What not to do in New York? 20 useful tips for your next trip!
Many blog posts offer tips on what to do in New York, such as attractions, restaurants, and general sightseeing, but today I decided to bring you the exact opposite: things NOT to do in New York!
It’s important to keep in mind what not to do because there are prohibited things, sightseeing that is not worth it, and other actions that can even cause trouble during your trip.
To avoid any kind of problem, check out all 20 tips on the list below!
Remember that this list was made based on experiences and opinions of readers, so it’s worth checking carefully and selecting what you really find relevant for your trip.
Happy reading!
Oh, before I forget…To see more of my day to day life in NYC and get the hottest tips, join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE, follow me on Instagram (@marthasachser or @blognyandabout) and subscribe to my YouTube channel! And click HERE for my NYC complete guide with step-to-step itineraries!
1. Renting a car
Renting a car to sightsee in New York is not a good idea. Besides the costs being extremely high (a daily rate for an economy car in NYC is almost equivalent to three daily rates for a midsize car outside the city), the Big Apple is known to have very heavy traffic. You will hardly find a place to park or a cheap parking spot, besides public transportation runs 24×7 and is extremely useful.
By subway and bus, it’s possible to go to almost every corner of the city. Also, if you’re tired of walking and have some extra dollars, you can take a taxi/uber to travel short or medium distances.
2. Horse carriage ride in Central Park
This kind of experience is not “pet-friendly” at all. Although there may be carriage drivers who treat their animals well, those poor animals don’t belong on the noisy streets of NYC. They don’t deserve to be pulling carriages in hot sun or cold days just for entertainment.
Moreover, by walking through the park instead of taking the carriages, you don’t run the risk of missing any important spots and are free to take breaks and take photos wherever you want.
3. Climbing the Statue of Liberty crown
Only climb the crown of the Statue if that is really “your dream”. Don’t think that visiting or seeing the Statue of Liberty is not worth it, on the contrary, it is an essential part of the itinerary of almost everyone who visits New York for the first time, but climbing the crown is something entirely different.
Besides being a tour that requires an extra fee, you need to book well in advance (there is a maximum number of people who can climb per day) and of course, not be afraid of heights.
To climb, you have to go through a suspended spiral staircase and wait your turn, as only one person is allowed at a time.
Once you get there, don’t expect to take thousands of selfies and photos of the landscape because besides the place being very cramped, security guards tell people to circulate in a rotation.
Therefore, think several times before venturing into the crown, and only go if you really want to and have the energy.
4. To forget to go to the bathroom
New York City is a little different from the rest of the country when it comes to access to bathrooms. There are very few public bathrooms in the city and if you are far from your hotel when you need to go, you may end up resorting to a Starbucks and praying that their bathrooms are clean, which is not always the case.
Therefore, whenever you visit a private place, such as a traditional restaurant, a store, a museum, or any place that has a clean bathroom, take advantage of the opportunity!
5. Only exploring Manhattan
This one is for those who read (or didn’t read) my NYC guide and our post about the five boroughs of New York. Although Manhattan has the most famous attractions in the city, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx also have very interesting areas for you to explore. You can find the best things to on in each area by downloading my NYC Guide HERE!
Don’t miss out and don’t be shy, as the city is huge and full of cool attractions for all tastes and budgets. It’s worth checking out as much as possible during your trip!
6. Blocking the way
New York is known for being the city that never sleeps, after all, it has a frenetic pace. So, if you’re walking on a sidewalk, for example, and suddenly stop to take a picture, you may end up being “run over” by someone coming behind you in busy areas. Besides being frowned upon, you may even receive some complaints.
It’s on the subway escalators that this situation becomes more visible, so remember: if you’re not in a hurry, stay to the right. And leave the left side for people who want to climb faster.
7. Not bringing a credit card
Walking around with only cash may not be a good idea.
In NYC, some establishments are cashless, they only accept cards, which is not ideal, but you may find yourself in this situation. So having a card available is important in this case.
Many times, in pharmacies, for example, you can have more convenience and save time when only self-checkout machines that accept cards are available. And if your card offers the option of contactless payment, you can use it to buy your subway ticket at the turnstile instead of using the machines that, despite accepting cash, have a maximum change limit of $9 and depending on the station, may have a line. Of course, if your card doesn’t charge an international fee, that’s ideal.
