Planning a trip to New York City? You are in the right place. In this blog post, I share tips on how you can visit New York City like a true New Yorker.
Table of Contents
A bit of history about New York City
New York City nicknamed the “Big Apple” is my favorite city to visit in the world. Every time that I am there, I have always the best of time. My recent trip there last month was no exception.
New York City, founded as New Amsterdam by the Dutch in 1624, became an English colony and was renamed New York in 1664. By the late 19th century, New York had established itself as a financial, cultural, and industrial center. Iconic structures like the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge are staples that attract yearly million of visitors. NYC is a thriving city even in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. New York City is a global metropolis and a melting pot of diverse cultures.
How to get to New York City From Europe
If you are traveling from Europe, major European and American airlines have daily flights going to NYC. We flew to Newark Liberty Airport by flying United Airlines from Paris CDG Airport. We took a cab to the Newark Path train station. From there, we took the Path Train going to the World Trade Center in Manhattan. Other major airlines that fly there are:
- Air France
- Fly Norse
- Delta
- American Airlines
- Brussel Airlines
What to do before your trip
Before your trip, if you are from Europe, make sure to fill out the ESTA document at least 3 weeks before your trip. Furthermore, you need a valid passport. If you are from a non European country, make sure to get the necessary documents before booking your flight.
In addition, I highly suggest that you take travel insurance. Medical costs in the US are extremely expensive. Do not make the mistake of traveling there without one. If you do not want your trip to turn into a nightmare and a very coslty one, purchase medical insurance that covers all medical expenses including repatriation.
What to do in New York City
If you are traveling to New York City for the first time, you have to do the touristy things. I have been to New York City several times before so these days, I focus on non touristy activities. With that being said, if you are visiting for the first time, you have to go to:
- The Statue of Liberty
- The Met Museum
- Central Park
- Cross the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn or vice versa.The view is stunning.
- The Empire State Building
- Times Square, Chinatown and Little Italy
- Harlem
- The Museum of Modern Art
- The Frick Collection Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
- A Broadway show
- A river cruise day or night
- Rockfeller Center
- Bryant Park
This list is non exhaustive. There are so many things to do in New York City that you never get bored. Kindly note that all of these activities are located in Manhatthan. I highly recommend as a first time traveler that you stay centrally if commuting from another borough of New York City is not something that you would like to do.
Where to stay in New York City
As previously stated, it is best to stay close to the major attractions. Times Square is a favorite location for tourists. There are a lot of hotels in the area. You can also stay in :
- Soho
- Tribecca
- Chelsea
- Grammercy Park
However, it is up to you to consider what is the best neighborhood option for you considering that Manhattan is not cheap.
Where to stay in Brooklyn
I prefer to stay in Brooklyn because I already know my way around the city. During my trip last month, we stayed in an area called Flatlands. It is far from Manhattan. I do not recommend anyone to stay there unless they are already familiar with the city and public transportation.
There are great locations in Brooklyn that I highly recommend due to their accessibility to Manhattan via public transportation. They are:
- DUMBO meaning Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass
- Williamsburg
- Downtown Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Heights
- Park Slope
- Prospect Park West
- Fort Greene
How many days should you stay in New York City
We stayed there for about 14 days and honestly, it was not enough to the point that we plan on returning. The city is huge and has too many things to do. However for first time travelers, start with a seven day trip to see how you like it.
How much it costs to stay in New York City
New York City is expensive. We stayed in a friend’s apartment in Brooklyn so that helped us save tons money on lodging. If you know someone that knows someone that lives in NYC, I say go for it. Ask them if you could crash with them. If you do not know anyone in the Big Apple, try hostels or hotels.
In additon, the City of New York has been cracking down on Airbnb rentals. I highly advise you to do your diligent research before finding yourself in trouble. According to Budget Trip.com, a one week trip to New York City usually costs around $2,281 for one person and $4,561 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
Who has that kind of money to spend? That is a lot for one and two people. Find below some ways for you to save money and reduce your spending in New York City:
- Travel off peak travel season
- Take public transportation instead of Uber
- Look for hotel deals
- Look for budget-friendly restaurants, food trucks, and happy hour deals.
