In many ways, New York City is the center of all that is trendy and hip in the United States. What you read about as new and a must-see today may be completely passé by the time you make it to New York City next year. Plan your trip using up-to-date resources and do some research to find out what is new and interesting to see at the time you're visiting. Make time for the timeless New York sights but also keep your schedule open for new museums, restaurants and other destinations in the city as well.
Not everything in New York City is pricey -- some things are even free. Make time on a Friday afternoon to visit the Museum of Modern Art, for example, when the entrance fee is waived from 4 to 8 p.m. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is always free, although a donation is recommended. Contact other museums in which you're interested to find out if their schedules include free or discounted visits. Visit the Julliard website (Juilliard.edu) for a calendar of free concerts and events you can attend during your visit.
The cheapest and easiest way to travel around New York City is the subway. Metro passes are sold in machines in the subway stations, and can be used to travel just about anywhere in New York City and surrounding cities. In the morning and during rush hour, subway trains can be crowded. While subways are generally safe, follow basic personal safety guidelines, such as avoiding flashing money to strangers and holding on tight during the ride to avoid being jostled. Ask your hotel concierge for a subway map and the location of the nearest station. You'll save a ton of money over taking taxis, and you'll get a taste of the real New York.
There are so many things to see and do in New York City -- rather than killing yourself trying to see them all, make a plan for getting quality time with those things that mean the most to you. Organize your trip so you visit sights in one part of town all at the same time. Get a subway map and plan out your travel during your visit. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is near Central Park, for instance, so visiting both of those places in the same day is a good plan.
