The Master Plan NYC

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Tips on tipping like a real New Yorker: the how, the what and the when!

When you tip your server well, you're spreading goodwill and love.”

Bert McCoy
Depending where you live this post might be very obvious or an handy explanation.
 
For me, as Belgian, tipping like New Yorkers doesn’t always come natural. Of course, a few euros here and there. But adding 20% to the restaurant bill isn’t something I do. 
 
When in Rome do as the Romans do. 
 
Or in this case…
 
When in NYC, do as New Yorkers do. 
 
Minimum wage is very low and many service providers only get the minimum (sometimes even less…) hoping to make a better living with tips. So don’t be cheap and tip properly!  

Who to tip?

In short you should tip everyone who provides you a service. Yes, everyone! 
 
Specially when they did a great job. Bar tenders, taxi drivers, housekeeping, hairdressers, manicure, doorman,…
 
They serve you? You tip them. 

How much to tip?

The next question you probably have: how much do I have to tip?
 
This is slightly more complex. Cause it depends on the service they offered and how good they did it. 
 
Don’t you worry.
Many restaurants calculate  for you. The bill shows 1 to 3 amounts related to your satisfaction level. These can vary between 15% and 30% off your total. They are just a suggestion, but very handy. Cause math can become a bit more challenging after 3 Cosmo’s ;).
 
No suggestion on the bill? An easy way is to double the sales tax amount (8.875% in NYC) and there you have it. The perfect tipping amount.
 
Do check the bill for a phrase like ‘service included’. Some restaurants will include an 18% service fee automatically. No need to pay double tipping. Unless you were very, very happy with the service :). 
 
Restaurants aren’t the only place you should be generous with $ bills. 

Who else to tip?

Here is a short list for the most common services:
 
  • taxi drivers 15%
  • waiters 15% to 25% (10% if service was below satisfactory)
  • bar tenders minimum $1 a drink
  • house keeping $3 to $5 a night
  • doormen $2 to hail a cab
  • porters $2 per bag, but please when heavy, go heavy on the tipping 😉
  • getting pampered? Add 15 to 25%
 
Many locations, if not all, accept credit cards, but appreciate if you tip in cash nevertheless.
 
I always make sure I have $1 and $5 bills for tipping purpose. Totally awkward to tip your taxi driver and ask for change.
 
Cause time is money. Specially during rush hour.

When to tip?

You probably saw a movie scene, or two, in which the main character tips the waiter at the beginning of the evening to assure a sublime service. You might have a friend who tips housekeeping the first day of her stay. All in the need for extra towels and free toiletries. 
 
The concierge who gives you the best restaurant tip deserves a $5 tip. Or give a big one at the end of your stay. Whatever you decide, tip them well, cause they might get you in the complete booked show or the best table in the restaurant.
Oh, I love a great concierge! The best one I ever met was in the Hudson New York.
 
Tipping at the beginning of your stay could be smart! Cause I’m sure you agree. We all looooovvveeee to be spoiled!
And don’t forget to tip your tour guide! Consider around 20%, but make the amount in line with the tour size & length. 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

xoxo, 

B

PS: This complete guide on tipping will help you remember it all ;)! 

5 tips to find a restroom in NYC: Where to go when you need to go?

“New York, like London, seems to be a cloacina [toilet] of all the depravities of human nature.”

Thomas Jefferson
As a kid my mom always told me to go to the restroom before we left the house. Even if we were only gone for 5 minutes.
Mom, I’m blaming you for always needing to go ;). You might think it’s funny, but even not knowing where the toilet is, makes me need to go.
 
Crazy! I know, but I’m not the only one…
Or am I? 
 
Anyway, let’s talk restrooms! Cause a prepped girl will not waste time looking for one. We better look for bargains! Wouldn’t you agree? 
 
So bathrooms, restrooms, toilets, the ladies, powder rooms. Whatever you want to call them. We need them. And sometimes urgently :). 

Tip 1: Excuse me, where is the nearest Starbucks?

Obviously. Coffee shops, restaurants & bars are the most predictable solution. 
Starbucks, your best friend in times of need. Or Whole Foods.
 
Just check the for-customers-only-sign first (or ignore it).

Tip 2: Hotels & department stores

It wouldn’t be the first time I enter a hotel pretending to be a guest so I can use their toilet.
But I’ll admit…I’m more at ease to enter a big hotel like The Plaza than a little boutique hotel ;). 
 
