Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
With the stunning backdrop of the Dolomites and the endless green of apple trees, which turn snow white with blossoms for a brief spell in spring, it’s hard not to fall for Val di Non.
This beautiful part of the Trentino region is less Insta-famous than its neighbor South Tyrol (also called Südtirol or Alto Adige). It’s certainly humbler, set up more for agriculture than hoards of tourists. But those who do dedicate a bit of time to exploring Trentino will find themselves richly rewarded.
I visited Val di Non in partnership with Visit Trentino and was blown away – this region is full of surprises. Whether it’s stunning narrow canyons that a kayak can barely squeeze through, castles from a bygone era, or the riot of blossoming wildflowers that greet you each spring, you’ll find yourself wowed over and over again by this humble region.
In case I haven’t yet convinced you to give Trentino a visit, here are 9 reasons why I think Val di Non is an essential stop on any visit to Northern Italy.
Val di Non’s got gorgeous lakes and valleys
Val di Non is incredibly photogenic, with its combination of valleys and mountains, lakes and canyons, and blues and greens. Better yet, the Instagrammers of the world have yet to descend upon it, meaning that it’s not hard to take original, beautiful photos pretty much anywhere you go in Val di Non — a must-visit stop on any Northern Italy road trip.
The valley is centered around the massive Lago di Santa Giustina, a manmade lake created by a dam which helps to keep this agricultural valley watered and running. On the hillside shores of the lake, you’ll find tiny villages interspersed amongst the fields of apple trees.
Having been to Italy four times now, this was the first time I had truly gotten off the beaten track of city after city and seen a more natural, rural side to Italian life. My grandmother grew up in a tiny village – Castagnole delle Lanze – in Piemonte before fleeing Italy in World War II. I visited her village when I was 12, after she had passed away, but beyond that brief afternoon visit I had never really gotten to see village life in Italy, nor how beautiful the countryside is.
Too often I think we associate Italy with its most famous cities – Rome, Florence, Milan, Bologna, Naples – without recognizing that the country stretches from South Tyrol to Lampedusa and covers terrain from the snowy peaks of the Dolomites to the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the arid islands that lay just a stone’s throw from Northern Africa. This visit reminded me just how much of Italy I have left to see.
It’s heaven for castle lovers
The Val di Non region is home to the largest number of castles in Italy, a staggering 28 in such a small geographic area. While some of them are privately owned and therefore closed to tourists, others are able to be visited by the public. And all are easily admired from the roadside, such as this little gem I stumbled across while driving:
The two most important castles in the Val di Non are Castel Cles and Castel Thun. Castel Cles is particularly stunning, perched lakeside on a hill with lovely views of the valley and lake. The inside of the castle is closed to the public except during a few special events in the summer.
However, you can enjoy views of the castle from around the valley and especially from vantage points on Santa Giustina lake, best enjoyed by kayak.
If just looking from afar isn’t enough, you can also visit Castel Thun, which was built in the 12th century and is open to the public. You can also take the “Il Trenino dei Castelli” (the Castle Route Train) which allows you to see four different castles, culminating in Castel Thun, in one day. It departs almost every Saturday from Trento during the peak season (mid-April to mid-September) – check here for dates and more information – and costs 62 euros for an adult, full-day ticket.
Slow food is king in Val di Non
In Val di Non (and Trentino in general), slow food isn’t just a trend: it’s a way of life. With centuries of agriculture in its past ongoing into the present day, food is an essential part of the day-to-day. From the many apples that the region produces to its traditional cheese and meats, real home-cooked food comes naturally to this part of Italy.
You can’t miss traditional sausages, such as mortandela – not to be confused with Bologna’s mortadella, this pork sausage is more akin to a salami, smoked and aged to perfection. Other traditional meats include speck (a lightly smoked, prosciutto-like cold cut), carne salada (salted, cured meat), and lardo (thinly sliced, buttery pork fat).
The most interesting meat I tried was ciuìga, a pork and beef salami made with a healthy portion of radish. This traditional Slow Food-certified sausage goes back to the time when meat was expensive and scarce, and farmers tried to stretch out the meat they could use by using diced, boiled radish to fill out the sausage.
Traditional handmade pasta is also an important part of Trentino cuisine. I had delicious homemade ravioli with fresh cheese and wild herbs one day and a perfect gnocchi with gorgonzola, walnuts, and radicchio the next (for research, obviously).
And don’t even get me started on the pizza I had in Cles. I could rhapsodize about the perfect Italian pizza all day. Sorry, New York, you don’t even come close.
If you’re interested in slow food, you shouldn’t miss Maso Plaz, a small agritourism farm and restaurant not far from the small village of Brez. The ravioli pictured above are from here, as well as this gorgeous asparagus salad made with asparagus picked from his garden that morning.
The Novella Canyon can’t be missed
One of the most amazing features of the Val di Non area is the Novella Canyon, a stunning series of slot canyons that are best accessed via kayak. I went with Trentino Wild and loved the experience (even if my shoulders the next day most definitely did not — guys, kayaking is work).
We kayaked about 8 kilometers from our starting spot at Lago di San Giustina into the Novella Canyon, where we were lucky enough to access all 3 slot canyons (the water level varies during different times of the year and different weather conditions, so you can’t always access the latter two canyons).
It was an incredible experience to kayak through the canyon, in between sheer rock reaching skywards hundreds of feet so that you could barely peep the sun through the crack. At times, the canyon was so narrow that the sunlight would barely be able to penetrate through the crack, and we’d be kayaking through near-black crevices in the rock. I kept thinking we’d have to turn back, that our kayaks wouldn’t fit, but with the guidance of our instructor, we kept pushing through.
At times, water would trickle from the sky, not rain but rather tiny waterfalls falling from the canyon edges. Through the light, the streaks of rain looked like little shooting stars. It was beautiful — a truly can’t-miss experience when in Val di Non.
If you’d rather experience the canyon from up high, you can also walk above the canyons on a series of suspended boardwalks – contact the Parco Fluviale Novella if that’s more your speed than kayaking.
It’s home to beautiful churches like the Sanctuary of San Remedio
Visiting the Sanctuary of San Remedio was one of the highlights of my stay in Val di Non and the perfect way to end my trip to Trentino. While I’m not a religious person, I make for up for my heathen ways with outsized admiration for religious structures of all faiths. The Sanctuary of San Remedio is a truly special place.
It’s dedicated to the hermit Remedio, who was on his way to Trento when, as the story goes, his horse was torn to pieces by a bear. Supposedly, he then tamed the bear and rode it the rest of the way to Trento. You’ll excuse me if I have a healthy dose of skepticism for this story, but what’s indubitable is that the church is stunning.
Built atop a 70-meter high rock cropping, the Sanctuary is composed of several churches and chapels on the rock connected by a steep staircase with over 100 steps. The Sanctuary blends in with the stunning landscape around it, and if you’re quiet, you can hear the rushing water of the river and waterfalls below you, alongside the singing of birds.
Today, the Sanctuary is also home to a rehabilitated brown bear who was rescued from a private owner, nicknamed Bruno. He was sleeping or wandering about when I was there, so I wasn’t able to snap a photo of him.
But in my opinion, the walk to and from the Sanctuary of San Remedio from the nearby village of Sanzeno is just as beautiful. Winding through the canyon underneath rock headings so low you have to bow to pass through, I at times felt transported to Zion National Park in Utah with the sheer limestone cliffs rising up through the valley.
The walk isn’t difficult, about 45 minutes on relatively flat terrain, so it’s suitable for people of all ages, but you’ll have to duck or bow down in portions of the walk, where the path is literally carved into the rock heading.
I highly recommend this way of getting to the Sanctuary – it makes getting there all the more special. Along the way, I saw a few handwritten prayers left alongside the path, as the Sanctuary is a place where local people and people making pilgrimages go to pray for miracles. Plus, you’ll get to spot a waterfall!
The Dolomites are never far from eye’s view
While South Tyrol is home to many of the more famous stretches of the Dolomites, Trentino has the Brenta portion of the Dolomites, which are lovely and dusted with snow in the start of spring.
I’m a huge lover of being around the mountains. For me, it never lost its magic every time I caught a glimpse of the snow-capped peaks. I only had two days in the Val di Non, so I didn’t have enough time to do some proper hiking in the Brenta Dolomites, but I loved the peep of them I got every time the clouds and fog cleared.
I’ll definitely have to come back in summer or fall and hike the Dolomites sometime – those mountains are calling to me!
It’s full of cute traditional towns and villages
You definitely won’t find any big cities in Val di Non. In fact, the Non Valley’s largest town is Cles, with a population of around 7,000 people. Despite its small size, after visiting smaller villages in Val di Non like Romallo and Cagnò, Cles feels positively bustling.
When in Cles, don’t miss a meal at the delicious pizzeria Giardino, which was a staggering number of options for delicious, perfectly cooked Italian pizzas.
I chose one with local wild mushrooms called finferli, sausage, and a locally produced soft cheese called Casolet. Predictably, it was mindblowingly good.
Spring in Val di Non is absolutely magical
If you can go to Val di Non at any time of year, I’d highly recommend spring. If possible, try to time your visit in order to see the elusive apple blossoms, which cover the valley in a “white snow” of another type for a few short weeks in spring.
Unfortunately, I missed most of the blossom season by just a week, due to an unusually warm winter, but when I went to a higher altitude there were still a few apple trees in blossom!
But apple trees aside, you’ll also find tulips scattered at random – much unlike the neatly manicured rows of tulips you’ll find in the Netherlands – and wildflowers in blues, whites, purples, yellows, and so much more.
I lost count of the different kinds of flowers, wild and otherwise, that I saw during my time in Trentino.
It’s not that discovered… yet
Val di Non feels like the Goldilocks of off the beaten path travel in Italy. It’s built up enough that there’s no shortage of tourist infrastructure, such as hotels, restaurants, and tours to keep you busy, rested, and well fed during your stay. However, it’s also quietly under the radar, so you won’t be encountering too many other tourists, even if you visit during high season.
Trentino is popular with Italians and Germans, but the word of its beauty has yet to spread to the majority of travelers who visit Italy and make it the 5th most touristed destination in the world. If you’re looking for some nature and beauty on your next trip to Italy, Trentino is only a short drive away from other popular tourist destinations like Bologna, Verona, and Venice. It’s certainly worth your time to make a small detour to see the beauty for yourself — especially when you have so few people you’ll have to share it with.
Have you heard of Trentino? Is it on your list for a future Italy trip?
Note: Thanks so much to Visit Trentino, who sponsored my trip to the Trentino region, and to Val di Non for showing me the beauty of this part of Italy. All opinions expressed and food babies conceived are strictly my own.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
If the prospect of packing for Europe long-term has you overwhelmed, don’t worry: you need far less than you think.
I’ve spent a cumulative 10 months of my life backpacking through Europe with nothing more than a 45L carry-on size bag that escapes even the eagle eyes of budget airlines.
You don’t need to pack for Europe like you are leaving for good — trust me, you can find almost everything you’ll need abroad (and I’ll tell you what is annoying to find in Europe so you can be sure to pack it before you leave)
This backpacking Europe packing list is for all my fellow minimalists, though keep in mind that this packing list is made with ladies in mind. So if it offends your sensibilities to see menstrual cups and pretty dresses on the list, make like a Beyonce reject and step to the left.
A church in Albania
Here’s everything you need to know about what to pack for a Europe backpacking trip!
What to Pack Everything In
Take it from someone who’s been traveling for the better part of the last two years: you want to bring as small as you can and make it as organized as humanly possible. Having a well-organized system for packing all your stuff means less frustration, less time spent unpacking and repacking, and far less cursing as you wonder where the hell your phone charger is (again).
Unless you are really embracing slow travel, it is inevitable that you will pack and repack your bag once every 2 or 3 days. Having a system makes the process so much less of a pain, and you will be grateful for it by the end of even your second week backpacking Europe. This boils down to two simple things: a small but easy-to-organize travel backpack optimized for city travel (I love my 45 L carry-on Tortuga Setout backpack – more on this later) plus packing cubes and various bags to organize toiletries and other necessities. This packing list includes a few of the things that I swear by when it comes to organizing my bag as I promise it’ll save you some serious sanity points.
In gorgeous Northern Italy
Travel Backpack (I strongly recommend a carry-on size bag to save money while flying, but you can also pick a check-in size backpack): While rolling suitcases are great for short term travel in Europe, backpacking through Europe is another story. You’ll be taking a lot of public transportation, going up and down many stairs, and walking to and from many train stations. The cobblestone that looked so pretty in all the photos is really just hell on earth with a rolling suitcase. While infrastructure is generally good in Europe, trust me – you will be annoyed by having a rolling suitcase if you bring one. I am a light packer, so my Tortuga Backpackdoes the trick perfectly — I spent two 5 month trips through Europe with it that spanned various seasons, and I never found that I didn’t have enough space.
Why do I recommend Tortuga so much? Here’s why: this bag is 45L and has got three main compartments: one for a laptop and other flat objects, one giant rectangular compartment perfect for packing cubes stuffed with clothing, and one smaller compartment with pockets for passports, pens, odds and ends, etc. that I stash all my extras in – plus one small outer zipper pocket for anything you want quick access to. It also has a water bottle holder on the outside as well as buckles so that you can strap something like a yoga mat to the outside. Plus, it’s quite comfortable to wear, with a padded hip belt and comfort-molding shoulder straps complete with a chest strap so that you can distribute weight perfectly across your body in the event that you need to wear your backpack for longer than usual. Check out more specs and details here.
Does it pass budget airline requirements? I’ve never once had to check it in on a budget airline flight, and I’ve taken probably 50+ Ryanair and Wizzair flights at this point. I just buy priority boarding so that I have a guaranteed spot on board for my bag (plus a second personal item bag), which adds about $5 onto my total flight cost instead of the $20-40 or so that a heavy checked suitcase or backpack would. This adds up massively over time – with a bigger bag, I would have paid $1,000+ extra in baggage fees over the past few years. That’s massive savings.
I haven’t personally ever used a bigger backpack, but I’ve heard excellent things about the Osprey system. If I ever were to upgrade my backpack capacity, that’s what I would choose.
Packing Cubes: If you havent used packing cubes before, get ready for me to change your life. These handy-dandy zippable bags help you organize your clothing, keeping everything from bursting out every time you dare open your backpack. Any packing cube will do – look for something zippable with a rectangular shape. I use these packing cubes and love them like my own child. In a pinch, some gallon size plastic Ziploc bags will do the trick just fine at keeping your clothing seperated and contained. But since plastic will eventually rip and need to be replaced, I prefer to use reusable packing cubes which are easier on the environment.
Laundry bag: If you are backpacking Europe for a while, you will need to do laundry, no matter how much you pack. I carry a laundry bag with me to make laundry day easy. Like packing cubes, you don’t need anything fancy at all. I do like having a cute one like this one from Kikkerland though, because I’m impractical and like cute stuff.
Hanging Toiletry Bag: You don’t have to leave your make-up behind to backpack through Europe, unlike what every hippie in elephant pants would like you to think. I keep my toiletries in a simple hanging toiletry bag (which fits perfectly in the outer pocket of my Tortuga backpack). It has the perfect number of separators, organizers, and pockets without taking up any excess space. It fits A LOT. It’s the Mary Poppins bag you always needed but never knew existed.
Backpack with locking zippers : While backpacking Europe is very safe, pickpocketing is a real issue in the major cities. While wearing a shoulder bag is probably the most secure option, it’s just not comfortable if you carry a lot of stuff with you during the day like I do. I swear by PacSafe products for their security features and high quality construction. I love their PacSafe Citysafe backpack. It’s not horribly ugly like other “security bags,” and the best part is that it has locking zippers that make it virtually impossible for a pickpocket to get into your bag without you noticing.
Top 5 Essential Things to Pack for Backpacking Europe
Again, you don’t need to pack your entire life with you – washing machines and drug stores do exist in Europe, promise. But these 5 things are the most important.
A historic market in London
First, travel insurance. Yes, I know this isn’t something that you pack. But it is stupid to leave home without it. An accident in a foreign country could very well bankrupt you, plus you’ll want to be covered in case of theft. I recommend buying travel insurance as far in advance as you can as it’s cheaper. I use World Nomads on every single backpacking trip I do, in Europe, Central America, Asia — anywhere. The contract is very clear as to what it covers, the prices are affordable, the excess/deductible is very low, and if you find yourself extending your trip it’s very easy to modify your insurance on the go.
Mosquito repellent: Mosquitos in Europe in the summer are no freaking joke. They are relentless. Buy it before you travel as sometimes I’ve had trouble finding formulations that are as effective as what I can find at home.
