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AIBU?

To think I'm going to have a crap time by myself in New York?

124 replies

loveka · 18/10/2017 17:10

I am going to New York on business alone. I have been before but always with a colleague so have had a nice time.

I have 3 evenings and one whole day on my own and I'm dreading it a bit.

I have done the High Line, Central Park, Statten Island Ferry. Brooklyn Bridge and was a bit underwhelmed to be honest.

I was thinking about a museum on my day off.

I just read the reviews of my hotel on trip adviser and it sounds awful too. Asking to change will not go down well at all!

I feel like I am really lucky having a free trip tio New York and I really want to enjoy it. But I think I might end up having a shit time.

OP posts:
MrTrebus · 18/10/2017 17:12

Shopping and sightseeing and find all the best diners. I would love that. Come on where's your sense of adventure!

Cath2907 · 18/10/2017 17:14

I had a fab time in New York on business alone. Had a meal by the Rockerfella skating rink and did all the sights in my spare time. Am currently on a plane bound for Washington and will be alone over the weekend between meetings - I cried on hubby before I left today but know I’ll have fun when I get there. Take a book out for dinner to avoid feeling alone and enjoy!

HillaryWinshaw · 18/10/2017 17:14

Wander around Greenwich Village, do some Christmas shopping, September 11 museum, Chrysler building, Rockefeller Center, see a show, go to a comedy club...

Nocabbageinmyeye · 18/10/2017 17:16

God I am jealous

Sharkteeth · 18/10/2017 17:19

I spent some time alone in NY recently and it was amazing! Visit MOMA. Spend all day there. Load up your phone with podcasts/music and just walk. Take the train all the way to Coney Island and eat a Nathan's hot dog and people watch. Buy cheap tickets to whatever show has seats that evening (I recommend the Book of Mormon!) Visit The Strand and choose a fab new book. Or get out of the city for the day. I got a Greyhound to Philadelphia and saw the Liberty Bell and ate all the cheesesteaks! New York is an amazing city! I'm sure you'll have loads of fun!!

LadyinCement · 18/10/2017 17:21

There are some fantastic museums. Have you done 9/11? I think that's ideal to visit alone as you can weep in peace all the way round. It was very moving (and interesting). Also Tenement Museum is very good and far, far fewer tourists than Ellis Island. Restaurant on top of Whitney Museum - very sophisticated.

Theatre? Concert? Off broadway pig in a poke? off-beat film in trendy movie theatre? Food court at Grand Central Station?

TacoFlavouredKisses · 18/10/2017 17:25

I (entirely intentionally) went on my own a few years ago - bought a hop on and off bus tour ticket, did some shopping, ate some awesome food, got the best bikini wax ever Grin

Definitely get yourself one of the cheap (I think 3 day?) subway passes and go for a wander around the MMOA or the Museum of Natural History.

For one of your evenings look up the "lotteries" they hold for musicals on Broadway - you might have more of a chance winning a cheap ticket on your own. I managed to see Wicked for around $20 sitting in the front row looking into the orchestra pit.

I bloody love NYC.

RollerCoasterProteinSpill · 18/10/2017 17:25

How about contacting a Big Apple Greeter? It's free.

bigapplegreeter.org/meet-a-greeter/

frogsoup · 18/10/2017 17:26

I'd give my right arm for a couple of solo days in New York! Surely, surely you can find amazing things to do, it's New York for crying out loud. Are you usually this negative?!

TheCatsMother99 · 18/10/2017 17:27

I think NY is actually one of those cities which is great as a solo traveller.

Could you see a show? I can personally recommend Aladdin as I saw that in NY and it was brilliant. Do some shopping, relax in central park, museums, etc.

AlternativeTentacle · 18/10/2017 17:28

I went to NYC on my own the first time I went and loved it.

I would just walk out the hotel in a different direction each time and wander. It was wonderful. Apart from the boat trip, which was fucking freezing, and far too long.

QueenOfTheAndals · 18/10/2017 17:28

What frogsoup said. A few days by myself in NYC is my dream holiday! Just enjoy the freedom of being able to do whatever you like - sightsee, museums, shop til you drop etc etc.

Mushroomburger17 · 18/10/2017 17:30

My tip is that whenever you go into a bar alone go and sit at the bar. People will chat and it's really interesting and keeps you going.

Skarossinkplunger · 18/10/2017 17:33

I’ve been to NY 5 times on my own and loved it. I’ve eaten out, gone to bars, Broadway shoes and all the touristy stuff and loved it!

MOMA is great!

Katkincake · 18/10/2017 17:36

I also (purposely) went on my own about 10yrs ago as my first time there, agree evenings are tough but different if you're on business as you just enjoy the rest. Preferred being independent (in the day) than when I went with DH a few years later - he's so slow looking at things.

Found travelbuddy a good way of finding someone to hang out with a couple of days / nights, not sure if it still exists though?

If you've been before treat it like you would a business trip here and just do the things you fancy doing at the time, rather than thinking like a tourist with a "must see everything" mentality.

Agree about weeping around the WTC museum alone, I visit the first one they built - it was all too much and went an howled in the loos until I could compose myself!

kungfupannda · 18/10/2017 17:39

There are two amazing immersive theatre shows if you can get tickets: Sleep No More and Then She Fell. It's the kind of thing that it doesn't matter if you're on your own. Sleep No More has its own bar and restaurant.

Slimthistime · 18/10/2017 17:42

Frick Collection

CBS Studio tour

look for any filming of any shows going on, that's always fun

New York Public Library - also check out any bookshop events

CiderwithBuda · 18/10/2017 17:45

I'd love to go to NY on my own. I've been a couple of times but not in my own.

Lots of ideas for you OP.

Fluffyears · 18/10/2017 17:46

At night got to top of the rock. Much better than the Empire State Building imo.

ny20005 · 18/10/2017 17:47

Wow ! How amazing !!!

There are so many wonderful places to go. We went to natural history museum when we were there in the summer. There’s so much to see.

Woodbury common is amazing if you like shopping. Bus goes from port authority & that will take up a full day.

Evenings, how about the cinema, theatre or sports game !

Theresamayscough · 18/10/2017 17:49

Fuck me op with 5 kids and grand kid responsibility and work and looking after old parents I would take a few days in Bognor in the rain in October as a massive treat. Grin

Get over yourself and get out and enjoy

CMOTDibbler · 18/10/2017 17:50

I travel a lot for business on my own, and frankly never do anything in the evenings apart from go to the hotel gym/pool if there is one. I tend to buy some food from a deli/ Whole Foods or whatever and then enjoy the peace and tranquility of sitting in my hotel room, eating nice picky food, drinking a giant Starbucks and painting my toenails/ have a bath/ watch TV I've downloaded.
When I have actual daytime to fill, then I usually will go to a museum or two. Plus I'll just walk and walk - loved doing that in Washington DC, and the other week in San Diego

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SilverSpot · 18/10/2017 17:51

My tip is that whenever you go into a bar alone go and sit at the bar. People will chat and it's really interesting and keeps you going.

This.

Also sit up at the counter if there is one in restaurants with an open kitchen.

3 days in NY will be fun. Eat, drink, read books, chat on FT to friends, have a long bath in the hotel. Shopping, culture. Generally have fun.

steff13 · 18/10/2017 17:54

A new block of tickets for Hamilton were just released. Today is the anniversary of the Surrender at Yorktown; it's one of my favorite songs from the show. There are so many amazing museums and stores in NYC. Maybe you could get tickets to the taping of The Tonight Show or something like that?

stuckinny · 18/10/2017 17:55

I would love a few days in NYC alone...and I live only an hour and a half out away!

I would second sitting at the bar of any restaurant you go to. People will always talk to you and if it's quiet there is always the bartender.

There is always a ton of stuff going on in the city. Time Out usually has some good stuff listed.

Have fun

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