United States

17 best places to shop in New York on a budget by a New Yorker

October 28, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on October 28, 2019

Shopping in New York is truly a classic activity. As someone who is pretty budget-conscious, but who loves a nice statement piece, I went big when I visited my parents recently. I went to a lot of my favorite places to shop in New York as well as some new places that I hadn’t yet been to.

I’ve tried to only discuss limit this post about the best budget shopping in New York City to places that have quality items for a reasonable price, e.g. designer clothes/shoes for 50-70% off retail and stores that simply carry good quality without charging you insane amounts. I also include secondhand shopping, which is a passion of mine. I also include some money-saving tips!

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

October 23, 2019 by Karen Leave a Comment

Last Updated on October 23, 2019

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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Your insider guide to celebrating Christmas in New York by a New Yorker

October 18, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on October 18, 2019

Growing up in New York, the holiday season always left me with such excitement. Although my family is not very into Christmas, some of my favorite memories with my mom are during the Christmas season in New York. This guide to Christmas in New York City will include insider tips for enjoying New York for Christmas like a local, the best things to do during the Christmas season in New York City, and some helpful tips for your trip to New York City.

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Sleeping in JFK Airport: Survival tips for your overnight JFK layover

October 15, 2019 by Karen 5 Comments

Last Updated on October 28, 2019

Travel is not always glamorous. On my recent trip back to the US, we had an overnight layover at JFK between disconnected flights. The gap was long enough that I wondered if it was worthwhile, but we decided to try out sleeping at JFK airport. Keep reading for tips for surviving this lovely JFK layover.

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

October 15, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on October 15, 2019

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 1 Comment

Last Updated on October 11, 2019

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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The best museums in New York not to miss by a native New Yorker

September 4, 2019 by Dawn Allcott Leave a Comment

Last Updated on September 5, 2019

One of the best things about New York City is the wealth of museums. From the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art to the one-of-a-kind Intrepid Air & Space Museum, whether you’re into art, history, or science, it’s all nestled within this 23-square-mile expanse of land. If you’re staying in Manhattan, you could easily spend days visiting museums and still not see them all. A subway ride into Brooklyn or Queens yields even more fun and adventure. This insider guide to the best museums in New York City will show you the best of culture, art, and history in New York City!

Keep in mind: Many of the Manhattan museums on this list are a short subway ride or even walking distance from each other. Nonetheless, you’ll find many great museums in the other boroughs of New York. Crossing into Queens and Brooklyn means a longer subway ride or an Uber over the historic Brooklyn Bridge or 59^th Street Bridge. You may want to plan to spend a whole day exploring the sights in these boroughs, each with their own distinct neighborhoods.

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The Insider’s Guide to the US Open by a fan attending for 30+ years

September 1, 2019 by Steve 40 Comments

Last Updated on September 2, 2019

This week is a guest post from a reader who happens to be my dad. Steve is a native New Yorker who has been going to the US Open for the past 35 years. He attends for three days every year. The most that he has ever spent on one day was $3 for a pretzel (other than tickets). Some days have been totally free. He is proud of this accomplishment.

This is an update for the 2019 US Open with corrections and other important developments from last year’s blog. It still contains insider tips to the US Open with advice on how to visit Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on a budget, what to bring to the US Open, what to wear to the US Open, and other travel tips for the US Open 2019. Remember to enjoy the Day.

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50 unusual things to do in New York City by a native New Yorker

August 23, 2019 by Karen 1 Comment

Last Updated on November 5, 2019

New York is full of hidden gems. This insider guide to New York City written by a native New Yorker will show you best unusual things to do in New York City that are alternative, kooky, fascinating, and just weird. Buckle up, it’s going to be a wild ride as New York has so much to offer that you might not expect. I’ve grouped these activities by borough and location.

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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

Last Updated on August 18, 2019

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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