© Shutterstock
1 / 32 Fotos
The greatest tourist traps to avoid
- Based on a list from the travel blog Girl with the Passport, check out the top 15 most over-hyped New York destinations according to locals.
© Shutterstock
2 / 32 Fotos
15. Statue of Liberty
- There's no shame in wanting to see Lady Liberty up close. However, a tour of to the world-famous statue can cost between US$30 and US$90. Instead, hop aboard the Staten Island Ferry and enjoy views of the world-famous sculpture for free. The sight is just as sweet from afar.
© Shutterstock
3 / 32 Fotos
14. Yankee Stadium - Please don't come with pitchforks just yet Yankee fans! While it is a classic New York afternoon to scarf down a hot dog at this iconic stadium, it is outrageously priced for what it is. If you're looking for a similar experience at a cheaper price than go see a Mets game at CitiField.
© Shutterstock
4 / 32 Fotos
13. The Meatpacking District - Other than everything in this area costing an arm and a leg, it is also unbearably overcrowded. If you want to escape the packs of people and get a cocktail that doesn't cost your entire paycheck then head to Williamsburg, Brooklyn for a night out on the town instead.
© Shutterstock
5 / 32 Fotos
12. Times Square - Speaking of being packed into massive crowds like a sardine in a can, welcome to perhaps the greatest tourist trap of them all. Just snap a few photos for Instagram and get out as fast as you can.
© Shutterstock
6 / 32 Fotos
11. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
- While the pizzas at this popular NYC stop are certainly tasty, there are plenty of superior pies to be found around the Big Apple. For example, the wood-fired pizzas at Gristmill are to die for. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 1.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
7 / 32 Fotos
10. Serendipity 3
- There's no doubt that the famous frozen hot chocolate at this beloved dessert destination on E 60th St is yummy. However, a table is incredibly difficult to come by and there are plenty of lovely confection options like The Chocolate Room, so it's not really worth the wait. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
8 / 32 Fotos
9. Iceskating in Rockefeller Center - It has been romanticized in a million ways but in reality, the long lines and outrageous costs make this Christmas tradition less than worthwhile. You can get virtually the same experience at other NYC rinks such as McCarren Rink or Bryant Park.
© Shutterstock
9 / 32 Fotos
8. High Tea at the Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court - While having tea at this legendary New York hotel is undeniably an experience, you need to fork up a lot of cash and book far in advance (we're talking months and months). Bosie’s Tea Parlor is a far more affordable and accessible option.
© Shutterstock
10 / 32 Fotos
7. Pedicab ride through Central Park - Just do yourself a favor and save some cash by not falling into this classic tourist trap. Just hop on a Citi Bike for $10 a day and take in the Central Park views on your own terms.
© Shutterstock
11 / 32 Fotos
6. Little Italy - While it's not difficult to find some prime plates of pasta in this NYC neighborhood, it has become increasingly touristic over the years. If you want an authentic New York Italian experience, then check out Arthur Avenue in the Bronx instead.
© Shutterstock
12 / 32 Fotos
5. Central Park
- It's undeniable that this is one of the most stunningly beautiful city parks in the United States. However, if massive crowds and claustrophobia aren't your thing, then maybe skip it altogether and visit Brooklyn's Prospect Park instead for some R&R.
© Shutterstock
13 / 32 Fotos
4. Madame Tussauds - With so many incredible New York museums to lose yourself in, this wax figure museum simply isn't worth dealing with lines out the door and expensive entry tickets.
© Shutterstock
14 / 32 Fotos
3. Ripley’s Believe it or Not - While the concept is fun and a visit to this museum isn't a bad way to spend a day, it just doesn't live up to the hype. Learn a bit about the city at the fascinating Lower East Side Tenement Museum instead.
© Shutterstock
15 / 32 Fotos
2. Junior's Cheesecake
- Don't take this the wrong way, the cake at this NYC staple spot is finger-licking good. However, given its location in Times Square, you're looking at an eternity in line. You can have an equally tasty treat without the wait at Levain Bakery. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
16 / 32 Fotos
1. Empire State Building - Don't panic now. Yes, this legendary building is THE New York landmark of landmarks. However, there is no reason to pay US$35 and elbow past insane amounts of tourists to enjoy it. You can enjoy the stunning NYC skyline from the Brooklyn Height Promenade for free—and with far fewer tourists.
