How to Get Around in NYC

By Go City Expert

One city, 8 million residents, countless opportunities to get lost. Chances are, unless you know New York City very well, you will find yourself lost or on the wrong path once or twice. Don't beat yourself up if that happens to you, even native New Yorkers take the wrong train or walk in the wrong direction on occasion. To minimize the amount of time you waste getting lost, it's a good idea to get familiar with the plentiful transportation options New York City has to offer. [spacer height="20px"]

The New York City Subway

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7 Train in Queens | Photo by @nyclovesnyc[/caption] By far the most efficient way of getting around is the New York City Subway. Though the intricate web of colors and letters and numbers may seem daunting, this trusty old system will take you pretty to and from pretty much every corner of New York City. The NYC subway is one of the oldest in the world, and frankly, it shows. The vestibules are often smelly, dirty and congested and the old-fashioned trains are often late, or in desperate need of repair. Despite this, Most New Yorkers use the subway every day for their commute in place of driving, and you should too. Follow alert.mta.info for current delays or reroutes. The best way to navigate the subway is to get really familiar with the infamous Subway Map. This work of art will tell you everything you need to know, as long as you know roughly where you are and where you're going. Once you have found your destination stop and identify the line you have to take, you have to pay attention to whether the train is going Uptown or Downtown. The Uptown and Downtown terms are relative to where you currently are, typically if you're heading North (or to the Bronx or Queens), take the Uptown train and if you're headed South (or to Brooklyn), take the Downtown train. For easy navigation, you can pick up a hard copy of the map at most subway stations, or you can download it onto your phone. Several handy apps are also available, if you like to get thorough. If you're unsure about local customs, please familiarize yourself with Subway Etiquette. Keep in mind that each single ride on the subway is $3, or $2.75 with a preloaded MetroCard. If you're here for a while, you can get an unlimited weekly MetroCard for $32 or a monthly for $121. A new physical card will run you $1. [spacer height="20px"]

Municipal Buses

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MTA Bus Map[/caption] Much like the subway, the municipal buses are run by the MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority). They are available in every borough and offer transportation to some areas the subway just doesn't reach. For most MTA buses, you can use the same MetroCard you purchased at the subway station (Express buses do not accept unlimited MetroCards). Unlike the Subway, the buses actually operate on a schedule decently well (many New Yorkers may disagree with this statement). Again, all you really need here is the schedule and a Bus Map and you're good to go! Unlike the subway, your phones will work here the whole time. [spacer height="20px"]

Citibike (and other bike rentals)

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Citibike rack | Photo via Siegel+Gale[/caption] Biking around New York has become not only a popular pastime, but also a popular mode of transportation. Health/earth conscious New Yorkers have opted for two wheels in place of cars and congested subways. If you don't own a bike, or for whatever reason can't ride yours, there are plenty of options out there. Perhaps the most popular is Citibike, a bike sharing program, available all over the city, offering short-term bike rentals. Citibike offers either yearly membership, or a day pass for short-term visitors. With the day pass, you can ride as many times as you want, for $12. Remember that you have 30 minutes before you have to dock again. Download the Citibike app to get information about the closest docking stations, including real-time availability map. If you would rather get a better bike for a rental, without being limited to the 30-minute timeline, you can try Central Park Sightseeing, Central Park Bike Rent or Blazing Saddles. Blazing Saddles offers cruiser rentals down at South Street Seaport, and pier 84, while the other two companies offer rentals and tours in Central Park and Brooklyn Bridge. You can rent from a [spacer height="20px"]

Hop on Hop off Bus

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Big Bus Tours[/caption] One of the most scenic and informative ways to see New York is on top of a Big Bus double-decker bus. These buses go around in several loops, have a tour guide and stop by most of the major attractions. You can either take Big Bus as a sightseeing tour and do the whole loop (each loop is about 2 - 2.5 hours) or hop on and off wherever is convenient for you. Keep in mind that the buses go in NYC traffic and can be quite slow. It's not the best transportation option when you're in a rush, but it's a great way to get acquainted with the city when you first arrive. Each New York Pass holder receives a free 1-day ticket, covering the Downtown, Midtown and Uptown loop. [spacer height="20px"]

