Any advice for someone going to New York solo for the first time?

Answer 1

I went with my mother last month and it was both of our first times. We were a little nervous at first but we had a blast!!! Definitely stay in the middle of Midtown, our hotel was reasonably priced and within blocks from Time Square, Empire State Building and Broadway!

One of the best things we did while there was pay for one of the tour buses. We used Grayline and they have a great package deal. For only like $70 you get 48 hours unlimited hop-on-hop-off access to their buses. It was the best deal cause we were able to catch free rides to all parts of the town, and we didn't have to walk around getting lost. Plus its a tour bus so they tell you interesting things and significant places.

Also, you have to go to a Broadway show! That's what we went there for and we enjoyed it so much. They have locations that sell tickets the day of the show a low discounted prices too.

Have fun!

Answer 2

For all my trips, I always make it a point to study the place first before going there. Dont go there without reading!

I recommend Microsoft Encarta for Kids 2006, Yahoo travel ( go to travel guides and to New York City, there is a slideshow of the places there, the top 10 attractions at the bottom of the page with their websites, locations). Always have a map whenver you travel. It is so easy to get lost in a big city like New York. Study also the stations in the subway! Posting questions and reading answers with regards to New York City will definitely supplement your readings.

Did you know that there are 5 borroughs or sections ( similar to a county ) in New York City? They are Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx and the Staten Island. Did you know that it is only Bronx which is in the US Mainland? Manhattan and Staten Island are both surrounded by water. Brooklyn & Bronx are on the western end of Long Island.


The top 10 attractions in New York City according to Yahoo travel:
1. Times Square
2. Central Park
3. Metropolitan Museum of Art
4. Statue of Liberty
5. St. Patricks Cathedral
6. New Yorks Yankees and Yankee stadium
7. Greenwich Village
8. Brooklyn Bridge
9. Chinatown
10. Empire State Building

There are 174 pictures as slideshow at Yahoo travel too. So far, this is one of the best pictures I had seen compared to other sites.

The famous buildings include Empire State Building, United Nations headquarters, Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center.

It is also important to know the important streets and their locations. Wall Street is the is the leading financial center in the world. It is the home to many banks, stock markets, stock brokers and other financial institutions.

In terms of ENTERTAINMENT, did you know that the 3 largest tv stations are in NY? This includes ABC, CBS and NBC.

In terms of BOOKS and Magazine publications & Advertising companies, did you know that the major ones are also located here?

And lastly, if you are into ARTS, then you had come to the best in the USA. The outstanding museums are found here like the Metropolitan Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art. Did you also know that the GALLERIES on Madison Avenue shows the latest in art?

Lastly, if you are in interested in the THEATERS, Times Square and Broadway form the main theater districts. The LINCOLN CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS has concert halls, theater for dance and plays & the Metropolitan Opera House.

I had read almost all of the advises of everybody for you, definitely everybody has little points in which you have to remember. Have a small notebook and take down some notes, a MAP is a MUST, you should have a schedule to make the most of your trip. The HOP in worth $70 for 48 hours is already ok. My friend paid $25 when we were in San Francisco but it is only with the same areas again within 24 hours, I am not sure if it is also 48 hours. For the tourist, it will help you to make the most out of it, if that really will tour the whole of New York! Try to see their websites too!

DEFINITELY , a travel wont be complete without bringing home a SOUVENIR from the place. A miniature souvenir of the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Chrysler or even the Rockefeller will do or probably you are into collecting picture frames with NEW YORK CITY on it, then put your picture in it, or probably magnets.

If you want to compare the temperature in your place and New York City , you can have it monitored daily through MY Yahoo. I monitor at least more than 20 cities and countries I had been and planning to tour ! Be complete with your clothing needs since it is too cold out there, unless you are already used to the Chicago weather.

Answer 3

Stay somewhere central in midtown, so that it will be easier to get around and so that you won't get lost. It's rather hard to get lost, the avenues (5th, 6th, etc) go east to west and the streets go south to north (ascending).
Try the TKTS booth in time square for half price tickets, get there early and expect a long line.
Auto club has a good NY guide, get one of those.
Get to know the subways system, if you are going to take it, have a map and write out your route before you go.
Go see Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center,better and cheaper and less lines that Empire State.
Wear comfortable shoes and expect to walk a lot.
New Yorkers are generally very friendly, if you get lost or have a question, most will be happy to help you out.
The MOMA, modern art museum is free Friday evenings.
The city is very safe, but still, at night, stick to the busy streets.
You can get good hotel advice at tripadvisor.com

Answer 4

Museum of Natural History-models of evolution of man and famous gems.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has everything-not just paintings and sculptures, but also knights and armor, mummies, an Egyptian temple. It's well worth the trip.
Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It's cheap and fun
Have a dim sum brunch on Sunday morning in Chinatown.
Make a reservation for the pretheater dinner at The Four Seasons, one of the most famous restaurants in the world. If you are seated by 6:15, the entire dinner from appetizer to dessert is only $65. Ask to be seated in the pool room. The trees in the pool room are decorated according to the season. Jackets and ties are required for men. No jeans or corduroy pants. You may see the occasional celebrity there. The phone number is 212-754-9494.
Get a discount ticket for the theater. You can find them on line searching for discount broadway tickets or at the half price ticket booth. You definitely want to see a Broadway play.
Go shopping at Century 21 for discount high style. It's across the street from Ground Zero.
If you want to eat very cheap, but it's way out in Brighton Beach near JFK Airport, try Cafe Glechik 3159 Coney Island Avenue (Brighton Beach Avenue), Brighton Beach, Brooklyn; [phone].BEST DISHES Pickles; all vareniki and pelmeni; green borscht; stuffed cabbage; stew Glechik.
PRICE RANGE Appetizers, soups and dumplings, $1 to $9.50 (bags of frozen dumplings to go are $4.50 to $6.50); main courses, $7.50 to $20; side orders, $3. The restaurant is B.Y.O.B. CREDIT CARDS Cash only.
This is wonderful food and incredibly cheap.
There are also Russian night clubs in Brighton Beach that are also an experience, but it's been years since I went to one.

Answer 5

It is very easy to get lost in Central Park if you stray from the paved trail--not all the dirt paths are on the map, so stick to the pavement. Take quarters for the bus--they take change, but don't give change, so you'll lose money paying with a dollar bill. Don't miss the Met Museum of Art.

Answer 6

when you walk around, pretend you are a native new yorker. walk around like you own the place. you will be safe :) dont go to dark streets, empty streets. go to midtown, SOHO, downtown. go to central park, madame toussaudes museum in times square, greenwich village, williambsburg ( brooklyn) for nice places to eat.

Answer 7

If it is the FIRST TIME you have ever gone to NYC, go with a friend!