Can anyone recommend good places/tips for travelling on my own?

[MistyGee]

My son is going away with his dad and grandparents in August for 2wks (1st time away from me for that long!) and I would like to make the most of the time child free as:
I'm going to miss him and need distracting
I haven't had two weeks child free for the last 5 yrs
I need some time on my own.
When I was 20 I went backpacking on my own in Australia for 5 months so I'm not a total wuss but I am quite shy, and now 32 and quite out of the way of things.
Does anyone have any recommendations?
I have always wanted to go to New York, would I be safe enough on my own? Any travel tips would be gratefully received.
Thank you

In my twenties I crossed America on my own, NY is very do-able on your own.

Americans are very friendly and chatty as soon as they hear your 'cute British accent' the ice is broken!

Go for it!

safety is really in your own hands in most places, except the obvious war zones. Being female also makes little difference.

I've no experience of NY, but have found that if you can find a small backpacker hostel without a bar, people are friendly and interesting even if you are not gappie age. Pick a big place with an onsite bar and all you get is the drunken gappies, who are a) very dull b) messy and c) don't let you get any sleep.

you'll be fine! get hold of a rough guide (far better than Lonely Planet which is just a list of places to get pissed) and start planning!

There are plenty of holiday companies who cater for singles but many of these are adventure type holidays. I would just go to New York and stay in the best place you can. Do you want to be a backpacker now? New York is very safe.

hi all,
im going to mexico in september to playa del carma just want some advice about weather and the area please

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure I want to be kept up all night by loud drinkers anymore! So will look for somewhere smaller with no bar.
Feel reassured NY would be ok for one :-)
Anyone got any other experience/ideas of good places to go that arent too coupley/family oriented?

Gracey I've never been to Mexico, sorry!

I've been to Cuba on my own - would definitely recommend it. I did a mixture of beach/coast and cities. People were v friendly. I've also been to Thailand a number of times. I would recommend it because you don't get hassled by men and can freely and safely (well maybe not at the mo with the political situation!) travel about.