When I first visited New York City, I was turning 16 and it was with my mom for my birthday. We stayed with her friend in New Jersey, then took the ferry and walked around. We went to a Justin Timberlane concert and got Five Guys. It was a pretty successful trip, but I found myself not really enjoying the city. I didn't buy into the hype. I'd rather stay near the suburbs.

The second time I visited New York City, I was 18 and attending a G-Eazy concert with my best friend. We got there late, went to Shake Shack, went to the concert, slept, and went home. Don't get me wrong, it was fun, but I still held my firm belief that I wasn't a city person.

Now, after going to college and meeting a friend who lives in New York City, more specifically the Manhattan's Upper West Side, I decided to go on another trip to the city that never sleeps to visit. I went again with my best friend and we enjoyed a 5-hour bus ride that turned into a 10-hour bus ride due to some technical difficulties with our bus.

After the bus ride from hell, I wondered if I was once again going to have another lackluster experience in the city. I rolled up to my friend's building, thanking my Uber driver, then going up to the top floor to where her apartment was located. I passed out 30 minutes later.

The next morning, I was still nervous. What if something bad happened? What if everything turned out wrong? I wanted to actually enjoy myself. And after a hefty and delicious serving of soup dumplings, things started to look up. I realized the city is a place you go with people who live there. You need to experience it from someone who knows the city better than a tourist who has been there a few times.

Also, despite what your parents may say, always bring cash. "There are no cash only spots," my mother told me and I was then taken to all cash only places with my friend. The best advice I can give for traveling: enjoy the experience more than the sights. The memories are better than the whole picture