Insider Information for Visiting New York City   Streets that run east and west are called ‘streets’. Streets that run north and south are called ‘avenues’. 5th Avenue divides Manhattan into the east and west side. If you plan on visiting attractions, take advantage of a New York City attraction pass. There are currently 2 passes that are worth buying— The New York Pass: If you plan on seeing a lot, this is the pass. The New York Pass gives you admission to over 40 of the City’s best attractions for one low price. There are a variety of things to do and the pass may be purchased for up to 7 days.  The New York Pass includes the best New York attractions like— all of the zoos and the aquarium, museums, water cruises, and much more. If you use this pass, it will save you a small fortune. It is also the only viable NYC attractions pass that includes the Statue of Liberty. The City Pass: This pass is a little more focused. This pass gives you admission to 6 top attractions in New York. In using the City Pass, you save about half off the combined admission prices. This is a good deal if you plan on visiting the participating attractions. When getting directions in New York, always ask for the cross street. For example, if someone tells you the address is 350 5th Avenue….this presents some problems. A taxi cab driver may not know the address and will probably ask you for the cross street. Also, you will not be able to find the address on a map. 5th Avenue runs for miles north and south. You would have no idea where on 5th Avenue you would have to go. If you ask for the cross street, you will get the address like this, “350 5th Avenue at 34th Street”. Now you know you must go to 5th Avenue and 34th Street. This address may sound familiar; it is home to the famous Empire State Building. By the way, if you do visit the Empire State Building, be sure to purchase the New York Skyride and Empire State Combination ticket. The combination ticket will save you money.   In New York, it is customary to tip 15% - 20% to wait staff, bartenders, and taxi drivers.   If you are looking for a memory of a lifetime, take a New York helicopter tour. The New York, New York Helicopter Tour and the Big Apple Helicopter Tour are both great experiences. It certainly does not get better then a New York helicopter tour. If you have a special occasion, you may want to consider the private and exclusive Romance Over Manhattan Helicopter Tour. Taking one the New York City helicopter tours ensures that you will experience the city in an unforgettable way! Metro Cards work on both buses and subways. Metro Cards may be purchased at most subway entrances. Simply ‘swipe’ your Metro Card at the turnstile of the subway or as you enter a bus. Remember not to pay a person for a ‘swipe’. It is illegal, and the Metro Card the person is using is probably stolen. Both the bus and subway are a safe and reliable way to navigate New York. Transfers between the two are free. But before tackling the city on your own, you may want to get to know it a little better first. A good way to gain familiarity is to take one of the New York City bus tours. The All Loops Tour and the All Around Tour are the best New York City sightseeing tours.  An NYC bus tour will help you gain a good understanding of the city and its many neighborhoods. New York bus tours assist both the first time visitor and those that have been to the city before. If you walk 20 blocks north or south in Manhattan, you have walked 1 mile.   If the number on the top of the taxicab is lit, it means the cab is available. If the light is off, the cab is occupied.   If you are traveling with your laptop, free wireless internet is available at many public parks.   Many businesses New York City, including pharmacies and delis, are open 24 hours.