7 Common Tourist Mistakes To Avoid In NYC (From A Local!)
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Are you planning your first journey to New York City?
I really like New York (and I could be a little biased since I’m from there) so I need you to have one of the best time in your journey!
That’s why I’m sharing the commonest errors I see vacationers make so you realize what to keep away from with a view to have a great experience in NYC.
These are the highest seven errors to keep away from in your journey to New York:
1. Not Taking The Subway
One of the largest errors that vacationers make in New York just isn’t taking the subway.
You may need heard that the subway is unsafe otherwise you would possibly simply really feel overwhelmed on the prospect of navigating the subway system.
But I promise you that the subway is not that unhealthy! It’s a lot cheaper than taking taxis or Ubers in all places, and it is virtually all the time quicker than driving too, due to New York’s insane visitors.
Taking the subway is simply $2.90 per journey. You should buy a MetroCard in most subway stations and cargo it up with nonetheless a lot cash you need.
If you may be in New York for various days, it usually is smart to pay $34 for a 7-day limitless MetroCard as an alternative of paying per journey.
2. Staying In Times Square
Another mistake that first-time guests make in New York? Choosing a lodge in Times Square.
There is so far more to NYC than Times Square. I perceive that in your first journey to New York, you in all probability need to see Times Square, however that does not imply you must keep in Times Square. It’s the least genuine and most touristy space within the metropolis.
If you do need to keep in Midtown, I like to recommend selecting a lodge close to the southern finish of Central Park. This is a superb space inside straightforward strolling distance of many vacationer points of interest together with Central Park, plenty of museums, and Broadway.
If you need to keep in a extra hip Downtown neighborhood, Chelsea is an effective choice as a result of it is between Midtown and funky neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, West Village, East Village, SoHo, and extra.
3. Eating At Chain Restaurants
There’s a working joke concerning the big Olive Garden restaurant in Times Square. Don’t come to New York and eat on the identical chain eating places you could find everywhere in the United States!
New York is likely one of the greatest foodie locations on this planet, and you could find all kinds of delicacies for each style. It really is a melting pot of various flavors and cultures.
So skip the chain eating places and as an alternative attempt some genuine native delicacies. If you are not positive the place to start out, a meals tour is a superb exercise to guide in NYC!
You cannot depart NYC with out attempting a basic New York slice from Joe’s Pizza or a bagel along with your alternative of toppings from Ess-a-Bagel.
4. Not Observing Proper Sidewalk Etiquette
There’s a stereotype that New Yorkers are impolite, which I do not assume is sort of justified.
If you ever need assistance with instructions or need a advice for the place to eat or issues to do, New Yorkers are literally very useful and approachable.
But one factor that does irritate New Yorkers? When vacationers cease proper in the course of a sidewalk.
This disrupts the circulate of foot visitors, and in a metropolis as busy and crowded as New York, that is an issue. Similarly, you must stick with strolling within the right “lane” on the sidewalk (identical sides as how vehicles drive.)
If you do must cease to test the place you are going or ship a textual content message or take a photograph, step off to the facet and do not block the sidewalk the place individuals are strolling.
5. Overpaying For Tourist Attractions
It’s no secret that NYC is a pricy vacation spot, however you can lower your expenses on vacationer points of interest.
For instance, many common museums in New York have a “suggested donation,” however you may really pay no matter you need, even when that is simply $1. Some of those museums embody the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Brooklyn Museum.
Many different museums have sooner or later per week the place you may get pleasure from free or pay-what-you-wish admission.
When it involves Broadway exhibits, you may usually rating low-cost tickets for exhibits on-line by utilizing TodayTix. Or you may attempt your luck ready on line (facet word, New Yorkers say on line and never in line) at TKTS, a sales space in Times Square with deeply discounted same-day tickets.
Another common (and costly) factor to do in NYC is go to an commentary deck. There are so many to select from: the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, Edge, and extra. You actually solely want to go to one, although!
I personally advocate Top of the Rock — for my part, it gives one of the best skyline view of NYC, and it is the one place the place you may see a direct view of the enduring Empire State Building.
6. Wearing Uncomfortable Shoes
As I discussed above, you should not be afraid of taking the subway in New York!
But my private favourite method of getting across the metropolis is on foot. New York may be very walkable, greater than some other metropolis within the United States, and you will get to many locations on simply your personal two ft.
Because you may be doing a lot of strolling in New York, you may need to ensure you have a cushty pair of strolling sneakers. I like to recommend sneakers — even in the summertime, I might by no means put on sandals strolling round NYC since you simply by no means know what’s on the streets.
If you may be visiting New York from December till March, you may undoubtedly need a pair of waterproof boots and a few heat wool socks in case of snow, icy rain, or slush.
7. Not Leaving Manhattan
Finally, one of many largest errors you may make in New York just isn’t leaving Manhattan.
New York City is made up of 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. Manhattan is by far the most well-liked with guests, however it’s value getting off the beaten path.
If you may have a restricted period of time in NYC, I might advocate spending at the very least half a day (or a full day) in Brooklyn. You can begin off by strolling throughout the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan after which stroll across the charming neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights earlier than stopping for a chew to eat within the DUMBO neighborhood proper alongside the waterfront.
In the summer season, Coney Island can also be an excellent vacation spot in Brooklyn to go to. This seaside neighborhood has an old-school amusement park, a boardwalk, and seashores.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, authorised or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the put up.