New York city has been on the bucket list of travelers from all over the world for a long time and for good reason. The concrete jungle has so much to do and see, an incredible food culture, easy transportation and a great climate; there really isn’t much you could add to this city to make it any better. I spent 4 days here in August 2023 as my first ever solo trip on my way to university in Buffalo but could easily have spent longer if I was 21 or if I had a little more cash to spend.
The Basics
Language – while English is the most widely spoken language expect to hear lots of spanish and italian. The city is a melting pot of different cultures and this is reflected in the languages you hear on the streets
Currency – The US dollar is used here, Atms are redily avaiable and card paymenst are accepted practically everywhere. Be aware it is considered rude to not tip so factor this in when budgeting for food and drinks.
Climate – NYC gets its fair share of all weather from several feet of snow in the winter to scorching sun in the summer. Make sure you pack for the time of year.
What to do in New York city?
- Times square – probably the most iconic spot in the city – is a hub of activity no matter what time of day but is best seen at night when all of the billboards illuminate the night sky. Even better around Christmas with all the extra lights, decorations and the usual dose of snow!
- Watch a show on Broadway – whether you’re a fan of theater or not watching a show on Broadway is a fantastic experience no matter what you choose to see
- Get lost in Central Park – NYC certainly does everything big and central park is no exception; it is HUGE! Whether its to grab a world famous hot dog, enjoy a horse and carriage ride or just to escape the noise of the city for a few hours central park is a must see
- See the skyline from above – there are various viewpoints across the city but my favorite is the One world Vanderbuilt. Enjoy incredible views across the city skyline (including the Empire state building) whilst walking through an interactive modern art gallery. And if you can cope with height step out and look straight down 1100 feet to Madison Avenue on their glass floored ledges.
- Pay your respects at the 9/11 memorial. With two twin man made waterfalls and golden plaques engraved with the names of all those lose in the disaster it really does put into perspective the scale of what happened that day.
- Explore the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges – The two most famous bridges in New York are incredible feats of engineering and architecture and offer fantastic views of the skyline and great photo opportunities
- Experience the cuisine – from Time out Market to Chinatown, whether your looking for cheap eats or fine dining, bagels to cheesecakes this is the city for food. The food here is simply the best I have ever had and the portion sizes most certainly do not disappoint. Expect to need a 20 minute break to recover and loosen your belt after eating before you can even think about moving again. My personal favorites were Joe’s pizza, Liberty bagels an Angelina’s bakery
How to get around?
Subway – while the New York subway is far older than the London underground and many other across the world it operates just as well if not better. Most lines have a train every 5 minutes or so and a single journey is just $2.90 or a one week pass for $34. With either option there is no need for tickets and hassle; simply tap your card and the turnstile opens.
Taxis – the famous yellow cabs are absolutely everywhere and are easy enough to hail down. However fares can get expensive and traffic is often heavy. If you are going to use taxis Uber is usually cheaper and more spacious if you are carrying luggage
When to go
There is no bad time to visit NYC it depends solely on what you want to experience. Christmas and New years in the city is on most people’s bucket lists and so prices are high and the crowds are big. Spring and Autumn are far cheaper with fewer visitors due to the lottery of the weather in these seasons. In the summer the sun and good weather returns and brings with it high prices and big crowds again.
Is it safe?
Most people are hugely surprised ot hear that New York it nowhere near as dangerous as its reputation suggests – its crime rate has fallen significantly over the last couple of decades and it is now the safest big city in the US. Of course there are some unsafe areas but steer clear of these and follow basic rules of safety and its as safe as any other city you’ve visited before.