Reusable water bottle: The tap water in Europe is drinkable virtually everywhere with very few exceptions. I’ve drunk water from the tap from Spain to Czech Republic to Estonia to Albania and never gotten sick once. Unlike the US, it’s rare to be given tap water at restaurants and if you don’t carry a water bottle with you, you will spend a lot of money on bottled water (and waste a lot of plastic or glass, too). You don’t need a fancy one with a filter for Europe, but if it’ll keep you from using a jillion plastic water bottles, go for it. I like Klean Kanteen.
Reusable tote bags: Many countries in Europe are phasing out plastic bags and charge you a decent amount to buy a plastic bag, as they should! Keep the surcharges away and the planet clean by saying no to plastic and using reusable bags.
Basic medicine: You will be able to find all this in Europe, but trust me — you want to have the basics on hand in case you need them on the road. I carry Pepto-Bismol for standard stomach troubles, Imodium as a nuclear option (i.e. riding the bus when I am sick), some sort of painkiller like ibuprofen for headaches and minor pains, and some sort of motion sickness tablets. Travelers to Germany and Nordic countries may want to buy some sort of cough or cold medicine as they are really stingy with some of the ingredients over the counter in Northern Europe. That usually covers the bases for me — anything else I need I grab on the road.
What to Wear when Backpacking Europe
You don’t need travel clothes – your regular clothes will do. Trust me, you will get laughed at if you show up to travel around Europe’s capital cities in travel pants that zip off at the knee. Bring what you normally would wear in a city, plus some hiking gear if you plan to do some hiking. Here’s what I recommend for warm weather, assuming you travel in summer.
Shoes are the hardest part of deciding what to bring, as they take up the most space and don’t really always work for all seasons. I’ve compiled a list of my 9 absolute favorite travel shoes; definitely don’t bring all 9 (that’d be madness) but pick 2-4 depending on the length of your trip, the activities you’ll do, how big your bag is, and the climate.
My backpacking go-tos in use in Ireland (picked up the hat on the road)
3-5 lightweight summer dresses: Or more if you can manage it. Dresses take so little space and easy to wear. Just pick fabrics that don’t wrinkle when rolled up. I really like maxi dresses for travel.
5+ tees & tanks: Neutral colors are best. European summers are hot so you will sweat a lot – avoid white. I suggest black, navy, and a few bright colors.
1 pair jeans: While it’s too hot many days to wear jeans, you will have the occasional rainy or cool day and be grateful for them. Again, pick a lightweight pair that roll up without taking up a lot of space.
2 pairs shorts: I bring one pair of poly-blend shorts and one pair of denim shorts.
1-2 skirts: I suggest bringing one black skirt and one printed skirt for maximum outfit flexibility. Personally, I loved having a midi-length skirt. Less fabric isn’t always best when it comes to avoiding the heat. The extra fabric around your legs will allow you to trap some cool air, making you feel less hot.
1 pair hiking boots (optional, but recommended if you plan on hiking): If you will do more than one or two hikes, I really do recommend bringing a pair of hiking boots. I love my Ahnu bootsbut if you have a pair at home already bring those so you don’t have to break them in. If you don’t want to hike much sneakers are fine.
Hiking boots came in handy hiking to 2500m in Bulgaria
1 pair sneakers: For days when you spend a lot of time on your feet, but aren’t necessarily climbing mountains and traversing difficult ground, these will do the trick. I usually wear a pair of black Nikes as I find they look cute even with my dresses as they are pretty neutral.
1 pair sandals: Having a cute and comfortable pair of sandals is an absolutely essential on any backpacking Europe packing list. I’m obsessed with my Birkenstocks and will never go back to any other kind of sandal, most likely.
1 rain jacket: It rains more in the summer in Europe than you may think, so you’ll be happy you brought it. I love my Marmot rain jacket.
1 cardigan: Nights can get cool sometimes, plus sometimes they go little crazy with the air conditioning in malls, buses, trains, etc. in Europe. Definitely worth bringing.
1-2 bras: I trust you’re all big girls and you know what you need when it comes to bras. I personally brought 1 regular bra and 1 sports bra and switched between the two.
7+ pairs of underwear: The more underwear you bring, the longer you can go between needing to do laundry, obviously. I actually don’t recommend bringing stuff to do your laundry on the road – it’s a waste of time and money, plus are you seriously going to hang up your wet underwear in your hostel? (Please don’t.) Most hostels will have laundry available for you to do yourself or have them do it for you for a very reasonable amount.
Bathing suit: If you think you’ll be doing any swimming, visiting the baths of Budapest, etc.
Active clothing: Depending on if you’re going to be doing any outdoor adventures while you’re in Europe, you may want to bring specialty hiking clothing or climbing pants.
What to Pack for Staying in Hostels in Europe
Since you’re backpacking through Europe I’ll assume you’re staying in hostels but you may not need this stuff if you are staying at Airbnbs, Couchsurfing, using hotels, etc.
The Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia
1 pair flip flops: Guys. Athlete’s foot is no joke, nor is it an urban legend. I’ve actually dealt with ringworm before (which is basically athlete’s foot on any part of your body that’s not your foot) and I can readily confirm that it is absolutely miserable to get rid of. Save yourself the trouble, trust me. Buy a pair of cheap rubber flipflops. /end PSA
1 travel towel: Many hostels don’t provide towels and will charge a surcharge to give you one to borrow. Not worth it. Bring your own to avoid rental fees, which add up quickly. This one is ultra-small and doesn’t take up much room in my bag.
1 eye mask: I swear by this contoured eye mask as it doesn’t put uncomfortable pressure on your eyes but completely blacks out any light. Great for inconsiderate roommates and early nights in when you’re beat but your bunkmates seem to think it’s a great time to hang out in the room talking at high volume with the lights on (can you tell I’m nearly 30?)
Some earplugs or good noise-canceling headphones: I love Hearos — they’re the gold standard for ear plugs and are used by several professions that require the use of ear plugs! I’ve also been eyeing these noise-canceling headphones but haven’t made the plunge.
What Toiletries to Pack for Backpacking Europe
Again, you will likely be able to find all you need in any standard drug store like DM. But there are a few things I recommend adding to your Europe packing list
A breezy, summery day in Malta
Hand sanitizer: Some countries in Europe are better than others about having soap in the bathrooms. Keep hand sanitizer just in case.
Kleenex packets: Like above — public restrooms may be lacking in the toilet paper department (especially at train stations, etc.) so having some Kleenex in a portable sleeve is always good as back-up.
Sunscreen: My skin is really sensitive on my face, so I use this fancy Japanese sunscreen to prevent acne on my face. I buy a more standard sunscreen when I arrive at my destination but if you have a brand you like buy it at home as Europe’s options are more limited.
Make Up: Whatever your favorite brand from home is. I’m a fan of Saie cosmetics – read this Saie Beauty review.
Face wipes: Great for nights when you’re too lazy to take your make-up properly or for a quick face clean up on a sweaty, sunny day.
Menstrual cup or your favorite tampon/pad brand: Again, if you have a specific brand allegiance, you may not find it in Europe. I switched to a Diva Cup for travel and have never looked back. I highly recommend it.
Deodorant: I can’t rant enough about how much European deodorant sucks, plus I absolutely hate the smell of the aerosol dedorants that are so popular in Europe. Do yourself, everyone around you, and the planet a favor and buy some decent deodorant from home. I love Secret Clinical Strength and stash up on it every time I’m home, but then again, I am sweatier than most people are.
What to Pack for Safety in Europe
Europe is very safe, despite a recent uptick in random acts of terrorism. There’s no way to predict when or where this will happen, so I don’t even think about it. If it’s my day, it’s my day, and until then I will live a life free of fear. I do always make sure I have travel insurance (I use World Nomads) obviously but aside from that I just follow a few common sense safety precautions. These basics will keep your stuff safe in Europe.
Views for days in Switzerland
Combination locks: In Europe, you’re probably at the greatest risk of theft from your fellow travelers. Prevent crimes of opportunity with simple measures like having a combination lock and keeping your valuables locked away. I always check hostels on Hostelworld to ensure they have lockers available because I travel with so many valuable electronic that it’d be idiotic to leave them unlocked.
Daypack with locking zippers: Backpacks are easy targets — I wrote above about how much I love my PacSafe Citysafe backpack. After nearly being pickpocketing while wearing a backpack in Vietnam, I now only carry backpacks that have safety features like lockable zippers.
Don’t bother with a money belt. Thieves know about them. You’re better off carrying your wallet deep in a slash-proof backpack (like the one mentioned above) or a tightly zipped shoulder bag.
One important other thing I recommend is to have a second checking account and two debit cards if it’s at all possible. Keep them in different spots in case you get pickpocketed. This way you won’t be screwed while you wait for your bank to send you another card! This can also come in handy if one of your cards gets shut down for fraud. My debit card got duplicated at an ATM in Switzerland of all places and I had to wait a few weeks to get my card sent to me because I was moving around so much it was hard to coordinate with my bank. I was very glad I had another debit card with me during that time!
Electronics to Pack for Europe
There are really no special considerations when it comes to packing electronics for Europe. Bring whatever you’re comfortable bringing. As a travel blogger, I bring my entire life with me on the road, which includes a laptop, camera, multiple lenses, smartphone, GoPro, and more. I always make sure that I stay at hostels with lockers so that I can lock up my valuables. People who are more paranoid/responsible than I am may want to bring a portable safe for peace of mind.
One more of Switzerland, because #Switzerland
Laptop, if necessary: I bring my Macbook Air everywhere but other people may prefer a tablet or an inexpensive netbook. I work on the road so a user-friendly, lightweight laptop is a must.
Kindle Paperwhite: Europe is usually pretty good with having English-language books available but I still love having my Kindle as I can buy basically any book in the world as long as I have WiFi. Plus it saves weight from your backpack.
Travel camera: I use a Sony A6000 because it’s lightweight for a professional caliber camera, inexpensive, and a HUGE step up from a smartphone. You may want to replace this or add a GoPro too, especially good for adventure activities like rafting, diving, etc.
Portable charger: You’ll use your phone battery more than you thought while on the road, trust me. Bring a portable charger to save yourself many headaches! Anker is a reliable brand and what I personally use.
Adaptor, if necessary: The UK and continental Europe use different adaptors so either use one that has both or buy one of each before leaving to backpack Europe.
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While this sounds like a lot, I was able to fit it everything on this backpacking Europe packing list into my 44L backpack and my daypack – mostly because I chose lightweight fabrics, used packing cubes, and packed carefully.
Is there anything I’ve forgotten? Is there anything else you’re wondering if you should bring? Let me know in the comments!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Growing up in California, it’s easy to take how beautiful the state is for granted. But the longer I’ve been living away from home (11 years now, more than a third of my life), the more I’ve come to appreciate just how beautiful and diverse the state is.
With a land mass just about the size of Spain, California is home to a stunning variety of landscapes: from arid deserts to lush pine forests. It’s grand on a scale that can’t be believed, home to both the tallest tree in the world (Hyperion in Sequoia National Park) and the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States (Mount Whitney in the Sierra Nevadas). It’s no surprise that California hikes are some of the most beautiful in the world as a result.
While I’d like to think I’m a California expert, sadly, it’s far from the case. More than a decade away from my home state has made California seem almost foreign and exotic when I go home. Though I know a lot about the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, having grown up just outside San Francisco, so much of the state is still a mystery to me outside my one tiny area of awareness.
To help fill in the gaps, I got some travel bloggers to help me fill in my knowledge gaps of the top hikes in California that intrepid explorers simply can’t miss on their trip to the Golden State.
Most people, for obvious reasons, think of Joshua trees when they hear the name of Joshua Tree National Park. But in the south of the park, as the Mojave Desert turns into the Colorado Desert, the flora changes. In this part of the park, it’s all about the palms.
The best place to see the palms that grow in Joshua Tree National Park is at the Lost Palms Oasis. The hike to get there is a fantastic walk that is about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles) in each direction through some stunning desert landscapes with cacti, rock formations, and colorful flowers.
Even though it’s very dry here, palm trees are able to grow because of cracks in the ground that allow water to come up from subterranean reserves. It means you won’t see many of the palms until you get to the final destination – a large ravine where the tall trees are clumped together along the bed.
The hike begins from near the Cottonwood Spring Visitor Centre in the south of Joshua Tree National Park. There is a car park at the trailhead. It’s not one of the busiest hikes, which means the path isn’t too crowded. However, you will probably never be too far away from other hikers, which makes it nice and safe.
The return hike will probably take around 3 hours at a decent pace with a break at the oasis and is moderately difficult – there are some rough patches when you’ll need to scramble up and down rocky hills. It can be hot at any time of the year but especially in the summer. You should always carry sunscreen and lots of water. You may even want to reconsider hiking it on very hot summer days.
There are plenty of popular short hikes and nature trails in Joshua Tree National Park. But if you want to get off the beaten path, you have to hike to the Willow Hole. It’s an oasis in the middle of a remote part of the park. Most of Joshua Tree is open desert dotted with cactus, Joshua trees, and the odd rock outcropping.
But the Willow Hole is nestled in the middle of the Wonderland of Rocks, a huge labyrinth of strangely shaped rocks, boulders, and canyons. This watering hole attracts lots of wildlife so you might to be lucky enough to spot a coyote, jackrabbit or even the resident herd of bighorn sheep. I was thrilled to see a fox on my hike.
This moderate hike is about 7 miles round trip and will take most people 4-5 hours to complete. Be sure to bring plenty of water, a hat, and sunscreen as it can get really hot out there. Start your hike at the southern trailhead of the Boy Scout Trail on Park Boulevard. The beginning of the hike is on a sandy trail through Joshua trees and cacti. After a few miles, you’ll reach the Wonderland of Rocks and leave the desert.
For the rest of the hike, you wind through the rocks following dry streambeds called washes. There are a few signs to keep you on track, but pay attention to make sure you stay in the main wash as it can be easy to get off course. After a mile of meandering through the rock formations, you’ll arrive at the treed oasis of the Willow Hole. Take a break in the shade and stay quiet to see if you can spot some animals. When you’re ready, turn around and retrace your steps to the car.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the many spots where you can enjoy beautiful coastal hikes in San Diego. The park is located in north county and offers two easy and relaxing hikes with plenty of coastal breezes, and a little shade from the nearby eucalyptus trees (although I’d still recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and water for the desert environment).
One aspect I love about the Torrey Pines hike is that although you still have desert fauna around you while you’re hiking, it’s not as dusty and hot as other hikes around San Diego – probably because of the proximity to the ocean.
The park offers two hikes – the Razor Point Trail and the Yucca Point Trail – and you could easily complete both in a day. Between the views of the golden-tinged cliffs and the turquoise color of the breaking waves, they both make you sigh and remember just how pretty San Diego is.
The Razor Point Trail is 1.3 miles and the Yucca Point Trail is 1.25 miles, and neither one of them have more than a 200-foot change in elevation. They each take about one hour to complete. Both offer great views of the coast, but if you actually want to go down to the beach, the Yucca Point Trail is the one to do.
Torrey Pines Reserve is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, north of downtown San Diego. If you’re driving, you can use I-5 to take the Carmel Valley Road exit.
Keep in mind that the fee for parking in the South Beach entrance can be anywhere from $10-$20, depending on if it’s a weekend or not (hint: go during the week when possible). Try and avoid the times of 10 AM – 1 PM when the reserve is most crowded.
If you don’t want to pay for parking, it’s free to simply walk into the reserve. Take the 101 bus or park along the beach. Alternatively, the North Beach entrance only costs $3-$6 for parking.
You might have seen the iconic picture of people standing on the thin “Potato Chip Rock“ somewhere on Instagram before. This fun picture opportunity is close to Poway at the Mt. Woodson summit, and therefore, it’s a nice day trip in southern California.
Make sure to start your day early, since the hike can get quite exhausting due to the heat and the elevation gain – there’s absolutely no shade on this trail. Another reason for an early start is to beat the queue to actually take a picture on the rock, which can get long especially on weekends. But it’s worth it!
The actual summit of the mountain isn’t very exciting and full of antennas blocking the view, so keep going a little bit further until you reach the famous rock. The whole trail takes about 4 miles one-way until you get there. Be careful when you actually climb on the rock – it’s not very high up in the air, but it’s still a little bit scary to climb over to the edge. I enjoyed the hike a lot and it’s a nice city escape for a day, just make sure to bring a lot of water and to get there as soon as possible in the morning.
