Khaya Dlanga’s Insider Travel Tips: New York City

Author, marketing guru and all-around nice guy, Khaya Dlanga shares his top travel tips for his favourite destination: New York City.

Planning a trip to the Big Apple? A word of advice: I love New York in spring, when it's the perfect weather for walking – warm, but not yet hot and humid. In NYC, walking is mandatory, because the best thing about the city is all the cool, quirky shops you’ll discover on foot. I even found one that sells poor boy hats exclusively, which was great news for my balding head. Who knows what you’ll find?

1. It’s worth mentioning again: New York is a walking city, so do what I did and start your day right with a stroll through Central Park. Just be careful not to overexert yourself too quickly – all that exploring can get exhausting, and Uber is there for a reason. Maybe you’ll choose to take the subway, but I always like to see what's above ground. 

2. Nothing can prepare a South African for just how freezing New York can get. Two years ago, while waiting for an Uber in the season’s first snowfall, I felt a couple of tears roll down my cheeks – not because of the overwhelming beauty of the snow, but because of the mixture of cold and wind stinging my face. That day, I learned a valuable lesson: Layer up until you’re sure you’re warm enough, then pack in an extra layer (or at least a hat to protect your ears).

3. Hungry? This tip is short and sweet. Go to Mama's Empanadas in Manhattan for incredible empanadas and the best guacamole in New York. You can thank me later.

4. A trip to the Big Apple would be incomplete without your own 15 seconds of fame, so go online and book a ticket to be an audience member of The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. You’ll want to secure these tickets well before you leave South Africa. The experience is totally worth it, but be prepared to stand in a queue. 

5. If you're a foodie, download Yelp. It’s the most trustworthy source of the best restaurants in your vicinity. What's even better, the app shows you the most popular dishes at those restaurants and how highly they’re rated, so you won’t waste one precious meal on something less than incredible. 

6. On the subject of apps, you’ll also want to download OpenTable – it allows you to book a table at pretty much any restaurant without having to make a phone call. The last thing you want is walking into a restaurant that’s fully booked. 

7. If you’re into the art scene, head to the Metropolitan Museum of Art – it’s where the Met Gala is held. I happened to be in New York this year on the night of the Gala. Incidentally, when I stepped out of my hotel on my way to dinner, I saw a beautiful woman with big hair in an elegant green dress. I immediately knew where she was going, but I had no idea who she was. When I got to my dinner, I showed my friends a picture I’d taken of her. They all gave me the stank eye for not knowing who I had just paparazzied: It was Ciara.

The travel bug has bitten and New York is calling your name, so what are you waiting for? Register your details here to get access to the booking site.

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this article/post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Woolworths or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees and/or advisers.