New York City is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world.  Forty-seven million visitors, including 37.5 million Americans and 9.5 million international visitors, made New York City their destination in 2008.

Throughout the year, visitors enjoy New York City attractions such as theater performances on Broadway, concerts, sports and events at Madison Square Garden, and musical artists and comedians at Radio City Music Hall, home of the famous Radio City Rockettes.  Theater, music, dance and opera draw them to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.  They come to experience exhibits at world-renowned museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guggenheim Museum and the American Museum of Natural History.

A trip to New York City would not be complete without visiting a few of the historical landmarks.  The Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and Ellis Island are popular landmarks for visitors.  On a clear day or night, the spectacular 360-degree view of the city below from the observatory of the Empire State Building, New York’s tallest building, is stunning.  Made famous by the New Year’s Eve ball drop, Times Square with its illuminated signs is often a sight visitors want to see in person.

Summertime is a wonderful season to visit the City as the warm temperature brings a variety of outdoor activities, attractions and festivals.

Although New York City has many great parks, Central Park is the most visited park in the United States, with 25,000,000 visitors annually.  Aside from the park’s beauty, facilities and attractions, scheduled events within the park during the summer draw locals and visitors alike.  The City Parks Foundation offers a series of events called Central Park SummerStage, with performances by musical artists that are free to the public.  The Public Theater presents 2010 Shakespeare in the Park this summer, a free 8-week event featuring two Shakespeare plays, The Winter’s Tale and The Merchant of Venice, performed in repertory.

New York City has teams of every major sport, but summertime belongs to the baseball.  Visitors from around the world come to see the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens.

Tennis fans flock to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, which offers programs, clinics, private lessons, leagues and tournaments year-round and in late summer hosts the US Open.

New York City beaches are popular when the water warms up in the summer.  The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation maintains fourteen miles of beaches, which are open Memorial Day through Labor Day and staffed with lifeguards.  The most popular is Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk in Brooklyn with 10,600,000 visitors annually.  Many visitors come to ride the Cyclone roller coaster or eat a hot dog at Nathan’s, which holds it’s famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest every 4th of July.

This is just a tiny sampling of the vast attractions New York City holds for visitors.  No matter the activity, visitors to the City must have a regard for their own safety.  Visitors are not exempt from crime or accidents simply because they are on vacation; they are perhaps more likely to experience these dangers because they are unfamiliar with their surroundings.

Avoid being a victim of crimes such as purse snatching, pick pocketing or mugging by staying in well lighted areas frequented by many people, traveling in groups, carrying a wallet in the front pants pocket, keeping purses or backpacks securely closed, not flashing a lot of cash or wearing expensive jewelry and being conscious of surroundings.

When planning a trip to the City, consider the security measures in place at hotels or events.  Even the most vigilant person is sometimes the victim of a personal assault.  In some instances, these crimes are the result of failed security or negligence of the property owner or event coordinator.

The best way for visitors to get around New York City is to do as the locals do, use public transportation such as the subway, trains, buses, ferries or taxis and licensed car services.

Many visitors take the Staten Island Ferry just for the fun of it.  It is free and a great way to view the New York Harbor, Manhattan skyline and although it does not stop at Liberty Island, it travels close enough to get a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty.

When using a taxi, only use authentic yellow medallion cabs.  New York City regulates the taxi industry for the safety of the passengers.  Never use “gypsy” cabs, these are regular cars operating illegally without regulation and may carry no insurance.  These are different from livery cabs, a car for hire such as a limousine, which are available only by arrangement over the phone.

When using trains or the subway, stand in the designated area on the platform, away from the moving train.  Watch your step when boarding or debarking, and be careful to avoid any gaps between the car and the platform. Be sure any backpack, purse, bag, umbrella or other personal effects are clear of the closing door.  If you drop something on the tracks, never attempt to retrieve it yourself and instead notify train or subway personnel.

Stand away from the curb when waiting for a transit bus and quickly step away when debarking.  Again, be sure personal effects are clear of the closing door.

If your destination is not far away, walking is customary in New York City.  Always use designated crosswalks and cross when signaled.  Never enter the crosswalk unless you think you have time to make it completely across the street.  Stand away from the curb.  Never “jaywalk” or step out into the street from between parked cars.  Never assume a car or bus sees you.  Other vehicles, street signs, lights or other obstruction may prevent visibility.  Watch your step and beware of dilapidated sidewalks that may cause you to trip and fall.  Property owners in New York City are responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining sidewalks adjoining their properties. When walking, beware of heavy equipment or cranes in use or of construction sites where debris may fall to the sidewalk below.

Property owners or business operators, including hotels, attractions and the City of New York itself, must keep buildings and facilities in good repair to ensure the safety of the occupants or visitors.  They must perform regular maintenance and inspections, including mechanical operations, such as elevators, and structural elements, such as balconies.  They are also responsible for protecting the public from everyday hazards, such as wet or slippery floors, that can cause slip and falls.

When traveling to New York City or anywhere else, it is always wise to bring insurance cards, a list of current medications, a list of medical conditions and emergency contact information in case you do suffer an injury and need medical treatment.

Paul J. Napoli is an attorney with Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP, in New York, New York.