New York Travel

When to go

Spring and fall, with their mild temperatures and disarmingly beautiful blossoms and foliage, are optimal times for strolling. Winter can be chilly. But a good snowstorm is a beautiful thing in these parts, and a cold night inspires cuddling, which can make for a damn romantic visit.

Shopping
When it comes to shopping in NYC, your options are all but limitless. Here you'll find many of the best department stores in the world, including Bloomingdale's and Macy's NYC, and countless Fifth Avenue boutique shops, such as the quality leather goods store A. Testoni. You'll also find iconic NYC specialty shops like Saks Fifth Avenue, fun open air markets like the Green Flea Market, and famous NYC toy stores like FAO Schwarz.

Dinning
American cuisine is ubiquitous, of course, except perhaps in areas of New York City like Chinatown and Little Italy. Italian food (much of it Americanized, admittedly) is also found throughout the state. Asian cuisines—mostly Chinese and Japanese, but with some Thai and Indian restaurants in the larger cities—are also common. Greek food is readily available, primarily at family restaurants that also serve plenty of American food and a smattering of Italian. Polish specialties can be found in Buffalo, and the North Country has some French-Canadian influence in its cuisine.

Stay safe
1. Dialing 911 on any phone, wireless or landline, is free and will connect you with local police, fire, and ambulance services.
2. In New York State it is illegal to use your cellular telephone while operating a motor vehicle or riding a bicycle, unless it is a hands-free phone. Violators should expect hefty fines.Texting while driving is also prohibited, but it is a secondary offense (meaning you can only be charged with it if you're pulled over for some other reason).
3. Deer are very common in New York and pose a threat to motorists, more so at night. Reduce your speed in suburban and rural neighborhoods at night to reduce the chance of an accident.
4. Don't approach wild animals, especially ones that are acting unusually friendly or confused. Rabies outbreaks in animals do occasionally occur. If bitten, especially by a racoon, bat, skunk, fox or dog, seek medical attention immediately.
5. Upstate New York contains a few species of poisonous snakes, such as the Copperhead, the Eastern Massasauga and the Timber Rattlesnake. Also beware of the Black Widow spider, and seek medical attention if bitten.

Where to stay
If you are visiting New York City, you have a multitude of choices for hotel accommodations. There are hundreds of hotels in and around New York City. They are available in many price ranges, but nearly all are more expensive than comparable accommodations in other parts of the USA. The average price of a moderately priced hotel in Manhattan is over $200 per night. Budget priced hotels cost at least $100 per night. It is hard to find anything for less.