15 things you need to know before traveling to New York

I have been living in New York since 2010, and almost every day some of you tell me something they did not know about the city yet or that would have made a big difference during their trip if they knew. It was difficult to choose just 15, but since these are the most recurring, here I am. For an incredible experience in New York with all the most important things you need to know and a step-by-step itinerary to explore NYC like a local, be sure to download the blog’s guide HERE!

Oh, before I forget…To see more of my day to day life in NYC and get the hottest tips, join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE, follow me on Instagram (@marthasachser or @blognyandabout) and subscribe to my YouTube channel! And click HERE for my NYC complete guide with step-to-step itineraries!

What is the weather like in New York?

You’ve probably seen me talking on Instagram countless times about how one of the things I love most about NY is that we have the four seasons very clearly defined here. And yes, it’s really cool, but this division of weather can be quite extreme around here. In practice, this means that in the summer it tends to be VERY hot and humid.

In winter it’s VERY cold and windy. There are some milder days (same for summer months), but they are the minority, and since it’s a city where you walk a lot, you feel the cold much more. There are several blog posts about winter in New York that can help you make the most of the season.

In autumn and spring, we have that confusing and mild weather (which I love!). There are chilly days, it suddenly gets warmer, then it drops again, and so on.

As I always say, New York is always worth it if you prepare well! Can you survive the extreme heat and intense cold? Yes, of course. I’ve been living here for over 10 years and I’m still going strong. But if you don’t like these extremes and have flexibility, avoid the months of July, August (summer), January, February, and March (winter) if you can. I’ll talk more about this and about each season below, so don’t skip if the subject interests you but click HERE to learn more in detail about the weather in each season.

What is the best time to travel to New York?

As I mentioned earlier, New York is always worth it if you are well informed and prepared, both in terms of itinerary and what clothes and shoes to bring. SPOILER: always go for comfort in New York because you will walk a lot here.

But when people ask me about the best time of the year to visit, I confess that I have my favorites for the weather (May, June, September, and October) and for the beauty (May, October, November, and December), but I’ll summarize what I think of each one below to help you choose the best time according to your profile:

January, February, and March: the height of winter. The day gets darker earlier (around 5 pm), the cold tends to be strong, and it’s windy, especially near the rivers, bridges and observatories and rooftops. It doesn’t usually snow very often as many people imagine, but it usually snows more in this period than in December. It’s common to have a snowstorm at this time, usually lasting for hours or a day, and in addition to establishments closing, many flights are canceled. The winter landscape is beautiful, there are ice skating rinks in various parts of the city, and you can ski near NYC, the main resorts are less than 2-3 hours away. Hotels are usually cheaper, and the city is less crowded (less lines!) at this time.

April: It’s still cold, but it starts getting less intense towards the end of the month, and the day starts to get darker a little later! But you have the first signs of spring, with cherry blossom trees starting to bloom.

May and June: Spring really starts to show up, the city becomes cheerful, public pools start to reopen, it gets darker later, and the weather is milder, sometimes even getting very hot on some days and then suddenly getting cooler again. So always check the forecast before packing!

In June, outdoor shows and cinemas start, boat rides and rooftops become more lively, so it’s a great time to enjoy the city with good weather and not as crowded as July and August. In May, it still can be a bit chilly, usually just enough for a denim jacket or sweatshirt, so if you want only warm weather, opt for the end of the month.

July and August: Heat, heat, and more heat. However, there are always pleasant days along the way. The city gets more crowded (hello, school vacations around the world!), so expect to find more lines for everything (including attractions). I highly recommend reserving and buying tickets in advance to save time and money.

During these summer months, the day gets darker much later, around 8:30 pm, and the city offers shows, events, outdoor movies, and tours to do!