Department and larger book stores (think Barnes & Nobles) will have toilets too. 
 
My favorite?
 
The one in Bergdorf  Goodmans basement. On the way over you pass their amazing beauty product assortment. A candy store for beauty addicts! Oh, don’t forget to indulge in their great smelling handlotion before moving on. A real treat!
 
PS: yes, this is the gorgeous store where Stanford & Anthony registered in Sex And The City: The Movie 2.
A little throwback clip here and here.
The opening scene from SATC: The Movie 2 at Bergdorf Goodman.

Tip 3: Museums, attractions & stations

Be like my mom. Tell your party to use the toilet before leaving. You are here now anyway, so better use the amenities. 
 
I’ll admit…I’m even worse than my mom. I’ll tell my party to use the toilet when we enter AND when we leave…oh my…I need toilet therapy.
 
Those in Grand Central are crowded and busy most of the times. Not always the cleanest, but you can be creative, no?
 
I always thought the stall doors had an opening so you wouldn’t get too comfortable. 
 
The real reason? The opening makes it notable when someone passed out. I never thought of it that way…

Tip 4: Like a walk in the park

Go for a walk to the park. Yes, it can be that easy!
 
A complete list of parks & their public bathrooms is available on NYC Parks.  The most spectacular ones are at Bryant Park. Best rating EVER. With classical music taking you away from the buzz & fuzz from the city and delicious smelling fresh flower I can see why. 
 
There are only a handful of automated toilets all over the city (most are still in a Queens’ warehouse…). You can find one in Madison Square Park if you would love to test it yourself. 

Tip 5: Technology helps nature

Download Flush and easily find the nearest toilet in your area.

So, now you know all about toilets.
Let’s focus on the more important stuff! Wining & Dining! Shopping & Spending! 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

xoxo, 

B

PS: You can also open up Dr. Wansoo’s map with restroom locations. It is categorized into 6 sections to give you an easy location overview; public, coffee shop, book store, hotel, fast food chain and other. 

 
PS 2: Can’t get enough ;)? Read this interesting piece in Curbed on the need for more public restrooms. 

4 ways to stay connected in NYC

To wifi or not to wifi, that's the question.

Shake Speare
The City feels like 1 big hotspot. Starbucks, stores, hotels, restaurants even the subway stations have wifi! Now we only wait till it’s active on the trains too to be connect everywhere. 
 
As an overseas tourist your phone bill can get rather high if you don’t watch out. But the days of hidden roaming costs are long gone. FaceTiming home is free when you are on the hotel wifi. You can even connect to the Empire States Building hotspot and share the view when FaceTiming your loved ones back home. 
 
I get it, I’m an Instagram addict myself, you want to share all those beautiful pictures on your socials. Instantly.
 
Believe me when I say there are more than enough hotspots to connect. 
 
But if you want to be connected all the time during your stay, I’ve got you covered! 

1: Prepaid card T-Mobile

You can get a prepaid card by T-Mobile when you arrive in the city.

Many big airports over the world will offer those too.

2: Tourist Package by T-Mobile

This $30* pack will give you 21 days all-in pack. Unlimited data & texting abroad will feed even the biggest connected savvy tourists needs. Turn on your hotspot and share with your travel companions.
 
Find the nearest T-Mobile store here and ask for more details. 
 
*Price at day of publication.

3: Buy a prepaid card at home

There are several options online to buy your card online already. Prices will depend on location and specifications. 
You can find a 7 days unlimited card at Amazon here and a 30 days card from Bol.com here. 

4: Disconnect and explore!

Go from hotspot to hotspot and enjoy the real city view in between :).

I’ve been visiting the city pre-smartphone age (I know! I don’t get it either!) and during Lets-Gram-The-Shit-Out-Of-It. I’ve never felt short of wifi. I’ve never felt the need to buy a card.

Trust me, you’ll be so busy exploring you  will not have the time to check your social media feeds. 

Let me know in the comments what you are planning to do!

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

PS: You can always check your options with your local provider!

5 Tips to rock your paperwork!

5 tips to make sure you have your paperwork in order before leaving to NYC. Discover what to do before leaving to NYC.

This is definitely not the sexiest part of the trip planning, but it’s rather essential. Cause no ESTA means no shopping on 5th! 
Just to be crystal clear, I’m no expert so in case of any doubt please check with your travel agent or even better your local government. Like it or not, different nationalities have different rules…
 
That being said there are a few things you have to organize before Spreading the News! 

Tip 1: ID check!

