United States
New York City
An NYC guide written like a friend planned it for you — where to stay, eat, drink, and skip.
Currency
USD
Language
English
Best months
April, May, September, October
Mid-range budget
$
200
/ day
New York City is the place where the magazine you're reading is also the magazine you're in. Twenty-three thousand restaurants, eight million people, twenty-six neighborhoods that all consider themselves the real one. The trick is to stop trying to see it all. Pick the East Village or Williamsburg, walk fifteen blocks in any direction, and let the city do the work.
What stays with people isn't the bucket-list stuff — it's the Tuesday dinner at Via Carota that turned into 1am dumplings in Chinatown, or the Saturday gallery walk that ended with rooftop drinks somewhere you can't find on Google Maps. Bring four or six friends, mixed budgets, and shoes that can take six miles a day. The city pays the rest.
Guides for here
Practical Stuff
Tipping
18–20% standard at sit-down restaurants. 20%+ at upscale spots. $1–2 per drink at bars. Round up or 15% for taxis and rideshares. $1–2 per bag for hotel porters. $3–5/night for housekeeping. Tip is not optional — the wage structure assumes it.
Safety
Generally safe in tourist neighborhoods at most hours. Standard urban awareness — keep valuables out of sight, stay alert on late-night subway rides, prefer well-lit streets after midnight. The subway is fine; just keep your phone in your pocket on quiet platforms.
SIM card
eSIMs from Airalo or Holafly work the moment you land. T-Mobile has the best urban coverage; Verizon close behind.