September: The weather starts to get milder, but there may still be days of very hot or unexpected chilly weather, but it usually remains quite pleasant until the middle of the month. After that, check the forecast to see if you will need a light jacket on some days. I am writing this post at the end of September 2022 and so far, I have already used my denim jacket and a light coat on some mornings and evenings. There was one day when the temperature dropped to 12 degrees – it was so shocking that no one was prepared. In the following days, it went back up to the 20s again. And so we define May, September, and part of October, as an inconsistent up-and-down.

October: Autumn arrives slowly and it gradually gets chilly, with some days being cooler than others, but nothing too intense (when I say intense, I mean below zero), it still tends to be a pleasant chill for most of the beginning of the month, between 10-20 degrees. The trees start to change color and the city has a special vibe. It’s my favorite month!

November: Cold is now a more frequent reality, so you may need a heavier winter coat on some days. The last Thursday of the month is Thanksgiving Day and the city gets busier, and soon after, the holiday season begins, so lodging and airfare are usually more expensive. It doesn’t usually snow in November, but it can happen, probably towards the end of the month. But it’s rare.

December: And then it’s Christmas! In fact, the most famous one in the world – perhaps thanks to countless Christmas movies that we grew up watching! So expect to see the whole world here. That means lines, lots of people in the Rockefeller Center area, and higher prices for lodging and airfare. So, anything you can reserve in advance, do it, so you avoid some lines and hassle on the trip. Is there no winter clothing that can withstand heavy cold?

Broadway: shows and discounts

Broadway musicals are a unique experience, but it’s important 1) to choose the musical you want to see well and know if your level of English will facilitate the experience. In this case, I recommend plays that you are already familiar with, so the language barrier won’t be as much of a problem and 2) to know if you are a person who likes musicals. If you don’t like them, it could be a wasted investment. The productions are beautiful, and the actors are super talented, but it’s common to see stories of people who fell asleep during the performance simply because they have no interest in theatrical plays and musicals or because they don’t understand the language well. If you want a tip for lively plays with more well-known stories, I recommend Aladdin, The Lion King and Moulin Rouge but check the list to see what’s available when you come! Some shows offer audio guide rental in different languages, but it’s not a simultaneous translation of what they are saying, it’s more of a general explanation, from what some readers have told me, so I can be wrong.

Discounts for Broadway:

Yes, there are several ways to get them and I talked about each one of them HERE! But here’s a tip, by using the official blog link, you can buy all the shows with a 5% discount and with information in Portuguese! Just enter the code NYABOUT5OFF after choosing the date and number of tickets on the Tiqets website HERE!

Where to stay in New York

In my opinion, there is no such thing as the “best neighborhood” to stay in New York. It depends on the type of traveler you are and how much money you have to spend because there are great options all over the city. On your first trip, it might be a good idea to stay in a more central area in Manhattan, such as Midtown/Times Square, but I wouldn’t limit myself to that, especially if you want to have an experience with a more local and tranquil atmosphere and sometimes save money.

For those looking for good value for money and can’t find anything affordable in Manhattan, I recommend looking for hotels in the Long Island City area of Queens. It’s very close to Manhattan (about 5-10 minutes by subway) and usually has cheaper hotels or ones with more benefits, such as breakfast, minibar, etc. In this blog post HERE, I show some of the favorite hotels of several blog readers in Queens and HERE are the others in Manhattan and other regions. Another region in Queens that I like is Astoria, which is also very close. In Brooklyn, any region near public transportation and close to Manhattan is usually okay too. Every area has good and not so good parts, so to make it easier, I’m leaving these, but there are several others. If you have any questions, DM me on Instagram and I’ll try to help!

Regarding Airbnb and hostels, I think both are super valid. There’s a post on the blog with readers’ favorite hostel recommendations (HERE!) and if you opt for Airbnb, be sure to read several reviews beforehand and don’t forget that the resident needs to be living in the apartment to be considered legal if it’s for less than 30 days.

