Holidays in New York: how to see the metropolis and not go broke

Russian-speaking traveler Klara Kirilova from Khabarovsk has long dreamed of visiting New York. And her dream came true. She told about where to live and eat, about transport, city life hacks, places to visit and much more in her blog on the platform TJ.

"Dream from the cinema"

This was the first trip to another continent in my life. The idea of ​​visiting New York has always seemed to Klara Kirilova unattainable, “a dream from the cinema”. “I didn’t think I’ll go there someday. And then my boyfriend bought tickets and said that we were going, although only he had a visa, and I had a recent refusal. And I weakly believed that they would approve my visa on the second attempt, and generally go to America, ”she said.

But since tickets were bought for almost $ 300, it was a pity to retreat. In addition, on the eve of the 2018 New Year, the girl made a wish - to visit America. “I believed it was going to come true,” she recalls.

The main thing that drove her was curiosity. “It was interesting to know what is happening on another continent, what is better there, as they say, why do many want to move there, how our acquaintances who won the green card live there (Green Card - Ed.), And I just wanted to close the box - I visited America ", - said the author.

Getting there

Tickets purchased in March 2019 cost $ 330 round-trip. Clara found them on the site vandrouki.ru. “Vandroki is a God-given service with cheap tickets, a selection of ready-made routes in Europe and not only, and all sorts of goodies for everyone who loves to travel, even around the country, but does not know where to start. They also have a Telegram channel, ”the girl said.

The flight to New York was from St. Petersburg, and we flew with a transfer to Helsinki with Finair. The author admitted that she was not used to flying such long distances, and advised the same tourists to take melatonin with them on the plane. “Take melatonin with you on the plane, drink it and fall asleep in half an hour. The flight will be less painful, and you will more easily survive the first day of jet lag, "the tourist advised.

She also recommended not to buy food when booking tickets, since they are already fed on board. “During online check-in, the airline will warn you to buy food. Don't do it like we did - we didn't know, and bought a salad for 1 R. We were surprised when a portion of hot was brought to the salad. We thought it was all together. It turned out that I was eating a purchased salad, and Lyosha was a regular plane lunch. At that moment, the thought arose that they could not help but feed in a Boeing, and the food of the people around, except for us, was the same, ”the author writes.

Visa

The girl admitted that getting a visa was not an easy task. “I failed the first interview in Kiev, the second in Warsaw. We applied for a visa with Lesha at different times, perhaps if we did it together, everything would have worked out the first time, ”she suggested.

Internet and communication

“We flew to John F Kennedy Airport. A friend, who has lived in New York for a long time, said that there is no wi-fi or connection at this airport. We were scared that we would not be able to contact a friend who met us, and in Russia we bought roaming in Tinkoff Mobile for one day —100 MB for $ 4. As a result, the connection did not work, I needed a Wi-Fi to set the settings, and there was a Wi-Fi at the airport, ”the author writes.

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The day after the flight, tourists bought a T-Mobile SIM card at the first store they came across, although many experienced travelers advise doing this only at Walmart. “We chose T-Mobile because they have a special rate for US tourists. It is called the Tourist Plan, ”the girl said, and listed its advantages, including: unlimited Internet (LTE up to 2 GB), price $ 30, you can use it in modem mode. “But there is a limitation: LTE only works up to 2 Gigabytes, then the speed drops. But you can use instant messengers, upload stories to Instagram, send photos, open websites, use mobile banks. But uploading videos from YouTube will not work, ”warns the author.

Wi-Fi

“Before the trip I read that in New York the Internet is disgusting and is not everywhere. We didn’t face this problem ”, - the tourist shared her experience. She noted that you can connect to Wi-Fi almost everywhere - in parks, subway stations, Starbucks and other cafes and coffee shops.

Transport

There are several ways to get to your destination from John F. Kennedy Airport. Here are some of them.

• Build a route in Google Maps... You can change the destination to the one you need. You will be offered several transport options, for example, a bus or a train. “A bus ride will cost $ 2,75, a metro ticket will cost $ 2,75, an express similar to the Moscow Aeroexpress runs from the airport - it costs $ 5, it is quick and convenient,” the author writes.
• You can also use taxi... There are several services in New York: Lyft, Uber, and others. “Lyft is a taxi, like Uber. Strangers will be driving nearby. We rode the Lift to the airport on the day of departure. We left Brooklyn, an area near Coney Island, drove for 40 minutes, paid $ 60, - said the tourist. - Uber - taxi. We'll have to download American Uber, because Uber Russia doesn't work in America. "
  The main advantage of Lyft and Uber taxis is the ability to share the cost of payment with fellow travelers. The disadvantage is that strangers will be riding nearby.

