A perfect balance of urban landscape and green space, New York lends itself to one of the healthiest, most enjoyable outdoors pursuits – cycling. This may be a surprise to those who still envision the Big Apple as a gritty no-go zone for pedalers. In fact, New York has hundreds of miles of bike lanes and one of the largest bike-sharing programs in North America. New Yorkers and visitors alike are discovering the joys of zipping around on two wheels, and have helped transform this city into a bicycling haven.

Tipping plays a small but pivotal role in so many NYC experiences, from ordering a drink at a bar to taking a taxi across town. Knowing when to tip and how much can seem like picking your way through a minefield in this service-oriented town. Before you set off for New York City (or anywhere else in the United States for that matter), familiarize yourself with our cheat sheet on tipping etiquette.

Once most notable for its slums and tenements but now home to the coolest bars in New York City, the Lower East Side has blossomed into a Manhattan must-do. Years ago this neighborhood was considered by some to be a no-go series of blocks, but a recent revitalization has distilled the gritty, edgy fun of New York into a walkable, condensed area where anything now seems possible.