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Are you planning your first trip to New York City?
I love New York (and maybe I’m just one small biased because that’s where I’m from) so I want you to have the best time on your trip!
That’s why I’m sharing the most common mistakes I see tourists make so you know what to avoid to have a great experience in NYC.
These are the top seven mistakes to avoid on your trip to New York:
1. Don’t take the subway
One of the biggest mistakes tourists make in New York is not taking the subway.
You may have heard that the subway is unsafe, or you may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of navigating the subway system.
But I promise you the subway isn’t that bad! Are a lot of cheaper than taking taxis or Ubers everywhere, and it’s almost always faster than driving, thanks to New York’s insane traffic.
Taking the subway only costs $2.90 per ride. You can buy a MetroCard at most metro stations and top it up with as much money as you want.
If you’re in New York for more than a few days, it often makes sense to pay $34 for a 7-day unlimited MetroCard instead of paying per ride.
2. Staying in Times Square
Another mistake new visitors to New York make? Choosing a hotel in Times Square.
There is So much more like NYC than Times Square. I understand that you probably want to see Times Square on your first trip to New York, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay in Times Square. It is the least authentic and most touristy area of the city.
If you do want to stay in Midtown, I recommend choosing a hotel on the south side of Central Park. This is a great area within walking distance of many tourist attractions including Central Park, many museums and Broadway.
If you want to stay in a more hip Downtown neighborhood, Chelsea is a good option because it’s located between Midtown and cool neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, West Village, East Village, SoHo, and more.
3. Eating at chain restaurants
There’s a running joke about the gigantic Olive Garden restaurant in Times Square. Don’t come to New York and eat at the same chain restaurants that you can find all over the United States!
New York is one of the best foodie destinations in the world and you can find a wide variety of dishes for every taste. It is truly a melting pot of different flavors and cultures.
So skip the chain restaurants and try authentic local cuisine instead. If you’re not sure where to start, a food tour is a great activity to book in NYC!
You can’t leave NYC without trying a classic New York slice from Joe’s Pizza or a bagel with your choice of toppings from Ess-a-Bagel.
4. Failure to observe proper sidewalk etiquette
There’s a stereotype that New Yorkers are rude, which I don’t think is entirely justified.
If you ever need help with directions or a recommendation on where to eat or what to do, New Yorkers are actually very helpful and approachable.
But one thing that do Annoy New Yorkers? When tourists stop in the middle of a sidewalk.
This disrupts the flow of foot traffic, and in a city as busy and congested as New York, that’s a problem. Likewise, you should stick to walking in the correct ‘lane’ on the sidewalk (the same sides that cars drive on).
If you have to stop to look where you’re going, send a text, or take a photo, move aside and don’t block the sidewalk where people are walking.
5. Paying too much for tourist attractions
It’s no secret that NYC is an expensive destination, but you can save money on tourist attractions.
For example, many popular museums in New York have a “suggested donation,” but you can actually pay whatever you want, even if it’s only $1. Some of these museums include the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of the City of New York and the Brooklyn Museum.
Many other museums have one day a week where you can gain admission for free or for a fee.
When it comes to Broadway shows, you can often score cheap show tickets online using TodayTix. Or you can try your luck by waiting online (side note, say New Yorkers on line and not in line) at TKTS, a stand in Times Square with deeply discounted same-day tickets.
Another popular (and expensive) thing to do in New York is to visit an observation deck. There are so many to choose from: the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, One World Observatory, Edge and more. But you actually only have to visit one!
Personally, I recommend Top of the Rock; in my opinion it offers the best view of the New York skyline, and it is the only place where you have a direct view of the iconic Empire State Building.
6. Wearing uncomfortable shoes
As I said above, don’t be afraid to take the subway in New York!
But my personal favorite way to get around the city is on foot. New York is very walkable, more so than any other city in the United States, and you can get to many places on your own two feet.
Because you are a lot If you’re going for a walk in New York, you’ll want to make sure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes. I recommend sneakers – even in the summer I would never wear sandals when walking around New York because you just never know what’s on the streets.
If you’re visiting New York from December to March, you’ll definitely need a pair of waterproof boots and warm woolen socks in case there’s snow, icy rain, or melting snow.
7. Don’t leave Manhattan
Finally, one of the biggest mistakes you can make in New York is not leaving Manhattan.
New York City consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Manhattan is by far the most popular among visitors, but it’s worth getting off the beaten path.
If you have a limited amount of time in NYC, I recommend spending at least half a day (or a full day) in Brooklyn. You can start by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge from Manhattan, then stroll through the charming Brooklyn Heights neighborhood before stopping for a bite to eat in the DUMBO district, right on the waterfront.
Coney Island is also a great Brooklyn destination to visit in the summer. This seaside neighborhood has an old-fashioned amusement park, boardwalk and beaches.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
