Visiting NYC? Here are 5 Things You Absolutely Shouldn’t Do

Visiting NYC for the first time can be quite overwhelming — this enormous city brings in over one million tourists every week! It’s crowded, hectic and flashy; these three things are usually what people don’t like about a city, but not when it’s NYC. There are so many things to do and places to see. If you want to experience a life of an average New Yorker, I’m sure you’ll be able to find many different tutorials and guides that will point you in the right direction. This is why I’d like to devote this article to what-not-to-dos, so you don’t get the wrong picture and leave NYC never to come back.

Say No to Taxis

Every movie and TV show about NYC will try to convince you that everyone in the city move around using nothing but taxies — a really great misconception. This is probably the most expensive and the slowest way to travel, because of the enormous traffic jams that last unreasonably long. So, instead of getting a Yellow Cab or using Uber as your go-to mode of transport, you should use the subway or enter NYC’s bike sharing program. Contrary to popular belief, the NYC subway can get you anywhere, just take your time and find the right line.

Avoid Hotels

The large amount of tourists that arrive in NYC on daily basis have allowed this great city to hold a hotel monopoly, and overcharge absolutely every service. Unless money isn’t an issue for you, you need to avoid hotels at all costs. Hotels had their roll, but the next best thing are apartments. No matter how long you plan on staying, what the purpose of your visit is or who are you coming with, you’ll be able to find a perfectly comfortable apartment anywhere in the city but make sure that you pick the neighborhood that suits your needs, and most respectable apartment rentals have guides for all the areas they offer accommodation in, like the one New York Stay offers. It’ll feel just like home, only a bit better because you’re in NYC.

Bus Tours Are a No-No

If you’re in the city for the first time and want to do all the classic tourist stuff, you should know that bus tours are probably the worst way to get to know NYC. First of all, this city is way too big to learn everything about it in one tour — you’ll end up being overwhelmed with information, so you probably won’t remember a thing. The best way to get to know what NYC is all about is having a friend who’s a local give you a tour. If you don’t know any locals, you should do some serious online browsing and learn from other people’s mistakes instead of making your own.

You Can Do Better than Tourist Attractions

World famous attractions like Empire State Building, Met, Broadway and Times Square truly are epic, but they really aren’t worth your while unless you plan on spending a month in NYC. Lines are unbelievably long, places are extremely crowded and clothes are practically unaffordable. You’ll spend a couple of hours trying to actually do or see something, get exhausted and get back to your accommodation anxious and disappointed. Instead of wasting your time, look for alternative ways to get to know the city, like a bike sharing program, and move around at your own pace.

1$ for a Meal? Never a Good Idea

NYC is known worldwide for its pizza, but that doesn’t mean you should get it at the first place that you see, especially if there’s a big flashy sign that says “1$ for a slice”. If you do rent an apartment instead of booking a hotel room, you’ll be able to eat in and avoid food poisoning. However, if you’d like to eat out and enjoy fine cuisine, you should definitely consult the locals first and see which restaurants are worth visiting. If you have done any research, you probably encountered the term “cronut” and were surprised at how crazy people are about it. Once again, trying to get one will last for hours and it’s not that special, really — it’s a fried doughnut, that’s all.

There are many amazing off the map venues where the real New Yorkers go, and if you invest some time in finding them you’ll be able to learn what NYC is all about. I hope you’ll find these tips helpful during your stay, and that you’ll have tons of fun.