5 Tips For Blending in as a NYC Tourist

Things to do in New York City
5 Tips for blending in while visiting New York City

Half the people you see while you’re walking around in New York City are tourists, and it’s pretty obvious. They’re probably taking pictures in Times Square, trying to navigate their way to the Empire State Building using a huge paper map or waiting for all of the oncoming traffic to completely clear before taking a step out to cross the road. All of these things are pretty dead giveaways that you’re not from New York City, which is fine, but it’s pretty nice to try to fit in and act like a local every once in awhile too. There are a few ways to play it cool and blend right in, even when you’re totally lost and freaking out on the inside.

Know Before You Go
Know your route before you leave your hotel. The concierge at any one of the New York City hotels will be happy to guide you where you need to go. If you do need to ask for directions, don’t ask a random stranger on the street because they are probably either busy (and not on vacation) or they’re also a tourist. Definitely don’t stop in the middle of the street and pull out your old-fashioned map to find out where you are. Fortunately there are tons of apps and maps to download on your smartphone these days that will help you navigate where you are, and keep you from making awkward eye contact with the people around you. If you really need to ask someone, go inside to a store, restaurant or hotel to ask the nicest looking/least busy employee.

Just Keep Walking
The one thing New Yorker’s on a mission hate most is not being able to get where they’re going. One way to really pin yourself as a tourist is by lollygagging along, stopping in the middle of the street and getting in everyone’s way to take a picture or tie your shoe. The best way to blend in is to walk tall at a pace that keeps up with foot traffic around you. Don’t stop in the middle of the sidewalk because you’re lost or because there are 500 taxis barreling down the road towards you. If you need to stop to consult your map, take a picture or adjust your fanny pack, find a quieter side street, store or bench to sit on and do so.

Don’t Make Eye Contact on the Subway
It seems weird that people are constantly discouraging this, but do you know what’s more weird? Making eye contact with people on the subway. Avoid staring at people and use this time to look at the map to make sure you know where you’re going. In America, it’s rude to stare, no matter what your intentions for the glance were. When you make eye contact with certain strangers, you’re setting yourself up for an awkward situation for everyone. You never know how people are going to react to you looking at them, and discretion is always the best way to travel. You are trying to blend in after all, aren’t you?

Avoid Standing in Long Lines
Of course at many of the tourist traps, stores and attractions, you’re going to be waiting in line with the rest of them. Lines at museums can take forever. Lines at the Empire State Building can take over an hour in the summer. Lines get long here. One way to avoid standing in line is to buy your tickets in advance online. Not only will the reduce the time you’re spending getting in somewhere by avoiding the ticket line, but you usually find a awesome New York City deals to purchase affordable tickets to museums, Broadway shows, popular attractions and more in just a few clicks. Most places don’t even need for you to print the ticket out, you can just pull it up on your smartphone once you get there, but check their website to make sure this is an option before pushing your luck.

Heart New York Discreetly
The biggest giveaway in NYC that you’re not from here is when your whole gang is wearing bright, matching “I Heart NY” shirts. People get that you heart this city, that’s probably why you came. The best place to wear these tacky tourist shirts is at home. Or never.

While New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude and hating every tourist that comes to their city, that’s really not the case. Blending in and avoiding getting in people’s way is more of a common courtesy than something these people require of you, but as long as you’re not being outwardly rude and blatantly oblivious to getting in everyone’s way, you’re fine. This is a city that thrives on visitors and they are happy that other people want to come and enjoy the city they love.

I Heart New York City
I Heart New York City

This article was written by Lizz Riggs, editor of NYCTourist.com

My name is Gareth Leonard, a Marketing Director turned World Traveler with a passion for slow, meaningful travel. I have been traveling the world full-time for the past 9+ years and document it all on Instagram and YouTube. Come join me!

2 Comments

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