Going new york city first time

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents and counting. She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband. At least, the bar was popular the last time I was there. I love the bar at the Jane, I had no idea their rooms were so cheap! And I agree its in a great location. I really enjoyed reading this post. Lots of great tips.

I visited NY once, 5 years ago, and wish I knew many things on this list then! We are hoping to go again next year, so this will come in handy for sure! Kimberly — Excellent. Glad you found the post useful and I am sure you will have an amazing time in NYC. Great tips for a visit to NYC. Harrison Ford was starring in a movie being filmed in the park when we stayed which was a bit of fun too!

Annette — Glad to hear you link the Bryant Park Hotel. I have been to the bar there and it is a great location. Thanks for a Brilliant post. I lived outside NYC for 15 years and never really got it.

Bit of a London Girl! OR Paris, or…. Love your post with all the links. Have pinned it for later, when I hopefully return to CT. Great tips for everyone! Thank you for sharing on TheWeeklyPostcard. Carolyn — Thank you! I hope you get the chance to go back. Great guide, Anisa! But at the time there was no Internet and good travel guides were difficult to find. Such a thorough and helpful post!

I am going in October so will definitely use these tips to plan xx. NYC can definitely be an overwhelming place to a first time visitor so some research and these tips can definitely help. Going to remember this post to try some of the recommended eateries on our next trip to NYC! These are such great tips, Anisa! We have been to New York several times, and completely agree with the advise you have given. I especially love eating off of the food trucks. I know that sounds crazy, but some of them have really amazing food!

Thanks for the great share! This is an excellent guide. New York is like its own little world and things can be very different in there. My sister lives in the city so I visit often. Yes, it would not be possible to see everything in one trip. So, it is better to control the FOMO before a visit.

I found the free tours in the city excellent. These are a great, affordable option to those who want to explore in depth different parts of the city. The other advantage of not renting a car is avoiding the tolls on bridges an tunnels. Those are crazy expensive. Ruth — So glad you enjoyed the guide. Yes, free tours are a great option and I agree the tolls are expensive.

I can imagine how much there is to see, do and eat and that it would take a long, long time! So many things I want to try when we are there! I wish I had had this guide for my first time in NYC last year! Having just returned from NYC, we read this with great relish as we consider how soon we can go back again.

In fact, maybe that should be tip 1! We do love museums, and New York has some great ones. Plus all of the restaurants! We started a list of places we want to try. After a couple of days, we decided the only answer is probably to move there.

Rob — Glad you guys had a great time. Yes, even living there for 13 years there were some things I never had a chance to see and plenty of restaurants I never got to try. I just want to thank you for this article, it was more than helpful. I feel less pressure and stress about my visit now that I have different options for destinations.

Your email address will not be published. Expert Tips for Visiting New York for the First Time You should spend some time in advance planning your trip so you know what you want to see and are able to get tickets before they sell out. Use public transportation the NYC subway , in many cases, it is the fastest way to get around. Take advantage of all the different options!

About The Author. Anisa Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents and counting. Related Posts. Mytimetotravel on July 5, at am. The sharing the sidewalk request applies in so many places!!! Anisa on July 5, at am. Caitlin Sacasas on July 6, at pm. Thanks for this post!!

Anisa on July 6, at pm. Glad you found it helpful. You are going to have an amazing time! Indeed, New York City owes much of its success to its island setting which has long allowed its status as a thriving maritime port , situated at the mouth of New York Harbor and flanked by the Hudson and East Rivers on two sides.

Sailing Manhattan Island's waterway perimeters is a beautiful way to gain insight into its unique geography and staggering architectural proportions—not to mention the chance to wave at Lady Liberty who comes perched on an islet in the harbor from the boat.

You can hop on one of the classic tourist-oriented sightseeing boats like The Beast speedboat, Staten Island Ferry, or Circle Line , or get more creative with NYC boat trips that even locals love like schooner sailings aboard Classic Harbor Line or hands-on sailing lessons with the Offshore Sailing School.

The lungs of New York City and essentially one enormous communal backyard for space-starved Manhattanites, Central Park is where just about everybody comes to kick back, unwind, exercise, and get centered in nature. Spanning a massive acres, the park is home to numerous worthwhile attractions , including the Great Lawn ideal for picnicking , the Loeb Boathouse grab a bite or rent a canoe , Strawberry Fields for John Lennon fans , the Central Park Zoo penguins, anybody?

