New York City’s Top 10 Tourist Traps (10 to 6)
10. Grand Central Terminal, Midtown. This is my favorite tourist attraction on the tourist trap list and the one I highly recommend. Grand Centrals looks dated and I always imagine I will run into Humphrey Bogart here. It is a train station, but Grand Central is so much more. Take the time to really see the various architectural details on the outside and inside. Gaze up at the stars in the main concourse, eat at one of the many restaurants, take a walk through the Grand Central Market, or take a one of their free guided tours.
9. Horse and Buggy Rides through Central Park. Many couples attempting to be romantic and families ride buggies pulled by these smelly beasts through Central Park. What is not so romantic is there is usually a buggy traffic jam so you are likely to have a buggy in your front view part of the trip. Did I mention they stink and people stare at you? Alternative: Walk through Central Park, rent a bike, or rent a boat at the Central Park Boathouse. I prefer riding my bicycle, it is great exercise but you need to be aware at all times of cars, trucks, and pedestrians around you.
8. South Street Seaport, Downtown. A historic commercial and shopping area located right on the East River. The building is very old and has spectacular views of the Brooklyn Bridge. Alternative: Take a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Brooklyn Heights Promenade or to Prospect Park. See the city from the bridge, get some exercise, and take the best skyline picture of Manhattan from Brooklyn Heights Promenade. Before your trip back grab some pizza at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, 19 Old Fulton Street and some ice cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory, 1 Water Street.
7. Rockefeller Center, Midtown. Most visit here over the Christmas holidays to see the giant Christmas tree and ice skating rink. Other attractions include an underground mall, several restaurants, NBC studio tours , Radio City Music Hall, and the Top of the Rock Observation Deck. Alternative: Grand Central Terminal offers less tourists and more of old world New York City. Grand Central Terminal is a historic building with a giant concourse, holiday light shows, restaurants, markets, guided and walking tours, unique architecture, and more besides a hub for trains.
6. NYC Tour Buses. To me, it is plain embarrassing to be seen in one of these tour buses around town but it is a popular tourist attraction in NYC. Riding a double decker bus around town and listening to someone squawk about things in New York over the intercom just sounds too much like Kramer and his bus tour on Seinfeld. Plus, there is nothing funnier than to watch tourists run to the lower level of the bus once it starts raining. Alternative: Get out and walk the streets. You didn’t spend all that money to come to New York City to ride a bus did you? New York is meant to be explored walking so remember to bring your most comfortable walking shoes and appropriate attire. For the full NYC travel experience ride the subway. The subway is located all over the place and makes traveling within Manhattan easy. Purchase a good street and subway map so you do not get lost. For the best walking trip, research online before you arrive so you have an idea of places and attractions you want to see in New York.
New York City’s Top 10 Tourist Traps (5 to 1)
Related Articles:
Thanks, I have always thought Central Park was for tourists, Prospect Park is just as nice and just as accessible by subway.
biggest one is the ESB Skyride. Avoid it like the plague.