You’re visiting NYC for the first time?

You’re visiting NYC for the first time!!!

NYC can be as welcoming as it can be intimidating. And it can be as enthralling as it is overwhelming. After all, that’s what happens when you join more than 65 million other tourists to see a city.¹

We’re here to provide a little method to the madness that can be a first-time NYC adventure. And in addition to our advice and insights below, New York is a destination that’s tailormade for travel insurance. With the high cost of tickets for everything from “Book of Mormon” to a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, being able to seek reimbursement for pre-paid, nonrefundable in the event of a covered trip cancellation just makes good financial sense. Before you review our hacks for The City That Never Sleeps, find a travel insurance plan from Allianz Global Assistance that will help you sleep better at night. Make sense? Good! Let’s get started…

When to Visit NYC

If you want to skate the Rink at Rockefeller Center, do your holiday shopping at FAO Schwarz, and gawk at the big balloons at the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Day Parade, just know that you have a very popular plan. The holidays are the most crowded time to visit NYC for these reasons and so many more. (And unless you’re running or cheering on friends and family in the New York City Marathon, also skip the first Sunday in November, when accommodations are packed and streets are closed.)

If you’re fine skipping the holiday glitz, then vet dates between January and April when the ebb of tourists also makes lodging and airfare a bit more budget friendly.²

Right-Sizing Your NYC Trip

New York is a veritable buffet of entertainment, recreation, history, commerce, culinary delights and so much more.

But much like that all-you-can-eat Brazilian Churrascaria — we recommend Plataforma on 49^th Street — biting off more than you can chew can sink everything from your budget to your peace of mind. Our best advice for visiting NYC is to handle it in chunks, whether you’re focusing on one specific theme, such as Broadway shows, or want to dip into all potential attractions just once, perhaps pairing a single musical, a walk across Brooklyn Heights’ scenic promenade, and a day-night doubleheader with the Bronx Bombers.

It might be helpful to pull out a map when planning your trip, because you can imagine why the city has every mass transit option available: it’s more than 300 sq. miles. To put that in further perspective, population-wise, the borough of Brooklyn alone is about the size of Chicago.³

Yes, we said “borough.” NYC comprises five boroughs that could serve as a template for your trip in terms of how much geography you decide to take on or what to schedule when, so that you’re not zig-zagging back and forth. Let’s take a closer look at what the different boroughs offer so you can decide which are essential for visiting NYC.

• The Bronx: The northernmost borough, the Bronx is home to America’s largest metro zoo, aptly named The Bronx Zoo. Boasting 260-plus acres, Asian elephants, grizzly bears and more, the Zoo even lets you swing by on “pay what you wish Wednesdays” for a more budget-friendly encounter. Pair a trip to the zoo with a Yankees game and stop at the New York Botanical Garden for a full weekend.⁴

• Queens: Take a look around you. Queens is America’s most diverse county, and its many ethnic enclaves have exploded into thriving culinary destinations. Try Elmhurst for fragrant, spicy Thai fair and Jackson Heights for an authentic Indian experience. If you have time, swing by Citi Field to meet the Mets or Flushing Meadows to gush over some 100 mph serves and never-ending rallies.⁵

• Brooklyn: This is the spot to kick it old school and new school. Start out with a stop by Coney Island for a ride on the world-famous, 90-year-old Cyclone and a Nathan’s Famous hotdog (We recommend roller coaster first, hot dog second). Then soak in Brooklyn’s thriving live music scene, whether you prefer the indie vibes of the Music Hall of Williamsburg or electronic music blasted throughout the converted warehouse or rooftop of Elsewhere in Bushwick.⁶

• Staten Island: Welcome to “The Greenest Borough,” where visitors have their pick from 170-plus parks. Try under-the-radar Greenbelt, which is actually three times the size of Central Park, to blaze a trail away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Bring your binoculars; this is a popular birding spot.⁷

• Manhattan: Some visiting NYC for the first time may be thinking about Manhattan and Manhattan alone when plotting their itinerary. While it features the greatest population density of any city in the West, it’s the smallest borough in terms of geographic footprint.⁸ Manhattan is home to myriad attractions, including what’s the symbolic destination for so many tourists: Times Square, complete with sprawling digital billboards and every New Year’s Eve, an elaborate, crystal-adorned descending ball. Then there is Central Park, where you can squire a horse and carriage, rent a bike or find your moment of Zen at a yoga class.⁹ 
  
  Meanwhile, at the American Museum of Natural History, you can make friends at the Butterfly Conservatory. Then browse chic Fifth Avenue shops including Gucci and Prada. And did we mention trying your luck at landing a ticket for “Hamilton,” exploring counterculture capital Greenwich Village, or ferrying to Liberty Island to see our 305-foot beacon to freedom?

It’s a lot, which means that even if you’re limiting your NYC visit to Manhattan, you’re still not going to be able to do it all. We recommend planning your days while eyeballing a New York Subway map or app to streamline your travels and optimize trips.

Getting There & Getting Around

You know when you’re going and what you’re going to do while visiting NYC. But how are you going to get there?

Most likely, your journey is beginning on a plane. You have three NYC-area airports to choose from: JFK International Airport in southern Queens, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and LaGuardia Airport in northern Queens. When making a selection, location should figure into your thinking alongside flight price and availability. You don’t want to begin your New York adventure with a 90-minute, $75 ride from the airport to your hotel, right?

Here are a few quick tips:

• If you’re headed to Manhattan (except for the East Side), go with Newark. It’s not a pretty ride across the turnpike, as smoke stacks and ominous plumes dot the way, but it’s the fastest. Just keep the windows rolled up.
• Brooklyn bound? Your best bet is to arrive at JFK.
• LaGuardia best serves travelers headed to Long Island City and Manhattan’s East Side.¹⁰

Once you’ve arrived in New York, the subway is the most economical and direct way to get around. It may be crowded — about six million people ride it on the average weekday — but that’s divided up among about 500 stations. When you have the chance, skip traditional taxis and ridesharing options for this reliable option.¹¹

Amtrak and bus travel are also options for visiting NYC. And so is driving your car, but think carefully before hopping in your hatchback and heading toward the city. For one, inbound bridges and tunnels carry hefty tolls. The George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel all cost about $15. And once you’re in the city, parking costs are steep. Fortunately, apps such as SpotHero can help you locate the cheapest, closest spots available.

Where to Stay When Visiting NYC

Let’s skip right to what you want to know: how can you stay in NYC on the cheap, without compromising convenience or safety?

Boutique hotels.

No, seriously.

Among NYC’s 120,000-ish hotel rooms, a rising tide of smaller affordable boutique hotels is capturing tourists’ attention. When we say “affordable,” we mean under $200/night. Properties such as Midtown’s Hudson Hotel, located Central Park and featuring modern décor, fits the bill.¹²

Want to go cheaper? Try Airbnb, where you’ll find well-appointed private rooms with shared bathrooms in the $75-$100/night range.¹³

Visiting NYC for the first is sure to be an eye-opening experience. By crafting an itinerary that fits your allotted time and budget, you can make sure that your first bite out of the Big Apple is a sweet one. And then you can come back for more.

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