One of the biggest differences between New York City and Tulsa is the amount of tourism. While I’m not sure if Tulsa really gets any tourism at all, NYC has mass amounts of it everyday. At times it can get annoying, but I’ve learned that it can be used in your favor. Now I know how to beat tourism, where to go to avoid it, and when to embrace it.
The best way to deal with the tourism in New York City is to think like a tourist. Be familiar with all the tourist hotspots and know what times these places are more popular. For example, the restaurant Serendipity 3, popular after being shown in several movies and hosting well-known celebrities, can have lines over two hours long. However, the small cafe is famous for deserts so making a trip in winter cuts the wait almost in half. Also, avoid typical meal times to decrease the wait- most busy tourists aren’t going to take time out of their day to sit down for a mid-afternoon snack.
Sometimes the high numbers of confused visitors does become annoying and it’s necessary for my sanity to get away from it all. There are sections of New York that attract far less out-of-towners than others, but still have plenty to do and see. Places like Greenwich Village, Little Italy, and Tribecca are a little quieter than places like Times Square. Each area still has it’s own personality and can be really fun if you know what to do. Also, popular places like Battery Park calm down quite a bit after the ferry to the Statue of Liberty stop for the day, but that goes back to knowing when places are the busiest.
Even though tourists can be annoying and in the way, at times I find myself acting like a tourist, and that’s okay! I’ve learned that being the tourist can be fun and exciting. Having picnics in Central Park and gorgeous afternoons and spending a Friday night in the middle of the rush of Times Square are always exciting and great for people watching. There are a million opportunities for great pictures and no matter how many times I visit each location, it’s different each time I go.
April 21, 2010 at 4:44 pm |
That sounds like so much fun getting to have experiences like these. Are you working while you’re in New York or just taking classes?