New York City is a phenomenal place, but navigating it for the first time can be tricky. From dealing with large crowds to traveling between attractions to deciding where to stay, planning a trip to New York City can feel overwhelming. Especially for first-timers.

As intimidating as it may seem at first glance, there’s no need to fear! With a little advance preparation and a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll have no problems at all during your trip.

So, if you’re planning a trip to New York City and want to avoid some of the most common mistakes many travelers make, listen up: this article is for you.

10 Travel Tips for Visiting New York City

With so many fun things to do in the Big Apple, the last thing you need is any stress keeping you from enjoying the journey. Keep these travel tips for New York City in mind and your trip will be smooth-sailing.

Choose Your Neighborhood Wisely

There are tons of awesome neighborhoods in New York City you’ll want to explore during your trip, but when it comes to picking a hotel or renting an apartment: choose wisely. Although the transit system makes it easy to get around the five boroughs, the location of your accommodation can have a huge impact on your trip.

When you’re planning a trip to New York City, pay close attention to which attractions and subway stops are located close by before you officially book a place to stay. To give yourself the best experience, you’ll want to be within walking distance of fun places to eat and go out at. At the very least, pick somewhere within a few blocks of a main train line that leads to the most popular areas.

If this will be your first time in New York City, choosing a prime location is even more crucial. Although the hotels in Manhattan tend to be a bit pricey in the most popular neighborhoods, they’ll put you within walking distance of hundreds of restaurants, bars, attractions, and plenty of subway lines. The money you’ll end up saving in taxis later on will even out the upfront cost.

Pack Accordingly

When it comes to packing tips for visiting New York City, versatility should be your goal. While you’re choosing which outfits and articles of clothing to bring, aim for pieces you can dress up or down and easily transition between day and night.

Of course, you can always go back to your hotel before moving to your next activity. However, by the time you travel all the way there, get ready, and travel all back to your next spot, this is a 2-3 hour delay we’re talking about. A lot of times, you’ll probably want to just throw on a blazer and go straight to dinner or a lounge after sightseeing instead of stopping back.

Packing Tips for Visiting New York City

• Clothing you can layer is definitely a good option, since temperatures tend to really drop once the sun sets. Of course, keep the seasons in mind, too. Summers can get very hot and humid, and in the winter, hats, gloves, and scarfs are totally necessary.
• Do not forget comfortable walking shoes! This doesn’t mean sacrificing on style, but getting around New York City almost always involves a lot of walking, and blisters or soreness are a pain to deal with. Literally. If you want to wear heels or dress shoes when you go out, keep them in a small bag or backpack while traveling between locations and switch into them right before you arrive at your destination.
• Aside from apparel, there’s a few other items you’ll be happy to have with you. Your phone battery will drain fast if you’re using it to look up directions or take pictures a lot, so a portable charger can be a lifesaver. An anti-theft bag, a reusable water bottle, and sunglasses are also smart to bring along.

Don’t forget to bring your appetite, too! Foodies are in for a real treat.

Learn to Navigate the Subway

Repeat after me: the subway is your friend! With bumper to bumper traffic being the norm in Manhattan, learning to navigate the subway is one of the most valuable travel tips for New York City there is.

Unless it’s early in the morning or late at night, you can usually get between destinations much faster by taking the train than hailing a yellow cab or ordering an Uber. Subway maps can easily be downloaded onto any smartphone, or you can pull up transit directions on the spot with Google Maps.

A few things to keep in mind to make your subway experience a success:

• Make sure you enter the platform going in the right direction so you catch the correct train. There will be a sign at the entrance or on top of the gate before you swipe your subway card that says which route it runs on.
• While you ride, listen closely to the announcements to avoid missing your stop. At each station, the announcer will say which stop you’re currently at, and which one will be next.
• Every day between the hours of 6 am and 11 pm, the majority of train lines run very frequently. In most cases, it’s every 15 minutes or less. You’ll have plenty of fellow passengers during peak hours, making them both safe and efficient options. If you’re out at night much later than that, those are the times you might want to opt for a taxi instead. Otherwise, the subway is super reliable.

Keep your eye out for street performers, too! Terminals such as Union Square are infamous for impromptu performances by local musicians and artists. They add a little pizazz to the public transit system, and if it’s something you don’t see often, they can be really fun to watch.

Make Reservations

There’s never a dull moment in the Big Apple. With thousands of people living in, working in, or visiting New York City every day, you can expect a crowd just about everywhere you go.

With this in mind, one of the most important travel tips for New York City to remember is the importance of making a reservation for places you want to visit and booking your activities in advance.

A lot of popular hotels fill up fast, so try to choose your accommodation as soon as you know your travel dates to avoid paying super high rates. If you have your heart set on going to a certain restaurant, especially if it’ll be on a weekend night, reserve your table as early as possible. Most of the busiest restaurants start accepting reservations 30 days in advance, and if you’re not in the country to give them a call, you can book a lot of them online through their website or with OpenTable.

For museums and many of the Manhattan attractions, getting a skip-the-line ticket can save you hours of waiting outside. They’re only a few bucks more than the entry fee, and unless you’re going at the crack of dawn, you’ll be very glad you have one.

Plan for the Season

Timing is crucial when it comes to visiting New York City. Every season brings its own special charm, but depending on what you want to accomplish during your trip, the weather can really make or break your experience.

Although there isn’t just one best time to visit New York City, planning for the season and understanding the weather patterns is crucial to ensure your journey is everything you’re hoping for it to be and more.

