Now that the US has opened its borders to foreign tourists, international visitors to NYC are predicted to triple from 2021 to 2022, and it’s already the top destination for domestic tourists.
If you’re planning to visit anytime soon, take note of these 6 rookie mistakes tourists make in the Big Apple so you can avoid them.
Legendary as New York museums may be, there are too many, and they’re expensive!
Even if you only visited the Natural History Museum ($23), Met ($25), MOMA ($25), and 9/11 Memorial & Museum ($28), it would cost $101 per person. Discount sightseeing passes are an option, but you’ll still be forking out a ton of cash not to see the city.
Instead of cramming them all into your trip, research them, and decide which one or two would be most enjoyable for you, so you’ll still have time to make other memories!
New York City is unwalkable. If your hotel is in Midtown, it’ll take you over an hour to walk down to the Freedom Tower or Brooklyn Bridge.
Exploring on foot is the best way to see a city. But rather take the subway to the area you want to see that day than wipe yourself out before you get there. Then you’ll have enough energy for a full day of exploring on foot. The New York subway is as gross as they say, but it still serves its purpose.
I get it and I’ve done it, who doesn’t want to see the best views? But your trip can feel empty on reflection if all you did was see things, not do things. Grand Central Station, the New York Library, they’re all famous sights, but what are you going to do once you’ve seen them?
Rather than a walking selfie tour of the city, find ways to immerse yourself in it and make memories once you’ve taken your photos:
Find experiences you want to have in the city, not just sights you want to see.
And don’t get me wrong, experiences can be simple, and cheap! Often my favourite memories from a trip are eating and drinking with friends. But plan the experience:
Happening across a local restaurant serving out-of-this-world dishes is a traveller’s dream. But you can still do your research beforehand to make sure you’ll taste everything you want to while in New York.
Do you want to try a New York pizza slice? Lox bagels? A pancake breakfast? A unicorn waffle you saw on Instagram? Research beforehand the best places to buy them and work them into your agenda. You may find a more authentic local option en route to your planned stop – which is great – but at least you have backups in case you don’t stumble upon local delights.
Other than specific foods on your to-do list, deliberately choose your dining experiences:
If your trip is likely to be once in a lifetime, you’ll want to cram in every single thing to see and do. But when that’s not possible, we make the mistake of prioritising the famous spots over what we’d enjoy most.
One of my favourite moments in New York City was an evening eating buffalo wings and watching live jazz at Dizzy’s Club. But I didn’t make time to see a Broadway show. Why? Because I prefer live music to theatre, even if the theatre shows are more famous.
Don’t be afraid to cut the classics from your itinerary. If you know you’d prefer a small illusion museum to the Natural History Museum, focus on your interests, not the sights! Your trip will be far more special, even if you skip the dinosaur skeletons.
Please let me save you from the mistake everyone makes once – visiting the Empire State Building for the views.
First of all, the queues are horrendous. Even if you have a fast-pass or skip-the-line ticket (as I’ve used in the past), you’ll realise your mistake once you see the view.
From the top of the Empire State Building – you can’t see the Empire State Building.
And what’s the New York skyline without the Empire State Building?
Instead, visit the Top of The Rock at the Rockefeller Center for iconic views of downtown and Central Park, or go up the Freedom Tower at the southern end of Manhattan.
Any other NYC tips you think I’ve missed and want to share? Let me know in the comments!
