22 New York Tourist Traps Every Local Knows To Avoid (Here’s What To Do Instead)
Bright lights and towering billboards promise unforgettable moments, but many visitors quickly learn that not everything glitters the way they hoped. Crowds thicken, lines stretch on, and the excitement fades as the cost of every activity climbs higher than expected.
In New York City, that gap between expectation and reality becomes even wider at the most talked-about attractions. Locals often steer clear, choosing neighborhoods, food spots, and cultural corners that feel more genuine and far less chaotic.
1. Empire State Building’s Pricey Views
Tickets cost a small fortune, and once you’re up there, metal fencing blocks perfect photo opportunities. Long lines eat up vacation time, and the crowds make it hard to enjoy the scenery.
Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center provides equally stunning panoramas with shorter waits and better sight lines. The open-air design means clearer photos, and you’ll actually see the Empire State Building in your skyline shots.
2. Overpriced Statue of Liberty Tours
Commercial boat tours charge premium prices but don’t get you significantly closer than free alternatives. Many packages promise more than they deliver, leaving visitors disappointed after spending substantial money.
Ride the Staten Island Ferry at no cost for fantastic views of Lady Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. The 25-minute journey offers plenty of photo opportunities, fresh harbor breezes, and a genuine commuter experience alongside New Yorkers heading home.
3. Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Expensive admission fees buy you time with waxy celebrity replicas that look less realistic in person. The novelty wears off quickly, especially when you realize similar museums exist in dozens of cities worldwide.
Museum of Modern Art showcases genuine masterpieces by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Warhol. Walking through galleries of actual art history beats posing with manufactured figures, and the cultural experience stays with you long after vacation ends.
4. Manhattan’s Little Italy
Once a vibrant immigrant neighborhood, today’s Little Italy has shrunk to mostly tourist-focused restaurants with mediocre food at inflated prices. Authentic Italian culture has largely moved elsewhere, leaving behind a sanitized version.
Arthur Avenue in the Bronx remains genuinely Italian, with family-run bakeries, butcher shops, and trattorias serving recipes passed down through generations. Locals shop here for imported goods, fresh pasta, and meals that taste like someone’s nonna made them.
5. The Edge Sky Deck
Hudson Yards’ newest attraction charges premium rates for vertigo-inducing glass floors and outdoor platforms. While undeniably impressive, the cost-per-minute ratio leaves many visitors questioning the value after their allotted time expires.
High Line park sits nearby and costs nothing to explore. This elevated greenway built on old railroad tracks offers unique perspectives of the city, public art installations, and comfortable spots to rest while watching neighborhood life unfold below.
6. Times Square’s Overwhelming Chaos
Bright lights and massive screens might seem exciting at first, but Times Square quickly becomes exhausting. Shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, aggressive costumed characters demanding tips, and chain restaurants fill every corner.
Head to Hell’s Kitchen instead for neighborhood charm and incredible restaurants. Washington Square Park offers street performers without the overwhelming tourist frenzy, plus beautiful greenery and local musicians worth listening to.
7. Broadway Ticket Scalpers
Third-party sellers and street scalpers inflate prices dramatically, sometimes peddling counterfeit tickets that won’t get you through the door. Desperate tourists end up paying double or triple face value for questionable seats.
TKTS booths sell legitimate same-day tickets at significant discounts for multiple shows. TodayTix app offers digital lottery entries and rush tickets directly from theaters. Patience and flexibility can land you orchestra seats for less than scalpers charge for balcony views.
8. Souvenir Hawkers Near Landmarks
Cheap keychains, mass-produced t-shirts, and knockoff handbags line tables near every major attraction. Quality is questionable, prices are negotiable but still inflated, and most items are manufactured far from New York.
Browse Brooklyn Flea or Artists & Fleas markets for handcrafted goods made by local artisans. Independent shops in neighborhoods like SoHo and Williamsburg stock unique items with actual New York connections. Better quality means your souvenirs will last beyond the flight home.
9. Double-Decker Bus Tours
Expensive tickets buy you a seat in traffic jams while recorded narration drones on. The impersonal experience lacks the spontaneity of real exploration, and you’ll miss hidden gems that buses can’t access.
Walking reveals neighborhood details that whiz past bus windows. Citi Bike rentals let you cover more ground than walking while maintaining flexibility to stop anywhere interesting. Subway rides between neighborhoods teach you the transit system locals use daily.
10. Overpriced Chain Restaurants In Tourist Areas
Familiar chain names dominate prime real estate near landmarks, charging Manhattan prices for food identical to suburban locations. Long waits and mediocre meals waste precious vacation time and money.
Venture just a few blocks from major attractions to find authentic eateries serving diverse cuisines. Food halls like Chelsea Market or Essex Market gather multiple vendors under one roof. Neighborhood spots in Queens or Brooklyn offer incredible meals at reasonable prices without tourist markup.
11. Rockefeller Center Ice Skating In Peak Season
Winter skating beneath the famous Christmas tree sounds magical until you see the admission price and crowd size. Tiny rink dimensions mean constant dodging of wobbly skaters, and rental skates have seen better days.
Bryant Park’s ice rink offers free admission with skate rentals at lower prices. Wollman Rink in Central Park provides more space and prettier surroundings. LeFrak Center in Prospect Park combines skating with lakeside views away from Midtown madness.
