Heading to NYC? Here’s the essential guide to the greatest city in the world.
New York is a city that needs no introduction. When I arrived here from London in 2013, the streets were so familiar that it felt like I had relocated to a movie set. Like so many newcomers before me, I fell for New York’s inimitable energy–the sense that any normal day has the potential to become extraordinary based on a single encounter or discovery.
Since then, more than a decade has passed (the benchmark for claiming the label “official New Yorker”–at least if you ask the transplants). Still, the city continues to surprise me. I’ve done all the touristy things at least once, fallen prey to overhyped new openings, and found some reliable favorites in the process. This guide is full of tried-and-true recommendations that will steer you right, whether you’re planning your first trip to NYC or the latest of many.
Here’s a list of everything you must do in New York City, plus the best places to eat, the top hotels for any budget, and a few tips for things to avoid.