NY City(The City that never sleep) travel guide and helpful tips

The place where skyscrapers in the jungle symbolize America's prosperity pierce the sky, the world's financial, cultural, and fashion center rebuilt on the pride that collapsed in the 9/11 terror, New York, also called the capital of the world as the UN headquarters is located. We tell you how to travel NYC most effectively and with fun.

 

1. Location Introduction

   New York City comprises five boroughs: Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the most densely populated area in the world, with many tourist attractions concentrated in the area. Times Square is the center of Manhattan, and most landmarks, such as Central Park, Columbia University, and museums, are located to the north. In contrast, the UN Headquarters, World Trade Center, and Brooklyn Bridge are located to the south. Manhattan also has landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Broadway, Chelsea Market, High Line, Vessel Architecture, and MoMA Art Museum. It is recommended to travel by region when exploring Manhattan.

2. Where will you stay?

Manhattan, New York, is known for being the most expensive city in the world. so finding affordable lodging can be challenging. However, we have some tips to help you save money on accommodations

 Hotel prices are higher if you stay close to Midtown and lower if you stay farther away. The off-season months of January and February offer the cheapest rates but can be freezing. Hotel prices are the most expensive on Thanksgiving Day(on the 4th Thursday of November) and from Christmas Day until the end of the year. This is also when the famous Macy's Thanksgiving parade takes place. attracting tourists from all over the world and diving up hotel prices. Another costly event in Manhattan is the New Year's Eve countdown in Times Square, where over a million people gather. Hotel prices are higher even before the event. Sunday and Monday are the cheapest days to book hotels in Manhattan, as there are fewer business travelers and tourists during these days. 

If you want to avoid crowds and high prices, I recommend avoiding peak travel periods and booking a hotel that suits your budget and preferences. Hotels near Times Square can e very noisy due to the 24-hour crowds and sirens. I suggest staying near the bus terminal. South of Times Square. This area is still centrally located, and you can walk to many popular attractions, including Central Park, Times Square, museums, the High Line, the cruise terminal, the Vessel, train and bus stations, the Empire State Building, and large department stores.  

The Aliz Hotel is a high-rise hotel with 39 floors and a high-class bar on the 40th and 41st floors. A lounge bar on the top floor also offers an excellent view of Manhattan. If you stay on the 30th floor or higher, you can enjoy the view without visiting a separate observatory. The hotel offers a $25 discount chip, which you can use at the lounge or restaurant on the 1st floor. It's best to find a hotel in the center of Manhattan to experience all the city offers. While Brooklyn, Queens, or New Jersey hotels may be cheaper, transportation options like rental cars, the New York Metro, and Uber can be inconvenient and costly. Additionally, parking a rental car in downtown Manhattan can be difficult and expensive, often exceeding $50 for one use and $200 for multiple services. Therefore, it's recommended to choose a hotel located in downtown Manhattan. 

3. Where to go and what to see?

There are many things to see in New York City, but it's only possible to see some things quickly. If you like art, focus on art galleries and museums. If you want nature, focus on Central Park, parks, and the High Line. Plan your trip around famous tourist destinations such as Empire State Building and Times Square. 

a. Things to see

     - Central Park

      It's a great place to exercise, have coffee, and bring a lunch box to experience the leisure of New Yorkers.

    - Times Square

       After 8:00 pm, there are many performances to watch. You can experience the complexity and splendor of the electronic display board and the countless crowds active 24 hours a day.

   -  As for the Observatory, I would like to recommend two places. 

     ♥ Empire State Building Observatory: You can visit the 86th floor for $44 for adults or the 102nd floor for $77. The night view and the building's forest are more beautiful than any other city's night view.

    ♥ One World Observatory: You can visit the 102nd floor for $43. It's one of the tallest buildings in the world(541.3m / 1,776ft) and was built on the former World Trade Center site. Although it's far from Midtown, you can see the overall scenery of New York City with the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge.

