Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about traveling to New York. The “Big Apple” is known as the City that Never Sleeps and has been featured in countless TV shows and movies. It’s an iconic part of American culture, and while the city is not for everyone, I do believe everyone should visit New York City at least once in their life. Before you go, I’ve put together some travel tips to help you prepare for and plan your trip to New York.
New York Q&A
On my most recent trip to New York, I met up with my friend Megan from The Megan Daily; she is a licensed NYC tour guide, so who better to ask all of your pressing questions about planning a trip to New York?
What is the best time to visit New York?
New York is great to visit any time of year, but the best time depends on the reason for your visit. If you are visiting New York on a budget, then January and February are the best time to visit. Prices are lower, but those are also the coldest months of the year. However, you can catch New York Restaurant Week and get some great deals on Broadway shows as well!
Summer in New York is great, but it can also be hot and humid. This is the season with the most tourists and the most festivals and free outdoor events. Spring and fall can be unpredictable, with snow one day followed by sunny and 60 the next day.
Christmas in New York is magical! There are so many fun things to do in NYC at Christmas. You’ll pay a premium for accommodation, tours, and restaurants, but it’s totally worth it!
What are the best places to visit in New York if you only have one day?
If you have only one day in New York, it’s best to hire a private tour guide so you can make the most of your time. A guide can add so much more information and context as you explore the best places to visit in New York. Here’s my ideal itinerary for a day in New York City:
- Start the morning with a walk through Central Park, down 5th Avenue to Times Square
- Choose between a walk on the High Line or a visit to Greenwich Village so you can see some of the less touristy parts of Manhattan.
- Spend the afternoon in Manhattan, and also check out Chinatown and Little Italy
- Right around sunset, head to the Brooklyn Bridge and walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn. As the sun sets, you’ll be able to see the New York skyline start to come alive with twinkling lights.
What is your favorite “local” restaurant to try?
The Tsion Cafe in Harlem is a fantastic Ethiopian restaurant. It’s one of my favorites, and very few tourists go there.
If you’re looking for the best “New York food”, these are my personal favorites:
- Pizza: Rubirosa, Prince Street Pizza and John’s of Bleecker Street have some of the best New York-style pizza
- Bagels: Ess-a-Bagel
- Hot Dogs: McSorley’s Old Ale House
- Cheesecake: Eileen’s
What Broadway show should I see?
There are 42 Broadway theaters, each with a different performance. Deciding what to see on Broadway can be a pretty personal choice, and there is something for every kind of taste. But if you’re really not sure what to see, the Disney productions are always great and family-friendly.
What is the best observation deck to visit?
My favorite is One World Observatory; they have tour guides onsite that really add to the experience. I was a tour guide there, so I may be a bit biased. If you are into history, this is the best option.
- For sunset views, the Edge NYC is the best option as it has a glass railing and fantastic views
- SUMMIT One Vanderbilt is the Ingstagram darling of New York; Midtown’s tallest building is much more than an observation deck; it’s like an art installation in the sky.
- Top of the Rock is not as high up as the other New York observation decks, but it’s kind of cooler that way. You are up close and personal with the New York skyline!
- Of course, the Empire State Building is the “OG” of New York observation decks. If you’re visiting New York to see where your favorite movies and TV shows were filmed, then you should do this one.
Don’t feel like you have to go to all of them; pick one (or two at the most) and spend the rest of your time exploring at street level!
Is CityPass worth it?
Unless everything you want to see in New York is on the CityPass, they’re not usually the best deal. A lot of these combo passes have similar attractions, so you could have access to four observation decks, but you probably don’t want to visit four different decks. Make sure you do your research before your trip so you don’t lose money on an impulse purchase.
What is the best New York airport to use?
My personal favorite is La Guardia. It’s located in Queens, super close to Manhattan, and it’s a smaller airport, so it does have fewer flights. It’s only good if you can get a flight there!
JFK is also in Queens and only 10 miles from La Guardia, but it is a much bigger airport. If you’re flying internationally or on a longer flight with a bigger plane, JFK will have the most options.
Newark is actually in New Jersey and also has a lot of long-haul flights. Even though it’s farthest from the city, it’s probably the easiest airport that has public transportation directly to Manhattan. If you’re visiting New York on a budget, the AirTrain will be the cheapest option and you’ll be at Penn Station in about 30 minutes.