Foot

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The High Line | Photo via TimeOut New York[/caption] [spacer height="20px"] The most popular way of getting around in NYC, hands down, is walking. New York City is one of the most walkable cities, due to its concentration on a relatively small piece of land. You can technically walk the entire island of Manhattan in the span of a day. When visiting New York, it's a good idea to bring a pair of comfortable shoes, because unless you want to shell out big bucks for taxis, chances are you are going to do quite a bit of walking regardless. Manhattan above 14th St. is very easy to navigate on foot, because the streets are organized in a grid. 12 Avenues go North to South and 200 some streets cross them East to West. The boundary between East side and West side is 5th Avenue. Things get more complicated Downtown, where there is no street organization to speak of. It's recommended to fire up Google Maps while strolling below 14th St. [spacer height="20px"]

New York Water Taxi (and other ferries)

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New York Water Taxi[/caption] Most of New York City is essentially a cluster of islands, as such it is intertwined with a body of water, which presents a great opportunity for water-based transportation. There are many ferries servicing the New York City Waters, one of them is the New York Water Taxi, which offers stops all along the New York Harbor for you to hop on and off. For transportation to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, use the Statue Cruises Ferry departing from Battery Park. For transportation between Brooklyn and Manhattan, you can use the East River Ferry, or the New York Water Taxi. If you're looking to sightsee on the river, check out the Best Cruises in NYC. [spacer height="20px"]

Taxi

One of the most quintessential transportation methods in NYC has to be the signature yellow cabs. Taxis are convenient, quick, and you take take them pretty much anywhere. The drawback is the cost, if you rely on taxis only for all your transportation needs, it'll cost you. Certain routes and times of day may also make you delayed due to traffic. Yellow cabs are most popular in Manhattan, but you can catch one in outer boroughs as well, except the cars will be green. New York City taxis are heavily regulated, so you don't have to worry about getting ripped off if you hail a cab, but please remember the etiquette attached to riding in a taxi. Regardless of how far you go, please remember to tip your cab drivers, preferably in cash. [spacer height="20px"]

Uber (and other ride share programs)

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Uber | Photo via The Bubble[/caption] Uber has become insanely popular in recent years. Ride share programs have a few advantages over taxis. They tend to be cheaper, you can call them from an app, wherever you are, and you don't have to tip. You can call an Uber, Lyft or Juno, at any time, wherever you and and in a few minutes your car will be waiting for you. One draw back is that during peak time, in popular areas, Uber has surge pricing, so you can end up paying much more than you would in a taxi. If you need a ride on a Friday night in West Village, you may be better off hailing a taxi than calling an Uber. in outer boroughs, rude share apps are almost always more accessible.

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A Local's Guide to Hipster Brooklyn

