Is it any wonder that New York is the world’s most coveted travel destination? From world-class museums and art galleries to a thriving nightlife and food scene, the Big Apple offers practically everything that a traveler would want from a city break.
With that said, New York isn’t exactly known for being the easiest city on the planet. It’s big, it’s busy, and there have been more than a fair few visitors who have ended up being a little overwhelmed by Manhattan and the other boroughs.
If you’re planning a trip to New York for the first time, then you can go a long way towards making your trip successful by avoiding some of the common errors first-time visitors make. We’ve outlined eight of them below, so keep them in mind!
Visiting at the Wrong Time
It’s not exactly correct to say that there’s a ‘wrong’ time to visit New York. It’s a year-round destination, after all. However, it’s important to be aware of how trips can be highly different depending on the time of year that you visit. January can be snowy and below-freezing; July can be a hot and humid experience that can make exploring on foot a little uncomfortable. In general, it’s best to visit in Spring or Fall, which offer the best temperatures and fewer crowds than high season.
Staying Out of Town
Accommodation in New York is expensive. As such, many visitors look to save some money by staying in areas away from the main hub of action, which is mostly concentrated on Manhattan. However, while there are great areas and hotels to stay in that aren’t located downtown, it’s nearly always best for first-time visitors to take the hit of paying a little extra to stay in a centrally-located hotel.
Staying out of town can seem like a money saver, but you’ll only end up spending more time (and also money) than you’d like simply going back and forth from the main attractions to your accommodation. You’ll only be there for a few days, and staying central will allow you to make the most of your time.
Forgetting That You’ll Be Walking A Lot
You’ll use taxis and public transport to move across the city, but neighborhoods are best explored on foot. You’ll find that you end up walking a lot more than you usually do simply because, well, the points of interest are everywhere in New York. A trip to one store can quickly turn into a long exploration on foot — and that’s exactly how it should be. You’ll enjoy walking around the city all the more if you feel comfortable. All too often, you’ll see travelers trying to have a fun day of exploration while also dragging their heavy luggage behind them. Don’t do it! Instead, leave your bags at a Greenwich Village, Central Park, or Penn Station luggage storage facility so you can walk freely. It’s also recommended to wear comfortable shoes — just make sure that they’re fully “broken in” before your trip; walking around New York is not the time to get comfortable in your new sneakers.
Not Scheduling Downtime
There are a million and one things to do in New York. While you’ll want to do as many of them as you can, it’s also important to recognize that you can’t do everything. You’ll enjoy the attractions that you do visit all the more if you’re not rushing through just so you can make it to the next site of interest on your list. We’d also recommend scheduling in some downtime throughout the day; you’ll only be exhausted by mid-afternoon if you’re all go, go, go. Downtime doesn’t have to mean taking a nap at your hotel, though. You can use it as an opportunity to spend time in a tourist attraction — there’s much to love about spending a couple of hours relaxing in Central Park, for instance!
Sticking to Manhattan
Don’t get us wrong: Manhattan is awesome, and it’s absolutely where you’ll be spending the bulk of your time in New York. But travelers who spend all of their time in the city’s most famous borough will miss out on the other great areas of New York, too. Brooklyn is well worth some of your time; there you’ll find great eateries, a bustling energy, and fewer tourists, all of which contribute to a more authentic New York experience. And don’t forget Queens! That’s a borough with its own energy, and you can even use it as an opportunity to attend a Yankees baseball match.
Taking Taxis Everywhere
Taking an iconic yellow taxi is a rite of passage for visitors to New York. They’re so convenient, pretty well priced, and prevent you from having to walk everywhere when you’re trying to make it to a dinner reservation or show. Still, there’s no reason to take taxis all the time. According to Cyber News, New York’s public transport system isn’t just vast and efficient it’s also becoming increasingly tech-integrated and highly secured. Make the most of it while you’re in the city! The subway connects nearly every borough and gets you around fast for just a small fare. Just remember to stay cyber-safe while using public Wi-Fi at stations or transit hubs always use a VPN and avoid accessing sensitive data on unsecured networks.
Not Pre-Booking Broadway Tickets
Planning to attend a Broadway show when you’re in New York? If you’re not, then do so. New York has the best theater on the planet, and it’s really not to be missed! You can avoid disappointment by buying your tickets before you travel, ideally long before you travel. Many people believe that because shows take place every day, they can just turn up and get tickets, but shows do frequently sell out, especially during the high season.
Not Going for Long Enough
Finally, make sure that you go for long enough! You can do a lot in New York in two days, but truly, by that stage, you’ll have fallen in love with the city and wish that you could stay longer. For your first trip, look at staying for around 4 days, which is enough time to get familiar with the city — and to know that you’ll want to return in the future!
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