Visiting New York City is an incredible experience in its own right. The big apple is in many ways the cultural hub of the US, and no city in the world is quite like it. If you’re traveling to New York City and want to pounce on the opportunity to catch a basketball game, there are a couple of things that are
If you’re visiting New York City, either as an international fan or someone coming from a different part of the US, there are a couple of things to keep in mind to have the best possible experience. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed in a city with 11 million people all in a hurry to get somewhere, and while we can’t help you avoid annoying New Yorkers, we can give you some handy tips when it comes to going to a basketball game in the city that never sleeps.
Buy your tickets well in advance
If you already know when you’re going to be in NYC it’s best to buy your tickets as soon as they become available. Even if some tickets usually are available on the same day as the game, these seats are usually incredibly expensive or not very good at all. By buying your tickets well ahead of time you can make sure that you score the best possible tickets that are within your budget while making it easier for you to plan out your travels way in advance. The best way to get a hold of tickets is to buy NBA tickets online. This way you make sure that you get the seats you want while making it easier to see what options are out there.
The Knicks or the Nets?
This is something that you yourself is going to have to decide on. Many would argue that going to Madison Square Garden is a NYC experience in and of itself. The history surrounding the arena is legendary and it’s not called the mecca of basketball for nothing. The knicks might have had a couple of rough seasons but visiting The Garden should be on the bucket list for every basketball fan out there. The MSG is also very easy to get to with a subway stop close by.
But the Nets are not to be scoffed at. Even though their roster has been somewhat shaky during this offseason, going to an NBA game is still going to an NBA game. The prices for the Knicks tend to be slightly higher, but this all changes in tune with demand and when you decide to buy your tickets.
Where to stay
With NYC being as massive as it is, there are a ton of different options on where to stay that fits all manner of budgets. One popular thing to do is renting an apartment to get a better feel for the area you’re staying in, but prices with services such as AirBnb have skyrocketed in the last couple of years and nowadays it’s usually cheaper to stay at a hotel. Much of this is up to personal preference.
Look up the best way to travel to the game
Regardless of whether you’ve chosen to go to a Knicks or a Nets game the fastest and cheapest way to get there is without a question public transport. Taking the subway to either Madison Square Garden or the Barclays center is the most effective mode of transport. Otherwise you can do what most New Yorkers do and walk there (depending on where you’re staying of course).
Make sure you eat well ahead of the game
One of the things that you can do to ensure that you have a good experience at the game is to eat well before passing the turnstiles at the arena. NYC has a plethora of interesting and fun places to eat that fits all budgets and tastes. Both the Barclays center and MSG do a lot of things incredibly well, but the food can be somewhat lackluster at times. It’s usually better to have eaten dinner before the game and then stock up on drinks and snacks once you’ve found your seats.
