Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
Butterymuffin · 18/10/2017 21:04

Really, really jealous...

AnathemaPulsifer · 18/10/2017 21:05

I had a brilliant time alone. Get a guide book and go have fun.

fantapants84 · 18/10/2017 21:09

I’m not even joking I’d prefer to go on my own! So much to do and you can pick and choose exactly what you want! No having to please others! But if you want you can sneak me in your suitcase and bring me 😆

CupboardLover · 18/10/2017 21:11

Ooh very envious of you!
Second reading Time out or New York magazine for what's on
Seeing some movies before they come out here
NY public library has exhibitions or you can join it from your hotel address and use it properly
Lunch in Bryant park or Central Park, walk up to the Frick.
Evenings all the big bookshops are open late, all serve coffee and you will be one of many if you just want to hang out in there reading
Ditto drugstores open late if you like a good browse through the products!
Wander through the department stores etc.
Museums are fantastic.
Bet you have a great time and you'll wish you had longer to see everything!. Smile

RavenLG · 18/10/2017 21:26

I'm so jealous! My whole office is going to New York in January expect me and the placement student. I'm fuming.
Enjoy the city and enjoy your own company you'll have a blast!

Colinfarrellsarse · 18/10/2017 21:41

I did NYC alone last year. It was fantastic! It is one of the few places that is ideal to do alone. I got a 3 day subway pass and off I went. Did lots of touristy things. My favourite was Bryant park at night. It was a big xmas market. Stunning. I ate in casual places and did a lot of people watching. It was lovely

LadyDeLaFuente · 18/10/2017 21:51

I did the SATC tour on my own as my boyfriend at the time didn't fancy it and it was a highlight for me! I'd recommend it if you're a fan.

I also went to the MOMA alone (well, boyfriend was there but in another part) and it was fab even though I'm not really into art! So much to see there that you'll forget you're unaccompanied.

cardibach · 18/10/2017 21:57

I have done the High Line, Central Park, Statten Island Ferry. Brooklyn Bridge and was a bit underwhelmed to be honest
I think you’re a lost cause OP. Can’t believe this attitude.

BiteyShark · 18/10/2017 22:02

Been there a few years ago on my own with work. Restaurants are fine with single people, take a book if you are self conscious but people watching is great. Bus tours and shows are good and there is always the hotel bar for a late drink and a chat with typically friendly bar tenders.

Brittbugs80 · 18/10/2017 22:33

drugstores open late if you like a good browse through the products

I always buy some of their painkillers. It's paracetamol or ibuprofen so nothing I've not used before but the vast array of over the counter medication is amazing!! I lose a good hour browsing the pain relief aisle and the sanitary protection aisle Blush we went in one chemist and it had a full aisle, we barely get a full shelf in Sainsbury's!

Bisquitine · 18/10/2017 22:34

Another one for the 9/11 memorial. Very moving.

snowglobe67 · 18/10/2017 22:37

Stop telling yourself you'll have a crap time or it'll become a self fulfilling prophecy.
Being alone can be great fun.
If you're underwhelmed by traditional touristy things then don't do them, wander about and search for interesting little places to eat or drink... Have a mini adventure!!

Ta1kinPeece · 18/10/2017 22:38

On my own in New York (it was bliss)

  • walk the East River Path from the UN to Battery Park
  • Mo-math
  • Moma
  • Cloisters
  • high line (both ways)
  • MMS
  • Natural History Museum
  • day trip out to Flushing and the Science Center
  • day trip out to Sheeps Head Bay

Darn - did you say only a few days Grin

and his 2nd Avenue between 20th and 40th for good cheap evening food

Therealslimshady1 · 18/10/2017 22:39

Just do exactly what you feel like, even if that is sitting in Starbucks for 2 hours or whatever.

I have travelled to the US for work on.my own a few times, and ended up going to the mall, then roomservice dinner in the room Grin

Mind, I was only 25. At my current age I'd go and explore!

JayDot500 · 18/10/2017 22:44

Visited my husband there when he was sent to the NYC office for a few months. They gave him an apartment in Midtown, Manhattan. Everyday I just walked out the door and went in a different direction. NYC is just one of those cities where the same paths aren't experienced identically. The tenement museum was a random, entertaining find.

3 days, I wouldn't plan much.

deste · 18/10/2017 22:45

Taco flavouredkisses I managed to see Wicked for around $20 sitting in the front row looking into the orchestra pit.
We also sat in the front row of Wicked but I swear I nearly froze to death with the air conditioning. We were allowed to stand at the side because I couldnt sit there any longer.

FanSpamTastic · 18/10/2017 22:49

If you are interested enough to network there is a women's network called maiden voyage here. You could contact them and maybe meet up with another female traveller for dinner?

youngestisapsycho · 18/10/2017 22:59

When do you go? We are going on Sunday.....

Theresamayscough · 18/10/2017 23:02

Are you feeling braver now op? Have you a plan?

confusedlittleone · 19/10/2017 07:00

If you go in with that mindset then yes you probably will, but If you go with an open mind you'll end up surprised

Original poster
loveka · 19/10/2017 15:50

Yes, I now have a plan!

I will try to do the theatre one night. Then hop on and off bus on my day off. I would be very anti the buses in London ironically. I might do the night tour one as well.

I worry about getting lost on my own more than anything I think, and then getting in a pickle!

OP posts:
amusedbush · 19/10/2017 16:04

I've been to NYC several times (I got engaged and married there, actually - on separate trips! Grin) and DH and I basically go to eat our way around the city! The first thing we've done the last couple of times (once before we'd even checked into the hotel Blush) is get a double shack burger from Shake Shack. I swear I'd sell my granny for one of those most days Grin

Look on sites like Thrillist or the Gothamist for up-to-the-minute food/drink/bar/show/attraction recommendations.

MissConductUS · 19/10/2017 16:06

I worry about getting lost on my own more than anything I think, and then getting in a pickle!

I'm so pleased that you have a plan. Two things regarding getting lost - Google Maps has a walking mode that works quite well, and if you look at a map of Manhattan you'll see that almost all of the streets are setup in a perfect grid, with 12 avenues that run north and south and numbered streets that run east and west. You can get turned around but you'll know it as soon as you see a street number you didn't expect. It''s also fairly easy to street hail a taxi and let driver figure it out for you.

Do try to get lunch or dinner at Union Square Cafe while you're there. It would be a 20-25 minute walk or a very short and easy taxi ride from Times Square. The food is really out of this world and the restaurant itself is just lovely. You'll need a reservation for dinner, and it's good to have one for lunch too.

Most NY'ers are quite friendly and used to tourists, and the Brits are our favorites because you speak English. Smile I am quite happy to answer specific questions here or if you want my email address just PM me. And have a wonderful trip!

MissConductUS · 19/10/2017 16:09

get a double shack burger from Shake Shack. I swear I'd sell my granny for one of those most days

Shake Shack is the bomb, and was started by the same fabulous restaurateur (Danny Meyer) who began his whole string of restaurants with the venerable and much loved Union Square Cafe I've been plugging so shamelessly.

amusedbush · 19/10/2017 16:11

Speaking of apps, there is an official NYC subway map app which doesn't need data to work.