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What's it like visiting New York?

Visiting New York alone...?

  • I'm 17, and interested in visiting New York. I'm from KY, and I've only ever been there once, when I was 10-11 and thus don't really remember too much about it. The safety aspect is my biggest concern, I've heard New York is the safest large city in the US, etc, blah blah blah, but let's hear some real facts. As a 17 year old male, alone in New York, am I likely to face any problems if I keep to the main areas, and keep myself to myself? Also, I dress sceneish, (tight jeans, converse, side fringe, etc), is this likely to attract any unwanted attention or does it not make a huge amount of difference? So yeah, as New York's a big place, which areas are safe (relatively) and which areas should I stay out of?

  • Answer:

    Your style of dress sounds like it will make you *less* conspicuous in NY. PLEASE do not heed the advice above about avoiding "neighborhoods" and/or 4 of the 5 boroughs -- if you spend the whole time in Times Square, there is really little point in coming. From the very brief description you gave, it sounds like you might have a lot of fun hanging out in Williamsburg (Brooklyn) or the East Village of Manhattan. Get a guidebook (e.g. "Not for Tourists" or Lonely Planet) and use it to figure out before you travel what you most want to see/do and where it's all located. Use common sense -- you indicated that you plan to "keep yourself to yourself" and this is a good start. Do not display cash, electronics, or anything else valuable. If you are walking alone after dark, don't wear headphones. If a stranger asks you for change, for the time, for directions, etc., or "accidentally bumps" into you, be alert to the possibility that something else is going on. The subway is a great way to get around. People will be happy to help you with directions, but for safety and efficiency try to figure out your route before you depart. Sometimes (often for a weekend) a particular subway line will be closed or detoured for construction -- check www.mta.info before your trip and get familiar with any planned diversions. If at any point you are feeling lost, disoriented, uncomfortable, or isolated (e.g. you're out on the street after dark and few people are about), take a cab home. In central Manhattan, there are taxis on the street pretty much all the time; if you are staying elsewhere, get the phone number for a "car service" so you can order a cab if you need it. Keep an emergency cash reserve on you in case of needing carfare or the like on short notice. For added safety, keep cash and emergency phone numbers in a pocket or other stash so that you'd have them if robbed of your wallet and cell phone. You are unlikely to face any problems. Have a great trip!

herbrigh... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Avoid neighborhoods and stick to the commercial areas of manhatten during the night. No, you won't attract any attention regardless of how you dress. Be prepared for an expensive trip.

smart E

Forget the clothes, your biggest issue will be your attitude. NY is safe, with that being said you don't want to look like a target. Don't look like a deer in headlights. Not everything in NY is amazing. Buildings are just that, buildings, even if they are 50 stories tall. Street vendors are just making a living and the lights in Times Square are nothing compared to Vegas.

joe s

with the way you dress, it's fine. i love "scene" kids. and yea 17 is ok to wander the streets of new york, i do that and im younger than you. just dont go out at night. and since you're alone, stay in tourist places in manhattan so you will be less likely to get lost/whatever. remember ny is a big city, not a small town, everyone has things to do and can care less about you, that's why it's safe.

haeley

Your 17 and you are gong to vist NYC alone.....ok well its nothing like you KY....If I were you stay out of the outer boroughs stay in Manhattan...Dont act stupid dont draw attention to yourself dont stare at people dont carry large amounts of cash on you and remeber the address of your hotel write it down......Stay with in the tourist areas like midtown, time square, central park,the museams,lower manhattan,theatre district,.......Manhattan is easy to get around in the streets go east to west and the Avenues go north to south...Here is the NYC home page http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/ and here is the MTA home page http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm PS dont be wondering the streets late at night use a little common sense you will be fine

Pattyboy

UM GOOD LUCK? YOU'LL NEED IT no theres so much diverisity in nyc no one cares if your scene and i know a lot of girls who finds that hot lol if you dont have an annoying accent then your good but dont get in anybodys way or annoy anyone and if you need help there would be a lot of people who would be happy to help you

for the pursuit of happiness

Make a plan before your trip. Get a good guide book that contains subway and bus schedules and maps and pick out some things you'd like to do. I just got back from NY and found that while Times Square is fun for an afternoon, i found places like SOHO, Tribeca, the East Village, Park Slope, and the areas around Central Park were lots of fun and I felt very safe in those places. Just make sure that you know where you're going and how you're getting there and how you're getting back to your hotel. One thing that no one's mentioned. If you get confused on the subway, all trains stop at Grand Central Station. Get off, go in, ask for help, and start over. While you're there, take a tour. Grand Central Station is cool.

rose poppy

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