann, The water tastes fine and it’s perfectly safe to drink. No worries. 😉

April 22, 2018 at 12:19 am

What great information you’ve provided. We will be in NYC for two weeks and coming from relatively rural northern California, and being seniors, we are researching like crazy. Still haven’t chosen a hotel but want one by the action in midtown east and right by a subway stop. Any suggestions? I know the area is pricey.

April 22, 2018 at 11:25 am

Hi Sarah, Glad to hear that it’s been helpful! Look up The Iroquois New York. It’s a classic New York hotel. 🙂

http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/the-iroquois-new-york.html?aid=1138430&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2 The link to it. ^

May 22, 2018 at 11:40 am

Hi Karen, we are four friends in our 50’s coming to New York in September for four days – staying at the Conrad Hotel in Battery Park area. How easy will it be to get uptown – eg Central Park, Grand Central Station, Madison Square garden etc – we are happy to walk or is the Metro easy

May 22, 2018 at 3:08 pm

Hi Claire, I hope that you have a fantastic trip to NYC! The Battery Park area is lovely. It’s very easy to get uptown by subway or bus although I’d recommend subway due to traffic. You can check my NYC Subway Guide (https://www.wanderlustingk.com/travel-blog/nyc-subway-guide) for more tips on getting around NYC by metro. It’s a bit far to walk and I wouldn’t recommend it. I hope you have a great trip.

June 3, 2018 at 2:46 pm

Great article! Next weekend will be my 3rd visit to NYC. I totally agree with you, you will either love it or hate it. My first visit was not so great. I hated it. I’m from the midwest (Chicago) and our big city experiences are very similar, but midwesterners aren’t as rude (for the most part). I like how you explained how NYers aren’t rude. Thanks for the explanation, I will look at it from your point of view on my upcoming visit (I’m an optimist). My 2nd visit was very pleasant. I liked it a lot. My stay was longer, I did more things, I had a lot of fun. I just had one major issue. I don’t understand why there is so much filth and garbage in every area; high end and low. There is more money in NYC than there is in many states put together. Clean up the joint. LOL! We ate at some very nice restaurants but had to look at piles of garbage outside. Please help me understand how NYers deal with that. I’m fasting right now but I’m sure I will go to some very nice restaurants with friends. How do you do it!?! Your article was very fun, easy to read, and accurate. However, there is one correction to be made… NOBODY has better pizza than Chicago!!! (says the Chicagoan). That’s a fact not an opinion. Lol! Just having fun. NYC get ready for me and my girls. Thanks for the great read.

June 7, 2018 at 3:27 pm

Glad you enjoyed my article and I hope you have a great trip. I still assert that NY pizza is better although Chicago style isn’t bad. 😉

Yeah, New York isn’t the cleanest city. I’d love to see less trash… Go to Singapore if you want to see clean streets.

June 10, 2018 at 5:05 pm

You speak to my soul with the “groups walking in rows” statement. I’m visiting NY from Seattle, and it is an EPIDEMIC out there. I find NY magical as well for all the reasons you’ve listed, but YES. I also respect New Yorkers for their awareness. Thank yooooooooou!

June 17, 2018 at 11:15 am

Great tips! My daughter and I took out first trip to NYC last fall. I have to comment on the friendliness and kindness of New Yorkers. Everywhere we went we encountered the most wonderful people! I was truly blown away and this was not at all what I expected. It seemed like people went out of their way to be kind and helpful. I slipped and fell on the subway one time and 6 people rushed to help me! We cannot wait to go back!

June 19, 2018 at 11:40 pm

Hello! I am going to New York for some weeks. What if I get sick (something mild)? I am taking some general medication with me but if I need any kind of medical consultations, is there any way to have it? I’m European.

June 19, 2018 at 11:41 pm

I hope you have travel insurance. Please contact them about this. We have many great hospitals in New York City. It just isn’t cheap out of pocket.

June 21, 2018 at 1:16 pm

Thank you Karen, your tips are so precious.

What do you think about late night walk in Central Park or Brooklyn’s Prospect Park?

June 21, 2018 at 2:53 pm

A walk around sunset or early evening is fine, but I personally avoid late night walks in the park. It’s much better than years ago, but personally, I still wouldn’t be walking around too late.

July 26, 2018 at 12:35 am

“Airbnb has been a mess in New York City ” why/how ? please elaborate a bit.

August 4, 2018 at 6:05 pm

I 100% disagree with your assessment about on avoiding any restaurant that doesn’t have an “A” rating. Restaurants get knocked to “B” for small infractions that have little to do with cleanliness or how they care for the food. This letter-grading system, imported from Los Angeles, is not really fare to restaurants, as most of the general public is ignorant about what a “B” means, for example. Even a “C” means there were issues but the health department still deems it okay to eat at — if it wasn’t okay they would shut it down.

August 7, 2018 at 2:54 pm

I grew up in a tiny town in the Midwest that has no public transportation. When I got the opportunity to visit NYC with a choir, I jumped on it, but I knew I couldn’t afford taxis. I got a handy subway map from Amazon for Manhattan and figured it out. Crowded, yes, but the subways were not scary! And I was pleasantly surprised by how polite everyone was. People made sure that the elderly had seats and I even had an older man insist I take his seat because I’m a girl. The crowd can be intimidating, but most of the people in it are perfectly normal.

August 10, 2018 at 3:55 am

***Helpful Tip*** If you wait In line at the TKTS booth to get broadway tickets, you can go back to the booth the next day with your ticket stub and skip the line!

August 12, 2018 at 5:17 pm

The view from the 7 train is amazing. But I thought an A rating meant the restaurant owner gave the inspector a hundred bucks.

August 29, 2018 at 3:23 am

Really enjoyed reading this! We’re travelling from the UK next year and can’t wait to explore this wonderful city.

