Getting Around New York Graciously

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to New York, or a regular who keeps coming back, here are some tips to help you navigate the city smoothly and efficiently. That way, you can enjoy yourself and not get lost or run out of steam.

1. Stay in Manhattan.  You’ll find cheaper accommodations outside of Manhattan, but that turns Manhattan into a day trip, and that’s not the best way to do the city. If you stay in Manhattan, you can spend the morning running around town, go back to your hotel to change your shoes or take a nap, and hit the town fresh in the evening. That’s better than lagging in the afternoon heat, eating ice cream off a truck, sweating through your clothes, not being hungry for
dinner but eating a full portion anyway, and fighting with your significant other all the way back to Brooklyn on the train with a blister on your heel. It’s worth the extra money you’ll spend on accommodations. Try Airbnb as well as hotels. We have gotten some nice rooms for reasonable rates with Airbnb. Just be sure they have air conditioning!​ 

2.  Getting to and from the airport. There are plenty of ways to get between the airports and the city, but here’s what’s worked best for me. I usually take a taxi from the airport to the city because, flying from the West coast, I arrive late in the day and just want to go to bed. This costs about $75. You can also use Uber or Lyft, which might be a little cheaper depending on the time of day. Returning to the airport, however, I like to use a shuttle called NYC Airporter. It costs $18 per person and leaves from Grand Central Station.​

3. Use public transportation. Taxis and other car services just can’t compete with the subway system in New York. Buy yourself a Metro card at any subway station and glide around town like a native! There are a variety of Metro cards to chose from, but I like the 7-day pass for $31. You can’t beat it. Also, check Google maps before you leave--if the walk would take 30 minutes or less, it’s better to walk than take the subway. ​​

​Which leads me to my next point...

4.  Shoes. If your feet are like mine and require frequent TLC, take several pairs and switch off mid-day.  

I like New Balance sneakers with SmartFeet insoles for my most vigorous walking.

Sperry also makes some lovely city walking shoes, and they come with such great arch support that I don’t need an insert. I cannot recommend these SmartWool socks highly enough! They really keep your feet dry and comfortable.

If it’s really hot, these Naot sandals are pretty and have terrific support.

For dressy outings, many people like ballet flats, but the only kind I can walk for miles in are these Born flats.

5. Purses. Let’s talk about purses for a minutes. First of all, like most cities New York has its fair share of pickpockets, muggers, and creeps. That’s what I hear, but I’ve never met one. Your purse goal is to get something that is secure to your body, easy on your shoulders, and big enough to haul a few hours worth of provisions. Don’t use a backpack, because you have to take it off on the subway to save space, and pickpockets love backpacks. ​

I like the Ameribag Healthy Back bag, which you can pivot around to your front side in crowded situations, or the Travelon cross body for daytime outings.

Here’s what you need in that bag:

• Cash for street food and some restaurants
• Portable phone charger because if you run out of phone you have to go home
• Umbrella if rain’s in the forecast
  
• Metro card in an easy-to-reach pocket so you don’t become THAT PERSON who takes forever to get through the turnstile
  
• In the summer, panty liners, no matter what cycle you’re on. Unless you’re from Florida or DC, you have never met humidity like New York serves up, and beating those city streets really works up a sweat.  Everywhere. Especially Down There. Everybody deserves to feel fresh, am I right?
  

I like this little Kate Spade bag for evenings.

6. Shopping. You’re thinking “Times Square!” right? No. Here’s how you do Times Square--go there in the evening so you can see all the lights. Look around. Leave. There, you did it! Times Square is not the best New York has to offer, it’s just where you’ll find all the tourists buying touristy stuff. If you want to shop, go to Harold Square or Broadway in Soho. You’ll find some chain stores there, but they’ll have a different selection of merchandise than you’ve seen in your local mall. There are also unique boutiques, and the vibe is much nicer than Times Square.

7.  Michael Jordan bar. At some point during your stay in New York, you will find yourself in Grand Central Station. You might be hot and thirsty. Here’s what I want you to do: go up to the main floor, get a seat at the Michael Jordan bar, and relax. You can people watch, drink something cool and refreshing, have a snack if you need it, and observe the masses of humanity from the bubble-oasis that is the Michael Jordan bar. It’s cool and surprisingly quiet. The bartenders are gentle souls. There are no children there. When you’re done, descend into the bowels of the earth, catch your train, and go on your way refreshed. It’s now a nicer day. You’re welcome.

8. Statue of Liberty. Confession time: I have never been up in the Statue of Liberty. You know why? Because it’s quite a haul to get out there and I’d rather be doing something else. Here’s my best tip for seeing the lady--take the Staten Island ferry (it’s free) in the evening. You’ll get beautiful views of the statue and the Manhattan skyline (also the Jersey skyline if that’s your thing), there’s a cool breeze, and the round trip will take you about an hour and a half. There are snacks and bathrooms on board. You won’t have to fight any crowds, and you’ll see the Lady looking out to sea with New York behind her, just like in the pictures.

9. Walk fast. You’ve heard that New Yorkers are rude, right? In my experience, that’s not accurate. They can be blunt, and if you act like an idiot they will call you on it, but that’s not rude. For example: sidewalk etiquette. Many New Yorkers get to work by walking. They know their walk takes, for example, 30 minutes, just like you know your drive to work back home takes 30 minutes in good traffic. How mad are you when a road boulder gets in front of you going 35? You whiz around him, give him the stink eye (please, don’t give him the finger), and gun your engine when you get back in the lane right in front of him. (You don’t? Well, some people do.) Anyway, when you walk slowly on a New York sidewalk, you’re the road boulder for some poor working stiff who’s just trying to get there on time. Walk quickly, and pull over if you need to read a map or tie your shoe.

​10. Let New York soften your heart. New York provides a rare opportunity to be up close and personal to so many varieties of human beings. Most of us don’t live in a pedestrian culture, so we see most people from the remoteness of our cars.

In New York, you ride the subway with people, or jostle them on the sidewalk, or sit at a tiny restaurant table an elbow away from them.

You’ll see people that are wearing clothes you don’t agree with, showing way too much skin or no skin at all, only eyes. Some of them will have piercings with what looks like Gramma’s Sunday brooch hanging from their nose. Some couples who have no business being couples will hold hands right there in front of you. There will be women who are 6 foot 2 with long eyelashes, a sundress, and 5 o’clock shadow. People will talk loudly using rated R language even though your ears are only PG-13.

All this is a shock to the senses, and might make you feel insecure, angry, or indignant. Use this chance to look at their eyes, not their skin or clothes. Look at their hands, holding their bags or someone else’s hand. Look at their feet, maybe wearing sneakers like you. Chances are, their eyes look a lot like yours, or like your children’s. That nose piercing means something special to that guy--what is it? That couple--isn’t it nice how considerate of each other they are? Is the tall woman on her way home from work, just like you every other day when you’re not on vacation? Those clothes, those decisions, that language, chances are they’re just doing the same things you do, with different dressings. Most people are just going to work and taking care of their loved ones, trying to do what we all have to do while making sure we don’t all look the same. 

Look at their eyes, look at their hands and feet, and let New York soften your heart.

And that does it! You’re ready to go! New York is a wonderful place, with plenty for everyone. Enjoy!