Top 10 Travel Tips When Visiting New York

Look, I’ll be straight with you. New York isn’t waiting to embrace you with open arms. It’s more likely to snatch your wallet while you’re gawking at skyscrapers. But damn, is it worth it.

After living here for nearly a decade and playing tour guide to countless wide-eyed visitors, I’ve watched the same mistakes happen over and over. Friends standing helplessly in Times Square, wondering why their New York experience feels more like a tourist trap nightmare than a Nora Ephron film.

So before you book that flight, let me save you from the eye-rolls of locals and the classic blunders that scream “out-of-towner.” Here’s my unfiltered guide to actually enjoying the city that never sleeps (partly because of all the construction noise).

1. Skip the Yellow Taxi Fantasy (Mostly)

That quintessential New York moment you’re imagining—hailing a yellow cab with a dramatic wave? Save it for one good Instagram shot, then forget about it.

The subway is your best friend here. For $2.90, you can get virtually anywhere in the city while yellow cabs sit gridlocked in midtown traffic. Nothing says “I made poor life choices” quite like watching the meter tick up $2 every 45 seconds while you’re at a standstill on 5th Avenue.

I still remember my friend Charlotte insisting on taking taxis everywhere during her visit, thinking the subway was “sketchy.” By day three, she’d blown $200 on cab fares and seen about a quarter of what she could have. Meanwhile, she missed the impromptu mariachi band performance on the L train that had the whole car dancing.

That said, late at night, sometimes a cab or Uber makes sense. Your safety matters more than saving a few bucks after midnight.

Pro tip: Download the NYC Subway app and CityMapper before you arrive. They work offline and will make you look like you actually know where you’re going.

2. Manhattan Isn’t the Only Borough Worth Your Time

If your entire New York itinerary is in Manhattan, you’re doing it wrong. Criminally wrong.

Some of the best food, views, and experiences are in the other boroughs. Brooklyn isn’t just hipsters anymore (though there are plenty). Queens has the most diverse food scene in possibly the entire world. The Bronx has incredible Italian food that would make your nonna weep.

My personal favorite day trip: Take the ferry to DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), grab a pizza from Juliana’s (sorry, Grimaldi’s), eat it in Brooklyn Bridge Park with the Manhattan skyline as your backdrop, then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge back into Manhattan at sunset. It’s almost offensively photogenic.

3. Times Square Is a One-and-Done Experience

I know, I know. The billboards! The lights! The naked cowboy (who, frankly, isn’t aging well)!

Give yourself exactly 15 minutes in Times Square. Snap your photos, dodge the knockoff Elmos trying to hustle you for pictures, then get out. No local goes there unless they’re catching a Broadway show or their visiting relatives force them.

If you want the sensory overload without the tourist crush, try Koreatown at night. The food is better, the karaoke is plentiful, and you won’t get charged $30 for a mediocre burger.

4. The High Line > Central Park (On Your First Visit)

Controversial opinion time: If you’ve got limited hours, the High Line gives you more bang for your buck than Central Park.

Don’t get me wrong—Central Park is magnificent and deserves a half-day if you can spare it. But the High Line packs an absurd amount of New York goodness into a 1.45-mile stretch: killer city views, interesting public art, gorgeous landscaping, and it deposits you near Chelsea Market where you can feast like royalty.

I once took my parents on the High Line, and my usually stoic father—who complained about “walking too much” all morning—didn’t shut up about it for the rest of their trip. It’s that good.

5. Dress for Walking (Seriously)

New Yorkers walk everywhere, and we walk fast. On average, I clock 5-7 miles daily just going about my business. Your cute new shoes will betray you here, usually around mile three.

Last summer, I watched a woman in stilettos literally give up halfway across the Brooklyn Bridge. She took them off and walked barefoot on concrete that had been baking in 90-degree sun all day. The look on her face was what I imagine seeing God might feel like—a mixture of revelation and deep, existential pain.

Pack shoes that have already proven their comfort over long distances. No exceptions. Your Instagram followers will never know you weren’t wearing those adorable new boots in the photos.

6. Respect the Coffee Culture

New York runs on coffee, but not the Dunkin’ kind (though there’s one on every corner). The city’s independent coffee scene is exceptional.

Ordering coffee here is something of an art form. Know what you want before you reach the counter, be ready to pay immediately, and for the love of all things sacred, don’t hold up the line asking about the flavor notes in each single-origin bean during morning rush hour.

My recommendations:

Partners Coffee in Brooklyn for serious coffee nerds
Café Grumpy for a solid everyday cup without pretension
La Colombe for the draft latte that will change your life

7. The Subway Etiquette You Need to Know

The subway is a masterclass in unspoken social contracts. Break them at your peril.

Don’t make eye contact for longer than 0.5 seconds
Never block the doors or sit with your legs spread across three seats
Give up your seat to elderly, pregnant, or disabled riders without being asked
If the car is mysteriously empty when all others are packed, there’s a reason. Don’t go in.

Last week, I watched a tourist try to hold the subway doors open for his family who were 30 seconds behind. The collective death stares from commuters could have powered the entire MTA grid. Don’t be that guy.

