This just came to mind regarding backpacks in NYC. Years ago we were with another family at one of those playgrounds in the battery park city area. My friend left his backpack (with wallet) in the playground. We went out to dinner with the kids, when he realized he had left the backpack behind. It was still where he left it (on the ground near a bench), nothing missing.

MFNYC, that is one lucky friend you have, hope they bought a lottery ticket that day.

Sometimes I carry a backpack with some serious photo gear in it and it makes me a little paranoid as camera equipment is a huge target of theft. One thing that helps is I lock my backpack with little luggage locks. They slip right through the zipper pulls. Just makes it tougher for someone to slip their hands inside my bag. Perhaps a little paranoid but sometimes I also have a tripod strapped to my back so they know right away what's in the bag. Just keep your stuff close and keep an eye on it and you'll be fine.

Loki - luggage locks what a great idea! Especially for the situation you describe.

Here's another recommendation for carrying no wallet. I keep a bit of cash in a very deep front pocket and one card in the other front pocket.

If you must carry some sort of wallet, get a slim business card case which will hold a bit of cash, a few cards, but not make a bulge in your pocket. The travel suppliers (Magellan's, etc.) even has a model that snaps to your pocket lining. My husband (former big fat wallet devotee) loves this!

If you're going to set your purse (or anything else) down, stick your foot through the strap, or the leg of your chair.

The best purse is a shoulder bag to wear with the strap over one shoulder and the bag under the other arm. Especially secure on public transportation. Keep your cash/cards in the inside zipper pocket, not a wallet.

You all are great! Thanks for the suggestions. With your help, I think I found a solution. My husband has a small, flat wallet thing that he uses when he snowboards. It is slim but will fit necessary items. I'll carry that in my front pocket and then the mini backpack with water, guide book, etc. How does that sound?

According to this link, pickpocketing is up ~10%:
http://www.ny1.com/ny/Search/SubTopi...earch_result=1

A link on prevention:
http://travel.howstuffworks.com/pickpocket2.htm

Best wishes for your trip!

Pickpockets are not a major problem in New York except for a couple of places - but this does include Times Square - where tourists insist on congregating for reasons beyond my understanding. I am a lifelong New Yorker and have never been pickpocketed, nor has anyone I know except for one exception.

She has had her wallet taken 3 times - because she insists on carrying an enormous open-topped purse with one of the straps always falling off her shoulder. To tell you the truth I don;t how many were taken vs how many just fell out.

If you just keep your purse closed, on your shoulder and take normal precautions (watching those around you for suspicous activity, walking briskly and assertively, not making eye contact etc) you should be fine. There is no need for any bizarre accoutrements (special packs, money belts or zipper pouches or whatever) - they just look silly - and mark you as a tourist - and an easy target.

Backpacks are great for NY for the very reasons GoTravel and Olive mentioned. Mine came in very handy for a quick change from walking the city all day to evening theater attire, just by changing shoes, top, scarf and jewelry - all in the pack. I shopped for a nice looking backpack before our trip and bought a great-looking black one that had all kinds of nooks and crannies. Oddly it had a few things I couldn't explain, like a detachable waterproof mat and a little bear hanging from it. Guess what: it was a diaper bag! I kept it anyway since I am gonna be a grandma in November.

One word: fannypack!!! ;-)

Oh dear lord save us from the invasion of the fannypacks!

Sorry.....couldn't resist!!

One tip would be to always wear a good lightweight pair of joggers.Just in case you have to chase the pickpocket.

Thanks everyone! Just returned yesterday from our fantastic trip to NY. I loved it! No pick pockets! Everything safe and secure. I carried my ID and hotel key in my front pocket and a small backpack with non-essentials. I appreciated your advice very much.
P.S. cassidy2002 I know it was tongue and cheek and I agree...I would NEVER be caught dead with a fanny pack! LOL