“A friend picked us up from the airport, so they did not use any of these methods,” said Clara.

Metro

Underground transport in New York is different from Moscow. “The cars are old and dirty, there is no wi-fi, the trains run slowly, you can wait a long time at the stations - up to twenty minutes, but there is also a plus - the metro works around the clock. We left Manhattan at two o'clock in the morning, however, the car had been waiting for about fifteen minutes, ”said the tourist.

The contingent in the Bolshoi Yabloko metro is very diverse. “You can bump into anyone in the carriages, even the person who lives there. You will understand this if there is no one in the carriage, except for one person with bags and a terrible smell. Also in the metro there are madmen, as well as on the streets of the city, beggars who just silently and unobtrusively walk with a glass, - the girl said. - From the pleasant: a lot of singers, guys who do tricks on handrails - all these people after the performance will ask for money.

Directions and purchase of MetroCard

To get around, you can download the NYC Subway application, but we didn’t use it, we moved around on google maps - it’s also usual in Russian.

You can travel on the New York subway with either a single ticket or a travel pass. “If you make more than 7 trips, then it is more profitable for you to purchase the shortest travel pass. One ride costs $ 2,5 when paying with MetroCard - this is the cheapest option. A one-time ticket without a card costs $ 2,75, which is valid for two hours from the date of purchase. In New York, albeit small runs between stations are about 4 minutes, but on the way you can spend 1,5 and 2 hours, so I recommend buying a MetroCard for $ 1 and immediately throwing $ 10 on it, "the author wrote.

Clara and her boyfriend planned to stay in New York for 12 days. On the recommendation of local residents, they bought a card for a week. “It costs $ 33 - it's more profitable than constantly buying a disposable one,” she explained.

By the way, some people throw away unused cards. “You don't have to buy a card, but find it near the card vending machines - there are many of them. We spent 5 days for free on the found card, someone threw away an unused card with passages for a week. They also found it with $ 10 on the balance sheet - they also used it, ”the tourist shared her secret.

There are other ways to save on travel costs: for example, two people walk through the turnstile using one card in places where there are no police officers. “In general, everything is very calm there, no one is looking, so don't be afraid and go. But just in case, the fine is $ 100, ”the author warned.

“In Brooklyn, we somehow turned on the 'tourists' and an African American led us through the emergency exit. You can also use these exits to save money - one goes through, opens the exit and the second enters, ”the tourist shared.

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You can also pretend there is something wrong with your map, she added. “Approach the person at the ticket sales window, explain the situation, and they will let you through the emergency exit,” the girl explained.

In just 12 days in New York, the couple spent about $ 50 - $ 70 on travel.

Passage through the turnstile

In order to pass through the turnstile, it is necessary to draw the card through the reader with the logo facing you and the magnetic stripe down, the tourist explained. The system works in such a way as to save passengers time as much as possible.

True, there are also nuances. “Be careful - the cards are terribly dull, it may happen that the money will be debited, but the card will not work - immediately go to the person in the window and ask you to let him through,” the author said.

Ferry past the Statue of Liberty

To be in New York and not see the Statue of Liberty is nonsense. The couple embarked on a journey on the Staten Island Ferry. “Sails next to the statue, travel time is 20-25 minutes. Ferries run every half an hour, if you get into a large queue, you can wait for the next one, - the author noted. "To see the statue, when you drive away from Manhattan, stand to the right along the side, go in the opposite direction - it will be on the left side."

“We drove towards the statue in the pre-dusk time, and returned back to Manhattan at night, so you can also choose this time. You will get there at two times of the day, ”she said.

Areas

New York City consists of five districts: Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan.

It is believed that areas of New York are more likely to resemble individual cities. This is probably due to the fact that in due time everyone arose from a small settlement. Subsequently, they all joined the island of Manhattan.

“When choosing a hotel. looked in Manhattan and Brooklyn - friends recommended the locations to us. But they said that in Brooklyn one should be careful when choosing. Avoid places like East Harlem, Alphabet City, southern Bronx neighborhoods, ”she advised.

