How to Enjoy NYC Stress-Free

July 2, 2017

We all know that NYC is known as the “city that never sleeps” and that is apparent when walking around. The hustle and bustle of the city can have the same effects on tourists. After spending 5 whole days in the city alone I found ways to not feel pressured by that, but to actually ENJOY my vacation. Here are some of my thoughts:

◊ Accept the fact that you won’t see everything

There are so many attractions in New York City to see and to do that no matter how short or long your stay is in the city, it will be impossible to hit everything. Say this to yourself before you leave and while you are there because you will keep thinking you need to see and do more but you honestly don’t have to. There will always be another shot or chance for you to save your money and come back.

View of Lower Manhattan from the Statue of Liberty

◊ Create a list of the Top 10 (or 5) things you want to do

Because there are so many things I picked 10 things I wanted to do over a 5 day period meaning I would hopefully hit 2 things per day. “Only 2 things per day that’s not many” you might say but having this foundation gets you started and you can add from there and not feel stressed about missing the things you wanted to see the most. For example I secretly wanted to go to the Dō Cookie Dough place I had seen all over Facebook/Instagram but that was an “extra” thing where if I had time I would do it but didn’t stress that I didn’t get to do it. (Fun fact they are closed on Mondays)

Halfway point on Brooklyn Bridge

My List:

Top of ONE of the tall buildings (Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, One World Trade Center) – $40ish
Brooklyn Bridge – free
Saint Patricks Cathedral (#catholicproblems) – free
The Metropolitan Museum of Art – $14 (keep your student ID my friends)
Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island– $18.50
Central Park– Free
Times Square – Free and regretted going,not much to see other than thousands of people
Wall Street/Charging Bull– Free but go early to get a picture without anyone in it
Yankees or Mets Baseball Game ( it is one of my bucket list items to go to every MLB Stadium in the country) – $60 (stupid ticket master fees, if I didn’t go with friends I would have walked up and bought one)
Grand Central Terminal– Free ( fun fact there is a full blown Apple store inside)

Grand Central Station

◊ Take breaks throughout your day

Traveling in general physically exhausts you especially if you have to walk every where you go like you will in Manhattan. Every day around mid to late afternoon I would take a break. This not only would let me stick my face in front of the air conditioning to cool down, but to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. I would sometimes go back to where I was staying or I would go to a local food/coffee shop and getting some water and sit and relax. I feel like this helped my mental state a lot during my travels.

View from the One World Observatory

◊ Go outside of Manhattan

Yes 99% of the things of my list involved me staying on the island that is Manhattan but going off the island is super easy and there are many other interesting places to see. Places I wandered to:

Long Island City– just three metro stops from time square this suburb is a more family orientated place so a little quieter. There is a great park to walk along called Gantry Plaza State Park with fantastic views of the city. I also hit up an awesome and CHEAP taco restaurant that has free comedy shows at night called The Creek and The Cave.

Views from Long Island City

Brooklyn– known to many in the city as where are the young people are flocking. Walking across the bridge to get there might be a little “extra” as my students say, but it has great views of the city and you don’t have to pay for a metro ticket. There is a great brewery creatively named Brooklyn Brewery and many other great restaurants as well. When the weather is nice also head over to Smorgasbourg in Williamsburg for the best food with the best views from best view.

◊ Skip the fancy River Cruises

In my mind I thought, “o what a better way to see Manhattan than taking a river cruise around the city” well boy was I wrong. The cruises even if you find a good deal, the food and drinks or usually over priced and the cruises themselves are super short.

What you should do instead is go see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island and take the ferry ride of your life while going to see some history. Yes, it is a super touristy attraction but the history of it and views of the city from the ferry ride priceless. Book through State Cruises is my best advice. They are validated by the National Park Service and for only $18.50 you get to run away from the crowds and go up the pedestal of the statue! You can book your reserved ticket months in advance so I would recommend going early in the morning to beat the crowds but with views you still can’t beat.

Ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty

Want the views and spend even less money? The Staten Island Ferry is made for commuters but for you as a tourist it is completely free! Another great way to see views of the city without the price!

◊ Eat Fancy once a Day

With all the amazing and trendy food videos you see on your Facebook feed it is hard to not want to try it all when you visit the city. But don’t feel pressured to do that or you will BLOW your bank account. Since hopefully you are on some sort of vacation when you go, sleep in a little and then run and grab a famous bagel and smear for around only $7 or less at most places. It fills you up! Make lunch your nice meal of the day because even the fancy food has cheaper prices. Don’t feel guilty going to a chain restaurant for at least one meal to save money. I throughly enjoyed my Chipotle the few times I had it. #noshame For dinner even at casual restaurants it can be expensive. Get an appetizer or two to suffice as an entree because generally they are on the cheaper side but have just as much food!

: The most amazing pasta at Remi Resturant

: Classic Bagel and Smear at Brooklyn Bagel Company

: Delicious Breakfast Sandwich at Provisions

Places I Recommend:

David’s Bagel’s: bagels are super cheap but beware they have a $5 minimum for card

Brooklyn Bagel and Coffee Company: not only do they have great bagels they also have a affordable salad

bar!

Meatball: so cheap and so delicious and you can cater your sandwich the way you want it

Pete’s Tavern: Great local place with an atmosphere like no other

Remi Restruant: Went for lunch and got the “Pappardelle al Telefono in Salsa Rosa” and I thought I went to heaven

Daily Provisions: Had such a cute French feel to it I couldn’t not love

Joe’s Pizza: a New York classic and totally worth the wait

◊ Cheap or Free Tips/Places

Best deals: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of the City and the El Museo Del Barrio are all pay what you want for admission. Meaning you can pay $.01 and get into the museum and they can’t refuse you. The have suggested admission but in my opinion only the MET one was worth it the others I’m glad I only decided to pay $5 for each.

Beautiful room inside the MET

Central Park as you can imagine is free as well. For me it was a win/win to bring a packed lunch that was affordable and sit in Central Park and take in it’s grandeur instead of only just walking through it.