Besides, you still run the risk of losing the money, forgetting it or having more expenses than planned. There’s nothing better than having a credit card at your disposal for any emergency. A good option is to register it in your phone’s wallet so you can tap as you go.
8. Forgetting to tip
Not only in New York, but also throughout the USA, tips for all kinds of services, in addition to being part of the culture, is part of the salary of local workers.
Therefore, pay attention to the hotel bellhop, the restaurant waiter, the housekeeping staff, and other professionals who serve you during your trip. If you are well served, do not forget to contribute with a tip, which, although not mandatory, is indeed expected.
Tips are taken very seriously. The minimum expected tip for waiters, for example, is 18%. And for professionals in the beauty salon, it is 18-20%. Do your research beforehand! In my New York guide, I included suggested amounts for the main services you will find in NY. Click HERE to download my New York guide!
9. Drinking on the street
In New York, it is prohibited to consume and carry alcoholic beverages in plain sight (as if you were carrying and drinking it). If you want to buy a drink to take back to your hotel, make sure that the bottles are wrapped in paper or in a non-transparent bag, and do not consume them in public places. During the pandemic, this law was slightly more flexible, but do not count on it.
10. Smoking in public areas and restaurants
Many of us are already accustomed to the prohibition of cigarettes in restaurants, bars, snack bars, offices, and enclosed spaces. However, here in NY, the restriction goes a little further, applying to parks, squares, public areas, public transport, beaches, and pools. This rule also includes “vapes” and electronic cigarettes.
If you usually smoke every day, know that the practice is allowed on the streets, in private homes, and cars. In some hotels, it’s also possible to smoke in specific rooms, but confirm beforehand to avoid any kind of embarrassment or even fines (yes, they can be applied).
We remind you that in New York, you can only buy tobacco or cigarettes if you are over 21 years old.
11. Taking flash photos in museums or churches
Something you can’t do most of the time in New York is use flash in museums, churches, and exhibition venues. Of course, you can ask if it’s allowed beforehand, but just in case, assume that it’s not.
Many people don’t realize it, but ultraviolet rays and the strong intensity of flash can cause oxidation and other damage to works of art. Therefore, remember to turn off the flash even before entering the venue.
Most modern phones and cameras have a night mode option that allows moments to be captured in low-light environments without the need for flash.
12. Reservations and check-in for those under 21
This is not a general rule, but many hotels in New York do not accept reservations and check-in for people under 21. They usually require that they be accompanied by an adult.
If you are under 21 and dream of traveling to New York, it is essential to confirm the hotel policy before making your reservation. You don’t want to travel and have an unpleasant surprise, do you? Keep an eye on that.
13. Taking photos with Times Square characters
Even if you enjoy funny photos with characters, photos with them in Times Square are almost traps to leave you with several dollars less in your pocket.
If you, for example, find a Mickey and decide to take a photo, you will have to pay a tip, anywhere from U$1 to $5 is expected. But that’s not the problem! Without you realizing it, other characters will pop out of the blue and approach you, and you are expected to tip EACH ONE…and the worst is yet to come:
If they see that you have money, they might insist in a very embarrassing way. Don’t fall for it! Save your photos for the attractions or be very clear that you’re not interested in more than one character or something like that. They have to follow some rules, but it’s good to be cautious and not fall for it if you don’t want to, as it’s their job, and if you use it, you need to pay. If you aren’t interested, simply walk away and say no, thank you.
14. Look out for the CD guys!
Known as the “CD guys” they usually approach tourists to offer a CD (sometimes almost shoving it into your hand). If you accept it, they might even autograph the disc and by the time you try to return it, it will be too late, as they usually come in groups and will try to convince you to keep it.
So, it’s no use giving a tip like with the characters above, the price of the CDs is fixed, although they may offer a discount, of course. Some people have said that the CDs had no music, while others enjoyed them. If you like supporting artists and musicians and want to give it a try, go for it, it’s up to you, of course!
If you’re not interested and one of them approaches you on the street, simply say, no, thank you and keep walking.
