What NOT To Do In NYC

Helllooooooooo.

I may or may not be on my third glass of wine as I type this so take everything I’m about to say with a grain of salt. Or don’t. Whatever.

Just kidding. Maybe.

Anyways…..

As a New Yorker, confused tourists frustrate me. So, today I am offering a public service announcement on what NOT to do while visiting New York City. This is in no way an all inclusive list, just the things that I notice tourists doing the most frequently, and I just want to shake them and say “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!?!”.

My fellow New Yorkers- as a thank you for this PSA I do accept payment in the form of bunnies or Starbucks.

1. Don’t stay in the Times Square Bubble, aka: Midtown. New York City is a lot more than just Times Square. In fact, as a resident, I avoid this area if at all possible at all times.

2. Don’t let the public transportation system scare you. The subway is almost always faster than taking a cab, and really easy to use with a little advanced planning on your part. You basically need to know one thing before taking the train- are you traveling Uptown (North) or Downtown (South). If you know that you can get anywhere.

3. Never stop walking. Ever. Whatever you do, always make a point of moving through the city like you’re walking with a purpose. Do not stop in the middle of the sidewalk to consult your over-sized folded map.

4. Don’t wait for the crossing light (unwritten rule: If there aren’t any cars coming, you’re free to walk).

5. Always walk on the right side of the sidewalk (just think of walking down the sidewalk as driving with your feet).

6. Always refer to subways by the numbers/letters not the colors. There is no such thing as “the green train.”

7. Skip the Empire State Building. If you still feel the need for city views, then check out Top of the Rock or better yet- a rooftop bar.

8. Don’t pay for a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty. Instead, take the Staten Island ferry. It’s free and goes right past Liberty Island and also offers great views of lower Manhattan.

9. Be sure to avoid The Highline on the weekends.

10. Don’t take a carriage ride or one of those pedi-cabs through the park. The best way to see Central Park is on your two feet.

11. Those double decker bus tours are not worth it. Instead, pick a neighborhood to explore and look for a guided walking tour. Be sure to check out our series of neighborhood guides here.

12. Don’t eat at any restaurant in midtown (except City Kitchen). NYC is the food mecca of the world. You do not need to eat at a three story Olive Garden that you probably have in your hometown. If you need some restaurant ideas start here.

13. Don’t eat from street carts unless you want food poisoning. Don’t even get me started on the state of the “hot dog water”. Food trucks are a completely different story though.

14. Don’t get on an empty subway car. There is a reason it’s empty. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say I learned this the hard way.

15. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Despite the stereotype, New Yorkers are generally very friendly and are willing to answer your questions- even if that question is “Where is the Empire State Building?” and all I have to do is point “up”.

Ok. PSA over. If you live in NYC let us know if there is anything you would add to this list in the comments below. And if you are looking for some ideas as to what TO do in NYC, may I suggest you start here.

 

-Ashley xx

P.S. Go check out The Sister Market for some cute and fun New York City inspired items! 

 

Save