Help us avoid NYC tourist traps
 

We leave for NYC in less than a month. I would love to hear from people about what "Tourist Traps" we should make sure to avoid. We are from New Orleans and know that all cities have them!
Thanks. This board has been the best source for our planning.

Are you serious?

What are NOLA's "Tourist Traps"?
So we know what you are talking about.

What we locals call a tourist trap may be just what the tourist is looking for. For example, Madame Toussaud's!

Well one of the most well-known ones - Tavern on the Green - is long closed.

Would agree that Mme Tussaud's is one - except for kids in elementary school.

There are plenty of restaurants that are bad deals - poor food (Hard Rock, TGIF, and all of that ilk). What makes them a tourist trap in New York is the much higher prices for the same awful micro-nuked food you will find at the local mall.

As for other things - what is one person's tourist trap (Museum of Sex) is another person's hoot.

Is that what you're asking about?

I would avoid places like Ellen's Diner, Carmine's, Dylan's Candy, Serendity, Circle Line, South Street Seaport, and while they are not tourist traps, I would not eat at any chain restaurants since there are more than 25,000 alternatives.

But there are people who love those places.

Some of the ones in New Orleans would be Margaritaville in the French Quarter. Also, dinner cruises on the steamboat (the food is bad and not authenic New Orleans at all but maybe just the day cruise without a meal is fine).
Also, there are several "knock off" Cafe Du Monde that sell beignets (do not taste the same as the real one plus they don't have a viewing window).
Bourbon Street is a tourist trap in my opinion.
Swamp Tours at certain times of the year are total tourist traps because you will not see a single alligator but they won't tell you this (instead, the bring a small gator in a box and take it out on the tour.)
Horse and Buggy rides around the French Quarter. The tour guide doesn't know very much at all.
These are just a few. I am sure I could think of more.

Well, you just listed things that some tourists enjoy in NOLA.

If Bourbon Street is a Tourist Trap, BE SURE not to go to Times Square.

If you don't like the Horse and Buggy rides, BE SURE to avoid the carriage ride in Central Park.

I ate at Margaritaville at Universal Orlando. We really enjoyed it.

I'm with you on the tacky steamboat rides ;)

Sorry for the sarcasm. As HowardR said, some tourists like things that other tourists don't.

Good luck on your trip.

Tourists flock to certain places, often for good reason, and that does NOT make them a trap..rather simply frequently visited. I suppose there are some people who would tell you to avoid the Statue of Liberty and a ride to the top of the Empire State building. What I think you woul;d be wise to do is go to places which YOU think are worthwhile for your own interests and worry less about whether or not somebody else who isn't paying for YOUR trip thinks it is worthwhile.

as to Cafe du Monde....you know I am certain that the real beignets are out in Metairie

It's hard to say. I consider a tourist trap a place without any other merit that just draws tourists. But I'm happy to start a list with the understanding that it's all in the eye of the beholder.

I wouldn't place Carmine's in that category. It actually has pretty good food a good value, though the one in Times Square is more tourist-trappy than the one on the Upper West Side. I'd say the same for Junior's.

Here are my least favorite things in NYC (places I would never go and things I'd never do):
**Empire State Building
**Hard Rock Cafe (in any place, not just in NYC)
**Mars 2120 (or whatever the date is)
**Streetside caricature "artists"
**Knock-off luxury goods (not only wrong for businesses but funds terrorism)
**Madame Tussaud's
**Museum of Sex
**Hop on/Hop Off bus tours (good in places where there isn't very good public transit, but a huge rip-off in NYC)

This is just a start, but I think we could put together a pretty good list for you of things to avoid.

Great list, Doug!
But, let us not give the wrong impression that all popular tourist destinations are traps. On the opposite side of the coin are these tourist sites/activities that should be "must dos" (listed in no particular order):
*The Metropolitan Museum of Art
*The Top of the Rock
*The High Line
*The Staten Island Ferry
*At least one Broadway show
......Plus a bunch more that I can't think of at the moment!

I would suggest that any place that has someone on the street inviting you in, whether in Rome, Venice, Paris, NO, or NYC is likely to be a tourist trap or otherwise to be avoided.

