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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:
heartnothead · 19/10/2017 16:17

When are you going OP - I will be there soon - could meet you for coffee?

leedy · 19/10/2017 16:17

I've been in NY on my own twice in the last two months (bizarre work scheduling) and had a lovely time: it's a great place to visit because there's so much going on. Go to nice restaurants on your own and have a good meal while reading a book (my personal favourite work travel activity). Visit some of the museums and galleries: MOMA, Whitney, Guggenheim, Tenement Museum, etc. Pootle around the shops - I got an excellent bargain coat in Century 21 last month. Go for walks. See a show.

amusedbush · 19/10/2017 17:04

MissConductUS

Shake Shack burgers are consistently bloody amazing, properly brings-tears-to-your-eyes delicious.

In fact, last time we were there for a week we visited FOUR times Blush in my defence, I downgraded to a single shack burger so as not to spoil my dinner Grin

LakieLady · 19/10/2017 17:46

leedy, glad you mentioned the Guggenheim. It's one of my favourite buildings and has an amazing collection.

Imo, it's a must-see.

IDSneighbour · 19/10/2017 17:48

Definitely second whoever said the Tenement Museum.

You can get quite cheap broadway tickets if you use online sites aimed at locals. I think I saw 2 shows for the equivalent of about £50. Definitely don't do the times square on the day thing.

If you enjoy dance/exercise - Broadway Dance Center

Personally, I prefer solo holidays almost anywhere and certainly in cities. I went on holiday to New York solo and loved it. I guess if you prefer company, it could be a bit of a drag.

MissConductUS · 19/10/2017 18:47

Shake Shack burgers are consistently bloody amazing, properly brings-tears-to-your-eyes delicious.

Danny Meyer is the Einstein of delicious, beautifully presented food and warm, gracious service. @amusedbush, you are now among the Shake Shack addicted. Smile

glad you mentioned the Guggenheim. It's one of my favourite buildings and has an amazing collection. Imo, it's a must-see.

I agree, and feel the same about the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I didn't want to overwhelm the OP with museum choices. I mentioned the Museum of Natural History because while every great city has great art museums, the Museum of Natural History is fairly unique.

Definitely don't do the times square on the day thing.

This is actually the best option and the Theater Development Fund, a non-profit that runs those booths, has a website that's a big help:

www.tdf.org/nyc/7/TKTS-ticket-booths

It's a pleasure to be of service to MN'ers. Grin

ujerneyson · 19/10/2017 18:52

It is just not possible to have a rubbish time on your own in New York. I know the city well and have been alone before and would love to go alone again.

I'd take the highline and spend time in the meatpacking district and in Soho, possibly look up some good exhibitions, I'd do one of the tours of the tenement museum, I would have a mani and pedi and I'd pop over to Williamsburg in Brooklyn and have a meander. In the evenings I'd book myself, my phone and my kindle into a nice restaurant and enjoy the experience

SandyDenny · 19/10/2017 18:59

You've done 3 things in NY and you think you'll be bored?

Or have you done other things as well that you haven't mentioned?

Tbh if anyone can't find something that interests them in NY they must be the world's biggest fun sponge Grin

JaneEyre70 · 19/10/2017 19:49

Yes yes to PPs suggestions of Shake Shack - we went in November, and their seasonal frozen custard was apple pie and cinammon. I honestly thought I'd died and gone to heaven. I had to have one every day just to be sure that I really loved it Grin. And their veggie burgers are just amazing, best I've ever had. If you do the WTC museum and site, walk towards the river to the Conrad Hotel. There are some lovely delis/bars in the plaza around it, and a Shake Shack. You can sit by the river and eat it outdoors, looking down to the Statue of Liberty. There is an esplanade all the way down to Battery Park that's a lovely walk and not too crowded.

SallyOMalley · 19/10/2017 19:53

I've only been to NYC one many years ago. I'd love to go again. Reading this makes me dream of a solo visit. Sounds amazing. Can I go in your place, OP?

