New York's Worst Tourist Traps: Times Square, Scams, Frauds, and More

As a native New Yorker, I'll take you around the city so you know how to avoid New York's worst tourist traps! Everything from Times Square costumed characters, CD guys, scams, and more.

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[JSTONE]

Everyone should go to Times Square at least once just for the over the top sensory experience of it, take a few pictures but don't spend any money there and you will be fine. :)

[johnbcollier]

I've lived in NYC for 20 years and disagree with several things in this video. (1) The Museum of Natural History, the MET, and MOMA are AMAZING museums; some of the finest museums in the United States. The Museum of the Moving Image is not even remotely in the same category. The idea that these wonderful museums full of priceless art are tourist traps is hilarious. (2) You won't get the same view of the city from a rooftop bar that you would from the Empire State Building or the Freedom Tower. The Empire State Building and Freedom Tower are both 100+ floors high; the hotel rooftop bars will probably be about a third of that height at best. I have no interest in going to one of those observation towers, but for the tourists who do, I get it. (3) Plenty of New Yorkers shop on 5th Ave. Shopping in other areas is great too. But 5th Ave is a lot more than a tourist trap. (4) If you want a coffee, Starbucks is a perfectly fine option. Independent shops are great too. But to say that Starbucks is a tourist trap is silly. (5) As a New Yorker, I hate going to Times Square. But if you are a first-time visitor to NYC, you should definitely go! It's a unique experience. Get in and get out and avoid eating at chain restaurants.

[autumnathena]

Sarah: Times Square sucks!
Also Sarah: Here is my favorite rooftop bar in Times Square!!! 😃

[robinferguson]

Sarah, i believe you make a few valid points in this excellent presentation. However, as a visitor to NYC on a 3 day schedule, taking a Grayline Hop on Hop Off bus with a combined attraction package was the best decision ever.
Sure there are places of interest you miss out on, but we knew we couldn't do it all, so the bus gives you a real flavour of the city and for us over 60's not having to walk everywhere in winter sealed the deal. The tour guide on the bus was excellent btw!!

[sRin]

Who else is watching this and they're not even going to New York

[KittyFantasyProductions]

I am highly offended about the museum part, and I know for a fact that even going to a museum is not expensive. The museums are the best experiences at NYC and I wouldn’t miss it just to go to one free one. The moving images is nice but not as big as the MET, Moma, and the natural history museum, all museums that you mentioned are way bigger than the moving images

[Porkcylinder]

I think you’re missing the point of tourism. Yes we know we’re getting ripped off and we could get stuff cheaper but I didn’t fly for 7 hours to NOT go to the Empire State etc, the reason why there’s ‘hoards of tourists’ it’s because where tourists want to go, of course I’d avoid those places like the plague if I lived there but for many it’s once in a lifetime. Would you go to Egypt but avoid the pyramids because it’s a tourist trap? We’re not New Yorkers we’re tourists.

[joshhernandez]

"Do not visit Times Square, do not go to The Empire State, Do not visit any important museum in NYC.... you know what? better stay home..." >____<

[Movie_Games]

Missed the comedy show scam. Idiots will try and give you free tickets to a comedy show, but they won't give them to you without a donation.

Also, Times Square sucks. The best thing that was there was the Toy's R Us store and now it's gone.

[vangrails]

I man gave me a cd when I was in NYC, I said thanks and walked away. He yelled 'it is not free, it is not free', I said 'Oh' and I returned the cd. I assume that something is free when it is given to me.

[MrIMABIGMONKEY]

Any other New Yorkers watch videos like this just to point out everything wrong?lol

[RodrinBird]

For someone who's never been to NY and they're going for the very first time, how could you tell them to skip The Empire State building?? lol


That's like saying when you go to Miami, skip going to its beautiful beaches because they're crowded.. come'n on..

[dirtybanana]

No tourist traveling to new york should miss the empire state building or times square! Neither of them are "traps" they are incredibly iconic! And well worth your time....the costume characters on the other hand...

[JacobCarlson]

The tip about rooftop bars is great. It's cool to go to the Empire State Building, but when your on the Empire State Building, you can't _see_ the Empire State Building. You can from a rooftop bar 😄

[ashleyhakimzadeh]

when she started talking about how bad being there on new years eve is, it upset me because its all about the experience when people go. obviously its much nicer being cozy in your home, but then what experience are you getting from that? for most people, being there in times square on new years eve is a once in a lifetime opportunity

[sproket]

I think your confused as to what a scam actually is

[pamelapamela]

When I sefied myself at Chinese Thearter in LA those cutume guys came behind and posted with me. They demanded me to pay $20 but I denied to pay. One of them got upset and told me to delete all photo on my cellphone but I denied again. These guys threat me this time so I said them I am calling police and walked around to ask for police. One of them approched and told me not to tell police, so I told him that do not come close to me and do not come to take picture with me because I did not ask for it. They just leaved me alone after that. So do not be scare of these guys. They can not do anything to you in the public.

[alvarydavid]

Why is this recommended to me? I live in NY ffs

[jasonthatjason]

"
No, No, don't go to that place that everyone will ask you about, go to my friend's tourist trap instead."

[gdigenis]

My wife and I went on one of the big tourist bus tours and had a great time and were able to get a good tour of the city. We went back after to the places we wanted to spend more time in.