Note: Unauthorized taxis from the airport are a big scam, and you’ll see signs everywhere warning you not to take unlicensed cab rides. Stick with the official taxi lines or rideshare apps.
Best Places to Visit in New York
Besides the observation decks that Megan mentioned, there are still so many places to visit in New York. There are so many options that you really need to do some research and planning so you can strategically plan out your days. Otherwise, you will be crisscrossing all over the city and back. You might group your days like this:
- Upper East and West Sides are where Central Park, The Met, and the Natural History Museum are located
- Wall Street and the Financial District are Lower Manhattan
- Brooklyn is across the river from the Battery and Financial District
- Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty
- Downtown includes Times Square, Broadway, and the Empire State Building
You also might find that many New York attractions are free, and New York museums often have a free day.
- The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) has many discounts available and is free on Friday evenings. They also have a “pay what you wish” policy every evening, so you can pay what you can afford.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) has “pay what you wish” for New York state residents, plus students in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
- The American Museum of Natural History offers “pay what you wish” for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut residents.
Times Square is one of the most recognizable areas in the world. Of course, it’s a tourist trap and you won’t catch a lot of locals there, but it’s still worth visiting. It’s just as much a part of New York as any other attraction, and it’s lit up like broad daylight well after the sun goes down. But don’t bother with the restaurants in Times Square; they will be overpriced and mediocre, just like any major tourist area.
Speaking of icons, the Statue of Liberty is probably the most iconic symbol of New York and the United States. Visiting the statue is a pretty big time commitment, so you have to decide if getting up close is worth half a day of your New York itinerary. If you want to climb up to the top, you have to reserve that in advance; it sells out!
When planning your New York itinerary, don’t overpack your days. Many first-time visitors to New York tend to overplan their days and they end up exhausted. Be reasonable with your plans, and know that you can always come back for another New York visit.
New York Tourist Traps
New York is full of tourist traps. But just because something is a tourist trap, doesn’t mean you should visit, it just means to keep your expectations in check. Times Square is a HUGE tourist trap, but it’s still totally worth visiting.
- “I Love New York” souvenir shops are everywhere in New York! They are typically filled with cheap souvenirs and stuff that will likely end up in your Goodwill pile before the end of the year. New York has great shopping; save your money by not buying cheesy souvenirs and buy something memorable that will always remind you of your trip to New York.
- TV-famous restaurants are often overpriced and underwhelming. Many probably started out as a great local spot, but then became famous due to a TV show or movie. If there is a restaurant you have to visit from your favorite movie, make sure you have a reservation or be prepared to wait in line.
- Even Little Italy is sometimes considered a tourist trap. It’s not that the food isn’t fantastic, but because so many people flock there for Italian food, they tend to charge more than other Italian restaurants in New York.
- Shopping on 5th Avenue is another New York tourist trap. It’s a great place for window shopping but is not necessarily a place for everyday folks like you and me to shop.
- Pedicabs and Carriage Rides in Central Park are another tourist trap. If you really want to take a ride, go for it! But make sure you are aware of the price before you get in so you don’t get overcharged. And be prepared for dirty looks from the locals; the loud pedicab music is annoying.
- Other New York tourist traps are the same in every city: Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the M&M Store, the Lego Store, etc. They’re all the same in every city, so there’s not a huge reason to do them in New York. There are so many unique things to see in New York, don’t waste your time on chains.
New York Food
New York might be famous for pizza and hot dogs, but there is a ton of great food in New York. It’s a multicultural melting pot, so you can really get any kind of food you want in New York. Besides Italian and Chinese in their respective neighborhoods, there is a huge Puerto Rican population in New York, so there’s great Puerto Rican food. You can also get Ethiopian food, Indian food, German food, and much more!
I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and try new cuisines in New York because it’s probably the most authentic you can get in the United States. But if you’re set on sticking to American food, New York has great steakhouses and burger joints. If there is a New York restaurant you’re dying to try, you should make reservations ahead of time, especially if it’s a “famous” New York restaurant.
Fortunately, the food that New York is famous for is also pretty cheap street food. You can spend thousands on a fancy dinner, or you can nab one of these New York specialties:
- New York pizza: often sold by the slice, it’s thin and greasy and sold in huge slices for less than $10. You can sometimes find $1 slices if you look hard enough!
- New York hot dogs: You’ll see hot dog carts all over the city; Nathan’s is a very popular one. You can get a plain dog pretty cheap, but make sure you check the price before you order. You will pay extra for all your toppings like sauerkraut or cheese.
