 Tips from my NYC Trip
Things you need:
1) A simple one page subway map. NY City is a grid and the trans go within a few blocks of everywhere. Stay away from taxis, and DO NOT DRIVE. Traffic in NYC is worse that they make it out to be on TV and movies and the cabbies drive with no regard for human life. Take a train and walk everywhere.
2) A simple Tourist guide. I got one and Barnes and noble that had a subway map built in. We mapped out the city ahead of time and hit the different areas and their attractions on a per day basis. One day in Uptown, one day in midtown, one day in Soho, etc. Stay in one area each day. dont try to jaunt from top to bottom or you will spend all day on the train. there is plenty to see in each area.
3) A good bag. Big enough to carry your stuff (books, map, ipod, etc) and whatever you buy. You dont want to be carrying shopping bags all over town.
Some tips:
1) I reiterate - take the trains and walk
2) You wont be at your hotel that much so as long as its clean, in a good location (uptown is pretty central from a train standpoint), and has a nice bed, dont worry too much about it. Read reviews and make sure its clean. It will be VERY small. Like 9X10 or 8X8. As long as you have a shower and a bed and no rats/roaches its good. I stayed at the Metro on 35th(?) street and it was clean and easy to access.
3) Times Square is overwhelming. Only go once and you will get the idea. No need to check it out 4 or 4 times unless you are going to a show or some other event. In times square people will run up to you and offer you discount tickets for a show. Usually a comedy show. This is not a scam. it was a pretty good deal for a funny showcase at the improv. All of the street artists in times square haggle, but more so than youd think. We had a very talented mad draw a portrait of us (its beautiful). He wanted $65 but we got it for $30. took him maybe 20 min.
4) dont waste time in China Town. It was a majot dissapointment. It was filthy and pointless. Trash in the street, and store after store after store of the same useless jewelry, fake electronics and other crap. Other areas have really cool street artists but China town is an easy skip.
5) DO THE MUSEUMS! but dont plan to see them all. Natural history was enormous. impossible to see in one day. Pick your fav areas and check those out. dont even try to see it all. Modern art was great and can be seen in a few hours no problem.
6) Stay gaurded but dont be paranoid. Dont pull out your tour guide on the subway or street. Hold on to your bag, dont put down your camera, etc. Common sense stuff will keep you from being a likely target.
7) If you see something that seems interesting but you arent sure, ask yourself "would this be interesting at home, or is it just because I am in New York?" we found ourselves going into malls, etc. Major waste of time.
8) Plan. Plan. Plan. Plan. Dont go out with no idea what to do. Youll get lost or waste a valuable day wandering. (probably dont have to tell you that).
9) Eat every kind of food you can. NYC has 400 of everything. The food was a major part of the trip.
10) If its hot when you go, plan your day so that you are back by the hotel by mid afternoon for a quick shower, change and recharge.
Hope that helps, Steve!  |