What it actually costs
When to go
Bitter cold (-5 to 5°C), grey skies, short days. Unless you want to see the city at its most raw and empty — which has its own appeal.
Times Square is always a nightmare — walk through, never linger. Central Park weekday mornings are peaceful. Brooklyn Bridge at sunrise: empty.
What locals know
$1 pizza slices in Manhattan are genuinely good. Joe's Pizza (Carmine St) is the benchmark.
The subway is 24/7 and covers everything. Never take a taxi in Manhattan below 59th St — the subway is faster.
High Line is beautiful but packed 11am-4pm. Go at 8am or after 7pm.
The Met Museum is 'pay what you wish' for NY residents but full price for tourists ($30). The Cloisters (same ticket) is stunning and empty.
Chinatown and Flushing (Queens) have better, cheaper food than most Manhattan restaurants.
Honest warnings
Budget $15-20 minimum per meal. Cheap NYC is expensive everywhere else.
Times Square area restaurants are tourist traps. Walk to Hell's Kitchen (2 blocks west) for real food.
Subway is safe but can be confusing. Download the MTA app and use Google Maps for live train times.
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