I need information about the city that is recent. I will be going in June 2001. Is it safe? I am traveling with two young kids and I am concerned. I will be staying at the Waldorf-Astoria, Could you please give me more info about this hotel if you have stayed there? If not general information will be helpful. Thanks

Just back from a week long trip to NYC last month. My husband and I felt perfectly safe, and found the NYer's wonderful. The onlytime anyone said anything to me, it was a young man, who politely told me to zip up my purse! We had a great hotel on the Upper West Side and took the Subway everywhere. Honestly, we felt perfectly safe the entire time but then we are from Hollywood, so maybe we have thicker skins then some. Just follow common sense rules, don't carry gobs of cash in your back pockets, don't look lost, don't wear tons of expensive jewelry. These are the same rules you should stick to when you travel to ANY big city any where in the world. But over all NY was great to us!

I live in NYC and it is perfectly safe. I can't give much info on the hotel (i never stayed in any hotel in NYC) but it is a lovely one. If you are considering taking your kids to a show, try the adventures of tom sawyer. it's very kids friendly and almost everyone in the audience is with kids (i think kids must be at least 4 yrs).

just got back from NYC trip over the weekend. Stayed at Novotel NY on Broadway. We were in a group of 3 ages 23-25. Felt safe wherever we went. One of us is a 23 yr/old female and she didnt feel unsafe at all. People are friendly, just take cabs everywhere.

Manhattan is generally safe, just don't walk by The Plaza or Algonquin hotels. The doormen at those joints have been known to beat up patrons of the Waldorf-Astoria. I'd watch those shifty waiters at Tavern on the Green as well.

Be sure to take .... black, black and more black. We debated clothes for NYC earlier in 2001, and most agreed that black is the appropriate color, regardless. I trust none of us has "backslid."

Hey L
It's spring. Black is done for the season.

I was in NYC for a few days last month with my 11 y.o. daughter. You will be very comfortable and feel safe with kids. We stayed in the same general area (Hampshire on 47th btwn 6th-7th; we were fine walking about days and eves. I've not stayed at the Waldorf-Astoria but colleagues in NY for business reason do stay there on occasion (most recently a couple of months ago) and have been very pleased.

By the the way, L, I read all those earlier postings while planning my trip. I was very amused - especially by your steadfast insistence on the black rule - so took notice of the locals' attire. I'm sorry to report that New Yorkers everywhere are breaking the rules. I met a business acquaintance (a NY'er) for lunch, so took inventory of the staff when meeting her at the office and in the restaurant. I regret to say that there were colors everywhere! Even, god forbid, a pink ensemble!! We don't even do pink business-wear here in small town USA!
It also appeared to be "anything goes" at the theater. Darn! I wanted to be a peacock in a sea of penguins!

The Waldorf is located on Park Avenue in the high 40's. This is a very high rent area. The hotel is huge and the back of the hotel exits onto Lexington Avenue. It is as safe an area as you can stay in NYC. The hotel may be getting a little long in the tooth but it still is recognized as a fine hotel. The Waldorf Towers (part of the hotel) is as prestigious as any hotel in the city. If you and the children are into walking you can walk to most any place in the midtown area. 5th Avenue and Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick's Cathedral are a few short blocks away - less than a 10 minute walk. All of the following can be found within a 1 mile radius: Times Square and the theater district, Central Park, Macy's, Bloomingdales, FOA Schwarz (toy store that is a must visit for the children), 5th Avenue upscale stores, UN building and a number of museums including Modern Art. Natural HIstory museum is a little further away (a little less than 2 miles distant) but easily reached with public transportation.

Margarita, you have nothing to fear. June will be lovely, you can walk everywhere from your hotel home base, and you will fine New Yorkers delightfully helpful, no matter what legends may abound. I encourage you to walk everywhere you can with two young ones, there's so much to see and you'll be fine. If your feet fail you, consider taking a city bus up or down one of the main avenues just to see the sights. I guarantee, you'll have a fabulous, memorable trip.

Indeed, Osmilina is right. Spring has hit NYC, and people are wearing what's hot this spring, which is lots of color. Yes, I am talking about the chic natives, not the tourists.

margarita:
This is not meant as a mean or nasty post, but I'm curious. Where are you from? What have you heard about NYC that made you ask such an open ended question?
As a native New Yorker, I'm always curious why some potential visitors would feel that the entire city is dnagerous. You didn't ask about specific neighborhoods, or times of the day or night, or about being on the subways. Instead, your post seems to imply you think that all of NYC is dnagerous. It has been reported in the general press in every newspaper, magazine, a TV report all around the world that many major US metropolitian cities, and especially NYC, have had huge reductions in crime and murders, and that record # of visitors are coming to NY. Am I correct that you felt all of NYC is unsafe?

Anthony: I can't speak for the original poster, but I can tell you that many are still nervous about NYC. Let's face it, NYC in the 1970's was not the nicest place to be. Plus people believe the reality of shows like NYPD Blue and Law & Order. I know many people that will not visit me in NYC because of the fear factor (many have no foundation for this because they've never been here). But I can attest that NYC is a great city and has really cleaned up its act.

I live near Richmond VA. and find it a scary city to travel around in. Went to NYC and found it delightfully safe. Lots of police and extremely helpful people. Any city has its share of crime...... think NY has gotten a bum rap.

Anthony, I think that the safety of my children is very important, I have asked the same question about Disney World. Please don't feel offended it's just that I want to enjoy my visit and be as safe as I could be. I live in a small PA town of less than 10,000. I get a little bit worry when going to big cities, that's all.

I was also nervous of visiting NYC to the extent that it took us ten years from when we first decided to travel until I felt it was safe enough to visit with children.We finally made it last October and had a superb time.I felt safe and saw nothing which caused concern.However my daughter was very upset to see two men on the subway selling children's books carrying a large knife which she felt was extremely threatening.We got off at the next stop and caught a later train.
One pointer if travelling with children,we pulled into a subway station and our next train was already waiting across the platform. We ran across and as I jumped on the doors closed behind me-the signal must have sounded whilst we were still on the first train.It could so easily have been one of the children who had run first onto the train and got whisked off alone!
Anyway it was a wonderful holiday and I can't wait to go back!

I live in NYC and I can tell you that is very safe place to visit. Expensive? Yes. Dangerous? No.

I don't know how old your kids are I'm sure that they will have a safe and fun time. Just keep a close eye and hand on them because sometimes the crowds can get thick (i.e. Times Square)and obviously you don't want to get separated.

To the person who talked about getting separated on the subway, this certainly happens occasionally. Just make sure everybody knows what do if it happens. Just get off at the next stop and STAY PUT. The rest of the party can catch up 5 minutes later.

We were in New York last week(Easter weekend) with 6 & 8 year old. We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel which is in Times Square. The only time I felt mildly alarmed was at 11:00 Saturday in Times Square(huge crowd) but I would have been nervous in my town with that many people. My daughter loved it-the best part of the trip to her. There were long lines at the Empire State Building, and Statue of Liberty but now that we've been to those we won't have to go back. If you have pre-teens mine loved Belvedere Castle in Central Park. A free place!!
They also loved standing outside at NBC another free thing. and FAO Shwartz. They didn't like the walking, we're from Mississippi, we drive everywhere. It was a great trip so have fun.