​​Tracy's Trip Tips:

  • Make a list of all of the attractions, landmarks, and sights you want to see as well as any activities you want to do in the city
  • Prioritize your list by “must-sees” and “nice-to-sees”
  • Look up attraction hours of operation and make a note of them. 
  • Time is the most precious commodity you have on your trip. Have a plan, know when your venues are open. Doing your homework will pay off. If you need a jumping off point check out our things to do page.
  • To make the most of your time, visit attractions by neighborhood; this will reduce transportation time and costs (lots of popular attractions are within walking distance of each other, too!)
  • Add any reservations and travel information to your itinerary – including order confirmation numbers for quick reference later​
  • Download a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour map from The Big Bus to help you visualize where each attraction is in the city (add any from your list of attractions you want to visit if they’re not included on the map)
  • Remember to charge your cell phones! Think about bring portable chargers if you have them
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Invest in a travel umbrella, you don't want to sit in wet clothes for 18 hours on the ride back
  • Small bills. Exact change for subways and cabs saves you from fumbling and waiting for change. On Canal street, they frown upon $100 bills after you just talked them down to $17
  • Small purses with straps are recommended; they are safer and free up your hands for shopping   
  • Shopping bags can be checked at Macy's customer service. Be sure to tip

Never Been To New York?

New York is big and fast and overwhelming until you realize it's on a grid, very logical and that most people are nice and willing to help as long as you're quick about it.

Rule No.1 -- walk to the right. If you need to meander or stop, step to the side. Don't walk three or four abreast unless the sidewalk's huge and no one's around. You must share.

Rule No. 2 -- speed it up. This goes for everything, including having your MetroCard out before you reach the turnstile, knowing what show you want to see when you get to the TKTS window, and just moving out of the way when you get off the elevator or to the top of the stairs. Got a question? Be concise. People are a) busy, b) don't want to get sucked into a scam, and c) irritated with slow tourists.

If you go to the Statue of Liberty, reserve a monument pass in advance. If you go up the Empire State Building, spend the extra $15 to get to the 102nd floor (in addition to the 86th like everyone else.)

​Some Helpful Links

If you would like to buy trip insurance, you can buy it from this website, Insure My Trip
http://www.insuremytrip.com/?linkId=7108

​I recommend signing up for New York City Groupons before your Big Adventure in The Big City...just click on the link below
http://www.groupon.com/r/uu3215119
​
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