During their stay in New York, the couple settled in Brooklyn, where Clara's friends also live. “When we arrived, we settled down somewhere in the Canarsie area, 20 minutes from Kennedy Airport. Upon arrival at a friend's house, I happily told him that it was time to go to the store, and I wanted to go on foot. He looked at me apprehensively and said that we would go by car. Then I understood his reaction - only we were white in the district. And the store is located far from home, in America it is a normal practice, Americans have their own transport and large shopping centers are far from home, and not on every corner, as we have, ”said the girl.

She noted that an area is considered dysfunctional if it is built up with "projects" - brick high-rise buildings for social recruitment. In such, as a rule, dysfunctional families live. “A friend lives in a two-story house - such houses are considered good housing, he rents a basement, and has his own parking space. Renting a month costs $ 1 - this is considered a cheap rental. Far from Manhattan, an hour on the subway. We stayed with him overnight, ”she explained.

The couple then moved to new housing in the Crown Heights area, which they found on AirBnb. “According to a friend of mine who lives in New York, this is a scary, awful area of ​​Crown Heights, where it is better not to walk alone, especially at night. From his stories it was uncomfortable, but in fact we did not feel the threat, - said the tourist. - We even liked it - a very lively mixed area: we met Jews, African Americans and Europeans. We even walked home at night, no one touched us. The only discomfort was loud evening music from the car under the windows. "

In this area, travelers even met friendly passers-by. For example, an African American woman helped them find their way to the subway. “In addition, she wanted to help us so badly that when she found out that we didn’t have a metro card, she started looking for a free one in her wallet, didn’t find it, and just took us through the emergency exit. Then she chatted with us, asked if it was cold to live in Russia, ”Klara recalls.

She also spoke briefly about other areas of New York.

According to her, the most active area is downtown Brooklyn. “There are skyscrapers, theaters, concert venues, big stations and a train station, but we were not there,” she said.

Brooklyn's trendy districts are Williamsburg, Bushwick and Ridgewood. “Previously, these were disadvantaged areas, but“ hipsters ”came, and everything became incredibly expensive, beautiful, graffiti, cool cafes, locations, parks appeared,” the author writes.

Bay Ridge is an area on the edge of Brooklyn. “There are licked lawns, a huge bridge and many other pleasant things. It seems like a "golden mean" for visitors - beautiful and safe, and not super expensive, "the tourist believes.

There are districts that are considered promising - Astoria and Greenpoint.

“We lived with friends in Sheepshead Bay for a while. This is the Brighton Beach of a "healthy person", where a visitor can afford a decent start without having to fall into the abyss of the retirement old-fashioned lifestyle of "Little Odessa" during the film "Brother-2", - the author writes.

In addition, it is a 50% Russian-speaking place "with familiar food and no need to know perfect English." “In supermarkets, audio advertising has been translated into Russian, it sounds like a five-piece, the sellers also speak Russian. In addition, there are almost everywhere Russian signs, - the girl writes. “But unlike Brighton, there is the spirit of American Brooklyn here, and many Americans live and work here, along with Chinese and Arabs. There are places like Brennan & Carr, Randazzo's Clam Bar and Roll'n'Roaster, where the old-school American spirit is like in the movies. "

It is in this area that Clara’s friends rent a large two-room apartment for $ 1 - excluding utilities, but taking into account the payment for services such as video surveillance, an entrance magnetic lock and a laundry room. In New York, laundries are popular, people don’t park their cars, someone thinks that the reason is that if they flood someone, the repair will be very expensive, and there is an opinion that there is no culture of home washing, and it’s cheaper to just go wash in london, for example.

“We drove to Brighton Beach just to look. It was surprising that almost everyone we met were Russian grandparents. On the streets there were stalls with pasties and other pastries, which cost from $ 3. Baking was sold by Russian aunts in sleeves, as in the early XNUMXs, ”the author writes.

The couple also visited Coney Island. “The rides didn’t work and there was no atmosphere, as in the movie“ Bolshoi, ”but we walked along the white sand beach and looked at the sea,” said Klara.

Rental housing

If you want to live for free, use special services for this. For instance, Couchsurfing... This is a service for travelers where, anywhere in the world, you can stay for a few days with a local for free. Instead, you just talk about yourself, walk around the landlord's favorite places, where you are staying, have lunch together and just spend time. “In return, you can give an Alyonka chocolate bar, I usually take Russian sweets with me on such trips,” the author writes. - It's nice, and you will say goodbye well at the same time. Sometimes these hosts become friends. "

AirBnb Is a convenient service for rental housing anywhere in the world. “This time, knowing stories of high housing prices in New York, we rented a room in an apartment a month before the trip. We rented in Manhattan, but a week later the reservation was canceled and we got the money back. At first I was worried that they would not be returned - the page with the magic room that I chose turned into a terrible little room - an unambiguous fake. I immediately wrote in support, and everything worked out, ”the tourist noted.

