3 Unglamorous (But Must-Know) NYC Travel Tips

While most NYC travel tips focus on where to eat, what to pack, and attractions to see, those neglect the unglamorous details that can ruin your trip.

Needing to pee in the middle of Times Square? Rough.

Your phone battery dying when you’re next up at the ticket scanner for a Broadway show? Yikes.

Blisters on your feet after day one of your trip? Bummer.

This article is gonna save you headaches, stress, and an uncomfortable trip to New York City.

Here are the 3 unglamorous, but trip-improving NYC travel tips we’ll cover:

The Bathroom Situation
Staying Charged & Connected
Taking 20k Steps

Let’s look at each one below. 👇

Quick Links:

Note: This article was written by a real human who lives in NYC, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

Unglamorous NYC Travel Tips Podcast Episode

Want to hear more podcasts like this? Head here.

1- The Bathroom Situation

a public restroom in new york city | Better Together Here

If the status of public restrooms in New York City were an Olympic downhill skiing race, this city would be accidentally going uphill, backwards on planks of plywood.

The cleanliness, availability, and proximity of places to go pee in NYC are all awful.

It’s been written about ad nauseam (see thi s or even this), but know this for your travels… You MUST have a grasp of the bathroom situation.

NYC Bathroom Advice #1 – Go Before You Leave

If you are at a restaurant, bar, museum, etc., and are about to leave, ask yourself whether any part of you needs to use the restroom.

If the answer is yes, then use the bathroom. If the answer is maybe, then use the bathroom. If the answer is no, then still consider using the bathroom.

It is always best to use the restroom currently available to you!

And you may even find amazing restrooms (seriously) at bars and restaurants, like at Kin Ramen. 👀

NYC Bathroom Advice #2 – Know Your Options

dogs in a park bathroom in central park | Better Together Here — *A bathroom in Central Park, often not super clean, but a good option*

As you explore New York City, you will likely find yourself needing a restroom without knowing where to find one. So, familiarize yourself with places that are likely to have bathrooms, including but not limited to:

Hotel lobbies
New York Public Libraries
Some parks (not all, mind you)
Whole Foods
Many coffee shops (not all, again)

And, do yourself the favor and follow this amazing Google Maps list from Got2GoNYC! It shows hundreds of available bathrooms throughout the city.

NYC Bathroom Advice #3 – A Last Resort

If you cannot find a publicly available bathroom, go into a bar or restaurant and ask to use their bathroom. If they say it’s only for customers, then buy the cheapest available item on their menu.

2- Staying Charged & Connected

man using an app on his phone | Better Together Here

The present reality is that you need your phone to explore New York City. You will use it for Google Maps to navigate to your next destination, it will have your tickets for Broadway shows, and it will, of course, serve as your camera for documenting your travels.

You cannot afford for your phone to die.

And if you’re traveling internationally, you may not have reliable phone service when you need it.

You will need phone charging and WiFi throughout the day.

Phone Charging Advice #1 – Charging Around

a man in bryant park in new york city using a navigation app on his phone | Better Together Here

When your phone needs a charge, there are a few options you have while out exploring the city. Throughout New York City, there are LinkNYC towers. These have chargers and WiFi (more on that later).

While these are a decent option, do you want to be standing out on the street as your phone charges? I doubt it.

A better option is to charge somewhere that gets you a place to rest, a break from the elements, and a spot to charge your devices. Here are a few reliable places you can charge your phone in New York City:

Many fast-food-style restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Shake Shack.
Many coffee shops
Public libraries
Food-eating areas of bodegas, grocery stores, or delis

Let’s be clear: it is disrespectful to just sit at these types of places to charge your phone without buying anything (libraries excluded). We don’t have time to philosophize about the lack of public third spaces worldwide, but this is our current reality.

That grocery store is paying rent and wants its tables available to paying patrons. So, buy a snack or drink, charge up your phone, and be respectful of the space.

This list, mostly for people using electric scooters and the like, has some options of generally public outlets.

Phone Charging Advice #2 – Portable Charger

Better than relying on a plug that may or may not exist, invest in a portable charger.

I have used this Luxtude charger for years, even buying the larger version for travel. I love that it’s compact, can give about 1.25 charges, and has the built-in cord.

My issue with other portable chargers is that I often remember the charging bank, but then forget the cord I need. That’s a useless charger!

This Luxtude option solves that.

WiFi Advice

linknyc tower with a fact about the first nyc marathon | Better Together Here

You may also find that you need a stronger internet connection in the city, especially if you’re coming from outside the United States and relying on your home country’s SIM. Similar to the charging advice, you can find free WiFi in New York City at places like:

Public libraries
Fast food restaurants
Coffee shops
LinkNYC
Many bars and restaurants

Again, if you’re going to a business just for WiFi, be respectful of their space.

You’ll Have to Check It Out – Smithfield Hall

25th street
Huge on soccer but great for all sports
Happy hour mon-thu 5-7
Full schedule of important games available on their website
Friendly staff, plenty of seating, and solid food

3- Taking 20k Steps

walking across the brooklyn bridge into dumbo | Better Together Here

When visiting New York City, plan on taking around 20,000 steps each day. That equates to roughly 8 to 10 miles (13 to 16 km) every day!

Even if you use taxis/rideshare or public transportation, you will often walk as part of your navigation. So, here are some tips for handling all the walking.

Walking Tip #1 – Prioritize Quality Shoes

When packing for a trip to New York City, you may be tempted to prioritize style over comfort. Do NOT give in to that temptation.

While you can reserve your best heels for a night out, during most of your day, you will want to wear comfortable, walking-friendly shoes.

As a bonus point, waterproof or water-resistant shoes are huge! NYC has its rainiest spells in the summer, so be prepared even in the summer.

Walking Tip #2 – Find the Better Side

The skyscrapers and plethora of buildings create interesting temperature swings. You can use that to your advantage!

In the hot summer months, find the shady side of the sidewalk to walk on.

In the cold winter months, find the sunny side of the sidewalk to walk on.

Walking Tip #3 – Know Your Distances

central park loop map | Better Together Here

You will often pull up your next destination and see that it’s roughly 25 blocks away. 25 blocks, that can’t be far right?

Well, in Manhattan, in the grid system areas, 20 blocks is roughly a mile. For average walking speed, that’s 15-25 minutes of walking.

So if you’re trying to figure out if you want to walk from 34th Street to 14th Street, know it’s about a mile. Sometimes the subway is a better option!

For a deep dive into getting around New York City, download our 100% free NYC Navigation Guide here.

Walking Tip #4 – Anti-Chafe

Alright, this is a bit more niche and slightly more important in the hot months, but if you aren’t used to walking a lot every day, your body may handle it poorly.

While most think of tired legs, that will happen, chafing is something to be aware of. Chafing and/or blisters can happen on your feet, thighs, groin, arms, you name it.

It only takes one bad chafing experience to actively avoid it in the future!

This anti-chafe stick from Body Glide will be $10 well spent. 🫡