10 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to New York

10 Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to New York

New York is a great place to visit.  It is a unique traveling experience that can only be had in New York.  If you are visiting, there are a few things to keep in mind when traveling to New York to help you make the most out of your visit.

Boroughs

New York City is divided into five boroughs.  Most of the well-known tourist attractions are located in Manhattan.  Other boroughs include Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.  There are many things to see and do in the other boroughs, like Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and Coney Island in Brooklyn.  Try to make it a point to visit somewhere other than the main tourist attractions in Manhattan, and you will not be disappointed.

Streets and Navigation

New York City is divided into numbered streets running north and south, and avenues running east and west.  It is easy to navigate and find your way around, but traffic may make it a more stressful experience than it needs to be.  Public transportation such as the bus and the subway make it even easier and will save you from a lot of stress.  Taxis are also very prevalent and are used often by New Yorkers.

Cost of Activities

New York is known for being expensive, and a lot of the top attractions can empty your wallet or blow your budget in a hurry.  However, there are a lot of things to do that are free and fun.  For example, visiting Grand Central Station or riding the Staten Island ferry.  Do your research and read some books before going and make a plan to balance the more expensive activities with low-cost or free ones to stick within your budget.

Central Park

Central Park in the middle of New York is very large park.  It is an attraction in itself, and you should allow several hours or a whole day to explore and engage in the activities available.  There are fountains, museums, a lake, and may places for picnics and hanging out.  This should definitely be at the top of your list of things to see in New York.

Time Warner Center

This is another must-see, especially if you enjoy shopping and exploring stores that you can’t see anywhere else.  Time Warner Center is a very large mall that contains specialty stores and expensive restaurants.  You should allow a full day if you plan to explore most of the stores.

Nightlife

If you like going out after dark and meeting new people, there are plenty of places to do this in New York City.  There are bars and clubs aplenty, although some are to be avoided more so than others.  Make sure to check out the reputation of the bars near where you are staying to make sure to choose the right one.

Food

New York has a vast variety of specialty foods and restaurants.  Travelers can find every kind of cuisine.  Some popular ones include Grimbaldi’s Pizzeria and Carnegie Deli.  There are also several ethnic cuisine restaurants scattered throughout New York.

Best Views

Some of the best views of New York City can be had from Rockefeller Center and the top of the Empire State Building.  Make sure to bring your camera because you will want to capture the moment and the breathtaking view.

Art

New York City has some of the best collections of art.  Be sure to schedule a tour of the Museum of Modern Art or the more cutting-edge P.S. 1.

Performing Arts

The Met and Bowery Ballroom are just a few of the slew of places travelers can go to soak up some culture.  Scattered throughout New York are famous places and not-so-famous local centers.  Look around and you are sure to find something that you will only be able to catch in New York, or maybe something more mainstream that still fits your tastes.