Visiting NYC means a visit to the Statue of Liberty.
If you're planning a visit to New York City (NYC), the city that really doesn't go to sleep, plan ahead and make the most of your money and time. Most prospective tourists to NYC know about Times Square (timessquare.com), Broadway shows (broadway.com), Rockefeller Center (rockefellercenter.com) and other well-known attractions; one of the key things to learn about NYC travel is that getting off the beaten path can provide additional enriching travel experiences. Visiting the big attractions is important but so is immersing yourself in the local environment. Other key tips for NYC travel include learning about the transit system and the airport network.
Airports
The yellow taxi cab is almost as universal a sign of NYC as Times Square.
The greater NYC area has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark International Airport (EWR). Although newcomers might mistakenly ask for a cab to "the airport," you should state which airport. If you're traveling for a particular purpose, like a convention or a trade show, fly into the airport closest to your destination hotel or convention center.
Boroughs
New York City is made up of boroughs. The five major boroughs are the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan. If you're visiting NYC, get out of the downtown Manhattan core (but of course you'll want to see the Statue of Liberty, City Hall, the harbor, the 9/11 Memorial and Times Square) and visit NYC neighborhoods located in the boroughs. Explore history in the Bronx, enjoy some fine Italian fare in Queens, listen to great jazz in Brooklyn and take the Staten Island ferry for a photo-worthy shot of NYC from across the bay.
Traffic
If you're travelling to NYC from a smaller area or if you're simply not that experienced with the traffic of a major metropolis, beware that peak traffic times are mornings and the 5:00 p.m. rush. Use the city transit system and avoid the traffic or take a cab to your destination. Walk for a few blocks and you'll not only avoid the tight traffic but get some exercise and see sights you might not see from the subway or a cab.
Cost
NYC, like other major cities, is expensive. Make your trip affordable by visiting during the off-season of January and February. The trade-off, however, is this is the cold season in New York. Summer is warmer (sometimes too warm for locals) but prices will be higher. Audience tickets for shows such as "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" (thedailyshow.com) and "Live with Regis and Kelly" (dadt.com/live) are complimentary but you must book far in advance.
Food
Although visiting the well-photographed McDonald's in Times Squares might be on the top of your to-eat list, don't forget to add local ethnic restaurants to your menu. Experiment with traditional Chinese food in Chinatown or savor Italian delicacies in Little Italy. The boroughs also offer family restaurants with authentic food.
Tags: Times Square, International Airport, Staten Island, Statue Liberty, transit system, York City, your destination