Ask nearly anybody around, and they’ll tell you there’s nowhere else in the world quite like New York City. A melting pot of countless people and traditions, a major cultural center, and a place where creativity and potential are well-rewarded, there’s certainly something a little magical about the city.
But if it’s your first time visiting or you haven’t managed to make your way out here in a while, you might feel conflicted about how to best approach a trip. We can help with that, though. Read on for our updated guide that’ll tell you a few things to know before your trip, when you should go, and what you should do when you get there!
3 Things to Know Before Your Visit
- New York can be a huge culture shock. Anytime someone’s making their way on over to the Big Apple, there’s tons of excitement and wonder – and that’s totally understandable. NYC is a fantastic city full of great shopping, food, entertainment, sights, and more. But don’t go into your trip assuming that this all will keep you hyped from the time you arrive ‘til you’re on the plane back home. There will be times you’ll probably be overwhelmed and uncertain. Whether you’re coming in from a different country or simply another city right here in the US, culture shock is bound to happen in a place as crowded and diverse as New York. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to decompress as needed and try to have a buddy familiar with the city guide you on your first visit. This will ensure not only that you see all the good spots and experience some of the more non-touristry offerings of the city, but also that you’ll feel more comfortable and secure as you get settled in.
- You’ll probably get lost (a few times). We’re not telling you anything you don’t know, but NYC is enormous. For many people, it’s the biggest city they’ve ever – or will ever – visit, which inevitably comes with a few consequences. One of them is that you will get lost and probably several times at that. Getting turned around, making a wrong turn, and missing landmarks in a sea of other landmarks will all lead to this; thus, you might as well accept this and start planning for it now. That means always keep your phone nice and charged so you can consult Google for help, be prepared to ask locals for directions and have some physical NYC guides and maps on hand in case both of these avenues fail to lead you back in the right direction.
- Safety isn’t as problematic as you might think. When talking about traveling to New York, it would be disingenuous not to touch on the topic of safety. After all, it’s what everyone (even the city’s biggest fans and proponents) constantly talks about. We all know that the city has a reputation for being unsafe, violence and petty crimes are both portrayed as severe and widespread in scope. But what people won’t often tell you is that NYC’s reputation is partly a holdover from decades ago. Nowadays, New York City is actually one of the safest metropolises in the US, especially when considering the vastness of its population. That’s not to say that crime and danger don’t exist between its various skyscrapers and streets. It does, just like in any other major city, but it’s not as widespread as you would expect, just from what others have said. In other words, don’t feel turned off just by its reputation. Safety in NYC pretty much requires the same thing as everywhere else: common sense. Be smart about who you talk to, what you do, when/where you go, and you’ll likely make it through your trip no worse for wear — except maybe for the jet lag. That’s always a very clear and present danger.
Ideal Time to Visit NYC
There’s something to be said for a town or city that holds a kind of charm at any time of the year, and New York definitely falls within this category. The city is always gorgeous regardless of whether you’re viewing it covered in a thick blanket of snow or the heat and haze of summer. However, there are still some months and seasons that are more conducive to traveling here than others, at least for first-time visits. Namely, we’d recommend setting up your trip to fall somewhere from mid-April to late June as the weather’s often milder, springtime flowers and trees are blooming, and you at least have a shot of beating some of the fellow tourist rush.
Looking for a deal, though, or really want to reduce your likelihood of dealing with massive (well – more massive than usual) crowds? Then a springtime visit might not be in your best favor. Instead, opt for a visit between early January and February. It’s one of the few “lulls” that New York ever goes through, the influx of tourists abating with Christmas and New Year’s celebrations wrapped up. That means accommodation prices decrease and availability for practically everything increases, ideal for the conscientious visitor.
Top Things to Do in New York
- Make a special trip to Coney Island. Take in all the old-timey charm, hang out on the beach, grab some ice cream or a hot dog, and don’t forget to take a ride on the Cyclone! Coney Island is practically a New York cultural icon and institution at this point, so be sure not to skimp out on the full experience.
- Take a walk along the Brooklyn Bridge. While this almost 1600-foot suspension bridge isn’t the longest one in the world anymore, the 1883 structure is still pretty remarkable. Looking at the rising skyscrapers of the city from the bridge’s foot pedestrian path will immediately remind you of how big and beautiful NYC truly is.
- Enjoy an afternoon in Central Park. Dotted by nearly 700 acres of gardens, meadows, and rolling hills, there’s plenty to keep you preoccupied for hours and give you a delightful break from the surrounding concrete jungle.
- Ride on the subway system. We know that it’s confusing and complicated to newbies, but that’s simply part of the experience. Embrace it. Even if you get turned around for a while and need a little help finding your way, it makes for a great memory to laugh about and reminisce on down the road.
- Shop at Dover Street Market. The market is filled to the brim with luxury pieces and all manner of on-trend clothes. But it’s more than a basic store stop for the fashion-conscious. Dover Street Market is basically also an art and community space, connecting designers and consumers in a way that’s both unfamiliar but totally cool. It’s a must-try for anybody and everybody with a little cash to burn.
- Buy your new favorite books at The Strand. It may be a 93-year-old bookstore, though it’s in no way outdated or irrelevant. Housing 2.5 million titles, you can find just about any book you can think of on the Strand bookstore’s well-known shelves and will undoubtedly walk away with several new books to your name. However, do be careful if you’re a huge literature lover. Remember that you need to use cash for other activities, too!
- Chow down on some of NYC’s famous street food. Walking around New York is exhausting, and you’ll need to stay fueled up. Luckily, street food vendors are literally everywhere, and the food is usually really great. Whether you’re craving a traditional hotdog, a slice of pizza, fresh Ethiopian cuisine, or tasty Mexican food, there’s a little something for everybody!
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