※ I recommend visiting the Empire State Building at night and the One World Observatory during the day.

 - Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise

For a better way to see the night view of New York City than from the observatory, I recommend taking a two hours cruise. The cruise is from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and the price is $45 per person. You'll be impressed by the splendid night view of Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan night view, the UN building, the World Trade Center building, etc. The guide's explanation adds to the fun. reservation website is as follows.

https://www.circleline.com

Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises | Guided Boat Tours NYC

Manhattan City night view from the Cruise

- Others

Chelsea Market and High Line are tourist attractions that show gentrification by preserving and modernizing old facilities. You can have a unique experience of walking through the forest of buildings by turning the railroad tracks that used to be transported into a Park.

MoMA Museum of Art : Reservations are essential because the museum control the number of people entering. There are exhibitions with various themes on each floor. You can purchase goods, and admission is $25 per person. The reservation website is https://www.moma.org/tickets/select

4. What to eat?

To help save money, I suggest restaurants with good for the money.

Gallaghers Steak House: Recommended for lunch specials that cost around $40 after taxes and other amounts. You can choose one salad, dessert, drink, beef, and chicken for steak.

Panda Express : This restaurant has serval locations in Manhattan, and you can enjoy a relaxing meal inside.

Train Station Food Court : You can eat different food here, like pizza and Japanese ramen. There are no designated seats for each restaurant, but many tables are available in the center of the food court. It's an excellent option for a cheap meal.

99Cent Pizza : It's known for being the king of cost-effectiveness and can be found all over Manhattan. It's where you can have a simple meal even though the taste may not be as deep as in other pizza places. I recommend carrying cash when visiting this place as it only accepts $5 or more card payments. I think it's worth eating at least one meal while traveling to New York.

Peter Luger Steakhouse: Remember to make reservations at least three weeks in advance, and it's tough to get a reservation at the time and place you want if someone cancels. You can make a reservation at RESY, and essential to check the cancellation policy for each restaurant when making a reservation. http://resy.com

Resy | Your Guide to the World's Best Restaurants

 

5. Tipping Culture in the US

Tipping is a customary practice in the US and is considered polite. When paying at a restaurant, add a 15~20% tip to the receipt(order amount+tax+tip). For lunch, a 15% tip is appropriate, and for dinner, a 15~18% tip is warranted. If you like the food and service, you can give a 20% or more tip, or even $100. It is also customary to tip hotel housekeeping service $1, $1 when you check out, and $1-$2 when the bellman hails a taxi or carries a bag.

 

6. Where to do Laundry

Most hotels in New York do not have laundry services, so you will need to find a laundromat. It is easy to find a laundromat, and it is recommended to find one near your hotel. The cost of washing is $16 for 30 minutes(!6, 25 cent coins), and drying takes 43 minur=tes(25 cents for 7 minutes). To do laundry, you will need 22 coins of 25 cents.

7. Uber and Transportation

Taking an Uber from the airport to the hotel costs about $70, while hotel limousine services cost more than $100. To save money, using the Uber or Lyft app to make a reservation the day before departure is recommended. The fee for using Uber or Lyft varies depending on the time of day, but it is around $80. To use Uber or Lyft, download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, register as a member/user, select the desired time zone, and select the desired vehicle type.

The New York Metro fare is $2.75 for one-way and $5.50 for a roundtrip. An unlimited card for those who want to stay for seven or 30 days is recommended, costing $33 and $127 for 30 days.  

The bus route is not recommended for first-time users; it can be complicated and inconvenient, with a one-way fare of about $2.75.

8. Other Tips for Traveling to New York

Prepare comfortable shoes, as walking is a daily routine in New York. Taxis are expensive, and tipping is required, so walking or using the subway is recommended. The subway is good value for money, but it is not clean, and there are many homeless people, so be prepared.

MACY'S is a large department store recommended for shopping. The LOT-LESS market sells products t a low price and is an excellent place to buy quality clothes or shoes at a reasonable fee if you choose well.

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