Wherever you are traveling from, make sure you have a valid passport. It needs to be valid till the end of your trip. 
 
It’s not necessary, but sometimes you’re better safe than sorry. If my passport contains stamps from non USA friends I make sure to request a new one before traveling. Just to avoid difficult questions at the borders.
 
I don’t know how my Bestie does it, but she always has the nicest CBP (Customs & Border Protection) Officer. It does have something to do with her flirting skills. I’m sure of that ;)!
 
Me on the other hand, I think the Automated Passport Control (APC) Machines are friendlier :). Anyway take it serious, don’t make jokes. Cause they will take it serious too. 

Tip 2: ESTA check!

As soon as you have your passport, you can request your ESTA. This document will make you answer the most awkward questions from time, but it’s serious business. 
 
You can request it here for $14 (prices might change). Note that some sites will charge you way more and are not legit. Don’t be fooled!
 
Your ESTA is valid for 2 years. 

Tip 3: Hotel-Info-for-Mom check!

Call me old fashion, but I always make a ‘fridge-note’ for my mom. Flight & Hotel details on 1 page. Just in case you max out your VISA and she needs to send you money ;). 

Tip 4: Money check!

Now that I get your attention about credit cards, don’t forget to check if you can use it in the USA.
 
Most cards will need to be activated for the US. This one, according to me, is the most crucial one ;). If you haven’t got a credit card, this might be the right opportunity to get one. A debet card doesn’t work as good as they do in Belgium (not sure about other countries).
On top, withdrawing money from an ATM machine will cost you money…Money you can use for coffee to go and a bagel on the site. 
 
I will always combine credit with cash. Tipping, small purchases, street artists,… I do prefer to pay those cash instead of by credit card. BUT corona will probably change this. I’ll always bring some cash so I can get it at the best exchange rate.
 
You can bring up to $ 10 000 cash into the States (just in case you want to buy a lot of gum :)). I’ve never exchanged euro’s in NYC and I don’t want to scare you. But be aware. Watch out exchanging money. Especially at Times Square, cause it might cost you more money than you exchange. Don’t loose time or money and exchange at home or at a trustworthy bank. 

Tip 5: Covid-19 Regulations check!

I’m writing this post during Covid-19. We can’t foresee what this pandemic will cause regarding regulations. I’m rather sure this will influence how we travel to the USA. Make sure to check with your local government before leaving. 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

PS PS Tip: Note: I’m no specialist. Best to check your local government or CBP for the latest regulations. 

5 Steps to organize your Not-Missing-Out-Anything-In-NYC-Itinerary

Travelling - it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.

Ibn Battuta

You’ve made your bucket list and filtered it down to about 5 highlights a day. Now let’s get them organized and get your itinerary flowing.

Step 1: get them on the map!

I’m a visual person and I think you might too. So print below empty NYC map and start organizing your highlights on it. 
 
For now it doesn’t have to be exactly. But the first step is to organize your highlights by area. This will limit your travel time and will give you more time to wander and enjoy all the city has to offer. 
 
For example,
Rockefeller, St Patricks Cathedral and Radio City Music Hall are all in the same few blocks. So is Saks btw :).
Group them at the same time and this will give you time to have a cocktail at Waldorf Astoria and enjoy the old glory the city has to offer. 

Step 2: opening hours!

It’s a contradiction, but in the city that never sleeps there still exist opening hours. Best to check the official site for the most up to date opening hours.
 
Check if there is a pay-what-you-want day. Several musea have 1 day or afternoon when you can pay what you want. Try to go that day ;). 
 
Next check the exact address on the site and prepare how to get there. Many sites will tell you which subway to take. 

Step 3: open Google Maps!

Find the exact location. 1071 5th Avenue doesn’t tell you a thing, does it? It’s the Guggenheim. But if I tell you 5th between 88th & 89th, you immediately know it’s on the Upper East Side. Look for the nearest subway station to find out which line to take. 
 
Extra tip:
Use your Subway app or Google Maps to calculate the travel time. This will help you to be on time. I’ll admit…NYC is the only place where I seem to be able to be on time ;). 

Step 4: fill the gaps!

You know the highlight, the location and the opening hours. Now it’s time to plan around it.
 
Again, Google Maps is your best friend here. Zoom in and find stores, restaurants, must see’s near your highlight. It’s the easiest way to find everything in the area. Would be a shame if you miss a great place just because you had no idea it was around the corner. 
 
