The 17 worst tourist traps in New York City and where to go instead
People love to visit New York City.
But tourists, especially those seeing the Big Apple for the first time, often get sucked into expensive and overrated tourist traps.
These are the places you should skip, and alternatives that are more authentic, cheaper, and more fun.
Instead of cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery, try the amazing cookies at Levain Bakery.
The cookies are gigantic (they look more like scones than cookies), and though they cost $4 per cookie, they are the tastiest, softest, and most scrumptious cookies I've ever tried. Try the chocolate chip and walnut cookie and thank me later.
Instead of seeing the sights from the top of the Empire State Building, take in the city skyline (for free) on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
Shutterstock and Daniel Goodman/Business Insider
A better way to take in New York's amazing skyline? Go across the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. It's free, beautiful, and one of the best places to see NYC's skyline, day or night.
Instead of being gouged for "Italian" food in Little Italy, go to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.
www.flickr.com and littleny/Shutterstock
You can find fresh cheese at Casa Della Mozzarella, an amazing selection of fish at Cosenza's, and a slew of fantastic Italian-American bakeries.
Instead of taking a pedicab ride, rent a Citi Bike.
Pedicabs are a part of life in NYC, especially around Central Park and midtown where it can be hard to catch a cab. But they can be expensive and slow.We recommend trying a Citi Bike. You can sign up for a day pass for $10 and ride around the city yourself. Read more about how to use a Citi Bike here.
Instead of watching the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium, cheer on the minor leagues at a Staten Island baseball game.
The Yankees may be one of New York's home teams, but a ticket to the games is pretty pricey. Plus, the stadium isn't exactly easy to get to in the Bronx.Instead, head over to Staten Island to watch a way less crowded, much cheaper game at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark. Sure the players aren't as famous, but you'll watch a great game and see amazing views of the skyline.
Instead of battling tourists at Central Park, head to the more low key (and gorgeous) Prospect Park.
Shutterstock
Brooklyn's Prospect Park was created by the same architects - Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux - but they had much more free reign with their Brooklyn design and were able to create a real pastoral haven. With woods, a lake, and a mile-long meadow, anyone who visits Prospect Park will forget they're in NYC for a little while.
Instead of waiting months to have high tea at the Plaza Hotel's Palm Court, have a tea party at Bosie Tea Parlor.
Your tea and pastries will be much cheaper at Bosie Tea Parlor in the West Village. High Tea for two is only $55 and comes with 2 teas of your choice, three types of sandwich, macaroons, scones, and cake.
Instead of going to Century 21 for discounted designer fashions, hit up a real NYC sample sale.
260SAMPLESALE and www.flickr.com
A better idea is to hit up some of NYC's amazing sample sales. There's usually always something going on 260 Fifth Avenue (sign up for email updates here) or in SoHo - Racked NY always has a great rundown.
Instead of paying a fee to visit the Statue of Liberty, take a free trip to Staten Island and wave to Lady Liberty from the water.
Shutterstock
Instead of paying between $18 to $21 dollars to visit Lady Liberty, hop on the Staten Island Ferry. You'll have fantastic views of the skyline, Liberty Island, and you can stop by Staten Island, which is a highly underrated NYC borough.
Instead of spending a fortune to ice skate at Rockefeller Center, skate at the less-crowded McCarren Rink in Brooklyn.
McCarren Rink/Facebook and www.flickr.com
McCarren Rink in Brooklyn is a better option that is both less crowded and cheap. It costs $8 for adults ($4 for children), skate rental is only $5, and you can skate as long as you want.
Instead of sharing a frozen hot chocolate sundae at Serendipity III, have a romantic night at The Chocolate Room.
The made-from-scratch treats at The Chocolate Room in Brooklyn far exceed those at Serendipity III, and the ambiance is much more romantic. Perfect for a birthday or a date, the restaurant is dimly lit and cozy.If you're not sure what to order, try the brownie sundae and their ice cream sandwiches. All their cakes - from classic chocolate to chocolate almond - are also delicious.
Instead of Midtown Comics, head down to Forbidden Planet NYC for your comics and collectibles.
Midtown Comics may be well known, but it's compact location in Times Square can leave a lot to be desired.Instead, try going down to Forbidden Planet NYC in the Union Square area. Not only is it a whole lot roomier, but they also sell a wide variety of apparel, shot glasses, and figurines, in addition to all the books and comics. Plus, it's just a few doors down from book store Strand.
Instead of going clubbing in the Meatpacking District, head to where all the cool kids are in Brooklyn.
The Meatpacking District may be where certain celebrities, big shots, and models hang out, but for the rest of us, it's expensive and you may not even be able to get past the door.
Brooklyn has awesome (and cheaper) bars and nightclubs, plus way less pretentious and annoying people. There's a wide variety of nightlife, too, from watering holes for cocktail snobs to drunk shuffleboard - we highly recommend the Royal Palm in particular.
Instead of Grimaldi's Pizza in DUMBO, head down the street to Juliana's Pizza.
And while Grimaldi's is just okay, Juliana's is the real gem - its ingredients are fresh and vibrant, the pizza isn't greasy, and they make a truly amazing sauce. Don't forget to try the homemade Brookie deserts (a combination of a brownie and cookie).
Instead of seeing sex toys and exhibitionist exhibits at the Museum of Sex, go to a burlesque show at Bathtub Gin.
The Museum of Sex might raise some eyebrows, but it's underwhelming, crowded, and not worth the price for admission. If you're in the mood for a risqué attraction, make a reservation to see a burlesque show at the speakeasy Bathtub Gin.Though it looks like a coffee shop in the front, there's a secret speakeasy in the back where crowds come to watch the Wasabassco Burlesque Show on Tuesdays and Sundays. It's a far more entertaining way to spend your evening and it's free (though a tip is highly recommended).
Instead of going to Times Square, go literally anywhere else.
Shutterstock
Walk through Times Square if you must, take your pictures, and then never, ever go there again.
- US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- Markets rebound in early trade amid global rally, buying in ICICI Bank and Reliance
- Women in Leadership
- Rupee declines 5 paise to 83.43 against US dollar in early trade
- Election Commission issues notification for sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls
- 6 Coffee recipes you should try this summer
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market