The City that Never Sleeps

Things You Should Know Before Going To NYC

I know everyone wants to see the city, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to people when being somewhere new, but who wouldn’t. It can also be confusing, stressful, and expensive, as mentioned, but one can manage. I have been in New York for a couple of years and still don’t know everything about New York, plus I am even lost when trying to get to different places.

1.Take Subway (Not expensive)

Yes, we have seen in movies how people waive and get into a taxi but let me tell, those cost a fortune if you are coming to New York with a budget because those yellow taxis charge you for how far you will go. The first thing you need to do is buy yourself a metro card, and I suggest that you download google maps to get around to different places. You should also know that the trains that usually run in individual tracks sometimes can run in other tracks, so you need to pay attention to what is said in the subway. Finally, be careful because there are uptown and downtown trains and if needed, get yourself a guidebook so you can know where to go plus not get lost.

2. Don’t Stop In The Middle Of The Streets

When you want to take pictures of a building or a place that you like and want to keep a memory of it, then do it but not in the middle of the streets but on the side of the street. I understand something can be so breathtaking that you stop and are astonished by the place that they see; trust me, I have done this be for, but one shouldn’t make traffic in the streets where it is busy.

3. Ask For Help If You Need

Some people say that New Yorkers are unfriendly and don’t like to be bothered by anyone because you never know how someone’s day was but trust me, yes, asking people can be scary since you never know whom you come across with. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask whether to people in the streets or try asking a police officer.

4. Beware Of Your Surroundings

Whenever going to the city, be careful because there are always people out there that want to rob you; plus, if I were you, I wouldn’t put something in your back pocket since it is expected that people are picked pocket in the city.

5. Don’t Get Near Someone Dressed In Costumes

Times Square has many people dressed in costumes dressed as Elmo, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Spiderman, Cookie monster, and others. If you take a picture with one of these, they will ask you to pay for the photo and won’t leave you alone till you pay. Also, if you take with one of the person’s dressed up, another one can pop up, and they will both want you to pay them even though you asked to take a picture with one only. Finally, I took a picture with them once and regretted it immediately, so don’t even get near one of these dressed costumes.

Transportation

Taxi

There are yellow taxi’s that can take you to places, but the fare starts at three dollars and increase as time plus the distance passes. Although, there are other options as taking uber and Lyft, which are booked in advance with the app that it has, and sometimes this turns out to be cheaper.

Bus

There are different routes that the bus takes, plus there are busses that are local or express, but the local busses cost $2.75, and the express busses cost $6.50. The MetroCards that you need you have to buy either in the subway or in certain stores. Finally, there are bus stops located normally about two or three blocks apart and there are stops signs that have the number of what bus it is.

Subway

Tons of trains are around the city that can get you around different places, plus you will have to pay a fare of $2.75, but you have to buy your MetroCard either with cash or with your credit or debit card.

Rail

There are railways such as NYC suburban train, Staten Island Railway, New Jersey Transit, Port Authority Trans-Hudson, Long Island Railroad, and Metro-North Railroad that can get you to different places.

Ferry

There are about twenty-one terminals and twenty-eight boats that are connected to Manhattan with Brooklyn and Queens. The ferry’s also cost $2.75.

Walking

You can always walk it is a nice way to get fresh air and to get excercise plus to look at different places calmly with no pressure.

Bicycle

It is always good to get some exercises in while looking around new things that one can see plus there are citibikes that one can use around the city. The cost is $12 for a day pass and $24 for a 3-day pass; they only accept credit or debit cards, no cash, but you can only bike for thirty minutes at a time. However, if you have the annual memberships, they let you ride for 45 minutes without incurring additional fees.

Lodging

The average price of a hotel starts at around $75, but it all depends on what type of room you are getting and how long you will stay in New York City. Several hotels around such as Holiday Inn Express New York City – Chelsea which around are some museums and places to eat. Another hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Times Square West, where there are places to get food, a dentist, a movie theater, and different train stations. Besides, there is a hotel called Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square South, which has different take out places to get food, stores to go to, and train stations around just like the others. Finally, another hotel is the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York Times Square West.