- New York bagels are an institution; sure, you can get bagels anywhere in the world, but New York bagels are in a league of their own. They are super filling and will power you through the day until your next meal.
- Cheesecake is also a famous New York dessert. You’ll find “New York-style” cheesecake just about anywhere.
Besides the “big four,” there are some other famous New York food items to try:
- Bodega or deli sandwiches. Bodegas have the best breakfast sandwiches! Pastrami on Rye from Carnegie Deli is probably the most popular sandwich in New York, but if you can think of a sandwich combination, you’ll find it at a bodega in New York!
- Black and White Cookies are also very New York; in fact, there is a lengthy part of a Seinfeld episode all about the black and white cookie. They’re a tasty sugary treat, and they make great gifts or souvenirs.
The New York diner is a whole experience; they’re open late, serve breakfast all day, and are another great budget option for hearty, filling food in New York. If you want to splurge, brunch is also big in New York, and if you can find a “bottomless brunch” go for it!
If you’re visiting New York primarily for the food, then I suggest joining a food tour, as you’ll get to sample tons of great food and you’ll usually get a walking/history tour between food stops. This Chelsea Market food tour is a good one!
Tipping in New York
Tipping in New York City is not optional! The service industry thrives mostly on tips, so be prepared to tip a lot in New York. Servers, bartenders, tour guides, plus your hotel staff like housekeeping and the concierge. 20% is a standard tip for service; hotel tipping is typically based on your length of stay or specific interactions.
Getting Around NYC
Do not make the mistake of bringing a car to New York City! Traffic can be brutal, and Manhattan is full of one-way streets, so it gets overwhelming if you are not used to driving in New York. Parking is also expensive and frustrating. If you’re on a bigger road trip, then consider staying outside the city and taking the train in.
New York is the ultimate “walkable” city but you should really train your feet before you arrive so you can hit the ground running in New York. You can easily walk ten miles in one day in New York. Make sure you have good walking shoes! North/South roads are called Avenues and the East/West roads are streets; this makes it a bit easier to navigate New York streets.
Biking around New York can be fun, but make sure you are following directions. If it’s a one-way street, that applies to bicycles as well.
Uber, Lyft, and taxis are widely available in New York. Just know that you will pay surge pricing during rush hour and the subway is probably way faster.
Of course, the subway is the best way to get around New York. Taking the subway will save you time, money, and aching feet. It’s easy to use, better than getting stuck in rush hour traffic, and it’s great for people watching! If you want to be a good visitor, there are some “don’ts” to consider when taking the subway in New York.
- Don’t fumble around with your tickets. Always Be Ready! This applies to anything and everything in New York. If you slow down the locals, you’ll hear about it. Have your wallet out and be ready to pay. Be ready to cross the street when the light changes. New York is not a city for dawdling.
- Don’t buy Metro tickets from random people at the station; it’s probably a scam. Just buy a ticket from the machine, or pay from the app on your phone.
- Don’t expect a direct subway from JFK or La Guardia airports; you’ll likely have to switch lines or transfer from a train to a bus. If you have a lot of luggage, don’t take the subway.
- Don’t expect all subway stations to be accessible; not all of them have elevators or even escalators. If this is important to you, make sure you know which stations are accessible.
- Don’t try to open or close the doors; it’s automatic.
- Don’t get on the train until everyone exiting has gotten off. If everyone is trying to get on and off at the same time, it just creates a traffic jam.
- Don’t make eye contact or conversation. Nobody is on the subway to make friends. What may seem nice in the Midwest might be annoying or creepy to New Yorkers.
- Don’t take up an extra seat for your bags, your feet, or for manspreading. You get one seat!
- Don’t get on an empty subway car. It’s usually empty for a reason, and it’s not usually a pleasant reason. Likewise, if there’s an empty seat on a packed train car, there’s probably a reason it’s empty. Double-check before you sit down.
- If you are looking for the train conductor, look for the zebra stripes as that’s where the conductor car stops. Some people like to ride in the same car as the conductor for safety reasons as well.
- Make sure you are going to the correct tracks; not all entrances connect both sides of the train tracks. Make sure you use the right entrance for downtown (southbound) or uptown (northbound.)
- Don’t go by the colors on the map to find the right train. They use letters and numbers to identify the right train. They may share a few stops and then split off in different directions.
