If you’re visiting New York City for the first time, tipping can be confusing. Who should you tip, how much should you give, and what happens when a payment screen suddenly asks for 25%? The good news is that you don’t need to tip everyone. Here are the basics you need to know. NYC Tipping…
Short answer: No, not much. You’ll mainly need cash for tipping and emergencies. Credit cards, debit cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere tourists are likely to go. Still, I wouldn’t travel with zero cash. A small amount is useful for tips, small purchases and emergencies. How Much Cash Should You Carry? For most…
You’ve landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Now what? Getting from JFK to Manhattan is actually pretty straightforward. You have several options, from the inexpensive AirTrain and subway to the much easier yellow taxi. The best option depends mostly on how many people are traveling, how much luggage you have, and how much you…
This is very important. If you are visiting New York City from outside the US, get travel insurance before you come. This tip doesn’t get mentioned enough, but it is one of the most important things you can do before a trip to NYC. You never know what might happen. You could get sick, slip…
Five days. That’s my pick for a first dream trip to New York. Three days is enough to see the big stuff. Four is better. Five gives you enough time to see a lot without feeling like you’re racing through the city. A week is even better, if you have the time and the money….
For many visitors, watching the Times Square Ball Drop is the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience in New York City. But there is a problem. The free option can be brutal. You can arrive around 1 PM, stand outside in the December cold for hours, remain behind barricades, carry your own snacks, and essentially give…
A bus tour is one of the most convenient ways to visit Dyker Heights. But it can also be confusing. There are 20+ operators to choose from. A quick search on GetYourGuide can show dozens of different tours. So how do you choose the best one? And are some tours actually better than others? Here…
If you are planning a dream trip to NYC: Best Balance April–May or late September–October offers the best balance of relatively lower prices, manageable crowds and great weather. Money Is No Object and you like the holiday season If you’ve dreamed of Christmas in NYC, December is worth the splurge. The city transforms into a…