17 New York City Tips Every First-Time Visitor Should Know (2026)

Our first visit to New York City was at the end of August, and we spent five days in this concrete jungle. We loved it, and since then we have been lucky enough to go back a few more times.

These 17 New York City tips are the things we wish we had known before our first trip. Even if it is not your first visit, we are sure you will pick up something useful.

We have visited plenty of busy cities, such as Sydney, Melbourne, London, Manila and Singapore. But New York City is one of a kind.

The city really never sleeps. The noise and traffic are constant, which can be quite a shock if you are new to it. Don’t worry, we are here to help.

Jump to:

• 1. The traffic is ridiculous
• 2. Even the “five-star” hotel rooms are tiny
• 3. Always have a valid card when you book a hotel room
• 4. A taxi is not always the fastest way from A to B
• 5. New York City has the best doughnuts
• 6. Central Park is as amazing as they say
• 7. Eating out is a lot more expensive than you might think
• 8. Tourist attractions are very expensive
• 9. Be prepared to queue everywhere
• 10. No, TV and music stars don’t stand on every corner
• 11. There is a park where you can legally have a drink
• 12. It might be easier just to walk
• 13. There are food stands on every corner, so use them
• 14. Eating cheap often means eating unhealthy
• 15. There is a Starbucks on (almost) every corner
• 16. Everyone is in a hurry, so don’t get in their way
• 17. The city is shopping heaven

1. The traffic is ridiculous

Sounds obvious, right? But the traffic in New York City is constant and loud.

The streets are packed with cars, cabs and buses, day and night. If anything, it felt busier at night than during the day.

Engines, horns, fire engines and ambulance sirens go all day, every day.

The good news is that after a day or two, you stop noticing it.

2. Even the “five-star” hotel rooms are tiny

After checking into a five-star hotel, you will quickly realise the rooms are small. The website photos do not show the real size, and an upgrade to an “executive” room may only gain you an extra square metre.

On our first trip we decided to splash out on an executive Times Square view room. Our view turned out to be a wall, a few rooftops and a tiny glimpse of Times Square between other buildings. Moving rooms didn’t make any difference either.

When you compare prices, remember that hotel tax and any destination or facility fee will be added on top of the nightly rate. If you want a properly special stay and do not mind the price, have a look at The Bowery Hotel on Booking.com.

3. Always have a valid card when you book a hotel room

This one caught us out. We had given the right bank card when booking our room online, but we had spent too much on that card, and there were not enough funds for the hotel to take payment before we even arrived.

When we checked in, we found out they had cancelled our booking. It took a lot of hassle, and a very rude receptionist, to get our reservation back.

Keep in mind that Booking.com had told us no prepayment was needed.

Even if your confirmation says free cancellation and no payment until check-in, the hotel may still try to charge or pre-authorise your card before you arrive. Make sure the card on file has enough available, or your room might not be waiting for you.

A note on Airbnb in New York

Since September 2023, New York’s short-term rental law (Local Law 18) means stays of under 30 days are only legal in homes registered with the city, where the host lives there and is present during your stay, with a maximum of two guests. In practice, most whole-apartment short stays are now illegal, so a hotel is usually the simpler and safer choice. You can read the rules on the NYC government website.

4. A taxi is not always the fastest way from A to B

As we said, the traffic is constant, so a taxi might not be your best option.

If you are on a schedule, the NYC subway is usually quicker. A ride costs US$3, and you simply tap a contactless bank card or your phone on the OMNY reader at the gate. You no longer need to buy a MetroCard. After US$35 of rides in seven days on the same card, the rest of that week is free. Each person needs their own card or phone to tap.

Taxis and rideshares also cost a little more than they used to in Lower and Midtown Manhattan, because of congestion pricing: there is a per-trip surcharge for trips in the zone below 60th Street.

We also did a lot of walking (see tip 12).

If you have a flight to catch, JFK airport is about an hour’s drive from Manhattan, and more in heavy traffic, so leave plenty of time.

5. New York City has the best doughnuts

Get in my belly! We don’t usually have a sweet tooth, but the doughnuts here are to die for. They are huge and one can easily feed two.

There are so many places selling fluffy doughnuts in every flavour you can dream of. You can’t visit New York and not try one.

6. Central Park is as amazing as they say

We spent a whole day in Central Park and fell in love with it. First we rented bikes to explore, then we went round again on foot.

It doesn’t disappoint. There are so many beautiful spots, we could have stayed there forever. If it is your first time in New York, Central Park should be at the top of your list.

We also loved the Loeb Boathouse, where you can have a meal or just sit back with a drink and take in the view of the lake.

Did you know? Central Park gets all the hype as a huge city park, but Phoenix Park in Dublin is about twice the size. More facts about Ireland here.