What To Eat?

If you are in New York, don’t eat fast food; explore the different types of food that there is, and you will taste a different level of flavors with all the culture there is in various foods.

Eggs benedict

This is a dish that New Yorkers eat which was made in 1894 by Wall Street broker Lemuel Benedict who ordered “some buttered toast, crisp bacon, two poached eggs, and a hooker of hollandaise sauce.” and Legendary chef Oscar Tschirky who made a modification which was to use Canadian bacon instead of the regular kind and an English muffin in substituted for toast. Finally, you can get it in the MORNING STAR CAFE, Tartine, and Cornerstone Cafe NYC.

Chicken and waffles

This dish was first made in the 17 century made by Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants; the recipe was originally waffles covered in pulled chicken and gravy, but now it is fried chicken and waffles with syrup. Finally, you can get this at Amy Ruth’s, Clinton St. Baking Company, and at Melba’s

Eclair Bakery

This is a bakery known for their french pastries which if you’re in a mood for some desserts or a sweet or in need to have a taste of that french pastries this is the place to go if you’re in need of a dessert.

Struffoli

Struffoli originally came to Naples, Italy from Greece and is a Classic sweet of Neapolitan cuisine which is traditionally eaten on holidays. Even though they are from Italy they are also sold here in New York such as at Veniero’s Pasticceria & Caffe and Delite Bake Shop.

Pizza

Eating pizzas here is something very common, and every New Yorker eats. Pizzas here are delicious but don’t get yours at Papa John’s or dominos, but you can go to East Village Pizza, Sacco Pizza, and Joe’s Pizza.

Carlo’s Bakery

This bakery is known for the outstanding cakes that they sell and the presentation. Also, they are known for the variety of cupcakes, variety of cookies, and cannoli.

Breakfast

Here in New York, for breakfast, it is known to have bacon and cheese with your coffee or bagel with cream cheese, plus there are other types of foods that one can eat at breakfast. Places you can eat for breakfast is Westway Diner, Johny’s Luncheonette, Friedman’s Herald Square, and Bubby’s.

Activities

High Line

The High Line is a place built on an abandoned railway track that is a nice place to relax and get some fresh air plus you can get some exercise or observe what is around you.

The Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards

This is a shopping mall with tons of places that have places that you can shop or window shopping, plus there are also restaurants in this mall.

Disney Store

This is a store where you can look at or buy some plush toys from Disney stores, plus it also has clothing, toys, accessories, wallets, and other things.

Manhattan Mall

This is a three-story shopping mall which has different types of stores inside. Besides, the Empire State Building is half a block away if you care to visit. Besides, different restaurants have different food types from the plus target, forever 21, victoria secret, and UNIQLO.

Chelsea Market

This is a food hall, shopping mall, office building, and television production facility that is not far away from the high line.

The Vessel

This is a place that you can visit for free unless you’re going to purchase a FLEX PASS ADMISSION, which is where visitors can book a date of their choice and up to six months in advance and arrive at the time that they would like. This structure in Hudson Yards which is a spiral staircase is so extradorinary that it is a good place to take photos and inside the Vessel their are stores and places to eat too.

References
16 things to know about NYC before visiting. (2020, August 27). SarahFunky. https://sarahfunky.com/new-york-city/2020/08/27/16-things-to-know-about-nyc-before-visiting/

Manhattan mall in New York, New York 10001 – hours, locations, stores – MallsCenters. (2020, April 6). Shopping directory malls, outlet stores and brands in the United States. – MallsCenters. https://www.mallscenters.com/malls/new-york/manhattan-mall

Mantz, A. (2019, January 9). The best Manhattan attractions. Time Out New York. https://www.timeout.com/newyork/attractions/top-attractions-in-manhattan

The ultimate New York City travel guide • The blonde abroad. (2020, November 2). The Blonde Abroad. https://theblondeabroad.com/ultimate-new-york-city-travel-guide/

What to see & do in NYC: The ultimate itinerary for visitors in 2020. (2020, August 3). Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site. https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/three-days-in-new-york-city/