20 New York Travel Tips You NEED to Know! • 2025

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1. Learn to Walk Like a Local

It’s no secret that New York is a big and chaotic city (but the best in the US, let’s be real). Luckily, it’s actually super walkable too—you just need to know a couple of rules. Ignore them, and you’ll quickly find yourself on the receiving end of some serious side-eye.

Stick to the right, overtake on the left, and for the love of God, don’t stop dead in the middle of the pavement (fine, sidewalk) to scroll on your phone. Step aside unless you’re looking to collect a string of expletives and a shiny “Worst Tourist in NYC” badge.

When using Google Maps, don’t wander around staring at your screen like a deer in headlights. Keep your phone tucked away and check it occasionally to make sure you’re still on track. Looking like a lost tourist is a surefire way to stand out—and not in a good way. Blend in, stay sharp, and you’ll be striding through the streets like a born-and-bred New Yorker in no time.

2. Research Your Food Spots

This goes without saying for a foodie but with so little time in the city, you don’t want to be wasting any of your meals on bad food. A trip to New York is a food Mecca but that doesn’t mean that it’s without its fair share of trash restaurants.

Research that authentic NY slice, get that smash burger and try that pan-Asian restaurant that you’d never be able to try in your hometown. Expect to come out of this city a little heavier than when you arrived!

Here are some of my favourite eats when in the city, feel free to argue with me or add your own!

If you’re after the inside scoop, a food tour of the Lower East Side is the way to go. This tour dives into the neighbourhood’s rich food scene, taking you to local markets and hidden gems you’d never stumble upon solo. It’s a feast of long-standing classics and a deep dive into the history of different immigrant communities and their effect on NY’s food scene. Warning: come hungry.

3. You Can’t Do Everything

Okay, I know this doesn’t sound like a tip as much as a friendly piece of advice but it was something I wish someone had told me when planning my stay in NYC. Even if you lived in New York you cannot do Every. Single. Thing. That exists in New York—the city is just too big. Once you’ve made peace with that knowledge you can go ahead and plan the stuff that you ACTUALLY can fit in during your trip.

Yes, New York has a ton to do, you’d have to live here for years to even scratch the surface. Just because, technically, yes, you can fit five museums in a day, doesn’t mean you should. This is a crazy chaotic city, don’t add to that chaos by following a crazy unattainable itinerary. That would suck.

New York is best enjoyed by ticking off those big bucket list things and actually having time to enjoy them without running up half the length of Manhattan to make it in time for the next thing. Prioritise what you want to see and do the most and factor in enough time for you to actually enjoy them, even if you’re only here for a weekend.

3. Visit Times Square Once—and Never Again

If New York City has a designated arsehole, it’s Times Square. The locals agree. Sure, the giant ads are flashy, and the people-watching is… interesting… but there’s so much more to this city than a chaotic strip of tourist traps and questionable mascots.

On my trip, I made the rookie mistake of booking a hotel near Times Square. I thought it’d be the hub of my adventures, but after seeing it on day one, I spent the rest of my trip actively dodging it. The crowds, the noise, the utter lack of soul—it’s a one-and-done kind of place.

If I could redo it, I’d pick a cooler, more residential neighbourhood oozing that hipster New York vibe I was chasing. You’ll find better coffee shops, fewer chains, and might even skip a subway ride or two because everything you want to see is right nearby. Learn from my mistakes—go see Times Square, take a pic, then hightail it to a neighbourhood with actual personality.

4. Check for Free Days at Attractions

Speaking of attraction tickets…this tip single-handedly saved me the most money on my trip. Once you’ve nailed down the spots you want to hit, check if they offer free or discounted entry on certain days or times. Plenty of New York’s top attractions have weekly free admission hours, which can save you a small fortune.

If you’re in the city for a week or more, chances are you’ll catch one of these deals. Just remember, free entry usually requires booking ahead for a specific time slot, so don’t just roll up expecting a freebie.

