New York City like a Local

New York City like a Local

The phrase "in a New York minute" is clichéd for a reason: in this wonderful, frenetic, and overwhelming city, things really do change in a flash. Even for those of us who live here, keeping up with the latest trends in fashion, art, music, food, and nightlife can be dizzying.

Thankfully, there are a few tricks to navigating this city -- unspoken, hard-won bits of knowledge that help us locals get the most out of our hometown without driving ourselves crazy. And at the risk of compromising our New Yorkishness (after all, we consider ourselves members of an exclusive club, and guard our secrets accordingly), we've decided to share those tricks here. Just don't tell anyone we told you.

Getting Around Like a Local

First, when distance is involved, take the subway. Skip the horse-drawn carriages that wait for fares around Central Park; a jaunt in one will leave you exposed to the elements, stalled in exhaust-filled traffic, guilt-ridden about the poor, plodding horse, and broke. Pedicabs aren't of much use either, except for the novelty value.

When hailing a taxi, recognize which cabs to avoid flagging down. Don't wave at cars whose rooftop lights aren't illuminated; these already have passengers inside. Taxis whose roof lights are only lit at the edges -- not the center -- are off-duty, and will rarely pick you up unless your destination is on their way to the garage.

Think twice about getting into a cab whose driver has cut across three lanes of traffic to get to you; if he's willing to risk his life and the lives of others just to pick you up, he might not suddenly morph into a model of safe driving once you're inside. Then again, he might be the only sure bet to get you to the airport when you're running late.

Once you're in a cab, know your passenger rights. Although your driver will likely careen at high speeds while simultaneously cursing, leaning on his horn, and chattering into his cell-phone headset, you're entitled to ask him to slow down. You're also allowed to ask him to turn off his phone or blaring car radio, and if he doesn't comply, refrain from tipping him. Cabbies make their money from tips, so for any typical ride tack on 10% to 15% to your fare.

Lastly, hailing a cab between the hours of 4 and 6 PMis near impossible. It's rush hour, when every workaday New Yorker is trying to get home, and free taxis are very scarce, and they're all but nonexistent between 4 and 4:30 when the driver shifts change, so don't even waste your time trying to find one -- head right for the subway or else hoof it.

Speaking of walking, it's crucial that you be aware of the implicit rules of the New York City sidewalk. Most importantly, when walking here, move quickly. Realize that New Yorkers are like sharks: if they stop moving forward, they die (or else bite your head off). Unless you're holding the hand of a small child, single file is the rule; walking two or three abreast will cause locals to jostle, sideswipe, and growl at you. Stopping on the sidewalk to take pictures of each other or consult your guidebook will also put you at risk for being hip-checked. If you need a moment to consult your map or text-message a friend, make like you're on the highway: pull over and get out of the way.

Dining Like a Local

The first rule of New York eating is, forget the heavy breakfast -- at least on weekdays. Although weekend brunches are popular -- as the lines in front of morning restaurants on Saturday and Sunday attest -- when the rest of the city is on the clock, it's better to get up and go. Grab a cup of joe and a muffin from a café, deli, or from one of the ubiquitous sidewalk carts (they're passably good), and walk around while you eat. This will give you more valuable exploring time (trust us, there's too much to see to waste the whole morning lingering over omelets), and will also help you save money for the most important meal of the day: dinner.

While we're on the subject, you should plan to eat dinner later than you ordinarily would -- if you want to experience the real New York dining scene, that is. Most New York restaurants are empty at around 6 PM and don't fill up until at least 7:30 or 8, so if you eat early, you'll have your pick of tables. Prime-time dinner reservations -- between 8 and 10 o'clock -- are the hardest to score, but will ensure you're surrounded by chic dining companions.

Of course, if you can't get a good reservation (and you don't have young kids in tow), you can always do what many savvy locals do: eat at the bar. You'll get the same great food and people-watching, plus you'll get to feel like an insider while other folks are still waiting for a table.

Going Out Like a Local

There's one major rule New Yorkers abide by when hitting the nightspots: avoid, avoid, avoid the big clubs on Friday and Saturday nights. The only people you're likely to see then are other visitors, the pickup artists trying to scam them, and kids too young to know better. Locals and A-listers go clubbing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday -- on weekends you'll either find them at smaller, low-key bars and lounges, or huddled in their apartments with Netflix and take-out Chinese.

When you do hit one of the super-swanky spots in Chelsea or the Meatpacking District, don't over- or underdress. If you're female, don't confuse "dressy" with "formal"; leave the cocktail dress at home and go for something casually sexy: tight designer jeans, a classy-yet-revealing top, a fabulous handbag, and expensive heels are almost always a safe bet. If you're a guy, don't imagine that you can dress like the hip-hop artists you see on MTV; Pharrell may get past the doormen wearing slouchy jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie, but he's Pharrell. You -- and pardon us for making assumptions here, it's what we exclusive-club types tend to do -- are not.