I ❤ NY. It’s the only city in the US of A that I always want to visit again and again. There is something magical about walking on the streets of Manhattan and getting lost in the concrete jungle. It’s the only city where you can enjoy your own company even when surrounded by million other people. I also like the energy and vibe of the city. Everyone seems to be on the go always and there is always a rush to be somewhere. No wonder why they call it the city that never sleeps. Growing up in India, I think New York City was what was sold as America to me. Karan Johar, one of the most celebrated Bollywood film director known for making larger than life movies, was responsible for introducing America to millions of us from my generation through his movies. Whenever there was a TV show (Friends, Sex and the city, Gossip Girl, Suits, Mindy Project, etc.) or an Alien invasion or any apocalypses in a movie, Manhattan was always involved.

My love affair with New York started in December 2013. I landed for the first time in New York at JFK Terminal 4 on my birthday morning and took a cab to Manhattan. The view from Queens and Brooklyn driving towards Manhattan was something I had never seen before. Giant skyscrapers taking most of the island is what amazed my eyes as a first-timer. I knew that this was a love at first sight.

How long to stay

Just to give you some perspective, I have spent close to 6 weeks over 7 different trips to New York City and I can say by now I have seen almost all of the touristy stuff that is there to see in Manhattan. If it’s your first time in Manhattan I would highly recommend going for a 5-day trip so you can get a good feel of the city. It’s impossible to see the whole of New York in one trip, so you will have to make multiple trips to the city to see it all. Also, if you can brave the cold weather, I would suggest visiting New York during Thanksgiving – New Year’s Eve time period since the whole city is at its best with the holiday decorations. I have spent NYE and July 4^th in New York and both were amazing experiences. In hopefully one of my future trips, I would get to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Getting there and getting around

You have the choice of flying into JFK, La Guardia or Newark airport when flying in to New York City. La Guardia is very close to Manhattan and if flying in or out of there, I would highly recommend getting a window seat to get the best aerial view of the city. All the 3 airports are very well connected to Manhattan via public transportation. If you are carrying too much luggage or are landing very late at night, I would recommend taking a cab to get to the island.

To get around the city, always take the subway. Get yourself a day pass or a weekly pass and take the train everywhere. The trains run 24/7 and the subway system is easy to navigate. The best way to see New York is by walking and talking the subway. Whenever I visit New York, I always end up walking 10-15 miles every day.

Where to stay

Unless you are willing to spend $300+ on a 3-star hotel where your room will be really tiny, I would highly recommend using Airbnb and find a cheap accommodation. I have managed to spend $50-75/night and stayed at an Airbnb in Manhattan. If you are exploring New York for the first time, I would say that you should stay in Manhattan and avoid commuting from other borough and New Jersey to save you some time. In terms of neighborhood recommendations, I would pick anything from Upper east and west side from the top to all the way in Lower Manhattan’s Financial District. Just avoid Harlem and I think you will be fine. My Airbnbs have been in Lower East Side, Chelsea, Upper East side, and Times Square.

What to buy

Being one of the fashion capitals of the world, New York City, houses the most extensive collection of brands and designers that you can imagine. Walk along the 5^th Avenue and gaze at the windows of the high-end designers and labels. In fact, I would highly recommend visiting some of the stores just to see some of the most incredible store designs that you will ever get to see. I personally haven’t shopped anything from New York since you seem to find almost everything online but I have definitely spent hours checking out some of these stores.

What to see or do

Okay, first things first, please don’t take the hop on hop off bus to tour New York. Use the subway or just walk since most of the attractions are close to one another. Since, there are so many attractions worth visiting, I would highly recommend prioritizing them for what you want to see. Here are some cost-saving strategies:

• A lot of these attractions have free or reduced admission on certain days. Make sure to look that up if it coincides with your travel dates.
• For most of the museums, the price advertised is “Suggested donation”. You can decide to pay less than what is suggested and that will still be fine.
• If you are a Bank of America member, use your card for free entry to some museums if’s the “Museum on Us” weekend when you visit.
• Other passes to consider if you want to visit multiple attractions during your visit: New York City Pass, Explorer Pass and New York Pass.
• If you are a student or were one and still have your student card with you, make sure to use it at the places that offer special discounts for student entry at the attractions.

Following is the list of attractions I would recommend visiting:

Upper Manhattan

• Central Park

  New Yorker’s idea of nature. I have to say I love coming to the Central Park for a nice walk in the morning or evening. There is something magical about walking through this greenspace in the middle of concrete jungle. Within the park itself, there are many attractions like the statue of Alice in Wonderland, John Lennon’s Imagine and the iconic Bethesda Fountain.

• Cathedral church of St. John the divine 

  One of the gems of Upper West side. This is one of the world’s largest Anglical cathedral and church.

• Plaza Hotel 

  One of the most iconic New York Hotels. You can pop in for a cup of coffee or champagne and admire the beauty that has been showed in all the popular New York TV Shows and Movies.

