I live in Central NY now, been to NYC many times before as a kid bc it was only 45 mins away where I grew up. Now I get to finally go back as an adult with my wife. Any places you could reccomend shopping for yankee stuff? I want to get an authentic gray Jersey. I have a pinstripe one but I don't want to risk buying one online, but I also dont want to be ripped off. Thanks. Love your videos.
In January this year my son and I flew into JFK from Sydney Australia via LA. I saw Jacobs video and everything worked perfectly We took the Air Train to Jamaica Queens and then got a Long Island Railway train to Penn station. It was quick,cheap and easy.....JFK to Midtown in well under an hour by train vs two and a half hours in a car fighting NYC traffic.....it's a no brainer.....TRY THE TRAIN.....IT'S GREAT!!!
The first time I went to NYC I did months of preparing. Watched a TON of RUclips videos about the best way to travel and how to get around and what or who to avoid. We took every kind of transport buses, subways, trains, yellow cabs and UBER/Lyft’s for long distances and I really enjoyed it and loved how easy it is to get around there. I’ve even taken all this transportation alone and never once felt unsafe. People are also helpful if you have questions about how to get somewhere. Never ate at a chain restaurant unless I’d never been to them like White Castle & Jollibee, and always carried at least $100 in cash with me because I always like to tip in cash at food places and for street performances and of course I stop for a sabrett hot dog as soon as I get into the city, it just makes my day better! I always got really annoyed how rude people are that would stop right in the middle of everyone walking, whenever we needed to stop we always went off to the side and got out of everyone’s way. I wish people would act like it’s their own home, which is what I try to do. Thank you for the recommendation for citymapper, I hadn’t heard of that and it would be great to utilize when I’m traveling outside of manhattan and using the subway! My friends and I are staying at a hotel in Times Square in August when we go, we booked super early and saved about $300 because the prices spike pretty quick when popular concerts are in the area. The only thing I need to work on is leaving Manhattan, but it’s hard to do when you’re with other people 😂 Also people were always pretty open to giving directions, and it’s kind of easy to spot the locals, because they’re looking straight ahead and not looking around lol
1.- Not using the bathroom before leaving the hotel 2.- Paying too much for hotels 3.- Not looking whats going on in NYC 4.- Spending too much money on broadway tickets 5.- Not checking the weather 6.- Tipping (You must tip at restaurants) 7.- Subway trouble (which subway card to buy) 8.- Trying to do too much 9.- Crowding the sidewalks 10.- Eating at chain restaurants 11.- Not carrying enough cash 12.- Sticking only to the most popular sites 13.- Not wearing comfortable shoes 14.- Not leaving the Manhattan bubble 15.- Not taking public transportation from the airport
@@alvaro811994 it's not frowned upon to use cards,but there are many venues and side walk shops that don't take cards. I usually carry about $100 or $50 with me at all times ,because I as a resident never know when I may run across something I want to buy,or in case I get hungry,or need a taxi (because uber's are over priced in NYC) . Taxi or mass trans is the best way to travel btw.
Most of my friends and not foodies and will easily eat at chain restaurants. It’s actually common for many mainstream Americans to not want to try something different.
Another tip for saving on hotels is to look at a flight/hotel bundle through the airlines or hotel chains. On our last trip to NYC in January, I found an amazing deal on Marriott Vacations for both of our flights + 5 nights in a Marriott Courtyard hotel 2 blocks from Penn Station for $864! The flights we were on were about $175 R/T each, which comes out to, before taxes, our rooms were under $100 a night! To get the best rates, you will want to be a member of the hotel or airline loyalty program and be logged in while you do your search!!
@@darealphantom , it was the first week of January. Flights & hotel rates drop dramatically after NYE. It's a great time to go because all of the Christmas decorations and department store window displays are still up and the crowds have all gone home.
We are coming to NYC for the first time ever in 3 weeks and I’m so excited it’s on my travel bucklist. These videos have come in handy to help us prep our trip thank you for this content !
My NYC rule is: If you are in a situation where you have a bathroom available and are about to go out, use the bathroom, whether you have to or not. You don't know when you will next have the chance. For example, sometimes the subway breaks down and you are stuck on a train for an hour.
He covered one thing that drives us native New Yorkers nuts, what we call "Clogs" Tourist that walk slowly 3 or 4 abreast or congregate on street corners, hinder us from getting from where we have to be. We may even say things like "move your fat a**" when we pass but don't think of as being rude, we are actually quite friendly and are more than glad to help you with directions or what subway train to take.
I think your videos are more suitable for people living or temporarily working in New York, because they have plenty of time to check out the city. Most foreign tourists just stay in the city for a week or ten days, they just get to see a few of the most famous attractions in Manhatten.
New York Pro Tip Be extremely Alert of your surroundings at ALL times Although majority of the people in the overcrowded crowds are busy hurrying off to their destinations. You Never know who is in your surroundings. It is unpredictable to know what is gonna happen later.
Very important notice Avoid holding ur phone in your hand thinking its better for easy convenience to take pictures and selfies. Make sure ALL of your valuables and costly items are hidden in a safe and secured spot like in a hand bag/backpack/string bag/purse/school backpack and Double check to make sure your wallet, phone, car keys, and house keys are NOT visible but are in a secured convenient spot.
The cheapest way from JFK is to take the Q10 bus at Terminal 5 to Kew Gardens and take the E or F train into Manhattan. It's 2.75 with a MetroCard (the transfer to the subway is free once you swipe at the Q10 bus).
A tip I can give relating dinning is to research and have a plan of what you want to eat and what places have that food. The options for dinning are OVERWHELMING and I know everyone says that about the city but it's true and if you come here with the attitude of letting your mood decide what to eat your going to wander around confused and stressed about where to go.
I think that a lot of people are afraid staying off Manhattan because of the high crime rates. Like wandering off to Bronx by mistake, people are afraid of getting shot.
As much as I love the other boroughs, I don't think it's a good idea to recommend staying there for a first-time visitor to NYC. Most of the places that a tourist would like to check out while in the city are located in Manhattan; the time it would take anyone to get here from Queens, Jersey City, or Brooklyn eats up whatever monetary savings they get. Also, so many schedule changes in the subway happen outside of Manhattan. It would be far too confusing for someone who doesn't know the lay of the land to have to deal with reroutes and trains running on a different line than what they're marked. If you're a repeat visitor who couldn't care less about going up the Empire State Building again, then sure, stay in Washington Heights or LIC and enjoy the savings. But for those who'd be out and about the entire time checking things off a guide book, spring for a Hyatt or a Hilton in midtown.
@OAT351 I think there's an unnecessary amount of stigmatization directed towards tourists. Everyone keeps on going "be a local, be a traveler not a tourist" but it's almost impossible to do that if all you have to spend in a new country is 2-3 days. Besides, not every country is appealing to visitors. Sometimes you just gotta check off a few places of interest and then move on to the next.
Perfect videos 👍 Im a native NYer and first video I see with real and useful suggestions. Good job. 😊 Disclaimer: found this by accident, and dont know these people filming. Impressed. Thought it was going to be another short that offered no real advice.
Our (i'm travelling with my 33 year old Down Syndrome son, so we are covering a lot of what he wants to do, until New Orleans. THAT"S MINE) first trip is coming up in October 2020. We are going to NY mainly for the Nintendo store (my son is a HUGE Pokemon fan) also to go to a Broadway show. We are hoping Wicked, Frozen or Aladdin will be on (he is a huge musical fan and LOVES Disney) but aparrently they aren't known more than about 6 months in advance. The tipping was a great help as I knew minimum wage in the US sux and we would need to think about this, carrying cash as well was good to hear about, I rarely carry cash on me so knowing this was really good.Thank you for the tips, if we ever get there for a longer stay the hotel and public transport tips will be good.
Number 11 is a classic blunder. I’m a cashless guy, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve wanted a chopped cheese from that one bodega I visit all the time before I fly back to Florida. 😭 (Of course, that just means I need to buy two and and a drink so I hit them card minimums) haha.
5:14 Imagine fast food being 'an experience' you want to cross off your bucket list!! lol I'm Canadian and that's pretty hilarious, but also kind of understandable if you [somehow?] don't have it where you live. :D That's what I love about travel, it opens your mind to the fact that other people live very differently than you.
Ohhh I definitely made the mistake with getting help a location.. I could'nt understand why my friend kept asking for a cross street. So funny now that I think about it. I was a ny newbie
@OAT351 I agree with you about the streets and to a large extent the subway. In London, you don't need to know, for example, which streets intersect the main drag. Oxford Street is one long street and the building number determines where you need to be. The subway is also counter-intuitive since you need to know in which direction you are heading - uptown/downtown - (east or west doesn't seem to figure) and if you are unfamiliar with a city, this doesn't make a lot of sense. Another thing that would help subway travellers on the platform is a destination board with the station stops. Having been to New York City twice now, I am beginning to get the hang of the subway, but it seems to me that things could be made better for visitors.
