NYC travel tips: Things I Would Absolutely Do Again in NYC (and What I’d Skip Next Time)

 



Every trip to New York teaches you something—sometimes that thing is “Wow, that bagel was worth the 40-minute line,” and sometimes it’s “I just spent $40 on a drink because I wanted a skyline view.”
Here’s my honest breakdown of the do-agains and the never-agains.

WOULD DO AGAIN

1. Sunrise Walk Across the Brooklyn Bridge
Yes, it’s early. Yes, it’s worth it. At 6:30am, it’s just you, a few runners, and a couple of other camera-toting weirdos who decided sleep was optional. The light is soft, the skyline is glowing, and you don’t have to dodge ten thousand people taking selfies in the middle of the walkway.
2. MoMA (Museum of Modern Art)
I’m not a “spend all day in a museum” person, but MoMA is different. Van Gogh’s Starry Night in person feels like meeting a celebrity, and the photography galleries are always rotating with something fresh. It’s also one of the few big NYC museums where you can realistically see most of it in one visit without feeling like you need a nap halfway through.
3. Pizza at Joe’s
The plain cheese slice is perfection. Crispy bottom, foldable, no weird toppings to distract you from the fact that New York pizza just hits different. It’s fast, cheap, and available in multiple neighborhoods.
4. Wandering the West Village
It’s a rabbit hole of cobblestone streets, leafy corners, and brownstones so pretty you start Googling “West Village apartment prices” and then close your phone in horror. The best part? You can wander aimlessly and stumble upon tiny wine bars, secondhand bookstores, and hole-in-the-wall cafes.
5. Staten Island Ferry at Sunset
Free, breezy, and with the kind of Statue of Liberty views you’d pay $30 for anywhere else. Just don’t expect Staten Island itself to be the attraction—most people ride over, take a bathroom break, and ride right back.
6. The High Line in the Morning
If you only know the High Line from Instagram, you might think it’s always packed with selfie sticks and stroller traffic jams. The trick? Go early. In the morning, it’s just you, some joggers, and the occasional dog that looks more stylish than you. Flowers, art installations, and skyline views make it feel like you accidentally wandered into New York’s coolest backyard. And yes—ending at Chelsea Market for breakfast tacos is mandatory.
7. Grand Central Terminal
I’ve passed through here dozens of times, and it still stops me in my tracks. The ceiling mural looks like the prettiest screensaver, and the Whispering Gallery is just pure magic—lean into one corner, whisper, and your friend hears it perfectly from the opposite side. It’s like New York’s version of a party trick.
8. Bagels at Russ & Daughters
There are bagels, and then there are these bagels. Perfectly chewy, with that glossy crust and just the right smear of cream cheese (or better yet, silky slices of lox). Yes, the line moves at glacier speed, but grab one to-go, wander to Tompkins Square Park, and eat it while people-watching—it’s worth every minute.
9. A Day in DUMBO
DUMBO is the kind of place that makes you pull your phone out every 10 seconds. That perfect Manhattan Bridge shot? Even better in person. Stroll through Brooklyn Bridge Park, grab a rooftop bite at Time Out Market, and maybe split a pizza from Juliana’s if you’re still standing. The ferry back to Manhattan at sunset seals the deal.
10. A Yankees or Mets Game
Look, I’m not a baseball fanatic, but there’s something about eating garlic fries in Yankee Stadium or demolishing Shake Shack at Citi Field that just feels right. The crowd energy is half the fun—one minute you’re high-fiving strangers, the next you’re yelling at the umpire like you’ve been doing it for decades.

WOULD SKIP NEXT TIME

1. Times Square in the Middle of the Day
At night? Magical. During the day? It’s like standing inside a flashing billboard while being handed ten flyers you didn’t ask for. Go at night if you must, and keep it moving.
2. Overpriced Rooftop Bars
Sure, the views are nice, but paying $28 for a mediocre cocktail while fighting for elbow room next to influencers staging full photo shoots? Hard pass. There are plenty of bars with solid skyline views (check out Westlight in Brooklyn or The Panorama Room on Roosevelt Island) that don’t feel like a tourist tax.
3. Walking “Just a Few Blocks” Uptown
Manhattan blocks are deceptive. I once thought walking from SoHo to the Upper West Side would be a “nice way to see the city.” Let's say,I don't want to talk about it.
4. Chain Restaurants in Times Square
I made the rookie mistake of eating at a chain I could find back home because it was “right there.” This is the culinary equivalent of going to Paris and ordering McDonald’s. There are better options within a 5-minute walk, especially if you have a pinned Google Map of trusted local spots.
5. Touristy Horse Carriage Rides in Central Park
They’re expensive, slow, and feel out of step with the park’s energy. Walking or renting a bike lets you explore much more at your own pace.

Quick Tip for Planning Your Own NYC Hits List

The easiest way to make sure you’re not zigzagging all over the city? Use a pinned Google Map. Pin a list of attractions and spots that you would like to visit and just pull it up on the go to see what's nearby.
To give you a head start,The expert travel community behind this blog has already plotted tried and tested major attractions, food spots, and neighborhood gems across all five boroughs. Open it in your Google Maps app, and you’ll instantly see what’s nearby—no crisscrossing required.
Grab it here for just USD 5:
https://payhip.com/b/9U4MA
Location: New York, NY, USA

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