12. M&M’s World and Similar Candy Megastores
Multiple floors dedicated to single candy brands sell overpriced chocolate and branded merchandise available cheaper elsewhere. The novelty fades quickly, especially when you realize it’s essentially an oversized gift shop.
Economy Candy on the Lower East Side has operated since 1937, offering nostalgic treats, international sweets, and bulk options at fair prices. The old-fashioned shop feels authentically New York, and the selection includes hard-to-find items that actually make unique gifts.
13. Chinatown Knockoff Designer Goods
Back-room deals for fake luxury handbags might seem exciting, but quality is terrible and legality is questionable. Customs officials can confiscate counterfeit goods, and supporting these operations undermines legitimate businesses.
Canal Street’s legitimate shops sell interesting imports, teas, and authentic Asian goods worth exploring. Nearby Chinatown bakeries offer delicious pastries for pocket change. Spending money on real experiences and genuine local products creates better memories than cheap knockoffs.
14. Overpriced Airport Transportation
Unlicensed drivers at airports offer rides at inflated rates, sometimes taking circuitous routes to inflate fares. Even legitimate taxis and car services cost significantly more than public transit options.
AirTrain connects JFK to subway lines for under ten dollars total. Express buses run from LaGuardia to Manhattan for reasonable fares. Rideshare apps show upfront pricing, and splitting rides with travel companions makes them economical compared to taxis that charge per ride.
15. Helicopter Tours Over Manhattan
Brief flights cost hundreds per person for views that pass in minutes. Weather cancellations are common, rescheduling can be difficult, and motion sickness affects some passengers. The experience feels rushed and expensive.
Circle Line boat cruises around Manhattan provide extended views from water level at lower prices. Walking the Brooklyn Bridge offers iconic skyline perspectives for free. Sunset from Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens delivers stunning photo opportunities without the hefty price tag.
16. Street Performance Photo Ops
Cartoon characters and superheroes in Times Square aggressively pursue tourists for photos, then demand excessive tips. Some become confrontational if payment doesn’t meet their expectations, creating uncomfortable situations.
Central Park and Washington Square Park feature talented musicians, artists, and performers who appreciate tips but don’t pressure spectators. The atmosphere stays relaxed, and you can enjoy entertainment without feeling trapped into paying. Genuine talent shines through when performers aren’t wearing dirty costumes.
17. Museum Of Illusions
Interactive photos and optical tricks can be fun, but the experience is often shorter and more crowded than expected. Timed entries still lead to bottlenecks at popular exhibits, and ticket prices feel steep for what is essentially a small, highly staged photo-op destination.
Visit the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria for hands-on exhibits about film, animation, and media that offer far more depth. The New York Hall of Science in Queens provides interactive displays for all ages and the Natural History Museum remains one of the best cultural experiences in the city, with exhibits that are both educational and genuinely awe-inspiring.
18. Overhyped Rooftop Bars With Minimum Spends
Certain rooftop venues in tourist-heavy areas charge cover fees, enforce minimum drink purchases, and maintain velvet-rope attitudes. Overpriced cocktails and crowded conditions diminish the experience, especially when views are obstructed by other patrons.
Numerous neighborhood rooftop bars welcome visitors without pretension or excessive charges. Hotels like The Ides in Williamsburg or Westlight offer spectacular views with reasonable pricing. Arrive during happy hour for deals, and choose weeknights when locals outnumber tourists for better atmosphere.
19. Central Park Horse-Drawn Carriages
These rides cost hundreds of dollars for a brief loop around the park. Animal welfare concerns have sparked ongoing debates about treatment and working conditions for the horses pulling tourists through city traffic.
Rent a bicycle and pedal through Central Park at your own pace, stopping wherever something catches your eye. Walking tours led by knowledgeable guides reveal hidden spots and fascinating history without ethical concerns or inflated prices.
20. Overpriced Hotel Minibars
Manhattan hotel minibars charge restaurant prices for convenience-store snacks and drinks. A bottle of water or candy bar can cost five times normal retail, and restocking fees apply even if you just move items.
Bodegas and corner stores populate every neighborhood, offering snacks, drinks, and fresh sandwiches at normal prices. Duane Reade and CVS locations stay open late for midnight cravings. Walking one block from your hotel saves enough money to buy an actual meal instead of minibar peanuts.
21. Fake Designer Perfume Street Vendors
Sidewalk tables display bottles resembling luxury fragrances at bargain prices. These knockoffs contain unknown ingredients that could cause skin reactions, and the scent barely resembles authentic perfumes. Quality is nonexistent despite vendor promises.
Department stores like Macy’s Herald Square offer genuine fragrances with testers, samples, and knowledgeable staff. Sephora locations throughout the city provide extensive selections with return policies. Spending a bit more guarantees quality products that won’t irritate skin or smell like cheap chemicals.
22. One World Observatory Premium Tickets
Sky-high admission prices match the building’s elevation, and timed entries can feel rushed when crowds push through. The experience includes multimedia presentations that delay actual viewing time at the windows.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade delivers spectacular Manhattan views completely free. Roosevelt Island Tram costs just a subway fare and glides above the East River. Rooftop bars throughout the city offer skyline perspectives alongside craft cocktails worth the price.