With little time left before travel and housing became very expensive, the couple began considering options in Brooklyn and New Jersey. “New Jersey is convenient because it is five minutes from Manhattan by train. The ticket costs $ 5, sat down and drove to the station in the center of New York, from there it is a stone's throw to any sights of the city. Plus, New Jersey has a great view of New York - it's a different city, on the other side of the Hudson. And one more plus - it is much cheaper to rent there, even there are good options cheaper than in Brooklyn, ”said Clara.

As a result, the couple decided to rent an apartment in Brooklyn. “We found a cozy room there, in an apartment without a kitchen. Area: Bay Ridge - quiet, calm. The prices in supermarkets and cafes are pleasant, it is not long to get to Manhattan, about 40 minutes without a change on the Q line, ”the author shares information.

There was only a TV and a wardrobe inside the room. Such accommodation cost them just under $ 300 for four nights. “A nice bonus of the apartment - the roof was open,” added Klara.

Hotels

“Last night we spent the night at a hotel on Times Square. Discounted hotels can be viewed at Hoteltonight.com. Cool service, where renting a room on the day of arrival, the hotel provides a discount on rooms up to 70%. We rented a room for $ 144 instead of $ 331.

The room was located on the 10th floor, so the view was not the most luxurious possible. “Pleasant - an outdoor rooftop with a steep view and free breakfast. And coffee is free to drink all day too. You can also leave your luggage for the whole day, go for a walk and not bathe, ”the girl said.

Food

Food in New York is expensive - “3-4 times more expensive than in Moscow,” said Klara. “Milk, for example, costs up to $ 3,6 (227 R.), water from $ 1. from Also, the price tags do not indicate a tax of 8,9%, so you will pay extra at the checkout from above, ”she added.

But there are also secrets to help you save money in New York. For example, the water can be drunk from the tap, it is clean and tasty. There are also drinking fountains throughout the city, both for people and special ones, located below, for dogs.

In general, here every tourist, regardless of his budget, will find something to eat. “We ate in different places: in supermarkets, in eateries on wheels, in pizzerias for a dollar, in normal pizzerias, in Chinese eateries, in regular cafes, in cafes of national food, and in cafes that are rated $$$ on google maps” , - the tourist shared.

Also in the Big Apple are the so-called snack bars on wheels. “For $ 5-13, you can dine with a large portion of rice with vegetables and falafel or meat. Payment by card is not possible, ”the author writes.

Also, on almost every corner you can try the famous pizza for $ 1. The author of this material admitted that she did not like such pizza, because "the cheese does not stretch, as in" Ninja Turtles ".

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Also popular are "Daily" - shops that work at night. “Here you can have breakfast with a sandwich, buy some essential products, such as eggs and milk. Try the little donuts there for $ 1. From $ 5 payment is possible by card ", - shared the author.

In supermarkets for $ 3 you can buy a salad or something edible and have a quick bite to eat, Clara added.

There are also grocery stores in New York where you can buy a large and ripe avocado for $ 1, mango for $ 2, three papayas for $ 5. “I was surprised that fruits and vegetables in New York are very cheap, ripe and delicious. For several days we only had breakfast with them, ”the girl said.

Markets

“With high-quality and inexpensive food in New York supermarkets, everything is four times more expensive than in Russia, so Russian locals prefer to go to food markets. And we did that too, ”said Klara.

Most often, the couple went to the New York Mart for shopping. "This is the Chinese food market - everything is there: from coconuts - $ 3 for two, to Chinese vodka and other Asian nishtyaks," the author writes.

And here are other markets that recommend visiting local:

• Union Square Greenmarket. It is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 16:00. The main assortment is farm products: fruits, vegetables, meat, pastries, natural honey, maple syrup, etc.
• Eataly - located on Fifth Avenue, looks like a large supermarket, but New Yorkers habitually call it a market. It was opened by the famous Italian chef Mario Batali. Here you can find real Italian ice cream, coffee, many different cheeses and sausages, as well as bars, cafes and a culinary school. “The prices are a little overpriced, but it's worth it, it is here that you can taste the best espresso in the city,” the author noted.
• Market Smorgasburg in Brooklyn - this is a real gastronomic international. There is an abundance of food, but people come here not so much to eat as to dine in restaurants of different national cuisines. Open from April to November.