NYC Pro tip Bring a powerbank for your cell phone. ESPECIALLY when you don't know the city. You're gonna be taking pictures and using GPS for navigation and this will EAT your battery whole. *p.s.* The Nintendo Store on 5th has a free public charging station with about 10 outlets stuck into the barrel beside the Donkey Kong statue on the first floor. Also; Stay away from "Rays Famous Original Pizza" on 7th just outside of Times Square. $6 a slice and it has the true taste of New York... literally... tastes like a New York City sidewalk.
Two additional tips: Make two lists of things to do - - One for rainy days, and one for OK -to-be-outside days. The unlimited Metro card is great for hopping on and off buses - not just subways.
@@ruben9106 You buy a card for X number of days and can take as many bus or subway rides as you want. Individual rides cost $2.75 so you have to do some math to determine if it's worthwhile.
Just back from NYC and visited New York Public Library (42 st - Bryant Park). It has appeared in many movies including "The Day After Tomorrow". They do free tours and the inside is amazing.
Here's a simple one for Brits using the subway on their first trip to NYC: You don't need to boop/scan out, just use the gate to leave as the subway is a flat fee per journey and doesn't need to calculate the cost of your ride. My personal tip: Take the time to just wander down streets and don't be afraid to explore, I've found myself in random bars chatting to random people such as the time I talked with a stage-hand for Book of Mormon in between shows, all because I thought "that side street looks interesting" and detoured from the route I was taking.
@@tiffprendergast Go anywhere alone. I lived in NYC for 17 years and went tons of places alone, just like everyone else who lives there. It's a great city for singles and solo travelers--very much a norm there. Also, one of the lowest crime rates of any big city in the U.S. Going out alone in NyC is great!
@Joyce B Agreed! There's a sign in one station that reads: Don't stand near the edge of the platform, you might get sucked off! Make of that what you wish.
I always hear "dont go to the bronx, dont stray to queens or flatbush" etc etc that sort of disapoints me as a brit - id love to head to those places but i always see people putting you off saying dont go there even tho im just from a working class council estate with a mix of asian/white/blacks all living here.
Also for the bathroom tip: Please don't give a hard time to the workers and ask them personal questions like "Where do you go then" because where they go is not your concern. It's just a health law that in order to have public restrooms restaurants need to have at least 20 seats or more.
I was in NY last year and it was an amazing experience. I will probably go back there next year to enjoy that lovely city. Thank you for everything. Greetings from Spain.
I just came back from my 8-day trip to NYC - its been a great time! The first 3 days I traveled around Mid-/Downtown by simply using the Subway. Easy getting around quickly and see the typical toruistic things. The other days I started to explore more the outside just like Harlem, Flushing Meadow in Queens, some streets in Brooklyn etc. ... and that areas even saved me a lot of money haha (example: 0,7L beer 4$ Midtown, Manhatten AND 0,5L German beer even only 1,15$ in Queens!!!) I will defintely go back and make more of the daily life stuff and keep little away from the sightseeing spots! Greetings from Germany! 🤗
You're right about the wind drag. I live across the river (Hudson) in Jersey. The tall buildings tend to pull the wind downwards. One offbeat thing to do is ride the Staten Island Ferry on a clear night. The view of the NY skyline is incredible. I do terribly miss the Twin Towers, though.
1. I wouldn't recommend AirBnB in NYC as a lot of them are either illegal or sketchy. Hotels are safer. 2. Make sure that AUTOMATIC GRATUITY is not included on the restaurant bill, or you may be tipping twice. 3. For food, you have to do at least one brunch, a diner, a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant. Ethnic food is good too, if you avoid tourist traps like The Olive Garden.
Shane O'Neal hey i just took a trip to nyc during labor day. Some air bnbs are verified and itll show you on the site so you don’t have to be nervous if its a scam or not. I stayed in jersey which was a 10-15 min ride to manhattan but I wouldn’t recommend it because if you are taking public transportation it can take about an hour and taxis and lyft will run you $35-50
I agree, take loads of cash, cause everybody wants a tip, from housekeeping down to the guy who gives you directions, plus everybody seems to have a cup for tips.
1) taxis and uber are too expensive, had i known...i would've saved more than 50USD from airport to my destination. take the subway definitely. 2) go to AT&T for sim cards, don't buy the prepaid cards from convenient stores or the vending machine those sims do not have internet access! you will have a problem as you need your google map in NYC. no public wifi, so it's a hassle. 3) have a plan, a destination every day, and stick to it. you will be lost in nyc one way or another especially if you're only trying to discover places for the first time. so it is better to know what you want to do for the day. 4) never wear your leather boots or leather shoes, i made this mistake because i wanted to look cool and fashionable but my feet was laden with blisters, and I almost wasn't able to walk in the next few days. wear you most comfortable walking shoes. rubber or sneakers would be the best. if you're a tourist, you will definitely do a lot of walking in NYC. 5) if you are going in winter, ensure you bring a backpack or bag. everytime you enter a store you will take off your gears and put it on again on your way out, it is very easy to lose your gears. i lost 2 bonnets and a pair of gloves, a muffler, ear muffs...i lost something almost everyday! so ensure you have a convenient bag to put all your gears conveniently as you go in and out of stores
Thanks to public transportation in NYC I found out about the Jackson heights food . The bus dropped me off at Jackson height to catch the subway I ended up taking a walk and boom I found the best food in nyc
I agree. A pick pocket can spot a tourist a mile away in any city. You can always stop at an ATM. Just check ahead to see if your bank has free ATM's in the city.
My mistake was paying to much for hotel.i will wach your video for my next trip. I suggest put a note in your video of where are you filming at that moment. So if people like the background can visit👍
Just got back from our weekend trip to New York (from Ottawa, Canada) Id like to think we faired pretty well. Only thing I wish we knew about, considering we rode it much more than 12 times was the subway unlimited card. We asked the worker if there was a better option than paying everytime and he said to just fill up the metro card with how many trips we planned on taking but 1. We werent sure how many times we were going to ride it and 2. it would have cost us the same, just made it a bit more convenient (although there were tap payment options so it wasnt even that much more convenient) If we knew about the unlimited card we probably could have saved 20+ dollars.
I agree with most of the things mentioned in the video, but I think it is pretty adventurous to eat at chain restaurants if you are from a different country. I was pretty exctied to eat at chick fil a when I first came to NY/the US. Just like The Travelling Clatt got foods from convinience stores in Japan when he was there.
My first trip to NYC was a few years back and we learned that the type of shoes ladies wear make a world of a difference. It was not just about the comfort but also cleanliness of your feet. I had flip flops on the first time and when I arrived to hotel the bottom of my feet were black. That evening and for the rest of my time in NYC, unless we took a cab, I slipped on sneakers! They were more comfortable while walking the number of blocks we did during the day and felt better taking the subways. But, a couple of the ladies would wear their heels and platforms and complain the entire time. No bueno peeps! I tell you keep it smart, comfortable & clean with sneakers or comfortable padded shoes!! Btw, thanks for this video! I follow you, Action Kid and TheTravelingClatt. You guys are awesome! Ty!
Adventures in Dining: When I'm visiting the city, I look for the restaurant grades in the windows. I usually stick to just the "A" graded restaurants. When I find one, I look at the menu. If it looks good, it's time for an adventure. I'll confess to the occasional McDonalds meal if I'm working (photography) and have little time, and it's tough to deny the Starbucks across the street for breakfast. Most other times I look for interesting places to dine. Just don't overdo it. It is *very* easy to be amazed at the choices and simply overeat.
Another tip - download google maps in offline mode, roaming charges are INSANE and that way you'll never be lost. Also - we saw Frozen on Broadway on our first trip, it isn't just about talent and skill, the production level of these shows is ridiculous, i can't imagine how much time and money went into making the extremely detailed costumes and sets, there was A FREAKING BRIDGE ABOVE THE STAGE THAT COLLAPSED UNDERNEATH THE ACTOR AND HE SANG WHILE HANGING UPSIDE DOWN I SWEAR GO SEE A BROADWAY SHOW there's a reason it's called a Broadway SHOW not a Broadway play or performance or act or something.
The tipping stuff is something that even gets me anxious. I'm afraid to seem impolite, rude, ignorant, obnoxious, or like a total asshole for not tipping the right ammount. One time a cab driver was friendly and nice during the ride but gave me the nastiest angry stare after I paid him because obvoiusly the tip wasn't good enough but how could I know? This is the only place in the entire known world where tipping is such a huge deal, I'm not an asshole, I'm just used to pay the amount that the service indicates. Also have this in stores with added fares to products. Here if it says 10 you pay 10, if it says 67 you pay with a 100 bill and expect 33 in change no more no less. I wanted to say that. I'm not an asshole for not tipping correctly so don't give me attitude. I'm not rich either, if I blew or lose my money in NY I'm fucked (already happened once), I'm trying to budget and also being respectful and polite while enjoying your big awesome city without knowing if I will ever save enough to come back, so cut the shit.
