Walk, Talk, and Eat Like a Real New Yorker
There’s an energy in New York City that you can’t find anywhere else. The buzzing streets, the dizzying heights of skyscrapers, the symphony of taxi horns and subway cars - this city has a beat all its own. As a visitor, you may think you can experience it all as a wide-eyed tourist. But if you truly want to blend in and feel like a local on your NYC trip, you need to learn how to walk, talk, and eat like a real New Yorker.
In this blog post, I’ll be dishing out my best tips to have you strutting down the streets of Manhattan like you own them by the end of your visit. With advice on adopting the New York pace, style, accent, and favorite food spots, you’ll be faking it like a pro in no time. After reading, you’ll be ready to hit the Big Apple running and get a taste of what it’s really like to live in the City That Never Sleeps.
Walk Like A New Yorker
New Yorkers are always on the move. This city is fast-paced and busy, and people walk with purpose to get where they need to go. As a visitor, one of the best ways to blend in is to adopt the brisk walking style of a local.
Strolling leisurely like a tourist is a dead giveaway that you’re not from around here. Instead, you need to walk with energy and intention. New Yorkers average 4.5 mph when they’re hustling between destinations. That’s speed walking! Work on maintaining a brisk pace. It may feel tiring at first if you’re not used to it, but you’ll find yourself keeping up in no time.
Wearing the right shoes is key to walking miles quickly and comfortably. Don’t even think about slowing everyone down in flip flops or high heels. Pack a pair of well-cushioned sneakers or flats you can log miles in.
Also, know exactly where you’re going before you set out. New Yorkers don’t suddenly stop to check maps or fumble with directions. Have your route planned ahead of time so you can walk confidently and fluidly without blocking foot traffic.
Ride The Subway
Public transportation is the lifeblood of New York City, and the subway system is the main artery. Like a true local, rely on the subway as your main way to get around. Besides being fast and efficient, observing life on the subway will give you an authentic New York City experience.
To ride like a New Yorker, buy a MetroCard and familiarize yourself with the color-coded lines and express stops. During rush hour, avoid touristy mistakes like standing on the left side of the escalator or blocking the doors when they open. Stand to the right to allow people to pass. When waiting for a train, don’t walk right up to the edge of the platform.
On board, grab a pole or subway strap and hold on. As more people cram in, you may end up closer to strangers than you find comfortable, but that’s the reality during busy subway commutes. For long trips, New Yorkers pass time on their phones or by closing their eyes. Follow suit.
Eat Like A New Yorker
To fill your belly in NYC, eat where the locals eat. Some of the city’s most iconic foods are street cart snacks, pizza slices, and deli sandwiches.
Skip the tourist trap restaurants and head to neighborhood favorites. In Midtown, join the lines at halal food carts for mouthwatering chicken over rice. Grab a foldable slice from classic NYC pizza joints like Joe’s or John’s. Pop into a Jewish deli like Katz’s or Ess-a-Bagel for pastrami and bagels piled high with cream cheese and lox.
Explore Chinatown for dumplings and Flushing, Queens for authentic Chinese food. Seek out the city’s best burger and fries at diner favorites like Corner Bistro and JG Melon. And don’t forget about those Cronuts!
Eating at no-frills local spots will give you a true taste of New York City. You’ll rub elbows with residents and dine like a real New Yorker. Just be prepared to eat fast—talking and eating simultaneously is the name of the game.
See Live Entertainment
From Broadway musicals to indie concerts, New York City is the entertainment capital of the world. No trip to NYC is complete without experiencing some live performances.
You can’t go wrong with seeing a Broadway show. Classic venues like the Gershwin Theatre and Shubert Theatre host smash hits like Wicked, The Lion King, and Into the Woods. Off-Broadway shows offer edgier, experimental performances.
For concerts, Carnegie Hall features renowned symphonies and orchestras. Irving Plaza and Bowery Ballroom are great spots to catch rock, indie, and alternative bands. For improv and comedy, check out Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre or Carolines on Broadway.
Music and theater buffs should also check listings at venues like (Le) Poisson Rouge, Joe’s Pub, and The Town Hall for diverse lineups. If you’re willing to stay up late, hit the underground jazz clubs of Harlem.
With world-class entertainment daily, embracing the live scene is a must for experiencing NYC as a local. Check reviews and listings to see what’s hot when you’re in town. Just be prepared to pay for premium performances.
Explore The Neighborhoods
Each of New York City’s neighborhoods has its own vibe and culture. Venturing out of midtown will give you a taste of what makes each area unique.
Stroll the High Line in trendy Chelsea before checking out the galleries in the artsy West 20s. Soak up Italian food and culture in Little Italy and Nolita. Wander the cobblestone streets of Greenwich Village listening to music in Washington Square Park.
Feel the beat of the city in East Village’s punk rock scene. Take the A train to Harlem for soul food, jazz clubs, and historic sites. Have a picnic in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and feast at Smorgasburg for artisanal eats.
Don’t miss the mom-and-pop shops, street art, and immigrant flavors of Queens neighborhoods like Astoria. Ride the ferry at sunset to take in the Manhattan skyline from the Brooklyn Bridge Park piers.
Exploring beyond the tourist traps will give you a deeper sense of New York City’s spirit. Each neighborhood tells a unique story. See how many you can experience!
After reading this guide, you’ll be ready to hit the streets of New York City moving, talking, and noshing like you were born here. Adopting the local lifestyle is the best way to experience the true vibe of the city beyond the tourist attractions.
Walk with a purpose, master the subway, feast on local favorites, enjoy live entertainment, and explore the neighborhoods. Push yourself out of your comfort zone to keep up with the energetic pace of NYC. Before you know it, no one will guess you’re just a visitor. They’ll assume you’re a local New Yorker!
The allure of New York City comes from its fusion of cultures, gritty streets, arts scene, and 24/7 hustle. There’s no place like it in the world. These tips will help you blend in seamlessly so you can feel the pulse of this one-of-a-kind city. Get ready to fall in love with the “Capital of the World” - the NYC way!