• Palace Hotel 

  Gossip girl fans wouldn’t miss the chance to visit this hotel which was featured prominently in the series.

• Waldorf Astoria 

  This has to be the only New York hotel with such a rich history. Famous for the housing the visiting foreign presidents and dignitaries, this landmark hotel has seen world’ who and who as its guests. If you can’t afford a stay here, go get the original Waldorf Salad.

• American Museum of Natural History 

  Located on the Upper West Side, this can be a great museum to go with your kids. Again, entry fee is just “suggested” admission so you can pay as you wish.

• Columbus Square 

  Officially marking the beginning of Central Park on the Upper West Side, this corner has an iconic column of Christopher Columbus. The Times Warner Center is located right next to it.

• Lincoln Center 

  Lincoln center is the epitome of performing arts in New York. The NY Ballet, Symphony Orchestra and theatre are all housed in this giant complex. If you can’t find a show of your choice or in your budget, you can still go for the guided tour of the complex to admire this beauty.

• Carnegie Hall 

  If you ask a New Yorker, how to get to Carnegie hall they may say – “By practice”. This place has been the sign of utmost respect any performer can achieve. There is an option of a guided tour or you can decide to go in for a performance.

• The Met and Met Cloisters 

  The Louvre of USA. Right from the steps of the Met made famous by Gossip girl and the annual Met Gala to the huge collection of artwork this building houses, one cannot help but be overwhelmed. I would highly recommend go in with a certain idea of what specifically you want to see within the museum as you can easily spend the whole day in here. 

• Guggenheim Museum 

  I have been to the museum twice and have to say that I am more impressed by the architecture of the museum more than the collection it keeps. The idea is for you to start from the top most floor and walk your way down gazing at the rotating artwork that it maintains. On Saturday evenings, the entry is pay as you wish.

Midtown

• Grand Central Station

  Even if you don’t have to catch or change a train, please visit this for 15 mins. This station has to be the most beautiful train station that you will ever get to see. You don’t need to have a ticket to enter the station.

• Rockefeller Center and Plaza, Top of the Rock 

  If you are here during the Holiday season, you can see the iconic Christmas tree in its all glory and go ice skating in the rink for an hour. The decorations in the plaza are really beautiful. However, if you are here in the summer, there is just the statue at center of the plaza that you can see and the Atlas statue with the globe in front of one of the buildings. If you really want to see all the buildings of Rockefeller Plaza and hear about the history behind them, there is a guided tour of the plaza and you can buy tickets from the Top of the Rock ticketing office. I would personally avoid the tour if you are short on time or if you just want to check them out yourself. There is also an observation deck at the top. If you have the choice to do multiple observation deck, I would recommend going to the one on the Rockefeller center just before the sunset or in the morning since you get a very good view of Central Park and Empire State Building from here.

• NBC Studios tour 

  No, this is not where 30 Rock or Friends was shot. This studio tour will take you behind the scenes of Jimmy Fallon, Late night with Seth Meyers and SNL. Since I watch all these 3 shows, I really enjoyed the tour.

• Bryant Park 

  My favorite ice skating rink during the holiday season. You can enjoy watching skaters if you don’t skate yourself or enjoy street food from all the nearby vendors.

• Times Square 

  Every New Yorker’s nightmare and every tourist’s top of the sightseeing list. I, personally, am not a big fan of the square but if you are visiting New York for the first time you have to see this during day and night. Walk around the area and take the photos of the world’s most photographed square. There is Nasdaq, those famous Red stairs, Hershey store and other things that you have already seen on TV, Movies or posters. All the Broadway theatres are also close-by from Times Square.

• Radio City Music Hall 

  If you are in New York during Christmas season, you can see the NY’s Rockettes perform during the Christmas Spectacular. I have not been there for any other performance but I know that they do a guided tour which is worth it if you can’t find a performance to go to.

• Rainbow Room

  If you feel like indulging in a very fancy feast when in New York, you can go for a meal at the Rainbow room. I am not sure if the food is worth the money but the views from there definitely make up for it.

• 5^th Avenue 

  Even if you don’t have anything to buy on your list, I would still recommend going for window shopping on 5^th Avenue. The stores have amazing window display and the interiors of the stores are nothing like what you have seen before. Among all the stores, the Apple store, and Tiffany’s is a must see.

• Chrysler Building

  One of the most iconic skyscrapers of Manhattan’s timeline. Unfortunately, there is not much to do anything here except staring at it from far distance.

• Empire State Building 

  If you have to visit the top of a skyscraper at night, I would highly recommend this one. You get a good view of lower Manhattan and uptown.

• New York Public Library 

  Okay, so most people go to a library to borrow a book. But I have been to this library just to see their very impressive reading rooms. These reading rooms will definitely take you to the world of Harry Potter. Of course, at the main entrance of the building you will see the iconic Lion statues too. 

• UN Headquarters 

  One of the only attractions in New York you cannot enter without a reservation. Growing up, I had read a lot about the UN and saw photos of Security Council, General Assembly and other important UN bodies in all my History & Civics book. When I first visited New York, I knew I had to check them out. You can book a guided tour online and that’s the only way to see the UN Headquarters.

