The Don’ts of New York City: NYC Tips for Your First Visit
There are a few things that travelers should not do when visiting New York City. Knowing these “don’ts” ahead of time will help you enjoy your New York City vacation so much more.
NYC Tip #1: Don’t Stop in the Middle of the Sidewalk
New York City is busy and everyone is in a hurry. There’s a flow to sidewalk traffic, so don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk or block traffic in the sidewalk. If you need to stop, to take a picture, or for any reason, step off to the side out of the flow of traffic.New Yorkers have a reputation for being mean, and you’ll see why if you stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
NYC Tip #2: Don’t Miss Times Square
A lot of travel blogs and vlogs will tell you to skip Times Square because it’s super touristy. But if you’re a tourist, you should absolutely see Times Square! Between the lights and the next-level people watching, Times Square is something every New York tourist should see at least once. (Most of the Times Square restaurants are chains you have back home, so you can skip those!)
NYC Tip #3: Don’t Ask Your Local Friends to Do Tourist Stuff With You
If you’re visiting friends in New York, they’ve already been to the hot tourist spots, like Times Square, hundreds of times. Don’t drag them along with you to these places.
NYC Tip #4 Don’t Forget to Pee Before You Leave Your Hotel
The public bathrooms in New York, if you can find them, are disgusting! This goes doubly so late at night, so make sure you “take care of business” before leaving your hotel or restaurant.
NYC Tip #5 Don’t Pay for a Ferry Tour
Rather than pay a lot for a ferry tour, the Staten Island ferry is free and passes by a lot of the same sights. Anyone who visits Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty will already be taking a ferry to these places, so paying for a separate ferry tour of New York isn’t necessary.
NYC Tip #6 Don’t Assume New Yorkers are Jerks
New Yorkers have a reputation for being jerks, but most of them are actually really cool. If you can meet some locals, they know all the great things to do, where to find the best deals, the best happy hours and can tell you the hottest new neighborhoods. People in New York are actually quite helpful, and happy to help tourists who are lost. They may not always be friendly or outgoing, and that’s where the reputation comes from, but they are helpful.
NYC Tip #7 Don’t Tell the Taxi Driver Your Destination Before Getting In
Unlike many destinations, where you want to agree on a price before hiring a taxi, that’s not the case in New York.For one thing, the taxis are metered, so there is no negotiating on price.Second, once you are in the cab, they can’t refuse you service.
NYC Tip #8 Don’t Use Uber During Rush Hour
For one thing, you’ll end up stuck in traffic anyways. With surge pricing, Uber prices skyrocket during rush hour, so it can be very expensive. It’s better to just take a taxi, or even the subway which is probably faster than sitting in traffic.
NYC Tip #9 Don’t Confuse Express Trains with the Locals
When riding the subway in New York, it can be easy to mistake an express train for a local train. The local train will stop at every stop along the line, while the express skips several stops, making a faster trip. If you’re going to take an express train, make sure it makes the stop you need.
NYC Tip #10 Don’t Just See Manhattan
There are five boroughs in New York; Manhattan is just one of those five. Brooklyn is the new place to be, especially for foodies. While the majority of tourist sights in New York are in Manhattan, the other boroughs are worth a visit.
NYC Tip #11 Don’t Freak Out at Hotel Prices
Hotels in New York are notoriously expensive, and very small. It’s just something you have to deal with if you want to visit New York. Hotel taxes add a lot on to your room rate, too. Just get used to the idea, and don’t think too much about it. Don’t let high hotel prices ruin your trip to New York. There are so many free things to do in New York, even museums, that you can save money throughout your trip to cushion the blow of your hotel expense.
NYC Tip #12 Don’t Eat from the Bad Street Vendors
The food trucks in New York are great, but the other food vendors that all sell the same food are not worth a stop. Not only is it a great way to get some stomach troubles, but there’s nothing unique about the food carts. If you need a quick bite, find a food truck, or a takeout window at a restaurant.
New York is such a fun city, and knowing these “don’ts” ahead of time will make your New York trip go smoothly!If you want more New York travel tips, check out some of our other videos and blog posts: