Solo Travel In New York: A Good Idea?

is new york good for solo travel

New York is a great destination for solo travellers. It's a safe, walkable city with plenty to see and do.

Many people who have travelled alone to New York say they felt secure and found it easy to get around. It's common for New Yorkers to spend time alone outside their homes, so you won't stand out if you're exploring the city by yourself.

There's an extensive subway system, and buses to help you get around, as well as walking tours and a hop-on, hop-off bus service.

New York has a huge range of food options, from street food to high-end restaurants. It's also known for its art galleries and museums, green spaces, and iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

Accommodation can be expensive, but there are hostels and budget hotels available, and you can save money by booking in advance or staying in shared rooms.

Overall, New York is an excellent choice for a solo traveller looking for an exciting, cultural trip with plenty to discover.

Characteristics Values
Safety New York is considered a safe place for solo female travellers. However, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking in unpopulated areas at night.
Transport The subway is the most popular way to get around New York. Single ride tickets cost $2.75 and there are also multiple-ride and weekly/monthly passes available. Buses are also available and sometimes a better option.
Accommodation Suggested neighbourhoods for solo female travellers include the West Village, East Village, Upper West Side, Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and Long Island City in Queens.
Food New York has food to suit all tastes and budgets. Suggested restaurants for solo dining include The Meatball Shop, The Spotted Pig, Ivan Ramen, Community Food and Juice, Bono, Saigon Shack, Roberta's, and The Smith.
Attractions New York has a wide range of attractions, including Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Museum of Sex, the Brooklyn Bridge, Broadway, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

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New York is safe for solo female travellers

New York is one of the safest cities in America and a great place for women to travel alone. With some common sense and an awareness of your surroundings, you can have a very safe time in New York.

Safety Tips for New York

  • Be vigilant in crowded areas like subways, street performances and tourist spots. Keep your belongings close to you.
  • Don't carry lots of cash. Cards are widely accepted.
  • Be careful with your drinking. Happy hours and bottomless brunches can lead to overindulging.
  • Be cautious of strangers who approach you with a story. They will likely ask you for money.
  • Look for exits wherever you are.
  • If a subway car is empty, there's probably a reason.
  • Spend more money to feel safer, whether that's on a hotel in a more central neighbourhood or an Uber/Lyft if you're travelling late at night.
  • Walk with purpose and respect people's time.

Where to Stay

Stay within a 10-minute walk of the subway. Recommended neighbourhoods include the West Village, East Village, Upper West Side, Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and Long Island City in Queens.

Getting Around

The subway is the best way to get around. It's safe and runs 24 hours a day. You can also take the bus, or an Uber/Lyft if you have heavy luggage or need to get somewhere quickly.

Things to Do

There are endless things to do in New York. Here are some ideas:

  • Take a walk through the Ramble in Central Park.
  • Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem.
  • Get lost in the stacks at The Strand bookstore.
  • Take a Bushwick bites and street art tour.
  • Try alternative health remedies.
  • Join a "watch party" at a bar.
  • Explore the biggest Chinatown in Flushing, Queens.
  • Visit The Cloisters in upper Manhattan.
  • See a Broadway show.
  • Visit Governors' Island and City Island.
  • Enjoy wine, cheese, and groceries Italian-, French- and Spanish-style.
  • Visit New York's less famous museums.
  • Rent a CitiBike and ride through a park.
  • See a lecture.
  • Dance the day away at a Daybreaker.
  • Go on a food tour of Jackson Heights, Queens.
  • Try some crazy foods at Smorgasburg.
  • Join a fitness class.
  • Spend a day at a Korean spa.
  • Get lost in a botanical garden.
  • Experience the weirdness at Sleep No More.
  • Try the most Instagrammable food in the city.
  • Ride the Staten Island Ferry.
  • Go to an alternative concert, rave, or party in Brooklyn.

