So you’re heading to the Big Apple, huh? Figuring out what to do during your trip can be stressful in a big city like New York, but there’s a reason New York is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. New York is amazing. Every corner you turn, something new is happening. I’ve put together a list of a few of favorite places and some tips to help you plan your trip to New York.

Where To Stay

Airbnb

Infamously known for its outrageously expensive prices, accommodation in New York is no bargain. If you’re not willing to drop $200-$300 per night, or put in the legwork to find some great hotel deals (trust me, they’re hard to come by), then booking an Airbnb might be a good idea for you. If you’re traveling with a group of people, an Airbnb could end up being extremely affordable. Although you could probably find hostels throughout the city for prices less than an Airbnb, they’re probably not worth it. I wouldn’t recommend this.

P.S. If you’re willing to stay outside of prime time Manhattan, in areas like Long Island City, Brooklyn, or even West Harlem, you could probably save some cash.

What To Eat

New York is known for its food, so finding something good shouldn’t be too difficult. If you’re looking for some suggestions before touching down in NYC, I’ve listed a few below.

$1 Pizza. Everywhere. 

Ah yes, the joys of wandering the streets of New York. Known for its amazing pizza, for $1 (sometimes it can be a little bit more) you get the most delicious slice of pizza that is literally the size of your head. You can pretty much find these slices anywhere in New York. Make sure you have some cash on you as some of these establishments won’t accept cards for purchases under $5-$10.

And I know that the pizza may look a bit, um, unappetizing when it’s sitting in the case, but trust me when I tell you it’s delicious. When my boyfriend came to visit me in New York in October 2017, he was completely turned off by the slices. I practically had to force him to take the first bite. Fast forward to now, February 2018, he’s still talking about how good the pizza was. You’re welcome.

If you’re going to be in Soho, I recommend checking out Famous Ben’s Pizza. I came across this place one day while wandering the streets during my lunch and it was absolutely fabulous.

by CHLOE

One of my co-workers recommended I try by CHLOE upon my arrival in New York, and I think I became slightly addicted to this place. Around the block from my internship (dangerous), this vegan restaurant is great. If you’re a fan of pesto… please try the pesto pasta. And the sweet potato fries. I’d recommend heading in there before noon or after 2 p.m. unless you want to be waiting on a line out the door. You could also order ahead online and snack on the food as you walk the streets of New York.

Rubirosa

Oh my goodness, this place was absolutely delicious. I had the pleasure of going to Rubirosa during a team lunch for one of my co-workers birthdays and it was amazing. This Italian-American restaurant has delicious salads and appetizers and has mastered the vodka sauce on pizza thing. I’d recommend trying their tie-dye pizza. Located in Soho on Mulberry between Spring and Prince street, their food is to DYE for, pun intended.

What To Do

When I tell you there is SO much to do in New York, you could never be bored.

Central Park

Central Park is my happy place. Honestly. There’s nothing like walking along Fifth Avenue on a warm September day, stopping for some Mr. Frosty, and strolling through the park. Every time I am in New York I make it a point to go to Central Park. You can get lost in the park (in a good way) and make a day out of it if you really wanted.

Grand Central Station

This might be odd, but I think it’s a must to see Grand Central Station while in New York. Grand Central is one of those things you see time and time again in New York City-based films, but seeing the grand concourse in person is surreal.

The High Line

My first time at the High Line was in August and it instantly became one of my favorite places in the city. The High Line is NYC’s only elevated park and has become one of Manhattan’s most popular attractions. The strip runs from Hudson Yards to Chelsea and provides you with some amazing views of the city. There is really great history behind the High Line, which is partly why I love it. There’s nothing like spending an afternoon at the High Line.

How To Get Around

By Foot

Personally, my favorite way to get around the city is by foot. This really allows you to take in your surrounds and not miss a beat. Sometimes I’ll give myself an itinerary (i.e. I want to go from Grand Central to Central Park by foot) but most of the time I just walk and see what I discover.

Subway

The New York City subway system is quite impressive and I haven’t come across any other public transportation system quite like it. There are a few options when it comes to purchasing your Metro Card.

When I was living in New York, it made the most sense for me to purchase a monthly pass. If you plan on being in New York for 1+ months, this might be your best bet. If you’re only heading to the city for a few days, you can add allocated funds to your Metro Card. For $2.75, this method of transportation will get you anywhere in the greater NYC area. And it’s dependable…. most of the time. Head underground, purchase your metro card and have fun exploring!

Taxi

Home to the iconic black and yellow taxi cab, these drivers will get you wherever you need to go. Taxies can be more expensive than Uber’s, but they give back to the New York state government, which is why I’ve listed them above Uber. Just like in the movies, whenever you’re ready to hop in a cab just wave a driver down. And in most taxies, you can pay with cash, card, and Apple Pay!

Uber

One of the most popular ways to get around these days, Uber, of course, is in NYC. If you’ve never used the app before, click here to sign up. You’ll get promo codes that you can save for your travels. Uber’s are convenient because you can order one right from your phone and have them pick you up at your exact location. No need to flag anyone down.

Things to Note

Nightlife: I’m not much of a party gal, but New York City has some great nightlife. Make sure to keep a bit of cash on you, as a lot of bars and establishments won’t accept cards. And I beg of you, do not carry more than one form of ID and all of your debit/credit cards out with you. There’s a good chance you’ll lose them, especially if you like to have a lot of fun (if you know what I mean). And now that wouldn’t be any fun.

New York is amazing, from the people to the scenery and all of the fun activities you can do. Are you traveling to New York? Let me know what plans you have in the comments below!