The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles is a fun place to learn about our universe, but what makes it even better is the great views it offers and the fact that you can hike there! There are two trails at Griffith Park leading up to the observatory: the West Griffith Observatory Trail and the East Griffith Observatory Trail.
My friend and I drove up to the starting point of the West Trail and hiked the short 1 mile from there up to the observatory. Yes, the path goes uphill quite a bit, but it’s broad and flat so all-in-all it’s an easy hike.Just make sure to put on some sunscreen before you start if it’s a sunny day, because there’s no shade and it can get really hot over there.
The West Trail starts at the Greek Theatre, the East Trail at Ferndell Drive. There’s public parking by the start of both trails and if you want, you can take one trail up and the other one down, which results in a 2.1-mile hike. If you park by the start of the West Trail, make sure to use the free parking lot (watch out, it closes at sunset!) by the part of Ferndell Drive that has no street parking. If you go further up, there’s paid street parking. If you start your hike at the Greek Theatre, you can park there for free but only when there’s no event going on.
Located in Pasadena, California, Mount Wilson sits 5,710 feet above sea level and affords an amazing view of Downtown Los Angeles on a clear day. There are a number of trails you can take to the summit, but one of my favorites is to start at the Chantry Flat trailhead in Arcadia. Although the trailhead is quite popular and fills up quickly on the weekends, you will want to get an early start as the roundtrip journey of approximately 14 miles will take you a full 6-7 hours.
My favorite thing about the hike is the visually interesting things you see along the way. There’s a short one-mile detour to Sturtevant Falls, which I highly recommend, and numerous cabins and campgrounds along the way. And of course, when you reach the top, you’ll find Mount Wilson Observatory, where there is a handy water fountain that you can refill your bottles with. Although this is a hike that can be accomplished in one day, the availability of campgrounds makes this an easy introduction to backpacking, if you are so inclined.
The trail is popular among mountain bikers so it’s important to be on high alert. Although I personally love this hike, it is not one that I would recommend for new hikers or those that are not in physical shape. It is an arduous 6 miles to the top, a generous mile across the observatory grounds, and then another 6 or so miles back down. Instead of going back down the Chantry Flats trail, you can take the Observatory’s toll road to the Winter Creek trail which will lead you to about 1/2 mile from the Chantry Flats trailhead. My personal preference is always to avoid an out and back if possible, so I particularly like the availability of numerous options.
In general, the trail narrows at numerous points and is too steep to recommend for young children. Moreover, there is virtually no cell service (although there are pay phones at Mount Wilson Observatory), so you really are on your own once you embark. If you don’t feel up to the complete hike, it is possible to drive up to the Observatory, so a one-way hike would be an option, if you are able to arrange transport ahead of time.
Rodeo Beach lies in the Marin Headlands facing the vast Pacific Ocean. Arrive by car, bike, or bus just 20 minutes north of San Francisco. Take the first exit north after the Golden Gate Bridge. Both routes to the beach are really fun! The first route is flat and has a long 1-way tunnel through a hillside. Don’t go in if the stoplight is red!
The second route is hilly and phenomenal, especially at the golden hours just after sunrise and just before sunset. The whole world pulls off the road for photos of the Golden Gate Bridge from Hawk Hill. Be careful if you’re a photographer, as the area has become known for people getting their high-end cameras stolen at the sunrise hours.
The hiking is beautiful at all times of year, whether with a blue sky and turquoise waves crashing, or with the famous San Francisco fog rolling in. There’s a reason Instagram Meetups are held here! Your two hiking options both take you to cliff’s edges. The shorter, but less crowded option is accessed by first crossing the beach, then heading uphill.
Alternatively, head up the steep hill straight from the parking lot for a for a gorgeous view of the ocean and surfers below. Follow the cliffside trail high above the ocean. Or, keep inland and explore the old military bunkers used during World War II to triangulate the exact location of approaching enemy warships.
Hike for miles, stopping along the way for a picnic, if you like. Do an out-and-back hike, or a loop. Apart from the initial short steep uphill from the parking lot, the trail is flat. You can climb up steep hills to more bunkers for more views. This area is off leash dog friendly. Unlike other beaches, there aren’t many dogs, and all the owners are great about picking up after their dogs, so there’s no poop to step in.
Another hiking area in the Marin Headlands is Mt. Tamalpais, which has many trails, most of them with long steep sections.
Land’s End is a short coastal trail in San Francisco that offers great view fo the Golden Gate Bridge. Along the Land’s End hike you can see the ruins of Sutro baths, old shipwrecks, a war memorial, and small rocky beaches. I walked this trail a number of times when I lived in the SF Bay area and it was one of my favorite places to walk in the city.
Near the trailhead is a lookout point and a visitor center that you can visit before or after the hike. There is both parking available as well as a nearby bus stop near the trailhead.
The trail is less than 2 miles long and you can turn back whenever you wish. It is a relatively easy hike although there are steps and rough sections. The first section of the trail is ADA accessible. The trail is just a section of the California Coastal trail so you can keep going and make it into a much longer hike. You can keep going all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge but that is a much longer hike, about 4 miles. The Land’s End section of the trail also has small paths off of it at a few places where you can visit beaches, a war memorial, or even the Legion of Honor (a fine arts museum).
Popular places to visit nearby include Ocean Beach, the Camera Obscura, Golden Gate Park, Legion of Honor, the San Francisco Zoo, and Golden Gate Bridge.
Hiking Mount Whitney is a once in a lifetime experience. It’s the highest mountain in California and the Sierra Nevadas at 14,505 feet/4,421 meters and over 7,100 feet/2,165 meters elevation gain. The strenuous day hike is 22 miles or 35 kilometers round trip and an out-and-back route. However, the hike is recommended over two days. Completion time varies based on altitude sickness, the number of breaks, weather, and training. Remember to stay hydrated, eat, and not overexert the body too hard.
Hikers will enjoy the various terrain along the route. Everyone starts at Whitney Portal which is a 15-minute drive from the main city, Lone Pine. Hikers go through waterfalls, forest areas, 99 switchbacks, potential snow, and jagged rocks. Along the Trail Crest, hikers may see the turquoise water from Guitar Lake in the distance. Reaching the summit is a huge milestone. Admire the surrounding mountainous views and take a photo with the Mount Whitney plaque.
Due to the trail’s popularity, all participants need to enter a lottery for a hiking date. Lottery occurs from February to mid-March, and hikers are notified of their date in April. Choosing a fall or winter date has a great chance of securing a date, albeit the weather will be unpredictable. Hikers must pick up their permit at the Visitor Center (at US-395 and CA-136) 1-2 days before the hike.
Visitors stay overnight in one of Lone Pine’s motels. The main street has a few restaurants, gas stations, a grocery store, and a Lone Pine Film History Museum. Camping is an option if hiking overnight. Reservations are required at the official Whitney Portal Campground. Reservations are not needed if camping along the trail at Outpost Camp (mile 4) or Trail Camp (mile 6). It’s an exhausting day, but we hope you enjoy this hike!
Half Dome is the highlight of Yosemite National Park and hiking to the top of the formation should be on the bucket list of any hiker. There are various ways to do the hike, but the shortest one is still a 14-mile roundtrip hike with major elevation gain (4,800 feet from the Yosemite Valley trailhead). The last section of the hike involves pulling yourself up a steel cable on the flank of the granite dome. Wooden steps have been laid on to help with footing, but it’s still an upper body workout for sure.
Because of its popularity, a permit system has been implemented. You can get a permit to Half Dome by entering a lottery held in March, or rely on the 50 or so first-come-first-serve daily permits. You can only do the hike when the cables are up (early summer), and I recommend an early start to get the hardest part of the hike out of the way before the heat sets in.
Even though getting to the top of Half Dome is the goal of this hike, the getting there part is also part of the attraction. If you take Mist Trail, you’ll pass 2 of Yosemite’s famous waterfalls: Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. There’s a reason this section of the hike is called Mist Trail. The trail takes you so close to these falls, there’s often a mist of water blowing in your face. So make sure you wear proper footwear and something quick-drying.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Barcelona is a beautiful and one-of-a-kind city that tops many people’s travel bucket lists… but it’s also the most popular and crowded tourist destination in all of Spain.
This article assumes that you know about places like Las Ramblas, La Boqueria Market, and the Sagrada Familia. It bypasses some of the more famous Gaudí sites like Casa Battló and Park Güell in favor of some equally beautiful but less visited sites.
Nothing in Barcelona is ever truly that off the beaten path, but this guide will give you a good balance of getting a flavor of what makes Barcelona distinctive while avoiding the worst of the crowds. To further get off the path, I recommend staying in one of Barcelona’s neighborhoods that are just a bit off the tourist zone, so you can see a local side to life there.
Casa Museo Amatller
While Barcelona is synonymous with the architecture of Antoni Gaudí, who designed some of the city’s most iconic buildings such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, its architectural cred goes so much further. Barcelona was the heart of the Catalan Modernism style that was booming in the late 19th and early 20th century. The rebellious forms of Catalan Modernist architects signified a greater resistance to Spanish assimilation and a desire to cement to a unique Catalan identity.
To see this intersection of architecture, history, and identity, Barcelona’s “Illa de la Discòrdia” (Block of Discord) is its most emblematic. This is where you’ll find Casa Batlló, easily identifiable by its distinctive windows — and its massive crowd. While the façade of Casa Museo Amatller certainly attracts cameras, the interior is far less visited, especially when compared to the crush of people flooding Casa Batlló. While Casa Batlló is definitely worth seeing, even with its hefty admission fees (I recommend purchasing skip-the-line tickets to avoid the inevitable lines), Casa Museo Amatller is far less crowded and a good way to get slightly off the beaten path in Barcelona while still enjoying what it is most known for.
Originally built for Antoni Amatller — best known as the industrial chocolatier who introduced new methods for making chocolates en masse — to be his private residence in the final years of the 19th century. Built sometime between 1898 and 1900, it’s one of the key works of modernist architect Josep Puig I Cadafalch, and it’s considered one of the best and most unique buildings in all of Barcelona. As you enter, be sure to note the odd carvings in the façade, including a rat with a camera. Inside, the architecture is a delightful mix of traditional and anti-traditional, with geometric stained glass windows and gorgeous spiral pillars.
Walking in this beautiful residence can feel downright amazing, as you’ll feel like passing through living history, while trying out some of the most delicious chocolates ever made in the world.
Shop guided tours and priority entrance tickets here:
While Paris is the city most synonymous with triumphal arches, you’ll find them all over the world — from Bucharest to yes, even Barcelona. This arch was constructed in the late 19th century, and as a result, its form has similar hallmarks to other examples of Catalan Modernisme.
It’s distinct from other cities’ triumphal arches for its red color, four decorative pillars, and intricate carvings which celebrate Catalan identity. You can find it in Ciutadella Park, where you’ll also find other important landmarks.
Dark History Tour
The history of Barcelona has not always been the lively, carefree tourist mecca it is today. Quite the contrary — there’s been plenty of bloodshed and violence raged in ages past, and this tour will guide you in two medieval neighborhoods where you’ll see and understand everything about Barcelona’s dark past.
As a significant medieval city in Spain, Barcelona has a lot of connections to the history of the Spanish Inquisition, one of the darkest chapters in Spain’s history. The neighborhoods you’ll visit, although beautiful and lovely, have seen their share of executions and torture. The tour itself is meant to educate, not frighten, giving you a chance to learn in depth about one of the bloodiest periods of Spanish history.
While it’s not unknown – it is a component of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all – the other component sites tend to get far more notice. Instagrammers flock to the Palau de la Música Catalana and all the Gaudí sites, while the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista doesn’t get nearly as much love as its fellow UNESCO compatriots in Barcelona.
Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, this 27-building complex takes up nearly 10 city blocks, making it the largest single example of Art Nouveau architecture in existence. Despite this superlative – and partly because its large size means that you’ll feel away from the crowds even if this site is well-known – Sant Pau feels relatively peaceful in busy Barcelona.
This massive, striking building complex was conceived of in 1898 as a place for healing and tending to the ill, the result of a merger of six other hospital buildings in the quickly expanding Barcelona area. However, due to its ambitious size, it took over 30 years to finish construction.
It was subsequently used as a hospital for nearly a century, and recent refurbishments have continued its upkeep. The original hospital was kept functioning until 2009; however, it has since moved to another part of the building complex. Today, you can experience the splendor of its pavilions, gardens, and underground passages, and escape the crowds of Barcelona’s more popular tourist sites.
Named Pedralbes for its white-stone walls, this former Gothic monastery now functions as a museum, featuring artifacts from Barcelona’s history. The cloister is in excellent shape, with three floors of beautiful archways and a central garden filled with fruit trees.
While visiting the former monastery, you shouldn’t miss the impressive Chapel of St. Michael, which hosts frescos which date back to the 14th century.
Mercat de Sant Antoni
La Boqueria is the most popular market in Barcelona, given its prime location on the tourist promenade of Las Ramblas. During the summer, it’s almost impossible to even pass through the market (it is slightly better in February, but even then – still super crowded).
If you’d like to experience a market in Barcelona with significantly fewer crowds, check out the Mercat de Sant Antoni, with a beautiful historic market with much fewer tourists. The neighborhood of Sant Antoni is beloved as well, so stop by some of the local bars and restaurants after checking out the market.
Picasso Walking Tour
The name Picasso is so intertwined with being an artist that we throw it around as if the two are synonyms. To walk in the literal footsteps of one of the 20th century’s most famous artists, take a 2-hour walking tour that highlights destinations that were significant to the art of his youth and formative years.
On this tour, you’ll visit some little-known places that put Picasso’s life into context. You’ll see his favorite restaurant where likeminded, creative individuals often gathered, see the Llotja de Mar – the art school where Picasso studied – as well as the only piece of public art that Picasso has ever made. You’ll also see the stunning Museu Picasso, set in an old mansion, where you’ll see and understand just how his style evolved before his invention of Cubism.
Bundle together a walking Picasso tour & museum entry here:
Of the seven UNESCO-inscribed Gaudí sites, Casa Milà is among the less visited. However, that being said, it’s still quite common on many tourists’ itineraries, given that many people try to see as many of Gaudí’s works as they can. But it definitely comes in after Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell, meaning that you’ll have to dodge slightly fewer other tourists to get your shots.
A building with a very quirky, if a bit peculiar, appearance, Casa Milà – or also known as La Pedrera, or “The Stone Quarry” in English, is one of Gaudí’s most interesting buildings. To me, a lot of Gaudí’s works have the appearance of highly ornate sand castles, and this one is no different. Casa Milà is most famous for its intriguing rooftop, with turrets that look almost like faces. In the attic, take time to peruse the exhibition about Gaudi’s life, also known as Espai Gaudi, where you’ll see the fascinating evolution of his work.
Pre-purchase a skip the line ticket & audio guide here:
Barcelona is no stranger to excellent gastronomy and delighting in celebrating new, unique tastes. While Barcelona has always been surrounded by delicious wine, in the recent years, there’s been quite an innovation when it comes to craft beer.
If you’re interested in sampling what the beer scene in Barcelona is looking like, you can check out a microbrewery tour (see prices and availability here) in the neighborhood of Gracia that offer unique flavors of beer — chocolate beer, truffle beer, and even oyster beer. If those aren’t wild enough for you, many new flavors are being worked on and discovered all the time. There are also several bars specializing in craft beer (Abirradero, Bar Centro, and Barcelona Beer Company all come highly recommended).
Tibidabo
One of the best views of Barcelona can be had at Tibidabo, an amusement park on a hill on the outskirts of the city. This retro amusement park is the better part of 90 years old and has a gorgeous view overlooking not only Barcelona but the beach in town as well.
Despite how easy the Ferris wheel is to see in Barcelona’s skyline, not many people make the trip out, so it’s a bit of a hidden-in-plain-sight gem in Barcelona.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
From the regal red towers of the Golden Gate puncturing through a blanket of fog to the mysterious decay of Alcatraz, San Francisco is a city full of icons.
You can’t come to San Francisco and not photograph the antiquated but charming cable cars, the crazy steep hills on which cars seem to defy gravity, and the adorable Victorian architecture that makes up the famous “Painted Ladies.”
But there’s way more to the city than just that. I’ve teamed up with Expedia.com to suggest some slightly offbeat but beautiful San Francisco hidden gems, places that I wish more people knew about when they visit the city.
San Francisco is a geographically small city (a mere 46.1 square miles to LA’s 468.7 and NYC’s 302.6), but it packs so much in a tiny package. Still, despite its tiny size (or maybe because of it), people tend to go to the same places over and over again: Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown. Expedia has those covered in its San Francisco city guide.
