12 Things Tourists Must Never Do In New York

New York City is one of the top travel destinations in the world. With a population of nearly 8.6 million who all seem to walk around like Speedy Gonzales. It can seem quite overwhelming to explore the five unique boroughs when you first arrive in a city that never sleeps.

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Things To Know About New York Before Visiting!

There are so many articles on the things you must do, so this one focuses on what tourists should never do in the Big Apple. This guide on what not to do in New York is here to help you avoid some of the common tourist pitfalls and master the city like a pro!

Also booking a New York CityPass means you can enjoy admission tickets to iconic attractions and save up to 40%!

Don’t spend money at Chain restaurants

One of the top things to avoid in New York is eating at big chain restaurants. You seriously didn’t travel that far to eat at Applebee’s, Mcdonald’s, or the Olive Garden (the list is endless). New York is foodie central and home to some amazing restaurants and ethnic eats. Go forth and discover!

For a scenic eat try the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park, the only venue on the Manhattan lake where you can dine al fresco.

How about heading to Lower East Side to Beauty & Essex? A walk through a pawn shop reveals the most happening restaurant and lounge serving creative American fare & cocktails.

Or step it up a notch or two with Michelin-starred Junoon for the finest Indian cuisine in town.

Only in New York can you head to the most incredible vegetarian restaurant inside a carpet store. Jean Georges’ abcV serves up a deliciously eclectic mix of brunch bowls, dosas, pancakes, juices, and cocktails all day.

And for the ultimate New York cheese-fest (no, I’m not talking the dairy product) you have the multi-level 50s-themed Ellen’s Stardust Diner. You’ll either love it or hate it.

Think singing waitstaff busting out Broadway numbers and classic tunes all whilst you’re tucking into some typical American fayre. Honestly, don’t go looking for the best food, it’s more about the experience.

Book Now: New York City Food Tour

Read Next: 9 New York Hidden Gemss

Don’t Travel Without Cash

New York still has a real old-fashioned element. Many restaurants and bars operate a cash-only policy, so put away that debit card and smartphone. Cash tips are required practically everywhere you go. Make sure you’re carrying some single dollars: they’ll come in very handy with doormen, waiters, and cabbies.

Read Next: Travelling Without The Kids

Don’t Limit Yourself to Manhattan

Of all the things not to do in New York, limiting yourself to one borough is one of the most important things to avoid. Remember that Manhattan is but one borough, and you have four more to discover. New York City really does have more to offer than just Times Square and the Empire State Building. If your trip allows the outer borough, the Bronx, Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn is where you truly experience New York.

On limited time you can visit an area via a tour. A great one is the A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour. What better way than to work your way around Brooklyn, brushing up on its history and famous movie location all whilst eating pizza.

Skip queues for the famous coal-fired brick oven Neapolitan pizza at Grimaldi’s and the deep Sicilian-style pizzas at L & B Spumoni Gardens.

Don’t make plans all over New York without considering travel time

Getting around New York can be time-consuming. Make days easy by planning things in the same neighbourhoods or the same side of town either West Side or East Side. Trust me your feet will thank you for it.

Coney Island is somewhere I’d always wanted to visit. The tip of Manhattan is an iconic filming location and a summer hotspot with a beach and amusement park. It’s also included in the Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour. Makes sense to plan closeby locations together.

Book Now: Luna Park Coney Island 4-Hour Unlimited Ride Pass

Don’t go shopping in Midtown or Soho

Virtually all the shops you’ll come across in these areas are the same as in any other city – so why bother? Weekends can also be overly crowded making it a nightmare to move let alone shop. If shopping really is your thing, instead hunt down independent boutiques in Nolita, the West Village or Lower East Side.

And if it’s a bargain you’re after head right out to Woodbury Common Premium Outlet, located in Central Valley, New York.

Buy a return bus ticket and in an hour and a half you’ll be knee deep in bargains with up to 65% and more off in over 200 stores.

