Traveling like a Local New Yorker

What would it be like if you lived in New York City? Every New Yorker has been to Times Square and seen the Statue of Liberty, but when you go beyond the marquee attractions, that's where you find the city's real charms.

Dinner and a Show

Many theatergoers look for dinner in Times Square - perhaps the most tourist-driven location in America. Clever restauranteurs know that if the crowds keep flowing, there's no need to serve the high quality food for which NYC is famous. Instead, walk five minutes to Hell's Kitchen and have a unique meal surrounded by real New Yorkers.

Take a New York Minute

The hustle, the grind; however you put it, New York is renowned for its hard and fast work ethic. In reality, New Yorkers unplug as much as anyone else. Take time in your itinerary to relax and find the quiet parts of town. (You are on vacation after all.) While tourists pack into Bethesda Terrace, sneak around the bend to The Ramble, the local hot spot for birdwatching. Or take in one of the city's smaller neighborhood parks, visit a local Greenmarket, and make it a picnic. Just don't feed the pigeons.

Get Lost

There's something new around every corner in this city. Pick a starting point on the map and follow your nose. How else are you going to find that cute chocolatier nobody told you about? Or that punk vintage shop that's exactly your style? Or the dive bar with that old woman who has enough stories for four lifetimes? These are everyday life for locals -- and you won't find any of it on Wall Street or Fifth Avenue.

If you're seeking a memorable New York experience, remember that it's not an amusement park. All types of people go about their lives here and if you push yourself outside of the tourist comfort zone, you can be a part of it too.

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