I got to go to New York City for the first time a few days ago with a group of my friends and I had an awesome time. Even though I made great memories that I’ll keep forever, by the end of the trip I had learned some things that would definitely have been useful before I got to NYC. Here’s my tips for your vacation to the Big Apple:

1. Pace yourself.

New York City is huge and what may seem like a few blocks on a map can end up being a long walk. Even if you decide that you don’t mind a longer walk, make sure you pace yourself. Walking too much the first day in the city can make you sore for the rest of your trip, which isn’t fun.

2. Get an unlimited Metro card.

If you’re only in the city for a few days and can calculate exactly how many times you’ll ride the subway/buses and how much that costs, then you can put money on a normal Metro card.

But for peace of mind and increased flexibility, an unlimited seven-day metro card is perfect. You can hop on and off the subway and buses whenever you need to and won’t have to worry about your money running out.

3. Plan your trip before you get there.

My friends and I had an idea of the sites we wanted to see but didn’t really figure out exactly what we wanted to do and when until we were riding the subway into Times Square. Our trip still worked out- we saw everything close to us the first day and then saw what we missed from there for the rest of the trip. But it would’ve helped if we’d had a solid plan earlier.

4. Bring a reusable water bottle.

Walking a lot means you’ll need to be hydrated, but bottled water is expensive in the city, so bring your own and refill at water fountains (the New York Public Library and the United Nations are both free to go into and have clean ones) or ask for a cup of water if a restaurant allows that (Chipotle does) and refill with that.

5. Walk when the New Yorkers walk.

When crossing the street, there will be a moment when the little red hand is still up, but people start walking. That’s because the people who live and work in NYC know that the little walking figure is coming since the light is red, so they get a head start at crossing the street. Don’t bother waiting for the little walking person, or you’ll hold up the people behind you. Just walk.

6. Avoid carrying a bag.

Even sites that seem less major, such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, have bag checks whenever you go in, so try to keep the bare necessities in your pockets. If you absolutely need to carry a bag, try to make it a small one and be prepared to open it whenever asked.

7. Clean bathrooms are rare.

The random deli we ate in had a bathroom, but it was disgusting. In contrast, Chipotle had a rather clean bathroom. The best restroom I found, though, was at the New York Public Library. Attractions, even free ones, will most likely have the cleanest bathrooms. After that, trust a chain restaurant first. Remember that a dirty bathroom won’t kill you though.

8. Always carry hand sanitizer.

After using the subway, touching souvenirs, and taking selfies, you’ll want to use hand sanitizer before eating, especially since the restaurant you’re in might not have a clean bathroom to wash your hands in, as mentioned above. Always carry hand sanitizer with you for those moments and for any other gross, unplanned things that might happen.

9. Time and money are related.

You might save money by staying in New Jersey, but you might also spend half an hour getting into and out of the city every day. A tour of the UN might be awesome, but it also might take more time and money then exploring by yourself. Decide how much time and how much money you want to spend on attractions and accommodations because often these things are related.

10. A lot of attractions are free.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the New York Public Library, the 9/11 Memorial, Fearless Girl/Charging Bull, the Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Station, the United Nations, Rockefeller Center, Alexander Hamilton’s Uptown Estate, Times Square, the Staten Island Ferry, and Central Park are all free. Some of the museums have suggested donations, but you can always pay less depending on your budget. Google other free attractions for the season you’re going and you can find some great, cheap gems.

11. Bring a phone charger.

Google maps will be your best friend while getting around the city, but if you’re in the city for a long time, you’ll want to have a charger handy. A small portable charger that can fit in your pocket or bag is a great way to make sure you don’t get stranded anywhere.

12. It's ok to talk to strangers . . . sometimes.

You don’t need to talk to every person you see, but we did end up having a great conversation with an older gentleman when we asked if we were on the right bus. We spent the rest of the ride talking to him about everything from his recent operation to have a pacemaker put into his passion for writing poetry. His name was Frank, and I’ll always remember that brief bus friendship that made the end of our long day brighter.

13. Keep calm and enjoy yourself.

With all the hustle and bustle of NYC and knowing that your time is limited, it’s easy to just jump from place to place in a crazed desire to see as much as possible. However, you’ll enjoy your trip more if you walk a little slower, and calmly take in everything around you instead of snapping a picture and rushing on.