Solo Trip to New York City – Your Essential Guide
Nothing is quite as exciting as a solo trip to New York City!
While deciding on what to do can feel overwhelming, this essential guide to traveling in New York City will highlight some great things for you to see on your solo trip.
One of the many perks of solo travel in NYC is that you can spend as much time as you want exploring what interests you. There are times you can spend all day in one place, and other times you may want to bounce around to a few different spots.
My biggest tip for having a great time traveling in New York City is to realize you cannot see everything. Narrow down what you want to see to an area, or map out what’s important to you so you’re not back tracking,
Enjoy every minute, and allow time for the unexpected. There are many hidden gems in New York City when you take the time to look for them.
Getting to the city is quite easy. Many people don’t like to drive in, but personally it is one of my favorite things to do.
Driving at night is really an awesome experience for me!
If you come in on the weekend, you can often find free street parking. Be careful to read and obey the parking signs. New York City has a bunch of different ones, and it can be quite confusing at first.
You can often find parking coupons online to save you money as well.
Another great option is to simply take the train in. It is fairly easy to navigate and with endless train times, you can basically come and go whenever you want.
If you are traveling alone, I do not recommend taking the train late at night. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Know your surroundings.
Central Park – A great place to explore on your solo trip to New York City.
No trip to New York City is complete without visiting Central Park. You can walk the outskirts of the park or take one of the many paths that run throughout it. There are unlimited photo opportunities, and it’s a great place to people watch. The skyline of the city through the trees is just beautiful and not to be missed. Be sure to check out Bethesda Terrace, Belvedere Castle, and the Central Park Zoo while you are there.
Metropolitan Museum of Art –
One of the best things to do in NYC while traveling solo in New York City is to hit the museums. The Met is one of my favorites in the city and it is located on the eastern edge of Central Park.
You can spend the entire day in this magnificent museum or if you prefer, just a few hours.
I love getting lost in the art and the Met is one of the largest art museums in the world. Take a look at their site and see what interests you.
There are many great types of art in this museum but it really comes down to what you want to see.
A few other of my other favorite museums include The Museum of Natural History, MOMA, and the Whitney.
If you are craving some ice cream while in the Upper East Side, be sure to check out Serendipity for some frozen hot chocolate and ice cream sundaes.
This iconic restaurant may look familiar to you as it has been in quite a few movies including Serendipity and One Fine Day.
Another great spot is Lincoln Center – It is simply amazing and a pillar of New York City culture.
I highly recommend checking out an opera or ballet performance at least once. You will not be disappointed!
Great deals can be had for students, and also by checking out Groupon. Spending time in NYC does not have to be expensive.
If you find yourself walking through Times Square and feel like indulging in some great NYC Pizza, John’s Pizzeria is a great place to stop.
The restaurant is a 19th century church with a lot of architectural detail and some pretty good pizza too.
If you want to grab a slice of Pizza on the run, there’s a great 99 Cent Express Pizza right around the corner that gets amazing reviews!
New York Public Library
You should not miss stepping into the historic New York Public Library on 5th Ave and Bryant Park. The architecture is magnificent, and be sure to check out the Rose Reading Room and McGraw Rotunda while you are there.
If you are into tracing your ancestral roots and have family from New York, the New York Public Library has one of the largest genealogical collections that are free and open to the public. Their staff is amazing and super helpful too.
Be sure to check out Bryant Park
It is directly behind the library. In the winter you will finds lots of shops and an ice rink. Ice skating is free, but there is a charge for rentals.
Bryant Park has a spectacular Christmas Tree every year as well.
If you’re hungry and don’t want to spend a fortune on food, here is a great insider tip for you!
Check out Whole Foods/Bryant Park. They have an amazing salad bar and prepared food bar with tables overlooking Bryant Park and the city. The views are some of the best in the city and the food is pretty spectacular too!
Grand Central Station – This world famous landmark is not to be missed.
Not only is it a transportation hub, Grand Central Station is filled with so much more. It has culture, restaurants, shopping and a plethora of architectural style.
Here is another little insider’s tip for you. Be sure to go downstairs to the front of the Oyster Bar and Restaurant. You will find an archway there with four corners. If you whisper into one corner, the person on the corner diagonally from you can hear exactly what you’re saying! It is very cool!
Rooftop Bars
New York City has a bunch of rooftop bars in Midtown and they all offer some pretty amazing views.
Drinks are not cheap at any of the rooftop bars, so you will be spending what you saved from lunch at Whole Foods.
Head on down to the Flatiron District
It’s a great area that’s off the beaten tourist path, and has a nice neighborhood vibe to it. Be sure to check out the famous flatiron wedge shaped building and surrounding architecture.
No trip to the Flatiron district is complete without a trip to Eataly. Home to amazing gelato, great cappuccinos, Italian markets and some delicious restaurants, you are in for a real treat!
You can rest your feet in Madison Park, which is across the street and people watch for a little bit.
Brooklyn Bridge
One of New York City’s most recognized landmarks.
Walking over the the Brooklyn bridge is a real treat and you can get some great views of the city. The best views of the bridge itself can be found at Brooklyn Bridge Park on the Brooklyn Side, and Pier 15 on the Manhattan Side.
Anytime is a great time to walk over the bridge, but sunset is a pretty spectacular.
Washington Square Park
Located in Greenwich Village, this park is truly spectacular. It is full of New Yorkers and exudes a warm, hometown feeling that’s filled with street musicians, chess games, and playgrounds.
Chelsea Market
This old Nabisco factory is an indoor shopping and foodie delight. Chelsea Market has a variety of shops and restaurants to satisfy just about everyone. This is a great spot for the solo traveler as it offers a good selection of grab and go foods.
Max Brenner’s
If you are in the mood for some chocolate fondue, Max Brenner’s has a delicious fondue tower that will melt your heart.
Magnolia’s Bakery
This fabulous bakeshop has locations scattered throughout the city and the most amazing banana pudding you have ever tasted. Be sure to save some room for this world famous dessert.
High Line
No trip to the city is complete without a walk on The High Line. This elevated greenway on Manhattan’s west side was once a New York Central Railroad spur. It is 1.4 miles long and has plenty of chairs that overlook the city in a beautiful park-like setting.
One World Observatory
One World Observatory is fabulous and is awesome to see as a solo traveler in New York City.
You’ll ascend 102 stories in 47 seconds and will have the best view of the city you have ever seen.
It’s unobstructed 360 panoramic views are just magnificent.
Make sure to seek out the Tour Ambassadors. They are super helpful and will point out famous landmarks, different neighborhoods, and answer any other questions you may have.
The solo traveler can easily spend hours here enjoying the view and learning so much about the city.
New York City is by far one of the best places for solo travel. It is very easy to navigate and there are endless things to do. You can see and enjoy so much of the city very inexpensively, or you can spare nothing and live it up to your heart’s content.
If you are looking for other fabulous solo destinations, be sure to check out 9 Ultimate Destinations for Female Solo Travel.
Whatever you choose to do in New York City, I am sure will love traveling solo in the big apple as much as I do!