The NYC Subway: Tips for Beginners

By Go City Expert

The New York City subway system is the largest of its kind in the entire world. With 472 operational stations, the underground trains provided nearly two billion rides in 2017 alone. So suffice it to say: the subways can get pretty complicated. Cabs are expensive and usually slower due to traffic, so whether you're a local or just visiting, you'll likely have to traipse down the concrete subway stairs at some point. But before you descend into the bowels of America's largest city, here are some tips for beginners.

Finding your station.

There are a total of 36 different subway lines shuttling passengers across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. As the name suggests, most subways operate below ground. However, there are a few lines which travel above. Nonetheless, odds are you will be going underground. The key is to look at the signs above each station, indicating which subway lines it services and the direction each train is headed.

Note: subway lines are either numbers or letters.

Usually, there are two entrances on either side of the same street. Each entrance puts you on a different track. It's important to know which direction you want to go and to enter that entrance accordingly, because not every station allows passengers to which sides of the tracks without incurring additional fees.

If you do board a train headed in the opposite direction , don't freak out. Get off at the next stop, walk up to street level, cross the street, and switch routes. It happens to the best of us.

How much does it cost?

As of Fall 2019, one ride costs $2.75 USD. Every time you enter a subway station you have to swipe your ticket (MetroCard) to access the train tracks. You can purchase a ticket at the automated vendors or by talking with the teller at a booth. MetroCards hold either a finite amount of credit or you can buy an unlimited week/month pass. Every rider needs their own individual MetroCard. (Babies do not require a separate MetroCard.)

If this is your first time visiting NYC, I suggest getting a 7-day unlimited MetroCard. It only costs $32 USD and allows you room to make directional errors without incurring additional costs. Plus you will find yourself using the subway several times a day, and at $2.75 per ride, that will add up to the cost of an unlimited MetroCard quickly. Cut your losses!

Note: Unlimited MetroCards can only be swiped every 15 minutes. Don't think you can buy one and use it for your entire family. Good idea, but the Metropolitan Transit Authority already thought of that. Sorry!

How do I know when to get off?

Newer subways will have light-up graphics indicate which stop along the route you're on. However, older trains will not. Don't worry, the conductor will always announce which stop you're arriving at and which stop is next. If you don't understand them or miss the announcement, you can look out the window and see signs for which station the train has just pulled into. There will be several. Additionally, there are maps of the entire subway system in each train car.

Does the subway stop running?

The NYC subways and busses operate 24 hours. However, early in the AM, they do run less frequently.

Is it safe?

Yes. The New York City subway system is relatively safe. A good thing about "the city that never sleeps" is that, at almost any given time, there will be other passengers riding with you.

Note: homeless men and women often sleep on the subways late at night. They usually shouldn't bother you, but if you see a train car that has just one person in it -- it's best to get onto another car.

Are there bathrooms?

There are no bathrooms on subway trains or in the station. Be sure you've gone before you embark on your journey.

Are pets allowed?

According to the MTA website, small pets are allowed, but must be in a bag or carrier. However, Service dogs are allowed to ride with passengers.

How timely are the trains?

Different subway lines run at different rates of frequency. Delays and reroutes are common, unfortunately. Add an extra twenty minutes to your travel time to account for any public transit mishaps.

Additional rider tips:

  • When you are about to enter a subway car, like an elevator, let the people who are already on the train get off before you enter.
  • On station staircases, bear right.
  • It's not uncommon to see subway performers, both on the platform and train itself. If you hear someone shout, "Showtime, showtime!" It's an indicator they're about to perform, and you should step to the side of the subway car.
  • The trains move very fast, and while you think you don't have to hold onto a poll -- do it. Nothing is more frustrating to New Yorkers than a tourist who falls on top of them.
  • Subway seating is limited, therefore be sure you're not spreading your legs and taking up more room than necessary. Don't place your bag beside you on a seat, put it between your legs on the floor.
  • The local rule of thumb is, if you see an elderly person or pregnant woman, you offer them your seat.
  • The trains get very crowded during rush hour. Backpacks take up a lot of standing room, so be sure to take them off and hold them between your legs.
  • New Yorkers can be very brusk, if someone is rude to you or shouts, it's best to let it go. No need to ruin you and your fellow passengers' commute by getting into a fight.