What exactly does a local's guide to Brooklyn look like in 2019? For the better part of the last century, Manhattan was the place to be. The creative center of the world, the borough was culturally (and perhaps emotionally) landlocked. Manhattan residents used to balk at the idea of venturing beyond the island's 10-mile radius. Brooklyn used to have all the cool-factor of New Jersey. To put the local sentiment into perspective, the term "Bridge and tunnel crowd" was a label given to outer borough folks who tried to infiltrate Manhattan's exclusive club. Today things are different. The perfect storm of economics, housing politics, and gentrification have shifted the cultural paradigm. Manhattan is out, Brooklyn is in. While it may surprise you to discover that America's creative class now resides across the East River, Brooklyn is the new home of what's hip. In fact, sometimes Brooklynites' adherence to trends has earned them "hipster" labels. Encompassing nearly 100 square miles with 2.5 million residents, it can be difficult to know where to start and everyone will have their own opinions of the best places to visit in Brooklyn. Luckily for you - we are part time investigative journalists. We bleached our hair and shaved ourselves mustaches to dive deep undercover within the Hipster ranks. After our extensive reporting, we've compiled a list of local musts, offering you insight to Brooklyn's up and coming culture. Flowers for All Occasions (Bedstuy) Coffee is the Brooklynite/Hipster life fuel. They need it to survive, and it doesn't get more trendy than Flowers for All Occasions. The coffee shop sits on the border of Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant (famously the birthplace of American rapper Notorious B.I.G.). It also doubles as a bar. They offer an eclectic, vegetarian menu of snacks, and once the sun goes down, the space converts into a bar where they serve soju cocktails. Filled with lush greenery, makeshift furniture, and usually with a DJ spinning some techno tunes - it is a quintessential Hipster spot. For other lesser-known gourmet coffee houses, click here. Rough Trade (Williamsburg) Nothing makes a Hipster salivate like the mention of something "vintage." So it figures that vinyl records have enjoyed a huge resurgence in Brooklyn. Rough Trade is the largest shop of its kind in the borough. Funk, alternative, reggae pop, soul, rock, salsa - you name it, they have it. Since Rough Trade opened in 2013, it has become somewhat of a local landmark, hosting record signings by some of the world's top artists. Additionally, they have a small stage in the back where local bands can often be found rocking out. Located on the Williamsburg waterfront, after you buy a record or two, walk a few blocks down to catch a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline. The Living Gallery (Bushwick) The Living Gallery is a DIY artists space that typifies the scene. Hosting an endless rotation of exhibitions, performances, anything really - the venue is a culmination of all that's good about Hipster culture. A personal favorite is their Drunk Drawing Wednesdays, a BYOB event in which you supply the booze, and they'll supply the art tools. A more cultural alternative to your Hump Day! They've been around for years, but they haven't lost their edge. The space is well known in the neighborhood because of its ever-changing mural. Every three months they enlist a local artist to redesign the gallery's exterior. Their events are almost always free, and the crowd is always dressed well and friendly. A must for anyone trying to understand what Brooklyn is all about. The Cardi Lisa (Williamsburg) Somewhat of an internet sensation (probably because it earned its famous subject's approval via Instagram), the Cardi Lisa is a local must. The walls of Brooklyn are covered in street art, but few are as memorable as the Cardi Lisa. Funny, relevant, and just pretty darn cool, the wall size mural is a modern revision of Da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" but with New York rapper Cardi B's face superimposed on the classic figure. It stands a several-foot high testament to the neighborhood's boundless creativity. Photo courtesy of mural artist Lexi Bella. Wonderville (Buskwick) Hipsters, like all 20-somethings, love to drink. But a simple, straightforward bar is too obvious for them. Enter Wonderville - a bar arcade featuring one-of-kind games designed by Brooklyn locals. Inhabiting the building that used to be legendary punk rock venue Secret Project Robot (a pivotal player in the late aughts American rock resurgence that gave us the Strokes and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs), the bar-cade just opened and is peak Hipster vibes. They have a deadly house margarita and a spacious backyard patio. So grab a drink and pick a game, you're in for a good time! Image courtesy of Carl Raw. Book Row (Bushwick) Located within the Broadway Flea - a series of metal sheds which house different stores under the J train railway; a Mad Max take on a flea market - Book Row is a helplessly trendy bookstore. Despite most copies that are sold being used, the collection is surprisingly expansive, covering all kinds of genres ranging from nonfiction to current best sellers. Barnes & Nobles is too obvious for Hipster locals, Book Row is classic Bushwick. Image courtesy of author. Prospect Park (South Brooklyn) If being a Hipster is predicated on the idea of being counterculture, then they will always lean towards New York City's "other park." Prospect dominates roughly 525 acres of South Brooklyn, bordering several of the borough prime neighborhood. A less obvious choice than Manhattan's Central Park, Prospect is where Brooklynites go to unwind. During the summer, their bandshell hosts the popular "Celebrate Brooklyn" concert series which is free to the community. If the greenery isn't enough for you, it's conveniently located besides the Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Museum. For more things to do in and around New York, check out the other posts in our blog.
Go City Expert
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King Kong Returns to the Empire State Building!