Eating Alone

Eating alone in New York is normal. If you're nervous, eat at a restaurant with a bar or a cafe. Some recommended restaurants include The Meatball Shop, The Spotted Pig, Ivan Ramen, Community Food and Juice, Bono, Saigon Shack, Roberta's, The Smith, Melba's, and Joe's Pizza.

Meeting People

If you want to meet people, try the weekly Reddit meetup at Peculier Pub in the West Village, or join a group on Meetup.com or Couchsurfing.

Overall

New York is a fantastic place for solo female travellers. It's a city built for the solitary person, with activities for all kinds of people to enjoy on their own. It's also very safe, and with some simple precautions, you can feel secure during your trip.

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It's easy to get around New York solo

New York is a great city to navigate as a solo traveller. The city is built for solitary people, with many residents seeking solitude outside their homes. It is common for people to do activities alone or dine alone, so you won't feel out of place.

The city is very walkable, which makes it great for wandering around and exploring. There is also an extensive subway system, which is safe to use 24 hours a day. The subway runs frequently and is easy to navigate, with clear signage. It is also affordable, with single rides costing $2.75 or a weekly pass for $32. You can purchase a MetroCard at any subway station.

If you prefer not to take the subway, there are other options, such as bus, cab, Uber, Lyft, or Via. Cabs can be expensive, but if you have heavy luggage or need to get somewhere quickly, they may be the best option. Uber, Lyft, or Via are often more affordable options than a traditional cab.

New York is also a great place to cycle, with many bike lanes and CitiBikes available to rent.

No matter which mode of transportation you choose, getting around New York as a solo traveller is easy and safe.

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There's plenty to do in New York solo

New York is a great place for solo travellers, with many people reporting that they felt very safe during their visit. The city is built for solitary people, with many residents seeking solitude outside their homes. It's common to see locals eating alone or doing activities independently.

New York is also very walkable, which makes it great for the serendipitous wandering beloved of solo travellers. The city is easy to navigate, and there is an abundance of information online about maps, schedules, deals, etc.

There is no shortage of things to do and see in New York, and it can be easy to fill a week or more without any real planning. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Take a Queens street food tour
  • Ride the Staten Island Ferry
  • See a Broadway show
  • Day trip to Governors Island
  • Visit a Korean day spa
  • Try the most Instagrammable food in the city
  • Take a walk through the Ramble in Central Park
  • Go to Amateur Night at the Apollo in Harlem
  • Get lost in the stacks at The Strand bookstore
  • Join a Bushwick bites and street art tour
  • Try some alternative health remedies
  • Join a "watch party" at a bar
  • Spend a day exploring the biggest Chinatown in Flushing, Queens
  • Get away from it all at The Cloisters
  • Visit New York's less famous museums, like the Museum of the City of New York, the Frick Collection, or the New York Transit Museum
  • Rent a CitiBike and ride through a park
  • See a lecture
  • Dance the day away at a Daybreaker (a sober dance party in the early morning)
  • Go on a food tour of Jackson Heights, Queens
  • Try some crazy foods at Smorgasburg, a Brooklyn weekend food market
  • Join a fitness class, like aerial yoga or underwater cycling
  • Spend a day at a Korean spa
  • Get lost in a botanical garden, like the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx or the Brooklyn Botanical Garden
  • Experience the weirdness at Sleep No More, an immersive production designed to be seen alone
  • Drink on the Staten Island Ferry, which is totally legal!
  • Go to an alternative concert, rave, or party somewhere deep in Brooklyn
  • Hit up the tourist destinations, like the Empire State Building, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Take day trips to Upstate New York to see beautiful landscapes, wineries, and art exhibits
  • Indulge in sweet treats, pizza, fried pickles, and more
  • Visit iconic New York attractions, like the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Times Square, the High Line, Central Park, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Choose New York views from the Empire State Building, the Top of the Rock, or One World Trade Center
  • Eat and drink your way through the city, with options for every taste and budget