Wondering where you should take the subway to? Check out some must-see NYC sites here.

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Things to Do in New York - Planning a Trip to NYC

Planning a trip to New York? With over 60 million visitors annually, New York City is one of the most popular destinations in the world. There’s no end to the list of fun things to do in New York; from historic landmarks and popular museums to innovative galleries and big-city culture, New York has something to offer everyone, which is why planning a trip can become very exciting. Guided Tours of New York One of the most popular things to do in New York is to take a guided New York sightseeing tour. Start your visit with a comprehensive city overview-type tour, like the Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours which include stops at all the top sights and landmarks throughout the city and feature live narration on every bus. Once you have a feel for the city layout, you’ll be in good shape to start exploring the sights and visiting attractions. More specific tours offer a way to get to know New York and learn about topics or certain neighborhoods that interest you. Popular guided tours include the Food on Foot Tours which bring you to some of the best authentic New York food spots, the Central Park Sightseeing Bike Tours – one of the most fun things to do in Central Park, Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour in Williamsburg which showcases the trendy areas of the Brooklyn borough, and more. Cruises & Waterfront Attractions Another popular thing to do in New York is to get out on the water on a New York cruise and experience the city from a new perspective. Choose from a variety of popular cruise options, including a Best of NYC Cruise which provides views of the Manhattan skyline from the water, a classic sail on Clipper City Tall Ship Cruises, the Liberty Cruise which gets up close to the Statue of Liberty, and more. the Liberty Cruise which gets up close to the Statue of Liberty, and more. As the ‘melting pot of America,’ many New York City visitors come to pay homage to their ancestors by visiting the Statue of Liberty and investigating their genealogy and family history at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Museums Of course, no trip to New York would be complete without visiting a few popular New York museums. Pay tribute to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and see the impressive and moving memorial built in the locations of the original World Trade Center towers. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum honors the lives of all those lost during the attacks by poignantly reflecting on the events of the day, chronicling all of the efforts made by service members and volunteers in the aftermath, and displaying results of the recovery and restoration efforts made after the attacks. One thing that many tourists in New York City are always on the lookout for is a celebrity sighting. For a guaranteed celeb-spotting, head to Madame Tussauds in Times Square where you can get up close to and interact with all of your favorite celebrities under one roof. New York is home to one of the world’s largest Natural History Museums, the American Museum of Natural History, where you can explore fascinating exhibitions that explore animal and plant life from around the globe. Whether you’re a fan of the fine arts or not, be sure to visit at least one art museum while you’re in the city; the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, or the Metropolitan Museum are some of the most popular ones for visitors and locals alike. Experience the museum-going culture New York City is known for and learn something new at one of the many museums located along “Museum Mile.” Activities One of the most quintessential things to do in New York City is shopping (window shopping counts!); poke around the shops that line Fifth and Madison Avenues where you can find high-end designer labels and check out the seasonal, museum-worthy window displays. Other popular things to do include catching a Broadway show, lounging around or going for a stroll through Central Park, scouting out murals and graffiti, and of course, sampling some authentic New York City pizza, bagels, the latest foodie trends, and other local cuisines. Skyline Views Of all the things to do in New York, one of the most exciting is seeking out the best views of the city skyline. Head to either the Top of the Rock or Empire State Building (or both to compare the views!). Both attractions include exhibits that explore New York City’s rich history before you board an elevator to get sky-high views. Download an app or look to the exhibits to identify buildings and landmarks in your line of vision. Tip: Save these attractions for the end of your trip if you want to get a whole new perspective on some of the places you’ve already visited—you might be able to identify some of the sights on your own based on your experiences. Neighborhoods to Explore Make the most of your time and your New York Pass by visiting attractions in neighborhoods you want to explore. Things to do in Lower Manhattan: also known as “Downtown,” Lower Manhattan consists of everything below 14th street and includes the New York Harbor waterfront area, The Battery, and New York’s financial district. Things to do in Midtown Manhattan: consisting of everything between 60th street and 14th street, Midtown is home to Times Square and lots of iconic NYC landmarks. Things to do in Uptown Manhattan: everything above 60th street is considered part of Upper Manhattan. Uptown is home to Central Park, the Museum Mile, and Harlem. Whether you’re looking for things to do in New York for a quick weekend trip or staying for a week or more, there’s no shortage of options. There are over 100 attractions included with the New York Pass, from world-renowned art museums to historic landmarks and informative guided tours. The purpose of the pass is to help you save money while enjoying all that NYC has to offer. Don’t miss out on anything and see it all and save big on attractions, tours, cruises, and activities with The New York Pass—the only pass you need to experience the city. Tips for How to Plan the Perfect Trip to New York: When planning a trip to New York make a list of all of the attractions, landmarks, and sights you want to see as well as any activities you want to do in the city Your designated New York trip planner needs to prioritize the list by “must-sees” and “nice-to-sees” Look up attraction hours of operation and make a note of them Download a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour map to help you visualize where each attraction is in the city (add any from your list of attractions you want to visit if they’re not included on the map) Create a blank itinerary that lets you plan each day by the hour (tip: in a spreadsheet, put the days you’ll be in New York in the top row and the hours of the day in the first column) To make the most of your time, visit attractions by neighborhood; this will reduce transportation time and costs (lots of popular attractions are within walking distance of each other, too!) Add any reservations and travel information to your itinerary – include order confirmation numbers for quick reference later Plot out when you’ll visit each attraction starting with your “must-sees” first and factor in how long you think you’ll spend at each location (be sure to allow time for any security checks or ticket lines) Build out some time for meals throughout your day, too Budgets and time constraints can be tricky to work around, but with a little research and work, it’s easy to plan a trip to New York City. Even if it won’t be the last time you visit the city, make the most of it and have fun.
Kirsten McCroskrie
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The Radio City Christmas Show

