New York City Travel Tips

After these New York City Travel Tips, you’ll only need to read this blog post once to feel prepared to embrace the city as a true local. From navigating the NYC subway and moving through the boroughs to avoiding scams, finding hidden gems, and venturing past the typical spots, these travel tips encompass what I have learned from being a local here through the years. There are a lot of “hype spots” that, in reality, are just overmarketed, and people go for the photo-ops. If that’s you, I respect it. We love a good photo, but that’s not only that NYC has to offer. These tips are to help you navigate the city with ease and help you feel more confident in one of the biggest cities in the world. Whether you’re coming from near or far, there’s a bit of NYC you’ll take everywhere you go, so listen up!

Transportation Tips

I’ll be honest, navigating any city can be extremely challenging- if you don’t have the resources. To this day, it still challenges the locals. Trains change their schedules, we’re not paying attention all the time, and going to a new place requires some serious attention. With that said, there are some really simple tips that helped me not look like a lost tourist about 85% of the time. This section is designed to help you with the top 5 tips for traveling around the city.  

1. Download Google Maps, Apple Maps & Waze: These are the two most commonly used apps for navigating the city. If you’re driving, Waze is especially convenient for spotting police cars, stopped vehicles, and any upcoming construction. If you’re going on a road trip to upstate NY (which I highly recommend), this is where it’s going to really come in clutch. 
2. Learn the way NYC is built: NYC is built on a grid system. On a map, you have the lowest street numbers (E2nd, etc) on the Lower East Side before making its way up north to Harlem’s 142nd. The farther west you go, the higher the avenue goes toward Jersey, and the East brings you lower down the avenues (1st avenue) all the way to the Hudson River. All you have to do is find North. Whether you’re taking the train and leaving the station or walking along Central Park, find where North is. Usually, you have to walk a block to see the sign ahead. When you know where North is, all the coordinates come in handy. Additionally, when you leave a train station, keep in mind which side is going north, and if you walk south to leave the station, turn back around to find your north, and then situate yourself.
3. Weekend Train Schedules are always a mess: Construction is constantly happening left and right. Download the MTA app so you can see which trains or buses are delayed.
4. Download a picture of the NYC Subway map with you: This will come in handy so much more than you think. If you’re not sure which way you’re going, just stay on the train, ride one more stop, and if it’s the direction you need to go, then you’re good. If not, get off. 
5. Some train stations don’t let you move uptown/downtown; you’ll need to enter another station. Say you made a mistake, already paid, and then realized you’re in the Uptown only station. No worries, just head on out, go to the Downtown station, and kindly ask the MTA employee. Show them that you paid and they’ll let you in no hassle. 
6. Pay using the same card. Transfers are free within 1.5 hours. Going from bus to train or vice versa, but only on the same card. Additionally, with OMNY, you get a free fare after using it consecutively if you pay 12 fares in 7 days.
7. JFK Airport may be the cheapest airport to get to, but logistically, it is the most challenging and out of the way. If you had to choose LGA or even EWR have easier public transportation systems. As someone who lives relatively close to JFK, there’s constant construction, delays, and buses are not too reliable. 
8. 9 times out of 10, taking public transportation is going to be quicker than Ubering. It’s worth only saving Ubers for really drunk nights out when it’s not safe to be on public transportation otherwise.

Safety Tips

They say if you can make it in New York City, then you can make it anywhere. It’s because there’s a spunk to us. We’re resourceful (which can be positive or negative); we’re quick (which can be positive or negative) & among other things, we are hungry (which can also be positive or negative). Put that combo in the wrong hands, and that’s why lots of New Yorkers are observant, diligent, and above all, street smart. My full guide of New York City Travel Tips is not only the essentials to avoid getting scammed, but also how to travel throughout NYC with ease and your dignity in one piece.

1. Buddy System: My aunt tells us this all the time, but seriously, it’s true. This is not the city to wander and “do your own thing”. Do that in the comfort of your own home, not here. It’s really easy to lose track of someone 
2. Do not post your location in real time. This goes without saying, but NYC is a huge place, so if there’s someone watching you, most likely they’re not hiding it that well; it’s just really crowded. Don’t make this mistake.  
3. Be alert at all times. In some instances, you get a vibe that someone is off. Maybe they’re presence is strong in an alarming way, or they’re walking too abruptly. Whatever it is, if you’re constantly looking at your phone or taking a picture while crossing the street, you really never know what might happen to you. Look up, be street smart, and know that you’re in a huge city- people are always trying to make a quick buck and take advantage. This also applies if you’re on the train. If you see every single train cart is full but one, you’re not lucky- there’s most likely a homeless person the train stinking up the joint. Don’t be the airhead who walks into the train and then the doors close on you, and it’s too late. 
4. Never act like you’re lost or alone waiting for someone: Pretend to be on a call, make yourself look busy. People are sick and will take advantage of you. While you’re waiting for your Uber
5. Do not accept anything free. People will walk on the train and hand you something. People will try to offer you a CD, photos, anything, and will harass you. Look right through them and don’t pay them any mind. 
6. If you’re on the train with a mentally unstable person, just ignore them: Wait until the next car, act like you’re getting off that stop, and just change carts. 9 times out of 10, it turns into a commotion because someone has attention issues and likes picking fights. Stay out of it and get yourself away.
7. Never accept any free drinks/substances: You truly cannot trust anyone, unfortunately, even other females. Just buy yourself a drink and always watch your cup.

NYC Local Tips

1. The best local events are in Queens and Brooklyn. Spending more than 20% of your time in Manhattan doesn’t give you the local experience. I have a few guides on my website and socials that will help you have the perfect day like a local.
2. If there’s a big photo-op, most likely it’s a tourist trap, serving to a touristy crowd. That is not the NYC we grew up on. Expensive drinks are so overrated. You can do that at home.
3. The best sushi is in South Brooklyn. If you go to any of the fancy sushi spots, you’re paying 10x the price for raw sushi….I will never understand. Nonetheless, go to Sheepshead Bay and around 86th Street in Bath Beach.
4. Locals love a good NYC pop-up, museum, followed by a walk somewhere and a spot to eat. I love following @katieromeo & @nyc_for_free for affordable and unique events in NYC. I also have a few good blogs highlighting local restaurants and things to do in the city! Just know the pop-ups always get super crowded so get there early.
5. Nobody from NYC goes on the Central Park Horse carriages. If you do, I automatically don’t like you. Everyone talks shit about the people in them, and you get the illest evil eye.
6. Bring a reusable water bottle with you. Anytime I am in NYC, I am always walking a thousand steps so this comes in handy more often than you think.
7. Negotiate with cash always. That is, you need to have cash on hand. The best thing to do is only have a few small bills and say that’s all you have. They can have it if they want, and 9 times out of 10, they’re desperate for the sale so they’ll say yes.
8. Be open to spontaneity. If you reserve something every day, you don’t give yourself time to discover new things. Especially if you find out there’s a pop-up concert with your favorite artist, a free event happening right in the area you’re visiting, etc, you’ll want some free time. 

There You Have It

Traveling to NYC just got so much easier with these New York City Travel Tips. From navigating the ins and outs of the 5 boroughs to staying safe and even the tips that all the NYC locals follow, you will be so prepared. I am already excited for you!

Veronica

Hi everyone! My name is Veronica, but you can also call me Vee! I grew up in the iconic city of Brooklyn, NY, the cultural hub of the world, and hence learned about so many different cultures. It was those experiences that inspired me to travel and from then on, I had learned the power of travel. In return, I want to give others that same experience, to help inspire others to unleash their inner travel enthusiast no matter the trip.

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