New York City is the largest city in the United States in terms of population. Over eight million people occupy just over 450 square miles of land. It can get a little crowded, but that does not stop millions of people from visiting the city each year. New York City is a place that everyone should experience at least once in his or her lifetime.
To say that it is unique would be a massive understatement. If you are planning a vacation in New York and you have never been there, it would be a great idea to do a bit of research first. Knowing what to expect, where to go and what to do while you are on vacation will make things much more enjoyable. Here are some tips for making the most out of your trip to New York.
Safety First!
You should always consider safety first with everything that you do. New York City is a relatively safe place. It would have to be safe with so many people traveling in and out of the city on a daily basis, but there are plenty of people in New York City that are waiting to take advantage of tourists. A little common sense will go a long way. These skilled swindlers can spot a tourist from a mile away. The easiest way to avoid them is to not make any eye contact. That does not mean that you should be staring at your feet the entire time. This will just make things even more obvious. Look at everyone else around you and blend in. That is the best way to avoid contact with the thieves of New York City.
Don’t carry cash. There are clever pickpockets who can quickly remove a wallet without you ever knowing. Keep your wallet close at hand, or avoid using it all together.
New York City is safe. It always ranks in the top ten safest cities in the entire United States. Common sense will get you far in the big city.
Where Should You Stay?
This is the biggest question. Where you end up resting your head at night will mostly depend on your budget. There are plenty of places to call your temporary home away from home while you are on vacation in the Big Apple.
The most common choice would be a hotel. There is something for every single budget. If you want to live like a king while you are in the city, then you will find plenty of places that offer the most luxurious rooms and services. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you will also find that there are plenty of low cost places to safely rest your bones for the night. Your budget will be the ultimate deciding factor when it comes time to determine where you will be staying while you are on vacation in the big city.
Things to Do
Just like the hotel choices, the big city offers plenty of different things to do for just about any budget. If you are sightseeing on the cheap, then you will find plenty of things to do that don’t cost any money. Central Park is free and it is a must see for tourists. It is the only place in the city where you will find tons of flora and fauna. It might cost some money to get to Central Park, but it is worth it. Central Park is also home to several free events every year.
You can’t possibly visit New York City without taking a visit to Times Square. This small area is one of the most amazing places to visit if you like the big city. It may help to pick a New York hotel that is close to all the great things to do.
Find Out What Tastes So Good in the Big City
You will have to eat while you are on vacation in the big city and luckily there are literally tons of great places to eat. There are five star restaurants, and there are just as many great dives to grab some delicious food. There are also plenty of street carts where you can grab a quick bite to eat. The Big Apple is loaded with great places to eat no matter what your budget is. For many vacationers, sampling all of the tasty eats is part of the vacation adventure of the big city. Delis, and bagels, and pizzas! Oh, my! You can find plenty of great places to eat while you are on vacation in the big city.
If you try to plan everything before you leave, your vacation will be a lot smoother, but throwing in some spontaneity will always make things much more interesting.
About the author
Janice McKinley is a contributing author who has lived in the big city of New York for over 20 years. She knows the city better than the back of her hand. She is currently writing a tour guide for New York City tourists.
By Olivia GrilHey Folks! I'm Olivia from California, United States. I'm a blogger, travel lover, I can travel anywhere, whether it's a new place or already visited. I love meeting new people, clicking photos of every movement, and documenting my adventure. I also, write about travel, travel movies, the best places to visit, etc. Read my stories.
