Live Like a Local: How to Experience the City Like a Native New Yorker

If your goal is to get a taste of local flavor during your visit to New York City, these tips that help you navigate the city like a pro.

Leave Your Car at Home

You simply don't need a car to get around in New York City, so forget about fighting traffic, (or the impossible task of finding an affordable place to park). New York has one of the best public transportation systems in America, so take advantage of it! Trains, buses, cabs and even ferries are available to get you where you need to go. For that matter, New York is a very walkable city, so don't be afraid to hoof it if you don't have too far to go.

Trade Maps for Apps

Maps can be a huge help when you're trying to find your way around New York. But do yourself a favor and trade in paper maps and guidebooks for maps that you can use on your smartphone. You can use apps to find your way to the best attractions, and even the subway has its own app to help you determine which train to take. Even if you get lost, your GPS can always show you a new path to get to your location.

Get Out of Manhattan

It's easy to think of Manhattan as synonymous with New York City. And yes, it is where a lot of the most famous attractions and landmarks are. But you would really be missing out if you didn't spend some time in the outer boroughs. Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island all have personalities of their own, not to mention some of the best restaurants, parks and shops in the city. Plus—and this is a pretty significant bonus—almost everything is cheaper when you get out of Manhattan.

Eat Like a New Yorker

When you're in New York City, there's really no reason to go into a chain restaurant, unless you're looking for a bathroom or free Wi-Fi. NYC offers a stunning variety of food from every corner of the globe, with some of the world's best pizza, to boot. Get a bagel with Lox at Russ & Daughters, pastrami on rye at Katz's Delicatessen or falafel at Mamoun's. Wander into someplace you've never heard of and see what they've got. Explore!

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