If you come in for the parade and you want to wander around midtown for a few hours and window shop or whatever you will be fine. Word of advice, though. However you come into town you may possibly encounter some people in the train or bus terminal who may either offer you help, ask for directions, ask for a handout or some other sham. Keep walking. Most of these guys are up to no good but will leave you alone if you keep walking. If you feel the least bit uncomfortable there look for a cop or any transit employee will help. Worse comes to worst, choose a friendly looking stranger. We will protect you.
Stick to mid-town Manhattan and SoHo/Greenwich Village, but still be careful. You ll be a walking victim-waiting-to-happen. Keep your purse wrapped tightly UNDER your arm; have emergency money hidden somewhere on you; ANYTHING that sounds too good to be true, DEFINITELY IS. Familiarize yourself with maps, stores, museums, anyplace your going BEFORE you head in. (That last think you want to do is look like a tourist, and a map in your hand screams that.)
you will be safe if you stick to highly populated areas and don t look lost. don t check a map frequently, etc. you have to look like you know where you are and what you re doing.. if you are obviously wandering aimlessly then shady types will pick up on that
If you know your way around then your fine but if you go on a school day, watch out for the police officers. One of my friends got caught a few years ago. I don t know if they still do that.
During school days when I was your age I went everywhere alone...
You ll be fine just don t get lost.
dont go alone be with a group of 2 or 3 friends