Some things are iconic for a reason: it’d be a crying shame if you left San Francisco without trying out delicious dim sum (Yank Sing is my favorite) or snapping photos of the adorable cable cars. Still, I always suggest people balance the touristy with the offbeat, and to explore some of San Francisco’s hidden gems that not everyone knows about – at least not yet.
San Francisco holds a special place in my heart because I grew up 30 minutes outside the city until I was 17, and I still visit San Francisco at least once or twice a year. The city is changing fast — the victim of an unprecedentedly quick gentrification boom — but these places have stood the test of time. Whether you have a weekend, a quick layover in San Francisco, or a lifetime, you’ll doubtlessly keep exploring.
7 of My Favorite San Francisco Hidden Gems
The Palace of Fine Arts
Located in the Marina District, this 100-year-old monument is one of the last remaining buildings from the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. It’s been kept up ever since, and today it houses some of the most intriguing art exhibits from around the world.
The Beaux-Arts design is one of San Francisco’s few examples of this style of architecture. Given its location, set around a gorgeous man-made lake with glassy reflections, it’s become a popular place for travelers in-the-know to stop in for pictures. The lagoons and walkways surrounding the palace are also quite a popular place for locals to walk, and it’s proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge make this a convenient stop for a quick slice of offbeat San Francisco before seeing the city’s most iconic piece of architecture.
It’s also close to another San Francisco hidden gem, the Wave Organ, which is a 30-year-old sculpture on the bay that uses acoustics to amplify the natural sounds of the San Francisco Bay.
Fort Point
All the tourists bike across the Golden Gate Bridge, but if you want a slightly off the beaten path experience and to see a hidden side of San Francisco, I recommend walking around the Presidio area and exploring some of the lesser-known spots in San Francisco just beneath the bridge.
One of the most worthwhile stops in the Presidio area is Fort Point, the best-situated military fort in the entire Bay Area. Dating back to the time of the Gold Rush, this fort was originally built to withstand naval attacks. Today, it is known for having survived the civil war, the building of the nearby bridge, and several earthquakes. You can take a tour of the fort or walk around it at your leisure.
Also close to Fort Point, I recommend seeing Crissy Field, with its scenic beach and marsh, and Baker Beach (if you don’t mind a bit of nudity!)
Land’s End Labyrinth
Created by a local artist named Eduardo Aguilera, this small labyrinth made of stones overlooks the part of the continental shelf known as Land’s End.
Although the labyrinth has been destroyed several times by crashing waves, Aguilera has re-built it each time, and he has even lit it aflame during Pagan holidays.
Dedicated to the idea of peace, love, and enlightenment, it’s a great place to sit and contemplate the mysteries of life while enjoying one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean.
While nearby, don’t miss the Legion of Honor, part of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, which has some beautiful architecture – another one of my favorite places to explore in San Francisco.
Sutro Baths
A true blast from the past, the Sutro Baths were once one of the largest privately-owned saltwater swimming complexes in the entire USA in the 1890s.
However, today all that remains are impressive ruins that have been overtaken by local wildlife. Despite this, the walking paths between the bath areas that extend out into the sea are still intact and a favorite walking and photography spot among locals and in-the-know visitors alike.
Traveling along these pathways and seeing the once great ruins as they’ve been reclaimed by the earth is both is a serene and enjoyable experience, one of the best of San Francisco’s many hidden gems.
Muir Woods
While technically not in San Francisco proper, I can’t think of any city in the world that is so close to a gorgeous redwood forest.
Known for being the home of some of the tallest redwood trees in the world, this National Monument is a great place for hiking and relaxation just outside of San Francisco. Be sure to take the Dipsea trail for a view of all the treetops and to catch a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean from this popular picnic site.
You can easily get there from the city by taking a ferry to Sausalito and then the 66F shuttle from the ferry terminal to Muir Woods, which will drop you off in the parking lot. Keep in mind this is seasonal (May through October) and weekends only. Be sure to make a reservation. There are also tours you can take.
Musée Mechanique
Image credit: Piotrus [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons
Slightly hidden in the super-touristy Fisherman’s Wharf and its hoard of sea lions is an antique coin-operated arcade full of games from the 20th century. It’s one part quirky, one part creepy, and several parts fun.
It’s one of the world’s largest collections of coin-operated vintage arcade machines, all lovingly restored to working order, but the best part is that you can actually still play them! Admission is free, although the games cost money to play. It’s a hidden away blast from the past right in the heart of San Francisco’s most touristed area.
Japanese Garden
A must-see part of Golden Gate Park, this almost 125-year-old garden houses a number of miniature displays originally used as part of the World Fair, which was hosted in San Francisco in 1894. The Japanese Garden has the distinction of being the oldest Japanese tea garden in the entire USA, and it is open to the public every day of the year.
Bonus: free admission is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday if you arrive before 10 AM, so set your alarm clocks early to enjoy this great SF hidden gem.
Note: This post was produced in partnership with Expedia. All opinions are my own.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
If you’re planning your first trip to New York City, you’re probably slightly overwhelmed. New York has been the subject of so many films and stories that you’re likely coming to it with a ton of preconceptions and a fair bit of trepidation.
I lived in NYC for 9 years, but I remember what it was like when I first moved to New York. It was terrifying – everyone seemed to follow some set of rules that I didn’t know and had to ad lib along the way.
But eventually, you learn the choreography of the city, and the city slowly becomes less overwhelming and even, dare I say, a bit familiar?
I’m here to share with you all my best New York tips to make your trip run smoothly, distilled from my cumulative years of knowledge of this intoxicating, immense city.
Don’t be freaked out by the sheer volume of this post — I have a lot of opinions — but I wanted to make this a solid, thorough resource chock full of tips for visiting New York City for the first time.
After reading this, be sure to head over to either my one day in NYC itinerary for a short trip or my 5 day NYC itinerary for a longer trip. In these posts, I lay your whole trip out for you in detail, with all my local insight and love!
Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments below, or suggest things I haven’t covered!
New York Tips for Sidewalk Etiquette
Practice proper sidewalk etiquette or prepare for death stares
Even though I said New Yorkers are actually pretty cool people and that whole “rude New Yorker” thing is overblown, there’s one crucial exception, which is my #1 New York tip for first timers: do not f@(* with the sidewalk.
There are few things guaranteed to elicit the X-ray glare of New Yorkers faster than messing up basic sidewalk etiquette. Luckily, it’s pretty freaking simple – basically, follow normal escalator rules, and don’t be an jerk.
Keep it moving
This is a New Yorker’s #1 pet peeve and one of my top tips for visiting New York City for the first time. It’s quite simple: absolutely do not stop in the middle of a busy sidewalk to text, take photos, or check directions.
If you really need to stop and figure out directions or respond to an urgent message, that’s perfectly fine, but you should stand on the curb or by a storefront so that you’re out of the line of people walking. Simple.
Don’t hog the sidewalk
If you’re part of a couple, don’t walk holding hands at an insane distance taking up all the sidewalk, or if you’re in a group of 3+, don’t walk in all in one horizontal line. Both things make it impossible for people to easily pass you.
Trust me, it’s infuriating to try to weave past a pack of tourists who have inexplicably decided they need to walk at exactly the same latitude while you’re late for something (and let’s face it, New Yorkers are usually late because our subway system absolutely sucks — more on that in just a bit).
Keep to the right so people can pass
Let me dispell another myth for you: you do not need to walk like a bat out of hell to keep up with New Yorkers. We really don’t care if you walk slowly — New Yorkers are used to weaving past people they need to pass. In fact, I dare say we almost enjoy it.
But keep to the right and don’t zigzag around in an iPhone daze. This makes it easy for faster-walking people to pass you, and all will be well.
Don’t block the bike path and always look for cyclists
I biked year-round (yes, including winters, because I am insane) in New York City for 4 years. Naturally, I have strong feels about bike lanes. For one — they are not a place for sidewalk spillover. Yes, I get that the sidewalks are crowded, but cyclists need to use these bike lanes or else be at the mercy of hoards of sociopathic drivers.
This goes especially for the Brooklyn Bridge, where it’s so miserable for cyclists that many of us actively avoid it and go out of our way to take the Manhattan Bridge instead (where there still somehow manages to be pedestrians in our bike paths, despite having an entirely dedicated section, but I digress…).
If you’re walking the Brooklyn Bridge — which is definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in NYC — please avoid the bike lanes and keep an eye out for cyclists.
Even more importantly, if you’re taking a cab or Uber, do not open the car door without looking for cyclists first! One of my biggest fears as a cyclist was not being hit by a car, which I can do a decently good job of avoiding, but being “doored” by an unsuspecting driver or passenger, which is pretty much impossible to predict as a cyclist. Before opening the door streetside, check your mirror and blind spot. It could keep someone out of the hospital, or worse.
You can jaywalk, but don’t be a dick about it
New Yorkers are notorious for crossing the street at any time. Don’t overdo this and be a jerk who walks in front of cars who have the right of way. If you feel you must cross the street and a car is moving in your direction, you better freaking hustle. The basic rule of thumb is let the person who has the right of way use it, and don’t be an asshole who ruins someone else’s day.
I hope it’s getting better, but New York drivers are also awful about running lights and making left turns without looking for crossing traffic, so be cautious and keep your eye open when crossing — yes, even if you have the right of way. New York introduced the Vision Zero traffic safety program and it does seem to be working, but drivers can still be real assholes in New York… so always be cautious, even if you have the signal.
Save some time in your itinerary to just walk around
One of my biggest New York tips is to not plan too much. Some of the greatest joys in the city are just found walking around and making discoveries on your own. New York is such a vast and ever-changing city that even the best-planned itinerary will never encompass everything.
A few of my favorite neighborhoods to stroll around in are as follows: the West Village and Alphabet City in Manhattan; Greenpoint and Park Slope in Brooklyn; and Sunnyside and Jackson Heights in Queens.
New York Public Transportation Tips
The subway is hell on earth, but it beats the alternative, I guess
Don’t be fooled by people who claim New York’s subway system is great and efficient. It’s not, and it’s been spiraling downward for the better part of a decade (if you’re interested, read here to learn how it got so bad).
However, traffic is also horrible, thanks to a huge number of bridge-and-tunnel commuters. So buses and taxis aren’t exactly great alternatives, either. Walking is my personal favorite way of getting around the city, but it’s not always realistic, as NYC is massive.
Factor in some extra time before anything super time-sensitive, like a Broadway show or getting to the airport. Literally, you may want to give yourself an extra 30 minutes to an hour, and I wish I was joking. Spend that extra time enjoying a coffee or going for a walk.
And for everything else, just accept that lateness has become a quintessential part of the New York experience. Can you really say you’ve been to New York if you haven’t been stuck underground for upwards of an hour on a crowded train? (Side tip: if you’re claustrophobic, bring your best anti-anxiety meds).
Oh, and that suspiciously empty subway car? Yeah, best avoided.
Finally, subway rides do add up quickly, so I suggest buying a weekly unlimited card if you think you’ll take 3-4 rides a day over 3+ days. It’s nice to just pay once and be done with it rather than always question if it’s worth shelling out the nearly $3 for another ride. It’s about $32 for a 7-day unlimited card, though fares are always increasing so it may be a little more now.
Follow a few basic rules to make riding the subway slightly less hellish
As decrepit as our public transportation system is, riding the subway is a New York must. It’s as iconic as it is maddeningly necessary. First time in New York and need some tips for subway riding?
Here are a few simple NYC subway tips to make your life — and the lives of those around you — a little easier.
1) Move into the car rather than standing at the edges blocking the door. You will be able to get off later, don’t worry.
2) If you’re stuck at the edges of the door on a crowded train, get off to let people get off the train more easily and get back on.
3) Never, ever get on the train before you’ve let everyone who’s exiting the train off first.
4) Take off your backpack and wear it in front while you’re on a crowded train
5) If possible, avoid taking the subway during the morning and evening rush hours. This is for your own sanity.
Please don’t tip “showtime” dancers
As someone who once had to take the Q train to work over the Brooklyn Bridge every day, let me tell you, there was nothing I hated more after a long day’s work than “showtime” — when people come into the subway cars blasting music and doing breakdancing and gymnastics routines on moving train cars.
It is legal to busk in the subway stations, but not on the cars, and frankly, it’s pretty dangerous — not to mention irritating — to do an intense, involved gymnastic routine to tinny, loud music on a moving subway car. But tourists eat it up, which is why this illegal and obtrusive trend continues.
Feel free to tip buskers who are doing it legally (in the stations, in parks, and on the street), but don’t encourage illegal behavior on the subway cars. Our commutes suck enough as it is.
If you want to ride the bus, you better have a loaded MetroCard or $2.75 in change
Riding the bus in New York is ridiculously annoying if you don’t have a MetroCard. Our incredibly antiquated system requires you have exact change, which would only be mildly annoying if it weren’t for the fact that the U.S.’s largest coin is a quarter. Meaning you need at a bare minimum 11 coins to ride the bus. No bills are accepted, and the bus driver will not have change. There are precious few bus stations where you can purchase a ticket streetside, and most are in places where you can easily take the subway, anyway.
The easiest thing to do if you know you need to take a bus often is to purchase an unlimited or prepaid MetroCard. But honestly, there are precious few instances where a bus will come in handy compared to the subway unless you are staying in the outer reaches of Queens or the Bronx, so I’d avoid the bus if you can.
Mastering the art of the MetroCard swipe is an acquired art
I’ll admit it — even after 9 years of living in New York, I suck big time at swiping myself into the subway, almost embarrassingly so. I think I always swipe just a bit too fast. Don’t be embarrassed if you can’t get your card recognized on the first go.
Our machines suck and do this to everyone (usually as a train is just pulling into the station while you’re on your way to a first date or an important job interview). Continue trying, slightly slower than you’d think you’d need to — that’s what works for me, at least. Give it a few tries, and if it’s not working, there’s no shame in moving onto the next turnstile. Sometimes the turnstiles can be a little finicky.
Please, get out of Manhattan and see at least ONE outer borough
Listen, New York is not just Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. I urge you to explore beyond just Manhattan and see what the daily life for most New Yorkers is really like. So many people say “I could never live in New York” — but really, what they’re thinking of is the hoards of people in Times Square and Midtown and Columbus Circle. Here’s the thing — most of us could never live there either. I’d have gone nuts far earlier than I did.
Visiting Brooklyn and Queens and getting a bit off the beaten path, you’ll see how New York is far less busy and expensive than you think. Each neighborhood has a really distinct feel, almost more like a collection of towns than one large city. And of course, there’s also the Bronx and Staten Island, places which I still barely know after 9 years, which are also ripe for exploring.
Tips for Visiting New York Attractions
Skip the line tickets are a god-send on a short trip
If you’re only visiting New York for a short amount of time, like a week or less, skip the line tickets will be your best friend while in the city – especially during popular times of the year to visit.
Oftentimes, skip the line tickets are either the same price or only a few dollars more and will save you up to an hour per attraction.
For example, this skip-the-line ticket to the Met lets you skip the line and is the exact same price as a ticket you’d buy on-site. Similarly, the MoMA skip-the-line is also the same price as if you bought it at the museum, but with no waiting needed.
Tip: Save time at no extra cost! Book your Met ticket in advance and skip the line here or your ticket to skip the line to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) here!
Other attractions will allow you to skip the line at a small surcharge, so you’ll have to weigh if the time savings is worth it for you.
For me, it almost always is, because if I have a short amount of time at a once or twice in a lifetime destination, I certainly don’t want to spend it in line. However, for others, the money savings buying standard tickets vs. skip the line tickets may be worth it.
These are the attractions with the longest lines in NYC, that I suggest considering skip-the-line tickets for:
9/11 Memorial: This memorial is essential viewing for any visitor to New York. To save time, buy skip the line tickets with museum access and receieve a bonus free audio guide app. Note that just visiting the memorial is free, but the museum is highly recommended to further understand this tragic yet historic site. Book online here.
One World Observatory: Going up the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere is a must on most New York first-timers bucket lists. The fact that this building rose out of the ashes of the tragedy of 9/11 is a testament to New York’s strength. Predictably, lines can be outrageous, so be smart and save time. GetYourGuide is an authorized ticket seller which offers both standard entrance tickets that let you skip the ticket purchasing line and fast-track tickets that all you to skip all lines. Check out ticket options and book online here.
Empire State Building: A view from the top of the Empire State Building is a must for many visitors to New York. While I’m personally partial to Top of the Rock, I understand that many people want to see the Empire State. Just be warned that lines here are nuts, as this is probably one of the most popular things to do in New York, so definitely save time and book in advance. Book online from an authorized reseller and save tons of time: the Empire State offers both general and skip-all-line tickets, which you can book online here.
