Safety in New York City

NYC Safety Tips Continued

The NYC subway is the best way to travel in the Big Apple.

NYC Subway:

While many NYC tourists can be intimidated by the NY subway, this cheap and easy form of NYC public transportation is the best way to travel New York City. Here are some NYC safety tips when traveling on the NYC subway.

• Avoid Riding Alone: This is especially important during the late-night hours. If you can, ride the NY subway with others, as it's always more safe to travel in groups. Also, the MTA recommends NYC subway commuters avoid riding in empty subway cars.
• Use Public Exits: It's recommended that NYC subway commuters use the exits with the most activity. In general, it is best to stay in highly public areas in New York City.

Walking the Streets of NYC:

Staying safe on the streets of NYC means being aware of your surroundings and using common sense. Here are some things NYC tourists should know when walking in NYC.

One must be cautious walking the streets of NY

• Keep Your iPod Volume Down: We admit - walking the streets of NYC while listening to Jay-Z is really cool. That being said, we recommend keeping the volume down on your iPod so that you can be more aware of your surroundings - and those around you - when walking through New York City.
• Don't Flash Your Jewelery: Avoid becoming a moving target to muggers in NYC by keeping your jewelery tucked under your clothing. Also, if you're an NYC tourist carrying a purse, we recommend strapping it over your shoulder and across your body. For gentlemen, it's best to put your wallet in your front pocket to avoid pick pockets.
• Stay Near the Curb, Away From Alleys: Walking near the curb allows NYC tourists to steer clear of dark doorways and alleys. After all, you never know who could be there.
• Know Where You Are: It's best to plan out your route before leaving your NY hotel, that way you don't end up in any shady neighborhoods. If you're embarrassed about asking for directions, we recommend buying a GPS Application on your smart phone. But seriously - don't be afraid to ask for directions. New Yorkers get it all the time.
• Don't Jaywalk: Not only could you end up getting a ticket, but you could easily end up flattened by a NY taxi on the streets of NYC. Use crosswalks and proceed with caution when crossing NY streets.

Overall, our biggest safety tip when traveling in NYC is to be smart and follow your instincts. NYC is really not as bad as you've heard, but unfortunately stuff does happen. Don't put yourself in an unsafe position - be aware of your surroundings and travel lightly in NYC.