New York City is one of the most culturally eclectic cities in the world, and with a population of nearly 8.5 million and five unique boroughs, it may seem overwhelming for travelers to explore. To help you better plan your trip, we went to the TripAdvisor Travel Forums to ask the community what they think travelers shouldn’t do or miss when traveling to The City That Never Sleeps, and here are their best tips:
- Don’t feel pressured to see the most popular spots if you don’t have a lot of time. New York is a sprawling city, and it’s impossible to see all it has to offer in one trip. Instead, plan to visit multiple times in the future so that you can have a different experience each time you return. (LuciaBrasca from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Don’t bother ordering distilled bottled water while dining. Save yourself a few dollars and opt for tap water instead. Waiters won’t mind bringing you some if you ask for it. (maleiuway from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Don’t forget to stop by the Empire State Building to get a marvelous view of the city. (maleiuway from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Don’t forget to buy a Metro Card. It will save you a lot of time, and as an added bonus, you won’t have to wait for a cab! (maleiuway from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Don’t forget to stay to the right side of the escalator in the subway. Locals are typically in a hurry, so it’s best to be polite and let them pass if you don’t want to walk up. (norav922 from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Photo by TripAdvisor Traveler Packerfancheesehead
- Don’t forget a pair of comfortable sneakers. Because New York is The City That Never Sleeps, you’ll more often than not be doing a lot of walking for the majority of your trip. (Gabriele_AM66 from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Don’t bypass Tribeca , East Village , Chelsea and Greenwich . Walking around these areas will make you feel like a true New Yorker, as tourists less frequently visit them. (LuciaBrasca from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Don’t forget to go to the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. For $20 USD until November 1, you can check out the Frida Kahlo exhibition. The best way to get to the park is by taking the Metro North train located in Grand Central Station – if you take the subway, you’ll be stuck riding it for over an hour. (JorgeSup from Leon, Mexico)
- Don’t miss out on Sunday brunch. New York has countless restaurants that serve up some pretty delectable fare, especially when it comes to Italian cuisine. (LuciaBrasca from Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Also, don’t miss out on the Williamsburg Food Market, where you can sample many local dishes and beer. And if you’re visiting the city in the summer, check out the Frying Pan restaurant in Hudson River Park. (JorgeSup from Leon, Mexico)
Brooklyn Bridge; Photo by TripAdvisor Traveler mariabraga
- If you visit in the winter, don’t leave the city without having ice-skated in Central Park . It’s an affordable activity in the often-expensive city, and you’ll also get great views of the park. (juanpabloa208 from Montevideo, Uruguay)
- Don’t arrive to Times Square any later than 10 am if you plan on going to the New Year’s Eve show. Police block off the streets around this time, which means you won’t be able to access the area from thereon after. (XimeOnTheRoad from Montevideo, Uruguay)
- If you’re traveling to New York during the summer months, don’t wear long pants or any heavy clothing. It can get very hot in the summertime, and because you’ll be doing a lot of walking around the city, you’ll want to be wearing clothes that will keep you cool. (Jimena M from Lima, Peru)
- Don’t rent a bicycle for a full day. If you’re new to the city, you may not know all of the spots where you can leave the bike. It’s better to seek out the hop-on-and-off Citi Bike rental stations beforehand, which will end up costing about $10 USD per day, depending on your use. (juanpabloa208 from Montevideo, Uruguay)
- Don’t visit all of the major attractions during the day. If you want to take breathtaking photos from the Empire State Building, go at night. You can then save the Top of the Rock for the daytime and get awesome shots of both the Empire State Building and Central Park. (juanpabloa208 from Montevideo, Uruguay)
- If you’re not set on a particular show or time, don’t be so quick to purchase tickets for a Broadway musical in advance. Oftentimes, you can get tickets at half price on the day of the show. (dianar94)
- And lastly, don’t miss the Brooklyn Bridge . Take the subway to Brooklyn and then get off so you can walk across the bridge. If you go at dusk you will be fortunate enough to view New York’s breathtaking skyline. And if you’re up for it, grab some ice cream from Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory located underneath the bridge in DUMBO. (840marianog)
