I’ve lived in New York City for eight years. Here’s what you should know before you visit.

New York City is one of the most popular places to travel in the world, and while you may hear a dash of crazy stories in the news from time to time, it’s one of the few places worth the hype. I’ve lived here for eight years, and I still haven’t explored this great city to its full capacity.

No matter who you are, New York City is a melting pot of diversity, creativity, and splendor. 

Go to Flushing in Queens and you’ll feel like you stepped off the train to Beijing. Head to Greenpoint in Brooklyn, where you’ll learn to appreciate underrated Polish cuisine and hospitality. Travel Uptown to Harlem to bask in the history of the city’s musical Renaissance and enjoy some delicious soul food. 

I could offer you an endless list of things to do in New York City, but the focus here is to give you some pointers and highlight some common mistakes that first-time tourists make. And this is no critique of tourists. 

It’s easy to find information about the most popular spots, but I’m here to tell you what’s often missing from the usual advice!

NYC is not the easiest city to meet other travelers

One of the best parts of traveling is meeting people who really add that extra dash of spice that makes a trip unforgettable. Building memories with new people and fellow travelers is a sure way to bond with a foreign land and build a rapport of favorability. 

Don’t get me wrong; you CAN do that in New York City. However, in my experience, it’s a bit harder to connect with fellow travelers here, than in other major cities. 

People often have a harder time “breaking in” since it’s a fast-paced environment and people attracted to New York City tend to be relatively independent. But, fear not, I have some suggestions!

You can always use the foolproof method and stay at a hostel instead of a hotel to meet fellow solo travelers.

However, my suggestion is to push yourself and talk to people in bars or restaurants to try a “cold outreach.” 

And I’m telling you this from personal experience. I’ve created a few lifelong friendships by biting the bullet of discomfort and going up to people. 

Here’s the kicker: New York City has so many interesting people, that a simple conversation could change your life. 

That person sipping an old-fashioned in an East Village dive bar could be a famous artist, or drafting up a project proposal for technology that will take us fifty years into the future. You never know who you’ll meet in New York City. Talk to people. 

Avoid Midtown for food

Midtown has plenty of places to see for first-time visitors to New York City like Times Square and Broadway. It’s a unique mixture of street performers, vendors, historical landmarks, and a sensory overload of bright lights highlighting the very best of global advertising. 

But if there’s a place to avoid when choosing where to go for dinner, it’s Midtown. 

I used to work in event management and I’ll never forget the day I chatted with a group of French tourists traveling to New York City for the first time. They were raving about the atmosphere, the people, and the boroughs. But, they said the food was disgusting. 

I was shocked and internally defensive. How is that possible? We have food in New York City catering to every culture and walk of life and then some. Well, it turns out, they were staying at a hotel in Midtown and strictly eating in Midtown. This is a big no-no. 

Most of the food in Midtown consists of chain restaurants and fast food that exist everywhere else in The United States. It’s not the best place to find local or authentic cuisine. 

Here’s my advice: Spend a few hours in Midtown when it’s dark to experience the bright lights. Eat elsewhere.

I’ve made a list of the best restaurants in New York City if you need some help. The hidden gems of cuisine are clustered in the Lower East Side and the West Village if you’re staying in Manhattan. 

If you decide to stay in Midtown, you should choose fine dining for better quality, because there are a few great restaurant exceptions in this part of the city. Avra Estiatorio in Rockefeller Center (pictured) is my top pick for Midtown dining. 

If you’re in New York City for a longer stretch of time, try out the food in the other boroughs. My favorite Polish restaurant Karczma is in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and Sylvia’s Harlem Restaurant is a famous spot for soul food. My neighborhood of Astoria, Queens has the best Greek food outside of Greece!

🍎 Read Next: Where to Stay When Visiting New York City 

The weather can change on a whim

There’s a common joke amongst New Yorkers that you’ll never have the right clothes when you leave your house since the weather is so unpredictable. If you’ve read the weather app and feel prepared. Well, think again. 

