A Guide to Doing New York City Right

If I said it once, I said it a million times.

“I’m really good at this whole New York thing.”

During my first trip to the Big Apple, I was on the TODAY show, I was within groping distance of an Oscar-nominated actor, I sat in on an editorial meeting at “CBS Evening News”, and I got a ticket to “Wicked” for under $100. How can a girl really get this lucky?

Thanks to the Texas Tech University College of Media and Communication, Alicia Keene, The Hub@TTU’s graduate director, and I had the opportunity to attend the College Media Association’s annual conference in New York City. We were able to go up a few days early to see a bit of the city and get a real New York experience. For a girl born and raised in Lubbock, this was a pretty big deal.

Prepare for shameless pictures of me. This is me on Carrie Bradshaw from "Sex and the City's" stoop.

Prepare for shameless pictures of me. This is me on Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City’s” stoop.

Even though my first experience in New York City was great, there were quite a few things that just really baffled me, or at least made me think. Here is what I learned during my first time in the largest city in the United States.

1. The soundtrack of New York City would feature honking. And a lot of it.

I did not expect anyone to drive in New York City. Like, why would you? But trust me, people do. And they do not do it well.

Lanes are simply suggestions in NYC, and blinkers are apparently nonexistent. Cars are constantly weaving in and out of lanes, doing whatever it takes to get through that streetlight two blocks ahead. Walking across a crosswalk when it is not your turn is truly risking your life, because these people definitely will not stop for you.

My biggest pet peeve about New York City is all of the honking. I will hear a honk, look to see what is going on, and see absolutely nothing. These people honk for no apparent reason! We all see you, cool your jets! You will get to your destination eventually.

I understand that southerners are just more passive aggressive, and will simply call you a bad name under their breath from behind the safety of their steering wheel. But, New Yorkers give a whole new definition to road rage.

2. The subway is convenient, but disgusting

The train is a great way to get around town, especially when you need to get from one borough to another efficiently. During my time in NYC, the subway system was very reliable and a cheaper alternative to taking a taxi everywhere.

Here's another picture of, you guessed it, ME! This was at the original P.J. Clarke's, where Lubbockite Buddy Holly proposed to his wife on their first date.

Here’s another picture of, you guessed it, ME! This was at the original P.J. Clarke’s, where Lubbockite Buddy Holly proposed to his wife on their first date.

However, I feel like the subway stations are true health hazards. I like that all of the performers and people watching you can see below the New York streets, but the mold that is everywhere is not as exciting. The black, stagnant drippings coming from the walls and ceilings are extremely unappealing.

The subway system is over 100 years old, with many stations seeing minimal renovations since they were originally built. But it seems like they have also received minimal cleaning since, too. The tracks are surrounded by trash and water that has been there for who knows how long.

Deep cleaning and renovating the subway stations would be a big expense, and would wreak havoc on travel in the cities. But doing little things to improve the atmosphere would be appreciated by all.

3. Everything is expensive

People really are not kidding when they say New York is expensive. While here, I’ve paid $20 for a cheeseburger, meat and cheese only. I could have gotten the same thing at Whataburger for only $5! Although fast food and Starbucks’ prices are the same, local establishments’ prices are much higher than Texans are probably used to.

The price of living is not cheap either. For part of our trip, we stayed with some friends in Queens, which is more of a suburb than in the middle of the city. They said they pay around $1,200 for their one-bedroom apartment, and that is not including all of the bills.

New York is great and all, but only if you can afford to live there.

4. “Oh, I’ve been to Austin.”

When you say “I’m from Texas” in New York City, people are either interested or apologetic.

In a state that is as diverse as a rainbow, people automatically assume you can only be from one city: Austin. People have also seemed to have only visited one city: Austin.

Don’t get me wrong, Austin is great. But Texas is so much more than ATX. In a state that has so much to offer, it really surprised me that everyone automatically wanted to talk about the weird city down south.

5. People are really nice, despite what television says

I know this is stereotyping, but I expected New Yorkers to be mean and yell constantly. I pictured everyone to be Robert De Niro in his “Taxi Driver” days. Grumpy, abrasive and all around odd.

