I would consider myself well-traveled for my age so when planning our trip to New York I felt like I knew what I was doing. However, once we really started looking into it more I realized that NYC is a totally different beast! You have to be prepared for some different traveling strategies if you want to make the most of your trip.
We definitely did not feel like the traveling pros that we normally do when we first arrived. As we were hauling 4 suitcases into the subway people were giving us quite the looks! And do not expect to find cheap groceries if you plan on cooking at all during your stay. But overall, we did okay. And even if you completely screw up your plans, NYC is so magical you won’t even care! But there are 10 things that I learned on our adventure and I think they can help you too!
- Plan 6 months in advance!
- Choose your hotel after you choose what attractions you want to see so that you can be close by.
- Buy some sort of pass: Sightseeing Pass or City Pass depending on your needs!
- Buy a MetroPass
- Pack light! You will be hauling your suitcase around a lot and hotels and airbnbs are much smaller than other cities!
- Check the weather often! We thought it would be cold since it was going to rain while we were there but it was a hot summer muggy rain!
- Crime isn’t a pressing danger but watch your stuff closely!
- Do not take taxis. Not worth it!
- Comfort over fashion 100%. Bring comfy shoes!!!
- Bring extra money to go shopping, you won’t regret it.
