How to Spend a Day in New York City Without the Subway
The New York City Subway is one of the busiest rapid transit systems in the world, and takes the cake for busiest in the West. It connects four boroughs of New York City, covering a distance of around 250 route miles and hosts over 400 stations. Operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York’s subway system is a key asset for traversing the city.
How to Spend a Day in New York City if the Subway Suddenly Vanished?
Two options are on the table; either take another form of transit such as one of the many bus routes or MTA’s commuter rail service, OR you can take your chances in one of the most developed cities in the world and explore on foot.
In regards to alternative transit options New York City is no slouch. MTA operates a gigantic fleet of buses which operate on the surface, and provides more precise transportation, albeit slower than the subway due to busy traffic.
Taxicabs offer a similar service with the benefit of being a private charter. A taxi can bring you to a specific location on request and with more than 12,000 roaming the streets of New York they are quite accessible and abundant.
Crossing a larger distance in a reasonable time will require you to head back to the train, but of a different variety.
MTA’s commuter rail network offers wider coverage at a higher cost. Although these trains are more conventional and operate at higher speeds. Their routes extend past the city limits, bringing passengers beyond the subway’s farthest reach.
Taking Strides
However, if one didn’t feel like taking public transit where does that leave you? On your own two feet.
Luckily New York City is considered one of, if not the most walkable city in North America. The sheer amount of development means the city just keeps going on and on after each intersection. New York City Pizza is everywhere, there are tons of parks (not even mentioning the gorgeously huge Central Park), and each street corner is ladened with history.
Walking through a city is a good way of seeing every ounce of character it offers. Trains, buses and cars never really allow you to truly absorb your surroundings like talking your time with a nice stroll.
Despite its definite use, taking a day to ignore the subway and walking the concrete jungle can be an eye-opening experience with lots of new experiences waiting to be uncovered.
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