For wait staff, tip about 20% or at least $1 for each time they came to the table. For food or drink without wait staff (carry out or street food), tip about 10%. For cabs and other services, I'd say tip $2 to $5 based on how long it took.
@@glenarledge1825 People don't deserve a tip for doing their job. They deserve a *wage* for doing their job, like everybody else. If I had to imagine an entitled generation, it'd be the one that thinks their delivery guy should smile and do a little dance before handing their pizza, or otherwise lose his rent.
Thanks for another informative video, Jon. Definitely with you on the comfortable shoes tip. On our first visit to NYC I brought walking boots (also to allow for winter, with it being February), and my feet were ruined after 4 days of walking. Second visit in August last year, and I invested in a pair of Nike Air Max sneakers, and my feet were a whole lot better. We also underestimated how far we'd walk. Last August, we were there for 7 days, and walked approx. 65 miles in that week, and that still included using the subway to get around, too! We're visiting NYC again this coming December to take in the Christmas build up, and having stayed in midtown Manhattan last times, were staying in Brooklyn this time. We cannot wait to come back.
John Doe Wow I always tip 10%. 15% is generous enough. 20% feels like a rip off rather than a well earned gratification. And what happens if the service is bad or mediocre and you don’t want to pay them the 20%?
Glad to see some Americans agree with my viewpoint that the employer should just pay the employee a decent wage and simply incorporate this into the price
Part of traveling is learning as you go. But giving advice on such a big popular city that you have never been too. This is good stuff! The more you know! Thank you kind sir! I’m planning my trip to the big Apple for next year. Hopefully everything will work out.
Yes it usually depends on the size of your party. If you are six or more it’s common for the restaurant to charge a tip automatically, so its a good idea to check the math
Be aware that there are pickpocket rings that work the streets. Staring up at all those uniquely tall buildings is a great way to get targeted by them. You stand out like a deer in the headlights. One day, while visiting the city I was ascending from a subway station in mid-manhattan. At the top of the stairs, street level, I was met by a panhandler. People emerging would refuse him while unconsciously protecting their wallet pocket with their hand, telegraphing where their money was. As I watched, this street monger would use hand gestures to signal his pickpocket accomplices at the street corners , in both directions. They would methodically bump into theie marks, one by one as they crossed the street. I watched them pickpocket about 30 victims in the couse of a minute as I watched. Fascinating. These parasites target tourists. Personally, I learned to stare at the ground and mutter to myself as I walked - as camouflage to blend in with all the other riff-raff. A suggestion is to carry a dummy "throw away wallet" with only a few bucks in it , to offer any would be street mugger. It happens. Don't be a victim.
My wife and I are going to NYC in three weeks for the first time. We’re so excited and appreciate this video so much. Thx. We’re 50 years both of us so the walking part won’t be the preferred transportation however we’ll bring good shoes anyway 😂
Just remember, --everyone who decides to strike out on your own, to the other boroughs using the subway...if you get mugged, (or worse) then go sue THIS guy. He put this video out. Advice from a 70 year old born-in-NYC-and raised New Yorker. This guy, is a transplant from some other town, post 1990, and came to NYC and considers himself a local, and had never seen or lived thru the 1970's and 1980's hell of NYC. Those root elements still remain, under a thin veneer of gentrification...and the pandemic has exposed those criminal roots even further. Strike out for other boros using subway at ur own risk. best to go in big groups. As for Nice shoes. NO. You wear SNEAKERS. Best shoes for NYC. Any native knows that. Those are the most comfortable. And the video is right. You WILL walk a lot. And you can RUN in sneakers if needed. I can aways spot non-native New Yorkers... they wear sandals. NYC has glass, poo, nails, dirt, mud, etc. Wearing sandals offers no protection. And no cushioning from the burning hot concrete, or the rain....back to SNEAKERS again. Did I mention sneakers? And every native new yorker knows to put your wallet in your FRONT pocket, not your back pocket. Harder for pickpockets. Putting ur money in separate locations and smaller denominations is also a street tactic. wear a belt with a hidden zip area, hide the bigger amts there. Have fun. NYC is a great place to visit. Just don't overstep your boundaries, or the city's boundaries. Once you do, you run a high risk of danger. Dont go looking for danger. It'a not THAT bad....but in NYC....ANYTHING can happen. Destiny, dumb karma, whatever. It is very easy to be in a totally safe situation one second, and be dead, mugged or hurt the next. You could visit 2 times, totally safe, and have an incident on the third time. Dumb karma. That is the one rule of NYC.
I listened to all your blogs before my visit and they were great, I walked 15000 steps in 5 days avoided all scams in times square, got all my tourist bits in China town for a third of the price, travelled a lot on the subway the 99999 for the zip code when using your credit card was really useful. Saw all the sights tried the tacos at los tacos in times square as per your recommendation delicious. Got a fab bagel with cream cheese and salmon not to be missed. Visited the Irish famine memorial (as an Irish descendant) it was a must visit. Also went to the Hudson bride park, walked the high line, and through central park. Thanks for all your tips. I made a loose plan of everything I wanted to do and see over my five days and achieved 95% of it. Thank you.
My family and I just went last weekend and we had the best time. We took the subway from JFK and it was so easy and cheap. Definitely recommend. Using the subway was so easy and fun. Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes to switch off. I don't think people understand until you actually are there. There is a lot of walking. Stop and take breaks is a must. Picking two to three major sites to visit and everything else is just bonus. Just being in the city felt like enough. It felt like we were in a movie. Haha The people and seeing all the different cultures was such an awesome experience as well. People were so nice and helpful too. Btw We went to Bleecker Street pizza and had a slice of Nonna Maria. It was SO DELICIOUS! Thank you so much for your videos. They were so helpful! 😊
Wow. First mention of the Bx, and all you mention is Arthur Ave.? You’ve mentioned the Zoo in Manh, but the Bronx Zoo is a better option. How about the Botanical Gardens?
I love the Bronx Zoo; been going there since I was a kid. But it's very expensive, and it's pretty much an all-day affair. That's why I tell people not to go to the Statue of Liberty if they're only going to be in NYC for a day or two. Take the Staten Island Ferry (for free) and you can get pretty close to the statue and not spend as much time. Same thing with the Bronx Zoo. It's amazing, but it's not uniquely New York, the way so many other things are. (Other cities have great zoos, but they don't have Broadway theatre, for example.)
Yes there are places to see all over the world. But tourists travel to Manhattan, we dont travel to go visit the bronx or staten island. If you been to New York already then yes they should explore other places.
I’ll say this: almost every tip you have works for Chicago, too. Only the weather is more insane and an Uber from the airport to downtown (if traffic is good) would cost about $35, which beats the 45 minute L ride you’d otherwise take.
oh, the tipping culture is dangerous. if you travel around the world tipping is not a thing. so i think that if a restaurant can afford to have more than one location they need to pay their workers a fair wage. i dont want to pay for my food and the staff as well. so taday fast food chains want in on tips to. they cant even get your order correct and they want a tip. cab drivers are notorious for this. the want a tip but they dont do anything for it. the city created another fleet the green taxis that go into harlem/outer boroughs. then you have restaurants (asian) that cheat and automatically add their tip and then ask you to add another tip. ridiculous all of it. my cable guy put a hole in the wall and rerouted my existing phone line to make it easier and efficient. this guy deserved a tip cause i didnt ask him to do any of it but they arent allowed to take tips. you dont have to succumb to the tipping culture. there are people out there that if you dont tip they retaliate.
Didn't bring enough cash, didn't remember debit card pin only had credit card. Missed out on eating Halal guys. BTW, Congratulations on 100k subscribers!!
Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off Off Broadway theaters don't have anything to do with location. Theater size is the determining factor. Largest are Broadway theaters. (Broadway theaters have 500+ seats)
Two words of advice: NJ Transit from the nitemarish Penn Station is EXTREMELY unreliable. Trains to Newark Airport can be cancelled or majorly delayed many times, causing you to miss your flight. You definitely need to check the NJ Transit website before heading to Penn to get a train to EWR. Get to the station at least an hour early. Also, arriving at Penn Station from the airport can be shocking compared to pretty much any other major 1st world train depot. It is confusing to find your way out. Just because there is no escalator (while hauling a huge suitcase) when you step off the train doesnt mean there isnt one down the platform. Signage is tiny or non-existant. Once you find your way to the terminal level, its another maze to find your way to the street.. One of the worst stations on earth.
