- WEATHER AND CLIMATE
- PERFECT TIME TO VISIT
- LENGTH OF YOUR STAY
- WHERE TO STAY AND COST OF ACCOMMODATIONS
- 5- LINES AND CROWDS
- TRANSPORTATION
- BEST APPS TO USE IN NEW YORK CITY
- GENERAL INFORMATION
- FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
- SAFETY
- THE MAP OF NEW YORK CITY
- CITY TOURS
- CITY PASSES
- FOOD & DRINK PRICES
- BEST FREE VIEWS OF THE CITY
Are you planning a trip to New York City?
And there’s just so much to organize:
What is the best way to go from the airport?
Where should I stay?
When should I leave?
Then where should I go?
How much do you spend on a cocktail, lodging, and transportation?
How should I travel about the city?
Which applications should I use?
This trip guide is ideal for you.
This film is based on our thrilling vacation to New York City.
Please leave a comment with your own experience and advice, or ask a question.
Here are 15 must-know pieces of advice before visiting New York City.
1- WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The weather in New York City is humid and subtropical.
Winters are chilly and wet, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 to 11 degrees Celsius).
During the winter, temperatures might dip below 10 °F or 12 °C on multiple occasions.
In January and February, snow is expected.
Summers in the United States are often hot and humid.
Temperatures vary from 61 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit (16 and 29 degrees Celsius).
The weather is erratic throughout the spring and fall, often pleasant with low humidity but ranging from chilly to warm.
In the spring, temperatures range between 36 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit (2 and 27 degrees Celsius), while in the fall, temperatures range between 32 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 25 degrees Celsius).
Rain is fairly prevalent in New York City all year, so pack an umbrella.
These are, however, all averages.
The weather and temperature may fluctuate depending on when you visit, so check the weather forecast before you go.
2- PERFECT TIME TO VISIT
The greatest time to visit New York City is in the spring, from April to June, or in the fall, from September to early November, when the weather is moderate and visitor crowds are low.
The best time to visit is between mid-January and the end of February.
But don’t worry, New York City is one of the most active and interesting cities in the world, so you’ll have a fantastic time no matter what season it is.
And how do you choose the optimal days and times to see the attractions?
Simply use Google to discover how crowded a given site is at a specific time of day.
Of course, going early throughout the week and in the morning is recommended.
3- LENGTH OF YOUR STAY
The length of stay in New York varies depending on what you want to do.
For a typical tourist, the length of stay in New York is usually less than a week.
This is because there are so many other places to see and things to do.
The city is also very spread out, which makes it difficult for tourists to see everything they want to in such a short period.
If you are looking for more time and an experience that includes both the city itself and the surrounding areas, then you should plan on staying at least two weeks.
We recommend staying in New York for three to five days.
You’ll be able to view the majority of the city’s top attractions this way.
4- WHERE TO STAY AND COST OF ACCOMMODATIONS
Attractions in NYC are widely dispersed, particularly in Manhattan, so you’ll be close to at least one attraction no matter where you stay.
If this is your first visit to the city and you plan on doing a lot of sightseeing, you should stay someplace around Midtown.
If you want to save money, remain on the Lower East Side.
Stay in the East Village for the nightlife.
The Upper West Side is the ideal area for families.
You may save money by staying in other boroughs such as Brooklyn or Queens.
However, make sure there is a metro station nearby so you can quickly go to Manhattan.
Stay in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for a trendy experience.
And keep in mind that this is already in New Jersey and is not served by NYC public transportation.
Remember that if you stay here, you’ll have to commute to Manhattan every day.
Hotel rates in New York City range from fair to extravagant.
The average cost of a low-cost hotel stay is USD 200, however, this figure can rapidly rise.
Of course, the type of lodging, as well as the location and season, all have a role.
Of course, if you take the time to investigate several internet booking sites and are flexible with your dates, you can discover better bargains.
Watch this blog to learn about the top apps for booking your stay.
