Last Minute New York Vacation Tips

By Go City Expert

The prospect of visiting New York City for a day, a weekend or even longer can seem a little daunting at first but don’t let it worry your too much - people have been doing it for decades! The standard belief that residents of the City are rude and obscene is only half true; in reality, New Yorkers are just too busy to stop and help tourists and have no patience for people who slow them down. If you want to have a great vacation in NYC, that’s the first thing you should know - Don’t be one of those people. Here are a few other tips to help make your trip to Gotham the best it can be.

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NYC Subway Map[/caption] Take a few minutes and familiarize yourself with the city map: Obviously you aren’t going to be able to memorize the map in a few minutes but even just giving yourself a general idea of where certain things are (Wall Street is Downtown) and learning the names of various areas of the city (Midtown, Lower East Side, Hell’s Kitchen) will be a big help. Most of the city is a grid with the street numbers increasing as they head north and the avenue numbers increasing as they head west which makes getting around a little easier than in some places. Also, a good trick to remember when trying to orient yourself is that Broadway runs south throughout much of the City. Don’t forget to look up: Of course you want to be paying attention to what is in front of you and what your kids are getting into (hopefully nothing) but don’t forget to take a peek at what is above you from time to time. New York is filled with buildings both new and old that are architecturally significant and the artist community in NYC also likes to decorate up in the sky. [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="269"] Image of Adult, Male, Man, Person, Hat,

NYC Food Vendor[/caption] Be selective about what you buy on the street: Some people love coming to the city and loading up on all the off-market goods (cologne, perfume, watches, purses, etc) that are readily available in different areas of the city, but remember the old saying - you get what you pay for. Of course it can be nice to get a “designer” watch or purse for a vastly reduced price but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t last too long. As long as you don’t have an overly sensitive stomach, a better way to get bang for your buck is to eat from one of the local food carts or food trucks. Competition among food vendors is fierce and attracting customers is vital, so finding good, cheap eats is easier than you might think.

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4th of July in New York

Things to do on 4th of July Weekend in NYC,

Independence Day is one of the most important holidays of the year for Americans. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a summer trip to NYC and get in some sightseeing while soaking up the festive atmosphere.

Ultimate New York Bucket List

There are more exciting, amazing adventures to have in NYC than you could tackle in a single vacation. From inspiring cultural attractions to outdoorsy activities, even New York locals have a hard time deciding what to do on a given weekend. Prioritizing what to see and do in New York City is possible, however, with the help of this ultimate New York bucket list. Check off a few at a time to get to know one of the most diverse cities in the world. New York Bucket List 1-10 Compare the views. Visit both the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock to make the final determination for yourself on which is better. Enjoy real NYC pizza. Avoid the stuff in Times Square and head into Little Italy for an authentic slice. Snap a photo of Lady Liberty. There are many ways to see the Statue of Liberty, from a cruise to a visit to Liberty Island itself. Climbing up to the crown is worth it, too. Honor the fallen at the 9/11 Memorial. This sobering attraction is an important place for all Americans to visit at some point with its enduring influence on modern culture. Attend a taping of Saturday Night Live. It can be tricky to manage, but we’ve got a few tips on how to get Saturday Night Live tickets. Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a rite of passage. You could also bike across, or make it part of a larger tour including DUMBO. Visit The Strand. This legendary bookstore features 18 miles of new, used, and collectible volumes. It’s an experience just to roam the stacks. Marvel at the vastness of the universe. The Rose Center for Earth & Space, at the American Museum of Natural History, is the premier place on the East Coast for space reflections. See the original soup cans. Andy Warhol’s iconic soup cans can be found at the MoMA, which is also home to some famous paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, and hundreds more. Explore an Ancient Egyptian Temple. The Met houses the reconstructed Temple of Dendur, which was originally built around 15 BCE. New York Bucket List 11-20 Look up in Grand Central Terminal. This historic train terminal is renowned for its unique artwork—especially the “celestial ceiling” in the Main Concourse. Tour a WWII-era aircraft carrier. The USS Intrepid, once host to more than 50,000 men who served during various campaigns, is today part of the Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum. Take in a show or game at MSG. Madison Square Garden is among the most iconic performance venues in the entire world. See the Knicks, a concert, or any of other popular events they host each year. Peek at the windows in NYC’s Fashion District. Enjoy some active window-shopping (or pull out that plastic) while you stroll 5th Ave. to explore the city’s legendary fashion culture. Visit the New York Public Library. The reading rooms at the NYPL feel like something out of a Harry Potter movie. Ice skate at the Rockefeller Ice Rink. Featured in several movies, this is also a romantic thing to do in NYC. You could also take a tour of the Rockefeller Center for the full experience. Count the sculptures in Central Park. While tallying them all is impractical on one trip, a tour of Central Park will highlight things like Cleopatra’s Needle and Angel of the Waters. Walk the High Line. This massively popular elevated park offers great views alongside an infusion of nature in the concrete jungle. Check out our guide to the High Line[insert link here when it’s up] for more info. Pay a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The largest Neo-Gothic Catholic Cathedral on the continent, their stained glass windows alone are worth the visit. Eat like a New Yorker. There are culinary adventures to be had across the city, from Chinatown to Hell’s Kitchen to Harlem. We’ve got some foodie recommendations, too. New York Bucket List 21-15 Take your significant other to the Museum of Sex. This quirky, unique museum manages to engage both the intellect and the libido. Visit historic Coney Island. One of the most iconic amusement parks in the country, Coney Island offers nostalgia and fun in equal doses. Check out Luna Park for the rides, too. Get pictures of the cherry blossoms. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden is one of the few places in the country to feature these lush Japanese trees. See Shakespeare in the Park. This beloved summer tradition means inexpensive or free performances of the Bard’s plays in various locations throughout the city. Pick up some new art. The galleries in Chelsea—a booming neighborhood—frequently play host to up-and-coming artists and are a good place to hunt for that next art investment. Save on New York Bucket List Ideas Many of these ultimate New York bucket list ideas are included with the New York City Explorer Pass. Snag one today to save up to 50% versus buying individual tickets. Share Your Adventure with Us Tag @GoCity or use the hashtag #GoCityPass in your vacation photos and we'll feature you on our page. Follow the Go City Instagram and Facebook pages for competitions, special offers, and events and inspiration for your chosen destination, too!