Haha I'm Caribbean and I observed this over 10 years ago when I went to Toronto.I was like wait,hold up, ppl actually walk/run on the escalators .wow! Never saw it in Trini 😕 Whenever I go to N.Y now I'm very 'self aware' of where I stand the order of things there😊.Visting this Summer again can't wait 😉
Absolutely! Same for the stairs as well. No, it's not a law at all (as someone commented) but it's accepted as the norm and people will say excuse me or walk over you if you don't. Just remember NYC is a very busy city full of people in a hurry and they can be pushy if you're in the way; that's the norm there. So just keep it in mind as you move about if you are rolling at a slower speed. No, you don't have to, but when in Rome....
Just came back from nyc a few days ago, I’m obsessed ! Found your videos so useful, even before my trip was booked as I knew I was always gonna come - I’m going back next week so every time you upload I get even more excited for my trip / love from UK! Only pet peeve I have had with my previous trip is the tipping, as a student ive lost hundreds of dollars of hard earned cash on tipping in the US , i knew of the low wages so I ensured I kept to around 20% , but on the subway I saw there was a new minimum wage law, which is more than what I get hourly , and I get no tips .. I am just now more reluctant to give bigger tips but don’t want to offend anyone 😂 I agree with all of your comments however!! Although I’m embarrassed to say I did eat at Olive Garden Times Square once as I really wanted to try the famous breadsticks and I know you always say to avoid 😭 los tacos 1 btw.. new Favourite!!
I just came back from travel to New York. Every bit of this video is very accurate and need to be watched before your travel, which I didn't myself, and lost many good points in their recommendations. I grabbed pizza many times following other people, but he is right. The population is so diverse that it should have many cuisines, and you should spot them. I rented an expensive hotel near Times square, and spent most of the time around that bubble. It is much better to rent hotel only for one night, and then rent airbnb the same night you arrive to know locals. And, I didn't carry cash, but sometimes you really need it. Fortunately, I had convenient shoes to walk:)
I once ran outta cash & the metro card machines weren’t taking CC payments but I didn’t know and kept trying to use different credit cards they all got blocked and I almost got arrested by MSG for staying in one of those ATM rooms. I should’ve known better because I lived in Harlem for 2 years but it was cold 😂
The stay in your lane issue can be explained by a personal observation: Many New Yorkers AND tourists don't have a drivers license and thus don't have a innate trained concept of traffic flow. This problem exists all over Europe as well as most people don't own a car but take public transport. As a native Californian who learned to drive at 15 as a survival skill it drives me crazy that people have no sense of personal space and flow. If they were drivers they'd know not to just stop in the middle of the road suddenly. PULL OVER.
Sometimes it's a cultural thing. I live in Cambodia, and there is no public transportation here. Everyone rides a motorcycle or drives a car. Yet people still have no concept of flow in places like grocery stores. But in most American cities, the only people who stop in thee middle of somewhere are tourists because they aren't sure where they're going. I used to live 2 hours south of New York City(near Philly), so I've been to New York a couple of times. Most of the people I met in New York weren't New Yorkers, especially when I went there on New Year' Eve but even the other times I went there.
Always great, great advice from you, Jon. My son and I were just talking about off broadway shows. We always went to see Off Broadway and off, off broadway shows when we couldn’t get or afford broadway tickets. Plays like Rent all started there. You get to see great talent. Always a fun great night and lighter on the wallet.
I went for my honeymoon, spent a full week in NYC and we still couldn't get in everything we wanted. There's definitely some memorable stuff you can find that may not be well known. We saw the premiere of a movie called cherry pop, starring Bob the drag queen and it was amazing. Alcohol in NYC can get expensive. Here, I can get a mixed drink for $5, in NYC I spent $15 for a smaller size. If you're going to drink, think about pre-gaming. Having a small man-bag was very helpful. I had a cheap parka, a battery pack, notes on where things were at, and snacks which helped make the stay so much better by being prepared. And definitely know where your bathrooms are at and use them early, cuz not every place has one for you to use.
Great tips but most are just the regular common sense thoughts that anybody would follow in big cities.. I mean 'wear comfy shoes', 'avoid eating in restaurant chains' really?? not much here is related specifically to NY case I think!
Additional word of caution with crossing streets - jaywalking is standard in the city, but honestly not for the faint of heart if you're not used to it. If you aren't comfortable with jaywalking yourself (which I've found is any sane person not living in NYC), make sure you stand off to the side when waiting for the walk sign to change or else you'll get yelled at or at least muttered toward. Coming from a frequent mutterer.
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Here Be Barr love you bro
I live in Central NY now, been to NYC many times before as a kid bc it was only 45 mins away where I grew up. Now I get to finally go back as an adult with my wife. Any places you could reccomend shopping for yankee stuff? I want to get an authentic gray Jersey. I have a pinstripe one but I don't want to risk buying one online, but I also dont want to be ripped off. Thanks. Love your videos.
Go Yankees. I honestly don't know outside of saying buy it at the Stadium itself.
In January this year my son and I flew into JFK from Sydney Australia via LA.
I saw Jacobs video and everything worked perfectly
We took the Air Train to Jamaica Queens and then got a Long Island Railway train to Penn station.
It was quick,cheap and easy.....JFK to Midtown in well under an hour by train vs two and a half hours in a car fighting NYC traffic.....it's a no brainer.....TRY THE TRAIN.....IT'S GREAT!!!
The first time I went to NYC I did months of preparing. Watched a TON of RUclips videos about the best way to travel and how to get around and what or who to avoid. We took every kind of transport buses, subways, trains, yellow cabs and UBER/Lyft’s for long distances and I really enjoyed it and loved how easy it is to get around there. I’ve even taken all this transportation alone and never once felt unsafe. People are also helpful if you have questions about how to get somewhere. Never ate at a chain restaurant unless I’d never been to them like White Castle & Jollibee, and always carried at least $100 in cash with me because I always like to tip in cash at food places and for street performances and of course I stop for a sabrett hot dog as soon as I get into the city, it just makes my day better! I always got really annoyed how rude people are that would stop right in the middle of everyone walking, whenever we needed to stop we always went off to the side and got out of everyone’s way. I wish people would act like it’s their own home, which is what I try to do. Thank you for the recommendation for citymapper, I hadn’t heard of that and it would be great to utilize when I’m traveling outside of manhattan and using the subway! My friends and I are staying at a hotel in Times Square in August when we go, we booked super early and saved about $300 because the prices spike pretty quick when popular concerts are in the area. The only thing I need to work on is leaving Manhattan, but it’s hard to do when you’re with other people 😂 Also people were always pretty open to giving directions, and it’s kind of easy to spot the locals, because they’re looking straight ahead and not looking around lol
1.- Not using the bathroom before leaving the hotel
2.- Paying too much for hotels
3.- Not looking whats going on in NYC
4.- Spending too much money on broadway tickets
5.- Not checking the weather
6.- Tipping (You must tip at restaurants)
7.- Subway trouble (which subway card to buy)
8.- Trying to do too much
9.- Crowding the sidewalks
10.- Eating at chain restaurants
11.- Not carrying enough cash
12.- Sticking only to the most popular sites
13.- Not wearing comfortable shoes
14.- Not leaving the Manhattan bubble
15.- Not taking public transportation from the airport
Thank you!!!!
Thank you 😊
You my saved day time
how much cash is enough? is it frowned upon to pay with cards?
@@alvaro811994 it's not frowned upon to use cards,but there are many venues and side walk shops that don't take cards. I usually carry about $100 or $50 with me at all times ,because I as a resident never know when I may run across something I want to buy,or in case I get hungry,or need a taxi (because uber's are over priced in NYC) . Taxi or mass trans is the best way to travel btw.
Most of my friends and not foodies and will easily eat at chain restaurants. It’s actually common for many mainstream Americans to not want to try something different.
Another tip for saving on hotels is to look at a flight/hotel bundle through the airlines or hotel chains. On our last trip to NYC in January, I found an amazing deal on Marriott Vacations for both of our flights + 5 nights in a Marriott Courtyard hotel 2 blocks from Penn Station for $864! The flights we were on were about $175 R/T each, which comes out to, before taxes, our rooms were under $100 a night! To get the best rates, you will want to be a member of the hotel or airline loyalty program and be logged in while you do your search!!
Teresa Howard that’s was an amazing deal!
Departure location?
@@optimize. , Savannah, GA, flying into JFK nonstop on JetBlue.
@@darealphantom , it was the first week of January. Flights & hotel rates drop dramatically after NYE. It's a great time to go because all of the Christmas decorations and department store window displays are still up and the crowds have all gone home.