New York itinerary

Having an itinerary is very important to maximize your time in the city and not lose money. An itinerary doesn’t have to be rigid, in fact, I highly recommend putting in moments of respite to discover things along the way that you didn’t even know existed. My tip is to make an itinerary by separating the city by regions, so you save time and money on the subway. You can create maps on Google Maps and mark the places you want to visit, for example. Researching restaurants beforehand is also a good idea so that when you’re hungry, you don’t end up just eating fast food and missing out on the culinary wonders that NY offers. Don’t know where to start building your itinerary or already have one and want to optimize and make sure you’re not missing anything important? Download the blog guide with 16 ready-made itineraries separated by region with step-by-step where to go, where to eat, what to do, movie and TV show scenes, must-visit stores, and much more! It’s a must for those who have never been or even for those who have been several times and want to really get to know New York! With 12 years of living in and writing about New York, this guide contains all my knowledge in a super organized way, it’s literally like I’m traveling with you and introducing you to every corner of this city that I love so much! Download the guide HERE and use the code GUIANOVO10 to get 10% off!

Subway in New York

Most Brazilian cities do not have a subway, so it is common for us to travel to New York and feel insecure about using this means of transportation, especially in English. But don’t be afraid, part of the fun of traveling to NY is to venture into the subway! And my first tip is: google and search for the New York City subway map (search for NYC Subway Map). There, you’ll understand how the city works and how it is formed. Look for Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Central Park, Times Square… see how the streets and avenues are mostly numbered. See? It’s not as complicated as it seems. Then download Google Maps or Citymapper on your phone and start using it before you travel, so you get used to it and when you get here, it will be much easier to understand and get around if you’ve never used it before. With these apps installed and internet on your phone, you’ll be able to get around very well. By the way, there is public Wi-Fi in subway stations!

Another tip is to download the MyMTA app, so you can also check the status of the lines, as delays, maintenance, and problems are also common.

The subway runs 24 hours a day and costs in 2022 $2.75 per person per ride or $33 for the unlimited card per week or $127 per month. These unlimited cards cannot be shared with others.

Accessibility: few stations have elevators and escalators, accessibility is really a problem for those who depend on it. The good news is that the main stations, where several lines connect, usually have an elevator. In this link HERE you can check if the elevators are working properly because they are occasionally under maintenance.

How to pay for the subway in New York? You can buy your subway card with cash (maximum change of $9), with a card, or simply by proximity, touching your phone, credit card, or smartwatch to the digital screen at the turnstile. After 12 rides charged with the same card or payment method from each Monday, the next ones will be free until Sunday. You can use the same card or payment method to pay for the ticket for other people traveling with you at the same time, but to have this unlimited feature after 12 rides, only the first ride is counted and the others will be charged normally, that is, you cannot use it as if it were unlimited for more than one person.

You will need to pay tips and taxes

In Brazil, this practice is not very common, but tipping is part of the culture of the United States and it is expected of you here, whether you are a tourist or not. If someone provided you a service or if that person works for someone (as in restaurants and beauty salons), chances are you will need to pay an extra tip. As each profession differs a bit in the percentage, I’ll reinforce two very common ones for those traveling: taxi driver and waiter.

The average tip for a taxi driver is 15-20%. For a waiter, it is 15-22%. 18 to 20% is the most acceptable. In restaurants, the tip amount is often suggested towards the bottom, then you choose the amount you want to add or, if it is not written, use your phone’s calculator to see the correct price and add and sign your copy.

You can pay the tip in cash or card – just add the amount to be charged on the card to the bill. And if it’s in cash, leave it blank or cross it out and leave the money with the bill on the table or give it to the waiter all together. If you prefer, you can ignore the tax amount written on the bill and tip only on the value of the service used, because tax is not part of the service provided, but some people still tip on the total amount. To make it clearer, using the example below, you would calculate 15-22% tip on $14.90, which is the value of the service provided before tax is added.

As for taxes, they always appear when you pay for various things here, such as in restaurants and shops, and it’s about 9% (8.875%) of the value of the product/service. However, several items are exempt from taxes, such as medicines and diapers. But since I know many people come here and go on shopping sprees, I have good news: clothes and shoes that cost less than $110 per piece are tax-free in the state of New York! Happy shopping!

