A bustling metropolis like New York offers a wide variety of attractions, making it not just a city but a whole state where you can travel excellently by car or camper. The region is quite different from places like Florida or the West Coast, but it’s certainly no less beautiful.
Some highlights in the state include Niagara Falls, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island. You can even combine your trip with visits to attractions in neighboring states like Massachusetts with the city of Boston or a trip to Rhode Island.
New York City truly is “the city that never sleeps.” From theaters and museums to Central Park, towering viewpoints, and Times Square, it’s a place where you’ll never be bored and is suitable for both young and old alike! A visit to the Statue of Liberty and a helicopter ride over the Hudson River are also must-dos on your trip. Everything is easily accessible by public transportation, especially the subway.
How to Visit New York City?
Traveling to this metropolis is easy with a direct flight from Brussels Airport. There are several airlines offering tickets to New York. With a bit of searching and comparison, you might even find a bargain. In just 8.5 hours or the duration of 2 or 3 movies on your in-flight screen, you’ll arrive in The Big Apple.
There are many other options to travel from the various airports in New York to Manhattan. You can use external services that offer shared transfers at reasonable prices. Additionally, you can take a large shuttle bus from the airports to Manhattan.
If you prefer a bit more privacy, you can opt for a taxi. While this may be a bit more expensive, taxis are available at all terminals at the airport, saving you time waiting for a driver to pick you up. Just beware of “pirate cabs” – these are not official taxi drivers trying to lure you into riding with them.
You can also take the train from both JFK and Newark to all major stations. At JFK, you can also take the airtrain, a monorail system that connects the airport to the New York subway, allowing you to continue your journey by subway.
In short, there are plenty of options to get from the airport to your destination.
How to Get Around Within New York City?
Taxi
The yellow taxis have become one of the trademarks of New York City. They are often seen as the transportation of choice for getting around the city. Taxis are not super expensive, depending on the duration of the ride. However, during rush hours when traffic is often congested, taxis may not be the fastest option to get around the city center. You can hail taxis anywhere in the city if they are not occupied, indicated by the light.
You can also use Uber. Unlike taxis, Uber has a fixed price. However, I have heard that this price can increase significantly, especially during peak hours.
Go Underground
A fast and inexpensive way to get around the city is the subway. The most cost-effective way to use the subway is to buy a rechargeable Metro Card. You can load a certain amount onto your card each time. A ride with the Metro Card costs $2.75 regardless of the destination.
I won’t hide the fact that New York’s subway traffic is very chaotic. So, sometimes it’s a bit of a struggle, and you need to stay attentive when traveling on the subway. Make sure you always have a map on hand.
The downside of traveling by subway is that you don’t see much of the city while you’re on the way.
Hop-on-Hop-off
A fun alternative is the red Hop-on-Hop-off bus. It’s a bit more expensive but travels to the most popular sights in New York City. Because you can get on and off at each stop, you can easily move between different attractions while enjoying the view of the city. These rides are offered by various companies, but you can get cheaper tickets online.
Walking and Biking
Exploring a city by bike is always fun and is definitely possible in New York City. Although this is not the safest and most relaxed option. Don’t get me wrong. There are many neighborhoods that are great to explore by bike, such as Central Park, DUMBO,… However, New York traffic is so chaotic that you need to focus entirely on cycling and can’t fully enjoy the beautiful city. Therefore, it’s better to opt for an organized bike tour with a guide.
I personally planned our visits to be in the same neighborhood on a given day so that we had to use the subway as little as possible and could walk a lot instead. I found the combination of walking and subway to be the best option. This way, we could move quickly and affordably but also see a large part of the city.
The Best Time to Visit New York City?
New York City’s climate is somewhat comparable to ours, but with more extremes. It can get very cold in winter and very hot in summer. However, visiting New York in every season has its charms.
The most attractive period is the Christmas season. During these magical weeks, the city is beautifully decorated and is the ultimate shopping paradise for buying the best Christmas gifts. You can admire the impressive Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center and even try the accompanying ice skating rink. Skating is also possible in other places in the city, such as Central Park. In short, New York City is the perfect Christmas destination.
Additionally, there are plenty of indoor activities to escape the cold and bad weather. There are many impressive museums such as the MoMa, The National 911 Memorial & Museum, various indoor observation platforms like Summit One Vanderbilt, and many indoor markets like the Chelsea Market where you can enjoy yourself.
When winter gives way to spring, New York City brightens up with colorful, fragrant blossoms. In addition to the pleasant temperatures, making it ideal for terrace weather, it’s also the perfect time to explore parks like Central Park or The Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
The best time to visit New York depends a bit on the purpose of your trip.
How Many Days in New York City for a Successful Visit?
To visit New York City for the first time, I recommend taking your time. This city is so overwhelming, and there is so much to experience that there is a danger of rushing from one attraction to another without truly experiencing New York City. Therefore, be sure to book at least 5 nights so that you have at least 5 to 6 full days to fully take in The Big Apple.
Some Important Tips Before You Visiting New York City
In New York, a different currency is used, namely USD. This may seem obvious, but it’s not like in some countries where they still accept euros. So, it’s best to exchange some money before your trip or at the airport. The most economical way to exchange Euros into USD is through a currency exchange office. First, compare prices and choose the exchange office with the least loss.
Keep in mind that the prices on the menu when you eat or drink somewhere are exclusive of tips. At the end of the meal, you’ll need to pay an additional 18%, 20%, or 22% tip. Also, when someone provides you with a service, such as the driver, the bellboy at the hotel,… it’s expected that you give a tip.
I hope this guide helps you navigate your first trip to New York City with ease. With its diverse attractions, vibrant energy, and endless possibilities, The Big Apple is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
