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...

Wow, this thread is an eye opener! I've been to NYC twice - 10 years ago and 20 years ago and it sounds like it has changed a lot. Tbf I did have a travelling companion both times so I get that it's a different experience completely on your own. It's nice to hear that people engaged with you though.

I'm possibly going to California next year. Thinking San Diego. I went in the early 90s and it was great, exactly how I imagined California to be. Plus LA for all the Disney/studio stuff. Thinking I need to do some proper research though as the US has clearly changed a lot since then.

Maine is great (have been there a few times). I would fly into Boston and get either the train or bus (Concord bus) to Portland. The only caveat is that you will absolutely need a car once there (my top tip is do not under any circumstances attempt to drive in or out of Boston Airport - catch public transport somewhere else and pick up a car there). From Boston you can easily get to Salem on public transport too. Boston itself has great public transport.

Acadia National Park is heaven on earth, but a total pain in the arse to get to. However I went to Maine last year for the first time since 2019 and noticed the same thing re: weed. It was everywhere and everyone I met thought it was normal to be stoned, even though they aren't 'stoner' stereotypes. It was weirdly off putting, as I wasn't expecting it to be.

Portland has some ferries to islands off the coast and they are lovely. Lots of beautiful places to go on day trips, beautiful coastline.

Vegas is full of solo travellers who go to gamble but isn’t very interesting IMO. But everybody should see the Grand Canyon once in their life so maybe combine it with that.

If you want the US - Boston, Chicago, Charleston are great cities for soloists and super walkable if you don’t want to drive. If you can do car hire, San Diego is fab. As are many of the coastal towns on the west coast. Pismo or Laguna are great.

Maybe it’s just me and my friends then! The trucks that show up near my office on a Wed and Thu are fab - about 10 of the serving everything from salads to ice cream. No idea where they are the rest of the week - but I buy Pad Thai and Tom Yum soup pretty much once every week for dinner and take it home! It’s divine and unbelievably cheap.

I assume this was your first trip if you thought you’d do an AMA.

If you are used to big cities, it’s fine. If not, then it will can be intimidating.

This weed thing must be new. I was there in 2018 and tbh I notice it more in London - it’s ubiquitous here now.
I found NYC cleaner in 2018 than when I was there in the early 90s! V different though as we went as a family w teens whereas in the 90s I went as a student and with friends taking us around some of the time.
Did you go to Bryant park? Loved it there but it was the summer - such an oasis!

No I didn't do Bryant Park, I did Battery Park. But I absolutely LOVED Central Park. My first trip there was on a Saturday morning and it was such an incredible feeling just soaking it all up on my own thinking "wow I'm in New York all by myself". It's funny to think one of the most picturesque places in the city is the most dangerous at night. Also two dogs started yapping at each other and within seconds the park enforcement officers were there with horses. I get the feeling they are very hot on dog control in NYC. I was so, so excited to go. Can't believe it's been over a month already. St Patrick's Cathedral was beautiful too, I lit a candle for my family. Now looking at North Carolina 👀 I absolutely love America x

I absolutely love New York. I went in October and loved every minute of it. I think you’re sensible not to go out alone at night. There’s plenty to do in the day.

I have been to Maine it’s beautiful. I was working there for a little while. I stayed in a tiny tiny town called castine. Highly recommend. Checking it out.