Insider's guides Insider's guidesAbout Melissa Maguire, our New York insiderAfter four years of college at New York University and six years as a local TV news producer, Melissa feels she has earned her membership to the five borough club.

The guides that help you live like a local

Want to experience a place just like the locals do? Meet our team of Insiders — real people who know their destination backwards and actually call the place home. They're here to share the do's and don'ts, the scams and the secrets, and get you beneath the surface before you even hit the road. Leave the touristy stuff at the door, and get Inside.
Where not to go One city, five boroughs and ten thousand restaurants, bars, shops and scams to skim. Can you really afford even a minute spent on the mundane in the world's most happening city? Time is short. And, luckily for you, Melissa has the lowdown on where NOT to go. Near the beaten track After you've ticked-off Lady Liberty and the Empire State Building, it's time to check out a New Yorker's New York. Want to find the best sample sales, celebrity spots or just a unique urban oasis? Melissa has put together some of her favourite secret haunts and tips to ensure you get inside NYC and get the most out of your holiday. Expect the real deal. Itineraries Only in NYC for a day? Or unfortunate enough to only have a weekend in the Big Apple? Never fear; we can help you map out your stay to make the most of it. See, do and taste the stuff you want in limited time. Our insider, Melissa, has put together a couple of itineraries to help you avoid those 'why didn't I...' regrets. Lists With so much to see and do in New York, we thought it best to give you an easy-to-use list of top spots and how to best experience them. A quintessential NYC experience is to picnic in the park. But which park? Melissa has the low-down on how you can go local on a big city green patch, plus some Sex and the City sights to see if you're still Carried away... The boring bits In addition to all the fun stuff you need to know before you hit the road, there are a few boring bits to cover off as well. Do you need to get a visa before you go? What kind of electrical plugs do they use in the States? What's the time zone? How about that Yankee funny money? And when's the best time to plan your trip? Melissa has the lowdown for you. Awesome links There are loads of great resources on the Web that will make your trip to New York even better. Melissa has put together a list of favourite links that locals use all the time.. Some are useful, some are entertaining, and some are downright bizarre.
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