Whether you wander leisurely on foot, go for a run, or rent a bike, you're sure to appreciate the urban oasis that the park provides. Prefer to tackle the vast terrain with an expert guide?

Several companies provide guided park tours , including official park tours. During the warmer months, you can opt in to enjoy the park along with a side of entertainment, too, with annual events like the music-filled SummerStage programming, or the beloved free performances via Shakespeare in the Park. Nowhere does theater bigger or better than Broadway!

Take a stroll through Manhattan's Theater District, off-shooting the Times Square area, and you'll be spoiled for choice, with marquees set aglow with ads for the latest shows and stars with Hollywood celebrities often stepping in for unique Broadway stints. The options are plentiful and ever-changing, with the hottest tickets requiring booking well in advance. Of course, Broadway's pricey, so do try to scout for savings. Hit up the TKTS booth in Times Square for same-day theater ticket discounted at up to 50 percent off; or, time your visit to coincide with the biannual Broadway Week held in fall and again in winter to nab two-for-one deals on select shows.

Measuring in as the largest museum in the Western hemisphere, visitors could easily get lost for hours taking in any one of the collections here, with a staggering selection of arts and artifacts spanning some 5, years of world cultures. Peruse Greek and Roman statues from antiquity, stare at the intricacies of Egyptian hieroglyphics and sarcophagi don't miss the astounding Temple of Dendur , or wander through halls dedicated to pretty much every other culture and era, including African, Indian, Byzantine, an Islamic artworks.

There's an impressive display of European paintings, too including Rembrandts and Vermeers, as well as plenty of Impressionist pieces ; if that wasn't enough, look out for more than 30 special exhibitions held every year, too. A leading NYC landmark and the city's most celebrated bridge, traversing the neo-Gothic span of the Brooklyn Bridge on foot has marked a New York rite of passage since it first debuted in Architecturally elegant, with twin arched towers and an artful web of suspension cables, the bridge not only proposes a practical means of connecting pedestrian and vehicular traffic between Downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn, but it also presents exhilarating panoramas over both borough's skylines, as well as out over New York Harbor and onto the East River.

You'll undoubtedly be sharing the experience with throngs of other tourists, but navigating the lines and crowds is well worth it for the chance to gaze upon the modern-day colossus that is the Statue of Liberty. A symbol of American democracy—and a one-time beacon of hope and promise for immigrants arriving at U. Just be sure to plan ahead, since access to the statue's pedestal or interior including its crown can be arranged with reservations only.

While the statue may garner most of the glory, don't overlook a visit to nearby attraction Ellis Island. Now a national museum of immigration, the complex once served as federal immigration station and processing center for new arrivals to the U. Expect an altogether insightful presentation, via artifacts, photographs, and multimedia exhibits, of the immigrant experience in America. The one who approaches you with stories and tips but seems to want nothing in exchange.

If a New York subway car is empty at a busy time, it is usually for a reason — and you should avoid it also. And NYC is known for its happy hours and bottomless brunches! Walk with purpose — it will make you appear more confdent and especially in New York, will help you blend in with the locals.

Stay near the subway — it will allow you to get around the city with ease, and will help you to get your bearings without always having to refer to google maps! And finally, take note of where the exits are — wherever you are.

You know, like you do on a plane. If there is an emergency, or you need to get away quickly, knowing where the exit is can be invaluable. Where to shop in New York From local Soho boutiques to department stores, high fashion to flea markets, New York is a haven for shoppers — whatever their style.

Home to luxury brands, high fashion, and some of the most expensive retail spaces in the world. Flea Markets: Brooklyn Flea! I agree to have my personal information transfered to MailChimp more information about the data transfer. Join over , travel lovers and get monthly updates direct to your inbox. We hate spam too. Your email address will not shared with anyone else.

Click here to cancel reply. First-time visitors will want to head to Manhattan, which is technically considered 'the city. This is the ideal location for first-timers as it provides great access to everything that's centrally located. There is a seemingly endless number of options in regard to hotels here, as well, and many of the city's main attractions will be within walking distance.

Consider staying at Pod 51 , The Bowery , or citizenM. In terms of luxe, the Upper East Side is where visitors will get a taste of the good life. It's home to many major museums and caters to high-end shopping, as well as quick access to Central Park. A post shared by Susan Kaufman skaufman On the opposite side just below Chelsea and about a minute walk from the Hudson is Greenwich Village.