Tour Like a Local: Tourist Tips for Visiting New York

A woman with an afro is walking down a city street.

Who is this for?  First-time visitors to New York City and returning visitors who want a more authentic experience.



Jump to Section:

  • Walk Like a Local
  • Exploring Neighborhoods
  • Eat Like You Live Here
  • Affordable Entertainment
  • Planning Your Trip

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Visiting New York City is on almost everyone’s bucket list, but if you want to experience the city, you have to tour like a local. You can still visit the big attractions like Times Square or the Statue of Liberty—but don’t stop there. The real NYC is in the cozy neighborhood cafés, quiet side streets, unexpected art, and everyday rhythm of its people. It’s a city that rewards curiosity, where some of the best things happen when you wander off the beaten path. If you want to see the real New York City, here are our tourist tips for seeing New York like a local.

A woman is standing in front of a train at a subway station

Walk Like a Local


Locals get around by subway, on foot, or even on bikes, but never on tour buses. If you want to see New York like a New Yorker, you’ll need to embrace the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (aka MTA).


The subway may look intimidating, but it’s the fastest and most budget-friendly way to get around. Download an MTA app, grab a MetroCard (or tap your phone with OMNY), and hit the streets. Walking lets you discover hidden gems you’d miss otherwise.

Tops for Walking Like a Local:



  • Be mindful of the pace: Keep up with the flow of the crowd.
  • Walk with purpose: Walk confidently with your head held high to enjoy the view.
  • Don’t fall for sidewalk scams: Don’t take anything you’re handed, and politely decline any offers.
  • Ask a Local: Many New Yorkers seem brusque, but they are proud of their city and will give you directions (even recommendations!) if asked politely– just don’t ask during rush hour.
A large group of people are walking down a busy city street.

Explore Neighborhoods - Not Attractions


Locals don’t treat the city like a checklist to be completed. Sure, you should go and see the buildings and locations that you’ve always dreamed of, but that’s not all New York has to offer. Locals rarely hang out at tourist landmarks, because they know the best parts of the Big Apple are hidden in the boroughs.


Some New York neighborhoods are iconic in their own right, but many are gems hidden in plain sight. Here are some neighborhoods worth exploring:

A group of people are walking down a city street.

Greenwich Village, Manhattan


If you want to see old New York, this is the place. Get inspired by the neighborhood made famous by the many artists, writers, and LGBTQ activists who called this place home.

A city street with brick buildings and a traffic light.
A road going through a park with trees and a city in the background.

Fort Greene, Brooklyn


Love American history? Fort Greene is for you. A Revolutionary War Fort, home of the Prison Ship Martyrs Monument, and a key player in modern American arts.

Jackson Heights, Queens


If you are a foodie, you have to visit this neighborhood. Jackson Heights is a true melting pot of cultures, languages, and cuisines, including South Asian, Latin American, East Asian, Indian, and more.

A street sign for 37 rd diversity plaza
A street in Harlem with a sign that says one way and a church in the background.

Harlem, Manhattan 


Ever heard of the Harlem Renaissance? This explosion of African-American music, art, and literature can still be felt and celebrated today.

The most important thing to remember is that the best city experiences happen when you take your time. Enjoy a chat with a vendor, admire a side street full of street art, and relax in a hidden garden you stumble upon. Let yourself get a little lost and see what you find!

A slice of pizza and a can of coca cola are on a table in front of a window.

Eat Like You Live Here


Times Square is dazzling — but avoid dining here unless you're okay with overpriced, mediocre food. Many restaurants cater to tourists and rely on foot traffic rather than food quality. Instead, grab a quick photo op, then head to nearby neighborhoods like the aforementioned Jackson Heights, Hell’s Kitchen, Koreatown, or the West Village for the best food in the city.


If you want to get really authentic, skip restaurants altogether. New Yorkers don’t wine and dine every day, but are more likely to eat on the go. To eat like you live here, you have to try at least one of the following:

NYC On the Go Meals:


  • A dollar-slice pizza joint
  • A halal cart or hotdog stand
  • A bagel from a corner bakery
  • A bacon-egg-and-cheese sandwich from a bodega
A person is holding two hot dogs in front of a crowd of people.
A sign for the broadway theater in new york city.

Don’t Pay Full Price for Entertainment


New Yorkers don’t pay full price for anything. Broadway shows are a must-see, but full-price tickets are tourist traps. Skip the scalpers. You can buy tickets from the TKTS booth in Times Square or use apps like TodayTix for discounted same-day tickets. For adventurous theatergoers, off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway shows often offer amazing performances at a fraction of the price. 


Better yet, forget tickets. NYC is packed with community events, often free or pay-what-you-can for people looking to enjoy the city on a budget.

A group of people are sitting on blankets in the grass at a concert.

Affordable Entertainment:



  • Live jazz in Washington Square Park
  • Readings at indie bookstores like McNally Jackson
  • Pop-up art shows or open studios in Brooklyn
  • Free Shakespeare in the Park (lottery-based, but worth trying!)


Shop Like a New Yorker


You don’t need to travel to NYC to shop at H&M or Forever 21, you can shop at chain stores anywhere. And don’t even think about buying a souvenir t-shirt from Times Square. Many fashionistas dream of hitting 5th Avenue for the luxury stores, and that’s fine, but if you want real city fashion, you have to get into the boroughs. 


Explore boutique shopping in SoHo, vintage shops in the East Village, or local markets like Artists & Fleas in Williamsburg or Chelsea for something unique.

A woman with an afro is walking down a city street

Tips for Shopping the City:



  • Dress Comfortably: Shopping means a lot of walking and bag carrying. Be prepared for a workout. 
  • Shop Small: Go into the small, unknown shops- that’s where hidden gems are found.
  • Try Haggling: If you are going to buy from street vendors, don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially on Canal Street.
  • Prepare to be Cramped: New York is a big city full of big crowds and small storefronts. Prepare to get closer to strangers than you are used to.
A woman is standing on a balcony looking out over a city

Plan Ahead But Stay Flexible


Planning ahead helps avoid tourist pitfalls like showing up at a sold-out attraction or booking a table at a hyped restaurant with a 3-hour wait. But stay open to spontaneity; some of NYC’s best moments happen when you take a wrong turn or follow a stranger’s recommendation.

You can’t plan for everything when you visit a bustling city like New York, so make room in your plans to experience the unexpected. That’s just life in the city!

A brick building with a sign that says ' incentra village house ' on it.

Stay at Incentra Village House

If you want to see New York like a local, skip the grand hotels and stay at a guest house like Incentra Village House. With only 11 rooms in a historic building, our small hotel is as authentic as it gets!


Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, Incentra Village House offers guests the ideal opportunity to explore a real New York neighborhood. Enjoy historic charm and modern comfort that only the city can offer when you book today! 

About the Author


Bozhidar Bachvarov (aka “Boz”) is the manager of Incentra Village Guest House in historic West Village. As a city local and a frequent traveler, Boz knows how to give guests an authentic New York experience.