you're about to be disNYfied, resistance is futile and other New York City, NY Tourist Trap Tips

Times Square, which is around 42nd St / Broadway in midtown Manhattan, is both a must see for tourists AND a tourist trap at the same time...

So, you unpacked the bags at the hotel and head out to the city to be dazzled by some amazing Manhattan sights... Well, especially around dusk, Times Square is a good place to start... once.

You won't need to activate the flash of your camera, it's like friggin' daylight at midnight. The billboards and signs are very impressive for sure, but it's also a noisy, smelly and terribly crowded area. Some of the stores there, like Swatch wristwatches, are kind of fun to walk into because of the wild, whacky displays, but it soon gets tiresome.

There are lots of souvenir shops where you'll pay way too much for (often cheesy) gifts. You can do better by getting away from this place and shopping elsewhere - even if it's souvenirs from the "cheese variety" you're after for relatives/friends who dig that sort of stuff... I bought a pretty nice looking, detailed 15 inch Statue of Liberty figurine for my grandmother - she just loves things like that - just a block or five south of Times Square, and at $ 9.99 it actually cost LESS than the tiny, tacky, plastic looking ones they sell in T.S. The same goes for "restaurants" - a general rule is not to blow your money there because it's very unlikely you'll get good food and service at a decent price. There are always exceptions but this place generally is for tourists with lots of cash and little time. And don't even think about going into the electronics shops.

More :
-Feel free to check out my "must see activities"-entry for Times Square, "The Rejuvenated Light Show District".

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At Least Do This: Take the damn pictures so you can say "been there, done that" and then get outta there ;)
Alternative: It's not an alternative but the "virtual" version : webcams on Times Square :

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/
http://nyctmc.org/xmanhattan.asp

Especially during the tourist season, the lines standing outside the Empire State Building can be really long.

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At Least Do This: If you visit in July or August and want to take daytime pictures, try to get there early (the Observatory opens at 9 am), or late (last elevator up is 11:30pm)

Refer to my "Must See Activities" section for an entry on the Empire State Building and its Observatory.

Yes, I went there and yes, I took pictures. I don't believe it necessarily makes me a voyeur. The events of 9/11 broke my heart - I love this city.
But... it really bothered me when people standing behind the fences of the viewing areas were talking really LOUD ("gee, look at that...! ") or just plain yapping, laughing, and acting like tourists often do. And yes, that included Americans, as well. I find such an attitude incomprehensible.
I mean, it may be so in appearance, but his is not just "a construction site where the two tallest buildings in the city once stood".

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At Least Do This: This is not an attraction. It is a testimonial to the madness this world is sliding into. It is and forever will be a place of introspection.
Grief.
Hope.

Many of the people passing behind you lost relatives, friends and co-workers right where you are standing.
Act accordingly and show respect.
Please.