Everything about New York City is larger than life. Between the lights, the sounds, the smells, and the rush of millions walking past, the city can be an intimidating place. The city proper is home to 8.6 million people and those who were raised in New York City know a thing or two about navigating the confusing nature of the Big Apple.
Those who visit New York City may find themselves understandably daunted by the sheer scale of things. Never fear though, we’ve compiled a list of hints and secrets that will help even the most uninitiated navigate the Greatest City in the World…
Always On Top
If you’re going to stay anywhere in the city, especially if that place happens to be Brooklyn, you should always endeavor to procure a room on the highest floor possible. The higher the better. And never stay in a Brooklyn hotel room on the first floor. This is strictly for privacy and safety reasons.
Walking Tall
There are plenty of means of transportation available to you in New York City, but most New Yorkers agree that the absolute best way to travel is by walking. Native New Yorkers walk everywhere whenever possible and it’s great exercise.
On Jaywalking
Speaking of walking, it’s important to understand that in NYC there’s really no such thing as jaywalking. The rule of thumb is to cross the street whenever traffic allows. That said, cabbies aren’t always going to agree with this rule, so jaywalk fast.
Im Walkin’ Here
If a cabbie or other driver does happen to either bump into you or hit you as you’re walking, however, don’t apologize. New Yorkers never apologize. They hit you, you hit them. And don’t be afraid to yell, “Hey, I’m walking here!”
Shift Change
Most New Yorkers will tell you that, with the exception of in front of museums and train stations, it’s pretty difficult to catch a cab sometimes. In the same vein, don’t even bother looking for a yellow cab at 5 p.m. That’s when the taxi shifts change. You might be better off with an Uber.
High Price Ubers
While Uber may indeed be a viable alternative to yellow cabs, there are some downsides. Uber always has surge pricing in order to compete with the regular New York City cabs, so the trip may end up costing you the same either way.
Taxi to Tarmac
If you’re in New York City already and want to head to the airport, don’t even bother taking the train. Public transit is a nightmare at the best of times, let alone if you’re carrying suitcases. Just call for a cab or an Uber. You’ll thank us later.
No Need
Coming back to an earlier point, we can tell you emphatically that driving yourself around in the city is never necessary. Even if you can’t find a cab or an available Uber, there’s a 24-hour subway that has stations all over the city.
Weeknights Out
New Yorkers who work in the city don’t just catch the train and go home, they go out. You’ll find that bars and restaurants are pretty busy most weeknights, especially during happy hour. Feel free to go out on a weekend too of course, but know that weekends are mostly for tourists and suckers.
Totes and Backpacks
Whether you’re walking, driving, or taking the subway, the best thing you can bring with you is a means of carrying your stuff. We’re not just talking about a plastic CVS bag either. Backpacks and large, heavy-duty totes are the best things for getting around the city.
The Sounds of Silence
It doesn’t matter if they’re a huge pair of Beats or wireless iPhone buds, headphones are a requirement for the avid city dweller. Most native New Yorkers keep them in at all times, only taking one out in order to hear a cabbie’s explanation or order a cappuccino.
Speed or Convenience
With all this talk about taxi cabs, it’s hard to compete with the convenience of utilizing them. Despite this convenience, however, the subway is usually a faster method from getting one from place to place, except if it’s the middle of the night.
Subtle Art
Getting onto the subway involves a few things these days. First among them is getting a Metrocard and loading it with the proper amount for a few trips. Then, you need to learn how to properly swipe the Metrocard through a packed turnstile.
Be Wary
If you get on the subway and the car you’re in seems to be completely empty, move to another car. Empty subway cars are never a good thing and most New Yorkers are very suspicious of any subway car with no one inside it.
It’s Showtime
Also, if you’re on the subway and hear someone shout the phrase, “It’s SHOWTIME!” duck as quickly as possible and move out of the way. There’s a chance that someone’s foot may come swinging inches above your head during an impromptu dance routine. Seriously, this happens!
Ups and Downs
If you don’t want to sound foolish, don’t ask for directions from anyone in terms of “North” or “South.” There is no “north” or “south” there is only “uptown” (north) and “downtown” (south). Let that be a lesson to you.
Real Estate Lies
If you, for whatever reason, are planning to live in NYC, don’t. The movies and television shows you’ve seen have told you lies about the availability and affordability of NY real estate. That is to say, it isn’t available and it isn’t affordable.
People Watching
For a good, cheap time in the city proper, head to Union Square and sit down with a coffee to engage in some pretty phenomenal people watching. You can do the same in Central Park too, but it’s a bit more crowded and at least Union Square has a Farmer’s Market.
Avoid the Square
Times Square is a tourist’s paradise, which is to say that most tourists might want to avoid it at all costs, or at least on the weekends. The foot traffic itself is the stuff of nightmares and even the neon lights of the area are only cute for a few minutes before you’re swallowed by the crowds.
