16 Important Tips When Traveling to New York City
Traveling to New York City for the first time comes with a whirlwind of emotions. One thing I regret is not reading blog posts about what to pack, what to wear, and how-to walk in NYC (who knew there was a specific pace to follow to avoid getting trampled over) – I learned all these tips the hard way🤣
If you’re planning a trip here, or have already gone and you’re visiting again, these tips will benefit you either way!
Let’s hop right into it!
Here are 16 important tips when traveling to New York City!
1. Wear comfortable shoes
This is a must when visiting the city. You will most likely be walking A LOT. Literally miles depending on where and how much you’re walking from place to place. Our first day we walked at least 6 miles. Wearing flip flops may not be the best choice in this case. Either wear tennis shoes or fashionable, comfy kicks that can last you miles on miles.
2. Have proof of vaccination ready
*This may change as Covid-19 and vaccination guidelines lessen*
This is a must when visiting New York City. Almost every restaurant, bar and attraction will ask to see proof of your Covid-19 vaccination. I recommend just screenshotting your record from your online health account. Otherwise, you could carry your card around with you, but you could be at risk of losing it.
3. Take time to relax
New York is known for its hustle and bustle. You can get burnt out FAST. Make sure you take time to relax and recharge whenever you need it. Drink ya water, sit on a bench in central park, and just take in your surroundings😊 plus, people watching is always fun and entertaining right?!
4. Find a hotel or Airbnb in or around the city
One thing we learned the hard way was figuring out our accommodations. We stayed in New Jersey because we found a cheap Airbnb that was only 20 minutes away from the city. If you do this, definitely get a MetroCard and take the subway. If you plan on staying out at night in the city though, an uber home would probably be safer than the subway at 2am. In that case, it would be better to pay a little extra for a hotel or Airbnb in the city because you’ll be paying more for ubers/transportation out of the city anyways.
5. Make reservations
Especially if you’re looking to eat in Times Square, reservations are a must. There are people everywhere at all times, so to avoid any extra anxiety about getting a table, just make a res! Most places offer reservations and are easy to book by either calling or going online.
6. Plan ahead
Since New York has tons of attractions to see/visit (Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, the Met, Times Square, Central Park, etc.), it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Plan what days you are going to see certain attractions and remember to not overpack your days with too much. Make a Google Doc and divvy up all the places over multiple days!
7. Take the subway whenever possible
If you’re on a pretty tight budget, I recommend staying far away from the expensive taxis and (sometimes) pricey ubers. New York’s subway system is extremely helpful and definitely the cheapest way to get around. It’s around $2.75 for one way, which is a lot cheaper than a $30 uber at rush hour! Make sure to take advantage of this – plus riding on the train can be a fun and unique experience😊
9. Figure out your budget
This is key for any trip. Especially if you like to order drinks with your meals… the money will rack up fast! Make sure you bring enough money to get you through all of New York’s yummy food and extra activities you may end up doing.
10. Dress for the weather
You’ll most likely be walking outside at some point. Make sure you bring proper attire to keep you warm if you go from November-March. Of course, the snow is pretty, but don’t underestimate the cold!
11. Get a MetroCard and know how to use it
Piggybacking on tip #7, if you plan on taking the subway, you’ll need to get a MetroCard! Like I said before, it’s about $2.75 for a one-way pass. If you need one for a whole day or longer, they have one day passes, 7-day passes, or 31-day passes that you can check out. Make use of the subway!
12. Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings
There’s a lot going on in the city, always. Make sure to keep an eye on your belongings and any weird activity going on around you. Stay close to at least one or two others that you can trust.
13. Don’t rent a car
You’ll either be walking, in an uber/taxi, or on the subway. Renting a car would not be a wise decision in this scenario. New York has bad traffic, bad drivers and bad roads. Unless you’re visiting places way outside the city, no need to rent a car!
14. Make sure to try New York’s delicious pizza and bagels
I think I had at least 3 egg, cheese, and bacon bagels during my stay in NY. I don’t think I could ever get sick of them. You’re bound to run into multiple bagel shops on your morning coffee walk – might as well stop by and indulge in the deliciousness!
15. Stay moving on the sidewalk
There are tons of people on the sidewalks in NYC at all times. If you stop in the middle, you’re bound to get absolutely bombarded, maybe trampled upon. It would be in your best interest to keep moving! If you need to stop for whatever reason, find a safe place to pull to the side. Or just pull over into the closest starbucks😉
16. Don’t eat at a chain restaurant
There are tons of authentic and delicious restaurants in New York City. You would be missing out if you ate at a chain restaurant here. Plus, you HAVE to try some of New York’s yummy pizza!
A few of the best pizza places in New York are:
Well, that’s it!
I hope you enjoyed reading 16 Important Tips When Traveling to New York City.
As always feel free to reach out or connect with me on Instagram! See you next time😇