<<If Bourbon Street is a Tourist Trap, BE SURE not to go to Times Square.>>

Although sounds sort of tongue in cheek - not an accurate comparison. Bourbon St, has its share of tourists traps as does Times Square (those sleazy camera/video shops). But Times Square is a unique art form not to be missed by tourists - light shows not to be seen anywhere else.
Instead of that ferry to Statue of Liberty - try a ferry trip (10 minutes) to Governors Island - pick up a picnic and walk (or ride) to the spot where you get the most spectacular view of the SOL. check ferry schedules. You will also have the most exciting view of the skyline of lower Manhattan.
Try for an event at Carnegie Hall - one of the world's great concert halls or something at Lincoln Center - also tours of Lincoln Center - e.g. the Opera.

Most Times Sq restaurants and souvenir shops are tourist traps. I also agree theme (Mars, Hard rock, etc) and chain restaurants (Olive Garden, Outback, etc) are also traps.

Times Sq should be visited, but just to see it. If you go to a show, you'll see it. No need to linger in the area though.

If you want to linger and wander, stroll around the E. Village at dinner time, and try one of the hole-in-the-wall places on Avenue B (or vicinity) for dinner. Go to Washington Square Park and bring a picnic lunch. Just sit and people watch. Non-stop entertainment. Wander through he Union Sq farmer's market on a Saturday morning....

"Are you serious?"

Starrs, what an unbelievably condescending remark. This is a forum for asking questions, getting other peoples opinion, is it not? Geez, why do some people feel the need to just be rude?

WorldGallery, I do appreciate your question and all the great responses, good information to have.

Thanks everyone! This is very helpful in helping me get an overall better understanding and it helps me tweak our list. HowardR, I am adding High Line Park. Doug, I am taking of Empire State Building and going to just do Top of the Rock (we were going to do both).
We do have tickets to Wicked and Lion King so we will see Times Square then but not plan a special trip to go on non-show days.
I think we'll go to Washington Park while we are in that area for the Greenwich food tour.

If anyone else can think of others, please let me know.
Thaks!

Some more "opposite side of the coin" options....Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Museum of the City of New York (particularly if they have an exhibit in which you're interested), the Tenement Museum, Katz'/2nd Ave. Deli. At all of these, as Dukey said, you will find lots of tourists, but none of them would be considered a "tourist trap", because they have what I would call "intrinsic value", unlike that god-awful Jekyll & Hyde something restaurant I was talked into a few years ago and couldn't wait to leave!

Do they still do 'behind the scene' tours at Lincoln Center? I remember going in elementary school and seeing Leonard Bernstein rehearsing with the NY Philharmonic. I also remember touring the UN and thought is was just about the greatest thing I had even done.

<<<I also remember touring the UN and thought is was just about the greatest thing I had even done.>>>

OT: In my attic, I still have the UN flag I bought on a 4th grade field trip, many (whoa, MANY) moons ago!

What makes the Top of the Rock a "must do" and the Empire State Building a "must pass" ? Serious question.

I agree with the premise that not everything that draws tourists is a trap.

obxgirl, a couple reasons for favoring TOTR:

1. You rarely, if ever, have to wait to get up there, as opposed to the Empire State Building where the wait could turn into an eternity.

2. TOTR has one big advantage, namely, you can see the Empire State Building from there! Obviously, you can't say that about the Empire State Building!

"What makes the Top of the Rock a "must do" and the Empire State Building a "must pass" ?"

There are long lines to get in, and of course you can't see the building itself because you are on it, but mostly it's just become a bit of Fodor's received wisdom, repeated by all and sundry. Full disclosure -- haven't been up in the ESB since 1981 and have no intention of returning, but everyone should do it once.

We have this ESB vs. Top of the Rock debate a lot. I've been to both, and I really enjoyed the ESB back when it was much less elaborate. You just stood in line for the elevator and went to the top (it took sometimes as much as 15 minutes to get onto the elevator). But I also did the top of the World Trade Center and found it to be egregiously overly commercialized and schlocky ... and I didn't really want to have views of NJ (you couldn't see Central Park from there easily).

Why? The stupid Skyride was the main culprit---one of the reasons the ticket to the World Trade Center was always so outrageously expensive and one of the most stupid and useless experiences of my life. It's now been resurrected in the ESB, much to my dismay, when they created the extra secret line part of the ESB on the 2nd floor a few years ago and doubled the entry price. I did a similar "ride" at Pier 39 in San Francisco (for free, mind you), and even with the free ticket, I felt that I'd been robbed.

Add the snaking, endless line (also inherited from the WTC) and security, and it's just too annoying for words. But I just don't have the patience I had when I was young and first in the city. So perhaps a tourist with more verve and more of a desire to experience the ESB would like it more than most New Yorkers do. I feel that I have a limited amount of time and money, so I have to dole both out to the places that deserve them the most.

I like to engage the locals by playing card games with them on the sidewalk. These gentlemen set up their games on cardboard boxes for the convenience of passing tourists. I have always enjoyed these encounters and have profited from them.

I like to engage the locals by playing card games with them on the sidewalk.
____________
Do you play chess in the parks, handball in Coney Isalnd, and basketball in The Cage?

<<Do they still do 'behind the scene' tours at Lincoln Center? I remember going in elementary school and seeing Leonard Bernstein rehearsing with the NY Philharmonic.>>

One of New York's great treats and bargains is attending an Open Rehearsal of the NY Philharmonic in Avery Fisher Hall. This week I attended the rehearsal of Mahler's Fifth Symphony plus an appearance by Emanuel Ax. Tickets are $18 - and you sit in the same seats that go for $90 for the evening concert. The next Rehearsal scheduled is for May 3 - this one is at 1:15 pm - they usually take place in the morning.
And here's another great spot for a lunch picnic (or even evening supper) - Bryant Park lots of tables with great views of surrounding skyscrapers (Empire State, Chrysler). Pick up a sandwich and drink at Pret a Manger on 42 St. between 5th and 6th.

You'll love the food tour of Greenwich Village; that's one of our favorite things to do. The one for China town is fun too. If you go to the High Line, Chelsea Market is right there and has a lot of little food shops and bakeries. We liked the Empire State Building, but loved the Top of the Rock; we saw a proposal while we were up there. If you like irreverent humor, check out Avenue Q. It's moved off Broadway to a more intimate theater.

MFNYC:

<i>Do they still do 'behind the scene' tours at Lincoln Center?</i>

I recently took 2 tours: one is a Lincoln Center campus tour, the other is the Met Opera backstage tour. I've described both in my TR: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...april-2011.cfm

For the Campus tour, I don't think the tour goes into any of the theatres IF there's a rehearsal going on. As for the Met Backstage tour, I've taken it twice but both times were on a Sunday when the house was dark. They do offer tours during the week when there are performances.

They do the behind the scenes tours at Lincoln Center only at certain times of the year when the opera is on.
http://www.metoperafamily.org/educat...backstage.aspx

I think it's unfair to call the hop on/off buses tourist traps. They serve a purpose and many tourists like them.

One of the biggest tourist "cons" are many of the various passes that are sold. They rarely save significant money if you know about pay what you wish museum entries and free times and often have tourists running around trying to fit in things they wouldn't otherwise even bother with just because it's on the pass.

Thanks to those who answered my question about ESB v. TOTR. I haven't visited either in years. I thought both places were touristy but not traps. Never felt compelled to return but now I know which to choose from if I'm with someone who is interested.

Otherwise, Doug_Stallings, I will abide by and concur with the remainder of your No Go list.

"Must-do" vs "tourist trap" is purely subjective.

Very true, tenthumbs. And two visitors in the city at the same time can have completely different lists and both have fabulous experiences.

I've done both the Emire State Building and The top of The Rock and loved both, however while i was able to go up The Top of the Rock in Broad Daylight (with small queues) I only went up the Empire State Building late at night (and did that on both occasions) when there were no queues. However i liked seeing NYC at night, more so from the ESB than from the ground!

There are two spectacular views of Manhattan at night. One is on the Staten Island heading back to Manhattan. As the ferry draws closer the lights get brighter.