Just Stay Home
Times Square is even more chaotic during Christmas time if you can believe it. And it is especially to be avoided on New Year’s Eve when you should probably just enjoy the chaos from the comfort of your own living room or a bar three avenues over.
Local Fare
New York City is known for a few particularly New Yorky foods, pizza, and hot dogs. Both are cheap and readily available but we suggest that you take the pizza and leave the hot dogs. Dirty water dogs are a delicious but questionable cuisine to take a chance on.
Handheld
If you do opt for the pizza, don’t walk around looking for a place to set it down, and certainly don’t ask the proprietor for a knife and fork. This isn’t Chicago, the best way to eat a slice of pizza is to pick it up, fold it, and eat it while standing on the street.
Italians Everywhere
If you like Italian food, New York City is the place to be. Well…besides Italy that is. Nevertheless, New York Italian food is a breed all its own and you don’t need to head to Little Italy to find it. There are great restaurants all over midtown as well.
Important Distinctions
They may look pretty similar to “milk’s favorite cookie” but the giant, black and white cookies you’re likely to see everywhere taste nothing like Oreos. Also, a bialy is not a bagel, and Italian ice is not ice cream, nor is it gelato.
Dumplings
If you like Chinese food, New York City has some of the best Asian cuisine this side of the Pacific. Many New Yorkers agree that Chinatown dumplings are the best brunch food and that if you pay more than $1 for a dumpling in Chinatown, you’re doing it wrong.
Queens Cuisines
Despite what others may say, Queens is the real culinary heart of the city. You can get great dim sum in Flushing, find some of the best Indian cuisines in Forest Hills, and find some pretty outstanding Vietnamese Pho as well. Then wash it all down with a craft beer in Long Island City.
Arthur Ave.
The Bronx Zoo never fails to make for a great outing for a family on vacation, but once the place closes, what are you supposed to do? Why not head to the world famous Arthur Avenue (also in the Bronx) for some of the best Italian food in the five boroughs.
Stunning Architecture
Many people forget that Grand Central Terminal isn’t just a train station, it’s also one of the most stunningly beautiful pieces of architecture in the whole city. There’s also a spot where you and a friend can stand on opposite corners and hear each other whispering to one another from across the way. Seriously, try it out.
Suggested Pricing
If you like museums, we have a really helpful bit of secret advice for you; the admission price at both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum is a suggestion, not a requirement. You can pay whatever you want to enter and enjoy.
Best Exhibits
There are a couple of exhibits at both these museums that are a must-see. If you’re in the Met, head straight to the Temple of Dendur. If you’re going to the Museum of Natural History, hit the dinosaurs on the fourth floor first as this exhibit tends to get the most crowded.
Art Galleries
The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the only art museum in the city, though it is the biggest. The Guggenheim nearby and just as beautiful and fun to navigate, but if you really want to see some amazing stuff, skip the pricey museums and visit the Chelsea art galleries instead.
Underrated
There are other underrated museums as well that don’t contain artwork. Take for instance the National Museum of the American Indian, an incredibly underrated gem. There is also the Cloisters, which is definitely worth taking a ride uptown.
Never Fear
Brooklyn had a bad reputation for a while, but it’s really nothing to be scared of these days. The Red Hook section of Brooklyn has the best view of the Statue of Liberty, Carroll Gardens has its own unique, brownstone charm, and the nightlife in Williamsburg can’t be beaten.
A Gentrified Paradise
The slow gentrification of the Williamsburg area has led to a number of specialty food shops and random boutiques. Not to mention cool themed bars like Barcade or Crocodile Bar. In the daytime, head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Prospect Park for a nice picnic in the city limits.
Cycling Views
Citibikes are everywhere and are the perfect option for those who don’t want to hoof it or spring for a cab. If you do rent a Citibike, a good place to ride it is along the Hudson River Park, where you can view Jersey in all it’s thankfully distant glory. (We’re joking, of course, Jersey is fine.)
The High Line
The High Line, despite what a lot of New Yorkers will tell you, is one of the few destinations that are worth fighting with tourists to see. The whole thing is not only fun to walk and beautiful to behold, but it also has some first class gelato stands.
Brooklyn Parlors
Speaking of iced cream confections, we’ve heard the best place to find ice cream is by the Brooklyn Bridge. This is one of the bridges you can actually walk over and it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially if you’ve got ice cream.
Ferried Along
Another cheap and easy way to take in the sights of the city is to take some of the available ferries. Most, like the East River Ferry, are fairly inexpensive and the Staten Island Ferry is actually free. Just take a ride there and back and enjoy the sea air.
The Bodega
You’ll find them everywhere all across the city, little corner grocery stores that sell everything from beer to diapers. These stores are called bodegas and they are a lifeline to anyone whose trekking through the unforgiving “wilderness” of New York City.
Never Sleeps
They say that New York City never sleeps and they are right. Even in the wee hours of the morning, people are out and about. Hell, some bars don’t even close until 4 a.m., about the time when most bakeries and bagel shops open and start serving breakfast.
