New York is one of the greatest cities in the world and somewhere everyone should visit.
If you want to travel to New York and have never been before, there are so many things you should know before departing.
Check out our guide to visiting NYC with information and helpful tips to make the whole trip easier.
1. There is So Much to Do
There are so many things you can do in NYC, this really is a 24 hour city with world famous sites like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building and Broadway. What you can fit into your schedule really depends on how much time you have and what your interests are.
It is important to put together a list of places you would like to visit but we recommend you also venture outside of Manhattan, there are some great places to visit in the other boroughs – Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island.
2. NYC is Expensive
You’ve probably heard NYC is expensive, and it really is. What you pay for accommodation, transport, food and entertainment is a lot more than most other cities in the USA.
New York is reportedly home to over 380,000 millionaires and is said to have the most billionaires in the world living here.
There are ways to keep your costs down in New York, for example booking accommodation in advance or even staying outside of Manhattan. There are lots of cheap hostels in New York which offer prices the fraction of your average hotel.
Eating at food stalls/trucks rather than restaurants will also help your bank balance.
Remember, you are going to be visiting one of the greatest and most lively cities in the world so sometimes it’s best to spend the money and maximise your experience.
3. It’s Busy
8 million people live in New York (around 28,000 people per square mile) and at any one time there are thousands of tourists visiting. Throw in cars, taxis and noise – don’t expect a quiet and relaxing place to visit especially if you are staying in Manhattan.
4. You’ll Need to Decide Where to Stay
New York City comprises 5 boroughs including Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.
Where you stay comes down to personal preference and your budget. Manhattan is the most popular/famous borough but it is also the most costly.
Another more cheaper option is to stay outside of New York, some tourists choose to stay in neighbouring states like New Jersey and then travel in to New York.
5. There Are Beaches
NYC has beaches, no really! Popular beaches include Rockaway Beach and Coney Island which can get fairly busy in summer. Or if you don’t mind travelled a bit further, New Jersey is not far away with lots less crowded beaches.
6. You Can Eat Food from all Around the World
There are very few supermarkets in NYC and food is really expensive compared to other places in the USA.
One of the benefits of living in New York is having so many restaurants nearby and with apps like Just Eat and Uber Eats, getting food from around the world has never been easier.
You can get ready-made meals delivered 24/7 with so much choice of international cuisine available. You can also visit some of the most famous and respected restaurants in the world.
7. Tipping is Expected Everywhere
Like most places in the USA, you will be expected to tip for almost everything.
Tipping culture in the United States is HUGE and has been known to cause heart palpitations in first-time tippers everywhere. Servers can get pretty feisty if you don’t tip enough (or at all), but when you look at how much they earn, it makes sense.
With the minimum wage in some states a measly $2.13 an hour (for real), servers rely on tips to, well, y’know, survive. How much you tip depends on where you are, and a good tipping tip (LOL) is the fancier the place, the higher the tip.
Most taxis offer suggested tip amounts at the end of the journey (between 20-30 per cent); at hotels, if someone opens the door for you, there’s no need to tip but if they carry your bags, hand over a few bucks per bag.
Eating out? Standard tips are between 15-20 per cent (unless you’re at a fast food joint, in which case, no need to tip) – anything less than 15 per cent means you weren’t happy with your meal or the service.
You can tip in coffee shops (however it’s not expected) but you should ALWAYS tip in bars – a dollar a drink. No tip usually means no service (which sucks when you’re thirsty), while bigger tips can mean stronger cocktails and better/faster service.
8. Free Things to Do in New York City
Although New York can be very a very expensive tourist destination there are so many free places you can visit. Some of the best things include:
• People watching in Times Square
• Wandering through Central Park
• Visit museums with on certain days have free entry / tip what you can days
• Riding the Staten Island ferry which has amazing views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty
• Walk the High Line
• Relax at the City’s Public Beaches
• Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
• Do a Free Walking Tour
• Check Out a free comedy show
• If you have children there are lots of inventive playgrounds all totally free
• For something different see farm animals at the Queens County Farm Museum
• Take in culture with Shakespeare in the Park during summer
• Explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (free every Friday before noon and on weekdays between December – February.)
• Tour the Brooklyn Brewery at weekends
• Book a tour of the New York Public Library
• Watch a free movie in Bryant Park during summer
9. Summer Heat is Intense
Both the heat and crowds can make the humidity and summer in NYC a challenge especially when walking the streets or waiting for the subway. Central Park offers a great escape to relax.
10. Winter can be Freezing
Expect minus temperatures, snow and freezing temperatures. NYC doesn’t get as cold as more northern cities like Boston or Chicago but still, it can be very cold.
11. There are over 50 million books at the New York Public Library
The NYC Public Library located near Bryant Park is home to over 50 million books! This library is free to visit and the architecture of the building is also beautiful.
12. The Brooklyn Bridge is older than Tower Bridge in London
Everyone has heard about the Brooklyn Bridge right? This iconic bridge is one of the most famous in the world and also one of the oldest, even older than Tower Bridge in London. You can walk over the. Brooklyn Bridge for amazing views over the city.
13. New York is Diverse
New York is home to so many people from all over the world (approximately 37% were born overseas) and more than 200 languages are spoken here.
14. Buy a MetroCard
Metro cards can seem costly but it is actually really good value if you use it daily. This is also the quickest way the get around as the road traffic can be horrendously busy and you can end up spending a fortune on cab fees. The metro prices are very affordable compared to other worldwide cities like London.
15. Take Comfortable Footwear
You’ll end up walking a lot in New York, some places might look close on a map but those few blocks soon add up and can take a toll on your legs especially when out sightseeing all day.
16. Visit Outside of Holiday Season for Fewer Tourists
Summer and around Christmas are two of the most popular times of year to visit New York and avoid these periods if you aren’t a big fan of even bigger crowds. Visiting at other times of the year is also a lot more affordable.
17. New York is Very Safe
New York is a very safe city to visit as a tourist and there aren’t many things to be cautious about. Stick to the main tourist areas and you shouldn’t encounter any issues. One of the main scams to watch out for is getting pressured to get an unofficial taxi from one of the main airports connecting the city – this can cost you a small fortune compared to the official yellow cabs.
