Safety at night
Jan 2nd, 2002, 08:20 AM
#1
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Safety at night
Have booked Howard Johson's Plaza hotel in New York City for first week in May. Booked theatre district since we are attending 3 shows while there. Many travel books say it is not safe to walk at night, especially midtown west of Broadway. We planned on walking back from theatre in evening. What are suggestions for evening travel?
Jan 2nd, 2002, 08:33 AM
#2
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when in doubt cab it. Having said that many of the crime fears people have about NYC pretty much exist in the Bronx some areas of Brooklyn but not really in Manhattan (or at least centrally located areas of Manhattan)(Maybe alphabet city, some areas of Harlem).
Other places there are so many people that crime is less likely and you are fine. If a travel book has already told you an area is not safe and more than one has said this than you have your answer. Business districts that don't provide much night or residential life are more desserted on weekends and I would avoid. Cabs are so cheap $5-10 dollars to go from downtown village to Upper East side 80's. Central where you sound to be going to and from it is more like $2-5 dollars. A subway for one person is $1.50 you have four people in your party and you are better served to hop a cab. Jan-March I don't like walking outside much anyway unless I am suited in Skiing.
Other places there are so many people that crime is less likely and you are fine. If a travel book has already told you an area is not safe and more than one has said this than you have your answer. Business districts that don't provide much night or residential life are more desserted on weekends and I would avoid. Cabs are so cheap $5-10 dollars to go from downtown village to Upper East side 80's. Central where you sound to be going to and from it is more like $2-5 dollars. A subway for one person is $1.50 you have four people in your party and you are better served to hop a cab. Jan-March I don't like walking outside much anyway unless I am suited in Skiing.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 08:35 AM
#3
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Since the porno places closed, 8th Avenue is a well-traveled and safe street, although like almost every city in America, you'll find some iffy characters around the bus station (8th & 42nd). You should not have any problems walking from the theatre district to HoJo's and, in fact, you can walk with confidence on 9th Avenue as well. (There are some interesting restaurants on 9th.) It's only when you get over to 10th that things start to get funky (as in fewer tourists and businesses) although 10th isn't even particularly dangerous.
Come, enjoy, and don't worry.
Come, enjoy, and don't worry.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 11:40 AM
#4
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New York is by far the safest large city in America. In my opinion, it's safe to walk just about anywhere in Manhattan at night (yes, there are exceptions). Just use common sense and trust your instincts. And remember there's always safety in numbers.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 12:39 PM
#5
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I suggest you ignore most of what you read in a travel book that suggests walking west of Broadway is not safe - utter nonsense. The hotel is at 51st and 8th Avenue. Broadway is one block east. Most theaters are located between 8th and Broadway from 43rd to 48th Streets. There will be so many people on 8th Avenue after shows break you will think it is mid day.And the walk is not likely to take more than 10 minutes from most theaters. As you go west from 8th streets have less pedestrians and they are as safe as most streets in the city. However, the need to go west of 8th Avenue is minimal unless you have a particular restaurant in mind. Example - restaurant row, a street with a dozen or more restaurants is on 46th between 8th Avenue and 9th Avenue.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 01:35 PM
#6
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According to Patrick, the only thing about NY that is not safe is when you try to get a taxi, then the New Yorkers will attack you and push you and shove you...then you will have to walk back to the restuarant where you left your coat..and then you will have to ask your friends to post the whole ridiculous story on Fodors Travel forums.Other than that, we walk around the city day and night, never being bothered, especially these days, remember there are a lot of police and security around in NY and there are cameras now at certain locations...You will be fine/safe/have a good time.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 02:23 PM
#7
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Most of those guidebooks were originally written in the 1970's when things were bad and they just haven't bothered to update their information. You are safe in walking in the area that you specify. Since the economy has been booming over the last several years, there is less crime in the city, making it much safer.
But we have a new mayor, so you may want to check back in April to see whether he's kept the city at the same standards or allowed them to decline.
But we have a new mayor, so you may want to check back in April to see whether he's kept the city at the same standards or allowed them to decline.
Jan 2nd, 2002, 04:23 PM
#8
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Just to support what others have said:
The area around the HoJo's is quite safe - I've lived right around the corner from the hotel (on 51st between 8th and 9th) for a little over a year and have never felt unsafe coming home at night. There are always people walking on 8th after the theater - and because the weather will be warm in May they'll be out in even greater numbers.
Enjoy your stay - it took me a while to get used to it but I now really love the city!
The area around the HoJo's is quite safe - I've lived right around the corner from the hotel (on 51st between 8th and 9th) for a little over a year and have never felt unsafe coming home at night. There are always people walking on 8th after the theater - and because the weather will be warm in May they'll be out in even greater numbers.
Enjoy your stay - it took me a while to get used to it but I now really love the city!
Jan 3rd, 2002, 09:01 AM
#9
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Hi:
I am a 30-yr old female who works almost directly across from the HoJo hotel where you'll be staying. I often work late and walk in that neighborhood by myself well past 10pm. No problem. It's safe, well-lit, and always busy - esp. in the warmer weather. Enjoy!
I am a 30-yr old female who works almost directly across from the HoJo hotel where you'll be staying. I often work late and walk in that neighborhood by myself well past 10pm. No problem. It's safe, well-lit, and always busy - esp. in the warmer weather. Enjoy!
