New York City also known as the Big Apple is larger than life and the “City that Never Sleeps” and somewhere that everyone should visit once in their lifetime. I have lost count at the number of times I have visited the city over the years and in that time I have seen people on their first trips making so many mistakes that could have easily been avoided.

So here is my list of mistakes not to make on your trip to New York.

Do Not Rent a Car

Whilst renting a car nearly anywhere else in the USA is a good idea, it’s one of the worst things you can do in New York City. The roads are always busy (and rush hour is even worse) and the traffic does not move, there are tolls to pay and once in the city itself, parking is expensive and difficult to find. Public transportation is definitely the way to go in New York City.

Do Not Underestimate How Small New York City Hotel Rooms Can Be

If you’re used to larger hotel rooms, you could be in for a nasty shock as many hotel rooms in Manhattan (even in well known hotel chains) are tiny with small beds (you can sometimes touch both walls of the room whilst sitting on the bed), smaller bathrooms, no storage space, noisy plumbing, a view of a brick wall out of many of the windows and the constant sound of sirens and car horns from outside at all hours of the day.

Hotel prices are incredibly expensive in New York but you can get better hotel rooms at more affordable prices if you look away from the Midtown area. I have stayed in both Brooklyn and just across the water in New Jersey (both with incredible views of the New York skyline) in a normal size hotel room (which were both incredibly quiet) and I was still able to get into Manhattan in less than ten minutes using public transport.

Do Not Wear Uncomfortable Shoes

Walking around New York is one of the best ways to see the city as there is no much to see and you can easily walk miles without even realising. Remember to bring comfortable shoes with you as your feet will seriously hurt otherwise. Whilst you may want to act like Carrie Bradshaw running through the streets in heels, they are not practical and you will probably end up falling into a pothole or tripping over on the pavement!

And do not wear flip flops to walk around New York either as your feet will end up filthy and you never ever know when a giant rat will scurry across your feet – and yes that one is from my own experience and something I’ll never forget!

Do Not Take Photos With the Characters in Times Square

When in Times Square you will see people dressed up in cheap and nasty costumes as they want people to take photos with them. They’re extremely creepy, aggressive and will demand a small fortune for taking a photo. Do not make eye contact with any of them and just keep walking and do not stop – the same advice goes for anyone trying to hand you a CD in Times Square as well.

Do Not Avoid Using the Subway

Whilst the Subway can seem intimating at first (I know it did for me the first time I ever used it), it really is not and is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to travel around the city – especially during rush hour. The cost of a single ride ticket is $2.75 though if you are in the city for longer, you can buy a seven day unlimited ride Metrocard for $33 which is great value.

When using the Subway, know the number/letter of the train that you want to take. You can either look for your station on the Subway map and see what letters and numbers are written next to it or you can also look up your route using an iPhone app which will tell you the exact train you need. Make sure you know if you are travelling uptown or downtown and do not get on an Express train unless you know that it stops where you want to go and if in doubt, local trains stop at every station.

Make sure to enter the station on the right platform for the direction that you want to travel and have your Metrocard ready in your hand to swipe and if it doesn’t work, step to the side immediately to allow others to pass. And do not get into an empty Subway car – on a busy train, there will be a reason why it is empty!

Do Not Eat at a Chain Restaurant in Times Square

New York City is home to some of the most incredible food from so many different cultures around the world and none of it is found in an overpriced chain restaurant in Times Square. Do not go to New York and eat at Olive Garden, Bubba Gumps, Planet Hollywood or the Hard Rock Cafe when there are thousands of smaller independent restaurants elsewhere in the city offering food that is a million times better. Do some research online ahead of time and ask for recommendations from people who have visited before (or even the staff at your hotel or someone sitting next to you on your flight) and check sites such as Trip Advisor or Yelp and you will be rewarded with amazing food.

Do Not Take a Carriage Ride in Central Park

Whilst the idea of a horse carriage ride through Central Park seems romantic and like something out of a movie, it is not. It’s cruel as the horses are overworked and it’s overpriced. There is also nothing romantic about the constant lingering smell of horse shit!

Do Not Go Up the Empire State Building

Whilst the Empire State Building is iconic to the New York skyline, the one thing that you cannot see from the top of the Empire State Building is the Empire State Building itself! You can get better views of New York from Top of the Rock or from The Edge at Hudson Yards both of which have outdoor observation decks unlike One World Observatory.

