Things to do in New York – Activities, Experiences & Tours
If you are planning to travel to New York for your holiday, there is no doubt you want to make the most out of your stay and discover the city and its highlights. As the biggest city of the United States in terms of inhabitants, NYC has many activities to offer and you can be certain that you won’t have time to get bored.
Adventures
If you’re craving adrenaline, we got you covered! Discover adventures waiting for you to experience NYC unforgettable way.
Guided Tours
Guided tours are probably the best way to discover New York history and iconic neighborhoods. Central Park, Times Square or Harlem, each part of the city has its own stories just waiting to be discovered.
Workshops and classes
Yoga in Central Park, cooking lessons with a local or even graffiti classes, even NYC is full of interactive and immersive workshops. Learn new skills during your stay and bring unforgettable memories back home!
Day trip
Booking a day trip during your holiday in New York City is a great way to explore the city. You can even discover the Niagara Falls or enjoy a cruise up the Hudson River to Bear Mountain State Park.
Need to buy US Dollars?
Do you want to exchange AUD to USD while making travel plans? The simplest approach to take advantage of your vacation and avoid exorbitant exchange rates is to buy US dollars before travelling. Get the best exchange rates and 0% commission when you book American dollars online.
A guide to planning your trip to New York
You're planning a trip to New York City and want to have an overview of the most common questions about the Big Apple? You are at the right place!
Key Takeaways
- Generally speaking, a 5-7 days trip is long enough to do the main attractions of NY.
- Expect to walk a lot during your stay in New York and don't forget to use public transport, which is a cheap and easy way to explore the city.
- NY city is also known for its local food scene, which we advise you to explore.
- Don't forget to include tipping in your budget!
- To make a NYC trip on a budget, we advise you to exchange AUD to USD before your trip, visit the city during winter and search for online deals and discounts.
How many days should I spend?
The city has so many activities to offer that deciding the length of your stay can be tricky. It depends on what you expect from your holidays. If you want to be able to relax, you probably won’t do too many activities each day. On the other hand, if you’re willing to make the most of your stay, you'll probably want to fill your days and cover as much ground as possible.
We advise you to stay 5-7 days if you want to have enough time to discover the main attractions of NYC. You’d be surprised to see how many places you can discover in just one day! You can, of course, stay longer to get the full experience.
The common mistakes when travelling to New York
Given that you'll only be in NYC for a limited time, it's vital to avoid certain common mistakes if you want to make the most of your stay. We listed for you everything you need to know to avoid wasting time and money during your trip in New York City.
- Under-evaluating the walking: exploring New York necessarily involves a lot of walking, whether you want to visit certain districts, museums or go shopping. It’s therefore mandatory to bring quality walking shoes with you.
- Not using the public transports: if you’re considering using yellow cabs for travelling, you need to be aware that they are anything but cheap. You could also lose a valuable time stuck in the traffic. On the other hand, using public transports in NYC is a great way to get around the city for a much cheaper price and without wasting any time.
- Missing out the local food scene: most tourists go to chain restaurants when travelling to New York. We highly advise you try the local bistros and restaurants for a taste of the real New York experience. The city is famous for its iconic dishes such as the pastrami sandwich at Katz's or the smoked salmon bagel at Russ & Daughter's Café.
- Not tipping: tipping is part of the American culture and it can be confusing for foreigners to understand who and how much to tip. The general rule is to tip people who provide you a service, such as waiters, taxi drivers or hairdressers. The norm is for a tip of 15-20% of the total price to be given. On the other hand, refusing to give a tip is very badly perceived.
Table of content
- How many days should I spend?
- The common mistakes when travelling to NY
- How to do a NYC trip on a budget?
- Exchange AUD to USD before travelling
- Plan a trip during winter
- Take advantage of online deals
How to do a NYC trip on a budget?
The Big Apple is known for its expensive prices. Therefore, following those few tips can help you save money without compromising.
Exchange AUD to USD before travelling
Exchange rates are always more expensive in the destination country. Therefore, exchanging your Australian Dollars to US Dollars before travelling is the best way to enjoy the best exchange rate. With Prosegur Change, you can also reserve your travel money online to take advantage of 0% commission. You only have to come to our branch to pick up your foreign currencies at the best price.
Plan your trip during winter time
Prices are much higher during the peak seasons, which is essentially the sunniest time of the year. If you want to save big, you can decide to travel to NYC during winter. Even if the weather is not as welcoming, don’t be scared: the city is a magical place during Christmas time! You will also be able to discover a totally different vibe during this time of the year.
Take advantage of deals
There are many deals that you can take advantage of in New York. Museums have free days as well as pay-as-you-wish days which are a great option to discover them on a budget. Booking a ticket for a Broadway show is an absolute must. Although they can be quite expensive, there are many websites giving you amazing deals, such as tdf.org.
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