I've just been to NYC alone...

[PleaseBeHappier]

Not that interesting but I'm bored and going through a huge personal situation so might as well keep myself occupied...

What made you go to nyc on your own? Was it an enjoyable experience. I haven’t been for about 8 years and I’ve heard mixed reviews about it recently. Thanks for sharing.

Did you have a nice time?

I was asked to go to NYC alone by my employer, I said no because I found the idea intimidating. Did you feel safe?

I'm a huge introvert so go everywhere alone. I chose to do it this year to mark a milestone birthday, wanted to go for years and years. I loved it but it wasn't what I expected

Where did you stay?

Why wasn't it what you expected?

What part wasn't as you expected?

Honestly mate? No

what made you feel unsafe, ive been to NYC many times on my own and havent felt that at all

I’ve been there alone for work and for fun and have always enjoyed myself. What intimidated you? I just wish the subway was better signposted. That is my sole quibble. And that if you’re there in snowy weather, the hardened banks of snow thrown up by the kerb stop you jaywalking.

I stayed in the financial district so right downtown. After seeing films like Home Alone 2, You've Got Mail etc I thought it would be a lot cleaner than it was. NYC is an interesting place and it didn't disappoint me at all, I'll always be so glad I did it. But it was very grimy. Also it's legal to smoke weed there and people literally walk around with massive joints even men in suits. It's completely normal and the whole place (or at least everywhere I went) absolutely stinks of dope.

There were a few things I cut off the list due to safety concerns on the subway. I absolutely hated the subway and I'm very streetwise usually. I used the subway from JFK to Manhattan and it was a dreadful experience, very scary.

I also cancelled any night time plans and stayed in my hotel room after dark but I was up at 5am every morning so it didn't really bother me.

I love travelling alone. One of my favourite things ever. What did you get up to?

I've been there alone, mostly once, because the friend I was meeting had to work last minute and travel for 3 days, so I was there alone at 24. It was fun though.

Would you ever live there?

I’m considering a move there with my job but I haven’t been for 7 years so will probably visit again before deciding. (I loved it when I went in 2017.)

My best friend who's a New Yorker from Forest Hills (where Flushing is) - hates the subway too for the reasons you say! I like it (apart from the grime) due to the E trains, fact it's cheaper than the tube and when I first used it it ran 24/7 and tubes in London stopped just before/after midnight.

I agree with you re dodgy areas and grimy.

There are certain areas even New Yorkers won't go after dark and when I first went there aged 16 was told you go there to Poughkeepsie etc to get drugs and guns.

For me I was lucky as I knew this girl since we were 12, she came to London a lot as her mom knew my British mum through a teacher exchange. So when I finally visited by myself at 16, I had New Yorkers taking me about, teaching me New York attitude and telling me what to watch out for. It was a bit scary the first time I did stuff alone, like go to a deli and order a sandwich (I felt like Elish in Brooklyn) or go to Bloomies alone, but most New Yorkers I found were friendly enough if brusque, I just had to get used to tipping, especially taxi drivers and remember that the city is laid out on a grid system.

I went last year and while I’m not remotely anti cannabis behind closed doors, I found the complete mayhem of people smoking it everywhere kind of unsettling, stinky and unpleasant.
Didnt find it so much in Canada where there are official cannabis shops - in New York it seems to have resulted in opening (unofficial) sales on the street.
Don’t know - just found it a bit disturbing.
loved our trip though.

Last time I was in NYC I went on my own (last year) but met a few friends I have that live there. It was so different to the glamourous city I used to visit. I don’t know if it’s the pandemic or what.

Dirty, rundown, everywhere stank of weed. I stayed in a nice hotel on the UES and it was still gross - ok inside but not as good as before. Huge queue for cabs at JFK so I cracked and took the train, and I’m not going back! My NY friends can come to me next time.

I love solo travel as my husband doesn’t like flying and this is firmly off my list.

Did the constant car horns beeping downtown drive you insane?!

Did you eat in any nice restaurants? It's years since I was there. I liked it but don't really feel the urge to hang out there again. Possibly I'm too old now...

I think the weed has become a big problem, last time I went in 2019, there was a weed issue but in years previous to that as far as I recall it wasn't that bad but has got worse so I understand it in recent years.

I can recommend New Orleans instead!. NY has lost its sparkle for me for all the reasons mentioned and the extortionate cost of staying there and eating out now. It is still a magnificent city, but is not as well maintained as it once was I feel. Anyone else think the same?

9/11 memorial
Central Park
Chelsea Market
High Line
Few museums
SOL cruise
Bloomingdales, Macys etc
Brooklyn Bridge (although I flapped it and turned around when I realised I could see through the floor panels fuck me it's high)
Pizza!
Loads of different food carts
Wendy's x 3 (the burgers though)
Soho
Chinatown
Little Italy
Greenwich Village

I walked over 10 miles nearly every day

I think I agree with you, but I've always loved NY. My friend though, who's from there she can take it or leave it!

Oh gosh I LOVE New Orleans.

You did a lot and you did a lot of the touristy things. I'd have done the bus tours, they take you past the Flat Iron Building, drop you off at Empire State Building etc.

It's gone really downhill in the last 10ish years I think. I went over Christmas and was shocked at how many homeless people who were completed out of it on spice? Or behaving completely wildly and erratically.

The last time I'd been it was not like that and I used to spend periods of time there regularly and never felt like that. It's such a shame as it's an amazing city to explore but we went back to family in NJ at 5pm each night as it wasn't an enjoyable family place to wander like we had done previously.

The weed thing is a bit overwhelming too. It's the same in NJ also. It's just such a strong smell and lingers so much.

Well done for going solo though, there's so much to see and do! Happy belated birthday 🎂