I visited New York City for this first time in November 2019. Boy, did I come back with some learnings! I definitely did not prepare for this trip as much as I could have, so I compiled 7 must-know tips that can make or break your first trip to New York City.
7 Travel Tips for Your First Time in New York City
- Take the subway when possible (which is pretty much always.)
New York City’s subway system is by far the easiest to navigate compared to other public transportation systems I’ve used. Your smartphone’s GPS will guide you to the right train. Even more, you’ll skip over that horrid, big-city traffic!
Pro Tip: Take the subway to and from LaGuardia airport (and possibly the others too) to save time and money. - Wear comfortable shoes…like for real.
Expect to be on your feet all day exploring. You’ll want to walk around every neighborhood to soak in the New York City life. That said, do not underestimate the importance of supportive, comfortable shoes.
Don’t be like me. I wore unsupportive combat boots, and by the third day, the bottoms of my feet were bruised. - Do extensive trip research before you get to New York.
You’re already here researching, so yay! You’ll want a day-by-day game plan before you land in the concrete jungle. There is too much to do, which gets overwhelming.
Breakdown your trip into neighborhoods and write down things to do in each. This allows for some flexibility the day of as well. (You know, in case your feet hurt and walking around Central Park sounds more like torture.) - Choose some restaurants in each neighborhood ahead of time.
There are so many amazing places to eat in New York City, but there are equally bad places to eat. Make sure you know a couple of spots to eat where you’ll be spending the day. This way you can eat wherever you’re by when you get hungry.
DO NOT get hangry and settle for something mediocre. (Nick and I made this mistake, and it’s probably our only regret from our trip. LOL.)
Pictured: The Butcher’s Daughter - Skip the obvious tourist spots to see the NYC skyline.
Try going to rooftop bars and restaurants for a more enjoyable experience seeing the New York City skyline. There’s no need to spend time waiting in a long line or shelling out $60 for that.
I would recommend walking the Brooklyn Bridge and going into DUMBO for the most gorgeous views. You can enjoy the view over food and drinks on Time Out Market‘s rooftop. - Dress for the weather, but expect it to be windier and colder than anticipated.
Manhattan should steal the title “Windy City” from Chicago. We thought we could handle the temperature our smartphones were telling us, but the windshield made it feel much colder. The wind tunnels through the tall buildings of Manhattan.
Yes, I bought this coat on the second day to stay warm. (I wasn’t really mad about it.) - Don’t let anyone tell you that Times Square isn’t worth it!
New Yorkers are quick to tell you not to waste your time in Times Square, but it is quite the spectacle that can’t be missed. Times Square manifests the culture of American commercialism. Where else are you going to see hundreds of LED screens lit up with advertisements?
Depending on the time of year, it gets really crowded, so my only advice for that is to go later at night or at off-hours. The police presence is strong in this area, so I wouldn’t be concerned going too late at night.
Your First Trip to New York City
There’s no doubt your first time in New York City will be a little overwhelming. But most of all, it will be an inspiring adventure! Remember to relax, enjoy, and always have a restaurant nearby to take a break in. 😂 Have an amazing trip my friend! Feel free to DM me on Instagram if you need any help or recommendations.
Xx,
Leave a Reply