Quick travel tips for New York City
Spread over an area of 800 kilometers square, this city was surrendered to the English in 1667 and re-named New York in honor of James, Duke of York. Located on the east coast, New York is nestled among a cluster of islands, and has a climate similar to that of continental Europe, with hot and humid summers and icy cold winters. Time wise, it is 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Travelers are attracted to New York City because it is so cosmopolitan with its diverse ethnic groups, 180 spoken languages and cuisine from around the globe. Tourist activity is more centered on Manhattan island. Most tourist attractions and hotels can be found here. The melting pot of cultures and the hub of sorts has a lot to offer tourists and locals alike.
New York has the largest transport network in America. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses, railway and subway trains run through all five boroughs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On the streets, you can find ample cabs that can be flagged. The subway is the key to New York. There is no better mode of getting around places quickly and cheap.
If you need to go to the bank, make sure you get there between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Some banks are also open on Saturday mornings. Through out New York, all international credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
When you are going out to dine or to a show, call ahead to check if the venue has a dress code. Upscale Fifth Avenue restaurants and hotel dining halls expect you to dress formal. Generally speaking, there are no rules for attire in New York, but important business meetings in the Financial District call for corporate attire. So, pack a nice suit and a tie, if needed, for your trip.
During the summer months, you can pack loose clothing and visors, and if you are traveling in winter months, pack warm under clothing and dress in layers. Around Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year, the weather can be gaspingly chilly but airlines fares are lower. On the contrary, in summers the airline fares go up as more tourists head for New York. Best time to travel is spring, between the months of March and June or in fall, between September and November.