It is on many people’s wish list. New York City in America is one of the most visited cities in the world.
The Big Apple is famous for its shopping, museums, food and fashion – tourists can’t get enough of it.
Brought to life in cult films such as Taxi driver, King Kong And Largeand television shows like Sex and the City, Friends And Consequence, The enthusiasm is like nowhere else.
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If this is your first time here, here’s everything you need to know.
Best time to visit New York
Although New York is always busy and full of things to do, it can be freezing cold in the winter and oppressively hot in the summer.
For this reason, spring and fall are more pleasant times to visit. Spring is in April and May and fall is in September and October.
However, major events such as Independence Day on the 4th of July and the run-up to Christmas, when you can see the Rockefeller Christmas tree and the ice skating rink, are also popular.
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The best museums in New York
If you are interested in museums and art galleries, you will be thrilled to see some of the world’s most famous works in New York City.
Top options include the Metropolitan Museum of Art (famous for hosting the celebrity-packed Met Gala), the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
The American Museum of Natural History, known from films, A night at the museum – is ideal for families.
Don’t miss the 9/11 Memorial and Museum on the site where the Twin Towers once stood.
If you’re looking for something different, visit the Intrepid Sea Air and Space Museum aboard the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid.
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How does the subway work in New York City
The easiest and cheapest way to get around New York City – after walking – is by subway. The network is extensive and you can find a map at MTA.
You can pay with a credit or debit card, but if you want to avoid exchange fees, you can purchase a Metro card.
They are sold from vending machines at train stations. However, they are gradually being phased out and replaced by the OMNY card. Find out where to buy one Here.
A typical ride costs $4.45 (US$2.90) and there is a weekly cap of $52 (US$34). Children under 112cm ride free. You tap in when you enter the subway.
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You do not need to check out when you leave. Buses and ferries are another way to get around, and there are on-street Citi Bikes.
There are also many famous yellow taxis. Look at the light on top to see if a taxi is available. If only the numbers in the middle are lit, the taxi is waiting for you to hail it.
According to official guidelines, you should tip 10 to 20 percent of the fare. You can also use Uber and Lyft.
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Sights in New York City and what to see
For first-time visitors to New York, be sure to see the Empire State Building, catch a Broadway show, visit Times Square, stroll through Central Park, see the Statue of Liberty (you can visit it via the Staten Island Ferry if you don’t want to see the actual monument), and take photos of the Brooklyn Bridge.
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Other attractions include The summit A Vanderbilt for epic views, an open-top bus tour to see many sights at once, and a river cruise to see Manhattan from the water.
Wall Street, home to the world’s financial center, is also popular and Chinatown is a great place to eat.
The best shopping districts include Fifth Avenue and SoHo, as well as famous department stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Macy’s.
For the Sex and the City Fans, Carrie’s apartment is located at 66 Perry Street in the West Village.
And then there is the nightlife with everything from trendy clubs to dives and Irish pubs.
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How many days do you need in NYC?
Whether for a day or a month, you will not be short of things to do.
If you are travelling all the way from Australia, we recommend that you allow around five days.
The best neighborhoods in NYC
New York City is made up of five boroughs. Manhattan and Brooklyn are the most famous and you’ll want to live in one of them.
The others are Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Each borough has neighborhoods.
Most of the sights you want to see as a tourist are probably in Manhattan.
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Although the subway is a good place to get around, Midtown, West Village, the Financial District, SoHo, Chelsea, and the Upper East and Upper West Sides are some of the best places to stay.
Tipping guidelines
Tipping is very important in the USA. Since the pandemic, there have been reports that the amount of tips has exploded.
Even some cafes like Starbucks now require tips, while 9Travel was upset when asked to tip for a take-out cookie at the hot spot Levain Bakery.
However, there are official Tipping guidelines from NYC Tourism. Here’s their recommendation—and while you can tip with your card, you’ll also need some cash on hand.
- Hotel concierge: $2-5 to hail a taxi.
- Porters and bellboys: $1-2 per piece of luggage.
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- Room cleaning: $2-5 per day.
- Bartenders: Tip at least $1 for each drink or 15 to 20 percent if you pay the bill at the end.
- Taxi and ride-sharing drivers: 10–20 percent of the total fare.
- Waiter in a restaurant: 15-20 percent of the total bill.
“The higher end has become the norm now,” says NYC Tourism, adding, “This is the only place where you really have to tip; unless you’ve had terrible service, then the staff might look suspicious at anything less than 15 percent.”
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NYC Sales Tax
Also, keep in mind that New York City charges a sales tax of nearly nine percent on most items.
A total of 8.875 percent is spent on clothing over $110.
That includes your restaurant bills, theater tickets, and everything else except some groceries, diapers, and prescription medications.
Best Pizza in NYC
Don’t miss the pizza in NYC. The city is famous for its pizza slices, usually eaten one slice at a time from a paper plate in a dingy diner.
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Joe’s Pizza is always recommended and photos of the visiting celebrities decorate the walls.
Other delicious New York pizzerias mentioned by locals on Reddit include John’s, Lucia Pizza of Soho, Scarr’s Pizza, L’Industrie Pizzeria, and Totonno’s.
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