Every year, millions visit New York with a checklist of landmarks and not much else. But the city can be intense, even if you have a complete itinerary prepared. This is because the streets move fast, the crowds don’t wait, and simple mistakes make the trip harder than it needs to be.
Fortunately, many common issues have simple fixes—once you know what to look for.
Staying In Times Square the Entire Trip
Credit: Getty Images
The area around Times Square is crowded and expensive. The surrounding restaurants tend to prioritize tourists over food quality, and hotel rates often exceed those in other areas. Booking there might feel convenient, but the constant lights, noise, and foot traffic wear people down quickly.
Avoiding the Subway
Credit: Getty Images
Subways in the city run 24 hours a day and connect almost every part of it. It’s usually faster than taking a cab, especially during rush hour. People who skip the train tend to pay more and wait longer. Learn the line names and directions, and either get a MetroCard or use a contactless payment method.
Only Eating at Chains
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Relying on familiar chain restaurants limits what you actually experience in a city known for its food. New York has over 25,000 places to eat, and many of the best ones are small, independent, and easily overlooked. Regional dishes and neighborhood staples rarely appear on high-end menus. Walking just a few blocks away from major attractions often leads to better meals at lower prices.
Trying to Hail a Cab at Rush Hour
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Traffic in Manhattan moves slowly during peak hours, and hailing a cab becomes a test of patience. New Yorkers grab them quickly, and prices climb as the streets clog. Subways and ferries operate on schedules and bypass gridlock. If you try to take a taxi at 5:30 p.m., you may spend more time sitting in traffic than moving.
Ignoring the Outer Boroughs
Credit: Getty Images
All the outer boroughs offer something that Manhattan can’t. The Staten Island Ferry gives a free ride with skyline views. Meanwhile, Queens boasts incredible food in almost every neighborhood, and the Bronx is home to the city's largest zoo and historical sites. Tourists who stay within Manhattan’s limits often miss out on the full scale of New York.
Not Checking Museum Admission Options
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
People assume that admission fees at major museums are fixed, but they’re often suggested donations or reduced for certain groups. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, for example, allows New York residents to pay what they wish. Other museums offer free hours or discounted entry on specific days.
Booking Activities Too Late
Credit: Getty Images
Broadway shows, observation decks, and some major museums require advance booking. Tickets tend to sell out or cost more when bought at the last minute. Visitors who wait to buy at the door risk missing out or standing in long lines. Pre-booking not only saves money but also gives you more flexibility later in the day.
Wearing the Wrong Shoes
Credit: iStockphoto
When you get to NYC, you will notice that the layout encourages walking. You’ll move between subways, cross long avenues, and wander through large museums or parks. In 2019, NYC tourism surveys reported that visitors walked an average of six to eight miles daily. In such cases, you will need comfortable, broken-in shoes to make the entire trip easier.
Stopping in the Middle of the Sidewalk
Credit: Canva
When people suddenly stop without moving to the side in New York traffic, they break the flow and sometimes cause minor collisions. Guests do this most often around big landmarks or near subway entrances. Locals won’t always say anything, but they notice. If you need to pause, step to the edge or near a building.
Underestimating How Big the City Is
Credit: Getty Images
New York spans over 300 square miles, and even a single borough can take hours to explore. Central Park alone stretches across 843 acres, with museums, gardens, and trails that take time to cover. Travelers usually try to cram multiple major sights into one day, which leaves little time to enjoy any of them.