When you travel to New York City, there are some things you should know. For instance, if you are traveling with children, don’t plan to see the Empire State Building or the top of the Rock. You also don’t want to get caught in the traffic nightmares, or to buy souvenirs at tourist traps. Also, if you’re going to be in the city for a while, avoid the East Village.

Avoid buying souvenirs at tourist traps

When you go to New York with a Cathay Pacific flight, you may want to avoid buying souvenirs at tourist traps. These can be overpriced, overhyped, and downright ugly. You should instead focus on the experience of your trip and memories of your travels.

Times Square is one of the most visited places in the world, and it’s also full of tourist traps. It is known for its large crowds and chain restaurants. While it is a great place to see the city, you should know that there are more exciting sights to explore elsewhere in New York.

In fact, you can even get a more authentic New York experience by visiting a few of the more obscure areas of the city. Some of these are the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Astoria Park, and Hudson River Park.

Other places to avoid are the Times Square souvenir shops. Tourist-focused stores usually sell overpriced souvenirs that are crafted in foreign factories and shipped to tourists.

Times Square is also a hotbed for scams. Many of the costumed characters in the area will try to swindle you into taking their pictures, asking for money to get a good picture. This is a classic scam.

Other areas that are known for being tourist traps include Atlantic City. Wall Drug is a tourist trap that offers a large warehouse that is filled with cowboy themed gift items and free ice water.

If you are looking for a more unique souvenir, look to local artisan’s shops. These types of stores will be more likely to sell you something you won’t find anywhere else.

One of the best souvenir shops in New York is the Grand Central Terminal Gift Shop. The store has eight distinct collections, each with a different theme, such as technology accessories, vintage memorabilia, and children’s souvenirs.

Avoid chain-snatching on the subways

New York City is a wonderful place to visit, but it can also be a place where you should exercise some caution. Chain-snatching has become a common problem on the subway and in other parts of the city. There are some simple tips you can follow to keep your belongings safe and avoid becoming a victim.

The first step is to stay vigilant during your entire ride. If you feel suspicious, you can report it to the MTA. You can also call 911 if there is an emergency.

Another thing you can do is keep your valuables away from other passengers. This is especially important on crowded trains.

One way to do this is to carry your items in a small day bag. Keep it closed and fastened when you are not using it. Also, keep your cell phone out of sight.

Another tip is to use the MetroCard to board the train. When you use the card, you can make sure you have it handy when you get on the train. It can be easy to lose your card, and thieves can easily pick it out of your pocket.

One final tip is to not use your cellphone or other electronic devices while you are on a subway train. This is especially true if you are on an off-hours train.

Finally, remember to keep your head up and walk with a sense of direction. If you are lost, ask for help. But don’t hang around in a rundown neighborhood.

If you do become a victim of chain-snatching, be sure to report the crime to the police. They can be contacted through 888-NYC-SAFE.

Avoid the traffic nightmares

There are many things you need to know before you drive in New York City. It is a huge metropolitan area with millions of residents. The roads are not designed to handle the number of cars on the road. You can easily get stuck in traffic for hours.

If you want to avoid the traffic nightmares of New York, you need to be familiar with some basic driving rules. By understanding the most important rules, you can make driving in the city a lot less stressful.

For example, the most efficient way to travel through the city is to take public transportation. In addition, you may have to avoid the streets during rush hour. This is because it is harder to maneuver the streets in NYC during this period.

Another thing to note is that a blind spot detector is a must-have. If you are able to see what’s behind you, you will have a better chance of getting out of a jam without a scratch.

To make it even easier, you can use an app like Waze to help you navigate through the city. It is also important to remember to pull over when necessary. Depending on the traffic situation, you may need to slow down or stop for a minute.

One of the best ways to avoid the traffic mess of New York is to plan your trips ahead of time. Try to leave during the week. When it comes to commuting, the worst times to travel are during the morning and evening rush hours.

If you are going to use public transportation to get to work, you should be careful. Make sure you take into account the length of your commute and the weather conditions.

Avoid the Empire State Building vs Top of the Rock

If you are planning on visiting New York City, you may be wondering if you should avoid the Empire State Building or visit Top of the Rock. Both are great experiences, but you should take your time to decide which is the best choice for you.

The Empire State Building has a much higher floor count and more impressive viewing platforms than the Top of the Rock. It is also one of the most accessible buildings in the city. You can get there by any means you like, including bus, subway or a combination of both.

On the other hand, Top of the Rock is located in Midtown Manhattan. The view from there is not as good as the one from the Empire State Building, but it does have its own merits.

One of the best parts of the Top of the Rock is the elevator ride. You can see the city’s famous skyline from the vantage point of the elevator.

There is an interesting exhibit on the second floor of the Mezzanine. This is a small area where you can learn about the history of the building and Rockefeller Center.

The other cool thing about the Top of the Rock is that it has three observation decks. It is also the closest you can get to the Chrysler Building and Flatiron Building.

For the Top of the Rock, you can use an Express Pass to bypass the line. In fact, the pass is free with a CitySights ticket.

If you have a bit more money to spare, you can upgrade your ticket to include the 102nd floor Observatory. Unfortunately, this does not have the same view as the 86th floor.