A Solo Trip to New York City
New York City can be an intimidating destination for anyone, and especially for a solo traveller. There’s so much to do, and is it really safe on your own? I’m here to tell you that this city doesn’t have to be overwhelming, with just a bit of planning. Keep reading for the perfect itinerary for a solo trip to New York City!
Where to Stay
I am listing the places that I have stayed, but like any trip, where you stay is subjective based on what you want to do. For me, Manhattan has been a good central location that also feels safe for a solo traveller.
Midtown Manhattan
Hotel NH Collection New York Madison Avenue: This hotel was such a great location for my most recent visit. A short walk to Grand Central Station, the New York Public Library, and multiple subway lines. Plus, the service was friendly, and the room was small but nice.
Central Park South
Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Central Park: if you want to be closer to Central Park, the Met, and MoMA, this hotel is a great option. It’s connected to the Residence Inn also, and has a nice lounge area.
Getting Around
Subway: One thing that can be intimidating about a solo trip to New York City, or any trip, is navigating the subway. But my recommendation is don’t even try to understand it. Trust me. Here is what I do.
- Enter your destination into your maps app on your phone.
- Choose the public transportation option.
- And voila! Follow the steps and it’s way easier than you think.
- You don’t need a special pass or ticket either. Just use your credit card or tap to pay on your phone.
Uber/Lyft: If the subway is too much, you can easily get an Uber or Lyft. Just be prepared for traffic and surge pricing.
Walking: My favorite way to get around in any city is to walk. This is why I try to choose accommodations that are close to the activities I want to visit. New York is very walkable, depending on your itinerary.
Day 1: Museum Day and Central Park
The Met, MoMa, NY Public Library, etc.
On my first day of my solo trip to New York City, I wanted to visit my favorite attractions, which are a museum and Central Park. I usually visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), but I have also visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa), and most recently visited the New York Public Library for the first time.
The Met: Visit the Met if you want to see over 5,000 years of art from around the world. My favorites are the Temple of Dendur, the Greek and Roman Art Gallery, and the Medieval Art.
MoMa: Visit MoMa if you want thought-provoking and creative modern art. My favorites are those on floors 4 and 5, from the 1880s – 1970s.
NY Public Library: Visit the New York Public Library if you love anything related to books. The exhibit here is worth the visit alone (hello original Winnie the Pooh toys!), but the architecture and reading room are also lovely.
After exploring a museum, I headed over to Central Park. I could honestly spend a whole day here alone; it’s so big. I try to see a different part of the park on each visit, but the most popular area is the southern portion. Some of my favorite areas are:
- Belvedere Castle
- Bethesda Fountain and Terrace
- Bow Bridge
- The Mall and Literary Walk
Day 2: Brooklyn
One popular activity to do while visiting New York City is to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and if you visit on a nice day, this is definitely worth it. When I visited, I walked from Manhattan to Brooklyn, explored, ate lunch, and then took the subway back. But you could walk both ways on the bridge if you are feeling ambitious.
After crossing the bridge, I explored the DUMBO neighborhood a bit, and got the best pizza I’ve had in New York City to this day, at Juliana’s Pizza (this was my pre-gluten-free days). I walked off the pizza in Brooklyn Bridge Park before catching the subway back to Manhattan.
Day 3: The Bronx
On the third day of my solo trip to New York City, I decided to explore even further. If you’ve read a few of my other posts, you’ll know that I am a huge baseball fan and I’m visiting every major league ballpark. The New York Yankees play in the Bronx, so I decided to attend a game. While I was up this way, I also decided to make another stop at the second location of the Met, the Cloisters.
The Met Cloisters is located in Washington Heights, so it’s a bit of a trek for any central Manhattan visit to New York City. But it is so worth it! I was blown away by the Medieval Art, French monastery with gardens, and Gothic chapel.
Day 4: Chelsea and the High Line
On my last day of my solo trip in New York City, I decided to explore Chelsea. You could insert any neighborhood you were interested in here for a more leisurely day. I’m a big thrifter, so the Chelsea Flea was a fun stop to browse vendors and see what deals there were. There’s also great thrift stores in this area to pop into.
I then headed to Chelsea Market. I love food halls when I’m traveling solo, because it’s a less awkward way to dine alone. Lots of bar seating or little nooks to sit in. Plus, the variety here is awesome, from tacos to lobster, to even donuts! After this, I walked on the Highline, which is a public park 30 feet above street level on an old rail line that offers nice views of city along with a walking trail.
Other Things To Do
Top of the Rock: For a more touristy, but worthwhile attraction, visit Rockefeller Center for the Top of the Rock experience. This gives you some amazing views of the city from, you guessed it, the top of the Rockefeller Center.
Broadway: One activity I haven’t experienced during a solo trip to New York City yet is a Broadway show. This is definitely on my list, and if it’s something you enjoy, worth looking into.
And for other things to do, or if you only have one day in New York City, check out my day trip blog post. What did I miss? What are your favorite things to do in New York City as a solo traveller?
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