NEW YORK FOR VIRGINS
I can't sleep. This city is doing too much to me. My travel tail is wagging fifteen times, the enthusiasm is working overtime and my feet? Man, they don't know what's happening to them. In case you missed it: I'm here for the first time in The Big Apple. And I'm not alone, but with the best travel partner in ages: my Mutti.
Unlike May (who has been to NYC about fifteen times, she guesses), my mother and I are total holy virgin Marys when it comes to the big apple. And after a few days, I can say: Mayke, I completely understand you about those fifteen times, New York is amazing. I've never been to such an intensely impressive and vibrant city. The people are extraterrestrially social. The art, the taxis, the food, the amazing parks to escape the hustle, the architecture, the squirrels, and the donuts. I'm completely smitten with this city and can't say otherwise.
Have you never been to New York? Treat yourself to this trip and please book that ticket. Are you going soon? Lucky you, make sure to read the tips below for a, eh, unforgettable deflowering, shall we say.
Go for at least a week
Four days in New York? You're going to regret it. We booked for a week and believe me: if you want to see all the highlights of the city, you really need that week. Also to be able to eat at all these favorite spots of May, by the way. eten trouwens.
It's just like in the movies (and yet not)
Honestly: I had a very romantic image of the city in my head. It was mostly true: the skyline as you drive into the city from the airport, the yellow cabs, all the spots you recognize from movies and series, and the insane rooftops. But New York is also four hours of standing in long lines after a seven-hour flight before you're outside, crowds that you really have to get used to on the first day, pollution on the streets, and in the middle of summer, it can stink a lot due to the trash. Prepare yourself for that too. (And if you still need to book that ticket, make sure to go in May because that's simply the best month to go: after the nasty cold and before the scorching heat.)
About that hop-on, hop-off bus
Yes, it's mega touristy. But still, I would recommend it to everyone to take it on the first time in New York. When I arrived in the city, I really needed to ‘land’. It's incredibly busy on the streets and especially on the first day, it's nice to view the streets from a helicopter perspective. You can get on/off anywhere, wait a maximum of fifteen minutes at a stop in case you want to go back, and it's a very pleasant way to get a general view of the city during the first days. Once you get used to the pace of the city, you'll naturally get annoyed with the bus because everything feels too slow in traffic, and then you'll discover walking and the subway.
About that subway then
I thought subways in New York were incredibly dirty and creepy. It's actually not that bad, I can tell you. It's a super fast and cheap (a subway ticket costs $2.75, regardless of where you get off) way to get from A to B. Especially if you want to go to the other side of the city and walking is just a bit too far. So that subway? Just do it.
Book a centrally located hotel
The first time you probably want to see all the sights, so it's handy if your hotel is centrally located. We are staying at Row NYC Hotel near Times Square. Think of it as the Utrecht of New York: whether you need to go left, right, down, or up, you're everywhere in no time.
Address: 700 8th Ave, New York, NY 10036
Take a bike tour
Definitely the coolest way to explore the city. My mother and I booked a bike tour a few days ago through Get Up and Ride, and I can REALLY recommend it to everyone. You experience New York in a totally different way. You get an experienced guide (ours, James, was a huge sweetheart), cruise through the whole city without it feeling really heavy - even though we actually biked thirty kilometers - and along the way, you stop a few times to have lunch, walk, or drink coffee. Well, you do have to wear a helmet, but that might be fun for the photos. You can choose between bike tours through Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Get Up and Ride
Address in Brooklyn: 330 South 3rd St. Brooklyn, NY, 11211.
In Manhattan: 645 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036.
Make sure to wear good shoes
I had heels in my suitcase, yes. Haha. Ha-Ha-Ha. Well, I didn't wear them even once. Okay, you can bring a pair of heels for when you're going to have a cocktail at a rooftop bar in the evening, but that's it, okay? Bring at least three pairs of good flat shoes/sneakers for a week. Oh, and blister plasters are also not a luxury. ’Cause gurllll, you gonna walk.
Get a CityPASS
Definitely handy for New York virgins. This booklet gives you access to six of the most popular attractions and is much cheaper compared to buying individual tickets for all attractions. Plus, with the CityPASS you feel a bit like a VIP because you can skip all the long lines and save time. Am I hearing more time to shop? I'm telling you: win-win-win situation.
Here by the way, you find all the attractions of New York listed.
And here you can book a CityPASS.
Bring a well-filled wallet
Because yes, you're going to spend quite a bit in a week. If it's not at Century 21 (a designer paradise where they sell Dolce & Gabbana shoes for $200, just saying), then it's on wine. An average glass costs about 11 euros. The food, the alcohol, a visit to a musical, even H&M and Zara; everything is just a bit more expensive in NYC. Prepare for that and try to save a bit more in the months before you go. Believe me: it's worth it. More than. And it's just that I really have to go to sleep now, but soon of course more about this amazing city, my friends, stay tuned.