7. Eating out is a lot more expensive than you might think

Planning to eat in restaurants? It adds up quickly.

On our first trip, we had a budget of US$200 a day for the two of us for attractions and food. That might sound like a lot, but there was no way of splashing out on fancy dinners. We mostly ate pizza, pasta and other cheap options. Prices have gone up a lot since then, so budget more than that today.

Remember that the price on the menu is not what you pay. Sales tax of 8.875% is added to the bill, and then you are expected to tip.

How much to tip in New York

• Sit-down restaurants: 18 to 20% of the bill is standard. Under 15% is seen as a sign you were unhappy.
• Bars: at least US$1 per drink, or 18 to 20% if you run a tab.
• Taxis: 15 to 20% of the fare.

If you are staying somewhere central, venture a few blocks away for more choice and better prices.

8. Tourist attractions are very expensive

We expected New York to be pricey for sightseeing, but the prices still went well beyond what we expected. With our daily budget, we had to choose carefully.

We took the hop-on hop-off cruise, got a great deal at the time, and really enjoyed it. If you don’t have much time, an hour-long Statue of Liberty cruise is a good alternative.

In one day we managed to see Wall Street, beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and much more. The memorial pools are free to visit; the museum and the One World Observatory, at the top of One World Trade Center, are ticketed.

The New York hop-on hop-off bus is another good way to see the city and build your own itinerary. Expect to pay roughly US$50 or more per person for a one-day ticket. Just remember that buses get stuck in the same traffic as everyone else, so it can be slow.

At the Empire State Building, adult tickets currently start at around US$46 for the 86th floor observatory, and from around US$81 if you also want to go up to the 102nd floor. Prices vary by time and date, so check before you go.

If you want to see a lot in a few days, a New York sightseeing pass can work out cheaper than buying every ticket separately. Add up the attractions you actually want to see before you buy one.

9. Be prepared to queue everywhere

In five days in New York, we queued more than we had in the whole year before.

If you have waited your turn at London attractions, expect it to take twice as long here. Even the public toilet queues can be exhausting (ladies, you know what we mean).

The big attractions are busy seven days a week, all year round. Booking a timed ticket online, and going early in the morning or later in the evening, helps.

10. No, TV and music stars don’t stand on every corner

New York is famous for celebrity spotting, but it is not easy unless that is your only goal. In five days in the city on our first trip, we didn’t see a single star, unfortunately.

If you want to see the famous spots instead, you can take a guided tour of New York film and TV locations. It is one of the best ways to see the places you know from the screen. Check the tour page for the current price and duration.

11. There is a park where you can legally have a drink

Bryant Park, right beside the New York Public Library, has outdoor bars where you can enjoy a cold drink.

The park is also popular for events, the summer outdoor film festival and much more. It is small but gorgeous and well worth a visit.

12. It might be easier just to walk

Even if you hate walking, New York on foot is more fun than you think.

There is something around every corner, and with the constant traffic, you will often get there faster on your own two feet. Put on comfy shoes and blend in with the locals.

New York is also known for its walking tours, and you can explore some of the most exciting spots and capture it all on a private photo walking tour.

13. There are food stands on every corner, so use them

Food carts and stands selling everything from hot dogs to halal platters and fruit are everywhere. They are a must-try, and one of the cheapest ways to eat in Manhattan.

14. Eating cheap often means eating unhealthy

New York has every cuisine you can imagine, but on a budget, cheap usually means fast food.

The pizza places are delicious, but after a few days we were craving a healthy green salad. If you are right in the heart of the city, be prepared to pay a lot for food that is not necessarily the healthiest.

If you want to taste the city’s food while sightseeing, why not try a dinner cruise?

15. There is a Starbucks on (almost) every corner

Well, almost. There are hundreds of Starbucks in the city, so even if you are not a fan of the coffee, they come in handy when you are looking for a restroom.

16. Everyone is in a hurry, so don’t get in their way

The city is bustling. People are happy to help if you ask for directions, but don’t slow them down.

Everyone seems to be on a mission, and they will not stop if you are blocking the pavement to take a photo. Step to the side, try to blend in, and you will be just fine.

17. The city is shopping heaven

If you are coming to New York to shop, you are in the right place. It has the best shopping we have ever seen, and it is hard not to spend when you are here.

Put some money aside for it. Just remember that 8.875% sales tax is added at the till, so the price on the tag is not the price you pay. (One bonus: clothing and footwear under US$110 per item are exempt from sales tax in New York City.)

What other New York City tips do you wish you had known?

We hope these tips help you plan your first trip. If you have been, tell us in the comments what you wish you had known before you went.

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Steve and Sabina

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