NYC Travel Essentials: Building a Perfect New York City Itinerary

Are you getting ready to travel and have no idea what to pack? Or maybe you are a bit like me and prefer to get the lay of the land just as you start planning.

Either way, fear not because I have arrived with all the NYC travel essentials you might need. From useful maps to which tours are worth taking, let’s figure out how to explore the Big Apple.

Every journey has to begin somewhere, and in NYC, the Flatiron District is your best option. This neighborhood in Manhattan is perfect for those who want to feel like New Yorkers but would rather avoid the thick of tourist crowds.

As a Flatiron local, I love being able to walk when I have tickets to a Broadway show or just going to Madison Square for a snack at the first Shake Shack location.

Whether you want to take the subway down to Staten Island or discover every film-famous place like Grand Central Station, starting in the Flatiron District is going to set up a successful trip. And the other NYC travel essentials? Let’s discover them together!

Top photo: My View of the Clocktower

Planning and Getting Ready

There are many different types of travelers. Some people want to see each tourist attraction in no particular order, those who just want to grab a coffee and stroll leisurely among locals,  and people who prefer to plan efficiently, so you get the most done with your time. In a place like New York City, planning is one of the biggest NYC travel essentials.

So let’s go through a run-down on everything you might need to know before your trip even begins.

Necessary Maps and Where to Get Them:

In all honesty, New York only seems like an easy place to navigate. Yes, streets are numbered, until they aren’t or the logic of numeration changes. Avenues have their numbers until Broadway or Madison Avenue show up to mess up the logic. In any case, you will want to be prepared before coming so you’re not wasting precious time by trying to figure stuff out.

Not many maps are needed when you start your days from the Flatiron District, it is such a central location that your peace of mind will always be intact. I recommend you download at least a maps app and the MTA app for everything public transportation. You should also have a physical map just in case. 

For a more in-depth explanation of NYC Maps and how to navigate it starting from Flatiron, head over to this New York guide with a Flatiron twist.

Which Tourist Attractions Are NYC travel Essentials:

Answering this is almost impossible because different attractions are important for different kinds of travelers, so my advice is to figure out what would be the most important things for you. Start thinking about your travel companions, then see if everyone has the same priorities. Some stops are crowd pleasers like Times Square, the Friends Experience, or the Harry Potter Store. Other things like museums aren’t for everyone, which is okay!

There are some attractions, like the Flatiron Building, that you just walk past, take some pics for social media, then move on. Sometimes you will be able to do something that works for everyone, after all, who wouldn’t like to have a nice dinner, then watch a Broadway show?

How to Make the Most of Your Days:

Well, to make the most of your days is going to require a little thinking. Because if we plan properly, we can easily fit everything together like the best kind of puzzle game. After all, New York has so many sides to be explored. 

Plus, if you are a foodie like me, there are so many restaurants we can try while out and about. There are indoor rooftop restaurants for when it is chilly, Korean places where we can try many new things, or burger joints for when we crave the comfort of something familiar. My advice is to create a map (which you can easily do with Google Maps) with everything you want to do or visit, then work on checking items off!

What to Pack for New York City:

Much like planning your days, packing your bags can be a very particular task. Some of my personal favorites to travel with are travel-size versions of toiletries since it can be hard to find my preferred brands, the comfiest sneakers I own, and my trusty reusable water bottle.

But if you are a little stuck on what to pack since figuring out NYC travel essentials for your bags can be difficult, considering the many activities you will partake in, head over to our article on how to pack for NYC! I am sure you will pack a super complete bag with its help.

Pro Tip: Look Up the Weather Forecast!

The best way to start planning your outfits is to know what the weather will be like when you’re here. Thankfully, the NYC weather is always pretty consistent, but you still should look at a forecast about a week in advance just to be safe.

How to Find a Good Hotel

New York has so many great places to stay, from Airbnb apartments to five-star hotels. So the key thing to finding a good hotel is figuring out your priority for the trip. Do you want to visit the outer boroughs? Check each item on a bucket list of cliché tourist attractions? Staying at the Flatiron District can be the best way to do it all. You have access to pretty much every subway line, can easily catch buses, or order a ride share. 

Finding the best-rated accommodations is an easy task when you use platforms like Booking or Airbnb. Just click to sort by rating, and there you go!

NYC Travel Essentials for Getting Around

Getting around like a true New Yorker is easy when you figure out all the ways you can do it.

• Public Transportation: This is the easiest way to get around the city, simply because it gives you a chance to escape traffic most of the time. You can take buses or the subway with an MTA card, rent a Citi Bike, or catch a Water Taxi to see New York from a different point of view. Avoid getting lost by reading up on how to navigate everything from ferries to other public transportation, starting from your flatiron base.
• Taxis and Share Apps: these are the perfect options for when you just can’t stand on your feet anymore after a long day. Carry some cash in case you plan to take taxis, as it makes the process of getting out a lot easier.
• Walking: Despite its size, NYC is a very walkable city, and it is even truer when you stay in a place like the Flatiron District. You can walk down to Central Park or Times Square in a short time while getting to know NYC from the ground.
• Rental Cars: Getting a rental car in New York can be quite simple, and it is the best option for larger groups or people with smaller kids! Plus, driving here isn’t that complicated (you can read this article for some local tips and tricks).

And remember that no matter how you get around, you will always need a strong internet connection as well as a charged phone. So get yourself a good travel data plan and portable charger!

The Three Best Ways to See Everything in Town

Being as big as it is, one of the major NYC travel essentials is figuring out how to make the most of your time, and this is where organized tours come in. 

City and Bus Tours: These generally go through the classics like the Empire State Building and Times Square at a nice pace, giving people time to stop for pictures. Perfect for first-time visitors!

Walking District Tours: District tours are perfect for people who want to know the real New York. You will probably go on foot, so wear your comfiest sneakers and bring a water bottle.

Central Park Walking and Bike Tours: No matter how you choose to do it, touring Central Park is perfect for finding all of those spots that show up in your favorite shows and movies. It is best for late summer and early fall adventures!

For a closer look at all the touring options in the Flatiron District and the city, take a look at all of these options.

Most Popular NYC Tours & Cruises

If you are still unsure of which tour is the best for you, these are the top three most recommended by visitors (and locals)!

Hop on and off Bus Tours: I love this kind of touring, mostly because you can see it all from street level for a more accessible price. Unlike taking the subway from one spot to another, you get to see NYC go by while learning about it. Plus, there are many different routes and you get to take the bus as many times as you want for a period.

Sightseeing Cruises: These ones generally go through the East or Hudson River, great for a romantic night out or if you are hoping to see the city from a calmer point of view. There are many options, so do your research before booking one!

Food Tours: Like I said before, NYC is perfect for foodies. There are many neighborhoods you can explore from a culinary point of view, and many are easily reachable from the Flatiron District.

Wrap Up

Spending time in the most populous city of the United States can seem daunting, but you can trust New Yorkers to make you feel welcome in their way. And remember, these NYC travel essentials come from my experience as a local, so take some time to figure out what works best for you. he magic of this city is that everyone can belong, no matter what kind of traveler they are. 

And in case you want to learn more about NYC from the perspective of a Flatiron local, head over to MeetFlatiron.com! You can find articles on everything you need to figure out a city beyond the NYC travel essentials.