5 Tips to make the most out of your trip to NYC!

owenferguson995
Nov 17, 2022
5 min read

The Big Apple attracts over 60 million tourists every year, but not everyone takes advantage of their time in New York. Here's some tips to get you on your way!

New York City is one of the busiest cities in the world and has earned the nickname of the "city that never sleeps". So, of course, there is plenty to do! But despite the literally never ending supply of entertainment and attractions, many travellers find themselves at the Statue of Liberty and... that's about it?

As someone who has travelled in the city many times and picked up some secrets from locals, here's the best way to make the most of NYC!

Tip #1 - Trainers or Die.

This one might seem a bit obvious or simple to the regular traveller, but it's necessary to mention just in case! New York City is BIG. You are likely to be walking and walking. And walking, even more. If you've got space in your case for some nice dress shoes or heels, that's great, bring them for the evenings. But if you really want to see as much of NYC as possible while there, you need a trusty pair of "sneakers" to see you through.

"I'm walkin' here!" - Ancient New York City Proverb

When I arrived in New York for my most recent American adventure, I averaged 27,000 steps a day. That's roughly the same as walking from the Castlegate to Stonehaven each day for my fellow Aberdonians. So tie those laces tight!

Tip #2 - Don't bankrupt yourself for a downtown hotel.

Of course it makes sense to want to be as close to the action as possible. But when sorting out your accommodation for the Big Apple, take some time to think it through. Prices for hotels and hostels alike are crazy in the very centre of NYC, and don't get me started on AirBnB's. NYC has one of the best public transport systems in the world, so take advantage of it. The money you will save by staying slightly further out could be enough to extend your stay by days if you're smart.

The last couple of times I've solo travelled in NYC, I stayed at HI NYC, a non-profit hostel in the Upper West Side (W 103rd St,). It's still incredibly central, with the top of Central Park just a few blocks away, and subway stations straight to Downtown just round the corner. The hostel itself has great amenities and plenty of nearby bodegas for late night snacks. If you book in advance, you can snag a bed for $75 a night, which is pretty wild for NYC.

P.S The first time I ever visited NYC, my high school booked a hotel directly opposite Madison Square Garden. Amazing, right? It was, apart from the bedbugs that also shared the rooms with us. AVOID AVOID AVOID.

Tip #3 - Use the trains, it's what they are for.

This one will be an easier sell to my European readers but it's important to note! The NYC Subway, for all the complaints and bizarre TikTok's it ends up in, is the veins and arteries of the city. You can cross all of Manhattan and some of the boroughs in less than an hour. It's cheap, quick and a perfect way to see a more realistic side of the city. It also provides a well needed respite from the mad amount of walking you'll do that I mentioned earlier.

Like travelling anywhere, make sure to have only the things you need on you, make sure valuables like your phone and wallet are secure, and keep your wits about you. The subway is fun and lively, but will have its fair share of dodgy characters from time to time.

The High Line is an amazing piece of nature in Manhattan and a perfect chance to get some air!

Tip #4 - Escape Manhattan.

As the heart of NYC, and the feature of every city flyby shot in any film ever made, Manhattan is naturally stunning and worth your time exploring. It has the beautiful Central Park, the Empire State Building and the sombre 9/11 memorial. Almost every place of interest you'll find in a tourist guide for NYC will be located on the island. But by train or trainers, get yourself out of there and into the boroughs for some real exploration.

The vast expanse of Brooklyn is home to miles of trendy streets and neighbourhoods, so check out the coffee shops in Dumbo or the hangouts in Cobble Hill.The Bronx has some of the best food in the city, so make sure to avoid the overpriced pretzel stalls and visit a local taqueria instead.

DUMBO, Brooklyn is a neighbourhood whose name stands for Down Under (the) Manhattan Bridge Overpass.

If you're so inclined, you can even get a 15 minute train west to Hoboken, New Jersey. There's a great view of the NYC skyline, a new state to tick of your list and... Cake Boss lives there? On second thought, maybe stick to the fabulous five boroughs of NYC.

Tip #5 - Failing to plan IS NOT planning to fail.

I know some of you love a Notes page with the perfect itinerary planned out, from sunrise to sunset. If that works for you, amazing, and in a city like Milan or Brussels, it will see you through fine. In New York, the key words are adaptability and improvisation.

Unpredictable weather, fluctuating commute times and any number of large events taking place in a city of 8.5 million people will throw a spanner in your carefully crafted plans. Don't see this inevitability as a cause for frustration, but a chance for fun. Harness the unpredictability and go where your heart tells you. Missed the stop at Times Square? Get off at 34th Street and walk, it adds only a few minutes that can become a whole new adventure.

Instead of planning each hour out, choose two or three things per day you might want to see and find your way there as the day goes by, taking the time and opportunity to really explore things you wouldn't see otherwise on one of those rotten red tour buses.

EXTRA TIP: Do it your way.

So maybe I lied when I said there was 5 tips. But this sixth, final one is important. Too often, you can feel the pressure to visit somewhere in a certain order, ticking each place off the list with a quick insta story. TV says visit the Statue of Liberty so you think you should shell out for the ferry to go see the Statue of Liberty (just an example, you should see the Statue of Liberty!). But you will notice these tips are less about where you should go and more about how you should go. That's deliberate. You can ignore all of them and I'll still be happy, as long as you see what you want to see in New York City and not what social media or your mum's best friend says you should see.

So whether your ideal NYC trip is a Broadway show or a walking tour through Harlem, make sure you use these tips to craft your ideal time away from home. And have fun!