Top of the Rock: My personal favorite viewpoint in NYC. Why? Because you get to see the Empire State, which is kind of hard to see if, you know, you’re on top of it. The lines here can be frustrating – and the people running the show and keeping the lines moving are famously brusque – so skipping the ticket purchasing will enhance your experience immensely.
I suggest buying this flexible entrance ticket which will allow you to plan around the weather for optimal views. However, do know in advance that you need to show up the day before to book a time slot for the following day or days, so plan accordingly.
Statue of Liberty: New York’s most famous landmark is an iconic must-see for many travelers here — which means serious queues during popular times of year. There are several ticket purchase options – including standard admission and skip the line admission with and without pedestal access – so you can pick the one that’s right for your budget and priorities. Check ticket options here.
Tips for New York Bars & Restaurants
Some places are cash only, so check first if you don’t have enough cash to cover you
An odd but pertinent New York travel tip is to always carry cash, which may be surprising to some travelers coming from more card-friendly countries like Northern Europe. For some odd reason, many restaurants in New York are cash only, which can be super frustrating if you’re someone like me who prefers to use a card. I don’t know what it is about New York, but it’s the American city that — to me, at least — seems to be the least friendly to credit cards.
I recommend carrying a small amount of cash at all times as ATM fees can be steep (often $3+ at a bodega, plus whatever your bank charges) if you have to take out cash unexpectedly.
Be prepared to wait in line for just about any place you’ve seen on Instagram
I don’t understand it, but people in New York seem to love waiting in line for the new, hot Instagram-food sensation. As in, those ridiculous Black Tap milkshakes you’ve seen? Sure, go for it if you want to waste two hours of your life standing in line.
I’m incredibly impatient and personally don’t think there’s much in this world worth waiting for, especially in a city like New York when you’re so spoiled for choice. But I’m also not one to jump on the latest Unicorn latte bandwagon, so perhaps I’m a bit biased. I’d pretty much always rather eat dumplings.
If you’re from overseas, you have to follow our tipping culture – even if you don’t like it
Nothing is more ridiculous than American tipping culture, I’m aware, but quite simply: our absurd laws make it so that servers make just about $2 an hour without tips. As a result, the customer has to step in to make sure their server doesn’t starve.
Even if you had shitty service, leave a minimum of 15%, and for anything upwards of OK service, please tip 20% or more if you want to. I know it’s annoying, but that’s just how it is in America. If you short them their tips on your bill, you are essentially stealing your server’s wages. I agree that it’s wrong that it is this way, and that it should be incumbent upon employers to provide a living wage, not the other way around. However, you aren’t going to change anything by not leaving a tip — you’re just taking food off your server’s table, i.e., the very person who is putting food on yours.
By the time you add tax and tip, your bill will come out to 30% more than you thought it’d be. Just factor that into your food budget, accept it and move on. If you can’t afford to eat out, don’t sit down at a restaurant – take advantage of vibrant street food and takeaway scene. At bars, tip $1 per drinks — yes, even beer — and maybe $2 if you order a more involved cocktail.
Take advantage of our amazing diverse food food
The best thing about being in New York is all the cheap, delicious, and unique ethnic restaurants you could ever dream of — what, you mean you haven’t had Uyghur food before? — are at your disposal. Even better, they’re often cheaper than your standard ‘American’ restaurant.
One of my best tips for New York is to eat at least a few meals outside of Manhattan — that’s how most real New Yorkers eat!
Go for Himalayan food in Jackson Heights, Thai food in Elmhurst, Russian food in Brighton Beach, Korean food in Murray Hill (Queens), Chinese food in Flushing, Filipino food in Woodside… the list goes on and on. If there’s a certain cuisine you’re after, please feel free to leave a comment and I’ll get back to you with my best suggestion.
Tips for Enjoying NYC on a Budget
Take advantage of free museum nights
NYC has a ridiculous amount of museums worth visiting, though the entry fees are often quite steep.
Most New Yorkers know of all the free museum nights, and it’s rare for us to pay full price for admission (we’re usually spending 50% of our salary on rent). Here are a few of the best free museums in NYC and any day/time restrictions.
1) The Museum of Modern Art is free on Fridays from 4–8 PM. It will be quite crowded, though.
2) Brooklyn Museum is free the first Saturday of every month from 5-11 PM, but the admission is suggested, anyway, so you can pay what you wish anytime.
3) The Jewish Museum is free on Saturdays.
4) The Neue Galerie (one of my favorites, actually – and it’s right next to the Met) is free the first Friday of every month from 6-8 PM.
5) The 9/11 Memorial Museum is free on Tuesdays from 5-8 PM.
6) Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are free on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 AM to noon.
7) The New Museum is free on Thursdays from 7-9 PM.
8) The Morgan Library is free on Fridays from 7-9 PM (combine with a visit to the nearby MoMA, also free on Friday nights)
There are others which you can find here. Please note that the Met used to be suggested admission, but now it is so only for New York State residents!
There are also countless other great things to do in NYC for free beyond just museums — so don’t count New York City out if you’re on a budget.
Get stellar views on a budget
One of the best views of the city skyline can be had from the Roosevelt Island cable car, which costs just $2.75. Likewise, you can glimpse the Statue of Liberty for free on the Staten Island ferry. Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Promenade offer stellar views of Manhattan’s skyline as well, also for free.
Sure, you can go up to the Top of the Rock or the Empire State, but I prefer these sweet free and dirt-cheap views, and it’s one of my top NYC travel tips.
If you really want a good Manhattan rooftop view, one of my favorite rooftop bars is 230 Fifth Avenue because it’s right next to the Empire State Building. However, there are countless other rooftop bars worth checking out.
Sure, it’ll be a bit of a pricey drink, but it’s way cheaper than paying $30+ for the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock (plus, you’ll get to actually see both buildings!)
Another great choice for enjoying NYC on a budget with views to match is packing a picnic lunch from a tasty NYC deli and enjoying a picnic in one of NYC’s many parks!
Don’t drink bottled water
New York tap water is some of the best in the entire country. It tastes delicious and it’s 100% clean. In fact, I have more trouble drinking water in other places in the U.S. because I was spoiled by San Francisco and NYC tap water my whole life.
Any café or coffee shop will be happy to fill up a reusable water bottle for you, so just ask. Plus, you’re saving unnecessary plastic from ending up in landfill or the ocean.
Follow the happy hour trail
Everyone bemoans the cost of drinking in New York, to which I want to tell them: you’re doing it wrong.
There are quite a few bars that do an extremely generous happy hour. In Brooklyn, my favorite is Night of Joy which has inventive $6 cocktails and $4 beers daily from 5 to 8 PM. In Manhattan, my favorite spot is Local 138 in the Lower East Side, which offers an incredibly generous $3 draft beer selection from 4 to 9 PM. It was always my pre-game spot before hitting up a “cooler,” more expensive bar later in the evening.
Consider money-saving passes wisely
Some of New York’s most iconic attractions are free, but many cost quite a bit of money. Depending on the kind of sightseer you are, the Explorer Pass will either be a colossal waste of money or it’ll save you a bundle. I don’t think you really need to do every big-ticket attraction to enjoy New York, but I also lived there for nine years, and your priorities become different when you live in a place.
Besides the museums I listed above which offer free admission on certain days, there are also plenty of always-free attractions… wandering Central Park, riding the Staten Island Ferry, gawking at street art, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, etc., so no matter what your budget is, you can plan an itinerary to match.
However, if it’s your first trip to NYC, you’ll likely want to see some of the main sights. If that’s you, buying a city pass can save you a ton of money. The one I recommend people is the Explorer Pass because it’s the most transparent, flexible, and easy to compare.
The more sights you plan to visit, the more you can save, and you can pick between 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 10 sights. Just be sure to do the math on it to make sure you’re actually saving money on the sights and tours you want: most people save about 40% vs. booking each thing independently, but if you pick the wrong attractions, it may not be worth it. Check all that the New York Explorer Pass offers here.
Don’t pay full price for a Broadway show
If you want to see a Broadway show but don’t have a specific must-see like Hamilton that requires advanced tickets, I recommend not booking your tickets in advance. Sounds crazy, right? But you’ll save a fortune if you wait until you get to New York to buy your tickets. There are four TKTS discounted show booths in NYC: one in Times Square, one in Lincoln Center, one in Downtown Brooklyn, and one in South Street Seaport (Downtown Manhattan).
At TKTS booths, you can get same-day discount tickets to evening shows for up to 50% off. You can check in advance to see what shows they will have tickets for. The TKTS booth opening times vary dramatically by location, so be sure to check opening hours online first before showing up.
New York Safety Tips
Street harassment is a reality for women
Now, I can only really advise about when I last lived in New York (2016), and I’m not sure if #TimesUp and #MeToo have had any impact on New York catcalling culture… but I kind of doubt it. Let me say that I have never been sexually harassed more than in New York City — not in even Morocco, which everyone told me would take the cake for harassment (it ran a close second).
If anyone harasses you, it’s safest to just ignore them. I’ve mouthed off and lost my temper to men who harassed me, and I’ve had my safety severely threatened as a result, with men following me home and threatening to beat and rape me. I truly hope that things are different now, but I can only offer my own experience. I love New York, but the constant harassment really got to me after a while and was a large part of why I left New York City.
That said, violent crime is pretty low for an American city
America is not one of the safest countries on Earth, which is why I’m usually bemused when people ask me about if it’s safe where I live (Bulgaria) or if I’m worried about traveling Europe.
The reality is in New York that the majority of crime is concentrated in a few areas. These are mostly neighborhoods on the periphery of New York that you wouldn’t really visit if you were an outsider. If you’re looking for a hotel or an Airbnb, most neighborhoods in Manhattan or close to it by train are pretty safe (with the exception of some neighborhoods in the Bronx – and even these neighborhoods are not that dangerous in the grand scheme of American cities). Always read the reviews of your hotel or Airbnb (more on this in a bit) with an eye for location.
Watch your belongings and take a cab or Uber home if you’ve been drinking a lot
This goes without saying and is pretty normal for any city, but as safe as it is — New York is not immune to petty theft and crime. Like most places, most crime will happen at night, and most of the victims will be vulnerable in some way – alone, intoxicated, etc.
If you want to have a big night out in New York, it’s perfectly safe to do so! But plan on having a ride home. Your safety is worth the extra bucks for cab fare.
That said – don’t forget travel insurance!
One thing I remind non-Americans visiting New York is that travel insurance is absolutely essential when visiting the U.S. I know of a Canadian who visited NYC for a weekend, took a bad fall, and ended up owing $3,000+ in medical bills because they weren’t insured.
The U.S. famously has no nationalized health care system, and if you have a health emergency while in the U.S., you could be facing life-changing medical costs. It’s better to be safe than sorry when traveling in general, so I always recommend travel insurance regardless of the destination, but I recommend it even more strongly for travelers to the U.S., where medical costs are outrageous.
Even if you’re American and have health insurance, in my opinion, travel insurance is still a good idea because it can help you if you get pickpocketed, experience travel delays or a cancellation, or if your general health insurance policy has a high deductible or doesn’t have doctors in your network in New York.
I’ve used World Nomads while traveling the world for the past three years, and I love the peace of mind it gives me wherever I go. While I’ve been lucky enough to have never needed to make a claim, my friends’ successful experience in making claims make me feel secure that if I ever needed to, it would be easy and hassle-free. Get your free quote here!
General New York Tips
New Yorkers are not that rude – in fact, I kind of think they’re lovely
Has anyone ever struck as much fear in the hearts of the public as the legendary “rude New Yorker”? It’s probably the most pervasive New York myth, but I’m here to tell you that luckily — it’s largely not true. Outside of a small bubble (which is, oddly, the exact shape of the Financial District — I kid), New Yorkers are a pretty easy-going bunch.
We’re opinionated, yes, busy, yes, stressed, sure, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say we’re rude. Here’s the truth: living in New York City hardens you. Trust me, when you’ve seen a woman pee through her underwear in the middle of the sidewalk in broad daylight, you’re not going to get all pissy about a tourist asking for directions.
That said, no one will rise to your defense quite like a New Yorker. We’re generally a very helpful bunch and don’t mind answering questions, giving directions, etc. – just keep it short and sweet, because we’re usually in a rush (that whole being constantly late thing wasn’t hyperbole).
Choose the time of year that you visit carefully
The summer in New York can be miserable; the winter, too. Holidays can be magical (for people who like that kind of thing — I’m a bit of a self-admitted Grinch). If you don’t care about the weather and just want to visit New York on a budget, January through March offer the best deals on hotel rooms. But don’t come during the winter unless you’re prepared for all kinds of weather, including snow storms and frigid-but-freakishly-sunny subzero days.
I personally think early October is the best time to visit New York — families with kids won’t be traveling this time of year, prices will have gone down a bit from their summer highs, and the weather will be perfectly crisp and fall-ish. But be aware that by the end of October it’s not unheard of for there to already be snow! I still not-so-fondly remember the freak Halloween snowstorm of 2011. Not cool, New York.
Use the bathroom whenever you can
New York has a serious public bathroom problem. Anytime you have an opportunity to use a bathroom (like when you’ve just finished a meal, are visiting a museum, or are getting a coffee) — do it.
Trust me, your bladder will thank you later.
Please don’t rent a whole apartment on Airbnb
The way the law works with Airbnb in NYC is as follows: it is legal to rent out a single bedroom in a tenant-occupied apartment for any amount of time, but it is not legal to rent out an entire apartment for any period shorter than one month.
In other words… to use Airbnb legally in New York, you need to opt for a private room, not a full apartment. This is to protect locals suffering a housing crisis, which has been vastly exacerbated by people abusing Airbnb. I personally knew a few scumbags who made their entire living renting out their under-market value apartments to tourists. This perpetuates the housing crisis by taking usable apartments off the market and artificially inflating the value of all apartments in the city.
Even if you don’t care about contributing to the housing crisis, NYC is actively shutting down illegal Airbnbs, meaning that you may be left totally screwed if your illegal Airbnb gets caught before you arrive. I’ve heard anecdotes of this happening, so it’s best to adhere to the law and stick to hotels or private rooms in an Airbnb.
Avoid Dunkin Donuts coffee like the plague
This is a bit tongue in cheek, and I’m pretty sure I’ll lose my New York badge for this, but I don’t care: Dunkin Donuts coffee is some of the foulest coffee on Earth. I’m not a huge Starbucks fan, but I’d choose Starbucks over Dunkin Donuts a million times over.
You’ll get the same quality coffee (read: utter shit) from Dunkin Donuts at any bodega for half the price, if you really want some shitty coffee. But New York has no shortage of delicious coffee spots offering actual, quality coffee for not much more than a jumbo-size Dunkin Donuts in a gross styrofoam cup. So treat yourself 😉
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
I spent 5 weeks backpacking Nicaragua, from towns in the north like León, Estelí, and Matagalpa all the way down the south in San Juan del Sur and even the Corn Islands. Nicaragua numbers high amongst my favorite countries in the world and even in 5 weeks, I’ve left so much unvisited that a return trip is surely in the cards.
After extensively traveling through Nicaragua and researching the best hostels through a combination of personal experience and in-depth research, I’ve compiled this guide to the best hostels in Nicaragua as I get inquiries at least once a week on where to stay. Please note that I have not personally stayed in each of these hostels, and I haven’t included any hostels that I stayed in that I felt were sub-par.
Street scene in Granada, Nicaragua
I can promise you that you always get my honest opinion, regardless of whether I receive sponsored travel or not. However, for those who care: I paid out of pocket for my entire time in Nicaragua with the one exception of staying at Yemaya Island Hideaway in Little Corn Island, which isn’t on this list as it’s not a hostel. All recommendations are made personally, though should you choose to use one of these links to book a stay in one of these Nicaragua hostels, I earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you – as a thank you.
General Tips for Hostels in Nicaragua
A few things to keep in mind about Nicaragua hostels, as they have a few unique quirks that you won’t find elsewhere.
1. Hot water in a hostel is rare, and while days there are hot and humid and many normal people don’t mind a cold shower, I started to really miss the feeling of a hot shower. If that’s something important to you, read the hostel descriptions carefully or use a filter search function on HostelWorld or Booking. That said, often, when I was promised a hot shower, it was barely lukewarm and always a disappointment… so, basically, resign yourself to cool showers for the entirety of your time in Nicaragua, and treat hot water as a pleasant surprise.
