NYC- Areas to Avoid
 

I'm travelling to NYC with my kids, and wondered where to avoid the "unsafe" or "undesirable" areas of the city. <BR>

We, three ladies, were in NYC in April, and happily, found ourselves feeling unbelievably safe in all the touristy sites we visited. We took the subway, bus, cab, and harbor cruise and never had a qualm. We did everything possible in the length of time we were there and were pleasantly surprised with the city.

I live in up-state ny and my father has worked in NYC since I was two years old. Their really is no place in the city were i feel threatened. You do have to use cmmon sense though, don't go to Harlem at 2am!! If you just stay street smart you'll be fine.

Agree with all of the above. Hadn't been to NYC for twenty years and was amazed at the improvement in safety and appearance (everything is SO much cleaner and there isn't trash everywhere!). Now we go back frequently and feel safe everywhere - but caution and common sense are advised after dark. Not that you are likely to have a problem - just don't tempt fate!

It's been a few years since our last visit -- if thing have changed that much, great! But we felt a couple of uncomfortablte moments -- that definitely called for "city smarts" (including one walk along third avenue when I was certain we were "mugger-feed," till i shifted my purse on my shoulder and made a fist of my hand). Still -- I LOVE NYC!!! It really comes down to who is City Smart and who-isn't. My spouse's favorite advice works everywhere; it;s "Check Six"...meaning, always be aware what's going on around behind you, and everwhere else.

Don't worry! Contrary to its reputation, NYC is perfectly safe and clean, enjoying its best "standard of living" in about 20-30 years, thanks to Mayor Guiliani. A tourist never has to be worried about safety in the tourist areas. Some parts of midtown do get quiet at night and on the weekends, but they are safe. There are also police everywhere. As in all travel, watch your pockets, especilly in Times Square and Rockefeller Center, and keep all valuables in your money belt. <BR> <BR>If you have time, be sure to get out of the touristy areas. Go to Lincoln Center on 68th and Broadway (1 & 9 trains to 66th street) and be sure to walk uptown on the Upper West Side (this is where Seinfeld lives). Columbus Avenue has tons of restaurants and shopping. The Sony Imax theater is on 67th and Broadway. Get there in plenty of time before the show. Expensive, but fun. <BR> <BR>When/if you go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, (Madison Ave. bus or take a cab) be sure to make it into Central Park. But don't miss the Upper East Side besides where all the super rich live (5th, Park, and Madison) and go to Lexington, Third, and Second Aves in the 60's, 70's, and 80's (4,5,6 train to 86th, 6 local to 68th or 77th). Tons of restaurants everywhere and upper 2nd Ave. is loaded with bars. Another nice park is Carl Schurz park all the way on the East River and the 80's (walk there). The mayor's house is here, too. These are places that New Yorkers live and not to be missed if you have time. All perfectly safe, even very late at night. <BR> <BR>If you have time, go to the promenade on the East River in Brooklyn Heights (A,C, 2,3, M,N,R and then walk). Beautiful neighborhood with Brownstones and AWESOME views of lower Manhattan. This area may work nicely with a walk through Chinatown (Canal St, Mott St). I don't know if this is a place tourists generally go. Very crowded but interesting. Right next to LIttle Italy (Mulberry ST). <BR> <BR>For better views than the Statue of Liberty Ferry, take the Staten Island Ferry (1,9 South Ferry), round trip (Free?) <BR> <BR>The views from the World Trade Center are probably better than the Empire State. <BR> <BR>Even Harlem is perfectly safe during the day and if you are interested, go to 125th street and walk around. Don't go to Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn or the South Bronx. The Bowery at nightis not too nice, either. But you weren't going to go there anyway, I'm sure. And don't go into Central Park at night. Anywhere around it is OK. The main subway lines in the main areas in the evenings are fine, take the bus if you're more comfortable or share a cab with your travel partner. You'll be fine! <BR> <BR>E mail me for more info. I LOVE NY!

Have to add a few things. For kids: the Bronx Zoo but I don't know how to get there without taking the subway, which you may not feel comfortable as a tourist with kids going through the Bronx. <BR> <BR>The Museum of the City of NY-103rd and 5th Ave. Has an amazing exhibit of doll houses. <BR> <BR>The Central Park Zoo--5th Ave. and 64th--recently renovated. <BR> <BR>Children's Museum of Manhattan-W 83rd St.-Toddlers through age 7, haven't been. <BR> <BR>If you haven't gotten one already, there are tons of books in the stores for NY with kids. You might want to pick one up once you are in NY at a Barnes & Noble.