New York City is Massive with a capital “M.” As a result, the city is full of things to do, from classy restaurants to luxury hotels to museums featuring art recognized all over the world. There’s something in NYC for everyone. If you’re a book lover like me, charming book stores (as well as a few libraries) abound. If you love art (also like me), there is no shortage of galleries, art museums, and street art (including a Banksy!) From museums to, well, pizza, I hope you enjoy this ultimate NYC travel guide!
Table of Contents
When to visit: NYC is great all year round, but if you want to go when the weather is great and the prices are lower, try going during the autumn months.
Money: Currency in the United States is the US Dollar ($).
Transportation: NYC offers several modes of transportation, including taxi, busses, the subway, and other transportation services. If you’re willing to brave the streets of NYC, though, rental cars are also an option.
What to pack: NYC is a busy place, so you’ll want to bring good shoes and comfy, stylish clothes. (And if you’re going in the winter don’t forget to bring a good jacket!)
Shopping in NYC
New York City is full of fun and unique shopping experiences, from iconic stores to awesome malls.
The Oculus
With a beautiful ribbed cage structure, The Oculus makes for a unique shopping experience, as well as a perfect spot for photo opportunities.
SoHo
A charming district in NYC, SoHo is full of fun and unique shops. From high end boutiques to small businesses, there’s a shop for everyone in this shopping area.
Fifth Avenue
Fifth Avenue has become known all over the world for being a home to luxury, big brand stores. From Uniqlo to Sak’s to the LEGO Store, Fifth Avenue is the place you want to go if you want to splurge on something expensive.
The Strand
This massive book store is the perfect place for book lovers (like me!) With multiple levels and thousands of books, you’ll feel like you want to stay within those walls forever.
Things to Do in NYC
Brooklyn Bridge
One of the most iconic bridges in the world, Brooklyn Bridge has become a symbol of New York City. Whether you prefer to walk across the pedestrian walkway, or drive across it, Brooklyn Bridge is a must if you are visiting NYC.
9/11 Memorial
Remembering the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the memorial consists of two pools (the North Pool and South Pool), and is open free to the public.
The Vessel
The Vessel is a super-cool stair structure installation located at Hudson Yards. Unfortunately, the stairs are no longer open for the public to climb on, but you can still take pictures in front of the structure.
Grand Central Terminal
A great free place to visit, Grand Central Terminal has several places to eat and shop. Enjoy the ceiling painted with constellations, and try out the whispering gallery.
New York Public Library
A great destination for book lovers, the NYPL features the iconic Rose Reading Room (with beautiful ceiling murals), and the Polonsky Exhibition, with literary artifacts such as Charles Dickens’s writing desk and letters from famous authors.
Chrysler Building
One of the most beautiful buildings in NYC, the Chrysler Building is a pristine example of classic Art Deco architecture. Unfortunately, only the first floor is open to the public, as the building is used as an office building. (Imagine having an office in there!!!)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The MET is my most favorite museum in the world. Why? Featuring centuries of artwork from all corners of the world, The MET is so massive that you could never see anything in a day. Oh, and there’s William the Hippo.
The Morgan Library and Museum
The perfect place for book lovers, this museum houses J.P. Morgan’s entire collection of books, including manuscripts and letters from famous authors.
The MET Cloisters
The MET Cloisters is a branch of The MET dedicated entirely to medieval art. It’s much smaller than The MET, but it’s just as enjoyable. My favorite part of the museum is the Unicorn Tapestries Room. For obvious reasons.
Tips for Your Stay
Budget your stay: New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world. That being said, some of the best things to do in NYC are free. I would recommend prioritizing the free destinations, and factoring in the cost of parking or transportation.
Go for the cheaper option: Part of budgeting your trip means sacrificing small things in order splurge on the bigger things. Instead of staying at the fanciest hotel or going for the most elegant restaurants, choose something more affordable. That way, you can spend that money on something else, like a Broadway show, or something else you would love to experience. (Although, if the thing you want to experience is the fancy hotel or restaurant, then go for cheaper tourist attractions.)
Hailing a taxi: Before you start to hail a taxi, make sure that the middle light on the roof is lit. When it’s lit up, this means that the taxi is vacant. Also be sure that you’re not at a bus stop, as taxis can’t pick up passengers at a bus stop. To hail the taxi, stand on the curb and raise your hand to flag down the cab. Make eye contact with the driver. Look at you! You’re a natural!
Try the pizza: Do it. You cannot go to NYC and not try the pizza.
Conclusion
New York City has so much to offer, from awesome (and expensive) shopping experiences to fun and affordable things to do! When staying in NYC, be sure to plan out the places you want to visit, and prioritize the places you really want to visit. It’s a big city, and chances are you won’t be able to see everything. But with a bit of planning, you can make your stay in NYC worthwhile!
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