Planning a little Insta shoot at the Flat Iron Building around lunch? You will find a Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, but even better an Eataly around the corner. Don’t let hangry spoil your visit is my motto ;). 
 
You might think I’m obsessed, but really Google Maps is my best friend while planning a NYC trip :). It’s the whole city at your fingertips.

Step 5: write it all down!

You now have all the information you need. So time to fill in your itinerary by day. You can choose my template here.
 
And don’t forget. Planning is part of the fun. Put on some music and enjoy!

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

PS: Looking for some extra items to fill your itinerary? The book NYC Guide for Instagrammers from Silvie Bonne is a great book. It gives you little gems for every highlight. Oh, and the photography is a gem on itself!

5 tips to prepare a perfect day in NYC

Preparation is key to success. And in this case: part of the fun! With these 5 tips you are able to plan the perfect day in the City!

I love preparing my NYC trips. All the reading, scrolling through pictures, visualizing myself in the city. It’s half of the fun!
 
With these 5 tips you will understand me completely. 

Tip 1: Prepare by area

This is where I totally went wrong during my first visit. Uptown, downtown, East-Side, West-Side. I saw it all on one day. Saw all & nothing, cause I lost precious hours in subways & taxi’s. Time I could have spend wondering & wandering! My planning was all over the place! As a result we lost precious time traveling. But on top… I never got an overview of the city.
 
Don’t be like first-time-me!
 
Be like 10th-time-me!
 
Organize your day around a highlight and use Google Maps to discover what else there is to see.
Taking the kids to the American Museum of Natural History? Google Maps will show you there is an Alice’s Tea Cup near (way better lunch idea than the basement at the museum ;)) and a playground in Central Park so they can run wild after the museum. 
 
The city is so big you might get lost in the possibilities. But an online map will make it look like a village ;). You will feel like a local by navigating it online ;). Zoom in and discover stores, restaurants and little gems. 

Tip 2: Prepare by a specific time of day

This is rather straightforward, but sometimes you might get overexcited and forget the most obvious. 
Traveling from Europe? You’ll wake up early so get some extra activities in the morning.
Prepped a late night dinner & show? Go for late brunch the next day.
 
It’s the city that never sleeps! You can do whatever you want when you want and where you want. Well almost ;). 
Cause off course a Holy Harlem tour with BE NY will only happen on a Sunday. 
 
So make sure you take tickets for shows, tours, special activities into consideration. These will be a main factor in your planning. 

Tip 3: Prepare around a highlight

You want to get the most out of a day at the MET? Visit it on a Friday or Saturday for late night opening. 
 
Make sure you check the most up to date opening hours online to make sure you are not standing before a closed door. Even in a city that never sleeps some locations do have a closing day. So it would be a pity if you forget to check them. 
 
Note that travel guides and blog posts, yes even mine, might not always be 100% up to date. What can I say? The city changes in a blink of an eye. Always best to check the official site to have the most up to date information. 

Tip 4: Don't be too ambitious

I know this might be hard. At least if you are a prep addict like me ;). I’m always afraid to miss out. But If you take the time to go around the corner and walk a block you might find a little hidden secret which is way better than the list of things you found on Pinterest. 
 
Cause don’t forget another Pinterest cliché…not all who wander are lost ;).

Tip 5: Don't underestimate travel time

You are on holiday so no need to take the subway to the Financial District when all traders are running to be at their desk before the Stock Exchange opens. I know, I know. The good ones like Mr Big have their own driver and will not be seen on the subway ;). But my point is: rush hour adds time to your travel time. 
 
So does rain. I swear, one drop of rain and every taxi and Uber is taken. Not just rain.
In a hurry? Trying to be on time? No taxi to be seen for blocks! It’s like the universe is teaching me a lesson. Be on time! You did not had time to check out those 2 last shops ;). 
 
Oh well, you can always call the restaurant and hope they will hold your table till you get there ;). 
 
Google Maps is your best friend here. You will find the correct location of your interest and how long it will take to get there. By taxi, subway or foot. Remember use intersections. 156 64th Street is way harder to fine than Alice’s Tea Cup at 64th Street & Lexington. 
 
NYC Subway is a great app to help you navigate the subway. It will show you which Subways to use and how long your journey will take. Including walking time between stations (if needed). You will travel like a local. just don’t forget to take it to the right direction ;). 
What are you waiting for? 
Start planning your next trip!
 
You want some extra help? Download my free itinerary template. 

Always in an Empire State of Mind,

B

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