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Things to Consider When Planning a Solo Trip to New York City

Introduction

Many people travel with friends or family, but just as many people travel alone. Traveling alone doesn’t mean you’re lonely, and it can be a very rewarding experience. It also doesn’t mean that it’s more dangerous to travel alone, but you may have to take some extra precautions. Just like when planning a group trip, there are a few things to consider when traveling solo, especially in a place as busy and as exciting as New York City.

Your Stay: When, Where, and How Long

The Best Time to Visit NYC

When planning any trip, solo or with a group, one of the first things you need to do is to decide when you want to go on your trip. Many will say that the best time to visit the Big Apple is either in the late spring or in the fall, due to the summer months and the late fall/early winter being the busiest travel months. NYC sees the least amount of visitors in January through early March, but that’s also when it’s the coldest.

Where to Stay in NYC

Although hotels are still a popular lodging choice, many people look to Airbnb and Vrbo for temporary lodging. New York City is made up of five boroughs, each one like a city all by itself. Whether you choose to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb, make sure it’s in a safe location, and a location that isn’t too far from any attractions you’re wanting to see.

How Long to Stay in NYC

Your stay depends on your goals for your trip and how much money and time you have to spend, but staying in New York anywhere from three to five days should allow you to see most of what the city has to offer. Also, remember that since you’re traveling alone, you may not want to stay too long, due to both safety reasons and the fact that traveling alone is more expensive.

Carefully Plan Your Itinerary

With so much to do in such a large city with millions of people, it’s important to carefully plan what you’re going to do. Even though Manhattan is the most visited borough, due to the fact that almost all of New York’s most famous landmarks are situated there, you’ll probably want to visit the other four boroughs as well. In order to make sure that you have time to see everything you want to see, you need to make a schedule that lists the times and dates of your planned activities.

Transportation

Transportation is another thing to consider when planning activities. Most attractions in NYC are within walking distance, but some destinations may require another form of transportation. New York’s public transportation system (i.e., subways and buses) are very efficient and can get you anywhere you need to go within the city. If you have taken a flight into the city, you can find a New York Car rental company close to the JFK International Airport.

What are the best solo activities?

Several of the things done by groups of people in NYC can also be done by individuals. Being that it’s the most populous city in the United States, it’s not rare for people to experience certain attractions alone to find solace in the sights.

The Brooklyn Bridge

Connecting Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge is a very popular tourist spot. While walking across the 6,000 ft bridge, you’ll be able to see a beautiful sight of the city skyline. Plus, it’s one of the best free things to do in New York!

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

This museum is another place where you can indulge yourself in beauty. The museum has more than 5,000 years worth of art, and you could easily spend the entire day studying different art exhibits.

Broadway

Since you’re exploring the city on your own, you’ll be able to stop and see any show you want. It’s also less expensive to buy one ticket.

Solo traveling doesn’t have to be boring, and it can actually be even more exciting. You choose what you want to do and when, and also how to do it. Just be sure to have your trip carefully planned, just like you would with a group trip.