Coffee

New York is a multinational city with a large selection of different cuisines. Here you can try Cuban, Chinese, Caribbean, Israeli, Indian, Mexican, American and other cuisines.

“Be prepared that you will leave 30% more than what you order: a tip of 18% or more is a mandatory rule in America (it is not indicated on the check, but when paying you must choose how much you leave), plus 8,9% tax, ”the tourist warned. She also advised to have cash with you.

“We found the China North Dumpling Café in Chinatown on the recommendation of a blogger. There we ordered noodles and dumplings, kimchi and two coconut waters and gave it for all $ 12 - it's very cheap for such delicious and huge portions, ”writes Klara.

At Black Tap, the couple paid $ 67 for a burger, salad and two beers. “Be sure to try the artichoke pizza at Artichoke Basille's Pizza. The pizzeria is on the list of the five best pizzerias in New York, where you can try a huge pizza for $ 40, although no, the check included 2 beers and tea. But it was the most delicious pizza in my life, ”the girl admitted.

By the way, portions are often huge, so if you haven't finished eating, ask the waiter to put the leftovers in the box and take the food with you. “It's common for locals,” says the tourist.

If you don’t know which cafe to choose to visit, use the Yelp app or website. There you can see reviews about the places around, and just about recommended places.

But alcohol in New York establishments is expensive. “A glass of beer at a bar costs $ 7-12. The store sells a bottle of Californian wine for $ 7-18. A pack of six cans of beer in a store costs $ 8-14, ”said Klara.

You can decide on the choice of wine in the Vivino application - you can download it on IOS and Android. “It helps a lot when you don’t understand which wine to choose; it works only when connected to the Internet,” the author writes.

If you're a coffee lover, get ready to give away $ 4 for a cup of Americano in New York.

You can drink water without paying a cent at any of the Starbucks stores. “Look for any Starbucks, come in and say“ Tap Water, please! ”At the checkout. You will be given a check for $ 0, poured free ice water into a glass with you, and given a straw. If you don’t like it with ice, check it at the checkout, ”the tourist recommends.

Shopping

New York is one of the four fashion capitals. “It’s not surprising that people there are shifted on clothes - trends change rapidly and what was fashionable today may be considered outdated tomorrow,” writes Klara. - There is an opinion that the fact is that it is easier and faster to buy a new one there than to repair an old one - so many do not bother and just throw it away. Some, for example, wear white T-shirts, socks one day, then buy new ones. "

In addition, in the metropolis, various stocks often operate. For example, you can buy three units at a price of two. “And speaking of things, the brands that someone is praying for in Moscow are cheap there. You can buy a bag Michael Kors for $ 60, and in Russia it will cost from $ 200. "

In New York, you want to endlessly spend money, the author admitted. “For all my scrupulousness, I could not resist buying a bunch of things. Plus, there are such dynamics in stores with clothes that you want to snatch until someone did it before you (although it's not exactly that someone tried, but it seems so), ”she writes.

For shopping, it’s more profitable to go to one of the discount centers, for example, at Century21, Marshall's or HomeGoods. They are all over the city.

Clara was visiting Century21, located near The Oculus. “You can find everything from FILA socks, Maschino T-shirts and Calvin Clain sneakers to Louis Vuitton travel bags at discounts from 20 to 75%. But this retailer differs from, for example, Marshall's, in that it is cleaner, less scattered things, brands are conveniently distributed, more luxury items, therefore, it is more expensive, ”writes Klara.

If the most important thing for you is to save money, and cosiness is not the main condition for shopping, go to Marshall's. “It has everything - cosmetics, household and children's things, clothes, shoes, ordinary accessories for the phone, in general, anything. Even children's costumes for Halloween. At the same time, there are fewer people and it is still cheaper than in Century21. There I found Levis jeans for $ 14, I bought 12 FILA socks for $ 4. ”

But please note: in addition to the value of the goods, you will also need to pay tax - approximately 8,9%. It is not in the price tag, but it is there when paying.

