First Time in New York City? 15 Things You Need to Know Before You Go

Planning your first trip to New York City can feel exciting and a little overwhelming. With so much to see, from Times Square and Central Park to the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial, knowing a few things before you arrive can make your trip much easier.

Whether you're visiting for a weekend or spending several days exploring the city, these New York City travel tips will help you save time, avoid common mistakes, and make the most of your first visit.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Here are 15 things you should know before visiting New York City for the first time.

1. Don’t Try to See Everything

New York City is huge, and one of the biggest mistakes first-time visitors make is trying to fit too much into one day. Instead, group attractions by neighborhood so you spend less time traveling back and forth across Manhattan.

For example, visit the 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center, Wall Street, and Battery Park together while you're in Lower Manhattan. Save Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park for when you're exploring Midtown.

You'll see more while spending less time getting from place to place.

2. Learn How to Use the Subway

The subway is often the fastest and most affordable way to get around New York City. You don't need to buy a special MetroCard for most trips—you can use OMNY by tapping a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or digital wallet at the turnstile.

Before getting on a train, always check whether you're heading uptown or downtown and whether the train is local or express. A few minutes checking your route can save you from ending up several stops away from where you intended to go.

3. Wear Comfortable Shoes

New York City is a walking city, and you'll probably walk much more than you expect. It's easy to rack up thousands of steps while sightseeing, even if you're also using the subway or taking an Uber.

Bring comfortable, broken-in shoes that you know you can wear for several hours. This is not the trip to test a brand-new pair of sneakers!

I always recommend packing a pair of comfortable walking shoes that you can wear all day while sightseeing.

Getting ready for your trip? Check out my Ultimate Carry-On Packing Checklist to make sure you don't forget any travel essentials.

4. Skip the Rental Car

You don't need a rental car to explore New York City. Between the subway, buses, taxis, rideshares, and walking, getting around without a car is usually much easier.

Parking in Manhattan can be expensive, and traffic can quickly eat into your sightseeing time. For most first-time visitors, you'll have a much easier trip using public transportation and walking between nearby attractions.

5. Take the Staten Island Ferry for Free Statue of Liberty Views

You don't have to buy a sightseeing cruise just to get a great view of the Statue of Liberty. The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers beautiful views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline as you cross New York Harbor.

The ferry runs between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. Once you arrive on Staten Island, you'll need to get off the ferry before boarding again for the return trip.

If actually visiting Liberty Island and Ellis Island is on your bucket list, plan that separately and reserve your tickets in advance.

6. Book Popular Attractions in Advance

New York City's most popular attractions can sell out, especially on weekends and during busy travel seasons. If there are a few places you absolutely don't want to miss, reserve them before your trip.

This is especially helpful for attractions like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, observation decks, Broadway shows, and popular museums.

Try not to schedule every minute of your trip, though. Book your must-do attractions and leave some free time for exploring—you'll almost certainly discover places you want to stop along the way.

7. Visit Times Square More Than Once

Times Square feels completely different during the day and at night. During the day, it's easier to explore the area and see the surrounding theaters and shops. At night, the massive digital billboards and bright lights create the iconic Times Square experience most visitors imagine.

If it's your first trip to New York City, try to experience Times Square both during the day and after dark.

You don't necessarily need to spend hours there. A short visit each time is enough to experience both sides of one of New York City's most famous landmarks.

8. Group Your Sightseeing by Neighborhood

One of the easiest ways to waste time in New York City is traveling back and forth across Manhattan all day. Instead, plan each part of your day around attractions that are close to one another.

For example, when you're in Lower Manhattan, you can combine the 9/11 Memorial, One World Trade Center, Wall Street, Battery Park, and the Staten Island Ferry.

When you're in Midtown, you can group Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, and the Empire State Building.

Planning this way means less time in transit and more time actually enjoying New York.

9. Carry a Portable Phone Charger

You'll probably use your phone constantly in New York City—for maps, subway directions, photos, tickets, restaurant searches, and reservations. That can drain your battery much faster than a normal day.

A small portable phone charger can be a lifesaver when you're sightseeing from morning until night. Keep one charged in your day bag along with a charging cable so you don't have to hunt for an outlet halfway through the day.

10. Keep Your Day Bag Small and Lightweight

You'll be carrying your bag for hours while walking, sightseeing, using the subway, and visiting attractions, so avoid bringing more than you actually need.

A small crossbody bag or lightweight daypack is ideal for carrying essentials like your phone, portable charger, wallet, sunglasses, and a small water bottle.

Choose something comfortable and easy to keep close to you, especially when you're riding crowded public transportation.

11. Don’t Eat Only in Times Square

Times Square is fun to experience, but you don't need to eat every meal there. Some of New York City's best food can be found by exploring neighborhoods away from the busiest tourist areas.

Try a classic New York slice of pizza, grab a bagel for breakfast, visit a local deli, or explore neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, or Chelsea for even more options.

Leave some room in your itinerary to try something you discover while you're exploring—that's part of the fun of visiting New York City.

12. Carry a Refillable Water Bottle

With all the walking you'll do in New York City, it's easy to forget to stay hydrated. Carrying your own refillable water bottle can save you from repeatedly buying bottled water while you're sightseeing.

Choose a lightweight bottle that fits easily into your day bag. An insulated bottle is especially useful if you're visiting during the warmer months and want to keep your water cold throughout the day.

13. Don’t Be Afraid to Walk

Some of the best New York City moments happen between the major attractions. Walking lets you discover neighborhood cafés, beautiful architecture, small shops, parks, and photo spots you might otherwise miss.

Before automatically taking the subway or calling a rideshare, check the walking distance. Sometimes your next stop is only a few blocks away.

Just remember to wear those comfortable shoes—you'll be glad you packed them!

14. Save Important Information on Your Phone

Don't rely on having perfect cell service everywhere you go. Before heading out for the day, save or screenshot important information such as your hotel address, attraction tickets, reservation confirmations, and train or flight details.

It's also helpful to download an offline map of New York City before your trip. That way, you can still find your way around if your signal is weak or you don't have internet access.

Flying into New York? Read my Airport Hacks Every Traveler Should Know for more tips to make your travel day easier.

15. Leave Some Free Time in Your Itinerary

It's tempting to plan every hour of your first New York City trip, but some of the best experiences happen when you have time to wander.

Leave a little room in your schedule to walk through a neighborhood, stop at a café, browse a shop, sit in a park, or simply enjoy the city without rushing to your next reservation.

Choose your must-see attractions, plan them by neighborhood, and give yourself enough flexibility to actually enjoy being in New York.

Ready for Your First Trip to New York City?

New York City can feel overwhelming on your first visit, but a little planning goes a long way. Focus on the places you most want to experience, group your sightseeing by neighborhood, wear comfortable shoes, and leave yourself some time to simply explore.

You don't have to see everything in one trip. New York will always give you a reason to come back!

Planning your trip? Save this guide so you can easily find these New York City travel tips when it's time to go.