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...

Haha - you sound like me! I also love being by water - the walk up to Battery Park at sunset is one of my magic moments in NY!

Vaping is more regulated than weed in the US in terms of purchase hence why you saw so few people doing it. But it’s absolutely as socially acceptable as smoking a joint. Light up a Marlboro though 😂

A yes, just found this on the JFK web page. Shame. There does seem to be a private company though: Go Air Link

Maine is stunning. I love Vermont as well.

My best tip on that coast is North Carolina if you like being by the water. Absolutely wonderful place. Try Wilmington and around there. Loads of solo female travellers as well!

Reading with interest as hubbie is taking his son for his 21st in September.

Hubbie has been twice before. They want to do a trip to Washington.

My brother went last summer and said how expensive it is over there.
Didn't realise about the weed issue!

You're a braver person than me going alone so hats off to you. Your subway experience gave me shivers. X

Surely you can't have truly experienced it if you didn't go anywhere after dark? Good on you for going on your own, I'd love to do something like that

I actually didn't really find it that expensive tbf, all a bit over dramatised. I mean yeah if you go into a super fancy restaurant and order a fillet steak and a bottle of red it's gonna cost you but if that's your taste you're probably comfortable anyway. Just watch out if clothes shopping because they don't add tax but if you're buying a leather jacket for 300 dollars what's an extra 20% or whatever.

I mainly ate at food carts because I wanted to experience real NY food. I also wasn't massively impressed with the pizza. The best meal I had was a chicken rice dish, which I ate on the street outside Rockerfella with the pigeons! My hotel included breakfast too.

I did have a nice meal in a Hell's Kitchen deli, which came to around £25 including tips. But if you are going to visit one of the most expensive cities in the world just suck it up I guess!

Also I tried to tip three times in my hotel and they wouldn't accept it. Not sure if things are changing out there, I almost felt like I was patronising them.

Up at 5am, walking 10+ miles per day. I'd say it was an experience

Sorry, if you think New Orleans is any better than NY it definitely isn’t. I’ve been many times as old friends live there but my last visit (2023) was horrible and heartbreaking. . Everything tainted by the smell of dope.People wandering around like zombies. Homelessness is a massive issue. People with very obvious my and addiction issues in doorways or just collapsed in the street. Everywhere’s so run down and people just looked broken... No normal daytime activity in the business district - I was told that ‘people in suits’ don’t go out for lunch/socialise after work because of the high risks of being mugged. Gun crime up massively and it’s visible in the tourist areas - someone pulled a gun on a crowd of Mardi Gras spectators on the main parade route. I won’t be going back.

We lived there when DC was a toddler. Great experience, although Columbia Uni do everything to enhance the experience of working for them. DH worked for them - benefits: volunteer placement, amazing accommodation, nursery placement, support groups etc.

I’d been before twice a n visits. Loved it. Great for solo tourism while DH working, DC in nursery. Been back - only probs can be cold or too hot

Was contemplating going this autumn as not been to the US, glad I saw this thread! I've seen reports of the crime, homelessness, addiction etc but you never know whether it's all sensationalised... guess not. What a shame, wish I went before. I bet it'll get better again soon though, it has to - surely?!

Please do go! As I say it didn't disappoint me it just surprised me!

Thanks for this thread. I'm hoping to go at some point.

I will at some point, I just think I'll leave it a while - I had already pretty much talked myself out of it based on news reports, and going just when the US election is coming to a head is probably not the best idea anyway! Hopefully in a year or two - and in the meantime I'm off to Iceland where the only things to worry about are exploding volcanoes 😁

It’s a great city. It’s not what it used to be but not in a bad Vs good way. It’s just different. I like the shift from the city that never sleeps to a much more laid back experience. Little Island and the Highline breathe life into parts of the city that had no lungs before. The art galleries are insanely good. I love how you can walk for hours with no purpose at all, just drinking in the city. @PleaseBeHappier did the really smart thing of eating from food carts. I know a lot of people turn their noses up at them. I don’t know a real New Yorker who doesn’t eat from them. It’s part of the city :)

And I love travelling on my own!

@PleaseBeHappier if you want any other suggestions of places that are great for solo travel LMK :)

I’ve seen way worse in the UK than I see in NY!

LMK?

LMK = Let me know!

My SIL lives in Manhattan and says that it's got a lot filthier over the past decade but especially since Covid.
Apparently there are also more homeless on the streets and there are tents everywhere. It sounds very different to the New York I visited 20 years ago.

Would you go again?

Probably Yonkers. Anyways, OP Maine is a great place to visit if you like nature, Acadia or Baxter State Park :)

Surely you weren’t having hotel breakfast at 5am?

Going out for breakfast is best NYC meal of the day anyway. I think. I had my first ever brunch there.

I wouldn't choose to go again but only because I've been there and done that. If someone wanted to go and wanted me to go with them I would go

Heading to airport in an hour for 1st ever trip to NYC.
Had heard bout smell weed everywhere and dirty/run down the city is now

Yes, but all the fun things happen at night. Sorry, but it's just not the same (but appreciate that if you felt unsafe that this wasn't an option)

Well yes actually. Vegas?

Have a great time! ☺️