Your New York Experience: Know Before You Go

by Sue Bryker

Although New York City is a great place filled with wonderful tourist destinations, there are a few hazards to visiting. However, an ounce of prevention is usually all it takes to keep your dream trip from becoming a nightmare.

Getting around the city is one of the biggest hurdles for many first time visitors. The city is a sprawling labyrinth of buildings, streets and people, and it can be very intimidating for those who aren't used to the bustle.

If it's your first time to New York City, I'd also recommend spending your first day on a bus tour, which allows you to see many of the sights in a safe environment. It's also a great way to learn great places to go on your own. (See my first post for several great tour ideas.)

But what about those twin modes of transportation for they traditional New York experience: taxis and the subway?

Although traveling on the subway is a truly local way to see the town, it's often one of the least pleasant parts of being in the city. Not because of crime (although it does happen), but because the subway is used mainly by daily commuters and city residents who may not be too patient with tourists.

So, how can you have a safe subway experience? Just take a shuttle to Grand Central Station, and take the tour. When you're done, you can take the shuttle back to Times Square.

Taxis are generally safe, but that doesn't mean that all cabbies have your best interests at heart. You pay by the mile in a cab, and some disreputable cabbies may try to take advantage of your ignorance about the city to take long routes from one place to another. Here's another important thing to know: four people can fit in a cab. Sometimes, cabbies are reluctant to take on that many passengers, and will recommend you split up your party. That means you have to pay for two cabs ... and two tips! But, by law they have to accept four riders (although that's the maximum). Don't let a driver tell you any different, either!

So, what's my recommendation? Instead of taking the subway or a cab, you can also use the public bus system. It's much easier to navigate than the subway, it's generally cleaner and it's very safe.

I also don't recommend trying to drive in New York City. The traffic is horrible, the parking is expensive, and unless you really know where to park, you are very likely to wind up with either a ticket or a towing bill. Public transportation is cheap, easy and relatively safe.

As an ex-New Yorker, I'm also able to help you set up an itinerary that takes full advantage of the time you have and the sights you'd like to see.

For instance, many folks arrange their trip by the sights they'd like to see, forgetting that navigating the city can take hours out of their day. But, it doesn't have to be that way! The last thing you'd want is to spend all day on an exhausting itinerary planned by someone who may not know that the South Street Seaport and the Metropolitan Museum of Art are across town from one another. A little planning can free up huge amounts of time, giving you a chance to really enjoy yourself at each destination. I can also help you find accommodations close to the things you want to see, and help you find the best deals on rooms.

There are other dangers out there as well. Petty criminals like muggers and pickpockets often target tourists, relying on their disorientation and awe at the surroundings to make them easy targets.

My best tip is simply to have your wits about you. After all, just because places like Times Square have been cleaned up, that doesn't mean that it's completely safe. Pickpockets and other criminals who prey on tourists tend to look for specific things, such as people who spend a lot of time staring up at buildings. It's almost like having a sign painted on your back reading "Victim Here!"

But, since you're there to look around, what can you do? It's simple: When you want to stop and admire something, try to step to the side so that you aren't standing in the way of other people who are walking.

For women, the fear of having their purse snatched can take away from enjoying the sights. Here's a simple tip: Carry your purse across your shoulder, and on the inside of your coat. It can't be easily clipped and snatched, which means that potential a cutpurse will look for an easier target. It's just one less thing to worry about.

I have tons of other commonsense advice, and I'll be glad to share it with you. It's part of my job to help you have a safe, fun experience in the Big Apple. The more you know, the better prepared and confident you'll be, and the more you can focus on having a great time in New York City.