Your New York Experience: Know Before You Go

by Sue Bryker

Although New York City is a great place filled with wonderful tourist destinations, there are a few hazards to visiting. However, an ounce of prevention is usually all it takes to keep your dream trip from becoming a nightmare.

Getting around the city is one of the biggest hurdles for many first time visitors. The city is a sprawling labyrinth of buildings, streets and people, and it can be very intimidating for those who aren't used to the bustle.

If it's your first time to New York City, I'd also recommend spending your first day on a bus tour, which allows you to see many of the sights in a safe environment. It's also a great way to learn great places to go on your own. (See my first post for several great tour ideas.)

But what about those twin modes of transportation for they traditional New York experience: taxis and the subway?

Although traveling on the subway is a truly local way to see the town, it's often one of the least pleasant parts of being in the city. Not because of crime (although it does happen), but because the subway is used mainly by daily commuters and city residents who may not be too patient with tourists.

So, how can you have a safe subway experience? Just take a shuttle to Grand Central Station, and take the tour. When you're done, you can take the shuttle back to Times Square.

Taxis are generally safe, but that doesn't mean that all cabbies have your best interests at heart. You pay by the mile in a cab, and some disreputable cabbies may try to take advantage of your ignorance about the city to take long routes from one place to another. Here's another important thing to know: four people can fit in a cab. Sometimes, cabbies are reluctant to take on that many passengers, and will recommend you split up your party. That means you have to pay for two cabs ... and two tips! But, by law they have to accept four riders (although that's the maximum). Don't let a driver tell you any different, either!

So, what's my recommendation? Instead of taking the subway or a cab, you can also use the public bus system. It's much easier to navigate than the subway, it's generally cleaner and it's very safe.

I also don't recommend trying to drive in New York City. The traffic is horrible, the parking is expensive, and unless you really know where to park, you are very likely to wind up with either a ticket or a towing bill. Public transportation is cheap, easy and relatively safe.

As an ex-New Yorker, I'm also able to help you set up an itinerary that takes full advantage of the time you have and the sights you'd like to see.

For instance, many folks arrange their trip by the sights they'd like to see, forgetting that navigating the city can take hours out of their day. But, it doesn't have to be that way! The last thing you'd want is to spend all day on an exhausting itinerary planned by someone who may not know that the South Street Seaport and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are across town from one another. A little planning can free up huge amounts of time, giving you a chance to really enjoy yourself at each destination. I can also help you find accommodations close to the things you want to see, and help you find the best deals on rooms.

There are other dangers out there as well. Petty criminals like muggers and pickpockets often target tourists, relying on their disorientation and awe at the surroundings to make them easy targets.

My best tip is simply to have your wits about you. After all, just because places like Times Square have been cleaned up, that doesn't mean that it's completely safe. Pickpockets and other criminals who prey on tourists tend to look for specific things, such as people who spend a lot of time staring up at buildings. It's almost like having a sign painted on your back reading "Victim Here!"

But, since you're there to look around, what can you do? It's simple: When you want to stop and admire something, try to step to the side so that you aren't standing in the way of other people who are walking.

For women, the fear of having their purse snatched can take away from enjoying the sights. Here's a simple tip: Carry your purse across your shoulder, and on the inside of your coat. It can't be easily clipped and snatched, which means that potential a cutpurse will look for an easier target. It's just one less thing to worry about.

I have tons of other commonsense advice, and I'll be glad to share it with you. It's part of my job to help you have a safe, fun experience in the Big Apple. The more you know, the better prepared and confident you'll be, and the more you can focus on having a great time in New York City.

Your New York Experience: Eating Your Way Through the Big Apple

by Sue Bryker

Last week, I told you about how an ex-New Yorker and travel agent like me can help you book an itinerary that gives you the exact experience you are looking for. This week, I thought I'd focus on the tasty details of eating in the big city. With so many things to see, you're sure to work up an appetite. Thankfully you'll be in one of the culinary capitols of the world.

Let's start with the big names. Sardi's is the world-famous place to eat in New York, and they offer a variety of menus depending on the time of day you visit.

A favorite of mine is Frankie & Johnnies, which is a former speakeasy. They have two locations, both of which are frequented by a lot of celebrities. I was eating there one night, and Tom Selleck was eating only a few tables away!

New York City was a haven for Irish immigrants, and it's second only to the Emerald Isle itself for great Irish food. I'd recommend The Playwright Tavern & Restaurant. It's owned by Irish folks, the entire staff is Irish, and they serve great Irish fare. I've eaten there many times, and I'd personally recommend any lamb dish, which are all excellent. Make sure you wash it down with a Guinness!

Another great ethnic food option is Italian. Pellegrino's is personal favorite of mine. It's a family-owned place, and they've been there forever. It's also right next to La Bella Ferrara Pastries, so you can eat a great lunch and go right next door for dessert.

And then there's the Jewish delis. If you find yourself in Brooklyn, I'd recommend Junior's. It's a nice Jewish deli, owned by nice Jewish folks. It has a world-famous cheesecake.

For memorable and family-friendly place to eat, I'd recommend visiting a themed restaurant like Mars 2112 in Times Square. It's an immersive experience that starts with a virtual-reality ride of a rocket launch and landing on Mars.

If you plan to spend the day shopping, you'll probably be able to eat at your favorite stores. Macy's has a great lunch counter, and Barney's Department Store has an excellent restaurant. It's a good way to eat like a local, and both are great places to spot celebrities, too.

For a romantic night out, I'd recommend dinner and dancing at the Rainbow Room. Or, if you'd like to have a more traditional New York City experience, you could dine at Tavern on the Green, followed by a Hansom Cab carriage ride through Central Park.

And lastly, no visit to New York City would be complete without eating the way the locals do. Like a hot dog from a street-corner cart, which are usually fantastic. (Especially the later in the day you eat them, because they've been marinating all day, and are inundated with flavor.) You should also try the bagels at any Jewish deli, which is a classic flavor of the city. And, of course, you should try the pizza. My rule of thumb is that unless it says Pizza Hut or Domino's, it's probably an authentic New York-style pizza place. Even chains like Sbarro make their pizzas to cater to the local tastes.

Of course, that's only the basic list of what's available to eat in New York. As a truly cosmopolitan city, you can find foods from nearly every nationality at a range of prices. As your travel agent, I can help you find anything you are looking for. And as an ex-New Yorker, I can help you do it in the best way to get the most out of the experience, whatever your budget.

Next week, I'll be talking about some smart ways to keep your trip fun and safe! Stay tuned.