All my life I’ve read about it, seen it on tv and films but never been there. It’s a once in a lifetime thing, most likely I’ll never get to go back and despite all the negativity I would like to experience the city in person.
And stay in a good hotel. Do not skimp. Safety.
And, by the way, if anyone offers you “loose joints” they are not chiropractors.
I live in central NY State, and have been to NY City many times. Probably one of the most meaningful places I visited was Ellis Island, because my father, his two brothers, and my grandparents came through there from Holland in 1913. I think my last trip to New York City was in 2007, and I'm sure a lot has changed. When I went to Paris in 2006, I discovered that both cities stunk to high heavens. Both cities have high traffic, and the overwhelming smell of gas fumes. Add the smell of urine for NY City, but at least Paris had older buildings.
I've always wanted to, but never got to Fraunces Tavern. It's where Washington gave his farewell address to his officers. It still serves meals, and there's a museum upstairs.
According to my family tree, I had ancestors who settled in New Amsterdam in the 1600's. I wish I'd known that when I previously visited the area.
My God, man. This would be like having a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit the Somme region of France in July through November 1916.
The opportunity to just “visit” NYC came and went.
You won’t be able to protect yourself or your wife.
But it’s your choice. What I find odd is all the people giving you advice on places to see and things to do as if the events of the past 2 years never happened; as if BLM and Antifa and riots didn’t occur, and out of control crime there that we read about daily just does not exist.
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Good luck and enjoy as much as you can while there. I spent some 20+
months there stationed in the Bkly Naval Yard while in the military. I
enjoyed it as we had free passes to sporting, plays/musicals. etc and I
took in many of them. Each section has many varying sites/businesses
ethnicity's etc. Good luck and I hope you enjoy. It will be an experience
you will remember for sure.