8. Where to Eat (Without Getting Ripped Off)

Food in New York is unparalleled, but tourist areas are filled with overpriced mediocrity.

Instead of Serendipity 3, try: Cafe Lalo on the Upper West Side. It was in “You’ve Got Mail” and serves better desserts without the 2-hour wait.

Instead of Little Italy in Manhattan, try: Arthur Avenue in the Bronx for authentic Italian that hasn’t been watered down for tourists.

Must-try cheap eats:

$1.50 halal cart chicken over rice (get the white sauce AND hot sauce)
Gray’s Papaya hot dogs
Slice of pizza from Joe’s on Carmine Street
Dumplings from Vanessa’s in Chinatown

I once took a food tour with visitors where we spent less than $30/person and hit six different iconic spots. They still talk about it more than the $200 dinner we had the next night.

9. Museums: Go Against the Grain

Everyone goes to the Met, MoMA, and Natural History Museum. They’re amazing, but also crowded and overwhelming.

Consider some alternatives that offer equally impressive experiences:

The Frick Collection – Old masters in an actual mansion
The Tenement Museum – Fascinating tours of preserved immigrant apartments
The Cloisters – Medieval art in a reconstructed monastery with Hudson River views
Museum of the Moving Image in Queens – For film and TV buffs

And here’s a hack: many major museums have “pay what you wish” hours. The Met’s suggested admission is just that—a suggestion. You can technically pay $1, though that’s a bit tacky for such a treasure.

10. Embrace the Chaos

New York isn’t neat. It’s not sanitized. Sometimes it smells like hot garbage in summer. The construction never ends. Someone might yell at you for walking too slowly.

And that’s the beauty of it.

My British friend visited last year and was initially horrified by what she called the “sensory assault” of it all. By day four, she was power-walking through crowds, ordering “regular coffee” like a native, and getting into philosophical debates with street vendors. The transformation was both hilarious and heartwarming.

New York changes you if you let it. It scratches away your politeness and replaces it with something more genuine. It teaches you efficiency and shows you humanity in its rawest forms.

So my final tip? Surrender to it. The city rewards those who embrace its rhythm rather than fight it.

Where to Stay: Neighborhoods for First-Timers

Accommodation in New York is notoriously expensive, but location matters more than luxury here since you’ll barely be in your room.

For classic first visit: Upper West Side. Residential enough to be quiet, but a short subway ride to major attractions.

For nightlife lovers: Lower East Side or East Village. You’ll sacrifice some sleep but gain incredible access to bars, restaurants, and the city’s pulse.

For the budget-conscious: Long Island City in Queens. Just one subway stop from Manhattan with killer skyline views and much cheaper hotels.

For families: Upper East Side near Central Park, where you’ll find more space and proximity to kid-friendly activities.

I’ve hosted friends in all these neighborhoods, and the consensus is that spending less on accommodation to splurge on experiences is always the right call in New York.

The Bottom Line

New York isn’t perfect. It’s loud, expensive, and sometimes smells like a questionable combination of street meat and mystery liquids. But it’s also magical in a way that’s impossible to capture in words or photos. It’s the unexpected moments—stumbling across a jazz quartet in Washington Square Park, finding a hidden speakeasy through the back of a barber shop, or having a profound conversation with a stranger on the subway—that make it unlike anywhere else.

Come with comfortable shoes, an open mind, and the willingness to ditch your perfect itinerary when something more interesting presents itself. That’s when the real New York reveals itself to you.

And isn’t that why you’re visiting in the first place?

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting New York

How many days do you need to visit New York?

At minimum, 4 full days. Ideally, a week. Anything less and you’ll leave feeling like you barely scratched the surface (because you haven’t).

What’s the best time of year to visit New York?

Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) offer the most pleasant weather. Avoid August (hot, humid, smelly) unless you enjoy sweating through your clothes.

Is New York safe for tourists?

Generally, yes. The dangerous New York of 1970s movies is long gone. Use normal big-city common sense: stay aware of your surroundings, don’t flash valuables, and you’ll be fine in most neighborhoods tourists visit.

Do I need to tip in New York?

Absolutely. 18-20% in restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, a few dollars for hotel staff. Servers make below minimum wage and depend on tips.

What’s the best way to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan?

The AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then the E, J, or Z subway lines. It takes about an hour but costs just $10.75 total. A taxi will run you $70+ with tolls and tip.

Should I get a New York CityPASS for attractions?

If you’re planning to hit all the major attractions (Empire State, 9/11 Memorial, etc.), yes. Otherwise, pick individual sites that interest you most.

Can you visit New York on a budget?

Yes, with planning. Stay in an outer borough, eat at food carts and local delis, take advantage of free museums and parks, and walk everywhere possible.

Which New York neighborhood is best for first-time visitors?

Midtown gives easy access to major sights but feels touristy. The Upper West Side offers a more authentic experience while still being convenient.

What should I absolutely not do in New York?

Don’t stop suddenly on sidewalks, don’t take up the whole sidewalk walking side-by-side, don’t block subway doors, and don’t eat at chain restaurants you can find at home.

Is the subway safe to use at night?

Generally yes on main lines in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. After midnight, consider using ride-shares for more remote areas or if traveling alone.