DON'T Visit New York City Until You Watch This (2026)
Video Overview & Insights
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Sarah, I love your videos! Even though I've been to New York City countless times, I always learn something new whenever I watch them. You share so many practical tips that people can actually use.
One piece of advice I'd give first-time visitors is: don't spend your entire trip in Times Square! It's worth seeing, especially if you go to a Broadway show-but there's so much more to experience. If you're willing to hop on the subway, you'll discover incredible neighborhoods throughout the city, each with its own unique character and charm.
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New York City can feel overwhelming on your first visit — but it doesn't have to be. In this ultimate NYC beginner's guide, I'm breaking down EVERYTHING you need to know before you go: which airport to fly into, where to stay, what to eat, what to see, and the insider tips most tourists never figure out until it's too late.
Thank you! This video will going to save my life 😊 I will be there during Oct
Whether you're trying to navigate the subway, find the best slice of pizza, or figure out what to wear in January, this video has you covered. Consider this your NYC cheat sheet — from a licensed NYC tour guide who has helped hundreds of thousands of people fall in love with this city. 🗽
In this video:
Sarah, this is a great informational video. The best I've seen. I am from Southern California and have never visited but am currently very much interested in finally going within the next year. This is all so helpful. Thank you!
✈️ Airports — JFK vs. LGA vs. EWR
🏨 Hotels — where to stay for your first visit
20% tips for drivers too? Asking as a first time visitor in coming September
🌤️ Weather — what to pack for every season
🍕 Food — what to eat and where (yes, we talk pizza and bagels)
Is the ISP airport not in NYC? Is that one not even considered?
🗺️ Sights — must-see landmarks vs. actually worth-your-time experiences
💡 Cultural tips, hacks, and things NOT to do in New York City
Love your videos…for transportation tell everyone they can take the Uber Shuttle from LGA to Penn Station/Port Authority area ranging from $10-$15…I’ve done it twice and it’s cheaper returning back to the airport depending on your departure time…👌🏾
🏨 Hotels mentioned in this video:
🔹 Moxy Hotel Times Square — https://plann.in/4iOzd1
And rush hour :D
🔹 Aloft Hotel Long Island City — https://plann.in/4iOzd1
🔹 The Peninsula Hotel — https://plann.in/4iOzd1
How many days to explore NY
Discount Codes:
🚁 See NYC from above — helicopter rides with BLADE
What a stupid video. La Guardia is the best airport option because you can take free bus to Jackson Heights and take subway from there. Nobody watching your video is gonna do a helicopter ride from airport so stop posting such busllshit
Use code SARAHF538 to save $50 on your first ride
Use code FUNKY50 for $50 off Westchester flights
🎬 Museum of Moving Image
Save 10% with code FUNKY10
Went a couple of weeks ago, was really disappointed
🚗 Getting around with Lyft
Get $10 off your first two rides with code FUNK66734
You are Fab. If I were gonna take an NYC tour I'd call you first.
I live in Guadalajara. I'm from San Francisco. But I love visiting NY.
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OMG thank you for this video! I want to go to NY on my birthday and I was really lost abou what to do. It was really helpfull 🥰
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Hey Sarah, Im from Belgium. I come to NY in february 2027. There are supermarks near Time Square? And do you need to pay tips in the supermarkt? Your video is amazing thanks. Greetings Fien
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More movies have been filmed in Central Park than anywhere else, after watching Law and Order and Law and Order SVU you'd think there was more murders than anywhere else 😄
More User Perspectives
Im booked for March 2028, the Candlewood Suites near Times Square, for 5 nights
What in the hell is that you're drinking at 23:48?
Thank you life saver! ❤
@observiNlearnin2025Will definitely get your tour when I go soon. 😊
@sunriseschubert4391Thank you for your videos. We watched a bunch of them before we visited Manhattan last week. We did eat at Bea before one of the Broadway shows as you have recommended. I would add to your suggestions to use Uber Shuttle to get from Manhattan to La Guardia. It was easy to book, and only took 40 minutes during morning rush hour, total around $55 for two people.
@crrizello5157I got to admit! You really do your homework! You are a true professional in the business. Thanks Sarah Funk and I am a New Yorker who grew up in the Mad Men era of the 1960s and I am old enough to remember when no one went to Long Island City except for the Silvercup Bakery of which I rolled down the window of the car to smell the fresh bread in the air coming from Manhattan over the Queensborough Bridge with my late parents and my younger brother. We lived in Queens. Type in The Naked City TV series on YouTube or Google to see the city I remember from way back when!
@luislaplume8261Awesome, what a Video. 👍
@brightsideoflife1927Would’ve loved to use Blade but it’s cost prohibitive with five people. And the cost has increased to $195/person from JFK (thanks Iran war!).
Will book your Funky Experiences tour though!
It's all about the money, in the US. (no money, no honey)
@74RobinosWith no money, you have no life in the USA. (New York). Understood Sarah.