I got the same for 600 tough
We are coming to NYC for the first time ever in 3 weeks and I’m so excited it’s on my travel bucklist. These videos have come in handy to help us prep our trip thank you for this content !
i'm coming there at the exact time! 22 november 😄
How was your trip
My NYC rule is: If you are in a situation where you have a bathroom available and are about to go out, use the bathroom, whether you have to or not. You don't know when you will next have the chance. For example, sometimes the subway breaks down and you are stuck on a train for an hour.
NYC had the best food in the world!!!
Wearing comfy shoes is a must!
Yes - have some cash on you.
“Stay in your lane” is helpful.
He covered one thing that drives us native New Yorkers nuts, what we call "Clogs" Tourist that walk slowly 3 or 4 abreast or congregate on street corners, hinder us from getting from where we have to be. We may even say things like "move your fat a**" when we pass but don't think of as being rude, we are actually quite friendly and are more than glad to help you with directions or what subway train to take.
I think your videos are more suitable for people living or temporarily working in New York, because they have plenty of time to check out the city. Most foreign tourists just stay in the city for a week or ten days, they just get to see a few of the most famous attractions in Manhatten.
Thank for the advice, love the video❤
New York Pro Tip
Be extremely Alert of your surroundings at ALL times
Although majority of the people in the overcrowded crowds are busy hurrying off to their destinations. You Never know who is in your surroundings. It is unpredictable to know what is gonna happen later.
Very important notice
Avoid holding ur phone in your hand thinking its better for easy convenience to take pictures and selfies.
Make sure ALL of your valuables and costly items are hidden in a safe and secured spot like in a hand bag/backpack/string bag/purse/school backpack and Double check to make sure your wallet, phone, car keys, and house keys are NOT visible but are in a secured convenient spot.
I would have made a couple of mistakes like not using bathroom and downloading citymapper thanks
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and professional video
Congratulations and good luck my dear friend. Regards from Bali
The cheapest way from JFK is to take the Q10 bus at Terminal 5 to Kew Gardens and take the E or F train into Manhattan. It's 2.75 with a MetroCard (the transfer to the subway is free once you swipe at the Q10 bus).
A tip I can give relating dinning is to research and have a plan of what you want to eat and what places have that food. The options for dinning are OVERWHELMING and I know everyone says that about the city but it's true and if you come here with the attitude of letting your mood decide what to eat your going to wander around confused and stressed about where to go.
I think that a lot of people are afraid staying off Manhattan because of the high crime rates. Like wandering off to Bronx by mistake, people are afraid of getting shot.
As much as I love the other boroughs, I don't think it's a good idea to recommend staying there for a first-time visitor to NYC. Most of the places that a tourist would like to check out while in the city are located in Manhattan; the time it would take anyone to get here from Queens, Jersey City, or Brooklyn eats up whatever monetary savings they get.
Also, so many schedule changes in the subway happen outside of Manhattan. It would be far too confusing for someone who doesn't know the lay of the land to have to deal with reroutes and trains running on a different line than what they're marked.
If you're a repeat visitor who couldn't care less about going up the Empire State Building again, then sure, stay in Washington Heights or LIC and enjoy the savings. But for those who'd be out and about the entire time checking things off a guide book, spring for a Hyatt or a Hilton in midtown.
@OAT351 I think there's an unnecessary amount of stigmatization directed towards tourists. Everyone keeps on going "be a local, be a traveler not a tourist" but it's almost impossible to do that if all you have to spend in a new country is 2-3 days. Besides, not every country is appealing to visitors. Sometimes you just gotta check off a few places of interest and then move on to the next.
Perfect videos 👍
Im a native NYer and first video I see with real and useful suggestions. Good job. 😊
Disclaimer: found this by accident, and dont know these people filming. Impressed. Thought it was going to be another short that offered no real advice.
Thanks Barr... Will arrive in NY in 5 days from now!! I have downloaded some apps you recomend 😊😊
How did it go?
Our (i'm travelling with my 33 year old Down Syndrome son, so we are covering a lot of what he wants to do, until New Orleans. THAT"S MINE) first trip is coming up in October 2020. We are going to NY mainly for the Nintendo store (my son is a HUGE Pokemon fan) also to go to a Broadway show. We are hoping Wicked, Frozen or Aladdin will be on (he is a huge musical fan and LOVES Disney) but aparrently they aren't known more than about 6 months in advance. The tipping was a great help as I knew minimum wage in the US sux and we would need to think about this, carrying cash as well was good to hear about, I rarely carry cash on me so knowing this was really good.Thank you for the tips, if we ever get there for a longer stay the hotel and public transport tips will be good.
Number 11 is a classic blunder. I’m a cashless guy, and I can’t count the number of times I’ve wanted a chopped cheese from that one bodega I visit all the time before I fly back to Florida. 😭 (Of course, that just means I need to buy two and and a drink so I hit them card minimums) haha.
Isaiah Stebbins the chop cheese is soo good!
About time I covered chopped cheese on the channel.
These are great and they are original tips not common ones.
I need tips to survive. But not monetary tips. Life tips from Here Be Barr 😆
Lol, people that get off the escalator/stairs, and then stand directly on the landing thinking of what to do next
Born and raised in America and I refuse to tip anyone. Have my own reasons. It’s just something I will not ever do.
5:14 Imagine fast food being 'an experience' you want to cross off your bucket list!! lol I'm Canadian and that's pretty hilarious, but also kind of understandable if you [somehow?] don't have it where you live. :D That's what I love about travel, it opens your mind to the fact that other people live very differently than you.
Ohhh I definitely made the mistake with getting help a location.. I could'nt understand why my friend kept asking for a cross street. So funny now that I think about it. I was a ny newbie
Yes. Everything here is X Street near the corner of Y Avenue.
@@BKLNHobo glad I learned sooner than later haha
@OAT351 I agree with you about the streets and to a large extent the subway. In London, you don't need to know, for example, which streets intersect the main drag. Oxford Street is one long street and the building number determines where you need to be. The subway is also counter-intuitive since you need to know in which direction you are heading - uptown/downtown - (east or west doesn't seem to figure) and if you are unfamiliar with a city, this doesn't make a lot of sense. Another thing that would help subway travellers on the platform is a destination board with the station stops. Having been to New York City twice now, I am beginning to get the hang of the subway, but it seems to me that things could be made better for visitors.
Recently visited New York and these tips here are spot on. Love this channel even though I’m now back home ❤️👏👏
What’s the glass building behind you towards the end of the video?
I literally made 13/15 of these mistakes guys dont be like me
Can someone tell me what’s the app he Recomended for moving around?
Caro Mont city mapper?
NYC Pro tip
Bring a powerbank for your cell phone. ESPECIALLY when you don't know the city. You're gonna be taking pictures and using GPS for navigation and this will EAT your battery whole.
*p.s.* The Nintendo Store on 5th has a free public charging station with about 10 outlets stuck into the barrel beside the Donkey Kong statue on the first floor.
Also; Stay away from "Rays Famous Original Pizza" on 7th just outside of Times Square. $6 a slice and it has the true taste of New York... literally... tastes like a New York City sidewalk.
VeNeRiUs MuSa: true that about phone battery getting the life sucked out of it quickly in NYC. Bring an extra charger.
$6 damn
VeNeRiUs MuSa go to Chicago for the best pizza
Wow lol I'll pass on NY sidewalk flavored pizza 🤣🤣
Tiff Prendergast booooo
Two additional tips:
Make two lists of things to do - - One for rainy days, and one for OK -to-be-outside days.
The unlimited Metro card is great for hopping on and off buses - not just subways.
Barbara Baker true! And definitely plan the ESB or ROCK for SUNNY DAY 😀
Rain isn't a huge issue here unless you were planning to be out in the park or riding a boat.
Wait? There's no longer an unlimited day pass fir metro card
How does the unlimited metro card work?
@@ruben9106 You buy a card for X number of days and can take as many bus or subway rides as you want. Individual rides cost $2.75 so you have to do some math to determine if it's worthwhile.
Just back from NYC and visited New York Public Library (42 st - Bryant Park). It has appeared in many movies including "The Day After Tomorrow". They do free tours and the inside is amazing.
Speaking of Bryant Park, they have some of the most beautiful public restrooms there.
Also appears in Ghostbusters
and the toilets are very clean
Hey thanks for letting me tag along for this one!
Any time sir !
Reduce your fluid intake or practice holding your bladder before you get to NYC....YOU WILL BE TESTED.
patrick y gotta agree with this one.
Yes!
can't really agree
@@bloodhoug82 Try finding a bathroom if you're on the street.
@@missayawk that's the same everywhere in the world
Here's a simple one for Brits using the subway on their first trip to NYC: You don't need to boop/scan out, just use the gate to leave as the subway is a flat fee per journey and doesn't need to calculate the cost of your ride.