Ask yourself: what does my dream vacation in New York City look like?

Do you long for afternoons wandering through the blooming tulips of Central Park in the spring, or do you fantasize about sipping hot cocoa and ice skating against the backdrop of Bryant Park in the winter? Is sipping summertime cocktails at a rooftop bar after a stroll along the Hudson River your idea of a perfect evening, or would you rather catch a Broadway show on a brisk autumn night?

This isn’t just about packing an umbrella or wearing a cozy scarf: it’s about enhancing your experience and embracing the Big Apple in all its seasonal splendor. The best time to visit New York City depends on you and what you want to do.

Prioritize Your Destinations

With so many terrific attractions and activities in New York City, you’ll want to fit as much as you can into one trip. Depending on the length of your visit, you may not have enough time to do it all. So, you’ll want to prioritize your destinations.

Figure out which things to do in New York City are the most important to you and start there. Do you have your heart set on seeing a Broadway show? Then don’t wait until the last minute to book your tickets, pick a dinner spot nearby to avoid getting slammed in traffic, and choose activities close to your hotel that day so you can easily walk back to get ready for the evening.

A good rule of thumb when you’re planning a trip to New York City is aiming for three main activities a day. That way, you’ll have a realistic itinerary and won’t be let down. If you have time for more, that’s great! Consider it a bonus.

Map Out Your Itinerary

Many of the neighborhoods in New York City, especially the Manhattan neighborhoods, are extremely walkable and easy to navigate. Most streets follow a grid layout, and a lot of attractions are located in close proximity to one another.

When you’re planning a trip to New York City, make every moment count by mapping out your itinerary in advance. Of course, you’ll want to leave some room for spontaneity, so this doesn’t mean you have to create a play-by-play schedule. However, it helps to know the locations of your must-visit sites and must-do activities before you arrive.

My best advice? Download “Google Maps” and use the “lists” feature to save all the attractions, museums, parks, restaurants, bars, or anywhere else you want to go into one spot. During your trip, pick an area to start in and visit as many spots as you can within walking distance of one another before moving to the next location.

As you’re getting around New York City, you can easily pull up the list at any time to help you navigate from one place to the next, and you’ll be able to see what else is close by so you don’t miss anything. I use it all the time when I’m traveling in a new destination and it really comes in handy.

Know Your Budget

New York City isn’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to keep your costs down and stick to a budget. There are plenty of fun things to do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. You can find some great deals for affordable activities, too! You’re going to have a great time no matter what, so if you’re on a budget, do what you can afford and limit your splurges to a few must-do activities on your bucket list.

Budget Tips for Visiting New York City

• When you’re planning to go to a bunch of the top attractions, buying a NYC City Pass can save you quite a bit of cash. For one price, it’ll grant you entry into some of the most popular sites in the city.
• Purchasing an unlimited subway card instead of paying for individual rides can help reduce your costs, too. If you’re planning to take it twice or more a day (which you probably will), an unlimited card is the cheaper option. You can buy it inside any subway station and pay by cash or card.
• When it comes to dining, there are restaurants all over the city for any price point. If you’re looking for something on the luxury side, a lot of high-end restaurants have pre-fixe lunch menus for a glamorous afternoon meal. Plus, a delicious slice of New York pizza will always go easy on your wallet!
• Booking a hotel in a prime location may seem more expensive upfront. However, being within walking distance of so many amazing spots to eat, drink, and visit will save you money later on. You can avoid paying for taxis and subway passes by booking a central hotel.
• There are tons of awesome places to visit in New York City that are totally free! Hang out at the parks and look out for free events, like summer concerts and movie nights. A lot of museums and art galleries have free entry days, too. There’s also a bunch of iconic landmarks you can see for no charge. The New York Public Library, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Statue of Liberty via the Staten Island Ferry are great activities for no cost!

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

You have no need to be worried about visiting New York City, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore basic safety tips, either. Like any major city, crime still exists. Make sure you’re staying aware of your surroundings when you’re out and about, especially if it’s your first time in New York City.

When you’re in crowded areas or at busy tourist attractions, hold your bag close to your body and leave flashy jewelry at home to avoid pickpockets. Bringing an anti-theft backpack or concealed pouch to keep your valuables safe is a good precaution to take when planning a trip to New York City, too.

Once the sun sets, avoid going to isolated areas and stick to walking on well-lit streets. If it’s late at night and you’re traveling alone, take a taxi home instead of opting for the subway. And of course, never leave your drink unattended at a bar or club.

Above all though, always remember: New Yorkers look out for each other. If you ever feel unsafe, don’t stay quiet about it. Call attention to yourself if you’re in a public setting, or walk into the nearest bodega and ask for help.

Read more: The Ultimate Travel Safety Checklist to Stay Secure on the Road

Don’t Forget the Other Boroughs

There are so many incredible places to visit in New York City, and although the Manhattan neighborhoods are wonderful, the four other boroughs deserve some love, too! Venture out to a few areas just off the beaten path and you’re bound to discover a few hidden gems.

The Brooklyn neighborhoods are a good place to start, and they’re easily accessible by subway or a quick cab ride. Plan a day to visit its amazing markets, check out the unique eateries, and shop at stylish boutiques.

If the weather allows it, walking the Brooklyn Bridge is a beloved pastime for New Yorkers and visitors alike. Take a stroll over the water and admire the scenery for a perfect start to the day!

Are you planning a trip to New York City?

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