Ah, my home and all-time favorite city in the world!

There’s a reason why people are drawn towards this magical city that I call home: New York is a wonderful melting pot for every kind of traveler, and it’s known for its outstanding museums, diverse cuisines, and open-mindedness.

I want to give you a little guide here on visiting New York City, from a local’s point of view. Are you ready?

Where to stay

The Radisson Hotel

This is my personal recommendation, since the hotel is very nice, centrally located with several locations throughout the city, and it’s affordable. You’ll find two of their hotels in Midtown, and one in the financial district. During the off-season, you can easily book a room for under $100 a night, which is a bargain in New York City!

Neighborhoods

New York City consists of five boroughs: Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. Most of the tourist attractions are in Manhattan, but if you have enough time, I strongly urge visitors to spend some time in the boroughs as well. The Bronx has some really nice parts, and it’s not all dangerous as portrayed in the movies, I promise!

How to travel around

The best way to get around is by subway or bus. Subways are fast and efficient, and buses give you an opportunity to see more of the city while traveling from one area to the other. You can get a weekly metro-card for a little over $30, which allows you unlimited access to all the public transportations (with the exception of trains from Grand Central or the PATH to New Jersey). Single rides at a price of $2.75 can add up, so an unlimited card is generally a better option.

Best times to go

The best time to come is either spring or the Christmas season. Spring is less busy with tourists, but Christmas time is when the magic happens in NYC! It’s also the most expensive season of the year, so if you want to travel on a budget, go with a spring, or even fall, visit.

Places to visit

This is my favorite part to talk about! Here is a list of places and things to do while being in New York:

• Statue of Liberty
• 9/11 Museum and Memorial
• Museum Mile
• Natural History Museum
• Central Park
• Times Square
• Bryant Park
• Brooklyn Bridge
• Roosevelt Island Tram
• A Broadway -show
• Top of the Rock (better views than the Empire State Building!)
• Astoria, Queens for its Greek food
• Williamsburg, Brooklyn
• Smorgasburg
• Bronx Zoo
• Bronx Botanical Gardens
• The High Line
• Chelsea Market
• The Vessel

And so much more!

This list is only scratching the surface of all the places that New York City has to offer. Not to mention all the food places that are heaven for foodies and food connoisseurs alike!

Has this inspired you to travel to my city? I hope it has! If you would like any assistance with your trip planning, I would love to help you create the perfect itinerary for your trip to New York