NYC | Fun Facts & Useful Info

Next up in our series of posts about awe-inspiring New York city, we’re looking at some very useful tips to keep in mind if you’re going to study English in New York, including emergency numbers and helpful apps to download.

To start with, remember…

• US plugs are different from European or other plugs around the world. Be sure to buy adaptors in advance.
• When you buy a MetroCard with a credit card from outside US, you can leave the zip code box empty – it will still work.
• You know that a taxi is available when the top light is on.
• Remember the tipping culture in US – it’s very likely that every restaurant bill comes with a 15-20% gratuity charge included. You will also be expected to tip taxis.
• You have to be 21 to buy alcohol in NYC, and if you look younger you will be asked for ID.
• You can even get free WIFI in parks when in New York (Bryant Park, City Hall Park, South Street Seaport, and Union Square Park).

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Emergency Numbers

Fire: 911

Police: 911

Ambulance: 911

Information Assistance: 411

Useful Links for NYC

• Trip planner NYC:

http://tripplanner.mta.info/MyTrip/ui_web/customplanner/tripplanner.aspx

• New York Subway Routes:

http://web.mta.info/maps/submap.html

• New York Printable Subway Map:

http://web.mta.info/nyct/maps/subwaymap.pdf

• Official train website:

http://www.amtrak.com

• Latest events in NYC:

http://newyorkevents.co/

• Street maps:

http://www.gostreetmaps.com/new-york.html

• Official guide to New York (including promotions and latest events):

http://www.nycgo.com/

• NYC restaurant reservations:

http://www.opentable.com/new-york-city-restaurants

• Discount deals in NYC:

https://www.groupon.com/local/new-york-city

• Embassies in NYC:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/ia/html/affairs/consular.shtml

• Lost & Found yellow cab taxis:

http://www.yellowcabnyctaxi.com/lostandfound

• Information about opening a bank account in NYC:

http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/bankaccount.h

• New York News:

http://www.nytimes.com and http://www.huffingtonpost.com/new-york/

• Official government website for NYC:

http://www1.nyc.gov/

Useful Phone Apps For NYC

• BusBus NYC
• HopStop
• MTA TripPlanner
• Uber
• I Love NY
• NYTimes
• Time Out New York
• Open Table
• Yelp

Final Tips

Don’t leave New York without doing this:

• Eat a slice of pizza from a street food cart
• Go to a Broadway Show
• Go for a walk on Brooklyn Bridge
• Have a drink at a jazz bar
• Eat lots of bagels (in the morning, with a Starbucks)
• Take in the view from the Top of the Rock
• Go to a secret bar
• Go to a Yankee game
• Visit the 9/11 memorial
• Eat dumplings in Chinatown
• Go to see the Statue of Liberty
• Get to the top of the Rock or the Empire State Building

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