Spectacular views of the New York skyline, Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty
America is the country that singlehandedly gave us great authors like Mark Twain and Stephen King, award-winning movies and famous directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, caped superheroes like Superman and saintly warriors like Wonder Woman, and world-saving robots like Transformers. I even considered the possibility of moving to New York City (NYC) for work in my early 20s. What was the seed of my interest in America? Looking back, it goes back to my regular exposure to all things American. I began to be interested in Disney cartoons, imported fast food like KFC and McDonalds, and music icons Michael Jackson and Madonna at an early age, followed by classic movies like When Harry Met Sally and the amazing musicals that came out of that great country. I also spent hours watching Sex and the City and Gossip Girl in my early adulthood, drawing fashion inspiration from the shows.
Like many wide-eyed immigrants and tourists, New York has a charm that rivals other big cities. A few months before the global pandemic hit in 2020, I visited New York for the first time and realized my American dream. But traveling to New York requires a lot of money, especially considering the exchange rate. Read on for our New York attraction suggestions and best travel tips to help you make the most of your New York experience and save on your travel budget while having a safe and fun New York trip. Even better, with over 100 attractions to choose from in Go City, you can save big by purchasing a Go City package. Read on to find out how.
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Go City’s New York Pass. Photo: Go City
Go City New York Pass
Here’s an example of how much you can save with Go City’s 3-day The New York Pass.
A quick calculation of a sample three-day itinerary with Go City’s New York Pass shows you’ll save 48% compared to buying tickets individually. Photo: Go City
New York Travel Tip 1: Take a Big Bus tour of the top sights
Big Bus Tours USA, offering sightseeing tours of New York City on open-top, double-decker buses. Photo: Getty Images
Driving in New York City is not fun because parking is too expensive and traffic is too heavy. Even if you like walking, New York City is too big for you. Public transportation is the best option. Hop on one of the famous Big Buses and you will see the city’s sights and learn about its history. The Big Bus will save you sore feet at the end of the day and leave you with energy to enjoy a Broadway show or dinner with drinks in the evening.
New York Travel Tip 2: Save big with the Go City New York Pass
One of the must-sees in New York is its 4 observation decks, each offering different views and a unique experience. Beautiful by day or by night, you can visit all 4 observation decks without making any selections with the All-Inclusive Pass or the Choose 4+ Explorer Pass. Earn more miles on your trip and save up to 50% on every attraction with Go City’s “See More, Pay Less” package. Read here to find out how it works.
Save big with the Go City New York Pass. Photo: Go City
One World Observatory
One World Observatory. Photo: Go City
Empire State Building
New York City sunset. Photo: Getty Images
corner
Edge. Photo: Go City
Top of the Rock
Top of the Rock. Photo: Go City
New York Travel Tip #3: Buy attraction tickets online in advance
In immigrant towns, you may be approached by foreign touts and peddlers near tourist sites claiming to be “official representatives” and offering to sell you tickets at discounted prices or help you skip the queues. Even if they promise you ridiculously cheap tickets, ignore them at all costs. Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it usually isn’t. Buying tickets on site can be time-consuming and worrying. We recommend that you secure your tickets online and score a discount or two with Go City’s savings packages.
New York Travel Tip #4: Book your tickets in advance
New York being New York, it’s always crowded with tourists, so if possible, be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Some advance reservations may require a pass or order reference number to secure your reservation, so have it ready. Be sure to check the booking information listed on the Go City booking page, and on the individual attraction pages on the Go City website and app.
No trip to New York is complete without visiting popular attractions like the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Statue of Liberty, and the Ellis Island Ferry. Some attractions are popular for good reason and may have long wait times. No reservations are required for Top of the Rock Observation Deck, One World Observatory, Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises’ Best of NYC Cruise, and Liberty Super Express Cruise. Try to avoid school holidays and public holidays.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Ferry. Photo: Go City
Best New York Cruises with Circle Line. Photo: Go City
9/11 Memorial & Museum
9/11 Museum Workshop: Complete your 9/11 experience with a hands-on 9/11 tour.
9/11 Museum Workshop: A hands-on 9/11 tour. Photo: Go City
New York Travel Tip 5: Stay Safe
As with any visit to a foreign country, it’s important to always be cautious, especially when out at night. A good rule of thumb for staying safe in New York is to walk on main streets and busy corridors and keep your belongings close to you at all times. Obey traffic signals and watch out for cars, skateboarders and cyclists. If you find yourself constantly looking down at your phone for the right direction or to find a store, it’s a clear sign that you’re a tourist, or worse, a lost tourist. It helps to plan your route before you go out and stick to it. Download handy apps like the Google Maps app to help you plan your subway route, Citymapper, or the Go City app to scan any of the 100+ tourist attractions.
The New York Pass has a day pass to suit your needs. Photo: Go City
New York Travel Tip 6: Strengthen yourself before you travel
One of the most enjoyable memories from my 2019 trip was visiting the Vessel at Hudson Yards, a $200 million building that opened just two months before my visit in May. The centerpiece of New York’s skyscrapers, the Vessel at Hudson Yards stands over 150 feet tall and is reached by 154 steps, embodying the city’s industrial heritage and built on the most expensive piece of real estate in the history of the United States. If you’re not up for stairs, you can take the elevator, but you won’t want to miss out on the amazing industrial views and the breeze on your face.
Tour the Top of the High Line and Hudson Yards
My friend and I take in the view from the top of the Hudson Yards Vessel. Photo: Cadence Lo, Yahoo Life Singapore
New York Travel Tip 7: Immerse yourself in the city’s culture and arts
Whether you’re touring museums or taking in a Broadway show, enjoy New York’s art scene. Visit the American Museum of Natural History building featured in Robin Williams’ film Night at the Museum. Learn about all aspects of natural science at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), one of the world’s largest museums, a New York icon, and one of the most visited museums in New York City. Or admire the magnificent spiral staircase of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, an architectural masterpiece, and enjoy the world’s best collection of contemporary art.
Visit the American Museum of Natural History with Go City. Photo: Getty Images
Broadway fans, movie buffs and pop fans will enjoy behind-the-scenes tours like New York City TV and Movie Bus Tours, Marvel and DC Superhero Tours, Central Park TV and Movie Locations Walking Tours and Broadway and Times Square Tours. If you want to take a photo with actors dressed as celebrities, be prepared to pay a fee. Be sure to warn your kids before they get too excited about their favorite cartoon and Marvel characters. There’s no free lunch.
New York Travel Tip 8: Explore New York’s Great Food Options
New York City is home to a diverse mix of nationalities and cuisines, so be sure to check out these food-related attractions and try something beyond your usual pizza. Learning about your destination’s cuisine first-hand will help you better understand the nuances of the city.
Try the following food tours offered by Go City: Take a Food On Foot tour with Go City, experience Go City’s Spirits On Foot – Beer, Spirits & Wine Crawl, take a taste tour of New York’s most diverse neighborhood with the Queens – Flushing Meadows International Food Excursion, discover how immigrants to America influenced the city culinary-wise on the Taste of the Lower East Side Walking Tour, or take in the live jazz, hip eateries, trendy bars and posh theaters of New York’s finest neighborhood on an evening walking tour of Greenwich Village.
Experience spirits on foot – a beer, spirits and wine tour with Go City. Photo: Go City
Why Go City?
Whether you choose a one-day trip or a 10-day pass, choosing a Go City pass can save you up to 50% on every attraction.
Get your Go City New York Pass and save big
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