Among the brands that can be bought cheaper in New York than in Russia are the following:

• GAP. In New York, this is considered a budget brand. In the metropolis there is a whole three-story store where you can find models that are not represented on the Russian market.
• Levi's - In New York, you can buy jeans of this brand for $ 30-40, and at a discount, and in discount stores, even for $ 14.
• Victoria's Secret - the largest store of this brand is located on Fifth Avenue. “Pay attention to promotions. You can snatch 2 sets for the price of one. I didn't know about this option until the local Russians told me. And one more recommendation for girls: if you are walking with a young man, leave him in another place for two hours - there is too much choice that you want to try on, ”advises Clara.
• In New York, you can buy classic yellow boots of this brand for only $ 120-130 excluding sales. In Russia, they cost from $ 170.
• Martens. “In New York, I bought Pascal shoes for $ 160, in Moscow they cost over $ 200,” said the tourist.
• Tommy Hilfiger. “This is a local American brand, it is considered a premium in our country, but not in the states, therefore it costs less,” said Clara.

Same story with Lauren Ralph, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Levi's.

It’s very profitable to buy American type N cosmeticsEX, MAC, Sephora, Tom Ford and another. “For example, basic tools Clinical I saw for $ 15 ", - said the girl.

But there are exceptions. “You shouldn't buy clothes from Adidas, we looked at the cost of MYSHELTER yellow raincoats, it's more profitable to buy them in Russia,” the tourist noted.

Pharmacies

Pharmacies in New York are very different from our usual pharmacies in Ukraine, Russia, Georgia or Kazakhstan. “Immediately at the entrance there will be chips, sweets, other sweets and drinks. Also, in addition to medicines, you can buy cosmetics, personal hygiene products, household chemicals, even a phone charger, ”said the tourist.

At the same time, you will hardly be able to buy something medicinal in a New York pharmacy - everything here, even lenses for the eyes, is sold only by prescription. “But if you need dietary supplements (biologically active additives - Ed.) - this is heaven, there are many and different types of them. There are also shares - three for the price of two, two for the price of one. It is beneficial and useful, ”the author writes.

About returning goods

“The return policy of goods in America is different from ours - you can return almost everything: not only things, but also cosmetics, even those already started. The reason can be any: it didn’t fit, allergy, you don’t like the smell, texture. Therefore, if you collect a bunch of things, you can return everything while you are in the city, ”writes Klara.

Entertainment

Manhattan is not only the heart of New York, but also a place where you will always find something to do. “The most daring architectural projects have always been implemented here. The famous Statue of Liberty belongs to this area. The largest local Catholic cathedral is St. Patrick's Cathedral, which belongs to the Neo-Gothic. He can be seen in the Hollywood films Ghostbusters and Home Alone 2 and many others, ”writes Clara.

Walking around the area, you do not need to use transport - attractions are on every corner here. There are so many interesting things here that you can wander around this area all day. So make sure you have comfortable shoes. “On the first day we walked quite a bit, but the pedometer showed 20 km,” writes Klara.

Here are just the main places in Manhattan that tourists should visit.

• Central park. It is worth allocating at least half a day to visit this attraction. This park is huge. “You can listen to street musicians there, and their performance is a direct concert, they even have their own discs with recordings of tracks. You can go boating, ride bicycles, lie on rocks, go jogging, look at the huge turtles in the pond - turtles have been in all the parks in New York we have been to, ”the author recommends.
• Glass cube from Apple Store. It is located on Fifth Avenue, at the exit of Central Park. "It's also stylish inside," the author writes.
• Fifth Avenue. "Then just walk along Fifth Avenue, you can walk to Chelsea by passing the Empire State Building," the author recommends.
• High Line. This is another landmark of the city. It is located in a diverse area of ​​Chelsea. The High Line is a park laid out on the site of an elevated railroad. The park is 2,33 km long. “The architect Charles Renfro and the Diller Scofidio + Renfro studio of this park also created the Moscow“ Zaryadye ”,” the author writes.
• Art galleries. “There are also over 200 art galleries in the area that have occupied the buildings of former factories. There is Kerry's apartment from "Sex and the City" and an apartment from the TV series "Friends", - says Clara.
• Chrysler Building... This Art Deco skyscraper is also located in Manhattan. “If you want to take a cool shot, stop at the intersection of 44th Street and Fifth Avenue,” the tourist advises.
• Central station. This is the oldest and most famous station in New York. Located in midtown Manhattan at the intersection of 42nd Street and Park Avenue. It surpasses any other station in the world in the number of platforms and tracks.
• Times Square. This is a square in central Manhattan, located at the intersection of Broadway and Seventh Avenue in the interval between 42nd and 47th streets. The New York City Theater District Center. This place is worth a visit for every tourist. And it’s also “a place where you can see what aggressive competition is in digital”, as the author writes.