How to go to and from airports: Uber, Lyft, Revel, subway, and private driver

Yes, you can easily go to and from the airport by subway, especially if you have few bags and want to save money. I talked more about how to do this HERE, but I also showed in a reels on my Instagram how to go from JFK airport to Manhattan by subway. Click HERE to watch.

In addition, you have the option of yellow taxis (the price to JFK is fixed, $70 + taxes and tip) and Uber, Lyft, and Revel, which are popular car services by app. Revel only uses Tesla model cars. If you’ve never used any of them, you have a discount on the first ride with my codes below:

Discount code for the first ride with Lyft: MARTHA351616

Discount code for the first ride with Revel: dy6gq9. Download the app HERE!

Want to know how much it will cost on average to use the apps? Simulate using the addresses of the airport and your accommodation at different times, so you have a better idea and can make the best decision.

If you opt for the transfer service with private drivers, I recommend contacting Alex, who has been a blog partner for years and offers a special discount to my followers. He speaks English and has decades of experience. His Instagram is @motoristanyc, extremely professional, punctual, fun, and really knows New York!

Outlets in New York

We have three large outlets here in the New York area, and I’ll talk about each one briefly, but I’ll leave links to blog posts about each one to learn more about how to get there and what you’ll find there.

Empire Outlets: Located in Staten Island, this is the smallest of the three outlets in terms of size and number of stores, but to get there you take the free Staten Island ferry, which is itself a very cool ride. If you don’t have anything very specific to buy, I recommend the visit for the experience and the beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan.

Jersey Gardens: This is an indoor mall with many stores and is a great option for any day of the year because the weather won’t interfere much with the experience there. The most common way to get there is by bus.

Woodbury Commons: This is a very traditional open-air outlet with several stores scattered around the parking lot. It has many cool stores, but because it’s open-air, I don’t recommend going on rainy or snowy days if you have the option to go on another day with milder weather. The most common way to get there is also by bus.

Observatories and attractions

We have 5 observatories in New York and each one has something that makes it special. I like all of them but my favorites in order are the Summit, Edge, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, and One World Observatory.

At each one, you should spend at least an hour or two on average during the week (it also depends on how much you love taking photos, if I let myself, I could spend the whole day haha). Some people spend more, especially at the Summit and Edge on weekends.

If you can only choose one, I think the Summit is a beautiful experience at any time. One question that many people have (due to the fact that it has more than one floor and different ticket prices for day/night) is whether there is a time limit for staying there. And no, there isn’t, but once you change floors, you can’t go back.

It’s the only one that is not included in any discount pass yet (in 2022), but you can buy tickets with a 5% discount through Tiqets with the blog code: NYABOUT5OFF. In addition, through the Tiqets blog link, you still save on the processing fee that several attractions charge on their websites. At the Summit, using the blog discount saves you almost $6 per ticket!

Which observatory in New York has the best view? Check out this post HERE where I show a little bit of each one.

Discount passes, is it worth it? Which one is the best?

If you’re planning to visit several paid attractions, museums, and tours in NYC, it might be worth getting a discount pass. There are several options, so I suggest making a list of everything you really want to do, calculating how much it would cost individually, and seeing if it’s worth buying a pass that grants access to many attractions at a significantly reduced price. For those with limited time and wanting to visit a few attractions, it’s worth checking out the CityPASS (HERE). For those who want to make the most of the attractions, including 4 out of the 5 observatories, the Sightseeing Pass may be the best option. Click below to check out the passes with links to the blog on where to buy them:

Sightseeing PASS: HERE!

CityPASS: HERE! – Use code NYABOUT5OFF to get 5% off

New York Pass: HERE! – Use code NYABOUT5OFF to get 5% off

Explorer Pass: HERE! – Use code NYABOUT5OFF to get 5% off

Christmas and New Year’s Eve in New York

Yes, it’s the most magical time of the year in NY, I love it and always share tons of content with you! But not wanting to dampen the excitement, with the arrival of the end-of-year holidays, come higher prices and a crowded city, so it’s important to plan ahead to avoid wasting time in unnecessary lines. Therefore, I reinforce: buy tickets for attractions and book accommodations and restaurants that are in high demand as soon as possible.