- If your hotel room has a kitchenette, prepare your own meals
- Take advantage of free or low-cost activities such as visiting museums on free admission days
- Attend outdoor concerts
- Explore city parks
- Check out websites like Time Out and Eventbrite to find free events.
When I am in New York City, I always make good use of free things to do to save money. I encourage you to do the same.
Day trip from New York City
If you are following me on Instagram or have subscribed to my newsletter, you know that I love a day trip. If you have some time and would like to get out of the city, why not take a day trip to the beautiful city of Philadelphia. We spent 24 hours there and I have to say that it was an amazing experience. I am looking forward to do it again. Read my blog post on Philadelphia here.
Where to eat in New York City
We mostly took advantage of the eateries in Brooklyn considering that we were staying there. Manhattan prices are not the same as Brooklyn’s prices. If you plan on staying in Manhattan and head over to Brooklyn totry these eateries, be my guest. Try these restaurants:
- Time Out Market in DUMBO; this place gets really crowded. Do not go there on the weekends.
- Joe’s Pizza in Williamsburg. It is an institution in Brooklyn. On their wall you can see photos of the celebrities that have eaten there.
- Yayos Latin cuisine by the Barcley Center
- Peppa’s Jerk Chicken for Jamaican dishes on Flatbush avenue
- Dunking Donuts to try some of their delicious donuts. There are several locations in the city.
- Cheryl’s for breakfast and brunch near the Brooklyn Museum.
- Sunset Bagels Cafe
- BunNan ( Haitian dishes) on Flatbush avenue.
- Saigon Grill & Bar; the food was amazing.
- Edie Jo’s on Flatbush avenue for breakfast, lunch and brunch
- Hoxton Hotel restaurant in Williamsburg (pricey )
- Spread Love an Eat in Flatlands, I am in love with their food and smoothies.
The restaurant scene in New York City can be addictive so beware. We ate at all the restaurants above and quite frankly that is a lot. I wanted to try many more but budget wise, I had to take it easy.
How to move around in New York City
As I stated above, it is best to take public transportation instead of Uber. Take advantage of the New York City subway system. Get a metro card and pay as you go if you plan on staying there for a week. That is the option that we chose. You get the metro card at the machines located inside the subway station. The machines do not accept cash. You will be asked to enter your zip code. I do not know why. We entered the zipcode of our friend’s apartment.
Furthermore, you can go from subway to buses with the card. If you are two people validate your trip one persone at the time. If you have to transfer to the bus or vice versa, validate just once to transfer.
How to protect yourself from crime in New York City
Be very cautious when taking the subway. Expect to see homeless people sleeping there. Alway be aware of your surroundings at all times. New York City is infested with crime. Keep your valuables things in a secured place. Furthermore, stay away from poorly lit streets at night. We never stayed out after 9 pm. If a location does not feel right, LISTEN to your gut feeling and get out of there immediately.
Moreover, If you unfortunately fall victim to a crime, please call 911.
Currency in New York City
The currency there is the US dollar. All establishments accept bank cards. If you want to carry cash to tip hotel staff, taxi drivers or restaurant workers, make sure to change your currency before your trip.
Conclusion
Lastly, I hope this post helps you visit New York City like a true New Yorker. Visiting New York City is an unparalleled experience that combines rich cultural diversity, iconic landmarks, and endless entertainment options. Moreover, the city’s dynamic energy offers something for everyone. Additionally, its world-class dining ensures a delightful adventure for all tastes.
Furthermore, the convenient public transportation system makes exploring the city’s numerous neighborhoods easy and accessible. Take full advantage of it but aso be cautions when out and about.
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Have you been to New York City and would like to add something? Feel free to share it to help a fellow traveler below.
