I'm use to travelling to Asia where money changers are everywhere. So I take cash in and change it there. How do other travellers to USA manage this? I'd prefer not to have to use credit card.

Use your ATM card and withdraw cash from ATM machines, they are on almost every corner/street. No need to exchange money.

Agree that using an ATM card is the best way to get US Dollars rather than exchanging "cash", however, if you feel you simply must exchange your foreign currency for $US you can go to one of the Travelex Currency Exchange "stores" that you'll find in most US International Airports and in some of the larger US cities. Go here for more information: www.travelex.com

FYI - You usually DO NOT get the best exchange rates at Travelex

I am not kidding. The best rate is this guy in a plexiglass booth in a souvenir shop near Penn Station. I have been going to him for years. Yes in the souvenir shop.

http://asforeignexchange.com/

You always need cash for small things.

Thank you everyone. Much appreciate.

Don't bring a large amount of cash to NYC. Seriously, it's a really bad idea. Please use an ATM to withdraw funds directly from your bank. Regardless of the exchange rate of the guy in Penn
Station, you're going to get a better rate from any ATM in the world even if your bank charges a fee.

Doug-Please note, I have not seen any rates cheaper than this guy. The only rates that may be better are the exchange rates by VISA, MC, and AMEX on a credit card.

It may be true that some guy in a plastic booth gives great rates, but in NYC, or any city, for that matter, it is not a good idea to bring a lot of cash and exchange it for different cash. If the wrong person sees you doing it or even suspects you have so much money, you may soon be parted from it.

I'm with @Sassafrass here. It's just a very bad idea to travel with a huge wad of cash. Especially in NYC. (I wouldn't do it in Asia either, so I'm not with the OP there as well.)

Those A&S rates are shockingly good.

That said, there is no gawdam way any foreign travelers (read: non-New Yorkers) should bring pots of cash to the City. That's just ludicrous. And NYC is far safer than 90% of the major cities in the USA.

Those rates are not shocklingly good - decent at 4 to 5% but can get the same rate for our local Wells Fargo.

Why would anyone deal in cash, especially exchanging one currency for another anymore?

Can't you use a credit card? If you can't then I agree ATM machines are the most convenient, more so than traveling to Penn Station to get cash in a large amt.

Last time I traveled to England and Norway I used zero -0- currency. I purchased EVERYTHING with Visa. And you will get the best exchange rate.