How can you avoid looking like a tourist in Manhattan, NYC?

Question

Or how do you spot tourists in NY? I want to look more native so I won't be a target (blend in) when I visit in June.

Answer 1

Always check your routes before you move from your hotel and from one place to another. Get a subway map but don't walk around checking it. Know where the stop closest to you is, which train will take, and when to get off.

Avoid eating on Times Square or in the trendy places unless you really want to spend some big money. It's easy to get a reasonably priced meal in New York. Really! Just try some of the small places like diners or delis. Also, you can avoid crowds in eating places by eating at other than usual meal times. I know a place on Avenue B that will make you a nice 12" sub for $4.00 at 3:30 AM.

Don't wear an I Love NY t-shirt!!!! Don't wear your Sunday best. Some very plain clothes in dark or neutral colors are best. (I don't know why they like this, but it IS true). A good pair of tennis shoes for walking will help. Don't wear a Boston cap, buy an old Yankees cap. Carry a newspaper. Seriously.

If you need to ask for help, ask a cop or someone sitting in one of the diners. People in New York are busy. If you think they look like they are in a hurry, they probably are. Despite what you may have heard, New Yorkers really are mostly genuine and friendly. Older people love to talk to you. Just sit down for a cup of coffee and say hello. you may find that it was one of the highlights of your trip.

Avoid the side streets at night and stay in the many large high-traffic areas. If you are going to "see the sights" then do so during weekdays. It's less crowded and you will make a less appealing target for any unsavory characters. Move quickly and don't stop to listen to any panhandlers. Don't look up at the buildings and say "Wow!". DON'T KEEP YOUR MONEY IN YOUR WALLET!

Finally, if you are wanting to see a Broadway show look for the ticket booths on Times Square. Most shows have half price tickets for that days performance and you can save about $50 a ticket. Well worth it.

I could go on and on.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong if people know you're a tourist. To not be targeted for crime, avoid desolate areas, don't take your money out in front of people and, even if you are afraid of someone, don't show that you're intimidated - just keep walking.
While it won't make you a "target", please use your common sense when you are walking - don't walk five abreast and take up the entire sidewalk; don't stop in the middle of the street and read a map, and DO NOT block the curb while you are waiting for the light to change - I want to cross before the light says "walk" - you can stand there forever if you like, but don't block my passage. The surest way to separate the natives from the tourists - watch how they cross the streets.

Answer 3

You can always tell the tourists, because they stop and look and look at everything. They also have cameras and are taking pictures nonstop.

The tourists are looking upward and walking real slow, while the native New Yorkers are always moving real fast, racing through red lights and never, never stop to answer a question put to them by a person carrying many, many bags ( i.e. a bag-lady!). They tend to look straight ahead, never meeting anyone with their eyes. On the subway, the native New Yorkers wear sunglasses and are always reading (or pretending to read) a book or newspaper in order to avoid social contact with others on the train.

Answer 4

Why worry about what YOU look like, and just concentrate on having a great time. Nobody is looking at you. They are concerned about themselves. What is wrong with looking like a tourist, anyway? Go to Times Square and you can buy half price theatre tickets. If you stay at a hotel in Times Square, it will cost you over $300. We took the subway to a nice little hotel near 86th Street, on the west side. Very safe neighborhood. Visit the Empire State Building, walk in Central Park, and do "touristy" things. If you DO look like a tourist, what do you think you will be targeted for? If you are worried about crime, do the same things that you do at home to keep you safe: stay with crowds; don't go down empty streets, especially at night; don't flash large bills.

Answer 5

Don't walk around with a camera bag or camera hanging around your neck. Don't walk around with a subway map in your hand. Don't lean over the person sitting in front of the subway map (posted in the subway car) & gaze at the map for endless periods of time. Plan your trip behind closed doors & head out on to the streets with confidence & know how to get where you want to go! Don't wear bright shirts, etc. New Yorkers are fond of black or just neutral colors in summer, such as khakis & white. Don't walk slowly on the streets - you'll have to keep up with the quick paced New Yorkers or you'll get knocked over! No large straw hats, please! Oh, and don't look at anyone & smile. Native New Yorkers don't really do that. We don't really look at anyone too much at all. You'll be invinting trouble of various kinds if you do that. Hope you have a good & safe time in the Big Apple.

Answer 6

Don't carry maps or wear fanny packs. Don't carry your cameras everywhere taking pictures of all the landmarks.
Avoid being seen at the tourist traps in Manhattan. Dont' look so amused by all the sights in NY and then you might look like you're used to the whole entire scene in NY.

Answer 7

this is what I did once: my buddy and I just started asking people for loose change and no one bothered us. this was back in 83 and it was on 42nd st. (which has been cleaned up considerably)
we were offered everything from A-Z in the space of about 2 blocks. we had very little money, we flew from Norfolk to Newark on peoples express airline, so we stayed at the sloan ymca. we're talkin community shower. we stood guard for each other so we could shower more safely. I tell you the coolest thing I ever saw was this elderly black man blowing the bejeezuz out of a saxophone at 2am in front of the Empire State building. We just sat down on the curb and listened. I put that in the top 10 coolest things I have ever seen. be careful and have fun.

Answer 8

just put the maps away!! there is enough signs all around so you can figure out where you are going, and if you get lost just ask someone for help, don't worry many are surprisingly nice. Plus there are like five cops on every block and they are more than willing to help you with directions, don't worry about being a target, you'll be fine as long as you're not all by yourself, and you don't walk down dark allies! Good Luck

Answer 9

Don't act like you're seeing the big city for the first time (especially not to a cabbie).
Don't look amazed by the tall buildings.
Don't say anything (no thanks, etc) to people trying to sell stuff on the streets, just walk on by looking straight ahead.
Don't take any flyers or anything from people on the street, walk by like you don't see them.
Walk fast.
Don't pay attention to weirdos on the subway or weirdos on the street.

Answer 10

well.
usually you willl see people with like those pocket pouch with new york map and cameras.

and if you dont want to look like a tourist, dont look up in the sky with your really amazed expressions.