New York State

First Time Guide to New York City 5 Day Itinerary by a native New Yorker

January 7, 2020 by Karen Turner 83 Comments

I’m so proud to be a native New Yorker and I love to help first timers plan their first trip to New York City. I’ve made a five day itinerary for NYC with advice on what to see and eat mostly in Manhattan for all budgets.

This is a local guide, so although I cover the famous sites, I encourage you to see the smaller neighborhoods/places that make New York special. The Big Apple has so much to offer year-round, so most of these tips can be also used over the holidays. There’s a FREE downloadable map with all the best places to see in New York City in 5 days.

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30+ Free and fun things to do in New York by a native New Yorker

December 30, 2019 by Karen Turner 4 Comments

New York can be quite expensive. In trying to help friends enjoy the best of New York City on a low budget, I’ve pulled together the best things to do in New York City on a budget. I grew up in New York City and although New York can kill you with its costs, there are definitely things you’ll love that don’t cost a cent. Save your money for great food–and enjoy New York!

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20 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting New York by a native New Yorker

November 4, 2019 by Karen Turner 119 Comments

I’m a proud New Yorker who was born and raised in New York City. When someone asks me what they should know when visiting New York for the first time, I don’t always know where to start as there’s so many things to do in New York. I’ve decided to take a different approach here with some NYC local secrets to help you navigate your trip better.

Expect some humorous tips for first time visitors to New York (although those on their fifth trip to NYC might find this travel advice helpful). I sincerely hope that these New York travel tips come in handy and help you avoid some of the mistakes that people make on their first trip to New York. 20 Insider tips for New York under the cut.

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Two days in New York City: Your perfect 48-hour NYC itinerary by a local

October 23, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

There’s so much to do see and do in New York City! If you have limited time in New York, you’ll definitely want to make the most of your time. As a native New Yorker, I’ve been asked by a few people for a weekend itinerary for only two days in New York City. I hope that this itinerary helps you see the best of New York in 48 hours!

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Coney Island: Your guide to New York’s famous seaside resort

October 15, 2019 by Karen Turner 2 Comments

Coney Island is New York’s premium summer playground. From rollercoasters to the beach to craft beer, this little piece of Brooklyn has it all. This little guide to Coney Island will help you understand why New Yorkers love Coney Island so much, the best things to do on Coney Island, and why you should visit if you have the chance.

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12 beautiful churches and religious buildings in NYC by a New Yorker

September 11, 2019 by Dawn Allcott 3 Comments

Like many major cities, New York has houses of worship and churches for every religion and denomination. Strolling through the city, you can appreciate the architectural beauty – regardless of your religious beliefs or spirituality. Spend a day exploring these historic buildings, or spend a few minutes visiting if you pass one in your travels.

Two of the churches on this list were instrumental in aid efforts following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, standing amidst the rubble to provide help and hope to New Yorkers during one of the city’s most challenging times.

All the houses of worship in New York showcased here have incredible historic significance within the city, distinctive architecture, and captivating stories if you dig deep. From the famed St. Patrick’s Cathedral with its iconic pipe organ to the historic Bialystoker Synagogue, these NYC churches and houses of worship are all unique – and distinctly New York.

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Tips for visiting Times Square for the first time by a New Yorker

August 18, 2019 by Dawn Allcott 1 Comment

Like Shibuya Station in Tokyo and the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Times Square is an imminently recognizable tourist stop. The ads on the giant screens at One Times Square – where the New Year’s Eve ball drops every year – might change, but the energy of the intersection has only grown with time.

Times Square sits in the heart of Manhattan’s Theatre District, spanning West 42^nd to West 47^th Streets across Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Some sources extend this designation to 40^th and 53^rd Streets and 6^th to 9^th Avenues. This article will discuss the best things to do in Times Square with input from New Yorkers with some helpful tips for visiting Times Square for the first time.

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Tips for visiting Ellis Island for first-time visitors by a New Yorker

August 8, 2019 by Karen Turner Leave a Comment

As a born and raised New Yorker whose grandfather went through Ellis Island, it was a truly special experience to revisit Ellis Island again recently. Maybe it’s something about being young, but visiting Ellis Island this time definitely was far more special. I hope that these tips for visiting Ellis Island for the first time help you enjoy this historic museum that is certainly worth visiting!

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How to see the Manhattan skyline by boat for less than $3

July 6, 2019 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

You’ve probably heard of the Staten Island ferry, the free ferry that runs between Manhattan and Staten Island. This ferry for tourists and locals is a great way to see the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan, but there are far more ferries than this line. This post will be introducing you to the New York Ferry system, the ferries with the best views, and why you should definitely take a boat ride to enjoy the Manhattan skyline.

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Is New York City worth visiting? A native New Yorker’s opinion!

July 4, 2019 by Karen Turner 1 Comment

One of the best things about being from New York is meeting people from all over the world who are curious about visiting New York City. They always want to know what New York City is like and whether it’s worth visiting New York City as a tourist (or if it’s just all hype!). As a native New Yorker now living elsewhere, I have a few things to say on this topic!

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