Meeting People in New York

If you're looking to meet people during your trip, there are plenty of ways to do so! Here are some ideas:

  • Join the weekly Reddit meetup at Peculier Pub in the West Village
  • Check out the Couchsurfing NYC community for events and meetups
  • Put out feelers on social media to see if anyone you know can introduce you to a friend or cousin in the city
  • Use Tinder if you're looking to date or hook up

Accommodation in New York

When it comes to accommodation, it's recommended to stay within a 10-minute walk of the subway. Some good neighbourhoods for solo female travellers include the West Village, East Village, Upper West Side, Cobble Hill in Brooklyn, and Long Island City in Queens.

  • The Ace Hotel in NoMad
  • The Jane Hotel in the Meatpacking District
  • The Library Hotel in Midtown East
  • Aloft Brooklyn in Downtown Brooklyn
  • Hampton Inn Brooklyn Downtown
  • Z New York Hotel in Long Island City, Queens

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It's not hard to find places to eat alone in New York

If you're looking for a quick bite, there are plenty of options. 188 Bakery Cuchifritos in Fordham Heights is a Caribbean lunch counter where you can get a quick, affordable bite. Shu Jiao Fu Zhou in Chinatown is another counter-service restaurant where you can get a quick meal, and it's usually full of solo diners. If you're in the mood for ramen, Ichiran in Bushwick has sectioned-off booths designed for individual diners.

For a more sit-down meal, there are plenty of options, too. B&H Dairy in the East Village is a small, charming kosher breakfast and lunch spot that's been open since the '40s. Raku, a Japanese spot in Soho, is another great option for solo dining—you can enjoy a steamy bowl of udon without having to make conversation with anyone. If you're craving Italian, head to Forsythia in the Lower East Side, where you can sit at the bar and work your way through the menu. For a more upscale experience, Minetta Tavern in Greenwich Village offers free champagne for solo diners.

If you're looking for a place to eat alone but still want to be around people, food halls and counters are a great option. Lou Yau Kee in the Urbanspace food hall in Union Square is a good choice, as is S&P Lunch, which has a 40-foot counter.

No matter your taste or budget, you're sure to find plenty of places to eat alone in New York.

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New York is a great base for day trips

One popular day trip destination is Boston, which is just a short train ride away. Washington, D.C. is also accessible by train, offering a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. For nature lovers, there's the breathtaking Niagara Falls, although it's a bit farther afield and may require a longer trip.

New York itself is packed with things to do and see, but if you're looking to explore beyond the city limits, there are plenty of options. You can visit nearby cities like Philadelphia or even take a day trip to another state, such as New Jersey or Connecticut.

The surrounding areas of Upstate New York also offer beautiful landscapes, wineries, and art exhibits. Sam's Point, Lake Minnewaska, and Storm King Art Center are just a few of the natural and cultural attractions worth considering.

With its convenient transportation options and central location, New York provides a great starting point for exploring the wider region. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or simply discovering new places, there's something for everyone within easy reach of the city.

Frequently asked questions

New York is considered a safe place for solo female travellers. It is regarded as one of the safest cities in America, and much safer than it was in previous decades. Common sense and vigilance are still recommended, as with any other place.

New York is a city built for solitary people. There are plenty of activities that solo travellers can enjoy, including:

- Taking a walk through the Ramble in Central Park

- Visiting quirky museums

- Taking the Staten Island Ferry

- Seeing a Broadway show

- Exploring Governors' Island

- Visiting a Korean day spa

- Trying Instagrammable food

- Taking a Queens street food tour

- Joining a Bushwick bites and street art tour

- Going to a watch party at a bar

It is recommended to stay within a 10-minute walk of the subway. Some good neighbourhoods for solo travellers include:

- West Village

- East Village

- Upper West Side

- Cobble Hill in Brooklyn

- Long Island City in Queens

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