Greylilypad · 19/10/2017 19:59

Did a work trip on my own to NYC once, though it involved work dinners most evenings, I had days mostly free. It was amazing, I really enjoyed it so much. Had been plenty of times before but this time I did exactly as I pleased and had a lovely hotel room all to myself. Bliss. My only problem was fitting in all the things I wanted to do!

ujerneyson · 19/10/2017 22:36

The whole of New York and you're all suggesting Shake Shack? Seriously?

Original poster
loveka · 19/10/2017 23:03

I have booked The Tenement Museum! I am going to walk there and see Little Italy too.

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 20/10/2017 00:27

I have booked The Tenement Museum! I am going to walk there and see Little Italy too.

Fine choices both, and I hope you have a lovely visit!

MissConductUS · 20/10/2017 00:31

The whole of New York and you're all suggesting Shake Shack? Seriously?

I seriously suggested one of New York's finest restaurants and then heartily agreed with Shake Shack as another good suggestion. There are good choices at both ends of the spectrum and SS is considerably easier on the purse.

PikachuHeadgear · 20/10/2017 00:39

See if there is basketball at Madison Square Garden one evening. It’s great fun.

oldlaundbooth · 20/10/2017 01:11

Oooh, you should totally do a food tour!

We did one in the Village and it was great, they pointed out famous buildings too etc I. E. the friends building.

Lots of food and very entertaining.

CiderwithBuda · 20/10/2017 08:01

I'm so jealous. Definitely putting a solo NY trip on my bucket list.

I'm off to Boston next week for a long weekend but not solo. Really looking forward to it but now thinking a solo trip would be fab too!

amusedbush · 20/10/2017 09:31

The whole of New York and you're all suggesting Shake Shack? Seriously?

Shake Shack is fucking delicious and literally the first food I think of when I think of NYC. I'm going back in March and will be eating there on the first day we land.

Don't be so bloody snotty. I happen to prefer burgers, pizza, BBQ and other grubby food you eat with your hands. I've spent a lot of time in New York and the only time I've ever had a sit-down meal with proper cutlery was the evening after our elopement. Different strokes, and all that.

morningtoncrescent62 · 20/10/2017 11:47

I have booked The Tenement Museum! I am going to walk there and see Little Italy too.

Yay! Excellent choices, you'll have a blast. Out of interest, which of the Tenement Museum tours are you doing? I recommend Russ & Daughters cafe round the corner to complete the Lower East Side experience - it's a traditional Jewish cafe and the food's great. (Katz's is better known but it's too frenetic for me.) If you want an interesting walk after Little Italy, you could try making your way to Washington Square Park.

Have a great time, and come back and let us know how it went.

ujerneyson · 20/10/2017 12:03

amused I've also been to Shake Shack in NYC and really didn't get the love. I'm not being snooty, i was with my kids so believe me we weren't eating anything much above pizzas and burgers I just didn't think it was anything special

everybodysang · 20/10/2017 13:07

do you use CityMapper in London? Cos it works in New York and is very handy.

Try the TodayTix app for theatre tickets, I've got some very good value deals that way and it's very easy to use.

I go on my own for work quite a lot and it's so much fun to be there on your own!

Sweetpea55 · 20/10/2017 13:09

The shops will be full of christmas stuff..Get a Big Apple Greater to show you around,,
What a situation to be miserable about, I bet a lot of mums on here would love to spend time in NY

MissConductUS · 20/10/2017 13:24

@Sweetpea

The shops will be full of christmas stuff

OP didn't say when she was going, but the shops won't really do full Christmas setups until after Thanksgiving, which is 23 November this year. The departments store windows have spectacular Christmas displays.

Get a Big Apple Greater to show you around

I wasn't aware of this organization, but it sounds like a great idea:

bigapplegreeter.org/visitors/

I suspect most of the greeters are retired people (pensioners?), which is fine.

amusedbush · 20/10/2017 13:25

ujerneyson

To each their own, then. I can't argue with your opinion!

I've honestly never met anyone who thinks their burgers are anything less than fantastic but if you weren't fussed then you weren't fussed.