Myself and my 21 yr. old college daughter are visiting NYC soon. I am a little nervous about it. Not sure why. Are they any absolute "do nots," "no-no's," etc. Thank you.

Forgot to say we are a mother/daughter visiting NYC in two weeks. We want to really enjoy this trip. Do some classy things, shop, see Katie Curic??!!**/Matt Lauer..you name it but looking for your input on the ...DO NOT DO THIS.....

... buy a "rolex" from a street vendor.
A.M.

Although it doesn't sound like you are headed in that direction anyway, do not go to the places that like The Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, or any other theme places for that matter. I always think it such a shame when I see people lined up at these places in such a great city.

Some personal favorite recommendations include a pastrami sandwich (and cheesecake) at The Carnegie Deli and eat lunch at the counter in The Oyster Bar in Grand Central. The latter gives an opportunity to see Grand Central, which is wonderful and enjoy a reasonably priced lunch in a classic NY location.

Don't miss the Metropolitan Museum.

The negatives..don't eat at a theme restaurant. Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock, etc. are fine for Disney world with the kids. Enjoy one of the best dining cities in the world. That doesn't mean it has to be expensive, either. Spend $9.95 and purchase a Zagats NYC restaurant guide. Everyone who lives here uses it religiously. (They do have a website with the same info.)

If you are worried about crime (and you shouldn't be afraid, just cautious) use common sense. I see tourists walking around oblivious to there surroundings. Just keep an eye on you purse and make sure it is zippered.

Do make time to walk around SOHO and check out the boutiques.

don't go into any park at night, unless there is a major, well attended event taking place. don't play 3 card monte with the scam artists. don't spend all your time at restaurants advertised in tourist brochures. don't spend most of your time around time square.

We have a very safe city don't do here what you would not do anywhere else. Do not hang out in desserted areas in the wee hours of the morning. Don't befriend drug dealers, sorry just kidding. It's just that our city has this image with people on the outside. It is not that unsafe. Common sense and you will be fine. Don't feel like you can't stay out very late in the right neighborhoods. I would not have my hotel in a business district. It all shuts down at night. You can always cab in and out of anywhere so it is also not a problem.

Don't...
*...buy any videos from street sellers.
*...expect those designer bargains sold by street sellers to be anything but fakes.
*...expect those 3 for $10 tee shirts not to shrink!
*...be afraid to ride the subways between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
*...be lured in by a three-card monte scam. (This one is definitely worth repeating! You definitely will lose!)

This is at the top of my list of "Don't Bother" -- climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty. You spend three hours in line, including two claustophobic hours in a hot stairwell, and end up with a crowded, mediocre view of the skyline not nearly as good as the one from the (free) Staten Island Ferry.

It DOES pay to repeat this:

DON"T play 3 card monte!!!

it IS ok to buy designer stuff from a street vendor KNOWING it is fake (some of it is decent quality and worth it, if you usually won't spend the money on the real thing) Best area for designer bags and the such is on Canal Street just west of Broadway

Don't play chess in Washington Square Park (even if your opponent will tell you it's not for money and just for fun)

DON"T stare at people on the subway (or wave your hand in front of your nose if the person next to you smells )

Don't refuse to give somebody the right of way that is walking past you on the street (ie-don't stiffen your shoulder and lean into them a little bit, even if they are walking a past you a little too close)


DO have fun! It's actually a very fun and fairly safe city. Also, DO go to Chinatown, it's very unique and interesting.

NY isn't what it was 20 years ago and is now VERY safe. Same goes with the Subway. DON'T be afraid of it. You'll have a great time here, but, strictly as a precaution, DON'T:

1. Flash your jewelry or pull out large sums of money on the subway. If you feel a little intimidated by the subway (in general) and want to play it extra safe, ride in the "conductor's car" in middle of the train. Stand in the middle of the platform and when the train stops you'll see him stick his head out the window.

2. Be duped into giving money to anyone. If someone says he/she needs a dollar "to get home", it's a scam.

3. Eat in any storefront Chinese restaurant that has photos of the food above the counter.

4. Leave your personal items exposed when walking around. Zip your pocketbook or backpack and keep tabs on your belongings - wallet, camera, etc. at all times.

About theme restaurants: If you or your daughter want to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe, DON'T let anybody tell you not to. HRC makes an excellent hamburger (I had one two nights ago) and the pulled pork ('Pig Sandwich') is very good as well. They're the original and still one of the best.