Pay-what-you-wish hours are another gem—places like The Met let you donate whatever you want, meaning you can soak up the culture for just a buck if ya fancy.

Here are a couple of places I found that offer free or reduced entry and when:

• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – Pay-what-you-wish entry on Mondays and Saturdays
• International Center of Photography – Pay-what-you-wish entry every Thursday
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum – Free entry every Monday
• Noguchi Museum – Pay-what-you-wish entry on the first Friday of every month
• Bronx Zoo – Free entry every Wednesday

5. Avoid the Restaurants Near Times Square

Piggybacking off of my last point, if Times Square is devoid of soul, so are its restaurants. Here you’ll find a good concentration of chains, from your McDonalds, Applebees and Olive Gardens…basically all the shit you want to avoid. This is New York, the food capital of the world—don’t do your taste buds dirty.

My personal travel mantra: meals are precious. You only get so many chances to eat in a new city (much to my dismay), so every bite needs to count. Chain restaurants are a no-go, you need to go and find NY’s hidden gems. Get out of Times Square (see tip above) and make sure you use your finite stomach space on a meal that’s actually going to make you happy.

7. Stay Somewhere Near a Subway Station

Unless you’re planning to stick to one neighbourhood your entire trip (and miss half the city), you’ll be getting up close and personal with the subway. Here’s a tip I wish I’d known on my first visit: stay close to a station.

I thought a 15-minute walk to the subway sounded totally reasonable—until I realised that in New York terms, it’s basically a cross-country trek. Fifteen minutes there and back adds up to 30 minutes every time you head out. When you’re cramming a million things into a short trip, that’s a big chunk of your day gone.

When scouting for vacation rentals in New York, make proximity to the nearest subway station your top priority. The closer, the better—every saved minute counts in the city that never sleeps.

8. Tap Your Card on the Subway

Subways in New York just got a glow-up thanks to OMNY, their shiny new contactless tap-to-pay system. Finally, public transport in the city feels a little more… modern (said with love from a Brit). Just tap your card or device to glide through the turnstile, and off you go.

Stick to the same card or device for all your taps. With a $34 fare cap over seven days, you’re basically looking at unlimited rides if you’re sticking around for a bit. Pro tip: use a physical card to tap in and out. If your phone dies mid-commute, you’ll still be monopolising on those savings and you’ll feel so much safer knowing you can always get home.

9. Plan Your Itinerary By Proximity

NYC is BIG, don’t be dotting up the length of Manhattan three times over in a day. Figure out what you want to do and group them in terms of the general vicinity of each other. If you’re staying in Brooklyn, spend the afternoon only doing things in Brooklyn.

Nothing is more draining than zipping from A to B simply to checklist things off and it sure as hell isn’t an enjoyable way to see the city. And besides, spending more time in one neighbourhood means understanding how a place ticks which is arguably THE best way to travel.

One great way to get up and down Manhattan other than the subway is a hop-on hop-off open-top bus. Not only will you drive past the main must-see spots in the city, you’ll also be on your way to the next stop on your itinerary. Two birds one stone, baby!

10. Keep a Portable Charger on You

Few things are more soul-crushing than your phone dying halfway through the day—especially when it’s your lifeline for tickets, navigation, and capturing every moment through your phone’s camera lens. Spare yourself the horror of being stranded with a dead phone miles from your hotel by investing in a solid power bank.

For me, it’s a non-negotiable in my New York packing list. I don’t step outside without one. If your phone’s fancy enough, go for a good Magsafe power bank. No cables, no fuss—just slap it on and charge away. The future is now my friends.

11. Dont Pay to See the Statue of Liberty

Why cough up $20 for a tourist boat when the Staten Island Ferry gives you front-row views of Lady Liberty and the iconic Manhattan skyline—for free? This commuter ferry runs between Manhattan and Staten Island, taking you right past the statue (twice!). You’ll also get killer views of the city’s skyline and Brooklyn Bridge from the water. It leaves every 20–30 minutes, so it’s a super easy option to squeeze into your day.