September 8, 2018 at 6:23 am

I am planning to visit NYC soon. I started doing some research. I find it a little overwhelming. There is so much to do. I’m struggling with which hotel to stay. I live in update NY. My daughter is a senior in high school now and is interested in attending FIT. I will definitely be using your tips. I find them very helpful. Thank you

September 22, 2018 at 5:46 pm

I was only in New York City for 2 and a half days, and I still came out ahead when I bought the 1 week unlimited subway pass. I took something like 15 trips on the subway, so that saved me over 8 dollars compared to paying $2.75 per trip.

September 22, 2018 at 11:42 pm

Hi Karen! Thank you for the comprehensive guide. I followed your tips for the most part and did it ever turn out well! I had a great time during my first visit to New York last week thanks to your guide.

April 6, 2019 at 9:09 am

Fantastic blog, I went to NYC. With a pipe band in the April after 9/11. To help raise money for the families of the victims, I am from Glasgow, Scotland, and like New York, we have a reputation we don’t really deserve, I fell in love with NYC as like my home town the people are fantastic, a bit brash sometimes but helpful and will do anything for you, I am going back in 2020 and your blog will help me have a fantastic experience. Take Care

May 4, 2019 at 10:17 pm

Great post & tips, Interesting and funny to go through the comments from people around the world! The cultural and personnal perspectives on your post are enlighting and helpful. Leaving TOMORROW for first time in NYC, we’ll be avoiding eye contacts (in spite of coming from a place you hugg and kiss strangers you meet for the first time!) and have enough cash money to enjoy “A” and local restaurants.

May 15, 2019 at 1:59 pm

I’m on my way to NY for the first time so I really appreciate your guide I feel more prepared now. One small correction though Chicago pizza is definitely better (Chicago Native 🙂

June 15, 2019 at 1:29 pm

Thanks for informative sharing. I also spent a really good time there and came back with great memories.

July 1, 2019 at 12:29 am

I’m heading to NYC in October and it’s articles like yours that are helping me feel more prepared about my trip. I will be staying for 7 days and staying in Tribeca. I plan to study the subway system before I arrive, so that I can cover more ground. I will make sure to stock up on hand sanitiser for when I’m exploring. Thank you so much for the pretty much priceless (to someone like me anyways) information x x

July 13, 2019 at 8:48 am

Great tips! Some of the best conversations we had as a family were in NYC and San Fran when we DID make eye contact. Travelling with kids is even better than travelling with kittens!

July 17, 2019 at 12:29 am

Glad to hear that! I like to think that New Yorkers are very friendly when we have the time to chat. Not everyone has the time though!

July 16, 2019 at 12:35 am

I think it’s a great artikel! The way you wrote it really shows the love you have for the city but that you also see it flaws. I’ll be visiting New York in August and I think this artikel will be really helpfull!

July 19, 2019 at 7:29 pm

Thank you, Karen, for these great tip! Fun read. My husband and I would like to take our son and daughter for 4 days/3 nights, but we’re having trouble deciding when given their college schedules. Choices include Labor Day weekend, the week before Christmas, the week after Christmas (but not NYE!), or the week after New Year’s Day. Do you have any points to consider that would help us decide?

July 21, 2019 at 5:00 pm

That’s very tough. I’d say that the Christmas season is quite pricey, but it’s really nice as you can enjoy the windows, so either period should be good if you are interested in that. It’s slightly cheaper after NYE and I believe the windows should still be up then, but I’d recommend checking that. Labor day is nice if you want good weather and want to enjoy the parks more. It’s a quieter time as many New Yorkers head out of NYC that weekend. Hope that helps! Please check my other post about Christmas in NYC for more information!

July 20, 2019 at 2:50 pm

Hi! I am also a native NYer and this post is really well done. Totally agree with Pod39 Rooftop – and seeing the skyline with a cocktail vs just one of the three major observatories. My new favorite view is Manhattan – best views since Windows on the World.

July 28, 2019 at 3:59 am

This is an awesome insight and one article I wish I had read before heading to NYC, but I will be back! One of the biggest mistakes we made was not getting to Brooklyn or Queens. We were lucky enough to have 10 nights there which was amazing, and we didn’t do anywhere near everything, Totally agree about the subway, it’s a fabulous way to travel and I have included it as an essential for getting around in my article on my blog “My 17 Best Tips for Visiting NYC” but no-one can give insight like a local can. Food was fantastic – the pizzas, the bagels, the giant pretzels, we loved it all. I also recommend checking out the New York City Pass website. You don’t need to buy it, and I wouldn’t necessarily guarantee buying it because you have to go hard to get your money’s worth, but what it does do is give you a great list of most of the big ticket items as well as some quirkier ones like the Catacombs tour that we enjoyed. Keep up the awesome work, this is a great blog.

August 12, 2019 at 11:40 pm

Hi, this was one of the most valuable posts i’ve read when i was planning our trip to NYC. We’re 1 week in NYC, took our 4yo son and he loved it. We got a bit lost in Brooklyn and got help from one super nice girl, in the subway talked to an amazing old lady and overall the people were very helpful and friendly. We’ve followed your tips and the trip was delightful. Thank you

January 14, 2020 at 5:31 pm

We are going in June this year. I was reading through the comments and saw yours. We are taking our son that is about the same age as yours. Any tips or suggestions for going with Lea little one?

August 28, 2019 at 9:07 pm

Really enjoyed this read. I almost wish I had read it before traveling to NYC for the first time as an adult, but half of the fun was figuring out the city on our own (with a little help from some older ladies at a bus stop) I’m from southern CA and I absolutely fell in love with NYC and would jump at the chance to live there if I could. I absolutely love being able to do everything I want without having to drive. I love the food culture, the energy in the streets, even the way most citizens are totally unfazed by almost getting hit in the middle of a crosswalk. I can’t wait to return for an even longer trip next time!

