Visiting New York City on holiday is one of the most exciting trips imaginable. From an unbeatable skyline to thousands of shops, restaurants and theatres, the city really does have it all. While it is an incredibly popular tourism destination, it is important to remember that millions of people also call the city home. Keep that in mind when you visit New York City, and follow these tips to experience the location just like you’re a local:

1. Take Public Transportation: While it’s certainly a great idea to ride in an iconic yellow taxi cab while on holiday in New York, consider riding on the subway for a real taste of the city. The inexpensive rides can get you around each of the 5 boroughs quickly, and might even help you to discover a new stop on your itinerary.

2. Dine on Street Food: Of course, there are hundreds of upscale dining establishments that make New York City a dining capital of the world. However, it would be a shame to visit New York City without trying a slice of authentic Brooklyn pizza, a cream cheese bagel for breakfast from a street vendor, or traditional Ethiopian food in Harlem.

3. See a Show: While tourists and locals alike head to see shows in New York City, many tourists spend hours waiting in line for tickets to see a Broadway performance, and then hours waiting to get a great seat. Instead of spending your holiday in line, either save some money and see an Off-Broadway production, or splurge and buy your assigned seat tickets in advance for the more popular performances.

4. Tour the Empire State Building at Night: Although there are lines and crowds to soak up the views from the Empire State Building each day, at night the viewing platforms are nearly empty. Take advantage of this and visit until 2am, when they close. As a bonus, the city looks perhaps even more incredible at night.

5. Shop Like a Local: While Fifth Avenue is known to be the best place to shop in New York City, it is also among the most expensive. Head instead to bargain shops where New Yorkers get deals, such as Century 21 or Filine’s, both of which are just a few streets away from Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

6. Go Out on a Weeknight: Head to one of the large clubs in the cities on a Friday or Saturday night, and you will find hundreds of other tourists. The best time to visit the most popular clubs and lounges is on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night, when drinks are cheaper than normal.

With these 6 ways to experience the city like a local, you are guaranteed to have a fantastic time in New York City.

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