The Eighth Wonder of the World, a.ka. King Kong has returned to the Empire State Building. Not only is he the inspiration for a brand new Broadway show, but he’s also back where he belongs. The 86-year-old giant ape that first tormented the Big Apple in 1933 has returned with a vengeance in the form of an interactive exhibit at the iconic Empire State Building. Kong is a part of the new ESB museum that opened last week - a fun extension of the recently revealed tech-driven observatory entrance at 20 West 34th Street. Photo by: Empire State Building/Empire State Realty Trust How to see King Kong at the Empire State Building To experience Kong in all his glory, guests can enter a thirties era office designed in line with the building’s Art Deco sheen. The most unnerving aspect of this room are the broken windows showing two giant ape hands reaching into the building. King Kong himself peeps in through the window via a video installation as he climbs to the top of the skyscraper. The new museum is another exciting phase of the building’s $165 million renovations, which includes a new lighting ceremony installation and digital hosts. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of this year. In addition to the King Kong exhibit, the museum looks at the history and cultural impact of the 45th tallest building in the world. The Empire State Building has popped up in over 250 TV shows, and films: the building’s first appearance was in, you guessed it, King Kong. These two icons go way back. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } The Museum Be sure to check out these immersive experience featured across its nine galleries. Admission tickets ensure access to the new second-floor immersive exhibits; as well as entry to the iconic 360-degree view open air Observatory: The Site in the 1920s Starting at its very beginning, black and white photos show the empty site of the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel before the skyscraper’s construction began. Through building surveyors, Guests can look in and see the New York City streets of the late 1920s come to life in full color. Construction Step into the past with moving photographs based on the work of Lewis Hine. Visitors can also interact with specially commissioned cast sculptures of construction workers as they work and take their lunch break. Modern Marvel Creating a safe space for the environment is precisely what the building aims to achieve. The Modern Marvel exhibit outlines the specific measures taken to make the Empire State Building a world leader in sustainability. Otis Elevators Otis Elevators designed the original elevators for the 102 floors. Walk through a simulation of an actual elevator shaft in this dedicated exhibit from Otis Elevators. It showcases not only how the original elevators operated, but the latest technology installed in the newest elevators. With more than 10 million tenants and Observatory Guests each year, these enduring machines are truly fascinating feats of engineering. Urban Campus Most visitors aren’t aware that the building houses tenants from airline offices to tourist boards. The Urban Campus display offers a glimpse into some of the significant tenant spaces, amenities, and hidden views of the building. World’s Most Famous Building An original score has been created especially for the exhibit. Guests are free to explore the space, surrounded by more than seventy screens displaying ESB’s starring role in pop culture. These have been sourced from every decade since the 1930s with movie posters and clips. King Kong Stroll into an office from the 1930s where the famous giant ape’s fingers reach through the walls. Just like the classic movie, he dangles from the building and dodges vintage bi-planes. Those feeling brave enough can step into Kong’s hands for the ultimate Instagram post. Celebrity Many famous faces from around the world have graced the windy observatory atop the ESB. This exhibit highlights some of the most-famous visitors (athletes, musicians, actors) to the attraction. Their images and signed memorabilia adorn the walls. Guests can stop to admire these as they head to the elevators that will take them to their next stop: NYC: Above & Beyond on the 80th Floor. The museum is open from 8 AM to 2 AM, seven days a week. Get down there and meet Kong for yourself! Need more inspiration on things to do in NYC? Step right this way.
Suz Pathmanathan

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