Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit New York City! New York is one of my favorite cities in the world with so many cool places to visit in New York City. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit New York City.
Hate #1: New York Aroma
The whole city doesn’t stink, but every once in a while, as you walk around New York, you’ll get a very pungent whiff of something rather unpleasant wafting up from the ground. It’s super random, but you’ll know it when you cross paths. It’s pretty funny when you see someone else walk through it.
Love #1: Wandering New York Streets
The moment you emerge from the train station onto the streets of New York is unforgettable. The best thing to do on your New York vacation is just to wander the city streets, enjoy the crazy bustling atmosphere, see how locals go about their day and enjoy some cheap street food. Roaming various neighborhoods is one of my favorite NYC activities.
Hate #2: Noise and Crowds
New York is one of the most visited cities in the world. There are an estimated eight million people living in and around New York, then add in another 60 million visitors per year, and you can see why it’s the city that never sleeps. It’s noisy, it’s crowded and it’s sometimes just insane. It can be really hard to find peace and quiet in New York and a New York vacation is not a relaxing one.
12 Things That Will Shock You in NYC
Love #2: New York Sightseeing
New York is full of so many iconic sights, from the Statue of Liberty to the Empire State Building and so many more. Even flying in and seeing the skyline from above is such a treat! There are so many cool places to visit in New York City, but they can really add up, so you need to do your research and prioritize what you want to see. Rockefeller Center has a great observation deck and of course, there are tons of great museums in New York, too. No matter what kind of culture you are interested in: art, history, nature, science, music, or theater, you will find it in New York!
Hate #3: The New York Subway Experience
If you want to get around New York quickly, the subway is the best way to go about it. It’s faster and cheaper than taxis or Ubers, but it’s always an interesting experience. From bizarre people to unsettling smells or just being so crowded that you have no personal space, you either love or hate the New York subways. If smashing up against a bunch of other random strangers on a moving train sounds like a nightmare to you, then try to avoid rush hour on the subway.
Love #3: New York-isms
If you’ve watched any TV show that is based in New York, you probably already know a bit about the iconic side of New York. Whether it’s visiting Greenwich Village where Friends took place or the Upper East Side where Gossip Girl happened, walking around New York is almost like a stroll down memory lane. It’s featured in so many TV shows and movies that it feels familiar. Of course, you have to have a slice of New York pizza, watch the street performers in Times Square and if you are so inclined, take a jog through Central Park.
Hate #4: The New York Sidewalk Experience
The sidewalks of New York are busy and crowded. Probably half of the people are just locals trying to get to work, and they’ll be in a hurry. If you are a tourist who is meandering down the street, stopping to take pictures, you’re going to get run over and bumped into. Make sure you step off the to the side before stopping completely.
Love #4: New York Diversity
New York is THE original melting pot of the United States. There is so much diversity and multi-culturalism in New York City, that it’s a really cool experience to visit. You can hear dozens of different languages being spoken around the city, and experience so many different cultures and cuisines. If you have more than a few days in New York, make sure you get out and explore some of the other boroughs and neighborhoods and maybe try a new cuisine while you’re there.
Hate #5: Finding a Public Toilet in New York
It is really hard to find public restrooms in New York, and the ones that are open to the public are not nice. Make sure you use the bathroom at your hotel and then at any business or restaurant you stop at throughout the day. If you have kids or use the restroom a lot throughout the day, download one of the apps that can help you find good public restrooms in New York.
Love #5: New Yorkers
Seriously, New Yorkers are the best! Yeah, they have a harsh reputation for being rude jerks, but that’s just the surface. Yes, they do get annoyed with tourists stopping in the middle of the street to take photos, but you would too. They’re just in a hurry all the time because it’s a huge city with a lot of traffic and many people have to commute quite a ways to be able to afford to live in New York. In reality, if you need help, a New Yorker won’t hesitate to help you out. We’ve even had a local walk us to our destination to make sure we got there OK.
15 Don’ts of Visiting New York
New York is such a great city and I love coming back because there are so many things to do in New York. The “hates” are really just things to have a heads up on, rather than a reason not to visit New York. Want more tips for planning your USA vacation? Check out these other blog posts: