Be there soon, I understand the need to be aware in any city, but in NY is there anywhere especially to avoid. We were wanting to take a look at the tenament museum at Lower East side - is this area OK.

I haven't found the areas to avoid in many trips to Manhattan. Sure you need to take precautions and not flaunt your money or make yourself a target, as you already suggest.
We visited the tenament museum a couple days OK. It's in kind of a fun area to walk around. It's also called the "discount" district now with lots of cheap clothing stores, some hawkers, and lots of imported leather clothing.
By all means have a pastrami at Katz' Deli before or after your tenement museum visit -- a short walk away. There is also a new off-Broadway called "A Stoop on Orchard Street" about the past settlers of the day. It shows in a theatre in the neighborhood. Can't say too much about it, but I'll see it next week. You can get discount tickets for it via www.broadwaybox.com

When will I learn to edit? I meant to say that the show is a musical with a fairly large cast.

You don't have to avoid it, but watch your valuables on Canal Street. Always make it hard for people to find your wallet. I never carry a pocketbook that doesn't have a zipper, and I keep the zipper opening in front of me. When carrying a backpack, my wallet is way down in the bottom of one of the big sections. You should be fine if you keep your wallet in an inner pocket of a jacket.

The Lower East Side has really gotten gentrified; lots of good bars and restaurants down there. Katz' is great, but if you're in the mood for falafel, check out Cafe Cairo down the block. They have a huge sampler platter that'll stuff two people for about $10.

As a resident of Manhattan, I can tell you that there are no really dangerous areas. The Lower East Side is just as safe as any other neighborhood. Even Alphabet City is now gentrified and perfectly safe to walk around.

Another Manhattanite here - I agree with Gothampc, although some people might feel uncomfortable further in parts of Alphabet City , it's safer than it looks. A lot safer than when I lived on Ave B and 2nd, Ave C and 11th an and C Street btw 1979-1993!!!

There are some areas of the city best avoided, but none near the usual tourist attractions.

As a New Yorker, I've given your question a little thought. The answers you have gotten so far are good ones. Every city has areas which are less safe than others, and I think you will know the difference once you are here! You wouldn't want to take a walk in Central Park after dark or walk down a dark, deserted street, etc. Just stay near other people having fun and you will have a safe time!

Yes, Madison Ave in the East 60's up to the 80's...you will spend all of your money in the wonderful stores

I've never felt unsafe on Canal Street but to each his/her own. I've also never felt unsafe in Central Park but then again I didn't go searching out dark corners of the park.

Just use common sense.

For the record, there is no letter "E" in Manhattan.

I actually haven't felt unsafe on Canal, but my friends told me to watch myself when I went down there with my laptop one night.

Harlem.

If you are not familiar with the subways it is possible to end up in areas or face company (panhandlers etc) that may not be to your liking especially if it is late at night or outside normal commuter hours. If you are staying at a hotel check with the concierge or other hotel staff about how and when to go where.

Most areas are fine. At night, avoid dark quiet streets or parks in any neighborhood. As you will find, many NYC streets are filled with people and open business all hours of the day and night.

I still remember my first trip to New York as a college student over Thanksgiving. Other students dropped me off at the George Washington Bridge where I could get a bus. I was staying at the West Side Y for $6 a night and knew that the streets were numbered from Fifth Avenue east and west, so since the address was something like #6 West, I cleverly took the Fifth Avenue bus south and got off at a near to appropriate street thinking I'd be right there. As the bus pulled away, I realized Central Park was between me and my destination. So at about 5 AM in pitch dark, I made my way through Central Park with my suitcase and found the Y. None of my New York friends could ever believe I did that! Ah, to be young and naive again!

I wouldn't recommend that, however!

How times have changed. It now costs $80 per night to stay at the Westside Y.

I agree with Scarlett. Also watch out for Soho! Great shopping!Saks will also get me every time. It's like a phantom is dragging me in from blocks away..

Friends of mine got married in that tenenment museum. It's fine down there! I also just had a party last weekend at a lounge in Alphabet City and it's really funky and fun. Enjoy!