Even with Google at your fingertips, a Lonely Planet in your back pocket, and oodles of research there are still mistakes to be made, or at least lessons to be learnt, with every new travel adventure. While nothing disastrous happened on my first Big Apple adventure, there were a few things that would have saved time and made the trip go a little smoother. That’s why I’m sharing these 10 mistakes to avoid when visiting New York City for the first time.
1. Finding a public bathroom
Public toilets are basically non-existent except in Central Park and Grand Central. If you think you’re just going to pop into the local food establishment and use their loo, you will often find the bathrooms under lock and key unless you make a purchase – fair enough!
Still, it boggles my mind how a world-class city, whose residents pay ridiculously high taxes, can’t provide some decent public facilities. So besides being strategic with your liquid intake, here are a few resources to help you find relief when nature calls:
2. Uptown or Downtown choose your own adventure
Some subway station entrances are not always obvious and the same line may have different entrances depending on the direction you are travelling–uptown or downtown.
For instance, we entered the station, paid the fare and only when we reached the platform realised we had the right train in the wrong direction. However, it wasn’t a simple case of switching to the correct platform. There was no direct access from where we were, so we had to forfeit the fare we just paid to exit the station and re-enter on the correct side.
The lesson here is to decide your line AND direction – uptown or downtown – before you enter the station and walk through the turnstile. Also carry a subway map at all times, an old school hard copy version, but don’t rely on it to navigate the city.
3. Where NOT to stay in New York City the first time
Brooklyn is a long way away! Not all of Brooklyn. But if you choose money by booking an Airbnb in a suburb like Crown Heights, expect a good hour commute to much of where you’ll want to spend time in Manhattan. The upside is you’ll explore Brooklyn much more than the usual NYC traveller and the borough has a lot to offer!
I would advise any first-time New York City visitor to budget for accommodation in a more central location. Especially if this may be your once-in-a-lifetime trip. Look for a hotel somewhere around Midtown for convenience and making the most of your time. The Archer Hotel is a favourite of mine.
4. Accommodation on a budget (that isn’t a hostel)
If you really want to find more cost-effective accommodation, consider that the nearest part of Queens, Long Island City (L.I.C), is only one stop from Manhattan on the subway. The train will take you into a more central part of the island, rather than travelling from one end as you do with Brooklyn. So if you’re looking for a cheaper place to stay, L.I.C is worth checking out.
5. Empire State Observation Deck versus Top of the Rock
Pre-purchase your Top of the Rock tickets. While there’s no limit to your time at the top, access to the Rockefeller Centre Observation Deck is arranged in time slots (unlike Empire State where you just stand in a queue for an hour or more). To avoid waiting in a long queue just to find out that it’s booked out for the rest of the day, drop into the box office or jump online to buy a ticket for your desired session time in advance.
6. Museum money-saver
Check museums and galleries for their “pay as you wish” entrance times, and save a bundle. Though some museums, like The Met, have pulled back on this offering in recent years, “pay as you wish” has not disappeared altogether.
7. Multi-attraction passes: yay or nay?
There are several multi-attraction passes available for tourists to purchase entrance fees to major attractions at discounted rates: New York CityPASS, New York City Explorer Pass, New York Pass and Build Your Own Pass by Smart Destinations. However, be sure to compare the passes and make sure they are worth it for what you want to see.
I had every intention of buying a New York Explorer Pass, but when I sat down and did the maths, it wasn’t going to save me enough for what I wanted to experience. This was mostly due to tip number 6, making use of the pay-as-you-wish times at museums and galleries.
8. To be guided or not to be guided that is the question
We combined self-guided tours and guided tours throughout our travels and I can say hands down, that there’s no comparison. Especially if you go somewhere like the Lower East Side, where there aren’t obvious “sights.” What you’re seeing has so many stories behind it. Reading facts from a printed guide doesn’t give you the same insight as a local who lives and breathes the place. Besides, having your nose stuck in a book is no way to see NYC and is hard to juggle with a camera.
9. Dressing for Broadway
I imagined getting dressed up in my finery for a Broadway show. Disappointingly, it’s fairly casual. I saw a lot of tracksuit pants and hoodies. The upside is that you don’t need to be concerned if you look like a wreck after exploring all day long, or if it’s too cold to part with your layers – no one cares. However, you will want to make more effort if you’re attending The Met Opera or Ballet. See more New York City packing advice in this seasonal guide.
10. Getting around on foot
Use the room you saved on a fancy outfit for packing two pairs of walking shoes. On an average NYC trip (I’ve been ten times now), I walk 25,000-30,000-steps per day. It’s easy to do, especially when the weather is favourable. It’s good to be able to rotate your walking shoes, to alleviate some soreness, or if a pair is quite as comfortable as you thought.
Of course, walking isn’t the only way to get around, but it is a great way to experience the City. It’s also good for working off delicious meals and is the cheapest mode of transport.
Thanks to my travel buddies, Susie and Roz, for sharing an amazing first NYC experience, and contributing to this list of lessons that we laughed and lamented over. I hope these tips for visiting New York City for the first time will save you time, money and frustration along the way.
Peace, love & inspiring travel,
Madam ZoZo
