Travel expert Elena Herraiz's warning if you're planning to visit New York: "If you don't want to be the hated tourist, accept it."

Traveling to New York is a dream for many, which is why thousands of tourists cross the Atlantic each year from Spain to see the wonders of "The Big Apple" with their own eyes. The Empire State Building, Central Park, and the Statue of Liberty are some of the most visited places in both the megalopolis and around the world, but the largest city in the United States hides countless secrets and also has a very distinctive culture that sets it apart from the rest.

'The city that never sleeps' is unparalleled anywhere else in the world, and that's why it's so important to know what to do when visiting. To that end, travel influencer Elena Herráiz, who along with her partner Víctor Gata has nearly a million followers on the Instagram account @viajeroextranjero, has offered a series of tips for those planning to visit New York soon so they don't have any problems in the city and don't become the typical hated tourist.

Tips and the Subway in New York

"Tipping is practically mandatory. It's frowned upon not to leave at least 15% or 20% of the total, and a large part of a waiter's salary depends on it," Elena states in a video. This is the restaurant culture in the United States. Therefore, it should be included in the total trip budget, because if you don't, you can become "the hated tourist." You can pay in cash or by card.

Regarding public transportation, the influencer advises all her followers to use a contactless card, which allows you to enter the metro and buses simply by "passing it through the turnstiles." The system itself is responsible for charging for rides "up to a maximum of 35 euros per week," she explains, although the same card must always be used. "Seven calendar days are counted from the first use."

Tickets to Broadway musicals and viewing platforms

One of New York's main cultural attractions is undoubtedly the Broadway musicals, from Wicked to Hamilton . To find tickets at the best prices, Elena Herraiz recommends "buying them directly in the city." This can be done in two ways: by entering the so-called "ticket lotteries" or by getting in line early at the box office to get last-minute tickets.

He also emphasizes in the video the importance of booking tickets to the observation decks in advance, as some of the city's most famous, such as SUMMIT One Vanderbilt or Top of the Rock , "are always full," especially during peak season. Furthermore, if you want to see the sunset with the New York skyscrapers as a backdrop, it's even more crucial to buy tickets days in advance.

Where to stay in New York: the best neighborhood to sleep

One of the main questions for all tourists traveling to New York for the first time is which is the best neighborhood in the city to stay in. The influencer draws on her three experiences visiting the city to recommend that her followers stay in Manhattan, stating that "it is worth it" to spend the night in the city's most famous area.

If you look at hotels in advance, you can find "good deals" on rooms, he says, and it also offers the possibility of walking to some of New York's main attractions, making it a great option both for avoiding huge distances and for not spending an astronomical amount of money.