2. Many times, a hostel will either not have AC, or have a fan-cooled option and an AC option for an additional charge. I generally just had a fan and was OK, but again, go with your comfort level, and use the HostelWorld/Booking filters to help narrow your search.
3. Nicaragua is actually the safest country in Central America, but it’s not immune from opportunistic crime against tourists. While I never had any problems, I always recommend staying places that have lockers available for use and either 24/7 reception or security. I didn’t hear about any thefts or crimes against tourists during my 5 weeks in Nicaragua, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.
4. Linens are always included, but I recommend traveling with your own microfiber travel towel to avoid getting charged for renting a towel, as they are often not included.
Best Hostels in Granada, Nicaragua
Note: while I did stay in Granada, I don’t think my hostel (Hostal Entre Amigos) is really recommendation worthy. The mattress was inexplicably coated in plastic and which made the sheets slip off constantly. While the staff was super kind and the price was great – $12 for my own private double – there are definitely better places to stay in Granada, which I am listing below.
My favorite view in all of Granada, from the top of the belltower
Hostal Azul
A spacious and open hostel with loads of natural light and plenty of hammocks to relax in, Hostal Azul receives top marks for cleanliness, in-house facilities, and services such as laundry and airport buses. Cozy and comfy rest areas welcome you to socialize and relax after a long day.
There are a few extras at Hostal Azul that long-term travelers will quickly become obsessed with. Included with every stay is free access to the gym for up to 5 days, a godsend when traveling long-term. They also provide free calling to the U.S. and Canada, Wi-Fi, Netflix, daily activities, and free breakfast each morning.
Optional day tours with roundtrip transportation depart from the hostel every day, while a single block walk will bring you into the heart of Granada and its lovely yellow and red cathedral.
Just another colorful street scene in Granada, Nicaragua
De Boca en Boca
Staying at De Boca en Boca is a great way to enjoy the blend of lovely nature and colonial charm that Granada has to offer. Located near the isletas and just a few blocks from Central Park, De Boca en Boca has one of the better locations in the city. It’s directly beside Iglesia La Merced, one of Granada’s most pretty colonial-era churches, and nearby a local fruit and vegetable market in case you want to make use of the roomy kitchen.
The hostel offers an open rooftop for travelers to enjoy the balmy Nicaraguan evenings, as well as hammocks to relax in, and an in-house bar. Different levels of privacy are available, as the hostel offers both shared and private rooms, with either en-suite or shared bathrooms.
Other bonuses include free breakfast, wifi, free coffee all day long, in-house laundry, and the ability to organize day tours from the reception.
To compare prices and read reviews, check out: HostelWorld (9.4)
Best Hostels in Leon, Nicaragua
Atop the León Cathedral, a 5 minute walk from my hostel there
Hostal Casa Abierta
This is where I stayed in León and I can’t recommend it higher — mostly for the sheer fact that there is a POOL! Once you get to León and realize how freaking hot it is… trust me, my all-caps enthusiasm will make more sense to you. The staff was really kind as well and were always cleaning leaves out of the pool every time I even so much as glanced at it.
The food from the kitchen is really delicious as well — I particularly loved the juices. One other thing I love about Casa Abierta is that they work at being an eco-hostel, always striving to recycle and reduce waste. They host a small organic shop and generally are very eco-friendly and low impact. The vibe is calm, with not too many travelers coming through (probably because it’s listed on Booking, not HostelWorld) which made for quiet vibes — something I enjoyed, but other people may prefer a most social atmosphere.
The location is great as well, about a 5-minute walk to the cathedral and a 7-minute walk to the area where most of the bars, restaurants, and tour agencies in León can be found.
To compare prices and read reviews, check out: Booking (8.6)
The top of Cerro Negro, as seen on a day trip from León
Poco a Poco Hostel
I didn’t personally stay here, but seeing that Poco a Poco has been awarded the best hostel in Nicaragua for 2018, it should probably be included on this list!
From what I can see, the design is a step above traditional hostels, offering expansive common areas, access to outdoor mist showers, plenty of hammocks, an open rooftop area, and even a fully equipped industrial-size kitchen.
Just two blocks away you’ll find the largest bar street in the city. The ease of access to the best bars and restaurants in León will be welcome to weary travelers returning from a long day of volcano boarding down Cerro Negro or relaxing at Las Peñitas. Just three blocks away, you’ll find the main plaza with the famous white cathedral of León, pictured above.
Learning how to roll my own cigars on a tour organized my hostel in Estelí, Sonati
Sonatí
Sonatí is one of the best possible places to stay in Estelí because it’s also one of the largest, most socially responsible tour agencies in Nicaragua. Staying at Estelí means that you’re supporting a project that benefits local communities – plus, it’s a convenient hub for tours, like the cigar factory tour photographed above, which I took for $8 one day in Estelí.
The beds are comfortable, the kitchen is extremely large and well-stocked, and there are plenty of places to lounge and spread out so that you can either socialize with your fellow travelers or take a personal break when needed. It’s definitely not a party hostel, so the vibe is nice and relaxed.
Bonuses: free coffee until noon (breakfast not included) and what passes for “hot water” in Nicaragua– more like barely warm as opposed to the usual freezing temperatures, but still, a delightful change of pace.
Martina is a lovely expat from Spain who moved to Matagalpa years back and is running the best hostel in town (though as Matagalpa is not very touristy, that’s not a hard crown to win).
The main dorm room is enormously large – it fits probably well over 20 beds – but it’s really spacious and almost never filled to capacity (I think there were max 3 or 4 other people in the hostel with me at any time during my stay), so that’s actually not a problem even though I normally avoid dorm rooms over 10 people at all costs.
Photo not my own, because I spent nearly my entire time in Managua crying about my broken laptop
Hostel Maracuya Managua
Honestly, most people say you can skip Managua, and I tend to agree. The exception would be if you have an early morning or late night flight either to/from the Corn Islands or coming/going home. I spent two days in Managua because my laptop wasn’t turning on after a cocktail mishap (yup, don’t drink and blog, folks) and thought I’d have to get it repaired in the capital. I ended up finding Managua’s bad reputation a bit undeserved, but mostly because I loved Hostel Maracuya so much.
It’s in the safest neighborhood of Managua (extremely important because certain parts of Managua are very dodgy) with plenty of restaurants nearby. The vibe is quiet and friendly, and the staff was so lovely — helping me navigate my laptop issues (a major catastrophe when your laptop is your mobile office) and cooking me delicious breakfasts every morning. I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else in Managua.
Note: Ometepe is the only place on this list that I didn’t personally visit — blame the Corn Islands, where I willingly shipwrecked myself from society for two weeks, thus canning my planned time in Ometepe. These recommendations are cobbled together from advice from fellow travelers about what cities are best to stay on in Ometepe (which is larger and harder to get around than it seems) as well as reviews on Booking and HostelWorld. While as a rule, I generally don’t write about places I haven’t been, so many people go to Ometepe that I feel like this list would be incomplete without a section on it.
La Urraca Loca
The twin islands of Ometepe are known for being a lush getaway from the rest of the world. However, as transportation in Ometepe is limited unless you rent a scooter, it’s extra important what location you choose. Balgüe is one of the preferred backpacker spots in Ometepe, making this location pretty picture perfect!
La Urraca Loca has managed to combine a traditional style hostel with the natural world around it, giving you modern convenience and easy access to nature. From free Wifi to on-site Spanish lessons, and free purified water dispensers, to gardens filled with birds, monkeys, and other animals, you really have the best of both worlds. With full mosquito netting in open rooms, the hostel has managed to combine nature and comfort at an incredibly affordable price.
If you want to visit the Coibolca Lake, while on Ometepe, this is the only property that claims to offer you front and center access. Other local attractions, such as the Volcano Maderas, the San Ramon Waterfall, and even the Ojo de Agua are close to this hostel as well.
At night, free Wi-Fi, thick mattresses, high-quality mosquito nets, beachside dining, patio entertainment, and high-quality media access all encourage you to relax and enjoy yourself in the social, but relaxed, atmosphere.
With 44 different beds, two different pools, plenty of daily activities to meet new people, and a beach path to the city, Hola Ola offers everything you could want from a hostel and more. You can tell that it was thoughtfully designed by a fellow traveler, with enough opportunities to socialize but also places to relax and unwind.
Since it’s a short walk outside the town, the hostel even offers free nighttime shuttles in and out of town. In addition to that, occasional live music nights and quiet dorm rooms allow you to achieve a perfect balance between activity and rest. Breakfast is included, as are linens, but bring your own towel.
The ubiquitous Nicaraguan chicken bus – an experience that you must have at least once
Saltwater Hostel
With a heavy focus on socialization and meeting others, this hostel has great common areas that encourage interaction, while still offering enough privacy to relax at the end of the day: the best of both worlds.
It’s located a bit outside the downtown, with excellent views over the Pacific Ocean, making it more quiet and peaceful than the rest of party-hardy San Juan del Sur. Still, it has easy access to clubs, bars, and San Juan del Sur’s beaches if that’s what you’re after.
At night time, you can watch the sunset from of the many hammocks before climbing into the soft, clean, comfortable beds for a restful and restorative sleep. Breakfast not included, but can be purchased for $3.
With a commitment to cleanliness, a full-sized and fully equipped kitchen, friendly vibes from the owners (even when I woke him up because I had accidentally locked myself out– oops), and more, Green House Hostel is your best bet on the tiny island of Little Corn. It’s located right by the dock, making check-in a breeze compared to other locations on Little Corn, which can take up to 20 minutes to walk to as the island has no motorized transport.
There’s Wi-Fi, but it’s spotty (like much of Little Corn, though pro tip — Café Desideri had some of the best wifi on the island). However, keep in mind that on the entire island, the power goes out from approximately 6 AM to 1 PM daily to conserve energy.
They have dorms, but I booked a private room with a shared bathroom for an affordable price and was pretty happy with my basic room.
There may be better options on Little Corn (I hear good things about The Lighthouse) but this is where I stayed and I was perfectly happy with my stay.
To compare prices and read reviews, check out: Booking (7.5)
Mimundo Corn Island
Many travelers quickly travel through Big Corn on their way to Little Corn, (I did, personally) but if you want to spend a little time on Big Corn, this is the best option. In fact, I’m pretty sure it didn’t even exist when I passed through Little Corn, or at least it didn’t show up on any Booking websites.
If you take the time to enjoy Big Corn too, you’ll be well-rewarded. Amazing views from the balcony let you watch the sun rise and set over the ocean. Walk downstairs, and you can literally enter the ocean in as little as three steps.
Each room has a private en-suite bathroom, and each floor offers a breezy respite from the heat. Communal hammocks offer a fun place to hang out and relax when you need a break from the sun. Boat rental, snorkeling equipment, and anything else you need to enjoy the brilliant Caribbean sea can be easily arranged with reception. AC is available, but breakfast is not included.
Have any other recommendations for Nicaragua hostels? Leave them below in the comments!
Note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you book or purchase something using one of these links, I will make a small commission at no added charge to you. Thanks for your support.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
I’m a California native, but I lived in New York for nine years — just a year shy of becoming a “true New Yorker.”
But considering that I’ve had a pigeon fly into my chest when taking out the trash and a rat run over my boot, I’m going to go ahead and say I deserve the New Yorker badge, anyway.
Like a real New Yorker, I willfully neglected to see a good half of New York’s most famous attractions.
I never went to the Statue of Liberty, nor Ellis Island. I finally did make it to the Top of the Rock after 9 years (mostly because I was gifted a CityPASS) but the Empire State Building, nah.
But what I lacked in traditional tourist sights, I made up for in chasing the delightfully odd and the deliciously underrated: the true hidden gems that make New York the city it is.
I’ve previously written a comprehensive 5-day itinerary for New York, which I recommend reading if it’s your first trip to NYC.
Some of the advice there will overlap here. If you’re a New York veteran or a dedicated fan of the unusual, this guide may be better suited for you.
Tips for Exploring Off the Beaten Path NYC
New York is a city where new cultural happenings are a constant: new shows, galleries, and restaurants open up nearly weekly (and unfortunately, many close nearly as quickly). It’s almost maddening to try to suss out what’s new; being a hipster there is basically a full-time profession.
While it’s hard to keep up with the pulse of New York, here are a few resources I often turn to when I want to find inspiration on what to do in NYC off the beaten path:
Time Out New York is probably the best, most comprehensively up-to-date resource about what’s going on in New York. If you’re looking to see what festivals, events, shows, or new happenings are on in this endlessly changing city, TONY is your best resource.
Checking out Atlas Obscura is one of my favorite ways to do research when visiting a new city. With 295 unusual things to do in New York currently on their list, if you saw one a day it’d take nearly 10 months to go through their list.
Untapped Cities is another great resource for finding hidden gems in NYC
For foodies, my favorite New York-based food websites are Serious Eats and The Infatuation. I’d often make it my weekend goal to go through one of their listicles and try as much food as I could in one of the highlighted neighborhoods.
My friend Ariel of Urbanist produces amazing Facebook Live and edited videos about New York City’s many hidden gems. Recently, he explored occult symbolism in Grand Central Terminal and the history of coffee in Brooklyn.
Guided tours on a specific theme are a great way to dive into the nitty gritty of one aspect of the city and see familiar buildings through a new light.
Offbeat, Delicious, & Unusual Things to Do in Manhattan
Manhattan could be a city all on its own, and with 1.6 million residents, it’s already double the population of San Francisco proper. While Manhattan is where you’ll find many of the tourist clichés (I’m looking at you, Madame Tussaud’s), you’ll also find an incredible variety of culture there. Manhattan is also a history lover’s dream, with a past rich with important literary, musical, and political figures.
Here a few of my favorite off the beaten path things to do in Manhattan.
Ready to explore the off the beaten path NYC?
Check out the expressive street art of the Lower East Side
Now the hippest part of Manhattan, the Lower East Side was once in danger of being demolished by 20th-century urban planner Robert Moses in order to make room for an expressway. That fortunately never happened, and the Lower East Side has gone through a period of gentrification that has brought both incredible development and major growing pains. One of the best ways to explore the history of the Lower East Side is through its street art.
While you can do a self-guided tour of the street art, I often find it beneficial to learn about the context of the street art through a guide. I recommend the Alternative New York Street Art tour by Inside Out Tours (check out prices and availability here).
On this tour, you’ll get to learn more about one of Manhattan’s most culturally important neighborhoods. Traditionally been the home of immigrants arriving from Ellis Island, over time the Lower East Side came to be populated by artists, writers, and poets. This hybrid culture gave rise to a one-of-a-kind art scene that you can see for yourself on this tour. Starting at a classic New York institution — Katz’s Deli — you’ll learn all about one of New York’s most fascinating neighborhoods while also enjoying its incredibly expressive street art on a slow-paced 3-hour walking tour.
Check out NYC’s tiniest museum
Mmuseumm is so small and obscure that even though it was open for 4 of the years that I was living in New York. I only learned about it after leaving through my friend Ariel’s video of it!
It’s located in an old elevator shaft on Cortlandt Alley between Franklin Street and White Street in Tribeca. A mere 60 square feet, this museum (and its “second wing” located 3 doors down) hosts a few curios from around the world, focusing on contemporary artifacts.
Drink at a speakeasy in the back of a hot dog restaurant
One of New York’s worst-kept secrets, Please Don’t Tell is the famously exclusive speakeasy bar which you enter via telephone booth in the back room of Crif Dogs.
It’s best (though still difficult) to make reservations by calling at 3 PM on the day you want in, though you can try your luck as a walk-in any time it’s open. Cocktails are extremely expensive, even by New York standards – like, $15 a pop – but their inventiveness and the speakeasy atmosphere makes it (a bit) easier to stomach the coast. Pair with a deep-fried or bacon-wrapped hot dog if you’re feeling crazy.
Trace (and taste) Downtown Manhattan’s immigrant history through its food
With influences from Chinese, Latin American, Jewish, African-American, and Italian culture — and countless more — Downtown Manhattan tells the story of New York in a microcosm. And what more delicious way to explore history than through food?
On this tour, you get to experience many different cultures at once in a 3-hour tour (check prices, availability, and ratings here). Explore Downtown Manhattan on a tour that starts at City Hall and takes you through Little Italy, the Essex Street Market, and Chinatown.
You’ll learn more about how the first immigrants settled here while sampling food from all over the world — including New York icons like the potato knish. This tour is a great way to experience New York’s multiculturalism and see how America’s deep immigrant history makes our culture so much richer and stronger. Not to mention more delicious.