Other attractions

With the nearby Brooklyn area, Manhattan is connected by a huge Brooklyn Bridge. The latter is one of the main attractions of the district and the city. Runs parallel to the brooklyn bridge Manhattan bridge. “There's a beautiful promenade overlooking Manhattan, you can sit on the shore on logs, go to Time-out - this is the site of the magazine of the same name, it is stylish there, you can eat in the market place (the cost of food there is similar to the places around), rest on the roof overlooking the water and bridges. There is also a viewpoint on the way to the water where you can take a cool photo, ”the tourist shares her secrets.

If you want to take a photo of yourself, head to the Brooklyn Bridge by six in the morning. “It's crazy, but there are a lot of people there at lunchtime, even just to go. This life hack applies to any tourist destination, ”Klara admits.

New York Roofs

“We were at two. One roof on the 52nd floor, our friend lived there, so we passed without problems. To get there, you need to stand in line and go through control. The main thing is to take your passport, otherwise they won't be allowed in, ”the author writes.

Clara also talked about another way to get to the roof for free. Here's how she did it with her friend: “We went into the hall under the guise of living in this hotel, immediately went to the elevators, and waited for someone to go up. We went, but reached the fourth floor, it was impossible to go further - there was no card activating the elevator. This did not stop us, we went on foot to the 19th floor, but did not get into the bar. They waited until someone went upstairs, drove to the bar, there we were met by a strict security guard, said that it is impossible without a bracelet - they are given in line. We pretended that we did not know that we were Russian and did not understand anything in English, he took pity and missed only to take a picture. ”

Museums

New York has a wide selection of museums. An important place is occupied by one of the largest art museums in the world - the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

“They say that New York is an expensive city, I agree. But it is also a city of opportunities, for example, to experience beauty, ”the author writes. But because the authorities decided that "art should be accessible." “You can use this and easily visit, if not all, then the main museums for sure, but here there are at least a hundred of them, and they are so large that a month will not be enough to explore them,” writes the tourist.

Most museums in New York are free to enter on a specific day of the week. “We knew it, but we remembered it at the last moment and only managed to visit the store in the Solomon Guggenheim Museum for free, because we came on the wrong day, and the next we were already flying away,” the author recalls.

Also in such large museums as, for example, the Metropolitan Museum or the Museum of Natural History, the Pay what you wish system works. “This means that when you walk into the lobby, you see a fixed price ($ 25), in fact you can pay as much as you want - even $ 1. Therefore, be sure to ask at the checkout if the museum is included in the Pay what you wish system, ”advises Klara.

A full list of such museums by day of week can be found. here (English) and in Russian here.

Here is a list of popular attractions:

• Memorial Museum 9/11. Museum of the memory of the tragedy of September 11. Entrance to the museum is paid, tickets can be bought here... The museum can be visited free of charge on Tuesdays, from 17:00 to 20:00. “We were not in the museum itself, but we went to see the memorial. The energy of the place is very heavy, I wanted to cry when I imagined how people from such a height as the twin towers jumped out of the windows of skyscrapers out of despair, ”the author writes.
• New York Public Library. In addition to museums, you should definitely visit the New York Public Library. “There is a huge beautiful movie hall which is definitely worth seeing. In order not to wander, immediately go to the third floor, there they will show you where to go, ”the author writes.
• Color Factory This is an interactive exhibition. Here, on an area of ​​almost 2000 sq. meters, there are colorful installations, including a pool filled with balls, hundreds of multi-colored ribbons hanging from the ceiling, a dance floor flooded with bright colors. Admission is $ 38 per person excluding tax. This is a great place to take unforgettable souvenir photos. “When you go there, you are greeted with ice cream, choose any taste and move on. When registering, they give you a card that helps you take automatic photos at certain locations, get up, apply, after three seconds a photo is taken and sent to your mail. Almost at every location they are fed with marmalade, syrup, pasta, or, in short, colored sweets, ”writes Klara.
• The Vessel - This interactive work of art, design and architecture was presented by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studio as a center where people can enjoy new views of the city from different heights, angles and points of view. It consists of 154 connected flights of stairs - almost 2500 separate steps and 80 landings from which overlook the city and the river. To get there, you need to book time in advance hereThe ticket is free.
• Helicopter flight. This can be done with the help of different companies. “I took a long time to choose which company to fly with, there were different options, with or without closed doors, I chose the latter. We flew with Flynyon, a flight for two cost $ 340, ”the author said.