5- LINES AND CROWDS
NYC is undoubtedly a pretty busy location, with over 8 million people crammed into a very tiny area.
Even if you can’t escape all of the crowds, there are certain things you can do to make your vacation to NYC more enjoyable.
For example, you may avoid busy seasons, avoid riding the metro during rush hours and wake up early in the morning to tour the city without crowds.
Use Google Maps or comparable apps to see how crowded a given site is at a specific time of day.
6- TRANSPORTATION
You may take the following modes of transportation to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens:
- AirTrain | MTA Subway and Long Island Rail Road City bus.
- Bus shuttles
- Taxis
- Transfers via private vehicle, limousine, or van
- Uber and Lyft, as well as automobile rentals
- Taking the train
Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station are New York City’s two major railway terminals.
Grand Central is located on the East Side of Midtown, whereas Penn Station is located directly below Midtown on the West Side.
Both stations are served by several metro and bus routes.
Traveling by automobile You can find driving instructions to NYC using Google Maps.
You’ll also want to plan ahead of time where you’ll park.
SpotHero, for example, can help you identify and book parking spots in the city.
We don’t advocate this option because there are so many other ways to go about the city.
Getting about NYC is easy because of the city’s extensive public transit system.
You will, however, need to walk a lot, so wear comfortable shoes.
MTA, New York City’s public transit system, which includes the subway and buses, is available.
It is affordable and an excellent way to view the attractions around the five boroughs, and it works 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A single ride costs $3, or $2.75 if you have a MetroCard.
A weekly MetroCard costs $33.00.
You may even purchase a ticket using your phone.
Just a brief note: two types of subway lines can use the same track: local and express.
The local train stops at every station, but the express train bypasses several.
Taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft
Other modes of transportation in NYC include ferries, water taxis, boat tours, Hop On Hop Off buses, bike rentals, and so on.
7- BEST APPS TO USE IN NEW YORK CITY
In New York City, your phone may be your best friend.
The following is a collection of useful applications.
NYC Transit, MyTransit NYC, the New York Subway Map, and so on.
For walking, public transit, driving, and other activities use Google Maps or Apple Maps.
If you don’t want to utilize roaming, Google Maps also allows you to download maps.
For traveling about the city, use Uber or Lyft.
TodayTix is a website that sells Broadway play tickets.
Use OpenTable to make free table reservations.
If you wish to explore the city by bike, use Citi Bike for bike locations, real-time availability, and route planning.
TripAdvisor and Yelp for restaurant, hotel, museum, and tour reviews, among other things.
To schedule an excursion or meal with locals, visit Eatwith.
You may schedule your trips with Viator.
Check out our blog for links to download these applications on iOS and Android, as well as more app recommendations.
8- GENERAL INFORMATION
Drinking Water: Tap water in NYC is completely safe to drink.
There are several free drinking water stations located around the park.
Toilets: While there are public bathrooms in NYC, locating one near you may be difficult.
You can, however, use the restrooms of museums, department stores, and coffee cafes.
There are additional restrooms in parks, Grand Central Terminal, and boats to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
F
ree WiFi: You might be amazed at how many places provide free WiFi, such as metro stations, parks, coffee shops, museums, tour buses, WiFi kiosks, and so on.
9- FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS
If you are from the United States, skip this chapter and go to Number 10.
Travel adapters: If you are traveling from outside the United States, you will most likely want a specific U.S. travel adapter to charge your phone and other gadgets.
This is how US power plugs appear.
If you travel frequently, consider purchasing a universal travel adaptor that may be used in other countries as well.
Always carry some money: While most hotels, retailers, and restaurants in New York accept major credit cards such as Visa or MasterCard, it is always a good idea to have some cash on hand.
Money exchange: You may withdraw US dollars from ATMs.
You may even use prepaid cards that do not impose fees for ATM withdrawals.
Use a bank or a service like Revolut to withdraw precise amounts of money for free when traveling overseas.
Currency exchange bureaus are another option for exchanging foreign cash for US dollars.