- Don’t confuse the local train with the express train. Some are express trains that don’t stop at every stop. You can save a lot of time by using express trains, too.
- Don’t worry if you can’t understand the PA system.
- Don’t mess with other passengers, especially those that might be intoxicated.
New York at Christmas
Christmas in New York is magical. If you have the opportunity, don’t pass it up! There are so many fun things to do in NYC at Christmas, but keep these don’ts in mind:
- Don’t wing it! Christmas is peak season in New York, so you have to plan ahead. Hotels, tours, and restaurants do fill up in advance!
- Don’t forget to check the weather and pack accordingly. New York can be hot, rainy, snowing, and cold. All on the same day!
- Don’t expect any deals over the holidays! A lot of the New York Christmas attractions are free, but you will pay a premium for lodging, dining, tours, and Broadway shows. (The deals come in January and February, which is the low season in New York.)
- If you are able, tip extra during the holidays, especially on the holiday itself. Your servers, housekeepers, concierges, and tour guides are working on the holidays so you can have a vacation. Be sure to throw a little extra in their tip.
- Don’t let the crowds scare you off. It can be overwhelming, but seeing the Rockefeller Tree lighting is worth it!
- Don’t miss the Christmas Markets; there are several in New York and they’re all fun! Bryant Park has an Olympic-size ice skating rink. They all have fantastic treats and shopping.
- Check out the events and attractions in the outer Boroughs. Staten Island has a great winter lantern festival, while the Queens County Farm has “Illuminate the Farm,” The Bronx has the holiday train show, and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn has the king of all light shows.
- Book a New York holiday tour where you can learn about the history of the holiday and the role New York played.
- Don’t miss the window displays. Fifth Avenue shops are the most elaborate Christmas windows, and there are fantastically creative windows all over New York! (Book a tour)
What NOT to Do in New York
Whether it’s avoiding tourist traps and scams, or just not being an ugly tourist, these are things you should not do when you visit New York City. We have an entire post on what not to do in New York City, but we have a few more to add:
- Don’t worry excessively about safety in New York. It’s a big city, so of course there is crime, but it is not the cesspool that movies make it out to be. Crime against tourists is pretty rare, but use your travel common sense and you’ll be fine.
- Don’t engage with street vendors. Whether they are selling bootleg CDs, fake designer purses, or tickets to events, they will try some hard-sell tactics. If you show the slightest interest, they might follow you down the street to get that sale. (This applies to street performers, too! If you do engage, be prepared to tip them.)
- Don’t forget to bring cash. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it’s always good to have some cash on hand, especially if you are trying some of the famous New York food carts on the street. Many cash-only stores will have an ATM, but you’ll pay excessive fees for the convenience.
- Don’t be disrespectful at the 9/11 Memorial. This is not the place for selfies or TikTok videos. This will anger everyone, not just the locals, but the locals will actually confront you about it.
- Don’t steal someone’s cab. If someone is already on a corner hailing a cab, don’t step in front of them and get your own cab. Wait your turn.
- Don’t complain about the smells. It’s a big city, so just get used to it like everyone else.
- Don’t diss the boroughs. There’s so much more to New York than Midtown and Manhattan. Unless you’re a New Yorker, you can’t get away with it. It’s like making fun of somebody’s sister – they can do it, but you can’t. In fact, don’t diss New York at all. New Yorkers know their city is the best city in the world, and if you don’t agree with them, you’re wrong!
- Don’t think everything in New York is expensive! Between cheap street food and free museums and attractions, you don’t have to spend a fortune to visit New York.
- Don’t fall for these common tourist scams:
- Buskers and street performers make a living from tourists; they will try to hop into your photos and get money from you for being in their photos. If you want your picture with them, be prepared to pay. Otherwise, just keep walking.
- The street “bump” is a common scam in New York. Similar to other tourist scams around the world, someone might bump into you and drop something and then try to get you to pay them for the item they dropped.
- People often try to solicit donations on the street for “religious” groups. There’s no way to verify these guys, so it’s best to just keep walking. Make your donations where you know it’s a viable source.
- If you see a “going out of business” sale, be skeptical. This is usually just a tactic to build demand and get you in the door.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
These are our travel tips for visiting New York City. A first-time visit to New York can be overwhelming, so it’s good to do a lot of planning before your trip, and we hope these tips help you get started! Interested in more New York travel tips? Check out these blog posts!