September 6, 2019 at 6:16 am

“Stay away from chain restaurants”, why reccomend shake shack than? First of all, it’s horrible, second it’s a chain restaurant. There are a lot of great burger places in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, for example: bare burger, burger bistro etc.

September 8, 2019 at 11:12 pm

I was born and raised in NYC. Harlem,to be exact. I’ve traveled to all the boroughs and I love my city. Just like any other city, be careful and use common sense. Otherwise, it’s a melting pot of cultures and lots of things to do. That’s why it’s called, “The city so nice they had to make it twice!!” And “The city that never sleeps!!” Literally. I live in Florida now but do go back to NY once in a while just to recharge my battery. Lol!!

October 8, 2019 at 4:36 pm

This is a very well written blog!! It gives a “real” insight.

Thanks for sharing 🙂

January 5, 2020 at 7:53 pm

We’re heading to New York for the first time in May and found this post super helpful – definitely sending it to my husband to read. Thank you x

January 13, 2020 at 7:48 am

Great article! I’m taking my daughter and friends in April for her Sweet 16. This will be my third trip and get first. I am SO excited as we are born to travel!!! One tip I would include from my previous experience is to realize how difficult it is to find a bathroom. By law, hotels have to let anyone use the bathroom. You would be amazed how valuable this is to know. When you’re out and about, just stop into any hotel lobby for a bathroom break.

Thanks for the great tips- def tagging this for our “girls’ trip to the city” planning!

January 13, 2020 at 10:53 am

That is a great tip! There’s an app for this called Flush, I believe. 🙂

January 18, 2020 at 6:19 am

Yes and YES! We went, we fell in love, we’re planning our next trip for Jan 2021. Australian family of 4. Our kids (11 and 12) were especially enamoured with the Big Apple. We felt at home as soon as we arrived and loved everything about your City. Maybe it was because of Crocodile Dundee or Sex & the City we grew up watching? Never once found New Yorkers to be gruff or rude – we just ploughed through and asked them for directions anyway. Turns out, they love Aussies. We can’t wait to return and next time, we’re taking our extended family. So much good food, great shows, awesome streetscapes, history and just a great pace of life. You can’t think of the expense as a visitor, esp from Australia. It’s such a long way to go, so we made the most of it.

August 25, 2020 at 6:42 pm

Pay attention to what she says. It’s very good advice. I’m a former New Yorker. And I miss it every day.

March 6, 2021 at 6:14 am

Hi! I spent 4.5 days in NY in Dec 2019. Traveled as a single female in her 40s with a heavy country girl accent. Stayed at the hotel Alziz. Visited their fantastic bar, great views and drinks. Saw some Broadway shows, visited the natural history museum, took a boat ride past the statue of liberty. Also saw all the Christmas decor and the Rockefeller Center tree. Highly recommend! I didn’t try the subway until my third day, and OMG I wish I’d had used it sooner. Such a time saver. Everyone was so nice! Except for 1 police officer, He was a dick. Sorry, but I was unaccostomed to seeing police standing around holding rifles out without there being some big trouble going on. When I asked one of them what was going on and if I could go on down the street, because, honestly, I thought something really bad must have happened, He was like, “You’re a tourist, just go on and leave me alone.” But other than that, I had the time of my life!

April 8, 2022 at 4:02 am

Thank you for providing such detailed information and guidelines.

May 19, 2022 at 8:42 am

[…] you see really crazy stuff or people carrying KITTENS on the subway.  ON THEIR SHOULDER. That’s New York.  (You never know what will happen. […]

[…] with me here, but as a native New Yorker, I’m picky about my pizza.   However, the style of pizza in Buffalo is different and good. […]

[…] Make sure you know where you're going! Sounds obvious, but I'm not just talking about destinations. You want to find out you're going to the right motel. If you're searching 'near me', take a second to choose the right neighbourhood in your chosen city or town. Because remember, if you're only going for two to three days, you will want to see as much as you can. Checkout local blogs like this one for New York. […]

[…] York natives, though, often try to avoid most of the big Christmas destinations and events that the city has to offer. Especially after […]

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New York's fall foliage is here: AAA's guide to planning your next getaway

Best fall getaways: aaa's top travel tips.

We're a few days into the fall season which means it's time to map out your fall getaway. AAA has put out its latest recommendations of where to go and when. FOX 5 NY's Richard Giacovas has more.

NEW YORK - With just a few days into fall , AAA says now is the perfect time to plan your next road trip up north. 

In New York, the Adirondacks, Catskills, Thousand Island-Seaway, Capital-Saratoga, Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Greater Niagara regions are starting to display early signs of fall colors. 

Here are some tips from the AAA on how to go about planning your next fall excursion:

JUMP TO: WHEN WILL FALL FOLIAGE PEAK IN OUR AREA | IS FALL THE BEST TIME TO TRAVEL | TOP US FALL DESTINATIONS | TOP NATIONAL FALL DESTINATIONS

When will fall foliage peak in our area?

Margaret Gould of Whittier, Calif., photographs the fall foliage in Washington Park on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

"We know a lot of people enjoy seeing the colors of fall as the leaves changed to some green to orange and reds and yellows. And it just gets very, very vibrant in our area," AAA spokesperson Robert Sinclair said.

Sinclair said foliage will peak in most areas around mid-October.

Explorefall.com reports the estimated date for the leaves to peak in New York City is Nov. 8. Right now in New York City, there is little to no color. 

Is fall the best time to travel?

With the leaves starting to change colors, fall is the perfect time to travel, whether it's a road trip or a flight.

"This time of year is known as shoulder season in travel which means mild weather, fewer crowds, and better prices," said Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. 

Not only have temperatures fallen, but so have gas prices.

AAA said gas prices have been going down since late July thanks in part to a relatively quiet Atlantic hurricane season.

Drivers renting cars for their fall trips are seeing better deals, with domestic rental rates down 5% and international rates down 15% this season, AAA said.

According to AAA, drivers renting cars for their fall road trips are also finding better rates. 

The cost to rent a vehicle domestically is down 5% and down 15% for international car rentals, the AAA said.

If you plan on taking a road trip, note that as the season changes, potentially more rain is on the way and those leaves will eventually fall. 

AAA warns that wet leaves can pose similar risks to driving on ice. 

They also recommend finding a safe spot to pull over and look at the leaves.

"We usually tell people to that in shady regions, the sun doesn't get there to dry up the roads. Those leaves get on the road at the bottom of the hill, let's say, and they collect water, and it can be very, very slippery," Sinclair said.

Traveling by plane

AAA says that domestic flight bookings are up 1% and international flight bookings are up 3%. 

"AAA booking numbers show more people are flying this season both domestically and internationally, and many travelers are taking fall cruises to enjoy the foliage in Alaska and New England!" 

According to AAA, travelers are paying about the same as they did last fall. The average cost of a domestic roundtrip ticket is $660, while an international roundtrip ticket averages $1,315.

Fall foliage is seen at Shequaga Falls in the village of Montour Falls, New York, on Monday, November 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

What are the top US destinations this fall? 

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 03: People stand under autumn colored trees in Central Park on November 03, 2022 in New York City. Leaves around parts of Central Park changed colors while much of Long Island and Upstate New York have passed the peak. (

New York City is one of AAA's top fall destinations, but what other places made the list?

• Los Angeles
• Fort Lauderdale

What are the top national destinations?

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5 incredible NYC experiences you have to see

From taste testing the best Chinatown eats to sailing under the Brooklyn Bridge, here are our must-try NYC experiences

New York City never gets old, with a endless amounts of things to explore from the world-renowned museums and iconic  theatre shows all the way down to the storytelling grafitti on the Manhattan Bridge. Take your tour of the NYC beyond Times Square and discover fascinating facts, food and maybe even a love of sailing... as you're accompanied by local guides who live and breathe the city. 

So without further adieu, here are some of the best NYC experiences for 2024 – hand-picked by our travel experts from the  Airbnb Experiences hub.

And if you weren't already clued up, Airbnb Experiences is the home of unique, lesser-known activities that are perfect of travellers that want to see a city in its most authentic and raw light. They're also run by expert locals who make it their mission to share their knowledge and help you create memories that will last a lifetime. 

RECOMMENDED:  🏠 The coziest Airbnbs near NYC 🏨 The best hotels in NYC

At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines .

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Must-see NYC experiences

1.  new york graffiti tour.

Open your eyes to the overlooked beauty of those gritty Lower East Side streets with this fun, interactive tour that will take you on a deep dive into NYC's notorious grafitti culture. You'll be lead down part of the Manhattan Bridge by an expert in the field, who will recite tales of iconic New York writers and the meaning behind the art from an insider's perspective. You'll certainly be in good hands, with a guide who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the scene and is internationally recognised for his work. Round off the day with a slice of pizza from the famed Scarrs . 

2.  Full-day 'see it all' NYC tour

Experience the best of NYC all in one day with this 'see it all' tour lead by a knowledgable college professor at the City University of New York. Expect a packed itinerary with no room for time wasting; feel like you're seeing it all without being rushed, with stops including Central Park, Wall Street, the Statue of Liberty and Freedom Tower, while still squeezing in a lunch break and pauses for a quick history lesson or two. You'll also learn a bunch of fun facts about underrated dining spots, as well as where to shop, party and spot celebs. 

3.  Walk-through NYC tattoo history tour

A tour that will leave a lasting impression? Immerse yourself in the world of tattoo art; start the day at Daredevil Tatoo for a private viewing, including machines that were responsible for some of the most iconic inked masterpieces of the last 100 years. Michelle — your trusted guide and professional tattoo artist—will take you to the birthplace of the first electric tattoo machine, as well as the Lower East Side and Chinatown for conversations about the area's rich immigration history and a brief lunch break. You can even get inked up yourself after the tour... 

4.  New York sailing tour with Brooklyn Sail

Give your feet a rest and take to the water on a beautiful 1 994 Catalina 34 sailboat — driven by a master sailor with years of experience riding around the Atlantic East Coast. Drift across New York Harbor while soaking up the views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, World Trade Center and Governors Island. Guests are welcome to bring any food or refreshments on board including alcoholic beverages (just not drinks that are likely to stain). 

5.  Chinatown food tour with a chef

Who better to show you round the highlights of Chinatown than a certified chef? This NYC food tour won't leave you hungry; as you weave through the aroma-filled streets you'll get to try three of your in-the-know guide's favorite dishes, including Beijing-style pancakes and BBQ pork buns. A stroll through Chinatown's largest food market will be accompanied by insights and explanations on the practices of Asian cooking techniques and the secrets behind the area's biggest businesses. 

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The Best Places to Go Apple Picking Near New York City

As the dog days of summer ease into a mild—if not slightly chilly—fall, autumnal joys like pumpkin spice, cider donuts, Halloween decorations, and cozy farmers’ markets, flood our moodboards and imaginations. Arguably one of the most anticipated fall activities is apple picking, as the leaves start to fall and classic crowd-pleasers like Galas and Honeycrisps fully blush into their red-yellow skins.

While orchards and farms can feel like pastoral getaways from bustling cosmopolitan hubs like New York City , the Big Apple isn’t far from some of the year’s best harvests. On the contrary, between upstate pit stops and easy day trips to Jersey boltholes, there is a veritable bounty of options to explore, and more than enough fruit to fill your wicker basket.

Whether you’re looking for a two-for-one deal where you can pick up a couple of pumpkins to carve, a family-friendly visit with hayrides and petting zoos, or an orchard that brews its own cider label, here's where to find some of the best apple picking near New York City.

Alstede Farms

Location: 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ (About one hour and 15 minutes away from NYC by car)

Once you visit Alstede, it’s easy to find yourself craving their homemade ice cream, heirloom apple breeds, and fresh-churned Amish butter, but you’re in luck—the farm has an online store that can deliver right to your door or local farmers’ market. Beyond apples, your whole grocery run practically lives here whether you’re looking for eggplant, potatoes, blueberries, or more. But if it’s the ambience of the grounds that you find yourself missing, they also host regular tours, seasonal harvest moon nights, and weddings for those who are truly in love with the venue.

Fishkill Farms

Location: 9 Fishkill Farm Rd, Hopewell Junction, NY (About one hour and 45 minutes away from NYC by car)

Sample a glass of this farm’s tree-to-bottle Treasury Cider to uncover the Champagne of ciders. The family-run operation hand presses their own special breeds of dessert and bittersweet apple to achieve the label’s nuanced taste, and you can expect this level of effort throughout all their endeavors—not only does the farm grow organic Crimson Crisp and Spartan apples, but they also grow most of the produce according to eco-certified and ecologically grown standards, which both have rigorous requirements for what the fruit is exposed to from seed to sale. But the fun’s not just in the fruit—dine at the Fishkill Farms Grill with all the Catskills surrounding you, or catch an evening performance of live music by a visiting band.

Masker Orchards

Location: 45 Ball Rd, Warwick, NY (About one hour and 45 minutes away from NYC by car; three hours by train)

Sprawling orchard grounds have never been more accessible than at Masker—open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week rather than being condition or seasonally dependent, the orchard is also designed for driving through, so you can take the car right up to the trees you want to pick from or picnic under. Beforehand, consult their website banner that clearly states which varieties are ready for picking, and download the map of the orchard so you’ll know ahead of time that Red Deliciouses can be found on the corner of ‘Strudel’ and ‘Pie’ lanes.

Minard's Family Farm

Location: 250 Hurds Rd, Clintondale, NY (About two hours away from NYC by car)

The name might’ve already clued you in, but this farm goes all out for the kids—there’s a busy bee train, chances to leave their mark on the Chalk Bus, a tire climbing wall, a giant bounce pillow, and that’s not even to mention the petting zoo or 2.5-acre corn maze. While there’s more than enough to keep the whole family engaged with those activities alone, the best time to visit is throughout October, when the lion’s share of the farm’s apples are ripe and the pumpkins are ready to pick too.

Battleview Orchards

Location: 91 Wemrock Rd, Freehold, NJ (About two hours away from NYC by car)

Owned and operated by the Applegate family for the past 116 years, Battleview is the oldest pick-your-own farm in New Jersey . This year, the orchard is offering 19 varieties of apples throughout the fall, and it also has year-round opportunities to pick sour cherries, strawberries, peaches, and pumpkins. And as kids explore some of the 130-acre grounds on the seasonal hayride, parents can walk the aisles of the on-site country store stocked with favorites like housemade cider and fresh-baked pies, and speciality items such as the customizable fruit baskets. Their website has Applegate family recipes for every variety of fruit the orchard cultivates.

Demarest Farms

Location: 244 Werimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ (About one hour away from NYC by car; 90 minutes by train)

This farm puts its vast-spanning orchards to use as a canvas for some of the best light shows in the tri-state area. In the daytime throughout the summer and fall months, peaches and apples are the main attraction, but when the sun sets during the holiday seasons, new life is breathed into the orchards as they host a Halloween light show in October peppered with skeletons, jack-o-lanterns, and the rogue’s gallery of classic monsters, and the Orchard of Lights during the winter months with giant snowflakes, reindeer, and even Dr. Seuss’ Grinch.

Outhouse Orchards

Location: 139 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY (About 90 minutes away from NYC by car)

These orchards aren't just some of the best apple picking near New York City, they're a celebration of all things autumnal. The best time to come is throughout September and October when Outhouse puts on its Fall Festival . Every corner of the grounds offers something to entertain, whether it's racing rubber ducks or blowing bubbles for the little ones, hayrides for the whole family, or snacking on wood-fired pizza and washing it down with the in-house hard cider for food lovers. With 12 apple varieties that ripen during the pick-your-own season, there’s enough diversity to satisfy fans of tangy Mcintoshes and honey-sweet Jonamacs alike.

Sun High Orchards

Location: 19 Canfield Ave, Randolph, NJ (About 75 minutes away from NYC by car)

These orchards are no-frills and focus on quality fruit-picking. With their low-entry fees of $4 per person on the weekends and $2 on the weekdays, free-of-charge apple bags, and pay-by-weight system, Sun High allows visitors to expense only what they experience. Sun High grows dwarf trees in their orchards with a generous picking radius, another subtle attention to detail. With some friendly farm animals, picnic tables overlooking the grounds, and a pumpkin patch that opens later in the fall, this is one of the best under-the-radar apple picking venues around.

Dr Davies Farm

Location: 306 NY-304, Congers, NY (About one hour away from NYC by car)

This is your classic apple and pumpkin picking experience. Having been around since 1891, the farm, now run by the practiced hands of fourth- and fifth-generation Davies, runs like a well-oiled machine. Admission is $17 cash per person, and if you don’t know where to start with the over 5,000 trees and 27 different apple varieties on the farm, the website has a “ Meet Our Apples ” page where each is identified with a well-lit picture, name, ripening timeline, and flavor profile. If you’d like to enjoy even more fruits from the farm but not your own labor, the brewery arm, Red Barn Cidery, produces a host of its own ciders, local beers, and nonalcoholic options.

