As a person who was born and raised on Long Island, there will always be a place in my heart that will always belong to NY and more specifically NYC. There is so much that a city like NYC can offer. Not only is it a foodies paradise but it has the perfect combination of tourist attraction and local charm to impress even the stingiest of travelers. Whether you are living the life of glitz and glam or staying in Airbnb and fighting the subway, there is something to appeal to everyone.
Where to Stay
Where you choose to stay really depends on how comfortable you are with public transportation. There are a lot of options. You can always stay “a ferry away.” There are several different options for states and cities that ferry in and out of the city. You can stay in New Jersey or Connecticut.
The upside of doing this is that you can see multiple cities and experience the Ferry. You can save money on hotels or lodging. You can also see NYC without having to stay in NYC. Now the downside of that is that the ferry runs on a schedule. If you miss that last ferry then you have to wait until the morning or find another way back to where you are staying. This is best if you don’t plan to be out late at night.
You can always give Airbnb a chance. I personally love Airbnb. The plus side of Airbnb is that you can get many of the same accommodations as a hotel but at a cheaper price. The upside of staying in an Airbnb is that you can get great locations for an often affordable price. If you are looking for something in a certain borough then you can do that. This can save you a lot on transportation costs but if you have a dog or want to drive your own car you may find it difficult to find something that is located in convenient spot for you.
My last suggestion on picking a place to stay is to go out to the Island. Now Long Island happens to be like a mini NYC. You can find your lodging on the island and then take a train into the city. The good thing about staying on the island is that it can be a lot cheaper. The trains on and off the island run 24/7 so you shouldn’t have to worry about staying out late.
Tipping and Customs:
You will find in NYC that there are a lot of opportunities for tipping. While prices may be higher than you expect or are used to, gratuity is still an expected and appreciated custom.www.nycgo.com has the following recommendations regarding tipping.
Hotel doorman: $1 for hailing a cab.
Porters and bellhops: $1–$2 per bag.
Housekeeping: $1–$2 per day of your visit, or as much as $5 per day.
Waitstaff and bartenders: 15–20 percent of total bill.
Taxi drivers: 15–20 percent of total fare.
Hairdressers: 15–20 percent of total service cost.
Tips for other service personnel, such as theater ushers, tour guides and coat-check staff, are always appreciated.
Remember to also tip the bartender. Also keep in mind that New York has an 8.875% sales tax. If you need more information about this then you can always check out the NYC department of Finance.
Safety
New Yorkers run on common sense. What I mean by this is that in all situations if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s a duck. If the situation looks dangerous, feels dangerous, seems dangerous… don’t do it. Like practically any other major city there are places in the city and you should and should not go. The projects are not a tourist destination. I would not suggest hanging out there and seeing what will happen. If the streets are not well lit, taxis/uber are unwilling to go there, or the area overall seems to be high crime then it isn’t the kind of place that you should hang out.
There are several steps that you can take to be safer while traveling around NYC. I would suggest getting a money belt, or if you go in the colder months then wear jackets that have pockets on the inside. This way you can hide your money and credit cards close to your body. This will make you less susceptible to pick pocketing or outright being robbed.
You don’t want to look like a tourist when you are walking around NYC. If you are walking around with cowboy boots, flip flops, or other regional types of clothing you are going to stick out. I’m not saying that New Yorkers don’t wear flip flops or a variety of clothing but it isn’t your best bet on the streets of New York where you will find glass, trash, and maybe even needles in some areas.
What to do
- Times square
- Statue of Liberty
- Rockefeller center is a great option. There are several things activities that you can enjoy including: top of the rock observatory deck, Channel Gardens, Radio City Music Hall, live tapings of several shows including SNL and Jimmy Fallon.
- Broadway, where you can find an abundance of world renowned talent in comedies, dramas, and musicals.
- One World Trade Center and by extension the 9/11 memorial. One World Trade Center also has an observation deck if you want a different perspective to see the skyline.
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Prospect park
- The Met: you can find art for several centuries and shopping
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- Bronx zoo
- Macy’s herald square
- Staten Island ferry: It’s free
- Coney Island: Famous hotdogs and amusement rides
- Lincoln Center of Performing Arts
- Empire State Building
- Find a sporting event at: Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, Barkley Center, Citi Fields
- For the art lovers: Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Natural History, Whitney Museum of American Art
Day Trips
I love a good day trip, especially if I plan to spend several days there. There is so much that you can do when it comes to NYC but there is also a lot that is just a few hours away.
- Long Island: When I say go out to Long Island I am talking about the other end of the island, not the city side. You can drive out there in about 2-3 hours and spend some time walking around the Hamptons and what not.
- Ever heard of this place called Boston? Its a super short flight and a pretty reasonable drive for a day or two.
- Philadelphia is another short drive. I have been twice and there are few things as good as an authentic Philly cheesesteak.
- New Jersey is just a bridge away. You can go to the original Carlos Bakery in Hoboken.
There you have it! My tips and tricks about a solo trip in NYC. Comment below about your own experiences.