One of the most exciting things about New York City is the abundance of things to see and do. Even the most comprehensive list of the best places to visit in New York barely scratches the surface of this sprawling metropolis.
A visitor can spend his time in the usual places, such as the Empire State Building and Times Square. That, however, means missing out on a lesser-known, but just as interesting, location. To get a real New York feel, you should consider spending the day in local shoes.
Here are some ways you can do this.
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Walk
When you arrive in New York, one of the first things that will strike you is the sheer number of people walking the streets. New Yorkers don’t just walk, they walk very fast. As a densely populated city filled with skyscrapers, walking is often the cheapest and fastest way to get from one point to another.
For visitors, few activities can match walking as a means of experiencing the sights, sounds, and smells that define a place. Still, New Yorkers are notoriously impatient, so remember to step aside if you need to take a photo or people watch. If you are pressed for time, continue a ups and down Tour buses can serve as a suitable substitute for walking.
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Take the subway
Another fixture of everyday New York life is the subway. Get a MetroCard and you’ll be able to move around faster and cheaper compared to taxis. Maps are posted prominently at all stations, but don’t be afraid to ask locals if you’re not sure. New Yorkers are very helpful and will be happy to share their knowledge. The subway is huge and even experienced locals will occasionally ask for directions.
Traveling with a smartphone is a plus as one of several subway map app will show the best route. The subway runs all day, all night, all year round. However, take reasonable precautions and always be aware of your surroundings. Be particularly careful at night and avoid traveling alone. Late at night, you may want to take a taxi even if the subway costs less.
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Use the Taxi App
New York taxis are world famous. In the past, locals would hail a taxi with a wave or a loud whistle. The Big Apple is also not left behind by the taxi app revolution that has taken over cities around the world. Several taxi apps are available, but Uber and Lyft are the most popular.
A simple tap will trigger a search for the nearest available car and track its movement in real time. You then pay via credit card. Like most of the world, Uber is the most popular, but comes under fire for its inflated prices during periods of high traffic, such as bad weather days and the holiday season.
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Experience Art
New York has such amazing and vast museums that few people have the leisure to explore them in full. Still, be sure to visit at least a few of them. Being a local means knowing when is the best time to visit. If you want to avoid the crowds, go on a weekday morning.
If you will be in New York for many months and intend to visit the museum many times, become a member. It’s not only a way to skip the long lines during peak hours, it’s also a great way to support the arts. Some museums have free days, but be prepared for large crowds looking to take advantage of the rare offerings.
An alternative to museums (and much cheaper) is to visit the city’s many art galleries. They are not only free to enter, but some even offer wine and snacks.
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Go for the Show
Many New Yorkers hate Times Square and you’d be hard pressed to meet any locals there. That’s not to say they aren’t interested in the rich musical and theatrical offerings. Moreover, Broadway is Broadway mainly because of the city dwellers. Instead of paying full price, locals look for discounted tickets on Living Social, Groupon and other social buying sites.
You can also score great offers TKTS, discount ticket booth. If you choose to do that, your time will be better served by going to the less busy TKTS booths on South Street and Brooklyn than to the much busier one in Times Square. Even better, you can use the TKTS app to monitor ticket availability at the city’s four booths.
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Drinking coffee
Perhaps the reason New York is called the city that never sleeps is because the locals consume a lot of coffee. There may be a coffee shop on nearly every corner of NYC, but you’ll find mostly tourists in most of them. Locals may love coffee, but they are pretty picky.
Despite their reputation for always being in a hurry, New Yorkers are more than willing to wait a few extra minutes for the finest brews and freshly roasted acorns. Join the locals at gourmet spots like Third Rail Coffee, Stumptown, Ninth Street Espresso, La Colombe, Everyman Espresso and Blue Bottle Coffee.
As the most bustling city in the world, New York is more than just another destination to tick off your bucket list. With more than eight million people spread across five regions, the depth and breadth of activities that visitors can choose from is incredible. Acting like a local will go a long way in making your tour efficient, real and fun.
