Don’t Look Like a Tourist in New York City

New York City attracts more than 55 million tourists annually. If you include yourself in this statistic, make sure you don’t get taken advantage of for being an out-of-towner. Follow our tips to avoid looking like a tourist on your trip to the Big Apple.

• Venture to the other boroughs. New York City is not solely Manhattan. There are plenty of interesting places to visit in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and The Bronx.

• If you do intend to spend a majority of your time in Manhattan, plan to visit new neighborhoods. Midtown is the center of many tourist attractions, though other popular landmarks are located throughout the city.

• Dress the part. Avoid carrying a big backpack or large camera around your neck. If you’re traveling in a large group, don’t wear matching shirts.

• Ask a friend. If you know someone who lives in New York City, ask him or her for recommendations. Or ask a friend who visits often.

• Check out websites and apps like Thrillist, Yelp or FourSquare for bar and restaurant suggestions.

• Stay away from the largest tourist traps. Places like the Empire State Building, Bubba Gump Shrimp, Times Square and Rockefeller Center are saturated with visitors. Opt for a lesser-known museum, park or restaurant.

• Know where you’re going. Study the subway map before you take a train. Give your cab driver a cross street instead of an exact number address. Don’t pull out a map on the street.