I could not have been more wrong. Everyone I met was genuinely nice and more than happy to help all of the annoying tourists. I did not encounter a single person who fit the image I had in my mind.

So, thank you to all of the kind souls who helped me get where I was headed, suggested places to go, and changed my image of the big scary North.

One day, we casually hung out with "CBS Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley, who is also from Lubbock.

One day, we casually hung out with “CBS Evening News” anchor Scott Pelley, who is also from Lubbock.

6. There are actually no dead bodies in Central Park (that I saw)

As a big “Law and Order” fan, I expected there to be a dead body under every bridge in Central Park. Instead, there were just opera singers dressed in full, period-piece costumes.

I did not witness a single crime while in the Big Apple. Obviously, we all know that crimes do happen. But not on as large a scale as television makes it seems.

7. Pee when you can

This was a common issue throughout the trip, particularly in the ritzier boroughs of Manhattan. There are few public restrooms in most areas of the city, so seriously, pee when you can.

8.The shopping was good, if you like department stores

I was a disappointed with the shopping in New York City, surprisingly. There were obviously better options than what we have in Lubbock, but unless you’re into department stores, the shopping was unimpressive.

I did find a few more boutiques in the Soho area, and those were really great. But, for the most part everything was a chain department store that you can go to anywhere else.

However, it is pretty cool to go to the department stores as well. A lot of the bigger stores were founded in New York City, and are in the same locations they have always been in. Go to the original, gigantic Macy’s. Visit the Saks that is actually on Fifth Avenue. But remember to look for the smaller stores, too.

Obligatory picture in Times Square, even though it stressed me out.

Obligatory picture in Times Square, even though it stressed me out.

9. Times Square is overrated

It is not called the Big Apple for nothing. New York City is so much more than Times Square, so definitely branch out as much as you can.

Queens is not typically a tourist destination. But, some of the best food I had was in the Astoria neighborhood. I highly suggest MexiBBQ and Sugar Freak, which had both great food and atmosphere.

Times Square is fine for the tourist experience, but to get to know and truly appreciate New York City, branch and experience the unbeaten path.

10. Learn the city’s secrets

One of my favorite places in New York City is Grand Central Station. It’s old, there’s great people watching, and it has some great history.

In the “Whispering Gallery,” in between Vanderbilt Hall and the Main Concourse, you and a friend can stand in opposite corners, whisper to each other, and hear everything clearly. The trick is to put your nose right in the corner, like a child in time out.

Most of the older building in New York City have secrets like this, and it can really enhance the experience of historical landmarks. Check out websites like Untapped Cities to learn more about the places you are headed to.

11. Do something that makes you uncomfortable

One of the first nights of our trip, we went to the interactive theater experience “Sleep No More.” And, boy did things get weird.

“Sleep No More” is an interactive play that is loosely based on “Macbeth,” where you follow the performers around a five story set and figure out the story piece by piece. Everyone has a different experience, since it all depends on what actors you choose to follow.

Keene had a very different experience. She stumbled upon a scene featuring a sacrificial ritual, complete with a man wearing a goat’s head, strobe lights and rave music, and lots of blood. Oh, and nudity. There was a lot of nudity.

Although no one was really sure of what they saw when it was all over, it was a lot of fun and really made you think. It may have been weird and uncomfortable, but “Sleep No More” was definitely a unique New York City experience.

Selfie with Al Roker!

Selfie with Al Roker!

12. It’s all worth the hype

I have always wanted to visit NYC. Now that I have been, I am so glad I was not disappointed.

Some of my favorite places included Washington Square Park, where we saw Ethan Hawke film an upcoming movie. I also really enjoyed The Campbell Apartment, a not-so-secret secret bar located in Grand Central Station. As for neighborhoods, the Soho and Chelsea areas were probably my favorite.

When done right, New York City is absolutely worth all of the hype.

About Sarah Self-Walbrick

Graduate Executive Director — Mass Communication Graduate Student, Class of 2017
Sarah, a Lubbock native, has two bachelor of art degrees in electronic media and communication and journalism, and is pursuing a master's in mass communications. She loves Texas, her husband and dog, and good storytelling.