Apple Dave's Orchard & Distillery

Location: 82 Four Corners Rd., Warwick, NY (About one hour and 45 minutes away from NYC by car)

If you’ve ever wanted to live inside a Bob Ross painting, this is the orchard for you. At Apple Dave’s, visitors are backgrounded by the farm’s own lake against sweeping views of the northern Appalachian Mountains. Meandering walking trails through the trees and the on-site store filled with fresh produce and charming Halloween decor provide casual yet engaging activities for a fun day out with the family. But for the 21+ crowd, the distillery offers Apple Jacks, Shawangunk wines, and cocktails enhanced with the farm’s produce amongst the usual suspects of local beers and ciders.

Stuart's Fruit Farm

Location: 62 Granite Springs Rd, Granite Springs, NY (About 90 minutes away from NYC by car)

Beyond their orchards, Stuart’s is also home to a Christmas tree farm and bakery which churns out irresistible cider donuts and fresh-baked pies. The farm also does not charge entrance and parking fees, meaning visitors are only charged for what they pick and purchase at the store. But this is definitely one of those trips where the journey getting there is just as worth it as the destination—driving through Granite Springs, visitors get to experience Westchester at its autumnal best as the mountains pass by in a montage of gold and orange.

Orchards of Concklin

Location: 2 S Mountain Rd, Pomona, NY (About one hour away from NYC by car; two hours by train)

These orchards in the quaint town of Pomona are the ideal weekend day trip out of the city . In addition to sampling some of the newest and coolest apple varieties on the market (who wouldn’t want to take a bite out of a Ludacrisp?), the bakery offers everything from timeless apple pies to peanut butter custard pies that are begging to be your next holiday dinner centerpiece. While there’s enough to occupy your Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the farm also has a strong presence at local farmers’ markets such as Bronxville, Riverdale, and White Plains.

Twin Star Orchards

Location: 155 N Ohioville Rd, New Paltz, NY (About two hours away from NYC by car)

After you spend an afternoon plucking Fujis and Galas, Honeycrisps, and Cortlandts, take the load off at Twin Star’s on-site restaurant. Wood-fired pizzas are sumptuous and savory with options such as sweet sausage and broccoli rabe and Dragon’s Breath for the daring. Inclusive items like the vegan pizza and black bean burger also feature on the menu to accomodate for dietary preferences. And for those truly looking to indulge, be sure to visit on a Saturday and Sunday for the low-and-slow barbecue and stack your plate with fall-apart ribs and brisket. This is an orchard for the epicurean.

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard

Location: 130 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY (About 90 minutes away from NYC by car)

There’s a little something for everyone at this North Salem farm and orchard—kids can learn from the property’s educational tours, cozy creatives can sip and paint or attend a bonsai grooming workshop, families can dig in to Sunday brunch at the onsite restaurant, and green thumbs can give back by contributing to the Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA). During the fall, Harvest Moon runs festivals every weekend featuring live country music performances, tractor hayrides, photo ops with scarecrows and fresh-picked pumpkins, and a rotation of local food vendors in addition to their scenic apple orchard.

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Leaf It to the Pros: The Northeast’s 8 Most Captivating Fall Foliage Escapes

The luxe retreats, secret drives and insider tips for experiencing the season’s most spectacular show.

The Northeast has officially begun its annual spectacle that draws leaf-peepers from around the globe , all eager to witness nature's most dazzling magic trick. But what makes New England's fall foliage so captivating? It's not just about pretty autumn colors—it's a complex dance of chemistry, weather and timing. As days shorten and temperatures drop, trees slow their chlorophyll production, allowing hidden pigments to take center stage. Carotenoids paint the landscape in yellows and oranges, while anthocyanins add dramatic reds and purples.

This year, the show's starting early, thanks to a drier-than-usual late summer. While this might mean a truncated season, it also promises a more intense burst of color as the leaves change hues. Picture entire hillsides ablaze with crimson maples and golden birches, their reflections shimmering in placid lakes and babbling brooks. From Vermont's rolling Green Mountains to Maine's rugged coastline , from the cultural mecca of the Berkshires to the time-capsule towns of the Catskills, each corner of the Northeast offers its own unique spin on autumn's pageantry. Whether you're a seasoned leaf-chaser or a fall foliage first-timer, this guide will help you make the most of the season's fleeting beauty.

So grab your flannel, fill up that thermos with apple cider and join us on a journey through the Northeast's most stunning autumnal escapes. Just remember: like all good things, this show has a limited run. Don't miss it.

Where to See the Best Fall Foliage in the Northeast

Stowe, vermont, acadia national park, maine, berkshires, massachusetts, catskills, new york, litchfield hills, connecticut, camden, maine, the poconos, pennsylvania, white mountains, new hampshire.

• Best time to visit: Late September to early October, with the peak foliage around the first week of October.

If fall were a competitive sport, Stowe would be its Katie Ledecky . This Green Mountain town (a misnomer come October) will have you surrounded by more maple trees than anywhere else in the region, with the brightest of oranges, yellows and reds on nearly every highway and country road. Take a spin down Mountain Road, hike up Mount Mansfield if you're feeling ambitious or just drive if you prefer your foliage with a side of air conditioning. Post-leaf-gawking, head to Cold Hollow Cider Mill . Nothing says, "I'm embracing fall like a middle-aged influencer" quite like a steaming cup of cider and a dozen apple cider donuts with a side of maple syrup. For lodging, check out the uber-quaint and genteel Edson Hill , or for something more mod, Topnotch Resort . The latter is exactly what it sounds like—top-notch views with amenities that'll make you forget you're essentially there to look at dead leaves. There, we said it.

• Best time to visit: Mid to late October, with peak colors often appearing in the first two to three weeks of October.