About "celebrities": You may not Katie or Matt, but you can always hang outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre after Letterman finishes taping (around 6:30) to see all of them or go into Rupert Gee's Hello Deli on 53rd off Broadway. Same goes for Saturday Night Live - if it's "live" when you're here you can see all of them (and the guest host and musical guest) if you hang out by the SIDE exit on the SOUTH side of the GE building at about 1AM, by the overhang that says NBC. You'll know you're in the right place; there will be plenty of people there.

Have fun!

don't buy a fake designer bag/purse from the street vendors. They look ok, but mine lasted 4 days.

DON"T cross against a red light. DON'T think that just because the person walking in front of you crosses the street it's safe for you to do so - look for yourself! DON'T think the Taxi drivers will slow down if you cross in front of them. On my first visit I was worried about feeling safe from other people on the street. I found out it's the ones in the cars you have to fear!

thereuare gives excellent advice and I second on the Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood advice.Shakes are to die for at Hardrock, choose your fancy at Planet Hollywood. Deli restaurants are a thing of the past here (FOR GOOD REASON). I would head towards the many ethnic cuisines for a real flavor of NYC. But if you don’t eat this stuff on a regular basis it can be very rich depending on what region of the world you are looking at. Worth a try but Indian (my fav) every night you are looking at a campout on the commode. Ok now I am going on about food. It is what we do best here. Definitely worth some research on your own. And I agree with argument against focusing your entire stay in Theatre and mid town district, this city has so much more to offer than that. Take a walk down Madison avenue between 68th - 80th have dessert in an extreemly authentic French, Italian, or Japanese desert shop. There are so many more to do's here than no-no's Nancy. The crime image is way over blown. You will see that when you come. Common sense that is all you need here.

DON'T cross against a red light when crossing an avenue, but DON'T worry about crossing against the light when crossing a one-way street if you see no traffic is coming (but the above post is right about not crossing in front of oncoming traffic). (My mother, a NY native, once told me, "you can always tell who the tourista are; they're the only ones who aren't jaywalking." She's right.)

DON'T hesitate to ask someone for directions or assistance on the street or in a subway station. Contrary to stereotype, New Yorkers are mostly helpful, friendly, and polite. If you get a brush-off or a brusque answer, someone's probably in a rush.

DON'T hog the sidewalk at a slow pace. We do walk fast, and we want to get by you. We don't mind sharing our city with you at all, as long as we can do what we need to do.

DON'T he insulted if people don't smile or say hi when passing on the street. It's not part of the culture here as it is elsewhere in the country.

DON'T play three-card monte or buy watches--or anything that has to "work"--on the street. Oh, did someone say that already?

DON'T miss:

The exterior of the Guggenheim Museum
The interior of the Met Museum (even if you don't visit, check out the lobby)
The ceiling of Grand Central Terminal
The view of Manhattan from the Circle Line or Staten Island Ferry
Seeing some of Central Park
These are some of the the things that make New York New York and nowhere else.

Avoid eye contact with anyone asking for money or anyone else on the subway..

Don't be afraid of the subways--study the maps in the station and you can get anywhere very easily.

Do a little research on where you want to eat--not every "interesting" little place is good.

Try to stop in at Zabar's Deli and get some stuff there for a quick breakfast or lunch..

Find a nice sidewalk cafe some afternoon and just sit and sip a latte or glass of wine and people watch. One of my favorite activities in the city!

NY is no more dangerous than any other big city, but just use common sense, especially at night--don't walk through parks, deserted streets, etc. Be aware of what's going on around you.

All good, many excellent, but two missing: lets all say it together: 1. black, black and more black ... and as importantly, 2. check all plaids at the Jersey border. It almost has a rhythm. You are now good to go, NYC next stop. Ciao

Don't buy anything from the electronic stores in Manhattan. Don't even go into the stores.

Don't not know where you are going or where you are. Don't get lost. Most of the st/aves are sequentailly numbered so it is easy to get where you want to be.

Don't sleep in and don't go to bed early.

Don't take a cab just to walk 10 blocks or so.

Don't show your money to the street vendor ahead of time. When you ask "how much" they will say the money in your hand (I had a $1.50 pretzel sold to me for $2 'cause I had 2 ones in my hands)

Don't plan your day around a meal;

Don't go to the Statue of Liberty (itself, the island) unless that is on your A list. It will take a good part of your day.

pastels
cap sleeves
and--those jogging suits made of crunchy material make some people mad