Tips for your itinerary

Here are five tips on what to see and do as part of your New York City itinerary:

  1. Explore Central Park: Central Park is a must-visit destination in New York City, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Rent a bike or take a leisurely stroll through the park's winding pathways, visit iconic landmarks like Bethesda Terrace and Strawberry Fields, and enjoy activities like boating on the lake or picnicking on the Great Lawn.

  2. Catch a Broadway Show: No visit to New York City is complete without experiencing a Broadway show. With dozens of theaters lining the iconic Theater District, there's always a diverse range of productions to choose from, including classic musicals, cutting-edge plays, and star-studded performances. Be sure to book tickets in advance to secure the best seats.

  3. Nightlife: New York City is home to a multitude of bars and speakeasies, each with its own unique atmosphere and cocktails. From upscale lounges to cozy neighborhood bars, there's something for everyone. Check out iconic spots like Please Don't Tell (PDT), a hidden speakeasy accessed through a phone booth, or The Dead Rabbit, a historic bar known for its inventive cocktails and lively ambiance.

  4. Take in the views: New York City offers some of the most spectacular skyline views in the world, and there are several iconic vantage points where you can take it all in. Head to the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt an immersive experience and panoramic views of Midtown Manhattan, Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center , or visit the iconic Empire State Building's observation decks for views of the city and beyond.

  5. Indulge in culinary delights: New York City is a food lover's paradise, with a diverse culinary scene that offers something for every palate and budget. From world-class fine dining restaurants to hole-in-the-wall eateries and food trucks, there's no shortage of delicious dishes to try. Be sure to sample classic New York specialties like bagels, see Rico Bagel with outdoor seating on Madison Ave, pizza, pastrami sandwiches, and cheesecake during your visit!

 
Find latest events in New York City

One thing is certain, there is always something happening. Click the image to see the latest events.

 
 

A rooftop bar is a bucket list item for many when they visit NYC.

Create memorable moments

Life is short. You have a limited time in NYC, so here are some top ideas for you.

Rooftop bar

Refinery Rootop bar. It is the thing to do on any trip to NYC. Why is it special? The views are like no other.
Here’s why you want to head to a rooftop bar whilst in New York:

Spectacular Views: Rooftop bars in NYC provide stunning panoramic views of the city's iconic skyline, including landmarks like the Empire State Building.

Unique Atmosphere: Rooftop bars often boast stylish and trendy atmospheres, with chic decor, comfortable seating, and ambient lighting.

Social Experience: Rooftop bars are popular gathering spots for locals and tourists alike, making them ideal places to socialize and meet new people. Searching for that someone special? This may be the place and a great story to tell.

Like a local

Nothing beats experiencing a location like a local. It gives you a different perspective and connects you to the people that live here. There are a range of activities to suit any schedule or budget.

New York Public Library: Visit the NYPL at 476 5th Avenue. It’s free and certainly worth a few hours. There are rotating free exhibitions on display, opposite where you walk into the main foyer.

Bryant Park: Behind the NYPL is a green oasis in Midtown, Bryant Park. See latest activities here.

West Side bikeway: Grab a Citi bank bike share. Find out more here. Explore the west side Hudson Park with its dedicated bike lanes all the way to the tip of the island at Battery Park, where you will have top views of NYC harbor and the Statue of Liberty. Tip: Use the designated cycle lanes for safety in NYC, Google has a feature that shows them as a layer.

Local food experience

Come for the sights. Eat the food. Most people have seen NYC pizza and bagels through TV and movies. But until you’ve eaten it in NYC, it’s just your imagination. Experience is just that, trying new places and ways of eating. Here are some local recommendations:

Pizza: Upside Pizza is a personal favorite at 20 E 40th St. You can easily grab a pizza or a slice and head to Bryant Park. There are tables, chairs and provides a unique NYC experience. Not to be outdone is Little Italy, located across the road from the Empire State Building, located at 2 E 33rd St. Great for hungry tourists and open late until 4.00a.m.

Coffee: Coffee is literally everywhere. You will find a Starbucks Reserve in the Empire State building on 5th Ave and 34th St. An alternative is Cinico Coffee Company, nearby at 199 Madison Ave. It’s Italian sophistication that meets the punch of NYC.