Consider the weather when booking your flight date and time. “For example, I looked to make sure it wasn't too cloudy and without rain. Also, don't make my mistake - their week starts on Sunday, not Monday. I chose Wednesday looking at the booking calendar - it was sunny that day, but it turned out that I screwed up and chose Tuesday, since the week started on Sunday, and that day it was cloudy. The transfer cost another $ 50 plus, but I didn't change it, ”the girl said.

Also keep in mind that besides the flight itself, you will have other expenses. “To get to the Flynyon office, you need to travel to New Jersey by train for $ 5 per person and then by taxi or bus,” said Clara.

Before the flight, you will be given a big briefing. Also, you will be put on special equipment with clasps and carabiners, they will take away the equipment in order to put on special sticks with a carabiner, cameras will be fastened to your neck. You can take only one camera and one phone per person with you to the cab. “Before you fly, check for yourself whether you have fastened all the fasteners to the seat; the wind will blow strong during the flight,” the tourist advises.

The flight lasts only 20 minutes, so have time to enjoy the beautiful view of the metropolis.

What surprised New York

Here's what surprised the Russian-speaking traveler when visiting New York:

• Lack of dust. “We walked all week in light-colored shoes and the sneakers stayed clean. We arrived in Moscow, and these same sneakers turned black in one day, ”the author notes.
• Fresh airdespite the traffic.
• Pure water. Water can be drunk from the tap. Also around the city are drinking fountains, both for people and for dogs.
• Noisy. The city that never sleeps is noisy during the day and at night, and even early in the morning - at any time.
• Prices in stores 8,9% are indicated without tax.
• Need to leave a tip. “You can't just eat and not leave the tea. You will be given a check, where the amount of the order will be indicated, and below there are three options for interest for the waiter. You need to choose one of three, the minimum is 18% and leave money with this amount. If you want to drink coffee in a cafe, keep in mind that you will have to leave interest on top, so take it with you. And you can drink this coffee by sitting down in any place on the street where there is an inspiring movie, ”the tourist advises.
• Many runners in city parks.
• The smell of grass on the street. "New York smells like weed like in Amsterdam, especially in Brooklyn. It was unexpected, ”the tourist admits.
• Very friendly and helpful people... “Anyone who doesn’t ask anything, they react quickly, answer and almost lead by the hand. This is very gratifying, especially given the pace of this city, ”the author writes.
• Your laws apply here.... “If you want to photograph someone or something, ask. We were in the same garage market and took pictures of accessories there. The owner of the shop said very strictly: “First ask, and then fotay,” the girl notes.
• Many beggars... “Many just silently go with glasses and ask for donation (donation - Ed.). But there are those who enter the subway car, especially African-Americans and begin to sing, or do tricks on the handrails - it looks impressive, ”the tourist writes. - And there are beggars on the streets - they look more like crazy, they can be dressed in bright clothes and sing something. Be careful with them, if you shoot on a phone, then be prepared that he will ask you for money, and such beggars are very aggressive. We did not give money, but we shot a story, he grabbed his clothes and yelled something. " She also gave advice on how to behave in such situations. “If you are attacked by a beggar and demands money from you, start speaking Russian, that you do not understand anything. The likelihood that he will quickly fall behind is much higher than if you tell him "sorry, I don't understand u". In general, in any incomprehensible situation, speak Russian, or say that you are a tourist from Russia. For some reason, on this basis, we have some kind of internal benefits from people, ”the author writes.
• Other traffic rules... “It is not necessary to wait until the traffic light turns green - in New York, as in Moscow, people go when they want,” the author writes.
• Open people... “If you want to know where a person is an American, bought a thing that is on him, do not hesitate to ask, they are very open to compliments and they themselves approached me and asked where I bought a sweater or raincoat,” the author notes.

How much did you spend

“We didn’t list the costs during the trip, but we calculated the approximate amount later,” the author writes.

Travel costs, including visa and plane tickets, amounted to just over $ 5000 for two.

Results

“New York is really the city of the world. The dynamics, multinationality, contrasts of the city and its districts are really worth seeing at least once in a lifetime. The route turned out to be intense, 12 days of an endless race in New York from morning to evening turned out to be a lot, next time we will take a break between days to rest, but it was worth it - we plan to go again, "the author summed up.