• Madison Square Garden 

  Okay, first thing first, this is not a real garden. This is the iconic stadium which hosts a lot of music concerts, sporting events and more and is possibly the biggest arena in New York. It’s the home of the NY Knicks and NY rangers. It’s possible to do a guided tour of the building that will take you behind the scene of Knicks’s home arena.

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral 

  Once you are done sinning on 5^th Avenue by giving into all the retail indulgences, you can go in for a confession. Just kidding. This iconic Cathedral on 5^th Avenue has been one of the most visited cathedral in New York. I have been here during Holiday season and have to say that I witnessed one of the most beautiful masses. 

• MOMA 

  This has to be my second favorite museum in New York right after the Met. It’s also the only museum in New York where you have to buy a ticket i.e. it’s not a suggested donation but an actual ticket price. If you are trying to save money, you can go on Friday evenings from 4-8 pm when they offer free entry.

Lower Manhattan

• Whitney Museum 

  One of the most recent museums to open up in New York City. One Friday nights, they do a pay as you wish for the visitors so it can be great pre-dinner activity.

• New York Stock Exchange 

  There is not much to see except the exterior of the building which houses America’s most important Stock Exchange.

• Charging Bull 

  One of the most iconic statue on the Wall Street which symbolizes aggressive financial optimism and prosperity. Depending on what time of the day you go there, you might have to wait for a few minutes before you can take a photo. Also, facing this statue is the newly installed statue of Fearless girl that is a part of marketing campaign for gender diverse index fund.

• One World Trade Center and observatory 

  This building, to me, symbolizes the spirit of New York City. Standing as the tallest building in the Northern Hemisphere in in the American continent, it’s a sign of the city’s spirit to stand up again stronger and bigger after the horrible incident of 9/11. Mostly comprising of office spaces, the building has an observatory that you can visit. I would highly recommend visiting the observatory during the evening before the sunset so you can get a good view of Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan and Midtown. 

• Ground zero, 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Museum 

  To me, this memorial spoke louder than any in the national mall in Washington DC. Maybe, it had something to do with actually watching the horrific act on the news while growing up and imagining the deaths of so many innocent people who just thought that it was just another day at work. This memorial has two fountains marking the North and South tower with the names of victims who lost their lives that day. There is also a newly opened museum that provides you a good overview of what had happened, survivors, and the restoration effort as well as the construction of the memorial and the One World Trade Center. They have free entry on Tuesdays from 5 pm till closing time.

• Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island 

  Safe to say, this has to be at the top of the attractions to see for those visiting USA for the first time. You will be surprised to learn that the actual statue is in New Jersey and not New York. To get there, you will have to take the special ferry from battery park. I would highly recommend making the reservations beforehand as it can be a long wait if you plan to buy the tickets the day of. I have never managed to climb up the statue since the tickets for it can be sold months, if not year, in advance. The same ferry takes you to Ellis Island which presents a great story about immigration to the USA.

• Washington Square Park 

  Again, a tiny bit of greenspace in the concrete jungle. This park is more famous for the Arch and great views of Flatiron district. 

• Flatiron Building 

  One of the most iconic New York building that looks like a flat iron. There is nothing to do inside the building.

• Chelsea market 

  This used to be a factory before but now has been converted into a hipster place with fancy boutiques and food places. Definitely a great place to drop by after walking on the high line.

• High Line 

  It’s an overhead bridge/path that once had the track lines for the subway system. You can now go for a walk or run in this beautifully decorated path in the evenings.

• Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel 

  Standing close by from One World Trade Center, these were the first few places where the victims of 9/11 and First responders took shelter.

• South Street Seaport 

  It’s a great blend of shopping, dining and entertainment in a historic neighborhood. The pier is nearby so you can often see boats and ships docking and sailing.

• City hall

  Very beautiful building in Lower Manhattan. I have never had a chance to visit it from the inside but the exteriors are worth stopping by and staring.

• US Customs House 

  One of the prettiest building from inside in New York. I think you can just walk in to see the former Customs house and also take a guided tour which will show you the offices of Custom Officers.

Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Bridge 

  It is a nice walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn on the Brooklyn bridge. Once you get to Brooklyn, you can admire the iconic Downtown Manhattan skyline. Of course, if you want, you can ride a bike on the bridge too. 

• Dumbo 

  You have seen the iconic Brooklyn image with the Manhattan bridge in the background in many TV shows and Movies. This is where it was shot.

• Brooklyn Bridge Park 

  A nice park to stroll around admiring the views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

As you can see, there is so much to see and do in New York City. If you were to do it right, I would recommend spending a day in each part of the Manhattan (Upper, Lower and Midtown) and try to cover the top few attractions in those area. Of course, I am sure you will end up loving this city so much that you will come back to see the rest of it very soon.

What are your favorite things to do in New York City ? How did you manage to save money while traveling to this expensive city?

One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years. — Tom Wolfe