My personal tip: Take the time to just wander down streets and don't be afraid to explore, I've found myself in random bars chatting to random people such as the time I talked with a stage-hand for Book of Mormon in between shows, all because I thought "that side street looks interesting" and detoured from the route I was taking.
alpha xion don’t go alone anywhere
@@tiffprendergast Go anywhere alone. I lived in NYC for 17 years and went tons of places alone, just like everyone else who lives there. It's a great city for singles and solo travelers--very much a norm there. Also, one of the lowest crime rates of any big city in the U.S. Going out alone in NyC is great!
To boob out or to beeb out....?
@Joyce B Agreed! There's a sign in one station that reads: Don't stand near the edge of the platform, you might get sucked off! Make of that what you wish.
I always hear "dont go to the bronx, dont stray to queens or flatbush" etc etc that sort of disapoints me as a brit - id love to head to those places but i always see people putting you off saying dont go there even tho im just from a working class council estate with a mix of asian/white/blacks all living here.
Also for the bathroom tip: Please don't give a hard time to the workers and ask them personal questions like "Where do you go then" because where they go is not your concern. It's just a health law that in order to have public restrooms restaurants need to have at least 20 seats or more.
I was in NY last year and it was an amazing experience. I will probably go back there next year to enjoy that lovely city. Thank you for everything. Greetings from Spain.
I just came back from my 8-day trip to NYC - its been a great time!
The first 3 days I traveled around Mid-/Downtown by simply using the Subway. Easy getting around quickly and see the typical toruistic things.
The other days I started to explore more the outside just like Harlem, Flushing Meadow in Queens, some streets in Brooklyn etc. ... and that areas even saved me a lot of money haha (example: 0,7L beer 4$ Midtown, Manhatten AND 0,5L German beer even only 1,15$ in Queens!!!)
I will defintely go back and make more of the daily life stuff and keep little away from the sightseeing spots!
Greetings from Germany! 🤗
$1.15?!?
harlem and brooklyn safe areas? any intersting spots to see besides eatinh and drinking thre?
You're right about the wind drag. I live across the river (Hudson) in Jersey. The tall buildings tend to pull the wind downwards. One offbeat thing to do is ride the Staten Island Ferry on a clear night. The view of the NY skyline is incredible. I do terribly miss the Twin Towers, though.
Dude, you've got the best travel vids, even though I've only seen ONE destination in your vids! Dude you're killing me!
!!!!
1. I wouldn't recommend AirBnB in NYC as a lot of them are either illegal or sketchy. Hotels are safer.
2. Make sure that AUTOMATIC GRATUITY is not included on the restaurant bill, or you may be tipping twice.
3. For food, you have to do at least one brunch, a diner, a steakhouse and a seafood restaurant. Ethnic food is good too, if you avoid tourist traps like The Olive Garden.
Shane O'Neal hey i just took a trip to nyc during labor day. Some air bnbs are verified and itll show you on the site so you don’t have to be nervous if its a scam or not. I stayed in jersey which was a 10-15 min ride to manhattan but I wouldn’t recommend it because if you are taking public transportation it can take about an hour and taxis and lyft will run you $35-50
Can't we not on ratings for air bnb?
Yep, you certainly do not want to tip twice at restaurants.
Don’t forget to listen to “The Beastie Boys” while in NY. Especially “To the 5 Boroughs”. This adds to the authenticity on your trip.
Don't try to see the entire city in one day, it's impossible.Do one section each day.
Yes I learned this!
Rights. Its 5 borough, you cant see them all and do it all in one day. More like a week or two. You won't get justice doing NYC in one day.
Damn, I wish every big city had a guide like you. So far I've only found Honest Guide Prague and you. Subscribed! Keep up the good work ;)
I agree, take loads of cash, cause everybody wants a tip, from housekeeping down to the guy who gives you directions, plus everybody seems to have a cup for tips.
Yes, by all means, bring your luggage on the bus or train, and please, do it during rush hour.
B K lmao 😂
lol, watch me!
Best way to get yur sht kicked off the train 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Many people do it and it's not an issue. The buses go by the airports for a reason
1) taxis and uber are too expensive, had i known...i would've saved more than 50USD from airport to my destination. take the subway definitely.
2) go to AT&T for sim cards, don't buy the prepaid cards from convenient stores or the vending machine those sims do not have internet access! you will have a problem as you need your google map in NYC. no public wifi, so it's a hassle.
3) have a plan, a destination every day, and stick to it. you will be lost in nyc one way or another especially if you're only trying to discover places for the first time. so it is better to know what you want to do for the day.
4) never wear your leather boots or leather shoes, i made this mistake because i wanted to look cool and fashionable but my feet was laden with blisters, and I almost wasn't able to walk in the next few days. wear you most comfortable walking shoes. rubber or sneakers would be the best. if you're a tourist, you will definitely do a lot of walking in NYC.
5) if you are going in winter, ensure you bring a backpack or bag. everytime you enter a store you will take off your gears and put it on again on your way out, it is very easy to lose your gears. i lost 2 bonnets and a pair of gloves, a muffler, ear muffs...i lost something almost everyday! so ensure you have a convenient bag to put all your gears conveniently as you go in and out of stores
Biggest mistake #1....Looking up, when you should be looking OUT!!
Citymapper is a lifesaver!!
I can’t believe you forgot to tell them about the annoying people in costumes all over Times Square begging for tips for pictures.
midnyteblues The only one of those I’m gonna waste any time on is the cowboy in his underwear🤣
@@susanmaggiora4800 Yeah, he’s awesome. I had my picture with him years ago. Friendly guy.
Thanks to public transportation in NYC I found out about the Jackson heights food . The bus dropped me off at Jackson height to catch the subway I ended up taking a walk and boom I found the best food in nyc
Rafael Reyes hi what kind of food did you try? What’s the name?
I love going to Jackson Heights to eat. You'll find cuisines from Tibet, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bangladesh, and so much more.
$100-$200 cash is a lot me as a native New Yorker $60 is max
Lol
Yes, that makes sense. But, as a tourist, they're going to be doing so much more that will require cash.
I agree. A pick pocket can spot a tourist a mile away in any city. You can always stop at an ATM. Just check ahead to see if your bank has free ATM's in the city.
Jay Brown use a credit card 💳 not cash 💰
Tiff Prendergast i use credit or debit card a lot honestly. But I do withdrawal cash for places who don’t take credit or debit 😊
My mistake was paying to much for hotel.i will wach your video for my next trip.
I suggest put a note in your video of where are you filming at that moment. So if people like the background can visit👍
Just got back from our weekend trip to New York (from Ottawa, Canada) Id like to think we faired pretty well. Only thing I wish we knew about, considering we rode it much more than 12 times was the subway unlimited card. We asked the worker if there was a better option than paying everytime and he said to just fill up the metro card with how many trips we planned on taking but 1. We werent sure how many times we were going to ride it and 2. it would have cost us the same, just made it a bit more convenient (although there were tap payment options so it wasnt even that much more convenient) If we knew about the unlimited card we probably could have saved 20+ dollars.
I watched the whole thing even though I'm from New Jersey and have been to NYC so many times haha
I agree with most of the things mentioned in the video, but I think it is pretty adventurous to eat at chain restaurants if you are from a different country. I was pretty exctied to eat at chick fil a when I first came to NY/the US. Just like The Travelling Clatt got foods from convinience stores in Japan when he was there.
Most of my friends would actually prefer chain restaurants because most people in the general public are not foodies.
My first trip to NYC was a few years back and we learned that the type of shoes ladies wear make a world of a difference. It was not just about the comfort but also cleanliness of your feet. I had flip flops on the first time and when I arrived to hotel the bottom of my feet were black. That evening and for the rest of my time in NYC, unless we took a cab, I slipped on sneakers! They were more comfortable while walking the number of blocks we did during the day and felt better taking the subways. But, a couple of the ladies would wear their heels and platforms and complain the entire time. No bueno peeps! I tell you keep it smart, comfortable & clean with sneakers or comfortable padded shoes!!
Btw, thanks for this video! I follow you, Action Kid and TheTravelingClatt. You guys are awesome! Ty!
I Gave Street Performers $40 Which I thought was a bit Steep Thanks man 💯 from Cardiff Wales 🏴UK 👌🏻✌🏻
Adventures in Dining: When I'm visiting the city, I look for the restaurant grades in the windows. I usually stick to just the "A" graded restaurants. When I find one, I look at the menu. If it looks good, it's time for an adventure. I'll confess to the occasional McDonalds meal if I'm working (photography) and have little time, and it's tough to deny the Starbucks across the street for breakfast. Most other times I look for interesting places to dine. Just don't overdo it. It is *very* easy to be amazed at the choices and simply overeat.
Another tip - download google maps in offline mode, roaming charges are INSANE and that way you'll never be lost.
