I am traveling for four days in Manhattan and Brooklyn in a few weeks... I will have a camera with a few lens....how can I walk around with these without being stopped by security and/or refused to be let into a lot of the touristy buildings and areas? I know that I won't be able to board the ferry with it and so forth. Any suggestions for the photographers out there?

You can't take a backpack onto the ferry???? How do you carry your belongings if you are a tourist? What is the world coming to?

You'll have to check it at museums and theaters but you can take it on public transportation.

If I'm not mistaken, there was a ban on taking pictures of bridges and public buildings in NYC.

I carry a backpack every day. The police have never searched it on the ferry or the train but even if they do, you can still bring it on.

It depends on the size/type of the backpack.

Many places will not accommodate full size travel backpacks (as in carrying everything that you own) versus a small daypack.

The SOL/Ellis Island ferry has airline type security - and won;t allow full backpacks. Also the sports stadia/arenas won;t allow them - and while many museums have check rooms they typically don;t want full backpacks - versus just coats and things.

What happened is 9/11 and the need for security in public places.

Besides - whoever wants to carry a huge pack all day? That's why there are hotel rooms.

You need to define your terms - a full sized backpack - or just a smaller daypack? Makes ALL the difference in teh world. I certainly hope you mean a day pack cuz a backpack would be miserable to schlepp around all day. a daypack won't be any more trouble than a handbag.

There is no ban on taking pictures in NYC. Obviously, no taking pictures of security at JFK or any other airports, but the proposed ban of taking pictures on the subway was never enacted.

And can you imagine all the tourists who wouldn't be able to take their picture on the Brooklyn Bridge?

Take lots of pictures, and if you are taking pictures of people, be inconspicuous.

Apparently, you have been misinformed on several points.
As previously noted, there is no ban on taking photos of bridges, etc. And, I've not heard of a ban of backpacks on the ferry.
As for museums, each has its own rules. However, I believe in most instances, you'll have to check the backpack. Taking photos is allowed is at least some areas in the major museums; however, flash is usually not allowed in most situations.

Last time we were in NYC someone tried to set up their tri-pod on the sidewalk (no it was NOT during a busy time, it was later at night, fairly empty street in Midtown and this person was not obstructing traffic) The NYPD told him to pack it up, the tripod was not allowed.

I'm assuming your back pack is for your camera equipment and that it’s a small pack - I seriously doubt you're carrying a full-size pack around NYC with your all your belongings! That being said I would worry more about something getting stolen from it - a back pack is pretty easy to get into without the carrier realizing it, so please be careful. Enjoy your stay and maybe you can share some of your pictures with us when you get back!

Thanks for all the responses! I was just hoping to have a medium size camera bag with me so that I'm obviously not toting my camera around in my hand all day long. As for a ban on certain photography, I can't imagine that a ban like the one mentioned before could actually be something for real!