New York is a highly-populated area that’s even more populated with tourists. There are so many things one can do in the Big Apple, but mistakes can easily be made with so many things. Here are five mistakes tourists commonly make in New York City.

1. Spend All Of Their Time Midtown

One common mistake that people don’t realize is deciding to spend all of their time dedicating all their itinerary slots to places located in the heart of the city. Sure, it’s nice to be able to make the most of your trip and visit MET, the National Museum of History, Central Park, Times Square, and Rockefeller all at once, but chances are, you’ll end up burning out.

Places like these are too busy, you’ll spend a lot more than you expect, and there are too many tourists for you to feel comfortable. It’s not wrong to visit these places, but it would be best to spread them out if possible—alternating between midtown and the rest of the Burroughs.

2. Visiting During Winter

It’s tempting to take part in the famous Rockefeller celebrations for Christmas and New Year, but the cold isn’t for everyone—especially people who aren’t used to it. If you still want to visit during winter, make sure you know what you’re committing to and load up on winter clothes.

3. Booking Illegal Airbnb’s

Not everyone knows, but renting a whole living space for less than 30 days in New York City is illegal. This is because Airbnb contributes to the housing crisis in New York. Homeowners can make more money by renting out their properties in the short term, but it’s more expensive for locals who lose out on options.

Shared spaces are the only legal Airbnb you should ever consider. If you do take the chance with illegal Airbnbs, the place may get shut down in the middle of your vacation, and you wouldn’t want that.

4. Sticking to Comfort Food

New York is home to amazing pizzas, hot dogs, and burgers, but there’s more to the culinary scene than just that and Chinese takeout.

New York is a melting pot of cultures, and a lot of them have set up their shops and restaurants. Persian, Greek, Italian, Georgian, look for restaurants and joints you can visit within your area that may interest you, and you’ll be surprised just how good they are.

5. Assume New Yorkers are Rude

The stereotype that New Yorkers are rude isn’t true. They don’t go out of their way to harass you 24/7. However, just like every populated area, locals value their time a lot, and you should too.

Have your card or cash ready when you’re next in line. Don’t talk too much with the cashier, and don’t bother people wearing earpods. If you’re going to ask someone for directions, at least be straight to the point.

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Carol
Author: Carol