A trip to New York City is always welcome and any time is a good time to love the city. Spring and autumn months are obviously the most desirable, but even in winter or in summer New York has its appeal. It is a matter of choosing the season you like best. This last time I went in early spring and the weather was really cold, sunny but freezing. I stayed for one week but may be ten days is better, if you can afford it. The longer, the better.
Lake at Central Park in autumn
Paley Park
what you need to know as soon as you get to ny
Upon arrival buy Time Out Magazine, the New Yorker or the Village Voice to see the week events: shows, directions, free concerts, sample sales and activities. Always have on hand a city map and a subway map.
BUS The fare for a bus ride is U.S. 2.50 USD, U.S. If you qualifie for reduced fare (e.g. seniors), you can travel for half fare. 3rd. Avenue, 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue buses travel southbound, Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue travel northbound. The bus ride is slow but can take the opportunity to enjoy both the ride and the views of the city and people. They have stops almost at every corner. Crosstown buses run East and West along major streets(42, 34, 14 etc.) and stop at almost all Avenues. Check Bus Schedules here
CABS Take a cab only when you are exhausted from walking so much or late at night. Due to traffic jams is faster to walk two long blocks than to take a taxi.
SUBWAY Subway fare is $2.50, payable with MetroCard. People 65 years or older and people with qualifying disabilities who show a proper form of identification are eligible for reduced fare. The cost of a Single Ride ticket is $2.75 and valid for one ride within two hours after purchase. Sold at vending machines only. The Metrocard is bought at the Metro Card Vending Machines at any subway station, you can pay cash, debit or credit card. Load it with $ 10, you can refill with both time and value.
NEW YORK PASS is the tourist card that allows free enter to about 70 attractions without
making a line, discounts for Broadway shows, concerts, etc. Each adult pass includes a guidebook.
One day adult pass costs 85 dollars, two-day 130 and three-day 150.
SIGHTSEEING TOURS The Gray Line Double Decker Choose between the Downtown Loop, Uptown Loop, Brooklyn Loop and Night / Holiday Lights Tour (Brooklyn and Night / Holiday tours are not Hop- On, Hop-Off). I believe it is imperative to take one of these tours, it just may take a day, two at the most, and you can be sure that you will not regret. maybe you think that is something very touristy, but that’s what we are. Even if you live in NY the trip is very enjoyable.
EAT Many restaurants take no reservations, just go and get ready to wait in line. Gratuity is 18%, almost always comes included with the check. If not included, multiply what is the TAX by two and leave that amount.
ARRIVAL
JFK A cab to Manhattan can cost USD60, plus toll and tip, always take the yellows cabs. The Airtrain costs USD7.50 and drops you at Penn Station -34Street and 8th Avenue- It all depends whether you are in a hurry or not or how much luggage you carry.
LA GUARDIA AIRPORT A cab will cost between USD30 and USD40, depending on your destination, plus toll and tip. There are also car and van services as well as public transportation.
BY TRAIN If you are arriving in New York by Train, you will arrive in either Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal.
TIPS FOR CHEAP BROADWAY SHOW TICKETS There are some ways for getting cheap tickets for Broadway and Off Broadway shows. The TKTS booth in Times Square offers discount tickets for same day performance but long lines are disheartening. Rush and Standing Room Only tickets offer another opportunity to get discounted tickets to the majority of shows on Broadway, many times box offices will only accept cash. Rush tickets are purchased directly from the box office at the theater two hours in advance of a show. They are also often available through a lottery or for students at about $25 each. Standing Room Only tickets are available, only when the performance is sold out, only at the box office. Standing-room ticket holders must stand in numbered spaces that are the width of a regular seat, usually at the back of the orchestra. If you are lucky enough, you will be able to take a seat if someone leaves the show. There are different policies for each show, check Playbill or Broadwayworld for information.
new york by neighbourhood
Image ELLE DECOR Goes to Manhattan
to be continued………….
Related articles
- A Photographic Tour of New York (digital-photography-school.com)
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