If you’re not used to traveling, heading to America’s biggest cities can be overwhelming. Before you head to New York City or Los Angeles, check out these tips to help you nail your trip.
Flight & Parking
Flying into a big city can be stressful. LA’s LAX Airport is the fifth-busiest in the world, so it can feel formidable. Give yourself plenty of time to get around the airport and find your terminal. If you’re departing from LAX, you can take the airport bus to find your terminal. Whether you’re leaving from LAX or arriving there, you can pay for the Private Suite, which will get you access to a lounge, private security screening, and a suite with a living room and restrooms. A little extra comfort can go a long way when you’re stressed by traveling. If you’re flying out of LAX, be sure to be on the lookout for LAX airport parking deals, so that way if you have to park you can save a little cash.
Are you flying out of NYC’s JFK Airport? Take the Newark Airport Express rather than a cab. If you’re looking to avoid spending forever in the security line, get TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry. You’ll want to fly into or out of the airport in the afternoon so you’re not faced with a long delay in the evening or a very early wake-up call. You can open a credit card to gain access to one of the lounges in the airport, and check out the surprisingly good airport food.
Accommodations
When you’re making a plan to visit LA, you have to decide what you would most like to see while you’re there. If you’re hoping to explore Hollywood, stay at the Kimpton Everly Hotel or Dream Hollywood. Hoping to take the family to Universal Studios? Stay at Sheraton Universal Hotel, which is pet-friendly. If you’re dreaming of lounging by the ocean or learning to surf, stay at Beach House in Hermosa Beach or Portofino Hotel and Marina in Redondo Beach. If you’ve never been to LA before, you might want to stay in Santa Monica. Here you’ll find beaches, restaurants, shopping, gorgeous views, and an amusement park.
For your trip to NYC, you’ll have to choose between the boroughs. Travelers and sightseers typically choose to stay in Manhattan, where they can visit Times Square or Central Park. Empire Hotel near Central Park will give you an incredible view of the city from its rooftop bar, while Moxy Hotel Times Square will place you in the center of the action. Franklin Guesthouse in Brooklyn gets you a little further from the hustle and bustle of the city while giving you access to the beautiful neighborhood of Greenpoint. Deciding what you’d like to see in the city might help you decide where to stay.
Entertainment
Of course, there are plenty of things to do in Los Angeles, no matter where you decide to stay. If you’re a fan of art, be sure to check out the Broad Museum in downtown LA, which features Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms. Head to Malibu for an ocean-side meal at Neptune’s Net, or have a picnic at the Hollywood Bowl. Echo Park Lake will give you an unforgettable view of the LA skyline, and Temescal Gateway Park can provide spectacular views of the ocean. You’ll have to make a few trips to LA to check out everything you’ll want to.
NYC also offers incredible activities. While you’re there, you have to see a Broadway show—”Dear Evan Hansen Tickets” are easier to get than one might think. In Manhattan, you can catch a show, explore the American Museum of Natural History, or picnic in Central Park. You can shop in Times Square and check out every floor of M&M’s World. Head to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx to catch a ball game, or walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. The possibilities are endless in a city that never sleeps.
Whether you’re headed to Los Angeles or New York City, you’re sure to have an incredible time exploring and taking in the sights. Plan your trip well and you’ll feel relaxed and confident.
