Courtesy of Sofía García Vargas | The Crow’s Nest
By Sofía García Vargas
Ever since I went to New York City for the first time, I’ve taken Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ lyrics very seriously –– New York is a concrete jungle where (my) dreams are made of.
Since then, it has been my ultimate dream to move there and create a life as close to Carrie Bradshaw’s as I can. Okay, that might sound unrealistic, but as graduation approaches, this thought has grown bigger and bigger, and the only way to stop the impulse to just drop everything and move there was to take a quick trip during spring break.
As traveling becomes a part of our daily lives again, here are a few essential things I think will take your New York City trip to a whole other level.
- Sightseeing Pass
Trying to make the most out of your time in any city is probably the most stressful part about traveling, especially in NYC where there is so much to see and do. Keeping up with reservations and tickets for different attractions can also be draining. That why I recommend getting The New York Sightseeing Pass.
Select the amount of days you are visiting, pay for the selected days and then enjoy over 100 attractions during your stay. Download the ticket to your phone and get into every attraction you choose with a simple scan at the entrance. Prices range from $129 for one day to $349 for 10 days.
- Google Maps
I cannot imagine the places I would have ended up if it weren’t for Google Maps. Not only is it a great way to check where everything is, but it also tells you the exact location of subway stations and how often the trains run.
- Cash
As things start to “go back to normal” and more places take cash again, avoid the hustle of finding an ATM during your trip and come prepared to enjoy it without interruptions. Keeping cash on you is extremely helpful when buying street food and souvenirs.
- Street food
Talking about street food, there is no bigger melting pot of cuisines than New York. Whether you’re looking for high-end restaurants or random carts on the streets, the city has it all. But if you’re on a budget, street food is always a good choice for your wallet and your taste buds.
- Mask, vaccination card and hand sanitizer
Let’s keep it real, COVID-19 is not gone for good, and in a city as big as New York, it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when you have to travel on the subway and touch disgusting surfaces. Mask up and keep your hands clean, please. Also, some attractions are still requiring proof of vaccination, so make sure to keep it on you at all times.
- Buy a MetroCard
This depends on how much you will be traveling within the city and how many people you’re with. A pay-per-ride card costs $1 to get the physical card and then $2.75 for every ride. Up to four people can use the same MetroCard, and even though it will still cost $2.75 per person, you do not have to pay the $1 fee for multiple cards.
For an unlimited MetroCard, you have the option to pay a flat rate of $33 for seven days or $127 for 30 days. You will still have to pay $1 to get the card, however, the more you use it, the cheaper it gets –– for 13 trips pay $2.53 per ride, for 15 trips pay $2.20 per ride and for over 20 trips pay $1.65 per ride.
If you don’t want to risk losing a physical card, you can also scan your debit/credit card or digital wallet at the OMNY electronic screens.
- Go with someone
Not only is it safer, but it is also a lot more fun. Having someone to talk to on the train rides or long walks, laugh when something embarrassing happens, share a meal with or be confused of where you are, makes the experience a lot more worth it.
- Comfortable shoes
Trust me, I know you don’t want to ruin your outfits just to wear comfortable shoes, however after walking over 10 miles everyday I was there, I wish I left my boots at home and wore my sneakers.
