Planning on taking a bite out of the Big Apple? New York City is one of my favourite cities in the world, and there are plenty of reasons for that. The city that never sleeps has a little something to offer to everyone, and there’s a reason why it’s been immortalized in popular culture in everything from movies to songs and pieces of art. But with so much on offer to you in New York City, how do you decide exactly what you want to see? I find that the best thing to do is to prepare an itinerary, and so that’s what I’m sharing with you today. Read on to see just a few of the essentials during your vacation.

1. Take a cruise

Taking a cruise from the city of dreams is a great way to see New York from the water. It almost makes the city look like a totally different beast, and there’s the added bonus of choice. You can go on a short-term day cruise or you can depart on a longer cruise and head elsewhere in the world.

2. Stay at an Airbnb

There is an art and a science to choosing the best Airbnb, but once you get your approach just right, it’ll continue to pay dividends for the months and years to come. In particular, though, booking stays at an Airbnb can be a great way to keep costs down while seeing a different part of the world.

3. Check out the Statue of Liberty

No visit to New York is truly complete without a visit to the Statue of Liberty. It’s an iconic part of the city’s skyline, and you don’t even have to get up close and personal to get a good look at it. Just make sure that you plan your visit out in advance so that you avoid disappointment, as it often gets busy, especially during peak tourism season.

4. Hang out in Central Park

Central Park is another one of those iconic locations that you’d be a fool to miss out on. Even if you can only squeeze in a few hours, it’s more than worth it just so that you can say that you’ve been there.

5. Visit Times Square

This is another one of those must-visit parts of New York City if only so you can get a few photographs. Don’t plan to spend the whole day there though, because the sheer number of people can quickly get overwhelming and there’s plenty more for you to do in the city.

6. Sample the Italian food

Arguably the single best thing about visiting New York City is that they have some of the tastiest Italian food in the entire country. This is a legacy of New York’s diverse melting pot of different cultures and the immigrants who helped to make the city what it is today. Better still, there’s no shortage of different places for you to choose from.

7. Check out Broadway

If the arts are more your thing, why not spend some time checking out Broadway and seeing some of the shows that are taking place? If you book in advance, you can often save money or get better seats, and you can even time your trip to coincide with a run that’s particularly meaningful to you.

8. Eat at the top of the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is culturally iconic in and of itself, and so if nothing else, you should take it in from the bottom. For even more of a treat, why not head up to the top and check out the shops and restaurants that call this exclusive part of New York City home? You’re sure to find something worth taking home with you.

9. Just wander the streets

Another great way to experience New York City is to literally take to the streets on foot and to wander around almost at random, letting your feet guide you. You might be surprised at some of the surprises that the city has in store for you, and it really is the kind of place where you can wander down any little sidestreet and find something fascinating.

Conclusion

Now that you know just a few of the main things that you’ll want to do and see during your visit to New York City, it’s over to you so that you can start planning your vacation and booking things in. Remember, you can often save money on your rent and travel by booking flights and Airbnbs in advance.

I also want to hear from you, so be sure to leave a comment with your experiences of New York City along with any must-visit spots that you’d recommend. Other than that, you’re ready to enjoy your vacation. Have fun!