Each city works differently, presents its own challenges, hides its own secrets.
Each deserves its own guide, for both visitors and residents.
For our inaugural installment, were covering New York City.
On its surface, New York can be scary.
Its loud, its smelly, its expensive.
The subway system is convoluted and its rules are always changing.
Everyone is crammed up against each otherbut thats what makes New York so interesting.
We love giving directions and recommending places to go.
But at any given moment, 95% of New Yorkers are late for something.
Getting Around
In most cases, the best way to get directions is to ask Google Maps.
It also gives travel times for multiple modes of transportation, just like Google Maps.
Subways
The subway is your best bet for most trips over one or two miles.
Its a sharper learning curve for new users, but the savings are worth it.
For the past few years, the NYC subway has been a complete mess.
The system is still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, and rising use is outpacing new development.
Trains are constantly delayed, stuck between stations, then rerouted to other lines while youre still on them.
So if youre not very familiar with your route, listen carefully to the trains announcer.
Theyll be hard to understand.
Its normal for a carful of people to collectively figure out where the hell their train is going.
Never assume these directions mean what you think.
Again, ask someone.
Once you get on the train, some of the signage might indicate a different line.
Ask a fellow passenger about the discrepancy.
The MTAs signage is Kafkaesque.
One quirk of New Yorks giant subway system is that several stops share the same name.
For example, the B and Q lines have 7th Ave stops in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
If youre only here for a visit, use your credit card to buy a MetroCard at any kiosk.
The 7-day unlimited card is a good deal if you plan to take at least 13 rides.
Otherwise, usethe MTAs online fare calculatorahead of time to figure out how much to put on your card.
Yes, its stupid.)
If you live here, stop using the kiosks!Sign up for an EasyPay cardthat automatically refills.
They come in per-ride and 30-day-unlimited varieties.
But the rest of the time, it just works.
Youll never again stand in line to frantically stab at buttons while your train leaves without you.
Buses
New Yorks buses are underrated.
Theyre roomy and relatively clean.
Many of them run along dedicated lanes, so they arent easily stuck in traffic.
Theyre still a lot slower than the train, but they let in sunlight and cell signals.
And in much of Brooklyn, theyre your only decent option.
Walking
People walk further in New York than most places.
Most of the city is better accessed on foot.
Most of it is safe in the dead of night, which in tourist areas is never very dead.
Those mark commercial zones, where there will be more foot traffic.
Those areas are safer and theyre usually more interesting.
Driving
Dont bring a car into New York unless you have to.
Parking is expensive, and driving is terrible.
Most people in the city dont own cars; many dont even have a license.
Between Uber, Lyft, cabs, and Car2Go, were set.
Things to Do
You dont need our help finding places to eat and drink in New York.
Check out the endless guides and best-of lists fromNew YorkandTime Out New York.
And for an expensive city, it has a lot of free attractions.
For the past few years the public areas have been expanded and developed.
On the other half, man-made hills feature long slides and winding walks to cinematic views.
In between is a collection of New Yorks world-class food trucks.
If you’re free to, avoid Times Square.
It is a bad place.
New Yorks events, like its bars and restaurants, are constant, and constantly promoted.
Free highlights include theConey Island Mermaid Parade, theBrooklyn Book Festival, andOpen House New York Weekend.
Check it out every May and July.
