New York City, the city that never sleeps, can be intimidating to visit for the first time. The crowds, the traffic, and the sheer scale of it all can leave new visitors feeling dazed and confused. If you’re planning on visiting NYC soon and want to make sure your trip goes smoothly, here are five tips to get you started on your way to becoming an expert New Yorker in no time at all.
1) Try new foods
For many people, a visit to NYC is an opportunity to try all sorts of new foods. If you’re going to be in town for more than a few days, we recommend that you try some traditional dishes. For example, skip tourist traps like Bubba Gump Shrimp Company and go straight for something like lobster rolls and clam chowder at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille. You won’t regret it! Get around on foot: NYC is one of America’s most walkable cities, so we encourage you to do so whenever possible. You can use lists to find some of the most interesting restaurants in the city, like this list of Instagrammable restaurants in New York.
2) Experience street culture
Instead of heading straight to iconic tourist destinations, spend a few hours walking around in neighborhoods you’re not familiar with. This is a tip on how to meet people in Nyc. Not only will you get a real sense of local life and culture, but many parts of NYC are quite safe—and fun—even when there aren’t many tourists around. Plus, it’s an excellent way to work up an appetite for dinner at one of Manhattan’s countless restaurants.
3) Eat as much street meat as possible
There’s no such thing as bad street meat. This is one of those see it to believe it things that you won’t understand until you experience it. In fact, if you can afford to stay in an area where there are a lot of food carts, do so. Because what better way to get a taste of NYC than eating its cheapest and most diverse cuisine? The best part about street meat is that it comes with cultural diversity: Chinese dumplings, Middle Eastern falafel, Indian samosas – they’re all here!
4) Take tons of pictures
The next thing you need to know about taking photos in New York City is that it’s impossible to take bad pictures. The city itself is inherently photogenic, and you’re bound to come back from your trip with hundreds of selfies during nyc speed dating or panoramas or snaps of monuments and buildings and street food. Be sure to check out our guide on how to take better photos while traveling. You can also download apps like Instagram that help you add a filter before posting.
5) Stay at an Air BNB
Stay with a local at their home in The Big Apple. You can find some great deals on Air BNB, and you’ll be able to talk to your host about all things New York City. They’ll give you a city guide on where to go, what not to miss, and help you get acclimated. My favorite place I stayed when visiting NYC was under an hour away from Central Park!