@74RobinosSpoke Manhatteen like a true New Yerker
@joshuakatt8147Staying at the Q4 Hotel in LIC this weekend.
@thomascrowley91223:25 lol. It’s free because you already paid for it with the $150+ a person fir the helicopter haha.
@Radiodaze10734:32
Would staying in Brooklyn be even more of a hack if your willing to take an extra 15mins to get to midtown lol
A few hotels on 4th ave near 36th street. N train is right there.
Can we pay the taxi with a credit card?
@laurafigueroa8i eat these videos up even though ive visited this city like 5 times and im going again in a few months lol, definitely checking out Classic Harbor Line next time
@justanotherguy2590I am flying in the day before cruise and I will be coming with no sleep.. But I have a few hours, and i'll be staying in Brooklyn, and I really want to see what I can of NY. What can I do in about three or four hours? Can you suggest a tour that you guys do in mid October on a Friday? I see your must see Manhattan tour. Are there plenty of places to use the restroom within the three hour tour, and are there any rest periods?
@jenkayla2492I ain’t tipping a soul
@mikhailgrant9688Beautiful. Very informative video.
@dr.khaliq6306Thanks for all the information. Times Square seems to get a bad rap, but I'm so anxious to experience it this summer. I hope I'm not disappointed. I feel like there is a lot to see, a Broadway show, The Pizzarias, One Times Square observation deck, The Today Show, MSG, etc..
@oldhickory4686The museum of the History of New York is awesome!
@carlscott506Myself and my wife got a taxi from Newark to midtown and it cost us $150! 😱
@alanrobinson375As a born and raised NYer, I'm going to have to disagree with you about the airports! If you're staying in the city, LaGUARDIA is the airport to fly into...freaking JFK is too far from the city plus the Van Wyke is a parking lot most of the day.
@flashflame4952You have been around for 10 years!!!! Omg, why do I just find you on YouTube????? I have been checking out videos for tourists to NYC for a month. I watched a lot of videos by different creators. Yours is the only one I shared with my family.
@allyip5777Very good and precise information.
You are the best❤️🔥🌹.
Fall is also great in nyc
@marblehillpjsSarah, I enjoyed my seventh trip to NYC. I will be looking forward to the next one.
@JoseFlores-kl6jmAs a visitor from the uk this week and currently here I can say this is the best place myself and my family have ever been to.
Today we have been into the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Then up one world and a drink looking out towards the Empire State Building. The other day we got the subway to DUMBO and had a look around. A couple of pints in the food market and the rooftop terrace then walked over Brooklyn bridge.
We have done grand central. Bryant park. 911 museum.
Central Park walk. Bethesda terrace. Times Square at 5am with hardly a person their. Then last night after the Knick’s with all the police presence and it was mental busy 😂
America museum of natural history, awesome.
Chinatown (currently overrun. Wouldn’t recommend but we had a great meal in a local place)
Still to do top of the rock. Empire State Building.High line and onto the Intrepid museum.
Get lost. Use the subway as it’s awesome. Avoid people who look like they require a swerve 🤣
Do it. Get out. New York is absolutely amazing 🎉
Top tip. As a family of four look at what the cost would be on the subway as you sometimes have to use more than one train and compare to an Uber trip for 4.
SARAH! You convinced me to visit NYC this fall for three weeks, and I'll be staying in Williamsburg. I am struggling to know what to budget in USD for food money for two people every day if we don't intend to have more than two sit-down meals a week. Any advice?
@KarmaInvictusNYC is the absolute best city to see anywhere in the US. Yes it is expensive but so is LA and Vegas and NYC is better in my opinion. I've been multiple times and I found October specifically Columbus Day weekend and a couple weeks before Christmas are my favorite times to go.
@jkinnear81Thanks sarah, me and my family will visit first time NY in June and we booked hotel on the Hoboken side by the water. You helped us a lot , wish the best 👌
@romanvarlamov7645Great video Sarah! Thank you for the tips! ❤
@meandhim3485Who would visit way overpriced, dangerous NYC now?
@georgehenderson7783You’re not from NYC, right? You look and sound like someone from upstate.
@WORSTDAYOFYOURLIFEnyc local law 18 is illegal and overreach. people should own where they live rather than sharing with government.
@SamSitarSarah. When it comes to the subway . And it's getting late or late. And on the platform. Go to the middle of the platform and look for a striped bar . That is where the conductor is. Or go to the front of the platform and that is where the motorperson is.They both have radios to contact dispatchers in case something is wrong. I take the subway late from going home from Rangers games. That is what i do. I saw you had some clips of Dumbo . Yes i like Dumbo . Manhattan Bridge Picture on Washington st. Brooklyn Bridge Park . My favorite rooftop is Time Out Market at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Beautiful view of Manhattan. Awesome Video.
@MRP3261