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 like New York (and I could be a little biased since I’m from there) so I need you to have the most effective time in your journey!

That’s why I’m sharing the commonest errors I see vacationers make so you recognize 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 isn’t taking the subway.

You might need heard that the subway is unsafe otherwise you may simply really feel overwhelmed on the prospect of navigating the subway system.

But I promise you that the subway is not that dangerous! It’s a lot cheaper than taking taxis or Ubers in all places, and it is nearly all the time sooner than driving too, due to New York’s insane visitors.

Taking the subway is simply $2.90 per journey. You should purchase a MetroCard in most subway stations and cargo it up with nevertheless a lot cash you need.

If you may be in New York for various days, it usually is sensible 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 way more to NYC than Times Square. I perceive that in your first journey to New York, you most likely need to see Times Square, however that does not imply you have to 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 sights together with Central Park, numerous 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 operating joke concerning the big Olive Garden restaurant in Times Square. Don’t come to New York and eat on the similar chain eating places you will discover everywhere in the United States!

New York is among the finest foodie locations on this planet, and you will discover 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 strive some genuine native delicacies. If you are not positive the place to start out, a meals tour is a superb exercise to e book in NYC!

You cannot depart NYC with out making an attempt a traditional New York slice from Joe’s Pizza or a bagel together with your selection 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 suppose is sort of justified.

If you ever need assistance with instructions or need a suggestion 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 stream of foot visitors, and in a metropolis as busy and crowded as New York, that is an issue. Similarly, you must persist with strolling within the right “lane” on the sidewalk (similar sides as how vehicles drive.)

If you do must cease to examine the place you are going or ship a textual content message or take a photograph, step off to the aspect 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 get monetary savings on vacationer sights.

For instance, many well-liked museums in New York have a “suggested donation,” however you’ll be able to truly pay no matter you need, even when that is simply $1. Some of those museums embrace the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the City of New York, and the Brooklyn Museum.

Many different museums have in the future per week the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from free or pay-what-you-wish admission.

When it involves Broadway reveals, you’ll be able to usually rating low-cost tickets for reveals on-line by utilizing TodayTix. Or you’ll be able to strive your luck ready on line (aspect observe, New Yorkers say on line and never in line) at TKTS, a sales space in Times Square with deeply discounted same-day tickets.

Another well-liked (and costly) factor to do in NYC is go to an statement 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 affords the most effective skyline view of NYC, and it is the one place the place you’ll be able to 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 manner 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 may get to many locations on simply your individual 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’d 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 positively 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 greatest errors you may make in New York 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 preferred with guests, but it surely’s price getting off the beaten path.

If you’ve gotten a restricted period of time in NYC, I’d advocate spending no less than 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 chunk to eat within the DUMBO neighborhood proper alongside the waterfront.

In the summer time, Coney Island can be a fantastic vacation spot in Brooklyn to go to. This seaside neighborhood has an old-school amusement park, a boardwalk, and seashores.

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Opinions expressed listed below are the creator’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 inside the publish.