So, it’s not worth traveling to New York for Christmas? In my opinion, it definitely is! But the actual day and Christmas Eve themselves are not so celebrated here. Many restaurants and shops close and it’s hard to find last-minute options to eat because the few that are open are crowded or not very impressive (again, make reservations well in advance if you can to avoid this). In this blog post HERE, I give tips on what to do on Christmas day itself.

I personally find New Year’s Eve quite boring, which is why I always travel during this period and only come back in January! Unless you have a really amazing party to go to, the vibe is not nearly as festive as what we see in Brazil, especially because it’s already quite cold here at this time of year, so people want to stay indoors and go straight home after. If you don’t like parties so much, you can also spend time in some parks, such as Central Park, which is something I still want to do one day!

But to sum up, if you don’t have a specific requirement to spend Christmas day here, I recommend coming in early December, starting from the end of the first week, which tends to be a bit less crowded and less expensive, but you can already see all the decorations and feel the Christmas spirit. Some decorations start to appear after Thanksgiving (last Thursday of November), but some (such as tree lighting) only in early December. But if you already know that you will be spending the 24th and 25th here, there are several posts on the blog to help you with where to eat on Christmas in New York, where to spend New Year’s Eve, and what to do during this time of year in the city. Click HERE!

Fall in New York

When is it possible to see the trees changing color in New York? Well, there isn’t a specific date because each tree has its own time and they don’t all change on the same day. But if you want to catch the peak of the fall foliage in Central Park, for example, I recommend the end of October and the beginning of November, which is when I do most of my fall photo shoots! It’s the most beautiful thing to walk through the park with the colors of autumn. Even if you don’t have much time to explore it, go at least to The Mall, where the classic tree-lined corridor is, the “postcard” of the park.

Photo shoots in New York during the fall

This beautiful season deserves to be captured in a photo shoot! If you want to do a photo shoot with me or other amazing photographers in New York, click HERE and enter the code NYANDABOUT10 in the contact form to receive a $10 discount!

Restaurants in New York

As I mentioned before, if you have a restaurant in mind that you really want to visit, I recommend making a reservation through the Open Table website/app (or check the website of the desired restaurant to see if they use another system). If you don’t want to make a reservation, I recommend avoiding weekends if you don’t want to wait for a table. Not all restaurants have a waiting list, but if it’s popular, chances are you’ll have to wait a little longer on weekends…and waiting in dollars is not cool! Another tip for choosing restaurants with more confidence is to download the Yelp app, where you’ll find cool reviews from people about the establishments.

But of course, don’t forget to download the blog guide with a ready-made itinerary separated by region, where you’ll find amazing suggestions of where to eat in each one! Download it HERE!

Another app recommendation that I use and recommend to everyone

Seated! For those who want to earn cashback when eating out, I highly recommend using the Seated app (use the code martha279 to receive U$15 in cashback).

How does the Seated app work?

With the app, you can search for really cool restaurants near you, and each one has a cashback percentage that you can get back just by eating there! Yes, and some restaurants pay up to 30% cashback! Here’s how it works: after choosing the restaurant, eating, and paying for your meal (you can select the take-out option, which means you pick up the food, you don’t have to eat at the restaurant), you take a photo of the receipt and upload it to the app. Within 24 hours, they send you the cashback percentage for that restaurant to your app account, and you can exchange it for gift cards to use in many stores and websites (including Airbnb, Sephora, and Amazon, there’s a complete list in the app!). The deadline is 24 hours, but so far, it’s always come back to me in just a few minutes.

I LOVE it, it’s super easy, you accumulate money, select how much you want to use, and the app generates a gift card for the chosen store, and then you just show the gift card with a barcode on your phone when you pay, and the store scans it and you’re good to go. Or if you want to use it on a website, just enter the gift card information when you pay.

