The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing New York City Like a Local
As the late, great Frank Sinatra sang for the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York back in ’77, if you can make it in NYC, you can make it practically anywhere! While you might not be looking to make your fortune as those coming fresh off the boats from Ellis Island once did, New York remains a place of wonder, excitement, and really, a place that no number of positive adjectives can do justice…you have to visit to appreciate it! Nevertheless, with such an abundance of things to see, smell, eat, and do, you can be forgiven for feeling a little lost as to where to begin. Fortunately, this post has you covered and will take a look at a mixture of exciting activities to take advantage of when in the one and only Big Apple.
What Makes New York Such A Magical Place To Visit?
New York is one of those locations that elicits thoughts of what a megapolis should look like. However, the most fascinating aspect of this city is that while it is still arguably one of the world’s largest urban centers and a potent symbol of American power, it has had many centuries to develop its own patina and history ripe for exploration and enjoyment by anyone willing to soak up the atmosphere. In reality, there are so many things to do in Manhattan alone that it can actually create a form of analysis paralysis if you are unable to choose what to see and where to go! However, if you want to avoid this fate, you need simply to generate a quality itinerary that outlines how you will spend your time, and one of the best ways to truly experience this modern marvel is to experience things as a local might.
When In Rome, Do As NYCers Do!
If you are unsure where to begin your journey, your best bet is to try and get into the mind of the average New Yorker! Still, you must tread a fine line between enjoying yourself and participating in the usual trials and tribulations that often accompany living within an urban megacenter. So let’s take a look at some of the top things you can do that will tantalize, titillate, and transform your views on the Big Apple.
Get Off The Beaten Path And Explore The Boroughs
New York City comprises more than just Manhattan; it has five distinct boroughs, each with its own flair that begs to be discovered. While you will undoubtedly want to spend some time in Manhattan, you should spread your wings and not be afraid to venture out to the other boroughs of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. In these locations, you will discover a fascinating melting pot of cultures intermingling with one another, ranging from Hasidic Orthodox Jews to Vietnamese expatriates plying their various trades.
Get Lost In The City’s Diverse Music Scene
Music and New York go together like wine in a glass, and while it’s home to several genres, its experimental nature is what makes it so intoxicating. Moreover, you can often stumble across live performances when taking a leisurely stroll through any plentiful green spaces occupying the city.
Spend A Day At A Museum Or Gallery
Although museums and art galleries abound, you need to be selective if you are to gain the most from your trip. Therefore, it’s wise to simply choose one museum and one art gallery you want to visit and then spend an entire day pursuing the historical artifacts and various artworks that adorn their art deco interiors.
Take Advantage Of The City’s Plentiful Public Transportation
Okay, so this isn’t exactly the sort of thing you’d put on a postcard to friends and family back home, but if you want to live as the locals do, you need to get used to taking the extensive selection of mass transit that blesses the city. If you speak to any hot-blooded New Yorker, they will spin yarns of woe regarding the condition and tardiness of said transit, but in reality, they’re actually pretty decent.
Eat, Eat, And Eat Until You Can Eat No More!
Food is integral to the New York experience, as no other city has such an enormous variety of delicacies from around the world to excite your taste buds. Furthermore, you will find that the style of food changes depending on which borough you are in since it is often heavily influenced by whatever immigrant nation laid down roots. This means you will often find a delicious delicatessen restaurant serving food from Eastern Europe right next door to a Thai takeout place serving sweet and sour delights that are sure to get your mouth watering.
New York is a city like no other; that much is an axiomatic truth! However, if you want to really grab the bull by its horns and experience everything that it has to offer the intrepid traveler, you should follow these tips and do as the locals do!
