New York is one of the largest cities in the world. It's also considered an important cultural and financial hub that attracts countless tourists from all corners of the world. The Big Apple boasts lots of exciting attractions and activities that almost every NY visitor includes in their itinerary. One of the most conspicuous and popular sightseeing spots is the Statue of Liberty, whose crown platform offers the breathtaking panoramic view of the harbor, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Central Park is another iconic national historic landmark that's well liked by New Yorkers and tourists. No wonder the vast majority of NY visitors prefer to start their sightseeing quest from Central Park. By the way, the cheapest, most effective, and ecologically friendly way to explore its top attractions is by bike, which can be rented from Fancyapple.com, the company that knows how to make your stay in New York truly unforgettable. Once you finish exploring Central Park, you can sit on the steps of the MET, visit Brooklyn Botanic Garden, visit the National September 11th Museum in the World Trade Center. Or grab some delicious pizza at John's. Needless to say, you want your trip to be as exciting and memorable as possible. Still, no tourist is immune to mistakes that are often made in the rush. Here are some of the most common mistakes NYC tourists make and useful recommendations on how to avoid them during your trip.
# 1 Not Taking Public Transportation from the Airport
Lots of tourists arriving to the area airports of New York decide to cash out from the very start. They are convinced that the best option is always to take a taxi or an uber to their destination in the city. We're here to say “Don't be afraid to give public transportation a shot, especially, if you're a solo traveler or have just one travel buddy.” You can quickly get from, say, JFK Airport to Manhattan if you rely on a good old bus or subway. You can do the same thing from Newark Airport in New Jersey. Just take NJ Transit directly to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. Believe, these options will save you a lot of money.
# 2 Not Leaving the Manhattan Bubble
Don't get stuck in Manhattan. Other boroughs also can surprise your with their brag-worthy sightseeing spots. You can visit one of the breweries in Queens and try some famous blueberry ale there. You can also visit the Van Cortlandt House Museum in the Bronx or go to Arthur Avenue which is fondly referred to as ‘Bronx Little Italy.' Check out Staten Island with its Chinese Scholar's Garden, National Lighthouse Museum, Fort Wordsworth, and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. You'll make sure that NYC is so much more than its main island, Manhattan.
# 3 Not Wearing Comfortable Shoes
Though this mistake may seem too obvious to be mentioned on our list, it still remains one of the most significant hindrances to your sightseeing plans. If you check you apps about how many miles you'll need to walk to take in as many sights as possible and do all those fun things in New York, you'll realize that comfortable shoes are just indispensable for a non-stop traveler. So we highly recommend that you pay close attention to what you're wearing on your feet. Make sure to bring only your most comfortable shoes to get the most out of your trip.
# 4 Sticking to the Most Popular Spots
Make sure to explore outside the major tourist areas if you come to New York. There are so many things to see apart from Central Park, Times Square, and Rockefeller Center. Check out some different spots. Don't just stick to the tried and true. Look for some different things in the Big Apple. We bet you'll be pleasantly surprised.
# 5 Not Carrying Enough Cash
Not having enough cash can become quite a big problem n NYC. Lots of tourists think that they will be able to pay for everything with a card or electronic payment just because New York is such a big and well-developed megalopolis. But that's not true whatsoever in NYC. With New York being such a huge and condensed place, there emerge lots of small businesses that charge your cash only up until a certain limit. A good many places have a $10, $15, maybe even a $20 minimum. This goes for bars, bodegas, convenience stores, and even fruit, vegetable, and grocery shops. You really want to make sure that you have cash on you at all times. So, have a weekly budget of at least $100 in cash to avoid unwanted inconveniences.
# 6 Eating at Chain Restaurants
If you're coming outside of the US, you naturally want to taste fast food America is famed for. That involves eating at American McDonald’s, Burger King, or KFC. That are popular American kind of fast food spots, but, we will remind you that while that’s okay to do, especially if it’s your first time, New York is the epicenter for international food in the US. It is home to so many different cultures and cuisines. There're so many amazing spots to try all this food. So, we highly suggest that you experience more of a diverse cuisine culture, especially if you're a foodie. Travel to different parts of Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan that can offer you those crazy ethnic dishes that will blow up your taste buds.
Planning to visit the Big Apple? Make sure to check out this detailed neighborhood guide.
Hope our simple tips will help you fall in love with NYC and maximize the pleasure from your trip.