The other is from promenade in Brooklyn Heights, which has been photogrpahed more times than the questions has been asked about which is better Top or Empire State.

The price for both is limited to the mode of transportation that gets you there.

Agreed with Aduchamp1 about the Staten Island Ferry. Take the 1 train downtown to the end and you can walk there. The Ferry is free, takes about 20 minutes each way. You can also take the 1 train all over the West Side including Times Square, Broadway, Columbus Circle/Central Park, American Museum of Natural History, etc etc.
I'd avoid any restaurants in Times Square and that includes the per-pound buffets like "Smileys". Cannot stress this enough, their food is crap.
I agree with seeing the High Line, I'd also add Harlem to the list (I'm sure this will raise eyebrows) but Harlem has really changed and places like Strivers Row are worth seeing as it is a historic district restored to its former glory. I realize you can also find old brownstones on Upper West Side, but just a suggestion to head further uptown if you can.

I live in Manhattan for 10+ years and am a real estate broker so have seen every neighborhood inside and out. If you need logistical info on how to get around, feel free to ask.

Enjoy the city!

If you like baseball, you can take the SI ferry and go see a Staten Island Yankees minor league baseball came....or take the subway to Coney Island for the Brooklyn Cyclones (Mets minor league team)

Maybe this is what you're looking for: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...ty-TG-C-1.html


HTTY

Wow! This is great. Thanks!

If your decide to Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building.. check the weather first.. Its a total waste if its not clear.

I would avoid those tourist buses..they are expensive and there are many reports that the narrations provided by the guides are wildly inaccurate. You can take the subway or bus, it costs the same no matter how far you ride, and you can get a free transfer with some restrictions all for $2.25 a ride.

The chain restaurants are much more expensive in midtown and are awful. Hotel breakfasts can be high priced.. but you can find neighborhood coffee shops that have inexpensive breakfasts.

all those tacky souvenir shops and the camera/electronics stores rank right up there as tourist traps..if you are looking for cameras and electronics at a discount.. go to " B and H " or "J and R" these are reliable places that also have legit websites and great selections.

When you go to the theater if you are looking to eat nearby, there are lots of small restaurants along ninth avenue that are reasonably priced.
Personally, I would not go to Carmine's, in any location.

If you want good deli...Katz's on the lower east side is the
place.. it has plenty of tourists and regulars too...

There is still construction/renovations in Washington Sq Park.
In Madison Sq Park you can join the lines at the Shake Shack for burgers, hot dogs, shakes etc...there are other locations and its not a tourist trap

as for those who engage in card games in the street or chess games in the park...its a fine opportunity to be taken and have your wallet lifted as well.

if you want to buy things that say "New York" rather than those awful souvenir shops.. there is a store in the municipal building near city hall that sells nyc souvenirs...its called the city store they have a website ..

New Yorkers are full of opinions and arent shy about sharing them.. so ask people you meet about restaurants, shops etc. Im sure you will get helpful answers

enjoy your stay

Doug...I have to disagree on a few things

ESB vs. TOTR - Been to & liked both. Each has its pros & cons. I personally liked the Sky Ride, but that was not the main purpose of our visit to ESB. We had a pass that allowed us to go to several venues. I do like being a TOTR in the evening when ESB is all lit up.

The hop on/hop off buses serve a purpose. I don't think they're good for actual transportation, but if you want to cover a lot of ground you can just stay on and listen to the narrative which I didn't think was bad. The one we chose ran until pretty late at night.

OP doesn't indicate who is traveling. Hard Rock and Margaritaville are not the worst alternatives if you are with teenagers. Especially if you are tired of walking and hungry and just can't seem to decide on something else.

I didn't really care for Katz's. Thought it was overrated and not worth the wait for a table. I don't consider having people standing all around waiting to pounce on your table very appealing.

A buggy ride through Central Park at dusk is a definite option for many people. We had a great guide and really enjoyed our ride, which was not the shortest one, but not the longest either.

Depending on how many days one will spend in the city, subway passes can be obtained for 1 day and 7 day unlimited rides. If the subway will be your main mode of transportation, the 7 day pass is really worth it, even if you're only there for 3 days. Otherwise the fare is $2.25 a pop!