Find New York’s hidden Highline
The Highline Park that goes from the trendy Meatpacking District up through Chelsea and Hudson Yards is now quite famous and always packed with people – but it wasn’t the first elevated park in New York. The Elevated Acre in Downtown Manhattan is even less known, accessed only via an escalator or elevator at 55 Water Street, which is often easy to miss amidst scaffolding and construction.
Located 3 stories up, it’s a quiet respite from the unrelenting hustle of the Financial District (well, if you can get past the helicopters constantly going by — it’s right near the helipad. Nothing’s ever perfect in New York). With an amphitheater hosting events as well as a beer garden, there’s plenty to do to while away the time in this true New York hidden gem. Plus, it has great views of the Brooklyn skyline.
For decades, Harlem has been synonymous with jazz, from the greats like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Miles Davis to today’s performers carrying on the torch. There are plenty of excellent jazz clubs you can visit independently in Harlem. I also spent many a night at the Fat Cat in Greenwich Village as a young NYU student. Alternately, you can take a guided tour organized by Welcome to Harlem (prices and availability here), where you’ll learn the life stories of the Harlem jazz scene’s greats and see some of the first venues they performed in. Even better, the tour ends with a concert performance by some of the most talented musicians today while you enjoy lunch.
Check out the criminally underrated Cloisters museum
It may seem strange that a branch of the Met is considered off the beaten path NYC, but so few people venture up to the Cloisters due to how far uptown the museum is (well into the 200s, nestled in Fort Tryon Park). However, I think that’ll soon be changing now that the Met is charging a mandatory $25 entrance fee and offering 3 days worth of admission to its 3 branches.
Still, those who do go will be richly rewarded with one of New York’s most stunning buildings and a collection of art from medieval Europe, including some epic tapestries, all in one of the quieter museums in all of Manhattan.
A fancy apartment lobby on perhaps the most capitalistic avenue in all of New York, Madison Avenue, is now home to a 5-section wide panel of the Berlin Wall
Painted by Thierry Noir and Kiddy Citny, this section of the Berlin Wall as brought across the Atlantic by boat in 1990 and used to live in the outdoor plaza nearby until it was threatened by water damage. Brought inside the lobby, you can now view it during everyday business hours, weekdays from 8:30 AM – 6 PM at 520 Madison Avenue.
Relive the punk rock days with a rock’n’ roll walking tour
Now a playground for yuppies and NYU students, the East Village was once the birthplace of American punk rock. If you’re a fan of the Ramones, Blondie, and the Talking Heads, you can’t miss this rock’n’ roll walking tour (there’s one run by Rock Junket Rock n’ Roll tours; check prices, availability, and ratings here)
On this tour, you’ll explore New York City’s East Village and learn how this neighborhood played in three important musical genres — rock, punk, and glam rock — hearing the stories of legendary bands such as the Ramones, New York Dolls, and Led Zeppelin. You’ll also get to see legendary sites like the former CBGB’s (now closed, and now a John Varvatos store – eye roll), Fillmore East, and the former residences of Iggy Pop, Joey Ramone, and Madonna.
Explore New York’s hidden catacombs
If you’re looking for a truly unique – and slightly spooky – look at New York City’s history, then this is the tour for you. This tour will take you underneath the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral (in Downtown Manhattan, not the famous one on 5th Avenue) to explore the catacombs below, lit by candlelight.
These catacombs have served as the final resting place for some of the city’s most famous citizens for over 200 years. Access to the catacombs is only allowed by exclusive tours (check ratings, pricing, and availability here) so if you’re curious to explore New York’s spooky side by candlelight, book ahead to make sure you don’t miss out.
Manhattan’s West 32nd Street is nicknamed Koreatown for a reason: countless, countless delicious Korean restaurants serving up BBQ into the wee hours of the night. You can’t really go wrong anywhere, but my favorite is Jongro. Just be prepared to wait – I’ve waited up to an hour and a half on a weekend. It is expensive, but oh, so worth it.
Tip: try grilling your kimchi – it’s even better that way! And they’ll refill the banchan (side dishes) as much you like, so just ask.
This tour will give you a look at New York City from a truly unique perspective. Don’t settle for a tired old ferry ride to get your harbor views — sail instead on New York’s largest sailboat, the Clipper City, a picture-perfect replica of the large schooners used over a century ago. From the Clipper City’s deck, you’ll get to see the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island. The deck is comfortable and features a full bar — at a price, of course (this is New York, after all). Check out tickets and availability here.
One of Manhattan’s best views can be seen for the low, low price of a MetroCard swipe ($2.75, at the moment). The Roosevelt Island cable car is one of the city’s best-kept budget secrets, bringing you soaring above the Triboro Bridge straight the tiny residential Roosevelt Island, tucked between Manhattan and Queens.
The cable car is the main attraction – there’s not too much to see on Roosevelt Island – so either take it both ways and return where you started, or take the F train onto Queens to explore some great neighborhoods like Long Island City (breweries!) and Astoria (try the Greek food!)
Strange, Alternative & Delicious Things to Do in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a place that delights in the odd and unusual, making it a perfect base to explore off the beaten path New York. One of the most richly historic places in New York, Brooklyn was the site of several important Civil War battles and has been the landing grounds of countless immigrants. In fact, my very own uncle grew up in a Brooklyn candy store, the son of Polish refugees.
Brooklyn today is gentrifying rapidly, bringing changes both bad and good to historic neighborhoods. But look beyond Instagrammable bagels (please do — the rainbow bagel should die and rot in hell) and you’ll find a rich synthesis of culture, expressed through food, street art, and performance.
Explore Bushwick’s intriguing street art scene
Bushwick is virtually synonymous with Brooklyn’s flourishing art scene. The best place to start is with Bushwick’s dynamic street art scene, which you can see in the work of the Bushwick Collective, a famous group of graffiti artists. While it’s free for all to visit the Bushwick Collective, you may find it beneficial to take a tour (check out ratings, availability, and pricing here)
On this tour, you’ll get to see some of the beautiful outdoor works of the Bushwick Collective, a famous group of graffiti artists. You will learn more about the group’s history and enjoy some truly incredible artwork from artists past and present. In addition to this, you’ll also meet Joe Ficalora, the founder of the collective and one of its most respected artists.
Explore the transit of yore at the New York Transit Museum
I had long heard of this place, but never thought I’d find it so interesting. I actually only went there seven years into living in New York, when I guided a field trip there for my students. But I think I honestly had almost as much fun as they did.
The Transit Museum is located in the abandoned Court Street subway station and includes gems such as a perfectly preserved subway car from as far back as the 1920s (complete with old-fashioned subway ads). It’s a fun way to step back in time (and it’s a hundred times more enjoyable than riding the actual subway).
Beer fans may be surprised to find that Brooklyn abounds in breweries, but it’s true! You can independently visit one of Brooklyn’s most famous breweries, Brooklyn Brewery, or take an Urban Adventures tour to learn what makes Brooklyn’s beer scene one of the best in the U.S. (check availability, ratings, and prices here).
On a 2.5-hour walking tour, you’ll get to see how your favorite beers are made at a local brewery — and of course, drink plenty of samples along the way ;). In addition, you’ll visit 19th-century buildings from the pre-Prohibition era. And because nothing goes better with beer than pizza (except Asian takeout, but I’m biased), you end the tour with a stop at a local pizza joint to get a slice of that classic New York pizza.
Explore the massive, beautiful Green-Wood Cemetery
Hauntingly beautiful and one of the more serene places in Brooklyn, Green-Wood Cemetery is a can’t-miss for cemetery lovers (where my fellow creeps at?).
In New York, even the dead are subject to ridiculously high rents — a plot at the exclusive Green-Wood cemetery costs of $20,000, whereas a mausoleum will set you back nearly half a million dollars. Even if you could never afford to be buried here, it’s beautiful to walk around and see the sights (obviously, be respectful of mourners should you choose to visit).
A Bushwick institution, the House of Yes is home to circus and cabaret artists and countless dance parties. Ranging from burlesque dancers to contortionists, aerialists to fire dancers, the performers at House of Yes are anything but boring.
Check out their ever-changing events schedule (ignore the doors time — they’re a joke — actual times of the events are on the ticket sales page)
Brooklyn’s Smith and Court Street are some of the most beautiful streets in Brooklyn – I can almost guarantee you’ve seen them in film at one point or another. On this food and walking tour (run by Urban Adventures – check prices, availability, and ratings here), you can simultaneously explore some of Brooklyn’s most iconic architecture while sampling local treats.
Instead of seeing the more famous restaurants, you’ll be visiting small, artisan mom and pop shops to get a truly local look at Brooklyn’s diverse food culture. Artisan cheese shop Stinky Bklyn, an authentic Italian pastry shop, a modern-day soda fountain, and the oldest Middle Eastern bakery in New York are just a few of the places you’ll explore on this 3-hour food and history tour.
The mansions of Ditmas Park feel completely out of place in contemporary New York. Preserved from the days when Ditmas Park was farmland, many of these mansions still remain — some derelict, others in pristine condition. The architectural styles range wildly, from Southern plantation-looking monstrosities to quaint Victorian-style houses.
For this reason, odds are if you’re passing through Ditmas Park, a film set is either being set up, filming, or being dismantled. I used to live a few blocks away (in a much more modest area of Flatbush) and walking or biking through this neighborhood never got old. Just at the tail end of the Prospect Park Lake, near the new skating rink, a walk through this neighborhood is literally like stepping backward in time. Most of the mansions are located on the hoighty-toightily named Marlborough, Argyle, Rugby, and Westminster Roads between Albemarle and Cortelyou.
Forget cheesecake – eat the best Key lime pie you’ll find outside of Florida
New York is synonymous with cheesecake thanks to Junior’s cheesecake (delicious, but slightly overrated). But in my humble opinion, Steve’s Key lime pies are an under-the-radar New York institution.
I’ve found Steve’s Key lime pie served at a few different places in New York over the years, but what better way to enjoy them than at their source in Red Hook? Have the classic or try a “swingle” — a slice of his Key lime pie dipped in chocolate (and other goodies — I’m partial to the white chocolate and raspberry one).
Centuries back, when Brooklyn was mostly farmland, it was home to several vineyards. While these farms have given way to residences and businesses that support the 2 million plus inhabitants of Brooklyn, a few intrepid wine lovers have brought Brooklyn’s past in line with its present.
Using grapes from the North Fork of Long Island, one of New York’s two main wine regions (the other being in the Finger Lakes), winemakers have lovingly crafted wines right in Brooklyn, processing, barreling, and aging them right in New York City. You can sample them at the Red Hook Winery and Brooklyn Winery, which both host tours and tastings.
Drink vodka and ogle leathery old Russians on Brighton Beach
Forget Coney Island — Brighton Beach is my favorite beach in Brooklyn (though Queens has better beaches with actual waves). Mostly because of the food.
Stop in one of the many delis serving up Russian favorites to-go from an enormous deli counter. I always went to the same one, whose name I’ve unfortunately forgotten (I blame the brown bag vodka that always accompanied these Brighton Beach excursions). I’d load up on pickles, stuffed peppers, pierogis, cabbage, mushrooms, and more, grab a bottle of vodka and soda from the liquor store down the block, and watch old Russian men with giant silver foil sun reflectors get their tan on.
Who knew that Brooklyn was home to a chocolate renaissance? Stop by Fine and Raw chocolate (full disclosure: my friend may have worked there and I may have consumed a LOT of free chocolate from there over the years) in Bushwick for a delightfully hipster spin on a chocolate factory.
Or, for the real sweet tooths, take a longer 4-hour tour sampling 4 different chocolate shops spanning a variety of neighborhoods ranging from DUMBO to Red Hook, stopping for a picture-perfect view of the Statue of Liberty in Red Hook. If intrigued, check out tour pricing, availability, and ratings here.
New York is home to several Chinatowns, but one of its best-kept secrets is the small Chinatown in Sheepshead Bay, centered around Avenue U.
Honestly, I likely never would have known this place existed had I not stumbled upon it when I was an in-house SAT tutor for rich kids. A few favorites are Long Wang bakery for delicious egg custard tarts and Wing Hing for classic dim sum, but this guide to Avenue U is more extensive.
Take a scenic nature walk… along one of New York’s most polluted waterways?
It’s kind of ironic that you’d find a self-proclaimed “nature walk” along one of the most polluted bodies of water in all of U.S. Surprisingly, walking along Superfund-site Newtown Creek is surprisingly enjoyable thanks to the work of architect George Trakas.
Located on the outer edges of Greenpoint, Atlas Obscura bills it as “an area of beauty amidst a history of environmental damage,” which I think is an apt way to put it.
Delightfully Odd & Delicious Things to Do in Queens
Queens is New York’s most diverse borough. It’s considered the language capital of the world, with 800 unique languages being spoken in just this one borough alone. As a result, the best way to explore Queens is through your stomach — nowhere else in New York is home to as many delicious restaurants and unique cuisines as Queens.
While the food is really the star of Queens, there are plenty of offbeat hidden gems that are well worth a visit as well, including some of New York’s most interesting museums.
Eat the best momos ever in the back of a phone shop
In the multicultural borough of Queens, Jackson Heights is among the most diverse. One of the most visible immigrant groups in Jackson Heights is the Himalayan community (namely Nepalese and Tibetan). And they’ve brought their delicious food (yak anyone?) with them.
There are countless delicious places to dine on momos, the Nepalese/Tibetan version of the humble dumpling best enjoyed with a heavy dose of hot sauce. But my favorite place to enjoy it is at Lhasa Fast Food, which is a bit hard to find seeing as it’s located in the back of a cell phone shop (if you get lost, just ask and you’ll be pointed in the right direction). There’s often a wait, as the shop is tiny but well-loved in the neighborhood, so be prepared. But the deliciously fragrant beef momos are well worth the wait. If you’re curious, you can try the butter tea as well, but it’s not a favorite of mine, I’ll be honest.
The Queens Museum is home to a sprawling, 9,335-square-foot replica of New York City. It’s comprised of nearly a million buildings representing 320 square miles of NYC, and it’s a sight to behold. Even New York’s most iconic landmark, the Empire State, measures only 15 inches tall on this massive model of New York.
The model was originally created for the 1964 World Fair and was so well-loved that it was updated again in 1992 to bring it up to date. As a result, every building that existed prior to 1992 is immortalized in miniature form. I’m wondering if they’ll update it agian — New York is such a fast-changing city — but I love how New York is forever frozen in this moment in time, in small scale. Truly a can’t-miss.
Explore Fort Tilden, an abandoned nuclear base on a beach
There’s an abandoned military base on the beach in Rockaway, Queens, which was built in 1917 to protect the U.S. from German and Russian fleets during World War I. Later, during World War II, they fortified the area, and during the Cold War, Fort Tilden became home to a massive arsenal of nuclear missiles — missiles twice as strong as those that levelled Hiroshima.
Fortunately, as the Cold War thawed, so too did the need for nuclear weapons on New York’s beaches, and in 1972 the base was abandoned. Now, it’s a little-known beach well-loved by — you guessed it — hipsters.
Eat the best Chinese food you’ll find in an underground mall
Flushing is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Queens and in New York as a whole. Getting off the train during peak hours in Flushing almost feels like traveling to China. Virtually all signage is in Chinese, and that’s the dominant language you’ll hear as you explore Flushing. Slick, lacquered orange Peking ducks hang from the windows all up and down Main Street, and steam rises from bamboo baskets everywhere you look. Basically, it’s a magical place.
The heart of Flushing Main Street is Golden Shopping Mall, in my opinion, loved by Anthony Bourdain and countless others. Two stalls here became so loved that they became larger scale enterprises: the tiny Tian Jin Dumpling House became the massive Dumpling Galaxy, and Xi’an Famous Foods became the well-known New York mini-chain it is today. Those are both worth stopping in (be sure to get the lamb and squash and/or vegetarian dumplings at Tian Jin, or the cumin lamb noodles at Xi’an). But another love of mine is Chengdu Tian Fu, serving up fiery hot, no-nonsense Sichuan food. You can’t miss the cucumber salad slicked with Sichuan peppercorn and sesame oil, the ultra-thin and perfectly chewy dan dan noodles, or the twice cooked pork with leeks.
Eat dosas twice as large as your face at an underground temple canteen
A 20-minute walk from Flushing Main Street, you’ll find the massive Ganesh Temple, which was the first Hindu temple ever built in the United States. That’s impressive in its own right, but I’m bringing you here for the food.
