To think I'm going to have a crap time by myself in New York?

[loveka]

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.

Sounds like bliss to me. Do you like sport it’s ice hockey season if you can get a game in on the evening that’s pretty special.

Otherwise spend time in libraries, coffee shops & diners just soaking in the local atmosphere. How could you not love that?

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?

^ what she said

I’ve never been on holiday on my own, I’m horribly introverted - but this thread has inspired me!!

Never been but for some reason I reckon the Tenement Museum would be a bit like Helmshore Textile Museum.

Aren't there apps you can use to meet people?

I've honestly never met anyone who thinks their burgers are anything less than fantastic

Shake Shack is part of a trend in the US towards very high end, gourmet burger chains where everything is top shelf and made to order. It's a market reaction to decades of mediocrity from chains like McDonalds and Burger King. 5 Guys was the pioneer in the market and others have followed:

This article is from 2011, which was the beginning of the trend:

www.npr.org/2011/04/21/135569985/high-end-burger-joints-raise-the-stakes

The growth has been so fast and profitable that lots of celebrity chefs have started their own chains since then but Danny Meyer's Shake Shack is top of the heap.

My 17 year old son, who is a burger gastronome, puts SS and 5 Guys as his two top choices, so amusedbush when you're back in the states, 5 Guys is worth the trip as well.

see I like 5 Napkin Burger if I'm near Union Square
but its a personal thing

Meet my friend for coffee. I’m desperate to meet up with her!

Mmmm, burgers. Or if you're veggie and don't fancy dirty big burgers, there's a really good falafel place in the West Village called Taim which does the BEST FALAFEL EVER, plus v good chips.

(obviously if money was no object I'd be off to Blue Hill again, which is one of my favourite restaurants. Even if they once served me a completely unadorned carrot.)

Ahhhhhh on my own bliss. I think I'd love a few days alone anywhere! I don't even get a bath alone because I have the only cat in the world that likes water
Seriously though enjoy your free time it will pass quicker than you think

Last time I was there I went to this amazing late night Italian pudding place, really old fashioned and quirky decor with a samover. It was fab. But I cant remember what it was called or where it was!

I'm doing the Shop Life tenement tour.

Italian pudding place

An Italian bakery, with pastries and such? Cannolis and those fancy Italian butter cookies? Lots of those will serve tea and coffee too.

The Shop Life tour gets great reviews. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

amusedbush when you're back in the states, 5 Guys is worth the trip as well.

I've been to Five Guys, both in NYC and in the UK. It's decent and is a substitute when I need a burger fix in Glasgow but Shake Shack still runs circles around it

I went to NY for a week with my DP who was on business. He was working most days and a few evenings too. One night I had a fabulous meal at the Standard hotel in Meatpacking where I dined at the bar and clocked all the celebrities. In the day I went on one of those coach tours round TV show locations - mine was SATC but they do loads - so naff but so much fun. My favourite thing to do was wander round cool neighbourhoods. People were so friendly, rather ruining the rude New Yorker image, I got chatting to people loads. Have a great time!

Have a look at couch surfing - it's not just a place to stay you can meet up with someone local for a coffee or a day out.

I did the shop life tenement tour last year! It was amazing. It's such an interesting place.
You could go for dim sum for breakfast first!

I quite like staying in the same area so that I can feel like a bit of a local! One thing about NYC, there are lots of people doing things on their own. So you never feel out of place

@cath2907; if you're in Washington this weekend, turn out to support the marathon on Sunday :-)

I'm in NY at the moment and agree with everyone for their comments and suggestions. Take in a show, do a museum you've not done, try some different food. It's a great place for a solo traveller

I've never been to a Shake Shack - every time I've meant to go there have been long queues, and I couldn't be bothered with them when there are so many alternative choices. I'm a great fan of the traditional NY diners which you find everywhere you go.

see I like 5 Napkin Burger if I'm near Union Square

Oh, I like them as well - haven't been to the Union Square one, but I've visited the Upper West Side branch a few times!

The Shop Life tour is brilliant, and make sure you get there early enough to see the film loop that shows throughout opening hours at the Tenement Museum (it's free) because it'll help you understand the context.

I've never been to a Shake Shack - every time I've meant to go there have been long queues, and I couldn't be bothered with them when there are so many alternative choices.

We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to great places to eat on the cheap in NYC.

People were so friendly, rather ruining the rude New Yorker image, I got chatting to people loads.

Thank you @problembottom. NY'ers are not rude, just direct and outspoken and we love chatting up strangers. I understand that that can be considered rude, or at least quite odd in other countries, but it's part of who we are as Yanks.

Thanks to everyone who helped, I got back this morning.

I enjoyed New York much more for being on my own! I could jist wander as I pleased and just be aimless.

I went to
The Tenement museum- utterly fab, fascinating and done really well.
Joe Allen for pre theatre dinner. Had an amazing burger.

The theatre. Time and the Conways with Elizabeth McGovern. Patchy production I thought, but great to experience a broadway show.

Pizza at Arturios which is apparently a New York institution.

Breakfast in a proper diner near Central Park.

Happy Hour cocktails on 7th Avenue.

Washington Square Park in the sunshine.

I walked for hours round the Lower East side. I liked the architecure and quirky shops.

Had amazing food on my BA flight too! Slept for 5 hours last night, but managed to sqeeze in a few glasses of wine, celeriac soup and a sticky toffee pudding before bed...

So thanks to you all I really enjoyed it.

(Whispers...I still think London's better.)

@Loveka

Thanks so much for letting know about your trip, and I'm so glad you had a good time!

Oooh, thanks for reporting back, loveka. I'm so glad to hear you had a good time - you're making me want to go back to New York some time soon!

Oh I’m going in three weeks. Can not wait.

Glad you had a super time.