20 things nobody tells you about visiting new york by a native new yorker

4 min read

Step out of the way of the doors to let people on and off because blocking the doors (which annoying new yorkers also do) really slows things down. New york city transit’s five-borough subway and bus network is famous for its 24/7 coverage and (relative) reliability. Locals like to complain about train delays and malfunctions (which are absolutely a thing, especially on the weekends), but overall it’s pretty impressive. After all, it’s home to beautiful central park and the metropolitan museum of art, both  of which are must-see stops in nyc. However, manhattan is only one of five boroughs, and you’re missing out if you don't go beyond it.

For the most part, new yorkers talk just like other americans. We do have our own slang, however, and much of it applies to food. If you’re in the mood for a bec (bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich, usually “on a roll,” which is a soft kaiser roll), you go to a bodega (neighborhood convenience store). Not only can you find bhutanese, mexican, ecuadorian, and thai food within a few blocks but the queen’s night market offers a huge concentration of vendors in the summer. If you need to make calls in NY travel tips for men, buy a us sim card for local calls and mobile data.

A single 30-minute ride costs $4.49, and day passes cost $19 and cover as many 30-minute rides as you can handle in 24 hours; annual memberships are also available. Once you’ve purchased a pass, check the app to find the closest station, then pick a bike, scan the qr code on its handlebars, and get  peddling. The pass is valid for up to 10 days and can save you up to 70% compared to purchasing tickets at each attraction.

If you're supplying an alternate user-agent string, try changing back to default as that can sometimes result in a block. Brooklyn sits just east of manhattan, across the river. Our highlight from brooklyn was an area called dumbo, which stands for "Down under manhattan bridge overpass". When people think of new york city, manhattan is often the first place they picture. Over many decades, manhattan has become a metropolis of colour, culture, diversity and architecture.

There are lots of prohibition-style bars serving classic drinks and hosting live jazz and swing music. While  the fancy cocktails they serve may not be cheap ($15–20 usd), I’m hooked on the atmosphere. Stepping into these bars with the music playing, people dancing, and everyone dressed the part transports me to an era when things were classy, carefree, and fun. Some of my favorites are the back room, apotheke, the dead rabbit, and bathtub gin. If you want a more nuanced experience, take a guided tour across the bridge. Not only will you learn some fascinating history but your guide can show you all the best spots to take photos.

On the other hand, in january and february there is little tourism and you can visit the sights at your leisure. I visited new york for the first time in autumn and since then I have found it to be a very special time to visit the city. I tell you all about what you can do there at this epic time of year in my guide to things to do in new york city in the fall. During this season, the heat can sometimes be oppressive. However, it's high season for flights and hotels and prices are on the rise.

You need to know which entrance you need for the subway via the direction that you’re headed. Check before you pay to get into the subway station as you might need to exit to get to the other side. That's why I recommend that you buy tickets online as far in advance of your trip as possible, if you are sure of the date and the musical you want to see.

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Kevin Dodson 2
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