This coastal wonderland offers a mash-up of oceanic drama and arboreal pyrotechnics that'll have you questioning your life choices (Maine’s slogan is, after all, “The Way Life Should Be”). Take the 27-mile Park Loop Road for Acadia's greatest hits. Stop at Thunder Hole to hear the Atlantic's applause (it's very impressed with itself this time of year). Cap it off with a sunset from Cadillac Mountain. After your nature binge, retreat to The Claremont in nearby Southwest Harbor. It's where the cool kids stay when they grow up and develop a taste for fine wines and lobster rolls. Set on Southwest Harbor, about a 20-minute drive from Bar Harbor, it's one of the best access points to Acadia's dramatic landscapes for any and all-day trips. The Claremont's dining room, Harry's Bar and Batson Fish Camp brewpub attract Mainers far and wide looking for a cocktail or meal with a picturesque view of the Somes Sound.

• Best time to visit: Early to mid-October, typically peaking around Columbus Day weekend.

The Berkshires is where art snobs and leaf peepers find common ground. Start with a scenic drive along the Mohawk Trail, a 63-mile route follows a Native American trade path through 50,000 acres of parklands and forests. Catch a classical music show at Tanglewood if the stars align, or explore the hiking trails at Monument Mountain to channel your inner Nathaniel Hawthorne (beard optional). For lodging, Miraval Berkshires offers a wellness retreat that'll have you aligning your chakras with the falling leaves. It's like a spa day, but with more trees and fewer cucumber slices on your eyes. This 380-acre property, centrally located to attract wellness lovers from both Boston and New York City, offers all the Miraval trademarks: health-centric dining, an epic pool area and even rescued horses for equine therapy . The vibe is calm, cool and collected, with a pared-back aesthetic to match the autumn serenity outside.

• Best time to visit: Late September to mid-October, with the peak usually around early October.

The Catskills have been New York City's escape hatch since Rip Van Winkle first dozed off under a tree. Take a fall road trip down the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway, making pit stops in small towns that time forgot, like Roxbury and Bethel, as well as mainstays for weekend lumberjack cosplay like Woodstock and Phoenicia. Hike to Kaaterskill Falls, which inspired so many Hudson River School painters. For lodging that's more 'gram than grandma, check into the region’s newest hideaway: The Henson . It's the brainchild of two acclaimed chefs and a pair of home renovators with an Instagram following that would make influencers weep. Spend your day bouncing between the rooftop (hello, mountain vistas) and Paracasa, the inn’s general store meets café. Just don't get too comfy—the Henson's curated area guide is basically a dare to explore.

• Best time to visit: Mid to late October, often peaking around the third week of October.

While the leaf-peeping masses clog Vermont's arteries, savvy foliage hunters make a beeline for Litchfield Hills. It's got all the autumnal razzle-dazzle of its famous East Coast neighbors, minus the tour bus armada. Cruise down Route 7, where covered bridges pop up like quaint little time machines. Detour to Kent Falls State Park for some waterfall action, because the only thing better than fall colors is fall colors in motion. Cap it off with a farm-to-table feast in Litchfield proper, where the produce is as vibrant as the foliage. For accommodations that'll make you forget you're not actually British nobility, there's Auberge's Mayflower Inn & Spa , which channels oh-so-convincingly English country house vibes just a two hour getaway from New York City.

• Best time to visit: Late September to early October, with peak colors typically around the first week of October.

For those who like their leaf-peeping with a side of salt air, Camden's got you covered. This postcard-come-to-life on Maine's Penobscot Bay proves you don't need altitude for attitude when it comes to fall foliage. Hoof it up Mount Battie (or drive, we won't judge) for a panorama that's part ocean, part autumn extravaganza. Take a windjammer cruise to see the coast in all its multi-hued glory, then amble down Main Street, where 19th-century architecture provides a fancy frame for nature's handiwork. Bed down at The Norumbega , a Queen Anne-style mansion that ditches nautical clichés for a global flair.

• Best time to visit: Mid to late October, projected to peak October 25, 2024.

Forget heart-shaped tubs and champagne towers . The Poconos of today is less about kitsch, and more about nature flexing its color muscles. Wind your way around Lake Wallenpaupack on Route 507 for a double feature of leaves and reflections. Hit up Bushkill Falls, nicknamed "The Niagara of Pennsylvania" because apparently, every state in America needs its own Niagara. Cap off your leaf-peeping odyssey in Jim Thorpe, a Victorian town so well-preserved it makes time travel seem plausible. For lodging, cheat a little and cross state lines to New York's Glenmere Mansion . It's what happens when Tuscan luxury and Hudson Valley foliage have a very expensive baby.

• Best time to visit: Peak weekend is officially slated for October 5-6, 2024, but visiting anytime from late September through the second week of October is also highly recommended.

The White Mountains are where foliage goes to show off. The headliner? The Kancamagus Highway, 35 miles of twisting tarmac that cuts through White Mountain National Forest (try to stop at Flume Gorge, in Franconia Notch State Park). Locals call it "The Kanc," presumably because they're too busy gawking at the scenery to waste time on extra syllables. Pull over at Sabbaday Falls for some white noise to accompany your leaf-gazing. Or hop aboard the Conway Scenic Railway for a front-row seat to the spectacle , minus the white-knuckle driving. For a quintessential New England stay that won't break the bank, check into the Launchpoint Lodge . This 1902 colonial got a millennial makeover, marrying historical charm with Wi-Fi that actually works. 

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9 Best Mountain Destinations to Live in the U.S. — From Small Towns to Big Cities

In these breathtaking mountain destinations across the U.S., residents can enjoy fresh air, lush views, and endless recreation.