Prepaid SIM cards: To access the Internet on your phone, you can acquire a prepaid SIM card from providers such as local carriers such as T-Mobile.
You might also try hiring a pocket WiFi or mobile hotspot.
Tipping: In the United States, you should always tip at restaurants and bars.
Waiters often earn between 15 and 20 percent pre-tax, while bartenders get 1 to 2 dollars a drink or 15-20 percent from the bar tab.
You should be aware that servers in the United States are often paid minimum pay and rely primarily on tips.
The legal drinking age is: To purchase and drink alcohol in the United States, you must be at least 21 years old in all states.
10- SAFETY
New York is one of the safest major cities in the United States, having a crime rate that is lower than the national average.
Despite this, petty theft is frequent in New York City, which is the most visited city in the country.
Some seedy areas are not advised for tourists.
Also, keep an eye out for fraudsters, particularly those around Times Square.
People dressed in costumes or trying to sell you bogus or expensive show tickets, for example.
And, as is common in all large cities across the world, be wary of pickpockets, especially around prominent sites.
Keep an eye on your belongings and apply common sense.
Dial 911 for emergency help.
11- THE MAP OF NEW YORK CITY
Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx are the five boroughs that make up the most densely populated metropolis in the United States.
Manhattan is bounded on one side by the Hudson River and on the other by the East River.
If you want to know where the key attractions in NYC are, watch our movie on the New York City map, where we explain where the New York City attractions are on the map.
The link is in the description, or you can just go to the next video at the bottom of this one.
You’ll most likely land in New York at one of the following airports:
John F. Kennedy Airport, located in Queens, Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey, and LaGuardia Airport, which is also located in Queens and is mostly utilized for domestic flights.
New York is a massive city.
A 2.6-mile (4.1-kilometer) stroll along upper Fifth Avenue from one side of Central Park to the other takes roughly 50 minutes.
It takes roughly 20 minutes to walk and use the subway.
Also, the walk from Times Square to the 9/11 Memorial takes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes, or about 25 minutes if you walk and ride the subway.
12- CITY TOURS
Walking tours are a terrific opportunity to learn about New York’s rich history and are conducted by expert guides.
Some suppliers even provide free or low-cost trips.
See our travel guide for information on websites where you may book tours in NYC directly.
13- CITY PASSES
You may save money on attractions by purchasing a city pass such as CityPASS, The New York Pass, Go New York Explorer Pass, or Sightseeing Pass.
Each pass includes a variety of attractions and other activities.
Make sure the pass you pick contains the attractions you wish to see.
14- FOOD & DRINK PRICES
A coffee costs between $1 and $2 on average at low-cost cafés and $5 at Starbucks.
An affordable dinner including a sandwich, pizza, salad, or ethnic dish costs $10 to $15 on average.
However, if you want to eat in a restaurant, the cost might easily exceed $20 per person.
Dinners range from $20 to $30 per person.
A glass of wine ranges from $4 to $6, a beer from $6 to $8, a cocktail from $10 to $20, and a soda from $1.50 to $3.
A doughnut will cost you between $1 and $4.
The standard plain bagel with cream cheese costs between $2 and $6.
And you can acquire a hot dog for $1 to $3 from a famous hot dog card.
We recommend utilizing Yelp or TripAdvisor to discover a nearby restaurant with positive ratings.
Avoid eating at eateries near big attractions such as Times Square to save money.
In NYC, there are some excellent inexpensive restaurants.
See our guide for a selection of the greatest cheap restaurants, such as 99 Cent Fresh Pizza in Midtown, where a slice of pizza is only $1, and Los Tacos No.1 at Chelsea Market.
15- BEST FREE VIEWS OF THE CITY
From one of the following places, you may enjoy various fantastic and completely free views of New York City:
- Ferry to Staten Island
- Brooklyn Bridge Lookout or Brooklyn Bridge
- Many more include Gantry Plaza State Park, Central Park, and others.
Check out our blog for additional free and paid city views, as well as maps to help you find them.