Deli: Green Leaf Gourmet is a local favorite. The staff are always happy and it has a neighborhood vibe, find it at 7 Park Ave on the corner of Park and 34th St.

 

Survival Guide

  • Finding a Station

    Station entrances will either be Uptown or Downtown. Larger subways will have entrances that enable you to go up or down town. This is because it will have walkways that go over the tracks.

    Tickets
    Pay for your ticket using tap and go with Apple or Google Pay on your phone. It’s faster and less hassle.

    Local and Express trains
    Take note whether a train is local or express. Local mens it stops at all stations, express only stops at larger stations.

    Safety

    I recommend standing back from the platform until the train arrives. If you get bumped or worse case pushed, you can recover .

    If it is busy with people and there is a carriage with no people, or they are all at one end, something is going on. Homeless people, fighting, don’t get o that one.

  • Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for stunning views of the skyline.

    Explore Central Park, including free concerts and events.

    Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, which offers free admission on Tuesday evenings.

    Wander through the High Line, an elevated park built on an old railway track.

    Take a ferry to Governors Island for biking, picnicking, and art installations.

    Visit the Staten Island Ferry for fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline.

    Explore the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, which offers free admission on weekdays.

    Visit the New York Public Library and explore its historic halls and exhibitions.

    Attend a free outdoor movie screening or concert in one of the city's parks. Bryant Park has movie’s during summer. Bring a bean bag or blanket.

    West Side Hudson River park. Walk along the river or hire a ride share bike and goto Battery Park at the tip of Manhattan. Great views and you feel like a local.

  • Street

    Look both ways before you step out onto the street. You will find bikes, mopeds, you name it going in both directions, regardless of the posted traffic flow direction.

    Walking

    Walk on the right hand side on the sidewalk. It will stop you bumping into people endlessly.


    Tipping
    Tip at restaurants. It’s a service charge for eating in. If the service is bad, then adjust accordingly. No tip and you can expect to be asked why. Make sure you check the bill as sometimes the Service Charge is automatically added.

    Times Square late at night

    Avoid Times Square late at night. After midnight the Gremlins come out and there is anti social behavior.

    Central Park at night

    Avoid wandering through Central Park late at night, more so in the mid to top section of the park where there are less people.

    Confrontation

    It happens. Assess the situation:

    • create space between yourself and the other person(s)

    • use cover to put a barricade between you and the other person(s)

    • call 911 if it’s going badly. Police are generally close at hand in tourist areas.

    Cutting in line

    If you’re not sure where a line starts or if someone has been served, ask. Better to show respect than suffer the wrath of a local. I noticed in Harlem that everyone that came into fast food store asked about the line. Take the hint.

  • Do’s

    Talk to people. Find a bar, pull up a stool and se where the night goes. I’ve met some amazing people.

    Dont’s

    You’re here for a good time? Keep an open mind on things. Don’t constantly compare your country or home town to NYC. It’s tiring.

 

Click the image to get the details. Brett will be conveniently located near the Empire State Building and 5th Ave.

 

Your itinerary made easy

There is much to see and do in NYC. It can be overwhelming. Thankfully we have some itineraries that will help you explore NYC. The free Ylore app has 12+ self guided tours and 100+ sights for New York City. Find it on the App Store or Google Play.

Explore new locations, discover hidden gems thanks to local knowledge, and immerse yourself in cultural experiences.


Ylore makes it easy

Be engaged and entertained with multi media and learn more about this great city.

Re-order tour points so you can see what you want, in the order you want it.

Delete tour points not of interest.

Navigate to the tour points using the dynamic navigation.

Share the tour with friends and family if you love it.

View in almost any language.

If you have a question, something you want us to cover, or want to collaborate, contact yloreapp [at] aegis-247.com or find us on Instagram @yloreapp.

Happy travels.

Brett Williams

Brett Williams, an Australian and passionate traveler residing in NYC, has visited over 50 countries and lived in four. He developed the Ylore app to assist individuals in discovering the world around them and gaining local knowledge.

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