New York is now a generally safe city for tourists, much more so than it was 20 years ago. But as in all major cities, some neighborhoods are less recommended, or should be avoided at night.

Indeed, New York City is a huge city, made up of 5 major boroughs (districts) : Manhattan, Brooklyn, queens, the Bronx and Staten Island. Each area is filled with neighborhoods that are very different from one another. The level of danger can vary from street to street and change over time.

This article (updated in 2026) helps you understand where to be cautious, why, and how to travel safely in New York. It's not about banning these neighborhoods, but about providing travelers with guidelines.

Areas generally safe for tourists

Before discussing sensitive areas, let's remember that you can stay and move around without any problems in most of the following areas:

• Manhattan (Midtown, Upper West Side, Upper East Side, SoHo, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, tourist Harlem)
• Brooklyn Heights
• Williamsburg
• DUMBO
• Long Island City (Queens)
• Astoria (Queens)

These are the most touristy and busy neighborhoods in New York, well-connected and lively.

Neighborhoods to avoid in New York in 2026

The vast majority of New York is safe and pleasant to visit. The only truly dangerous areas are on the outskirts and have no tourist appeal.

Here are a few neighborhoods that tourists should avoid in New York:

Brownsville (Brooklyn)

Brownsville remains one of the neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in New York: violence and trafficking are more prevalent there than in the rest of the city. See its location

Things to know for travellers:

• Very little tourist interest
• Limited accommodation options
• The atmosphere can sometimes be tense in the evening.

East New York (Brooklyn)

An outlying neighborhood, long plagued by crime. Although improving, This is clearly not a tourist area..

Avoid if:

• Lodging
• Taking a walk at night
• Solo travelers

Certain areas of the Bronx

The Bronx shouldn't be avoided entirely — it has pleasant residential neighborhoods and iconic places like the Yankee Stadium and Bronx zoo.

More remain vigilant in:

• Mott Haven – See location
• Hunts Point – See location
• Fordham
• Highbridge

Harlem (especially the east and north)

Again, Harlem is not a dangerous area as a whole: South Harlem, around Apollo Theater or Marcus Garvey Park, is very touristy.

But be more vigilant in East Harlem and isolated streets late at night. See location

High-risk neighborhoods late at night

Even in generally safe neighborhoods, avoid:

• the deserted streets at night
• parks after closing
• The subway stations are very quiet.

This applies to:

• Bushwick (some streets)
• Bed-Stuy at night
• Queens (Jamaica, Far Rockaway)

New York City Map

Here is a Google Map to locate the dangerous neighborhoods of New York (listed above) but also the best neighborhoods in Manhattan (see below):

Where should you avoid staying in New York?

For a tourist stay, avoid these areas for accommodation :

• Brownsville
• East new york
• Hunts Point & extreme south Bronx
• Areas too far from the subway

Not because they are constantly dangerous (they are more often so at night), but because:

• The subway journey can be long
• the atmosphere can be uncomfortable
• Hotel availability is limited
• there are much better alternatives (see below).

FAQ – Insecurity in New York

Is New York a dangerous city?

Overall, no. In 2026, New York is not a dangerous city, even though it has always had a bad reputation for safety. In fact, its crime rate has been steadily declining for the past 20 years. You can verify this on the New York Police Department website: nyc.gov.

In 2026, New York is in the average range for American cities. Indeed, according to the Numbeo rankingNew York is ranked as the 41st most crime-ridden city in North America out of 80 cities listed. It is less dangerous than Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles ou San Francisco.

Can you go to the Bronx as a tourist?

Yes, in well-known and frequented areas. But avoid isolated streets at night and neighborhoods Mott haven, Hunts point, Fordham, Highbridge.

Which neighborhood is the most dangerous?

Brownsville is often cited as the most sensitive.

Is it safe to walk in Manhattan at night?

Yes, in busy areas—that's what the locals do. If you stay in tourist areas and follow a few common-sense rules, you'll fully enjoy your stress-free trip.

In which neighborhood to stay in New York?

Manhattan is known worldwide as the heart of New York. It's the most touristy place. Therefore, the most convenient for visit New York on foot will be to stay in the heart of Manhattan.

Moreover, to find the programs of interesting events for tourists in New York and reserve your show tickets, here is a useful link: www.hellotickets.fr

In terms of safety, Manhattan remains one of the safest places in New York. Apart from East Harlem and Upper Manhattan (located in the far north of Manhattan) at night, the other neighborhoods are safe for choosing a place to live.

Let's now look at the best neighborhoods to stay in Manhattan: Upper Manhattan, Upper West Side, Lower East Side, TriBeCa, SoHo, Chinatown, Greenwich Village, and East Village. I've dedicated an entire article to Manhattan to help you understand the area and its various neighborhoods. I invite you to read it in the article: New York - Manhattan neighborhoods

And if you want to combine a tourist trip with a shopping day, here are my neighborhood tips and tips for shopping in New York.

Where to choose your hotel in Manhattan?

This is a hotel well located in the center of Manhattan, 400 meters from Madison Square Garden, 600 meters from the Empire State Building and very close to Time Square.

Its added bonus: Its rooftop bar on the 18th floor with a view of the Empire State Building!