I am Australian, female, mid 60's and spent time alone in NY. I never felt unsafe, but, I didn't wear extravagant jewellery, didn't go down deserted sidestreets or subways, carried a handbag with a short strap close to my chest and walked purposefully as though I knew where I was going. Locals were VERY friendly and helpful everywhere. It sounds silly but a small compass was very useful as the streets are all labelled by compass points and even when I asked a policeman he had to consult with a colleague so I didn't feel bad. When you come up from the subway & there is no sun (& it is all back-to-front for Australians) it is confusing. Don't be frightened, it is a great city and you will love it.

Cessnock has given you excellent advice. All you have to
do is ask & pedestrians will help you.
Re policemen: They are sometimes transferred into the city
for day duty & don't know the 'lay of the land'. Once one
was posted outside Grand Central Station & I had to help
him answer somone's query.
Just keep your wits about you, walk purposefully on lit streets & wear the handbag strap across the body & you'll do just fine.

Agree with the others comments. Would also add, wearing a waist pack (fanny pack in the US) will mark you easily as a tourist. Locals don't wear them, so you're better off with shoulder bag which will make you less conspicuous. In terms of jewelry, again, it depends on where you are expecting to visit and your attitude. If you look like you know where you are going and have purpose, you likely can wear whatever you want. Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, looking up at the buildings lost and consulting your map in Times Square on the other hand...

Its quite difficult to 'walk with a purpose' when you are new to a city and don't know where you are! I have never been able to walk in a new city without staring around at new sights. It was probably me
'stood in the middle of the sidewalk looking up at the buildings lost and consulting my map in Times Square' Sorry.

Thanks so much, very helpful information

Oh Coldplay, you can come visit any time!!

Thanks JEStraveler. My daughter and I are visiting New York this month so please don't get annoyed when you fall over me as I stare up at the skyscrapers or check my map

Yes, a waist pack will mark you as a tourist. A purse will be fine. Wear it across your chest if you don't feel comfortable. I live here and blending in is the best bet. If you have an inconspicuous under the clothing money belt, that's fine.

If you want to stop to read a map or admire a building, please move off to the side, out of everyone's way.

Also, don't stare at people on the subway. It's taken as a sign of aggression.

Us New Yorkers aren't rude, just in a hurry. Many will take the time to stop and help you find your way. Use regular street smarts and you'll be fine.

The mere fact that you're not walking with your head down will mark you as a tourist - you don't need to be a Sherlock Holmes to spot tourists in NYC. Don't worry about it or try to disguise who you are - NYC is chock full of tourists from all corners of the globe as well as 8M people going about their daily lives.

I carry a small backpack - handy for camera, water bottle, map, and some snacks. Wear what you want. Whatever you wear you'll fit somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. If it's hot lots of people will be in shorts and t-shirts.

Thanks for all the advice here, very helpful

We New Yorkers stare up all the time - there's always something new to see in the city. A waist-pack (especially a front-facing one)is fine in Central Park, the Zoo, the Botanical Gardens etc, and no one will care if you wear one elsewhere either. What works for me (wore it in Sydney!) is a bag that converts from a waist pack to a strapped bag. (Eagle Creek) I wouldn't use a back pack in any big city - too easy to get ripped off. Also, museums will make you check them.
Don't wear showy jewelry, use your hotel safe, don't travel the subways at night.
You'll have a great time!

..What works for me (wore it in Sydney!) is a bag that converts from a waist pack to a strapped bag.

NGail- would you be able to provide a link for this bag?

www.eaglecreek.com. The style closest to the one I've had for years is called The Drifter. It's under "shoulder bags", not "women's bags". When I got mine, I thought the shoulder-strap pad was too bulky, so I removed it. Made the bag a smidge dressier and I just left the strap in the bag when I used it as a waist pack.

I'm a born and bred New Yorker who happens to live very close to the Times Square area (which is both a nightmare and a blessing). Heads up: don't wear a fanny pack and don't wear your camera around your neck. You're kinda asking for trouble. But please understand that New York is EXTREMELY SAFE. Trust me, my sister is a cop.

That being said, there are a couple of places you shouldn't go and just be aware of your surroundings. For example, when my sister was an undercover in Brooklyn, she was always astounded by how many tourists felt compelled to visit Coney Island and the beach in the middle of the night. You will get mugged if you do. Just don't. It's a bad area (even in daylight) and not worth the trouble.

Like anyplace else, there are good places and bad. Just be cautious. The majority of Manhattan is safe. With the outer boroughs, it depends on where you want to go. And as trsny said, please, please, please don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk to read a map. It's just a bit frustrating. But, we're always willing to help. If you need some advice, feel free to email and have a great time!

Whenever I go to New York, I smile at all the questions about what to wear. It is hard to imagine anything one could wear that would be out of place on the streets of New York.

I always use a purse in New York and everywhere else. Lots and lots of New York women use purses. I wear jewelry, but nothing that looks or is particularly valuable.