The Radio City Christmas Show started way back in 1933, the year after the Radio City Music Hall opened. The very first show included a 'Silly Symphony' animated segment courtesy of the Walt Disney Company.The Rockettes, an all-women dance troupe that started back in the 1890s, have performed there since the the very first show.If you're walking around hearing bells jingle on every street corner, and festive tunes are creeping their way into your daily commute it can only mean one thing. Yes, Christmas, the jolliest of times, is right around the corner! Time to dust off the stocking and get in the spirit. New York's full of Christmas cheer, and one unmissable event is the Radio City Christmas Show. Here's everything you need to know about it. When is the Radio City Christmas Show? The Christmas Spectacular runs from November 8 2019 through January 5 2020. Where is the Radio City Christmas Show? It takes place at Radio City Music Hall, in the Rockefeller Center. What's it all about? It's been a New York tradition since the 1930s. And, with that much history behind it, it can't be half bad, can it? If you've never been you owe it to yourself to check it out. The jewel of the show has to be the Radio City Rockettes, a synchronized female dancing troupe that has to be seen to be believed. They perform to a Christmas-themed soundtrack featuring Toy Soldiers, The Nutcracker, and many more. All in impeccable costumes. Alongside The Rockettes, you'll also see tap dancing, Santa flying across the stage on his sleigh, and nativity scenes to boot. If that doesn't get you in the spirit, then nothing will, Scrouge. And if you're visiting The Big Apple, why not see what else there is to do over the holidays? Or go for a skate? It'll be cold enough!
Dom Bewley

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