New York City experiences all four seasons to their full effect. The winter can be brutally cold and dreary. The humidity in the summertime can be suffocating, especially with so much concrete trapping the heat.

Unfortunately, climate projections have forecasted more intense heat, rainfall, and flooding in the future. [Source]

If you’re traveling in the summer, make sure you add extra clothes and proper shoes to your NYC packing list. The subway often floods during heavy rain, and you don’t want to be stuck with one pair of open-toed sandals!

From early November to April, the winter can be blisteringly cold. You need to make sure you have enough warm clothes, and I assure you, you cannot overpack. On the contrary, you’ll get a random warm day in the middle of a sub-zero temperature week. So, pack some light clothes as well. 

The weather here makes no sense; New Yorkers have mastered the art of winging it.  

Everything is extremely fast-paced

I’ll admit, I’m guilty of complaining about tourists and how slow they walk. Live here long enough, and it’s bound to happen. 

New York City was built for the fast, hungry, and independent. Living here requires a certain level of resilience where you’re constantly on the move with somewhere you need to be. This is even more true for neighborhoods in Manhattan like Midtown, SoHo, and the Financial District.  

Even if you slow down to take a few photos and enjoy your surroundings, you need to pay attention and remain alert. 

I have witnessed people being run over or hit by bicycles and mopeds in the middle of the day. I’ve seen people nearly walk into oncoming traffic because they were taking a photo and didn’t see the light change.

This is not meant to scare you away because New York City is a fantastic place and generally very safe to visit. If it’s your first time, it may come as a shock just how fast people move. 

On the bright side, you’ll easily burn calories and hit your daily step count! 

The subway is almost always better than a cab

I rarely take a cab if I’m in the city, and I usually try to avoid it altogether. Jumping into a taxi or ordering an Uber may be convenient, but it’s pricey. Also, you’re not going to get anywhere faster just because you’re in a car.

The New York City subway system is well-connected and efficient. It gets a bad reputation for being run down and dirty, but the city is old, and wear and tear happens. It also handles millions of commuters daily and runs 24 hours a day.

When I’m in Manhattan, I always see tourists jumping into a yellow cab, and I can’t help but wonder, “Do they think that will be faster?” The answer is no. The subway is usually faster than taking a cab or an Uber.

The only time you should consider ordering a cab is if you’re out very late at night. The trains slow down in service after midnight and are slightly less safe. Save your money for late-night cab trips and take the subway during the day. 

And just think, for only $2.90, you can take the subway anywhere in the four boroughs; a great deal!  

A final note – avoid the typical tourist traps to get the best out of The Big Apple 🍎

There is so much to explore in New York City that you could spend a day, a week, a month, or a year here and still feel like you haven’t seen it all. 

It always pains me when tourists tell me they’re staying in Midtown for their entire trip. While it’s a good place to stay in NYC for first-timers, I’m internally screaming! See Times Square once, and it’s enough. 

One of my favorite things to do is wander around the city and take in the sights in different boroughs. Brooklyn is my favorite neighborhood to admire the brownstones and unique homes each packed with individual character. Greenpoint, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope are my favorite areas, and I become envious of the stunning homes!

Another tip is to take advantage of the Citi Bikes, where stations are all over the city. You can pay $19 for a day pass, and the city has done a great job of putting bike lanes in all of the boroughs. It’s a great way to take a break from walking and still be able to sightsee. 

Don’t shy away from the Bronx or Queens either! People tend to think the worst of the Bronx, but there are some incredible spots. City Island feels like a seaside village and Woodlawn has a cozy family feel that is hard to beat. My neighborhood of Astoria is the best place I’ve ever lived and is the friendliest community in the city.

🍎 Read Next: 21 Tips for Visiting New York City

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Lastly, don’t forget to have fun. New York City is one of the best places on this green earth and you won’t regret your visit!

Next, read my article on why I love Rochester, despite it being called a dying city.