We have written a top 5 must-know tips for visiting New York City, a top 5 f*cked up things, and 3 things that caught my eye. Also, I gathered a whole bunch of great pictures of our own collection of this amazing city.
In our recent travel report+photogallery (The 10 biggest highlights of our epic city trip to New York City) you could read all about how cool our city trip to New York was. Did that report make you anxious to also travel to this epic city? Great! But wait, you first must read our essential tips about things to know before visiting New York!
5 handy must know New York City tips
1 . Rent a Citibike
After a couple of days of walking my feet were tingling, hurt, and beat up. We decided, smartly, to rent ourselves a Citibiki for about 12 dollars a day. You can ride with these blue stallions for 30 minutes towards the next docking station (that are everywhere in the city). If you cross the half-hour mark, you'll be charged 2 dollars every 15 minutes. You can enter your credit card in every docking station to get yourselves a new bike. A half-hour seems short, but you'll be at your next hotspot within 10-20 minutes when you are in NYC.
Cycling through the city was one of the top things we did on this trip. It's very surreal to be cycling between these huge buildings, through busy streets filled with taxis, bicycle couriers, and trucks. It's a great feeling to feel lost in the big city on your little bike!
And don't worry, leave your assumptions at home, cycling through New York is much safer than you would think it would be. Everyone is very alert in traffic!
2. Install Uber and forget the scammy taxi drivers
My goodness, Uber is such an amazing app! Especially when you've encountered some sleazy scammy cabdrivers whole hustle you for money. These guys deserve to lose their occupation to great apps like Uber. For example; a ride with Uber was 12 dollars and the same ride with the taxi was 25 dollars.
The thing that makes Uber so great is, is that you rate each other. So the driver really does his best to make it a nice ride. They will be very friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Taxi drivers don't give a flying hoot about you feeling welcome.
3. Buy a New York Citypass
With this affordable CityPass, you can go to multiple buildings and activities (museums, parks, etc.). You can even walk beyond the long lines at these hotspots. For example, with the Citypass you can choose to go to the Empire State Building, Top of The Rock, Statue of Liberty, 9/11 museum, and the MET. Saves you a bunch of money and you'll save even more time to explore more great venues.
4. Keep eating healthy…
Of course, a greasy burger, a large pizza, and a moccachoccavanillapumpkin-frappawhatthef**-with cream are delicious, but consuming this for multiple days will break you down. You'll feel lethargic, slow, and fat. So, keep drinking water, eat your fruit, and limit the number of calories in a day. We didn't gain any weight, probably because of all the walking and cycling, but we also kept in mind to don't eat (as much) in the morning.
5. Grab yourself a map of Manhattan and study the city
Avenues, streets, Broadway, Downtown, Midtown, SoHo, NoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown… these are all unique burrows and streets of the Island of Manhattan. Grab a good map and set out a smart route, so that you will walk the minimum amount and see as much as you can in a day. Combine multiple hotspots in one area without crisscrossing through the city. Thank me later for this tip.
If you are also looking for a great hotel, hostel, or Airbnb rental in NYC, be sure to check out our recommendations.
Top 5 f*cked up things in/about New York
1. The dirty smells…
Boy, those city smells are harsh. My nose was clogged all day, every day. The air is just polluted and it's was truly a breath of fresh air to walk around in Central Park. My tip; don't live in the city if you value your nose and lungs. Visit, yes, permanent living, no.
2. The tweakers and the bumms
Oddly, we felt very safe in New York City; nobody looked at us angrily, nobody stared at our stuff, and people were very friendly! We saw a whole bunch of poor people who obviously did not have a lot to lose, but they still didn't bother anybody.
And now that we are highlighting the lesser side of the city, some of these old buildings and dirty streets need some cleaning up!
3. The food and the drinks are expensive
Don't get me wrong, you can get some decent affordable food in the city, but it's pretty pricey in many places. It's about 30% more pricey than countries like the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and France, especially when you want to buy good healthy fresh food. In places likes small supermarkets, delis, and foreign shops you can get some decent prices on everyday stuff like bananas, water, and muesli bars.
We didn't know about the smaller shops at first, so we paid 4 dollars for a water bottle and a dollar for a banana. After discovering the more affordable places, we got the same order for $1.50 and $0.40. Oops!
4. The traffic never stops
We really love the vigor of New York, it's just busy all the time. On the sidewalks, on the roads, in the subway. Everywhere and all the time. Even late at night, it's still crowded everywhere. Especially in traffic driving demands some more patience. You'll get there, but it's wiser to rent a bike or take the subway.
5. The walking will break you
On the fifth day, my feet hated me. They despised my wanderlust. Don't underestimate ‘just a few blocks' of walking. When you do this for multiple days, you will break. On the sixth day, we finally rented the CityBike and this was just pure bliss as you can imagine.
Plan your day kids, don't walk too much!
Three things that caught my eye in New York…
1. The friendliness
European people, like us (from Holland), can learn a thing or two from these Americans. They are just the most friendly and accommodating people we've ever met. They all just want to chitchat about casual stuff without seeking anything behind it (what we Euro's think when someone unknown talks to us). I think it's because everyone who is in New York, has got a story. Everyone there has got a reason and story to be in the city.
We have met about 20 people on our trip and they were all lovely to talk to. Thank you all!
The American culture of friendliness is just so damn nice, what a refreshment!
2. Divided…
As soon as the conversation turned political, like when the word Trump or Hillary dropped, the vibe turned around. The Americans are clearly very divided about these topics. I even walked in an anti-Trump-rally of 300 people right in from of our hotel. And we say a school of happy proud kids in front of the White House in Washington with Maga-hats on.
I really do hope someday the American can rejoice…
3. The speed!
There is a certain type of flow in New York, a certain kind of speed you will not find anywhere else. People walk fast and fluently past each other. Nobody has ever bumped into me or stepped on my toes, and that is saying much when it's as busy as a well-visited festival in summer. After a couple of days, I was walking like a true New Yorker; through red signs and crisscross through traffic! 😉
Where to stay in New York City? We've curated the finest luxury hotels, but also the best hostels, hotels, and Airbnb rentals!
Did we inspire you to also see this bucket list location? Awesome! But before you go, always check if you have the best travel insurance!
More Travel Inspiration: Top 10 Things to do in New York City – Highlights and tips!