15. Buying Statue of Liberty tickets from scammers
This is one of the most common and dangerous scams in New York, so be careful not to fall for it. Right near the boarding area for the official Statue of Liberty Ferry, you may spot some ticket scalpers wearing red vests with LIBERTY CRUISES (or not) written on them offering ferry tickets.
I’ve heard that they might even tell you that the tickets at the box office have sold out and that the only way to get one is through them.
To avoid any problems, get your Statue of Liberty tickets through the blog’s affiliate link, which is totally safe and reliable, or buy them on site (arrive early to avoid lines).
16. Accepting help from strangers to buy a Metrocard
You’ve probably heard many times not to accept help from strangers at ATMs anywhere in the world. The same goes for buying a Metrocard in New York.
Strange people often stand next to the ticket vending machines to offer help when you are trying to buy a Metrocard.
What happens is, they may charge for their help, any amount, but one that you did not expect to pay for.
Therefore, if you have doubts about operating the Metrocard machine, look for a booth or a properly uniformed employee.
17. Using illegal transportation at the airport
When planning your trip, don’t leave behind a very important part, the airport-hotel-airport transfer!
The city’s airports are accessible by bus, subway, taxi, Uber, and private transportation, so I recommend planning your route in advance.
Don’t wait to ask for transportation only when you arrive in the airport lobby, as you will certainly come across drivers offering UBER and TAXI, when in fact they are not licensed.
All legal taxi and Uber/Lyft wait at their designated areas, they don’t offer rides to passengers walking out of the terminal.
If you are looking for private service, I recommend contacting Alex Caetano on WhatsApp +1 (917) 656-7299. He provides transfers from airport/hotel and guided tours for closed or shared groups departing from Manhattan, with the option of picking up and dropping off at the hotel.
18. Ignoring smaller museums
It’s obvious that the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) are must-visit stops for anyone visiting the city who enjoys visiting museums, but they’re not the only ones available, New York has soooooo many museums, give them a try!
The Museum of the City of New York is one that even many local residents don’t know about and is well worth a visit! By the way, it was where many scenes from Gossip Girl were filmed. The Museum of the Moving Image, for example, is super interesting and dynamic. The Brooklyn Museum, on the other hand, surprises with over 1 million pieces in its collection. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum is excellent for those interested in the military history of the US and a fun activity for kids, as are the children’s museums, transit museum, and fire museum. And so on…
19. Walking on the High Line on weekends
We’ve already talked about the High Line here on the blog, after all, it’s one of my favorite spots in the city. Visit it when you have a chance, but AVOID weekends!
As it is a very popular attraction also among locals and not very spacious, this park will almost always be crowded on weekends, especially in the summer. If you enjoy stopping for pictures, it’s a little hard when you have so many people right behind you!
If you’re on vacation, we recommend visiting during the week, while most city residents are working.
20. Eating at restaurant chains that also exist in your home country
The city is known for its huge gastronomic variety (which we have already talked about many times here on the blog and many more times in the New York guide that I HIGHLY recommend if you are coming to New York for the first or tenth time!) for all tastes and budgets.
So if your priority is not to save money, ordering something that you would eat at the mall in your city doesn’t make the trip as special as it deserves!
Are you traveling to NYC? Get my NYC guide now and save time, money and explore the city like a true New Yorker!
What’s inside?
- 16 detailed step-by-step itineraries to explore NYC from morning to evening with all the attractions, shops, spots you can’t miss and restaurants I recommend in each area (organization is key when exploring NYC so don’t worry, I got you!) and much much more. PLUS:
- Travel to and from the airports
- How to use the NYC subway (metro)
- Budget friendly hotels and hostels
- Weather in NYC
- Month by month event calendar
- Store guide
- The best outlets near NYC
- Restaurants you can’t miss in every neighborhood
- NYC FAQ
- NYC with kids (the best things to do and attractions)
- Free attractions you can’t miss
- Extra tips, fun facts, movie and TV shooting locations
- Exclusive discounts for my readers
- “Instagrammable” spots
- Most used Apps in NYC
- Google maps exclusive links, so you can simply use your phone and find the attractions mentioned on the book near you
- Gluten-free and vegan restaurants
- What to do in the winter and summer in NYC
- And much much more!
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