Overview:

As someone who lived in New York City for her early twenties, I loved how the city takes on a life of its own in people’s minds. On all my travels, it was clear that NYC is a dream destination for people, a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I wanted to write this guide from the perspective of a former resident, someone with so much love for this place. To have the best trip, I want you to know two important things.

• 1) Prioritize your itinerary: You can live here for six years and still just scratch the surface of restaurants, museums, and cultural events. You can only walk so many steps in a day, especially if you are going to multiple neighborhoods.
• 2) New York City is an energy, a feeling: The best part of living here/visiting is being outside, experiencing the chaotic, crazy energy of New York City. Go see someone pushing a 10-foot palm tree down the street in a shopping cart, the influencers filming content, celebrities running errands, and people having a messy breakup in the park. Part of the beauty is in the unstructured, WTF moments on the streets.

How Many Days in New York City: 5–7 days

From the iconic movies, television shows, to songs and music videos, New York City is an amazing travel destination. Whether you are visiting to people watch, shop, eat, or visit the iconic destinations, I recommend giving yourself as much time as possible. Ideally, you want to spend a whole week, giving yourself enough time to explore a few neighborhoods per day. Regardless of how long you’re here for, you’re going to need to pack walking shoes so you can get outside and explore the city’s quick pace.

How to Get Around: Walking, Subway, Ride Share

NYC is arguably the most walkable city in the United States. The city, especially on the main island of Manhattan, is built like a grid, and you can walk from the top of the island to the bottom in one day (this is actually a viral activity for residents). If the walk is less than 30 min, put on your walking shoes and take yourself there.

The other big mode of transportation is the subway. You can use ApplePay, and for $3.00 per ride, you can go to any neighborhood in the city.

If you are enjoying a night out or coming in from the airport, this is where yellow taxis and ride share apps really shine. Driving is obnoxious and expensive in NYC, and you only want to do this when it is too far or inconvenient using the subway.

Where to Stay: Midtown Manhattan, SoHo, or the West Village

If you are visiting for the first time, the Midtown neighborhood is perfect. This puts Times Square, Broadway, MoMa, Central Park, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park, the United Nations, and the High Line within walking distance. If I were visiting and I wanted to feel like a New Yorker staying in a cute neighborhood, I would stay in Greenwich Village or the West Village for more access to Downtown. Think: walks with a latte looking at interesting architecture, people watching in Washington Square Park or the West Side Highway, visiting wine bars and dining at cafes with outdoor seating. SoHo would also be a great neighborhood if your goal was to shop, spot celebrities, and enjoy the nightlight of New York City.

When to Visit: Spring (March-May) or Fall (Late September, October, November); Marathon Sunday

Personally, my favorite day in New York City is marathon Sunday, the first Sunday of November. It feels like the whole city has turned out to support the runners. For me, this is my favorite unofficial NYC holiday. If you want to know the best seasons, I recommend spring or fall. These months provide better weather, fewer crowds, and the best ambiance/people watching.

PSA: The summers in NYC are brutally hot and humid, and it is even worse on the subways. Winters are also very cold, with the wind tunnel effect (aka wind so intense you want to curse it out) caused by all of the skyscrapers. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and summertime are “iconic” times to visit NYC. But consider waiting for better weather and less crowds, as it will make the trip much more fun. Late summer (especially August) can also bring intense rainstorms and flooding.

What to Eat & Drink: Bagels, Pizza, Omakase, and Trendy Restaurants

New York City is one of the best food destinations in the world. From a food crawl through Chinatown (bring cash) to a slice of pizza to Michelin star dining, the city has anything you could want.

I recommend narrowing down your food options based on what you enjoy. Do you prefer steakhouse? Korean Barbeque? Thai food? Research your favorite type of cuisine or dining experience on Beli, Google, or any other search engine.

Pro Tip: For fine dining or very trendy restaurants, getting a reservation is like the Hunger Games. You need to book 1-3 months in advance and spots for normal dinner times will go quickly.

What to Do: Sightseeing, Museums, Neighborhood Exploring & Nightlife

There is so much to do in New York City that I will break it down into three categories: Museums, Tourist Attractions, and Activities. If it is your first time visiting NYC, I recommend picking 1 Museum and 1-2 Activities. Most of your trip is probably concentrated on the Tourist Attractions.

Museums: (and their neighborhoods)

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Upper East Side)
• The Museum of Natural History (The Upper West Side)
• The Museum of Modern Art (MoMa) (Midtown)
• The Tenement Museum (The Lower East Side)

Tourist Attractions:

• Times Square
• Central Park
• The Brooklyn Bridge
• The 9/11 Memorial and Museum
• Grand Central Station
• Rockefeller Center

Activities:

• Broadway
• The Statue of Liberty (take the Staten Island ferry)
• Visiting a famous building: The Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, The Edge
• Comedy Show
• Jazz Club
• Viral Café/Store/Pop-up Shop

What You Can’t Miss

If you do one thing in New York City, it would be getting outside, walking around, and people watching. This is my favorite, a typical Sunday for me when I lived there. Take a walk through Central Park with a coffee in hand. Sit in Washington Square Park, watching the skaters, artists, and students. Walk down the West Side highway, taking in the views of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River. Walk through the Upper East Side and marvel at the architecture. Stroll along the High Line, stopping into Chelsea Market. Walk through the West Village, admiring the brownstones, boutiques, and the “Friends” apartment building.

New York City is special because of the energy you find from the people and different neighborhoods. Put on some comfortable shoes and go be a part of that feeling.

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