© Shutterstock
17 / 32 Fotos
The most underrated attractions to visit - Avoid the crowds and head to these underrated NYC destinations that are sure to impress!
© iStock
18 / 32 Fotos
15. Socrates Sculpture Park
- From trash to treasure, artists and activists banded together in 1986 transformed this 4.5-acre landfill into a tremendous greenspace for creatives. Plus it has a killer Manhattan skyline view. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
© Flickr/Creative Commons
19 / 32 Fotos
14. Brooklyn Botanic Gardens - This idyllic parkland spread across 52-acres is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City and enjoy the breathtaking Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden as well as the equally lovely Shakespeare Garden.
© Shutterstock
20 / 32 Fotos
13. Green-Wood Cemetery - Believe it or not, back in its heyday this cemetery rivaled Niagara Falls as New York's greatest tourist destination. The glorious Gothic arch at the entrance mixed with the spooky tombs and gargoyles are perfect for those who love a good fright.
© Shutterstock
21 / 32 Fotos
12. Albertine
- If the out-of-this-world design plan isn't enough to woo you, this charming bookstore in the famed Payne Whitney mansion is home to a wealth of English and French literature for all the bookworms out there. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
22 / 32 Fotos
11. Museum at Eldridge Street - Built in 1887, this astounding church with a mixture Gothic, Moorish, and Roman architectural elements has a wealth of history as the Lower East Side's first synagogue.
© Shutterstock
23 / 32 Fotos
10. Snug Harbor Cultural Center - Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan you can find this hidden Staten Island secret. The gorgeous botanical gardens, Victorian homes, and cobblestone streets make for the perfect escape from the city.
© Shutterstock
24 / 32 Fotos
9. Woolworth Building - At one point this architectural marvel—built in 1912—was the tallest skyscraper in the world. It has not lost a bit of glamour, however. The Woolworth Building is home to NYC's most expensive penthouse, according to the real estate blog Curbed.
© Shutterstock
25 / 32 Fotos
7. The Cloisters
- Lose yourself in Romanesque and Gothic European architecture at this magnificent museum in Upper Manhattan. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)
© Flickr/Creative Commons
26 / 32 Fotos
6. The Sphere - After surviving the tragic September 11 terrorist attack, this 25-foot-tall bronze sculpture crafted by German artist Fritz Koenig now serves as a tribute to all those who lost their lives on 9/11.
© Shutterstock
27 / 32 Fotos
5. Trinity Church - Besides the church itself having glorious architectural beauty, its cemetery is even more eye-catching. The Trinity Churchyard has graves that go back to the 17th century, including the oldest carved tombstone in New York City.
© Shutterstock
28 / 32 Fotos
4. Holiday Nostalgia Train
- Thanks to the work of the New York Transit Museum, every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, vintage subway cars from as far back as the 1930s pull up and transport passengers back in time.
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
29 / 32 Fotos
3. Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital - Though heading to a hospital of any kind typically isn't on the top of anyone's site-seeing list, these moss-covered ruins from the 1850s are eerily stunning.
© Shutterstock
30 / 32 Fotos
2. United Palace Theater
- The captivating construction of one of New York City's last surviving "Wonder Theaters" from the Jazz Age is not to be missed on a trip to the Big Apple. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
© Wikimedia/Creative Commons
31 / 32 Fotos
The most under and overrated attractions in the Big Apple
The must-see and must-avoid guide to NYC
© Shutterstock
With art, museums, bars, and green spaces as far as the eye can see, the possibilities in the City That Never Sleeps are positively endless. However, not all New York hot spots are created equal. While this world-famous city is filled with awe-inspiring sites, it also has a fair share of over-crowded and over-priced tourist traps that you should steer clear of. Starting from best to worst, check out the following gallery to discover the 15 best and worst spots for an authentic New York City experience.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU























MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
CELEBRITY Retrospective
From child star to the director's chair: Jodie Foster's career highlights
-
3
TRAVEL Palaces
-
4
CELEBRITY Actors
-
5
CELEBRITY Retrospective
-
6
MOVIES Food
-
7
LIFESTYLE England
-
8
LIFESTYLE Work
-
9
HEALTH Circadian rhythm
Understanding and dealing with sleep disruption during the pandemic
-
10
LIFESTYLE Global economy
COMMENTS