Head to the downstairs canteen – it may take a little poking around and asking to find, but that’s why you go off the beaten path, no? – and be prepared to be stunned with some of the most delicious dosas you’ll find outside of South India. The paper dosa spans two plates – literally – and is served with incredible chutney and sambar dipping sauces. But my favorite is the chili masala dosa, stuffed with insanely spicy potatoes — only for the brave. I’m also partial to idlis, a steamed fermented lentil dumpling (it tastes way better than it sounds!) — my best friend’s mom in my teenage years always made them, and this is the only place that’s come close to replicating hers.
If you’re a bit overwhelmed by Queens and all the food it offers, I can’t say I blame you. These are not eateries for tourists; they’re catering to large, vibrant immigrant communities (though of course, everyone is always welcome).
If you prefer a bit of hand-holding, or just some local advice, I’ve heard excellent things about Jeffrey Tastes’ Queens food tours. Three different tours are on offer, and all sound equally mouth-watering – I’m holding myself back from booking a ticket back to NYC just writing this.
I’ll be honest, I don’t know the Bronx nearly as well as I should. I’ve only gone a few times, for some specific purposes: a Yankees game, a trip to the Bronx Zoo with my students, the Botanic Gardens (too bad the Chihuly exhibit is now done!), and eating.
I know there’s more to be seen in the Bronx – specifically, exploring the street art scene of the South Bronx, wandering Grand Concourse, or exploring Pelham Bay Park, thrice the size of Central Park.
But since the way to my heart is through my stomach, here are three culinary standouts of the Bronx that are worth exploring. Check out this guide to the Bronx by locals to build up ideas of what else to explore while in one of New York’s more underrated boroughs.
Explore the real Little Italy
Forget that tiny, tourist-trappy, few-block radius of “Little Italy” in Manhattan, slowly being overtaken by Chinatown. If you want the real Little Italy, you’re going to have to go out of your way, like a lot, to the Bronx.
Welcome to the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue, where Italian-American families continue to shop and run businesses. Don’t miss burrata at the Casa Della Mozzarella, imported goods from Tino’s Deli, and ALL THE MEAT from Calabria Pork Store. If you prefer a little more guidance, there is an excellent food tour run by Urban Adventures (check prices, ratings, and availability here).
The tour starts with the famous Arthur Avenue Retail Market, where food arrives directly from Italy. From there, you’ll visit nearly a dozen Italian restaurants and specialty markets, many of which have been around for almost a hundred years. If you’re a true fan of Italian food and culture, then this is something you have to see.
I first ventured to the Bronx to eat at Carnitas El Atoradero — which became too famous for its own good and has since closed and relocated to Brooklyn (predictably, it doubled its prices and slashed its portion sizes). But the Bronx is still home to some of New York’s most legit Mexican food, as certified by a picky Californian and four-time visitor to Mexico.
For Oaxacan food including a variety of delicious moles, try La Morada, or for delicious mole poblano and chilaquiles, try Xochimilco Family Restaurant.
The Bronx is one of New York’s few quasi-affordable boroughs, and as a result, it’s home to a larger immigrant population. West Africans are one of the largest of the Bronx’s many diasporas, and this can be seen in delicious restaurants you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else in the U.S.
Try Accra or Papaye for Ghanaian food, Nabaya for Guinean food, or Patina for Nigerian food.
OK, so this tour technically covers the Bronx and Harlem, but I wanted to show the Bronx a little more love. If you’re a fan of classic hip-hop, then this is something you can’t afford to miss. On this tour, you’ll be guided through the genre’s early history and visit some of the most important clubs in its early development. On top of this, the guides for this tour are legitimate hip-hop celebrities, including Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, and Reggie Reg. If you’d like to see how your favorite music got started, then this is something you have to check out: you’ll see street art, breakdancing, famous venues like Harlem’s Apollo theatre, and a lot more on a comfortable, 4-hour bus tour. Check pricing, availability, and reviews here.
One Thing to Do in Staten Island (Just to Be Fair)
Sorry — part of claiming my New York badge is getting to constantly joke about Staten Island (to all Staten Islanders, I’m sorry, but we all kind of knew this was going to happen).
Staten Island doesn’t get much love. It’s largely residential, and honestly, I’ve never stepped outside the ferry terminal. I have, however, taken the ferry several times, so that almost counts. However, I’ve been told that Staten Island is home to some pretty epic Sri Lankan food as a result of the extensive Sri Lankan community out there, which is almost reason enough for me to leave the ferry terminal. Almost.
See the Statue of Liberty for free, with beer in hand
OK – the beer isn’t free. But the ferry is! I’ll never get tired of taking the Staten Island Ferry from Battery Park to Staten Island and back, taking in views of the Statue of Liberty and Downtown Manhattan all the while. Bonus, unlike most places in NYC, you’re actually allowed to drink on the ferry — you can even buy it on board the ferry!
The Box House Hotel: Located in the ultra-hip Greenpoint neighborhood, the Box Hotel is one of New York’s coolest. Made from a converted factory (of course, because #Brooklyn), this hotel has been lovingly converted into ultra-stylish lofts with funky designs from local New York artists. Even cooler, the Box House has its own vintage 1970s checker cab, which they use to shuttle you to the subway (which is a bit of a walk away). It doesn’t get more Brooklyn than that! See photos, reviews, prices, and availability here.
Queens
The Paper Factory: Following the trend of factories-turned-hotels, the Paper Factory in Long Island City, Queens is one of the more atypical hotels you can choose during your time in New York. It’s near other off the beaten path gems like the Museum of the Moving Image and Gantry State Park, which has amazing views over Manhattan. The hotel itself has lots of awesome design quirks, like authentic British red phone booths (perfect for confusing your Instagram followers) and vintage mini-fridges in your room. See photos, reviews, prices, and availability here.
Manhattan
The Library: If you’re a book geek like I am, this hotel was pratically designed for you! Not far from the iconic NY Public Library, this hotel is library-themed, and each room is dedicated to a different genre or topic of literature – each room has some hundred or so books for the guest to peruse. Plus, there’s an enormous reading room (that you’ve likely seen photos of) — plus more books in the front desk, the restaurant, and beyond. The hotel also has a hip rooftop bar serving literary-themed drinks! See photos, reviews, prices, and availability here.
OK, fellow New York lovers and New Yorkers, hit me with your best shot — what are your favorite off the beaten path NYC gems?
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
I’ll admit it – my first few times in London, I never got the love for the city that everyone else seems to have.
But then I realized that I was planning an itinerary that was way too focused on Central London — basically, the same mistake that most tourists make when they visit New York City. Never leaving Central London is akin to never leaving Manhattan.
Once I started to get past London’s most well-trodden sights, I started to really understand why people have so much love for this city and London’s many neighborhoods.
I based myself in Shoreditch last time I visited London for a 3 day weekend and thought it was a fantastic base for traveling around London.
There are plenty of things to do in Shoreditch to keep you busy for several days, but it’s also convenient enough to be close to anything you want to do in Central.
Prices are also significantly lower for food and drinks than Central London, and I found the selection and quality of the restaurants to be much higher as well — win/win!
My Top 12 Things to Do in Shoreditch
Please note that a handful of the suggestions are specific to Sundays, when Shoreditch really comes to life and is at its best. Sundays are also the most crowded – but the busy, outdoor atmosphere is part of what makes Shoreditch so enjoyable on Sundays.
Eat a salt beef bagel
Some things are just classic for a reason, and Beigel Bake’s salt beef bagels are just one of those things. The line is long basically every time of day (and considering the place is open 24/7, that’s saying something).
Normally I’m a long line skeptic. I associate them with Instagram fads like freakshakes and rainbow bagels and whatever crackpot, diabetes-inducing sugar bomb trend du jour is. But if it’s a classic, I’ll make an exception.
The line moves fast, the bagels are piping hot and tender, and it made this former New Yorker with strong feels about bagels (including the proper way to spell bagel) very, very happy indeed. Meltingly tender corned beef, a slick of hot mustard, and a juicy pickle — so simple, but so, so good.
Not pictured: tears of joy
Admire the street art
Shoreditch is probably best known for its vibrant street art scene, full of beautiful murals taking up entire buildings and walls. The street art in Shoreditch is incredible, probably some of the best I’ve seen anywhere. It’s ever-changing, but the streets off of Brick Lane and Redchurch Street are probably two of the best places to start.
Here are a few of my favorite pieces from my most recent trip to Shoreditch. All the photos were taken in early March 2018 – so pieces will likely disappear and replaced by new ones over time.
Not sure how to best experience the street art scene, or want to get some guidance on the history behind the neighborhood? Get Your Guide offers street art tours of Shoreditch and the East End that come highly recommended.
I didn’t have time for it on my last trip, but I wish I had as it would have been nice to know the context of some of the art.
I’ve gone for curry on Brick Lane twice and had mixed experiences. My first time, my dinner was excellent, but of course, I’m a bad blogger and can’t remember the name of where I ate. The second time, I was determined to do more research. I had heard excellent things about Aladin – I mean, if it’s good enough for Prince Charles, it’s probably good enough for me, no? – but I was actually pretty disappointed with it. And I settle for inauthentic Bulgarian Indian food on the regular, so it’s not even that I’m picky.
The samosas were just sad, with skin more like a wonton than the satisfyingly heavy pastry dough you typically get. The chutneys weren’t right, either. My curry was decent, but nothing special, and all my friends felt pretty much the same about their food. They offered us a 20% discount outside, which was nowhere to be found on the final bill, and we had to inquire to get it removed.
Instead, I’d recommend skipping hyped-up Aladin and trying another place on Brick Lane. Promoters of the restaurants are always outside touting special deals, which you can work off one another to your advantage. But for the best Indian food in London, you should try your luck at Dishoom, one of the best restaurants in London, a small chain of London-based restaurants serving up some of the best Indian food I’ve ever had in my life.
Lines are always long — I waited 20 minutes my first time at the Covent Garden location and was told I was lucky — and have been quoted at upwards of an hour on other occasions. But the food is excellent and worth the wait or the early dinner.
Or try some delicious Vietnamese food on Kingsland Road
Shoreditch also has a great Vietnamese food scene, with tons of restaurants slinging pho and other Viet classics at affordable prices on “Pho Mile”, aka Kingsland Road.
I’m pretty picky about my Vietnamese food — being from California will do that to a person — but I felt that the food was really authentic and delicious. My choice was Viet Grill – it had a nicer atmosphere then the others, plus specials and overall good prices. I got the pork chop plate with rice, fried egg, pickled carrot and daikon, and an imperial roll. So simple, but so good — why mess with a classic?
Check out the vintage markets
I’m definitely not cool or skinny enough to pull off vintage clothing — but I have a lot of fun browsing it, making up outfits in my head and playing with ridiculously oversize sunglasses.
The Vintage Market in Shoreditch is open in a downstairs warehouse just off of Brick Lane Thursdays through Sundays, and it’s worth popping into for a quick browse or impulse buy!
Sample street food all along Brick Lane
Brick Lane is one of the most famous streets in London for a reason, and it’s vibrant on this street all week long in London. However, Sundays bring Brick Lane to life even more than it usually is, with tons of street food with cuisines from all around the world represented.
Everything from richly fatty tonkatsu ramen to Ethiopian food with spongy injera bread can be found on the streets and in the small markets just adjacent to Brick Lane. I could spend days and days eating my way through the stalls here, but I opted for tacos, since I have such trouble finding decent Mexican food in Europe, and was really pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was.
A little lost? For a Sunday street food tour that takes you from all corners of the culinary world in a single 3.5 hour tour, check out the Shoreditch Sunday street food tour, ranging from British to Ghanaian to Jewish cuisines and beyond.
Brick Lane is the nexus of activity on Sundays, but there are lots of little alleyways and side street markets that are also worth a look for unique souvenirs and window shopping.
It’s great to be able to support local artists through these pop-up markets. We went to the Backyard Market and the Tea Rooms Market, both located in an side street off of Brick Lane, and enjoyed perusing the stuff on offer there.
Visit the historic Spitalfields market
Another market? Hey, that’s what Shoreditch is all about on the weekends.
The Old Spitalfields Market is a dynamic indoor market with more than 40 food stalls and 30 shops, where a market has been ongoing since 1638. It’s one of London’s oldest markets and is incredibly popular with locals and tourists alike.
Unlike the other markets mentioned above, the Old Spitalfields Market runs 7 days a week, so if you are visiting Shoreditch on a weekday this is one of the places you can’t miss.
Peruse the historic Spitalfields houses
There’s just something so aesthetically pleasing about the historic homes of Spitalfields, don’t you think?
Princelet Street and Wilkes Street have some of the most beautiful Georgian-era architecture, with beautiful brickwork and perfectly painted shutters. If you’re an avid Instagrammer, this is probably one of the more photogenic streets in all of London.
Love photography? You can also sign up for a travel photography tour in East London, where a professional photographer will help you set up your shots and develop a unique photography style with their guidance.
Queen of Hoxton is one of Shoreditch’s best-loved bars, and its rooftop is especially loved in the summer.
It’s still really cozy in the winter, as every year they bring in a giant themed tent (this year, the theme is Moroccan-inspired décor) so you can still enjoy the rooftop bar without freezing your butt off.
Want more rooftop bars? The city’s got loads of them! Here are 10 more cool rooftop bars in London.
Explore the shops, stalls, and bars at Boxpark
I have no idea why hipsters love shipping containers so much… but there’s no denying that Boxpark is pretty freaking cool.
The bottom level is filled with quirky design shops, coffee shops, and affordable restaurants, whereas the top level is where you’ll find the bars and some delicious late night eateries. Super compact and right in the heart of Shoreditch, you’ll certainly end up walking past Boxpark at some point or another, so be sure to give it a visit!
Visit the Columbia Road Flower Market
I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by the Sunday Columbia Road Flower Market… I mean, it is just a flower market!
But the flowers on offer are such a riot of beautiful colors, with all sorts of unusual types of flowers and plants that I don’t normally see on offer.
Even standards, like the tulips pictured above, are more vibrantly colorful and unique than I’ve seen anywhere else in the world. For photography lovers, it’s definitely one of the most Instagrammable places in London!
I was awfully tempted to buy flowers to take back to my hotel room — before I realized that my money would be better spend on more Indian food.
Where to Stay in Shoreditch
When I chose Shoreditch as my base for my most recent London trip, part of the appeal was getting to stay at the citizenM Shoreditch, which just opened in fall of 2016. I first heard of citizenM when visiting my friend Megan at her hotel at the Tower of London location and enjoyed the design.
The rooms aren’t huge, but all in all, I was super happy with my stay at citizenM and would gladly book again in the future, and I would recommend it without reservations to similar-minded travelers to London. In a city as expensive as London, it’s really rare to find mid-range accommodations in centrally-located parts of the city, so citizenM is filling a much-needed gap in the market.
One of my favorite things about citizenM is how the public space is incredibly energizing and creative – design-focused without being stuffy or pretentious.
citizenM has reinvented the concept of the “lobby”, turning it into a creative, communal space complete with a bar, long coworking tables, and tons of private nooks and crannies where you can enjoy a coffee, drink, or a chat. It also seemed to be quite a popular space to work.
Had I been in a more responsible mood that weekend, I likely would have taken advantage of the fast WiFi and the vibrant but relaxed atmosphere to get some work done.
The rooms at citizenM are compact and utilize the small space well. However, if you’re the kind of person who needs a super-spacious room to spread out all your stuff — citizenM is not the place for you. The rooms are comfortable with sufficient room for two people, but I wouldn’t say they’re roomy.
What the rooms lack in space, they make up for with super high tech perks like a wall-mounted flat-screen TV with lots of movies (including, um, an extensive and free selection of adult films) that you can watch for free from your in-room iPad. I especially liked all the bedside plugs (and loved how they had different socket types so that if you forgot your UK adaptor like I did, you weren’t screwed). Touches like that are important to me and really improve the quality of my stay somewhere. As a blogger with approximately 17 electronics I need to charge at one point or another, having all the USBs and plugs in a convenient bedside location was a nice plus.
You could control the blinds and blackout curtains with a bedside switch and play with the lighting as well, which was a fun and super convenient touch. I felt a bit like I was in the Jetsons living in the future as I was playing with all the controls!
All in all, I was happy with my stay at citizenM and would gladly book again in the future, and I would recommend it without reservations to similar-minded travelers to London. In a city as expensive as London, it’s really rare to find mid-range accommodations in centrally-located parts of the city, so I’m glad for places like citizenM. Check prices, rates, more photos, and availability here.
Have you been to Shoreditch? What have I missed that I should put on my list for next time?
Note: I received a complimentary night at citizenM and paid a media rate for the remaining two nights. All opinions are entirely my own.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
