Creative Commons License photo credit: Falling Heavens
I used to think I didn’t like Manhattan. The advertisements plastered to every surface, the inescapable flashing lights and honking cars were just too much. And the people, the massive throngs of people pressing in on your from all sides while the skyscrapers loomed overhead. Doing things like shopping on Fifth Avenue, visiting the Empire State Building or walking through Times Square were stressful and suffocating.
However, I just got back from a really lovely weekend in the city, where I visited some college friends. I was happy to see them of course, but I was also shocked to find myself actually having a good time in New York City. While in the past I’ve felt anxious and insecure, now I felt happy and excited to be there. I reflected on why that might be, and realized that the key to enjoying Manhattan was skipping the touristy spots and acting more like a local.
Here are my tips for a more enjoyable visit to New York City:
Get away from the tourists
Sure you want to see Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and all that jazz but I promise if you so does everyone else on the planet. Once you’ve checked out the major landmarks spend some time exploring the less frenetic parts of Manhattan (or maybe even Brooklyn). Try staying in a new neighborhood. Take the subway. Try to be where the tourists, panhandlers and pickpockets are not.
Eat a Lot
New York has some of the best food on earth, so spend some time sampling the city’s great international cuisine. It helps to plan ahead; you can use Yelp and other websites to narrow down your search. Avoid any restaurants within a 5 block radius of Times Square at all costs (your wallet will thank you).
This past weekend I ate at the majorly delicious Cafeteria in Chelsea and Fresh Salt in the Financial District (excellent macaroni and cheese). Otto Pizzeria in Greenwich Village is also fabulous and inexpensive. Of course great New York pizza, bagels and hot dogs are just about everywhere.
Find A Good Deal
The one semi-touristy thing we did do last weekend was seeing a Broadway show. I’m a fan of musical theater and there is nothing quite like seeing a big budget show. We settled on a Sunday Matinee and hit up the TKTS booth in Time Square for discounted tickets. We ended up with sixth row seats for Mamma Mia at half price.
It can be an expensive city but there are other great opportunities to save money if you look for them. One of my favorite things to 
do in the city is to visit The Strand, an absolutely massive discount bookstore in Greenwich Village. I am a book addict and I can spend hours wandering the shelves, sorting through for a good deal. This weekend I behaved pretty well and only came off with four new books- at under $25!
Go For A Walk
A relaxing (and free) thing to do on a nice day is take a stroll through Central Park- one of the greatest examples of American landscaping out there. The park is buzzing and alive on a nice day, full of New Yorkers jogging, walking their dogs or just hanging out.
Chelsea Pier and Battery Park are two other green spaces to escape from the concrete jungle.
Make Some Friends
Confession time: I used to be afraid of New Yorkers. You see them on the street walking briskly, confident in where they are going and that they b
elong in this hectic city. When I think New Yorkers I think Seinfeld, I think Gossip Girl. I think people who are far cooler than me.
Now that I have friends in the city I’ve actually gotten to know quite a few of these exotic New Yorkers. And guess what? They are kind of awesome. And like the other cities I love, London and DC, they are from all over the world and are doing all sorts of interesting things. You really can’t get to know a city unless you talk to the people that live there, so try and find someone to connect one on one with the people of New York City.
Bottom Line
If you follow these tips you will not only be less stressed out, you will also spend less money and probably get a better idea of what New York City is actually like. Actually, pretty much all of these tips could be applied to any city to give you a better taste of the culture.
Okay New Yorkers and New York fans, what are some other ways to enjoy the city?
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Being a New Yorker, I gotta say… it’s much better doing things that are off the beaten track. There is nothing worse than being trampled by thousands of tourists in Times Square or waiting forever to ride an elevator up the Empire State. It’s much better to cruise with no set plan… you’ll see a lot more and you’ll be relaxed while doing so. Great post, Stephanie!
I’m not a city girl, and I’ve never had a desire to see NYC…up until a week ago, when I dreamt about it, and now I can’t seem to shake the idea. Thanks for the tips!
Candice´s last blog ..Stay where you’re at, and I’ll come where you’re to
These tips apply to way more than NY. Every time I travel I ditch out on 90% of the plans I thought about, spend at least one full day just walking around, usually alone, and getting the feel for the city.
Everything after that first day observing is easy. You pick up what the locals like, where they eat, the way they walk, their body language. You can usually tell what’s worth seeing, too, when you look away from the crowds. I love looking down alleyways (in the daylight). Some of my favorite photographs and characteristic memories of cities are of the forgotten architecture (London), or a hidden window garden (Paris), or my absolute favorite: a tiny thread shop, run by lackadaisical shopkeepers, walls brimming with brightly colored spools (Morocco).
Usually, I get asked directions (unless I’m in Morocco…) by the end of the day, which I like to think is something of a telling point.
This is a great post; great suggestions. When I’m in NY, I’ll have to look into that bookstore!
Thanks!
Kristin´s last blog ..epic fail or epic win?
So true! My earliest trips to NYC involved both touristy things as well as going off the beaten path, and I fell in love with the city that way. I love Little Italy and Greenwich Village and Brooklyn. The subway really makes all the boroughs very accessible, so there’s no reason you need to stay in Manhattan where all the tourists are. Although it is kind of fun seeing all the lights of Times Square at Night, and hanging out in Central Park. You just need to brace yourself for the crowds.
Gray´s last blog ..5 Simple Ways Solo Travelers Can Save the Planet
Yes! I never thought of myself as being able to live in NY until I moved there for a summer and was able to explore all the not-so-touristy parts of the city.
Only two other things I would like to add to your post:
(1) Going to the upper west side – not too many tourists go up there but it is a great neighborhood with fantastic restaurants.
(2) Thrift stores – people visiting NY seem to be interest in shopping on 5th avenue but I prefer to go to the AMAZING thrift stores where you can find some great stuff (I bought a pair of guess jeans for $3!) My favorite being housing works, where the money goes to provide social services to the underserved in NY.
http://www.housingworks.org/social-enterprise/thrift-shops/
This is really true of many big tourist cities.
I like to take a bus to the suburban neighbourhoods with semi-detached houses and just walk around in parks and the streets. They’re also good places for spotting cats!
Laura´s last blog ..Blog Action Day 2009 – Pictures from the Future
Don’t miss Grand Central Station, one of my favorite places in NY; it has some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. The Met is also well worth your time.
Jessica´s last blog ..
Grant- I like wandering aimlessly around New York, there is a lot of random and interesting stuff to see.
Candice- You should definitely see NYC at some point, it’s like nowhere else on earth!
Kristen- I always like to look for the little details that you can only find away from the crowds. It does make for memorable pictures than yet ANOTHER shot of Big Ben.
Gray- next time I go up there I want to take some time to explore Brooklyn. Sadly I’ve never done much outside of Manhattan.
Andrea- We are going to that thrift store when I come visit you. No excuses.
Laura- One of my favorite things about living in London was that I got to spend so much time in the residential spots. it’s an entirely different aspect of city life that tourists often overlook.
Jessica- I also love Grand Central Station. The ceiling is so beautiful!
Excellent advice for enjoying New York City! The best way to get a real feel for New York (and probably any city) is to simply walk around and explore – and it doesn’t cost a penny!
The people watching is really great too. One of my favorite NYC activities is sitting at a window bar inside a coffee shop and watching the people go by. It’s also a great way to rest between the tourist activities.
I’m a big fan of people watching. New York is definitely one of the greatest places for it!
Interesting you give Cafeteria nods… It does decadent comfort food well.