11 Surprising Facts First-Time Visitors Should Know About New York City

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New York City isn’t a destination, it’s an experience. Walking into its busy streets can be akin to jumping into a movie scene where the skyscrapers scrap the clouds and the hum of life never cease. It’s a mix of awe-inspiring for first-time visitors. NYC has a way of making you feel like you belong.

This is an onion of a city layered with surprises. You peel back one layer and there’s another, equally fascinating one. The Big Apple has some pretty interesting stories up its sleeve — from secret spots to quirky traditions. So, let’s find out a few that might just make you fall even harder for this concrete jungle.

There’s Always Something to Discover

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NYC’s a treasure chest of secrets – from speakeasies behind unmarked doors to underground tours of famous sites. For instance, the Campbell Bar in Grand Central Terminal used to be a private office, now serving cocktails alongside some history. If you dig deeper, the stories and places make the city unforgettable.

The Energy Will Stay With You

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Ask anyone who’s visited, and they’ll tell you: Something’s in the air here. It’s the ambitious, creative, hustled-up mix that makes NYC unique. A little time spent here will leave you with more than memories, maybe you’ll leave with a little bit of New York in your soul.

Broadway Is Just the Beginning

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Though Broadway may be the star of NYC’s theater scene, there’s more to it than the Great White Way. The work of cutting-edge performances can be shown in off-off-Broadway and off-Broadway productions. Head into the East Village and you could end up in a tiny venue for an experimental play. Outdoor performances in Washington Square Park can be showstoppers as well.

There Are Parks Everywhere—and They’re Full of Surprises

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While Central Park gets most of the attention, NYC has over 1,700 parks. Elevated park High Line, built on a former rail line, provides art and views you won’t see anywhere else. There is also Prospect Park in Brooklyn which was designed by Central Park’s designers to have a more local and laid-back vibe. Let’s not forget Flushing Meadows Corona Park, two World’s Fairs were held here and it’s twice the size of Central Park.

The Food Scene Is Mind Blowing

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NYC is a culinary adventure. Michelin-starred restaurants are great, but the street food and hole-in-the-wall spots are the real stars. Take a bite of a dollar slice of pizza, eat out of a halal cart platter, or find the best dumplings in Chinatown.

The City Can Be Viewed From Rooftop Bars

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Visit one of the city’s rooftop bars to find views that rival any observation deck. Jaw-dropping views of Manhattan from Westlight in Brooklyn or The Roof in Midtown puts you right in front of the Empire State Building. Some rooftops even have gardens or host yoga classes.

The Art Scene Extends Beyond Museums

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The MoMA and the Met are amazing, but NYC’s art scene can be spotted all over. In Chelsea, galleries abound showing emerging artists, and Bushwick and other neighborhoods turn walls into canvases for street art. Inspiration surrounds you because the city is also big on public art, from big sculptures to subway mosaics.

The City Can Be Explored By Water

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NYC is surrounded by water and its waterways are surprisingly accessible. The NYC Ferry system connects boroughs for just $4 a ride, and you get incredible skyline views on the way. If you want something a bit more active, there’s free kayaking at several spots such as the Downtown Boathouse.

The Subway Tells a Unique Story

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NYC’s subway system is enormous, chaotic, and full of charm. The system has 472 stations making it the largest by station count in the world. Life here is also very vibrant from musicians playing to the crowd to the random dance party. You can glimpse a hidden, beautifully designed City Hall station from 1904 by staying on the 6 train past its final stop. Remember, subway etiquette is sacred: Stand to the side and swipe your MetroCard like a boss.

The City Never Truly Sleeps

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3 a.m. here feels as lively as 3 p.m. Of course, the neon glow of Times Square never goes out, and there’s always a slice of pizza or a bagel around the corner, no matter what time of day. Diners carry on late into the night, the comedy clubs never close and the bowling alleys stay open. NYC is a playground that doesn’t close, for insomniacs and adventurers alike.

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The Air Is Filled With More Than 200 Languages

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New York is one of the most linguistically diverse places on Earth. The city has become a mosaic of cultures with more than 36 percent of its residents born outside the U.S. Walk through Queens and you can hear Spanish, Mandarin, Greek, and Urdu, all on the same block. City data shows nearly half of New York’s population speaks a language other than English at home. Every time you switch neighborhoods it’s like a mini world tour.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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