Also - we saw Frozen on Broadway on our first trip, it isn't just about talent and skill, the production level of these shows is ridiculous, i can't imagine how much time and money went into making the extremely detailed costumes and sets, there was A FREAKING BRIDGE ABOVE THE STAGE THAT COLLAPSED UNDERNEATH THE ACTOR AND HE SANG WHILE HANGING UPSIDE DOWN I SWEAR GO SEE A BROADWAY SHOW there's a reason it's called a Broadway SHOW not a Broadway play or performance or act or something.
who roams? just get travel packages
Ive been here for 3 years. The metrocard is your savior, always. You only need to walk about a few blocks anywhere.
Im from Brazil kkkk And when I get in JFK I'll use the Air train until jakarta station... I dont know de name haha... To continue to the hotel.
How lazy
The first mistake is coming here
The tipping stuff is something that even gets me anxious. I'm afraid to seem impolite, rude, ignorant, obnoxious, or like a total asshole for not tipping the right ammount. One time a cab driver was friendly and nice during the ride but gave me the nastiest angry stare after I paid him because obvoiusly the tip wasn't good enough but how could I know? This is the only place in the entire known world where tipping is such a huge deal, I'm not an asshole, I'm just used to pay the amount that the service indicates. Also have this in stores with added fares to products. Here if it says 10 you pay 10, if it says 67 you pay with a 100 bill and expect 33 in change no more no less.
I wanted to say that. I'm not an asshole for not tipping correctly so don't give me attitude. I'm not rich either, if I blew or lose my money in NY I'm fucked (already happened once), I'm trying to budget and also being respectful and polite while enjoying your big awesome city without knowing if I will ever save enough to come back, so cut the shit.
For wait staff, tip about 20% or at least $1 for each time they came to the table. For food or drink without wait staff (carry out or street food), tip about 10%. For cabs and other services, I'd say tip $2 to $5 based on how long it took.
Tipping has become a controversial issue that seems to have become more so with a generation that seems to want a tip for just doing there job.
@@glenarledge1825 People don't deserve a tip for doing their job. They deserve a *wage* for doing their job, like everybody else. If I had to imagine an entitled generation, it'd be the one that thinks their delivery guy should smile and do a little dance before handing their pizza, or otherwise lose his rent.
Thanks for another informative video, Jon.
Definitely with you on the comfortable shoes tip. On our first visit to NYC I brought walking boots (also to allow for winter, with it being February), and my feet were ruined after 4 days of walking.
Second visit in August last year, and I invested in a pair of Nike Air Max sneakers, and my feet were a whole lot better. We also underestimated how far we'd walk. Last August, we were there for 7 days, and walked approx. 65 miles in that week, and that still included using the subway to get around, too!
We're visiting NYC again this coming December to take in the Christmas build up, and having stayed in midtown Manhattan last times, were staying in Brooklyn this time. We cannot wait to come back.
When I was younger, the customary tip was 10%...then it went to 15%....now it's at 20%. Our tipping culture is ridiculous.
John Doe
Wow I always tip 10%. 15% is generous enough. 20% feels like a rip off rather than a well earned gratification. And what happens if the service is bad or mediocre and you don’t want to pay them the 20%?
Seriously, I hate tipping.
10% is more than enough, no way I tip 20% the current tipping culture is ridiculous
Glad to see some Americans agree with my viewpoint that the employer should just pay the employee a decent wage and simply incorporate this into the price
@michael battista no, it's simply correct
I made all of those mistakes 🤦♀️(except tipping)
7:31 my ex she thought Rome was built in one day lol
Part of traveling is learning as you go. But giving advice on such a big popular city that you have never been too. This is good stuff! The more you know! Thank you kind sir! I’m planning my trip to the big Apple for next year. Hopefully everything will work out.
Another restaurant tip, be sure to go over the check, a lot add in the gratuity to the total so make sure you don’t tip twice!
Yes it usually depends on the size of your party. If you are six or more it’s common for the restaurant to charge a tip automatically, so its a good idea to check the math
Be aware that there are pickpocket rings that work the streets. Staring up at all those uniquely tall buildings is a great way to get targeted by them. You stand out like a deer in the headlights. One day, while visiting the city I was ascending from a subway station in mid-manhattan. At the top of the stairs, street level, I was met by a panhandler. People emerging would refuse him while unconsciously protecting their wallet pocket with their hand, telegraphing where their money was. As I watched, this street monger would use hand gestures to signal his pickpocket accomplices at the street corners , in both directions. They would methodically bump into theie marks, one by one as they crossed the street. I watched them pickpocket about 30 victims in the couse of a minute as I watched. Fascinating. These parasites target tourists.
Personally, I learned to stare at the ground and mutter to myself as I walked - as camouflage to blend in with all the other riff-raff. A suggestion is to carry a dummy "throw away wallet" with only a few bucks in it , to offer any would be street mugger. It happens. Don't be a victim.
My wife and I are going to NYC in three weeks for the first time. We’re so excited and appreciate this video so much. Thx. We’re 50 years both of us so the walking part won’t be the preferred transportation however we’ll bring good shoes anyway 😂
Ay mis amores!!! You will have the best of times! Do let us know how it went! And enjoy as much as possible💗💗
Yess let us know how it wentt♥️
We had to postpone the trip, so we’re going there the 14th of January instead. Can wait
@@candjur1 how was it?
Sounds like a perfect setup to get robbed. Take the subway, carry cash, travel outside tourist areas.
u trippin
you're obviously a yokel. You keep your 1s and 5's in one pocket and serious cash someplace else - you're not pulling 50s out to buy a hot dog . . .
Just remember, --everyone who decides to strike out on your own, to the other boroughs using the subway...if you get mugged, (or worse) then go sue THIS guy. He put this video out.
Advice from a 70 year old born-in-NYC-and raised New Yorker.
This guy, is a transplant from some other town, post 1990, and came to NYC and considers himself a local, and had never seen or lived thru the 1970's and 1980's hell of NYC.
Those root elements still remain, under a thin veneer of gentrification...and the pandemic has exposed those criminal roots even further. Strike out for other boros using subway at ur own risk. best to go in big groups.
As for Nice shoes. NO. You wear SNEAKERS. Best shoes for NYC. Any native knows that. Those are the most comfortable. And the video is right. You WILL walk a lot. And you can RUN in sneakers if needed.
I can aways spot non-native New Yorkers... they wear sandals. NYC has glass, poo, nails, dirt, mud, etc. Wearing sandals offers no protection. And no cushioning from the burning hot concrete, or the rain....back to SNEAKERS again. Did I mention sneakers?
And every native new yorker knows to put your wallet in your FRONT pocket, not your back pocket. Harder for pickpockets.
Putting ur money in separate locations and smaller denominations is also a street tactic. wear a belt with a hidden zip area, hide the bigger amts there.
Have fun. NYC is a great place to visit. Just don't overstep your boundaries, or the city's boundaries. Once you do, you run a high risk of danger. Dont go looking for danger.
It'a not THAT bad....but in NYC....ANYTHING can happen. Destiny, dumb karma, whatever. It is very easy to be in a totally safe situation one second, and be dead, mugged or hurt the next.
You could visit 2 times, totally safe, and have an incident on the third time. Dumb karma.
That is the one rule of NYC.
I listened to all your blogs before my visit and they were great, I walked 15000 steps in 5 days avoided all scams in times square, got all my tourist bits in China town for a third of the price, travelled a lot on the subway the 99999 for the zip code when using your credit card was really useful. Saw all the sights tried the tacos at los tacos in times square as per your recommendation delicious. Got a fab bagel with cream cheese and salmon not to be missed. Visited the Irish famine memorial (as an Irish descendant) it was a must visit. Also went to the Hudson bride park, walked the high line, and through central park. Thanks for all your tips. I made a loose plan of everything I wanted to do and see over my five days and achieved 95% of it. Thank you.
My family and I just went last weekend and we had the best time. We took the subway from JFK and it was so easy and cheap. Definitely recommend. Using the subway was so easy and fun.
Bring an extra pair of comfortable shoes to switch off. I don't think people understand until you actually are there. There is a lot of walking. Stop and take breaks is a must.
Picking two to three major sites to visit and everything else is just bonus. Just being in the city felt like enough. It felt like we were in a movie. Haha
The people and seeing all the different cultures was such an awesome experience as well. People were so nice and helpful too.
Btw We went to Bleecker Street pizza and had a slice of Nonna Maria. It was SO DELICIOUS!
Thank you so much for your videos. They were so helpful! 😊
Wow. First mention of the Bx, and all you mention is Arthur Ave.? You’ve mentioned the Zoo in Manh, but the Bronx Zoo is a better option. How about the Botanical Gardens?
