How To Safe In New York

New York City is a place that everyone needs to experience at least once in their lifetime. With fabulous Broadway shows, fascinating museums and countless flavorful restaurants to enjoy, there is plenty to be amazed by.

New York City is much safer than it used to be, especially for tourists. Violent crimes have dropped by half in the past decade, and many areas of the city that used to be dangerous are now vibrant locations to visit and explore. However it is still important for tourists to use sound judgment and to watch out for theft and common scams.

Pre-Trip Checklist

Experiencing a safe trip in New York is all about being prepared. Follow this pre-trip checklist to make sure everything is in order for your adventure to the Big Apple:

  • Make arrangements for your accommodations before your trip. Hotels fill up quickly.
  • Have your travel itinerary set; there is so much to do in the city, and an organized schedule will help you make the most of your stay.
  • Arrange travel insurance in advance so you can enjoy the city worry-free.
  • Have a safe place to wear your wallet and travel documents on your person.
  • Purchase any tickets for shows or other performances before arriving; in a city of over 8 million, events fill up quickly. 1Cover’s friendly concierge service can help.
  • Pack a basic travel first-aid kit, with items such as anti-bacterial solution, granola bars, tweezers, aspirin, and band-aids.

Places To Avoid

Most of NYC is safe during the day. At night however, the safest areas are the places where there are a lot of people out and about, such as Madison Square Park, Times Square, Chelsea and Greenwich Village. The following neighborhoods can be risky and are best avoided by tourists:

  • Brownsville
  • Hell's Kitchen
  • Flatiron District
  • Hunts Point
  • Midtown
  • Bedford-Stuyvesant

Use common sense no matter where you are during dark hours in the city. Don’t travel alone, and take a cab back to your hotel if you feel suspicious or insecure while walking through a neighborhood.

Scams

You may encounter some well-developed, expert scam artists in New York.

  • Pickpockets are common in some areas of the city. Guard your wallet on subways or any crowded areas, as well as when a ‘distraction’ occurs on the street. It may be a joint effort for pickpockets to swipe your wallet. Also - don’t flaunt your money or smartphone.
  • Be wary of people approaching you with claims that they'll guide you to a taxi or limo. It is better to hail a ride yourself. These people may be trying to lure you into danger.
  • The ‘designer’ purses, sunglasses and other luxury items sold on the street are almost definitely counterfeit. Be careful how much money you pay for this merchandise.
  • Ignore people who ask you frantically for cab fare home. You are likely to run into one of these dubious characters if you stay in the city for long enough.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is important for travelling securely, no matter where your destination. A travel insurance policy will protect you against the risk of costly emergency medical expenses while you are outside of Canada, giving you peace of mind while on vacation. Medical expenses in the U.S. can be very expensive.

All of 1Cover’s policies have emergency medical coverage, as well as other great features to make your trip as hassle-free as possible, such as BagTrak to help you with lost or stolen luggage and 24/7 LiveTravel assistance. In addition, children can be added to your policy at no additional cost. This allows you to journey with the whole family to the Big Apple and have more money to spend on an exciting and memorable family vacation.

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Further Reading

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