New York City is the most visited city in the world, and it’s no wonder; it’s like nothing else on the planet. The city is just as much of a destination for food lovers as it is for art lovers and tourist attractions, and the best way to get the most out of the city’s food and dining options is to visit during the fall and winter months.
So, are you ready to travel and see the wonderful New York City?
Visiting New York For the First Time? Check These Tips
Most first-time travelers to the Big Apple are probably excited about the vast range of options for dining, sightseeing, shopping, and most other activities available to tourists. Of course, one of the most exciting aspects of traveling to a new city is seeing its famous sights—but that’s not the only reason to venture outside of your comfort zone.
To be a savvy traveler, you must learn to navigate the city’s street signs, understand how to use the city’s subway, and learn how to read the local lingo—the latter of which can be a little more difficult.
Here are some of the great traveling tips when you are visiting New York for the first time:
1. Navigate around the city by foot or by subway.
If you’re a first-time visitor to New York City, you’ll be glad to know that you can get around the city by a combination of walking, subway, and taxi. Choose the method that suits you best. Or, if you’re just excited to explore, hop on the subway. It’s a safe, effective way to travel and costs less than getting a cab.
The subway is the best way to reach the outer boroughs for commuters. But for tourists, the subway can be a tricky way to navigate. Well, this is found to be incredibly confusing and hard to navigate.
2. Explore other areas aside from Manhattan
There are many reasons to visit New York, but amongst them is the fact that there is so much more to the city than its five boroughs. To expand your reach, traveling to other places in New York is a great way to broaden your horizons.
From the stunning beauty of Central Park to the architecture of historic Brooklyn, New York City is a huge place, and a first-time visitor may not have the time or money to see all of it.
3. Experience New York a lot better by allocating more time to explore the city
New York City is a big, busy place, but it’s also one of the most exciting. It’s a city of museums, galleries, and Broadway plays, but it’s also a city full of fast-paced, bustling neighborhoods.
As you explore the city and figure out how to get around, you’ll want to take some time to learn more about it before you go. This way, you’ll feel more comfortable in the city and have a better experience on your visits.
4. Keep safe by being aware of petty crimes.
New York City is a place you should visit. Not only because it’s the biggest city in the world but because it’s the place that you should visit to get the feel of a big city. So, how can you do this? You can take a subway trip, which will take you to the major attractions, or you can take a cruise, which will give you a feel of the Big Apple.
5. Spend wisely, especially when visiting trendy restaurants.
While spending for a meal in trendy restaurants is okay, overspending on meals in such places is never okay. If you have the means to spend a lot on a luxurious dining experience, by all means, you can do it. But for those who may go broke, you can choose budget-friendly places; New York has a lot. Also, you can check on Kroger weekly ad for updated deals on food and other essentials.
New York is one of the most well-known cities in the world. It is full of life, and you will feel like you’re in a movie set if you visit it. But if you’re not prepared, you can fail at whatever you try to do there. Follow these tips and you’ll increase your chances of enjoying a wonderful first visit to NYC.
Want to read more of our latest posts? Check out what you can do when traveling from Penn Station.
Alex is a computer geek, programmer, who loves traveling. Not the usual mix, but Alex is always with his laptop – no matter how high the mountain he’s hiking on. On every peak he reaches, he writes a story that captures it all.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram