All You Need To Know

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, everybody, Today we're going to tackle one of the
world's busiest and most exciting cities. You think you can
guess which one. Well, it's also one of the most
iconic destinations in the world and it's in the United States,

(00:20):
New York City. So whether you're dreaming of your first
stroll through Central Park, I've only been there a couple times.
To be honest with you, I have friends that love
it and go all the time. Or you're thinking about
just taking in the dazzling lights of Times Square or
tasted a real New York bagel. The Big Apple is

(00:42):
a mussy but it can also be overwhelming. That's why
that I'm here to guide you through the inns and
the outs, the dues and the don'ts of visiting New
York City for the first time, with tips to help
you navigate the city like a pro. So let's jump
in there. Huh. So, what makes New York City so special? Well,

(01:08):
New York City is unlike any other place in the world.
And here here's why it's a bucket list destination. Must
make it simple. Okay, a diversity right today is all
big about diversity, but New York was diverse before diversity
was really a thing. So culture, language, and cuisines. You know,

(01:31):
in one day you can have you can have dim
sum in Chinatown. I've never had that, to be honest
with you, I had to think twice before I'd even
pronounced that after writing that last night. Pizza in Little
Italy and Caribbean food in Harlem. I bet that's pretty awesome.

(01:53):
So many iconic landmarks. The Statue of Liberty, Empire, State Building,
Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square and just a few of the
are just a few of the famous sites that call
New York home. You know, New York is like a
NonStop right. I mean, the city truly never sleeps. From

(02:18):
Broadway shows to rooftop bars, there's always something happening, and
it's happening at all hours, day and night. Just a
quick little fact here. There's over eight million people that
live in New York City, but if you've ever been there,

(02:38):
it feels more like twenty million when you're in Times
Square during rush hour. And that is the truth. I
haven't driven much in New York, but I have been
in Times Square during rush hour and it is absolute.
There's twenty million people there. So what's the best way
to get around the Big Apple. There are lots of

(03:02):
transportation hubs in New York. You can I know, it
can seem really intimidating, but it's manageable. I mean, and
once you know the basics. Okay, the subway. The subway
is the fastest and cheapest way to get around. You
got to get used to it. I mean, you really do.

(03:23):
Get a metro card or use a tap to pay
system for the seamless travel. I mean, once you accept
it and get used to it, that's the way to go.
Uptown trains go north, Downtown trains go south. It's pretty simple.
Always double check the line and direction. Walking is a

(03:46):
great way to get around, especially Manhattan. Manhattan is very
walkable and some of the best views come from exploring
on foot. Comfortable shoes are a must. Taxis and ride
share you know, Uber, Lyft, those kinds of things. Yellow
calves are iconic, but they can actually be pretty pricey

(04:07):
during rush hours. Acts like apps like Uber and lyft
are often are more convenient and they can be a
little less expensive, especially if you can plan ahead. A
biking you know, rent a city bike for a scenic ride,
you know along Hudson River Greenway or through part. I've

(04:29):
never done that, but I guess a few, especially in
some of the park areas and things like that. The Greenway,
you know that that would be fun and not dangerous.
I would not dare ride a bike like right right
downtown there. That would scare me to death. So whatever
you do, avoid driving in New York City. The traffic

(04:51):
will test your patients and your soul. And if you
don't know exactly where you're going, you are screwed, my friend.
So don't even think about renting a car and driving
around New York. It is not the thing to do. Okay,
So it's your first time going to New York. With
the top attractions for first timers, let's talk about the

(05:14):
must see attractions. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
I mean that that's the one right there, That's where
do you start with. Take a ferry to see Lady
Liberty up close and explore the history of immigration to
Ellis Island. That is educational, it's fun. Uh, it's jaw dropping,

(05:35):
you know as you as you get close to the
Statue of Liberty. Just that's a great that's a great trip.
That's a great little excursion. Central Park It's like a
green oasis in the middle of Manhattan. Uh. You know,
you can rent a rowboat, you can visit the zoo,
or just relax on the green on the Great Lawn.

(05:57):
That sounds good to me, just just relax. I seen
on the Great Lawn. I've had some good lawns in
my life, you know, some good yards and lawns and
really good turf and all that kind of stuff. But
no one's ever called it the Great Lawn. So I
think you got to go to Central Park to take
a little rest on the Great Lawn. Times Square. You know,

(06:19):
love it or hate it, you can't skip it. You
got to go at least once. If your first time,
you might as well go ahead and get it over
with the dazzling lights in the hustle of Times Square.
It's one of a kind. You need to see it Broadway. Now.
I'm not a huge show guy, but if I'm going

(06:39):
to go see a show, this is where I want
to go, you know. So you can catch a show
at one of the world's most famous theater districts. Make
sure you book your tickets in advance, or you can
always try the tickets booth for same day discounts if
you can get you know, if you can get a ticket. Museums,

(07:03):
so many museums in New York City, from the Metropolitan
Museum of Art to the American Museum of Natural History.
New York City's museums are absolutely legendary. They are definitely
worth the visit and the time it takes to do it.
You'll enjoy it and you'll learn some things and just
be absolutely amazed. You know. For if you really just

(07:29):
want to see the city right, so for from a
great view. So for breathtaking city views, head to top
of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, right top of the
Rock at Rockefeller Center, it's almost hard to say. Or
the edge in Hudson Yards. I've never been to the

(07:52):
edge in Hudson Yards, but I bet that is pretty
dog on sweet too. So where where do you eat
and drink in New York City? I mean, you know,
there's got to be a million good places. So we're
just gonna, like, you know, just talk about a couple here.
You know, food is an absolute just ginormous part of

(08:15):
the New York experience. So you know, try try these,
try some street food. Don't miss a classic New York
hot dog, you know, or a pretzel from a street vendor. Now,
if you've never been to New York, you know you've
seen on TV the hot dog stands and the pretzel
the pretzel vendors. It's definitely special and it is truly

(08:41):
amazingly delicious. Pizza. I mean we always talk about New
York pizza. There's always the argument, your Cogo pizza or
New York pizza. Well, I think you need to go
to New York and have pizza and then you can
make a real decision. So you can grab a slice
from Joe's Pizza or a whole pizza from Lombard's. I

(09:02):
love Lombard's just because he's my favorite coach. Ever, the
oldest pizzeria in the US is Lombard's, so that's pretty interesting.
Bagels always talking about New York bagels. I mean, you know,
I live in the South and everyone that moves down
here always always well, it's not a New York bagel.
Well maybe it's not, but you know, if you want

(09:25):
a New York bagel, it got to New York and
have one. Anyway. So New York bagel, way cream cheese
or locks is life changing, and it probably is when
you're in New York, check out s a Bagel or
Russ and Daughters. I have heard of Russ and Daughters

(09:47):
high end dining. Now, you know, there's gonna be a
ton of like four or five star restaurants in New
York City, so treat yourself. Try Michelin starred restaurants like
the Bernardin like the Accent, or eleven Madison Park. It's
easier for me to say eleven Madison Park sounds that

(10:10):
sounds like that sounds like me. Cocktails, you know, you
got a head to the rooftop bar like two thirty
fifth or or speakeasies which speak easier are the coolest
thing in the world. I mean, I know they're kind
of not speakeasies anymore, but it kind of takes you
back the day. They are so cool. Like the one
that I hear most about is please Don't Tell for

(10:34):
creative drinks and great vibe to the place's name is
please don't Tell. That would be amazing. Portions can be
huge when you're eating in New York City, so bring
a friend to share or come very hungry. And that
is the truth. But you definitely get your money's worth

(10:58):
because the portions are are jaggy. Okay, how do you
how do you navigate New York like a local because
you don't want to look like a tourist because they
might just eat you alive. So walk with purpose, right,
you know, not a leisurely stroll waving at everybody though,
you know, being in the South, you know, we that's

(11:20):
what we do. We take our time and we wave
and we say hey to everybody and all that kind
of stuff. But in New York's different world and you've
got to respect that. And I love it too. So
New Yorkers moved fast. If you're not sure where to go,
step aside and check your map, makes you guy out
of the way, you know, or if you don't know
where you're going, pretend like you do tipping, right, It's

(11:43):
expected to tip fifteen to twenty percent at restaurants, I mean, honestly,
that should everyone should know that across the board in
any town, a city, anywhere, United States, fifteen to twenty
percent and for really really good service, maybe a little
bit more. And then when you take a cab or
your uber or whatever, you know, you definitely want to

(12:05):
want to leave a few dollars for the cab drivers.
They have a tough job. Learn the grid. I mean,
this makes it very simple when you think about it. Right, So,
Manhattan streets are mostly numbered, making them easy to navigate.
Avenues run north south, streets run east west. Piece of cake. Right,

(12:28):
Let's let's go over that one more time. Avenues run
north south, streets run east west. That makes it so
much more simple in a way to think about getting
around New York City. Don't stop in the middle of sidewalk.
That sounds like, you know, just basic. You know, any
dummy would know that, But seriously, don't do it. You're

(12:51):
going to disrupt the flow. You might get run over
by some big guy or a group of people, and
you're probably gonna get yell that it's not worth it.
Keep moving, like we said earlier, if you don't know
where you're going, you know, take yourself off to the
side somewhere and then figure yourself out. Yeah, you know,

(13:13):
and this kind of goes what we're saying. Act confidence
even if you're lost. Nothing says tourist like looking panicked
on the subway. You know, so keep your head up,
keep your eyes open, you know, walk with some confidence,
act like you know what you're doing, and you know
what I'm saying there, take a little ego, a little
swag with you. So, like with any big city, you

(13:39):
want to avoid the tourist mistakes. So let's let's just
go ahead and say it right now. Skip Times Square restaurants.
Go to Times Square, but don't eat there. They're overpriced
and underwhelming. You adventure a few blocks away for a
much better food and a much better price point. Take

(14:03):
my word on that. Don't overpack your itinerary. New York
City is huge. Focus on one or two neighborhoods a
day to avoid complete burnout. Simple beware of scams, all right,
so avoid street vendors selling counterfeit goods or anyone offering
free tickets. Okay, the free tickets are free for a

(14:25):
reason because they're not tickets to anywhere. There's no ticket
to ride, believe me. And the street vendors that are
selling Gucci stuff and you know, all that fancy stuff rolexes,
you know what it's not. It's not real. You're gonna
get what you pay for, which is crap. So some

(14:46):
final thoughts on New York City. You know it can
feel like a whirlwind, It really can, because things move
so fast, but that's part of the magic. Take take
your time, soak up the sites, and don't stress if
you can't see everything. It just gives you a reason
to come back, and if you like it, go back.

(15:07):
Thanks for joining me, you know, on the Big Apple
Adventure here. Certainly enjoyed sharing a few tips with you
on your what might be your first trip to New
York City. Do your own research, figure out what you
want to do, plan ahead, you know, and and just
be confident when you get there, like you know who

(15:29):
you are, where you're going, what you're doing. All right,
So you guys, since we're doing New York City, I'm
going to say y'all have a great day.