I love the Bronx Zoo; been going there since I was a kid. But it's very expensive, and it's pretty much an all-day affair. That's why I tell people not to go to the Statue of Liberty if they're only going to be in NYC for a day or two. Take the Staten Island Ferry (for free) and you can get pretty close to the statue and not spend as much time. Same thing with the Bronx Zoo. It's amazing, but it's not uniquely New York, the way so many other things are. (Other cities have great zoos, but they don't have Broadway theatre, for example.)
I grew up 20 miles north of the city of New York . Yes your right there are many places to see outside of Manhattan .
Yes, but Manhattan is the heart of NYC. And t.s. is the heart beat
So new Jersey then
Yes there are places to see all over the world. But tourists travel to Manhattan, we dont travel to go visit the bronx or staten island. If you been to New York already then yes they should explore other places.
The only way I would go to other places is by knowing someone who lives there.
Goin in December with my wife kids it’s their first time but me & my partner have been before truly loved the place 🏴🏴
I’ve never done a solo trip ever, and I want to visit NYC so badly, but none of my friends want too…is it something thats doable?
I’ll say this: almost every tip you have works for Chicago, too. Only the weather is more insane and an Uber from the airport to downtown (if traffic is good) would cost about $35, which beats the 45 minute L ride you’d otherwise take.
oh, the tipping culture is dangerous. if you travel around the world tipping is not a thing. so i think that if a restaurant can afford to have more than one location they need to pay their workers a fair wage. i dont want to pay for my food and the staff as well. so taday fast food chains want in on tips to. they cant even get your order correct and they want a tip. cab drivers are notorious for this. the want a tip but they dont do anything for it. the city created another fleet the green taxis that go into harlem/outer boroughs. then you have restaurants (asian) that cheat and automatically add their tip and then ask you to add another tip. ridiculous all of it.
my cable guy put a hole in the wall and rerouted my existing phone line to make it easier and efficient. this guy deserved a tip cause i didnt ask him to do any of it but they arent allowed to take tips. you dont have to succumb to the tipping culture. there are people out there that if you dont tip they retaliate.
Didn't bring enough cash, didn't remember debit card pin only had credit card. Missed out on eating Halal guys.
BTW, Congratulations on 100k subscribers!!
I had spicy ass Indian food and i was in Manhattan stuck in traffic. i was so close to shitting in a bush like borat. CVS saved my dignity that day.
Broadway, Off Broadway, and Off Off Broadway theaters don't have anything to do with location. Theater size is the determining factor. Largest are Broadway theaters. (Broadway theaters have 500+ seats)
Two words of advice: NJ Transit from the nitemarish Penn Station is EXTREMELY unreliable. Trains to Newark Airport can be cancelled or majorly delayed many times, causing you to miss your flight. You definitely need to check the NJ Transit website before heading to Penn to get a train to EWR. Get to the station at least an hour early.
Also, arriving at Penn Station from the airport can be shocking compared to pretty much any other major 1st world train depot. It is confusing to find your way out. Just because there is no escalator (while hauling a huge suitcase) when you step off the train doesnt mean there isnt one down the platform. Signage is tiny or non-existant. Once you find your way to the terminal level, its another maze to find your way to the street.. One of the worst stations on earth.
Im from Brazil, 21 young. Someone would like be my friend and Teach me speak English? Haha show me NYC when I be going to... 🇧🇷😂🙏
Doulingo , school , play video games where you chat in english , watch english youtubers
On the escalator, stay on right to stand, if on left, keep walking. Way too many people make this mistake which is super frustrating.
That's a good one actually.
ruclips.net/video/vbsoO2c7gCM/видео.html
I have never had an issue it’s not law or strictly enforced you can stand on any part of an escalator in nyc or in New York State .
Haha I'm Caribbean and I observed this over 10 years ago when I went to Toronto.I was like wait,hold up, ppl actually walk/run on the escalators .wow! Never saw it in Trini 😕 Whenever I go to N.Y now I'm very 'self aware' of where I stand the order of things there😊.Visting this Summer again can't wait 😉
Absolutely! Same for the stairs as well. No, it's not a law at all (as someone commented) but it's accepted as the norm and people will say excuse me or walk over you if you don't. Just remember NYC is a very busy city full of people in a hurry and they can be pushy if you're in the way; that's the norm there. So just keep it in mind as you move about if you are rolling at a slower speed. No, you don't have to, but when in Rome....
Just came back from nyc a few days ago, I’m obsessed ! Found your videos so useful, even before my trip was booked as I knew I was always gonna come - I’m going back next week so every time you upload I get even more excited for my trip / love from UK! Only pet peeve I have had with my previous trip is the tipping, as a student ive lost hundreds of dollars of hard earned cash on tipping in the US , i knew of the low wages so I ensured I kept to around 20% , but on the subway I saw there was a new minimum wage law, which is more than what I get hourly , and I get no tips .. I am just now more reluctant to give bigger tips but don’t want to offend anyone 😂 I agree with all of your comments however!! Although I’m embarrassed to say I did eat at Olive Garden Times Square once as I really wanted to try the famous breadsticks and I know you always say to avoid 😭 los tacos 1 btw.. new Favourite!!
I just came back from travel to New York. Every bit of this video is very accurate and need to be watched before your travel, which I didn't myself, and lost many good points in their recommendations. I grabbed pizza many times following other people, but he is right. The population is so diverse that it should have many cuisines, and you should spot them. I rented an expensive hotel near Times square, and spent most of the time around that bubble. It is much better to rent hotel only for one night, and then rent airbnb the same night you arrive to know locals. And, I didn't carry cash, but sometimes you really need it. Fortunately, I had convenient shoes to walk:)
I once ran outta cash & the metro card machines weren’t taking CC payments but I didn’t know and kept trying to use different credit cards they all got blocked and I almost got arrested by MSG for staying in one of those ATM rooms. I should’ve known better because I lived in Harlem for 2 years but it was cold 😂
What about EDC CCW? Which gun is most suitable for NYC?
The stay in your lane issue can be explained by a personal observation:
Many New Yorkers AND tourists don't have a drivers license and thus don't have a innate trained concept of traffic flow. This problem exists all over Europe as well as most people don't own a car but take public transport.
As a native Californian who learned to drive at 15 as a survival skill it drives me crazy that people have no sense of personal space and flow. If they were drivers they'd know not to just stop in the middle of the road suddenly.
PULL OVER.
Not sure what the reason is, but excellent observation.
Sometimes it's a cultural thing. I live in Cambodia, and there is no public transportation here. Everyone rides a motorcycle or drives a car. Yet people still have no concept of flow in places like grocery stores. But in most American cities, the only people who stop in thee middle of somewhere are tourists because they aren't sure where they're going. I used to live 2 hours south of New York City(near Philly), so I've been to New York a couple of times. Most of the people I met in New York weren't New Yorkers, especially when I went there on New Year' Eve but even the other times I went there.
Loving all these tips, will be in New York in September all the way from Australia. If your free would be great to have you as a personal guide ❤😉
Marie Clough have fun
How was it?
@@just_.jordan better than what I expected, but need to go back and stay longer, so much more to see.
Always great, great advice from you, Jon. My son and I were just talking about off broadway shows. We always went to see Off Broadway and off, off broadway shows when we couldn’t get or afford broadway tickets. Plays like Rent all started there. You get to see great talent. Always a fun great night and lighter on the wallet.
For sure !
I'm born in NYC, I haven't been in New York City for 7 years. I'm moving back to New York next year with my best friend Nawar.
I went for my honeymoon, spent a full week in NYC and we still couldn't get in everything we wanted.
There's definitely some memorable stuff you can find that may not be well known. We saw the premiere of a movie called cherry pop, starring Bob the drag queen and it was amazing.
Alcohol in NYC can get expensive. Here, I can get a mixed drink for $5, in NYC I spent $15 for a smaller size. If you're going to drink, think about pre-gaming.
Having a small man-bag was very helpful. I had a cheap parka, a battery pack, notes on where things were at, and snacks which helped make the stay so much better by being prepared.
And definitely know where your bathrooms are at and use them early, cuz not every place has one for you to use.
Great tips but most are just the regular common sense thoughts that anybody would follow in big cities.. I mean 'wear comfy shoes', 'avoid eating in restaurant chains' really?? not much here is related specifically to NY case I think!
And having the subway card "ready" to swipe at the subway entrance, good idea! :) This is a good video though, thanks. I gotta see NYC in my lifetime.
Also when people come here they should visit Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
pamela griffin That’s on the agenda. The tour ❤️
What’s iconic about those stadiums? I will be visiting next month.
McDonald’s, Kfc, burger king etc is in every country no need to go to america for it
Additional word of caution with crossing streets - jaywalking is standard in the city, but honestly not for the faint of heart if you're not used to it. If you aren't comfortable with jaywalking yourself (which I've found is any sane person not living in NYC), make sure you stand off to the side when waiting for the walk sign to change or else you'll get yelled at or at least muttered toward. Coming from a frequent mutterer.