No tickets, no fuss—just turn up at the terminal and hop on. The whole thing will take you around one to two hours, depending on how the boat schedules line up. Pro tip: check the timetable if you’re not keen on loitering in Staten Island waiting for the next ferry back. Get an authentic local experience and save your cash for a proper slice of New York pizza instead.

12. Pick Your Seasons Carefully

New York is a VERY seasonal city. And what I mean by that is you can’t rock up in November in your shorts expecting it to be a warm city break—you’d be dead wrong. What I love about NYC is that you can have wholly different experiences depending on the time of year you go. Sure, I’ve been to New York in the summer, but knowing I’ve never been during Christmas means knowing there’s a whole other side of the city that I have yet to experience.

So when is the best time to visit New York? Well, it depends on what type of New York you want. Outdoor festivals, rooftop bars, and sticky subway rides? Or festive lights, ice skating and layers to brave the chill? cosy cafes? Decide your season and go from there. Each one has its quirks, making the city a year-round experience.

13. Sort Yourself an eSIM

Before landing in New York, do yourself a solid and sort out an eSim card. Trust me, nothing kills the vibe faster than arriving in a new country with zero data, desperately clinging to the airport Wi-Fi while playing a high-stakes game of “Find My Uber Driver.” JFK is chaotic enough—no need to pile on extra stress.

My first time using an eSim was actually for a trip to New York, and honestly, it was a game-changer. No panicking about navigating the AirTrain into Manhattan without Google Maps holding your hand—it was worth every penny. Just make sure you overestimate how much data you’ll need for your trip as being the designated sat-nav burns through that sucker fast.

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14. Skip the New York Pass

Buying an attraction pass might seem like the savvy thing to do when planning your New York adventure, but hear me out—it’s rarely worth it. Unless you’re dead set on blitzing through a load of museums and attractions in a couple of days (which is the WORST way to experience the city), you’ll likely end up spending more than you save. Plus, these passes often exclude some of the best spots.

When I looked into them, half the attractions I actually wanted to visit weren’t even included. In the end, paying for each thing individually worked out better. I had the freedom to explore at my own pace, booked tickets when it suited me and even saved a bit of cash—which, let’s face it, went straight to what really matters: food.

15. You Don’t Need to Do Every Observation Deck

No trip to NYC is complete without hitting an observation deck—it’s a rite of passage. But here’s the thing: when you picture that iconic skyline, you’re probably thinking Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Chrysler Building… all the classic spots to visit.

So why people go up to the Empire State observation deck is beyond me. From the deck, you’re missing the most iconic part of the skyline… the Empire State itself!

Pick one, maybe two, observation decks for different vibes. Go at different times of day if you can—sunsets, in particular, are chef’s kiss. My personal favourite is the brand new Summit One Vanderbilt as it’s an art exhibition-style experience which makes for some really cool pics too.

16. Understanding Local vs. Express Subway Routes

Maybe I’m a little slow but I found New York’s subway so much harder to navigate than my native tube back home. Part of the reason for that is not knowing about the difference between local and express routes!

Express routes will skip certain stations and zip straight through to select, major hubs. They’re faster, more direct, and perfect if you’re trying to reach a popular spot quickly, especially during rush hour when everyone’s in a mad dash to get across the city.

Buuuuuut if you’re looking for a specific local stop, the express route will leave you high and dry. Forget this rule, and one shall hath to disembark and retrace one’s steps. Bad news for a jam-packed itinerary.

17. Know the Tipping Culture

You have to admit that the tipping culture in the US is kind of insane. But whether you love it or hate it, you’ve gotta roll with it. Tipping isn’t just a nice gesture, it’s a vital part of hospitality workers’ income. We all know that New York is expensive, but this is one of its many necessary costs!