The app is not available for download in Brazil, so download it when you’re in New York, and if it doesn’t appear, change the region of your phone to the United States to be able to download it. If you live in the US, just search for Seated in the app store or click HERE! My discount code to download and get $15 cashback after the first use is this one: martha279.

Bars and Rooftops in New York

The legal drinking age in the US is 21 years old, which means you will need to show your ID and be 21 years old to consume alcohol and enter most of the rooftops and bars in New York!

Rooftops are free and are restaurants and bars on the top of hotels and buildings, usually with a nice view. They may have different dress codes, so it’s always good to check each one’s website to avoid dressing inappropriately, especially at the more “sophisticated” ones. The most common thing is to stand, drink something and enjoy the view, but if you want a table, you can make a free reservation at some of them (check the website) to ensure a table. However, in some others, you may have to leave a paid reservation or a minimum consumption for groups. There is usually a queue on weekends in the summer.

Check out the blog posts about the best rooftops in New York HERE!

How to save money in New York?

In addition to all the information above that will help you save money, check out the discounts post here on the blog, there are several things that will make your trip more economical for you to enjoy to the fullest!

How to plan a trip to New York HERE!

Budget friendly hotels in New York HERE!

Discounted Broadway tickets HERE!

Another tip is to join the New York tips groups on the blog, so you can ask more questions and save money with tips from other travelers! Join the Facebook group HERE! And if you wish, we have the New York tips group on Telegram and WhatsApp (we have several groups, this is the fourth).

Homeless people, rats, dirt, and safety

I think at this point, none of this is news with social media, but I decided to include it here because you never know, right? Well, yes, in New York, you will find homeless people, people with mental problems (who really need help and unfortunately don’t have enough of it), rats, and overflowing garbage cans in some places. That’s it.

Some people come here and don’t find anything unusual, and some people come and are “shocked.” Unfortunately, this is not exclusive to New York. Cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and even Honolulu in Hawaii are some of the destinations where I have seen this inequality the most.

Like in any big city, New York has enormous social problems and it’s sad to see, but as I said, the city is also much more than that, and despite everything, I still think it is a pretty safe place.

As a tourist, do your part to leave the city better than you found it in some way, and thus we can all enjoy the magic of New York more and more.

And as for the rats on the subway tracks and even in Central Park, I don’t even worry about them, they’re already New Yorkers, life goes on!

If this post was helpful to you, let me know on Instagram, I’d love to know that I was part of your trip in some way! Who knows, maybe we’ll bump into each other in New York?!

Are you traveling to NYC? Get my NYC guide now and save time, money and explore the city like a true New Yorker!

What’s inside?

16 detailed step-by-step itineraries to explore NYC from morning to evening with all the attractions, shops, spots you can’t miss and restaurants I recommend in each area (organization is key when exploring NYC so don’t worry, I got you!) and much much more. PLUS:
Travel to and from the airports
How to use the NYC subway (metro)
Budget friendly hotels and hostels
Weather in NYC
Month by month event calendar
Store guide
The best outlets near NYC
Restaurants you can’t miss in every neighborhood
NYC FAQ
NYC with kids (the best things to do and attractions)
Free attractions you can’t miss
Extra tips, fun facts, movie and TV shooting locations
Exclusive discounts for my readers
“Instagrammable” spots
Most used Apps in NYC
Google maps exclusive links, so you can simply use your phone and find the attractions mentioned on the book near you
Gluten-free and vegan restaurants
What to do in the winter and summer in NYC
And much much more!

Get the ebook version HERE (it includes free updates for this edition!)

Get a copy on Amazon HERE!

Oh, before I forget…To see more of my day to day life in NYC and get the hottest tips, join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE, follow me on Instagram (@marthasachser or @blognyandabout) and subscribe to my YouTube channel! And click HERE for my NYC complete guide with step-to-step itineraries!