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Top Five Totally Touristy Tips For Non-Tourists
By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 14, 2012
Modified Feb 14, 2012
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Feb 14, 2012
Modified Feb 14, 2012
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Last week we talked about terrible advice given to tourists and then went and got some more useful tourism tips from Verified Twitter users in town. Helpful and all, except most of you reading this here site aren't tourists. And since in this economy it isn't like many New Yorkers can afford more than a staycation we thought we'd try to help the New Yorkers out, too. So, without further ado, we bring you five touristy things even real New Yorkers can do with pride (once):
A View To Remember
When your friends from out of state come in to visit they invariably want to go to the top of the Empire State Building, and eventually you're going to go up there (or maybe you'll run up to the top in under 15 minutes). So don't bother doing that on your staycation. Still, who can blame you for wanting to enjoy a spectacular view of the city while mingling with midwesterners? To that end, the views at the Top of the Rock really are spectacular and are much less of a hassle. And when it gets warmer, try and squeeze up to Le Bain before nightfall.
There's No Business Like Show Business
The Great White Way is filled with hammy shows we'd be embarrassed to send our mothers to (*cough* Mamma Mia *cough*), but not all of them are bad! In fact, even a few of the tourist traps have some serious artistic merits. And since tickets to The Book of Mormon won't be available until 2015, why not go to TKTS and see one of them on the cheap? That way when your buddy from Florida rolls up and asks to go see Spider-Man you can with real authority say "Nah, The Lion King was enough Julie Taymor for me for, thanks! Not only is the music NOT by Bono and the Edge, the costumes are way cooler, too."
Don't Tour Bus, City Bus
Out-of-towners love them some tour buses, and with good reason. It is an easy way to sit back and take in the city (and stay out of the rest of our hair). But tour buses are also absurdly expensive, the guides often seem to be making it up as they go along and they are filled with the kinds of people who like to take pictures of the air above Ground Zero (seriously, what is up with that?). So instead of giving money to Grey Line, why not hop on an MTA bus, grab a window seat and enjoy the views and hustle and bustle without the hassle. The M15 has a nice view of the the UN and for a great (if slow) trip down Fifth Avenue the M5 can't be beat.
I'm On A Boat!
Speaking of public transport...At some point everybody ends up going to the Statue of Liberty. It is a lovely attraction! But right now, with the actual statue interior closed, there really isn't a point in taking the trip. Not when the popular-date night that is the State Island Ferry is totally free and offers spectacular views of the harbor that you can enjoy while sipping a tall boy (and then explore the borough!). As for the other part of your basic touristy boat ride, Ellis Island, keep reading.
See An Apartment Smaller Than Yours
There are a lot of myths about New Yorkers (we don't look up when walking, being one particular pet peeve) but a few of them are based on truth. For example: We really do live in apartments the size of shoeboxes (and there are videos to prove it). But it could be worse! In fact, it was worse not that long ago. Don't believe us? Just head over to the always-excellent Tenement Museum and see how many New Yorkers used to live (just keep in mind how many people lived in each room). Suddenly your shoebox is going to seem spacious—and you'll feel totally fine skipping out on that trip to Ellis Island again.
So those are our basic touristy tips for non-tourists. What are yours?
Tagged
non-tourists
staycation
tips
tourism
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Garth Johnston
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