NYC is the Mecca for dreamers and artists who go there to pursue their dreams. If you want to visit the concrete jungle for the first time in your life, here are some things that you should know:
Keep Walking
If you want to annoy the locals, just stop suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk. New York City moves like a well-orchestrated dance, so when you stop suddenly to take pictures, you will infuriate many people. If you need to take a photo of something, you should get off the sidewalk to do it.
Give Yourself Time
Although there are many taxis, trains, and buses to take you from one part of the city to another, you should know that the traffic is relentless. In most cases, you should prepare for stalled lines, traffic, and subway delays, which are all things that might delay your commute. If it should take twenty minutes to get to your destination, you should set aside forty minutes to allow for delays.
Tip Generously
Tipping for services is something that you need to do in NYC. However, figuring out how much you should tip is tricky. Generally, you should tip 15 to 20 percent of the bill when in restaurants. However, when in a taxi, you should look at the fare and decide what percentage you should add to it.
Take to the Water
If you want to have an unforgettable trip to the city of dreams, you should take at least one ferry ride. Doing so will allow you to see the New York City skyline from the comfort of a ferry and give you time to relax. You can even head to the Statue of Liberty if you have always wanted to see it.
Hailing Cabs
TV shows and movies usually make the act of hailing a cab in NYC look more glamorous than it actually is. It is a much more frenetic affair and you need to look at the taxi tops to see the lights. If the light at the top is off, then the cab is full. On the other hand, if the ‘off duty’ lights are on, you should keep looking.
How to Get from the Airport
The main airports in NYC are JFK and LaGuardia, but you can also come in through Newark. When you exit the airports, you will have an array of transportation options from which you can choose. However, you should be wary of unofficial cabs, which overcharge unsuspecting tourists. You should consider calling an Uber or going to the yellow taxi cabstand.
Save Money on Sightseeing
Although living in New York is expensive, visiting should not be. You can get cheap deals on sightseeing by buying city passes that allow you to see several attractions and save on admission prices. Moreover, having a city pass allows you to skip lines and head straight to the front.
Go Beyond Manhattan
The rent in this area of NYC is very high. With this increase in rent, small business owners are moving to the outer boroughs. This means that you will find charming shops and stellar restaurants all over Queens and Brooklyn.
Avoid Empty Subway Cars
The R train usually has many people in its cars except for a single one that is deserted for mysterious reasons. If you are new to the city, you should not run to the car thinking that it is your lucky day. If the car is empty, but the rest of them are packed, there is a reason for that and you should not be in a hurry to know it.