It’s definitely gotten more intense post-Covid, especially with fast-service spots like coffee shops and delivery drivers, so it’s often tough to figure out where the tipping line is.

As a quick breakdown:

• Restaurants: 25%+ for top-tier service, 20% for the usual, and anything under 15% – yeah, they probably spat in your drink and kicked your puppy.
• Bars: $1-2 per drink if you’re ordering at the bar. Tabs follow the standard 15-20% rule.
• Cabs: 10-20% is standard
• Other services: For coat checks, food delivery, and counter service (like at cafes), tip whatever feels right. Don’t let the tablet prompts pressure you into tipping more than you’re comfortable with.

18. Get out of Manhattan

This might go without saying…but there is SO much more to New York City than Manhattan. While Manhattan feels like its own bubble, stepping outside into the other boroughs—Brooklyn, Queens, and beyond—will give you a much more well-rounded, authentic experience of life in the city.

Head to Brooklyn, and you’ll find a creative, vibrant, and undeniably cool side of New York. From its street art to indie galleries, this borough is where New York’s creative energy thrives. And trust me, the food here is next-level—you might even discover the best meal of your trip, whether it’s bagels or Michelin-starred cuisine. And don’t forget the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge; it’s iconic for a reason.

Then there’s Queens. This borough is a true melting pot, with over 150 nationalities calling it home. The food scene here is just as diverse. Craving dumplings? Flushing’s got your back. Colombian arepas? Head to Jackson Heights. The blend of cultures makes Queens an absolute must-visit as a day trip, giving you a unique taste of New York that you won’t find in Manhattan.

19. Snag Cheap Broadway Tix

TKTS is your golden ticket (pun intended) to snagging discounted Broadway tickets in NYC, as long as you’re cool with being flexible about what you’re seeing. They offer same-day tickets at 20-50% off, so it’s a total steal – if you’re flexible on the show.

Get there early if you want a shot at a good deal – the lines can be brutal, especially for the big-name shows. And don’t get too picky – some shows sell out fast, so you might end up going for something you didn’t plan on. But hey, that’s part of the adventure. You never know what kind of gems you might stumble upon.

If you’re backpacking New York and want to save some cash, TKTS is a solid way to catch a Broadway show without breaking the bank. It’s great for those who are flexible and down to roll with the punches. But if you’re dead-set on a specific show, just bite the bullet and buy in advance to lock it in.

20. Get GOOD Travel Insurance

If there’s one place you don’t wanna travel to without insurance, (I mean nowhere, but I get how being a broke backpacker is) it’s the States. Holy fuck, if you got into an accident over there you might as well count yourself as bankrupt now. Seriously, just don’t do it.

It’s one of the few places that I’d go as far as to say make sure you get DECENT travel insurance for too. Pass those big ol’ bills onto your insurance company!

I swear by Safety Wing. As a nomad, it’s got everything I need: flexible month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and zero hassle with itineraries. It’s peace of mind in a policy, so I can roam freely without worrying about unexpected costs.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Final Thoughts on New York Travel Tips

One thing I love about this city is how multifaceted it is. No matter how many times you’ve been, there’s always a new side of New York to explore, and I think that’s pretty damn beautiful. From the chaos of Times Square to the quiet corners of Central Park, it’s a city that never stops throwing something new your way.

Hold wisdom in that knowledge and try not to go overkill on the itinerary! As chaotic as the city can be, slowing down and taking it all in is the way to experience the true grit of New York City. Missing out on things only gives you more of a reason for a future trip—but trust me, you won’t need one after you experience its magic.

So much to do and so little time means planning for your NYC trip can be hella stressful—I hope these travel tips help you plan your itinerary all the more smoothly. Consider them a gift from one traveller to another.

So, take these tips, make your own mistakes, and don’t forget to enjoy the madness. And when in doubt, grab a slice of pizza. It’ll make everything better.

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