New York's biggest tourist traps - locals say avoid 'rip-off' Empire State Building and Times Square

Some of New York City's most famous locations, like the Empire State Building and Times Square, have been branded as the worst 'overcrowded' tourist traps.    

Visitors and locals on social media and pages like Trip Advisor have shared their honest opinions on some of New York City's most iconic spots.

And instead of encouraging others to check out locations like Williamsburg or the Statue of Liberty, they are warning that the reality may not be what tourists expect. 

While the Empire State Building carries its name and history, some locals say that there are other tall buildings in Midtown - or indeed Manhattan - that provide a more enjoyable experience

Times Square

Times Square is known by many as the 'center' of New York City - with its bright lights and illuminated billboards - but it has become one of the main tourist traps in the five boroughs, according to residents. 

One local, when asked what the biggest tourist trap in NYC was, said: 'This one is easy - Times Square. It's the ugliest 4 or 5 blocks in NYC. 

'Unless you are specifically going to a Broadway show in the adjacent theater district, spend 5 minutes at night to see the "great white way" and then move on.' 

And a disgruntled visitor left a review on Trip Advisor saying: 'One of the highlights to see in NY but after you have seen it you better get out of midtown. It’s over crowded, lots of beggar’s and conmen.'

Another person added their opinion on Trip Advisor, saying that the area was swarmed with people taking drugs and garbage on the ground.

Times Square is known by many as the 'center' of New York City - with its bright lights and illuminated billboards, it has become one of the main tourist traps in the five boroughs

They said: 'NYC is an absolutely wonderful place to visit. That being said, Times Square was abysmal. A few of the reasons I say that. We saw 2 men with their pants around their ankles sitting in a doorway shooting up, sellers are very aggressive and will grab you (they did) trying to pedal rap cd’s, etc.

'Over-priced, chain restaurants, tourist traps, smell of weed everywhere, a great number of severely mentally ill persons in distress, garbage everywhere, very dirty.

'I was there with my husband and teen sons. This type of stuff may not bother some people but I did not like the vibe and it was the only time in NYC that I did not feel safe (even with a large police presence).'

And another tourist, speaking from experience, said that the fact that locals do not go to Times Square should be a tale-tell sign itself. 

They said: 'Illuminated signs, over priced restaurants, theatres, tacky souvenir shops and crowds of tourists. Its an area avoided by locals, and for good reason. 

Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is an iconic monument on 34th Street - and it was once the world's tallest building.

While the Empire State Building carries its name and history, some locals say that there are other tall buildings in Midtown - or indeed Manhattan - that provide a more enjoyable experience. 

One person said: 'Went to another top of building for less money. Felt that we paid for the name "Empire State Building" as it was significantly more expensive. Having done it once would not do it again.'

Others bemoaned the fact that visitors are forced to wait in long queues before reaching the top and seeing the view: 'We spent 30-mins in the security line, only to spend about 5-mins on the observatory floor. Don’t waste your money on this.'

As people from Manhattan have slowly dispersed over the bridge and settled in Williamsburg's slightly larger apartments, many people have complained that the once unique area has been 'gentrified'

Another said: 'It's a tourist trap, no surprise. The entrance is ridiculously hard to find and there are no instructions provided when the tickets are purchased. 

'The saving grace is that you'll most likely find a group of lost tourists also looking for the entrance and you all will be looking for the entrance together. We even asked a police officer guarding the building where the entrance was and he politely laughed and said he honestly didn't know. 

'Once you're in the building, you'll be screened by their own TSA before you are crammed into an elevator to enter the exhibit. I thought for such a popular tourist attraction, the place would be more organized. 

'It felt like we were wandering the halls and constantly told which way to go because most of the time, we were going the wrong way.' 

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Williamsburg has been an up-and-coming area of Brooklyn, one of New York City's five boroughs, for well over a decade. 

But as people from Manhattan have slowly dispersed over the bridge and settled in Williamsburg's slightly larger apartments, many people have complained that the once unique area has been 'gentrified.' 

While the neighborhood is still home to creatives and independent shops, some visitors say that the location did not reach their expectations.  

One visitor said: 'Thus neighborhood was a bit of a disappointment. We went on a recommendation and didn't find it to be a quirky or interesting as we were led to believe. 

'Disappointed we headed over to Dumbo the next day and had a much better time.'

One person, who left a review in 2017, could already seemingly see the changes that were happening in the neighborhood - as prices slowly started increasing in the lux Brooklyn area. 

Visitors have simply said the attraction was 'underwhelming' and apart from the photo opportunity, there was not a lot to do on the tour of the Statue of Liberty

But despite the rise of 'hipster' coffee shops and more expensive rents, they said that the area was energetic and had great restaurant options. 

The reviewer said: 'This gentrified neighborhood is changing by the minute, and getting costlier by the minute too. 

'But, its also an energetic, artistic and the bar and food scene rivals that of Manhattan with new restaurants opening on a weekly basis. Great for people watching, biking and running.'

A third person bemoaned the gentrification and rising prices: 'Gentrified neighborhood with nice bars and restaurants. 

'If your thinking about moving here you'll need about 900k for many small 650 sqft. one bedrooms.'

Statue of Liberty

Lady Liberty stands on her own island at the tail end of Manhattan - and is an iconic symbol of freedom for the US.

But locals and people who have visited say that the statue itself is not as impressive as one may think - and you're better off getting the view from Google images. 

The disgruntled visitor said: 'It’s really not worth the time and money to travel up close to see the statue. Much more impressive far away and on Google images. 

'Can easily skip all the crowds and overpriced tickets to get there by taking the Staten Island ferry which is free, and get close enough to the statue if you must pay homage to the symbol of liberty depending how you interpret this. 

'NYC waterway also gets you quite close to it and costs about $5++ each way on their ferries.'

Another person on Trip Advisor bemoaned the long queues and security checks that visitors must go through before being allowed on the boat. 

They said: 'Very iconic and a must see if visiting New York, be prepared to spend a lot of time standing and queuing though! They advertise timed slots but it means nothing, it’s more a free for all, so be prepared.'

Another visitor simply said the attraction was 'underwhelming' and apart from the photo opportunity, there was not a lot to do on the tour. 

The tourist said: 'There are too many eager people who want to see Statue Of Liberty. Staffs are rude. Security screening takes long time. 

'But when you are here, only one underwhelming thing to see and take photos.' 

Although to some, New York's busy, overcrowded streets still have charm and excitement.

One person said: 'I’ve been to NYC too many times to count and every one of these so-called “tourist traps” is amazing, iconic and worth visiting.'