How can you tell if you're in New York City?

I was walking through Washington Square Park on my way to auditions for the sketch comedy troupe, and while walking through said park, I saw:

- a photo shoot in progess
- a "prayer station" (aka a table with Christian pamphlets)
- a man dressed in an elf costume playing the flute
- an old woman petting a squirrell.

Yep. I live in New York.