Book Now: Woodbury Commons Outlet Mall Shopping Tour

Don’t go to the top of the Empire State Building

Why? Well, think about it. If you’re stood on top of it, there is no way to capture the most iconic building of New York nestled amongst the other skyscrapers.

For that classic shot you need to head to the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Plaza.

Get there early to avoid the crowds. And I guarantee the views are great, in fact probably even better.

Don’t pay for a circle line sightseeing cruise

If you really want to you can, but why when you can do something very similar for no cost at all. The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry route operated by the New York City Department of Transportation. The ferry’s single route is 5.2 miles and takes you from Whitehall in Manhattan to St George on Staten Island in 25 minutes. Onboard enjoy a view of the Lower Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the iconic Statue of Liberty. Best of all – It’s FREE!

Book Now: New York Walking Tour & Staten Island Museum Entry

Don’t miss Brooklyn Bridge

It’s the most famous way to get across the East River and one of the unmissable things to do in New York. Brooklyn Bridge connects the boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, an icon of New York City it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

Less than a mile long, it takes about 30 minutes to cross. Well, that time does depend on how many times you stop for a photo op. If you head over at sunset you can view the Big Apple skyline transform into myriad twinkling lights.

Book Now: 2-Hour Manhattan & Brooklyn Bridges Bike Tour

Don’t eat only classic american fayre

Bagels, pizza, hot dogs, and cheesecake are synonymous with New York and obviously a must to savor on a visit. Although be sure to try out the international food scene and seek out the ethnic neighbourhoods. Eat pasta in Little Italy, get your biryani fix on Curry Hill, your fill of moussaka in Astoria, and chow down in Chinatown.

If in Chinatown visit Taiyaki NYC, a small ice cream parlour that serves up traditional Japanese fish-shaped cakes stuffed with soft-serve ice cream. Choices of flavours range from vanilla, chocolate, matcha, and black sesame with add-ons of red bean, mochi, and more. Get that camera out, before it melts!

Book Now: Food Tour of Chinatown New York

Don’t use your mobile in the 9/11 Museum

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum is an important place for those who want to pay respect to the lives lost in the events of 9/11.

From the moment you step out of the Oculus shopping centre and enter Ground Zero it’s sobering walking up to the Memorial. The twin reflecting pools include names of nearly 3000 victims inscribed on surrounding bronze panels. The country’s largest man-made waterfalls cascade down the sides of the original site of the Twin Towers. Entry to the Memorial is open to the public at no charge.

There is a fee for the Memorial Museum or purchase a CityPASS for free entry. Remember one rule though – Leave your phone in your bag! The museum’s policy explicitly states that the use of cell mobiles for talking is prohibited in the original footprint of the North Tower.

Don’t Walk the High Line on A weekend

The High line is a 1.45-mile-long elevated linear public park created on a historic disused railway track on Manhattan’s Westside. It features lush horticulture, artworks, seasonal food vendors, and unique views of the Hudson River and New York City skyline.

Running from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street, between 10th and 12th Avenues, it’s popular with both New Yorkers and tourists. To avoid jostling the crowds, the best time to appreciate this urban delight is on a weekday as early as possible.

Book Now: New York City High Line & Chelsea Market Walking Tour

Don’t forget to book tickets for The Vessel

New York City’s newest landmark created by British designer Thomas Heatherwick The Vessel is a sight to behold. The humongous copper beehive-like structure sits proudly in the new neighbourhood development called Hudson Yards.

The open series of staircases has been described by locals as a stairway to nowhere. Comprised of 154 interconnecting flights of stairs, 2,500 steps, and 80 landings, it offers views of the city and the Hudson River.

Tickets are free but the slots do get booked up. You can book tickets up to two weeks ahead of time—new tickets for the coming weeks are made available at 8 a.m. every day.

Book Now: High Line Hudson Yards and Vessel Guided Tour

Read Next: 9 New York Hidden Gems and if you’re thinking about planning a trip to Las Vegas, how about Fun Things to do in Las Vegas.

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Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that earn me a small commission but come at no extra cost to you. Thanks as always for your support! See my disclosure policy here.