Another great way to see the New York skyline is from one of the many rooftop bars around the city where you can relax with a drink in hand – this will also cost a lot less than admission to one of the observation decks especially if you visit during happy hour.

Do Not Take Selfies at the 9/11 Memorial

This should not even need to be said but sadly it does and the amount of people with selfie sticks and large smiles on their faces at the 9/11 Memorial is enough to make you incredibly angry. Just do not do it as it’s incredibly disrespectful.

Do Not Buy Statue of Liberty Tickets From the Wrong Company

If you want to visit Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty, you will need to book your tickets online in advance as they do sell out quickly. However make sure to only book them through the official Statue Cruises website as they are the only company who can take people to the island. Any other company offering “Statue of Liberty Cruises” will charge you a fortune and simply sail around the island instead.

However the best free view of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline is from the Staten Island Ferry which sails right past the island and as already mentioned does not cost a thing!

Do Not Use Pedicabs

The price that’s written on the side of the pedicab is per minute and not per ride or per person. A short ride a few blocks away could easily cost you a lot of money. Walk instead.

Do Not Bring the Wrong Clothes for the Weather

Spring and Autumn are the most comfortable times of the year to visit New York whilst Summer and Winter are two opposite extremes. Packing the right clothes is essential and no matter when you are visiting always bring an umbrella in case you need it.

Winter is cold with a freezing wind chill and often snow. Bring layers to wear as well as a big winter coat as despite being freezing outside, as soon as you go inside you’ll be too hot as the heating will be on full blast. Remember to also bring a hat, scarf and gloves as you will need them.

In summer the temperature is hot and the humidity is high and you will do anything to stay inside and close to air conditioning. Even walking along the street will be uncomfortable especially when walking past the exhaust of a bus which feels like being blasted by heat from an oven.

Do Not Block the Sidewalks

New York is a fast moving city and many people are normally in a rush to get everywhere. The sidewalks (pavements) are busy places so whilst walking along, if you need to stop and take a photo or look at your phone or even if you are walking slowly, move to one side so you are not blocking it for others as this will make people hate you.

Do Not Spend a Lot of Time in Times Square

Once upon a time on my first visit to New York City when I was young and knew no better, I thought that Times Square was one of the most exciting places there was and the centre of the universe – now I do my best to actively avoid it at all costs! It’s busy, noisy, crowded, overpriced and over touristy. I’m not saying do not go there at all but take your photos and then get out of there and spend your time exploring the rest of the city.

New York City consists of five different boroughs so do not limit your trip to just Manhattan and get out of the city and explore. Brooklyn is great to walk around and has incredible views of the New York skyline and the beaches in Long Island are also a great place for escape for a day in the summer.

Do Not Underestimate How Busy JFK Airport Can Be

John F Kennedy Airport is one of the busiest airports you will visit with the longest and slowest moving check in, security and immigration lines you will ever see. The traffic between JFK Airport and Manhattan in the afternoon and early evening is also ridiculous so make sure to give yourself even more time than you think you will need before a flight as you will be very grateful for it. When planning your trip, Newark Airport in New Jersey is another option to consider when flying to New York.

Do Not Pay Full Price for a Broadway Show

If you plan to see a Broadway show – unless it is something that is incredibly popular that you need to book ahead of time as it sells out quickly – wait until you arrive in New York and buy your tickets on the day from one of the official TKTS booths at a heavily discounted price.

Do Not Try to do Everything

New York City is huge, noisy, crowded and exhausting and it is possible to over-plan your trip and pack too much into your schedule without giving yourself any downtime which you will need. Before you go, know that you will not be able to see and do everything there is and adjust your expectations accordingly. Plan your sightseeing by splitting the city into small areas and concentrate on a different one each day. Remember to visit popular places such as the Brooklyn Bridge early in the day on a weekday to avoid large crowds.

Give yourself much more time than you think you will need to see everything on your list and allow time to get between places. Also make sure you have spare time in case you discover somewhere that was not on your original plans that you want to explore.

Have you been to New York? What advice would you give?

If you need to access mobile data whilst visiting the USA, you can purchase a travel E-Sim through Airalo. If you would like to use my referral code NIKKI8866 when signing up, you will receive £2.50 / US$3 off your first purchase.

Since this blog post was written back in 2020, some of the information may no longer be accurate or up to date. Be sure to do your own research and check official websites for the latest details before making any of your own travel plans.

Support Me and Buy Me a Coffee
Pin this Blog Post on Pinterest
Follow Me on Instagram
Follow Me on Bloglovin’