The Upper East Side, New York Guide

The Upper East Side is a neighborhood in Manhattan between 59th street and 96th street to the east of Central Park. The New York neighborhood is famous for its high-end stores and upscale restaurants. However, there are tons of budget-friendly attractions to enjoy in the Upper East Side. Art fans will especially love the Upper East Side, as it’s home to plenty of galleries and museums. Check out our list of New York City attractions in the Upper East Side, including... The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Guggenheim The Met Breuer Neue Galerie Central Park And more! Save on admission to New York attractions The New York Explorer Pass provides admission to many popular New York attractions. You could save up to 50% on admission vs gate price. Galleries in the Upper East Side The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or ‘the Met’ as it’s also known, is one of the most popular attractions in New York City. It is the largest art museum in the United States and home to art spanning over 5,000 years. So whether you enjoy Medieval art or contemporary photography, there is sure to be something to inspire the whole family. As well as its permanent collection, the Met is always exhibiting exciting temporary collections. Currently, they are showing “Camp: Notes on Fashion” (until September 8, 2019), and Alicja Kwade’s “Parapivot” at the gallery’s roof garden (until October 27, 2019). So even if you’ve visited before, there is always something new to see. A visit to the Upper East Side would be incomplete without a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Getting in: Admission to the Metropolitan Museum of Art is included with the New York Explorer Pass. The Guggenheim The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is just as famous for its striking architecture as it is for the art it contains. The museum’s modern, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed exterior stands out among the classic 5th Avenue buildings. But you have to step inside to truly appreciate the Guggenheim Museum. The Guggenheim Museum exhibits temporary collections as well as its permanent collection, so check ahead to see what’s being displayed during your visit. Currently, there are exhibitions such as Basquiat’s “Defacement: The Untold Story,” (until November 6, 2019), and “Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now,” (until January 5, 2020). Even if you visit for the architecture alone, the Guggenheim should be on your Upper East Side itinerary. Getting in: Admission to the Guggenheim Museum is included with the New York Explorer Pass. The Met Breuer The Met Breuer is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but this gallery focuses on modern and contemporary art. Head here if you’re interested in exciting, contemporary pieces that unlike any art in traditional art museums. Explore a sculpture collection inspired by nature in Mrinalini Mukherjee’s “Phenomenal Nature” (until September 2019), or “Home is a foreign place,” which is a collection highlighting contemporary art from Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, as well as art by American artists, (until June 21, 2020). Getting in: Admission to The Met Breuer with an audio tour is included with the New York Explorer Pass. Neue Galerie If the art lover in your group is still not satisfied, head to Neue Galerie. The Neue Galerie is an art museum focusing on early twentieth-century art by German and Austrian artists. See work by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, (until September 2, 2020) plus the Neue Galerie’s permanent, collection featuring a range of art from paintings to sculptures. Take a guided tour around the museum at 3:30 PM on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday to make the most of your visit. Or, take an audio tour which is free with admission. Getting in: Admission to Neue Galerie is not included with the New York Explorer pass and tickets must be purchased separately. Admission is half price until September 2, 2019. Please note: children under 12 are not admitted. Central Park As the Upper East Side is adjacent to Central Park, there are plenty of fun attractions and landmarks to visit in the park itself, including... The Central Park Zoo: Kids will love visiting the zoo. They’ll get to see snow leopards and red pandas up close – not what you’d expect from a trip to New York City! Alice in Wonderland statue: Visiting the Alice in Wonderland statue is a must for families visiting Central Park. Kids get to climb, play, and interact with Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the White Rabbit. It’s a great photo opportunity too. Balto statue: The Balto statue commemorates a sled dog who delivered medicine to save children in Alaska. Erected in 1925, Balto is still standing proudly. Gapstow Bridge: The Gapstow Bridge is a must-visit Central Park location. It offers great views of the skyline and The Pond. Plus, it has featured in a few movies, like Home Alone 2 and The Devil Wears Prada. Getting in: Admission to Central Park is free. You must purchase tickets to the Central Park Zoo separately. Admission to the Central Park Walking Tour is included with the New York Explorer Pass. Restaurants in the Upper East Side Upscale restaurants are the star of the Upper East Side. However, there are plenty of family-friendly options too. Check out our recommendations for restaurants in the Upper East Side, including... JG Melon: This laid-back pub is known for its delicious American burgers. A favorite with locals, this place can get busy, but it’s worth it. Please note that JG Melon is cash only. San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina: Pizza fans have to head to San Matteo for wood-fired pizzas and casual, affordable dining. Up Thai: This Thai place is known for its extensive menu, good value and is vegetarian-friendly. It’s popular, so it can get busy, so make sure to reserve ahead of time. Candle 79: Vegans visiting the Upper East Side have to visit Candle 79. It’s a little pricier but has tons of delicious vegan options. Head here for brunch, lunch or dinner! If you don’t want to take too much time out of your day, the Upper East Side also has plenty of fast-food restaurants. You could eat at fast-food favorites like Chipotle, Taco Bell, Shake Shack, McDonald’s and Subway. In summary Why not add a few of these Upper East Side attractions to your New York itinerary? Check out our top tips for visiting New York City.

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