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While living by the beach has its pros , our country’s mountains are notoriously scenic, too. The U.S. is home to more than a hundred mountain ranges varying in size and elevation. From the rugged Rocky Mountains dominating the West to the vast Appalachians in the East, the mountainous landscapes offer an exciting lifestyle characterized by natural beauty, culture, a long history, and outdoor recreation year-round.

In recent years, a greater number of Americans have opted to relocate to the mountains for more space and easy access to nature. As a result, certain high-altitude communities like Chattanooga and Colorado Springs, for example, are turning into bustling urban areas with big-city amenities like top-notch dining, excellent schools, and diverse employment opportunities.

So, after chatting with real estate experts across the nation, we rounded up nine of the most attractive mountain destinations to live in the U.S.

Boulder, Colorado

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"Boulder and our mountains have a balance of privacy and proximity. You're close to town, but still comfortably removed," Scott Ripmaster,  a broker at Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate , said of this popular city nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. U.S. News named it one of the best places to live in the U.S. thanks to its sunny weather — including more than 300 days of sunshine — dozens of parks, and 155 miles of hiking trails.

"Pine Brook Hills is one of our closest in-mountain neighborhoods in Boulder. As a whole, homebuyers want views and privacy, but still want neighbors close by. Our Boulder mountains have a very communal feel with people really looking after one another," Ripmaster added.

Chattanooga, Tennessee

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Thanks to major revitalization efforts that started almost 20 years ago, Chattanooga, a midsized city of about 188,000 on the banks of the Tennessee River, has reinvented itself as one of the busiest tech startup hubs in America and a haven for remote workers .

And it's easy to see what persuaded thousands of new residents to make the move to the Scenic City (a moniker it deserves) in recent years. Its vibrant arts scene, affordable real estate , cost of living (which also makes it a popular retirement destination ), and a plethora of outdoor activities have transformed it into a desirable place to settle down.

Greenville, South Carolina

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One of the major draws for newcomers in this scenic South Carolina city in the Blue Ridge Mountains is the abundance of year-round recreation, including water sports (there's an extensive lake system around Greenville), hiking, biking (Paris Mountain is popular with cyclists), and skiing.

"We also have several colleges and universities in the area, like Clemson University as well as Furman University, which is right at the base of the mountains," Nick Carlson, vice president and real estate broker at Wilson Associates , explained.

With rising home prices in the area, though, Carlson suggested house hunting during the shoulder seasons. "The mountains are more popular in the fall and spring seasons.  If you're going to look at property, visit during the off-season (summer or winter months) because you might have access to good inventory that's just coming online or has lagged," he added.

The median home price stands at $306,938, according to Zillow , and is up almost four percent since last year.

Park City, Utah

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"Park City is a small town with big-town attractions ," Jessica Allen Bateman, a Utah native and broker at Windermere Real Estate , said. "For any season, the mountains are your backyard to play in, with the area's art, parks, and events culminating with the food and vibrant colors all around."

While the home inventory in the area is back to pre-COVID levels, Bateman explained prices continue to rise, so if you plan on making Park City your permanent home, be ready to pay up. The current median home value is an eye-watering $1,559,039, according to Zillow .

Roanoke, Virginia

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This bustling city is situated in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains . Its many art galleries, museums, shops, and outdoor activities have also transformed it into a sought-after retirement destination , a trend facilitated by the its excellent health care facilities and affordable cost of living. The median home price, according to Zillow , is $263,707.

Asheville, North Carolina

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Asheville , with its booming hotel and food scenes , might be the ultimate weekend getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But this city, home to America's largest home — the Biltmore Estate — is also becoming more popular as a permanent home among people seeking endless mountain vistas, outdoor activities, and a vibrant cultural cityscape.

"Homebuyers in Asheville are drawn to properties that offer breathtaking views of the mountains, woods, or streams. Outdoor spaces featuring fire pits or fireplaces are highly sought after, providing the perfect setting for enjoying Asheville's year-round temperate climate and hosting gatherings," Josh Smith, president of Walnut Cove Realty/Allen Tate Realtors , explained.

However, if you're considering making Asheville your home, act fast as real estate prices continue to rise — the current median value is $478,274, per Zillow's latest report at the time of publishing .

Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Sitting at the eastern foot of the Rockies, Colorado's second-largest city offers an outstanding quality of life — and the proof is in the numbers , which predict the larger Colorado Springs metro area will hit one million residents by 2049. The city is often preferred over Denver, thanks to its affordable cost of living, ample employment opportunities , and attractions like the Garden of the Gods and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Real estate is also more affordable compared to Denver — the median home price is $452,001 (versus $559,014 in the state capital).

McCall, Idaho

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Nestled on the southern shore of Payette Lake, this gem of a small town boasts mountain views galore, hot springs, hundreds of lakes, hiking trails, and many winter sports facilities.

"Our town offers a unique blend of serene landscapes and exciting outdoor activities, making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful, vibrant lifestyle. The community here is warm and welcoming, creating a small-town charm that makes everyone feel at home," Tom Garcia, president and general manager of Whitetail Club , a private residential community in McCall, said.

Whitetail is popular with luxury buyers looking for resort-like amenities such as a private golf course, a swimming pool, and a lakefront clubhouse among the rugged beauty of the Idaho mountains.

Lake Placid, New York

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This small town hidden in the Adirondacks is rooted in Olympic history (it has hosted two Winter Olympics) and has been a favorite mountain getaway for New Yorkers for decades. Its main drag is lined with independent boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants buzzing with people in the winter.

However, the town offers plenty of year-round recreation, which is why it's been a popular choice for second-home buyers and full-time residents in recent years. (Last year, school enrollment was up for the first time in seven years .) Real estate prices have kept up with the increased demand, and the current median value is $329,435, according to Zillow , with many luxury real estate brokerages offering sprawling lakefront properties with price tags in the millions.

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