New York travel information

New York City is comprised of five boroughs: Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. A favourite destination of foreign travellers to the USA, New York City has an endless supply of sights and activities for visitors. The ‘Big Apple’ is home to famous attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Coney Island. There are also plenty of musuems and cultural venues, such as the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.

• There is a significant amount of crime in New York City; however, NYC is no less safe than any other big American city and you should avoid harm if you take the proper precautions.

• Men should carry their wallets in their front pockets and women should keep constant hold of their purse straps. Cross camera and purse straps over one shoulder, across your front, and under the other arm.

• Never hang a purse on the back of a chair or on a hook in a bathroom stall; keep it in your lap or between your feet.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash, and try to carry your money in several pockets so that if one is picked, you still have some money left. Do not wear flashy jewellery, and keep valuables out of sight.

• Be wary of an individual who ‘accidentally’ falls in front of you or causes some other commotion, because he or she may be working with someone else who will take your wallet when you try to help.

• Do not place a bet on a sidewalk card game or shell game, because you will definitely lose.

• At night, you should avoid deserted and dark areas, as well as certain areas of the city, including: the Lower East Side, Alphabet City in the far East Village, or the Meat-Packing District. Stick to the main streets and don’t wander the parks after dark, unless you're going to a performance, in which case, you should stick with the crowd.

• There's a good police presence on the street, so don't be afraid to stop an officer, or even a friendly-looking New Yorker if you need help.

• In general, the subways are safe, especially in Manhattan. Always keep a hand on your personal belongings. Choose crowded cars over empty ones. Avoid subways late at night, and take a cab after about 22:00.

• The legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out.

• There are no public toilets on the streets in most US cities. If possible, avoid the toilets at parks and beaches, which tend to be dirty and possibly unsafe.

Useful travel tips resources

Footprint Guides - New York City
Incomparable resource on travel in the ‘Big Apple’ from this well-known travel guide publisher.
http://www.footprintguides.com/

NYC Visit
NYC & Company (formerly known as the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau) is New York City's official tourism marketing organisation.
www.nycvisit.com/

NYC Tourist
The official website for New York City tourism.
www.nyctourist.com/

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Subregions of New York

Essentials

Visas: Visitors from many EU and other countries (including the UK) do not require visas for stays of three months or less
Season: Year round
Money: US dollar – ATMs widely available, major credit cards readily accepted
Language: English – Spanish in some states
Emergency #: 911

USA