5 top tips for visiting New York City
As one of the most popular cities to visit in the US, New York City (NYC) offers a vast of amount of things to do and see. From sightseeing iconic attractions such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty to watching a show on Broadway and enjoying amazing food at its many restaurants, it’s not hard to see why the city receives over 60 million tourists each year!
With so much to see and do, organising a visit to NYC can seem overwhelming so here are 5 top tips to help you plan ahead:
Transport: Walk around as well as using the Subway
When visiting NYC for a week or more, many people are often encouraged to get a 7-day Unlimited Pass MetroCard (priced at $32) to enable them to get around the city. However, many of the most popular tourist attractions are actually within walking distance of one another. For example, the Rockefeller Centre is only an 8min walk away from Times Square. If you plan to do a hop-on hop-off bus tour, you can use this as your transport to go from one attraction to another. Grabbing a 7-day Unlimited Pass will only save you money if you plan to take more than 12 subway journeys during your visit. If you plan your walking route between each attraction well, you could end up saving a lot more. Not to mention, you also get a chance to enjoy more of NYC’s amazing scenery!
2. Book discounted package sightseeing deals online
When thinking about visiting the tourist attractions in NYC, it’s definitely cheaper to book in advance. Before booking one of the many sightseeing packages available online, make sure you check out deals on discount websites such as Get Your Guide and RetailMeNot that could help you save as much as 65% off sightseeing passes.
3. Travel in the off-seasons to avoid the crowds
It’s fair to say that NYC does not really have an “off-season” but there are certainly points of the year that are busier than others. Most people like to travel and go on holiday in the June – August period but this is the busiest time of the year for the Big Apple, and probably the stickiest! With its plethora of high-rise buildings, NYC is renowned for being extremely humid and uncomfortable during the summer. If you’re looking for drier and more pleasant weather, take a trip in April/May during springtime or in September/October when the weather is cooler. It’s also much cheaper to travel during these periods. If you’re keen to see the beautiful Christmas lights and enjoy the holiday atmosphere, November/December is also a great time to visit the city and enjoy some of the holiday sales.
4. Visit more of New York than NYC
Non-US citizens may be shocked to learn that New York is not just New York City! The state of New York extends well beyond the NYC boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island. Areas such as Newark, Jersey City and Yonkers also offer a lot to do and see. For example, the Palisades Mall in West Nyack is the eighth largest mall in the United States and is great for shopaholics, particularly during the Thanksgiving and Christmas sales.
5. Book a Broadway show well in advance
If you’re excited to see a performance on Broadway, it’s best to book well in advance to get the best seats at the best prices. Infamous shows as Chicago and The Phantom of the Opera sell out very quickly, particularly for the evening performances, so it’s best to book at least one month before. Make sure you also look on websites such as Groupon and BroadwayBox.com for discounted tickets.
Discover more on visiting NYC at Get Your Guide.
Comentarios