New York City is one of the most recognizable places on the planet. Thanks to TV and movies, we all grow up with images of the Manhattan skyline and yellow cabs cruising along busy streets. We plan vacations in New York City with high expectations, especially when you’re a first-time traveler.

Before we get into the specifics, here are three reliable ways to make new memories when you visit The Big Apple:

Plus, everything is at your fingertips, from world-class museums to first-rate entertainment on Broadway and high-quality global cuisine. You can also choose to enjoy simple pleasures such as watching anglers on Harlem Meer or strolling through Union Square or Madison Square Park with a piping hot slice of pizza.

There’s a wealth of experiences across the boroughs that make up NYC. Manhattan is the epicenter and irresistible, from the bohemia of Greenwich Village to Central Park’s natural beauty to the cultural institutions of the Upper East Side.

Brooklyn is hip and happening, especially Bushwick and Williamsburg. The Bronx is rich in history and culture, with the wide avenues of South Bronx. Queens is more suburban with pockets of incredible ethnic foods, which Staten Island is even more residential.

New York City is an incredibly diverse city. You’ll hear dozens of languages walking around any neighborhood, and there’s a large, active LGBTQ community.

You’ll find a sweet spot in springtime (April, May), as the near-perfect weather coincides with fewer crowds before summer vacations begin. If you prepare for summer’s muggy heat, you can enjoy al fresco dining, sunbathing in Prospect Park and outdoor festivals.

In November and December, the city is festively decorated with lights and lavish, must-see window displays. Bundle up: Manhattan’s high-rise urban design creates vicious wind tunnels all year, so take care as you step around the corner.

All three have cheap public transportation options into the city including trains, buses and the Metro. If you have a lot of luggage, then consider a yellow cab, which will have a mandated flat fare into Manhattan. Rideshare services (Uber, Lyft) are also abundant.

Once you’re in the city, you can see so much from the sidewalk. Allow one minute walking per uptown or downtown block. Give yourself four minutes per crosstown block.

We know the subway might seem daunting, but the Metro (MTA) is fast, accessible and affordable. Buy a MetroCard from the machines or ask MTA workers inside the stations for help.

You can hail yellow cabs on the street (watch the locals to see how it’s done). There are also designated bike lanes and trails, as part of the public bike share programs. It’s a lovely way to see the Hudson River Greenway, Central Park and quieter neighborhoods.

New York is a progressive city with a wealth of choices when it comes to organic food, sustainable businesses and attractions. You’ll find eco-friendly options such as recycling bins, public bikes and green park spaces.

Museums and galleries are high on most people’s lists. The big hitters are the Metropolitan Museum, The Museum of Modern Art, the American Museum of Natural History and The Guggenheim. You can easily spend an afternoon exploring the Met. Grab a map, pick a few exhibits to see and soak it all in.

If you love musicals and theater, you can book tickets ahead of your trip to a show on or off Broadway. Alternatively, you can spontaneously walk up to the TKTS booth in Times Square to see what’s on.

For shopping, you’ll find retail therapy all around: major department stores, luxury boutiques and flagship locations on 5th Avenue. There are also independent retailers and services. Head to the Lower East Side, East Village and parts of Brooklyn, where you’ll find thriving markets and family stores.

Walking around Manhattan allows you to feed off the city’s energy, but there are ample green spaces too. There’s Central Park, which has its own zoo, a famous carousel and acres of lawns. The High Line has an elevated track that saw a railway line turned into a popular greenway, with overlooks onto the Hudson and The Vessel.

It’s easy to plot a foodie tour in Manhattan, but places in Queens and Brooklyn will tend to be spaced further apart. The Queens Night Market, for instance, is well worth the trip.

Paul Oswell is a British award-winning journalist and published travel author based in New Orleans, Louisiana in the United States. His books include Bucket List North America and The Great American Road Trip, as well as New Orleans' Historic Hotels. He has also been an editor of and contributor to several guide books/editions published by Dorling Kindersley (owned by Penguin), including New Orleans, Florida, Orlando, Los Angeles, California and The United States. His work has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure (both of which he has written multiple online travel guides for) and The Guardian, as well as dozens of international newspaper and magazine titles, and inflight magazines for major airlines.