3 Unglamorous (But Must-Know) NYC Travel Tips

<p>While most NYC travel tips focus on where to eat, what to pack, and attractions to see, those neglect three unglamorous details that can ruin your trip.</p><p>Needing to pee in the middle of Times Square? Rough.</p><p>Your phone battery dying when you&#39;re next up at the ticket scanner for a Broadway show? Yikes.</p><p>Blisters on your feet after day one of your trip? Bummer.</p><p>This article is gonna save you headaches, stress, and an uncomfortable trip to New York City.</p><p><strong>1- The Bathroom Situation</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>The cleanliness, availability, and proximity of places to go pee in NYC are all awful.</p><p><strong>NYC Bathroom Advice #1 - Go Before You Leave</strong></p><p>If you are at a restaurant, bar, museum, etc., and are about to leave, use the restroom before you do.</p><p><strong>NYC Bathroom Advice #2 - Know Your Options</strong></p><p><strong>Familiarize yourself with places that are likely to have bathrooms, including but not limited to:</strong></p><ul><li>Hotel lobbies</li><li>New York Public Libraries</li><li>Some parks (not all, mind you)</li><li>Whole Foods</li><li>Many coffee shops (not all, again)</li></ul><p>And, do yourself the favor and follow <a href="https://www.got2gonyc.com/about" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">this amazing Google Maps list from Got2GoNYC</a>! It shows hundreds of available bathrooms throughout the city.</p><p><strong>2- Staying Charged &amp; Connected</strong></p><p>The present reality is that you need your phone to explore New York City. You will use it for <a href="https://bettertogetherhere.com/google-maps-hacks-navigating-nyc/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Google Maps</a> to navigate to your next destination, it will have your tickets for <a href="https://bettertogetherhere.com/nyc-broadway-tips/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Broadway shows</a>, and it will, of course, serve as your camera for documenting your travels.</p><p>You cannot afford for your phone to die.</p><p><strong>Phone Charging Advice #1 - Charging Around</strong></p><p>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. <strong>Here are a few reliable places you can charge your phone (and often get free WiFi, too) in New York City:</strong></p><ul><li>Many fast-food-style restaurants, such as McDonald&#39;s and Shake Shack.</li><li>Many coffee shops</li><li>Public libraries</li><li>Food-eating areas of bodegas, grocery stores, or delis</li></ul><p><strong>Phone Charging Advice #2 - Portable Charger</strong></p><p>Better than relying on a plug that may or may not exist, invest in a portable charger.</p><p>I have used <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Luxtude-PowerEasy-Portable-Certified-Lightning/dp/B071FJ2FBX?crid=IZBR5TRP7CXW&keywords=portable%2Bcharger%2Bluxtude&qid=1670280272&sprefix=portable%2Bcharger%2Bluxtude%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-4&th=1&linkCode=ll2&tag=bettertogetherhere-20&linkId=bfee6e27424b7595ca5ef4ffae0f3198&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">this Luxtude charger</a> for years, even buying the larger version for travel. I love that it&#39;s compact, can give about 1.25 charges, and has the built-in cord.</p><p><strong>3- Taking 20k Steps</strong></p><p>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!</p><p><strong>Walking Tip #1 - Prioritize Quality Shoes</strong></p><p><strong>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.</strong></p><p>As a bonus point, waterproof or <a href="https://amzn.to/3qy5PL1" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">water-resistant shoes</a> a