Would you go to New York on your own?

[OriginalM]

Has anyone been to New York on their own?
I've wanted to go to New York for a very long time and after some difficult years I've decided to treat myself. The problem is due to various reasons my partner can't come so I'm looking at going on my own.
Will I enjoy it as much on my own? Or is part of the experience eating out together, seeing the sights together etc?
I know I will be able to do exactly what I want to do and see without my partner moaning about walking or getting up late but I'm worried I will not enjoy it as much as if he was able to come.
Anyone been on their own? Is it a solo traveller destination?

A friend of mine just came back from a week in NYC on her own and had a great time, do it!

I have to go to NY regularly for work and so am always by myself. Yes, it would be nice to have someone to go for a meal with but it also means I can sit at the bar and chat to other people by themselves and barmen. Doing a cooking class might be fun (I'd say the Eataly ones might be most fun) www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/best-cooking-classes-in-nyc. It's currently been hit hard by Covid - the subway didn't feel as safe as a few years ago but millions still use it. Manhattan is really compact so walkable, Brooklyn also great (esp for restaurants)

My first ever trip to NY 30 years ago when I was about 22 was alone. I had a fab time. I was only there for a few days but I did loads. Used buses a lot, did the museums, Staten Island ferry, Central Park, shopping, Empire State. All on my own. I was staying just a few blocks south of central park and walked around a lot, even in the evening. Seems amazing now, but I think I was showing off to my silly boyfriend of the time who had just been before me and cowered in his auntie's flat the whole time because he was too scared to go out on his own. Reader, I didn't marry him.

Sorry not very relevant to you now op, but this is a happy memory for me I would do it again.

Yes
Im currently in nyc on my own, on the subway at the moment heading to the Staten Island ferry to get nighttime pics of the statute of liberty
This is the 3rd time I’ve been on my own

I have! It was amazing. Do it

I’ve been there alone for work.

I quite enjoyed the galleries but felt I missed out on the nightlife scene and didn’t particularly enjoy it tbh. I liked Washingtom better which felt more of a tourist town. Probably didn’t help though that the weather was shit, statue of liberty was closed, and Empire State Building was stuck in fog lol.

Well I live here so probably doesn’t count but I love spending time on my own here!

And get the fuckouddahere with that rudest people on earth shit

omBradysLeftKneecap

And get the fuckouddahere with that rudest people on earth shit grin

🤣🤣🤣

I did a weekend on my own many years ago. Had a fantastic time. I’m older and wiser now but made a couple of rookie errors. I went in February and it was bloody freezing- (and I’m from the north of Scotland so no softy!) Also chose a hotel in the commercial district and there weren’t many places to eat around there in the evening. I did have a fabulous meal in the Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the Twin Towers.

Been back a few times - unfortunately one trip coincided with Hurricane Sandy and we were confined to the hotel for four out of the five days! It’s a wonderful city and I found it really friendly. Never felt unsafe. (I also find Londoners friendly).

I've done this twice...both in the year just pre 9/11.

Had a great time 👍

@MrsSkylerWhite

No. Horrible place with or without company. Rudest people on earth.

🤦‍♀️ awful generalisation!!

OP...please ignore the lone voice of dissent here...they clearly went with a negative mindset and attractive negatively in return 🤣

awful generalisation!!

OP...please ignore the lone voice of dissent here...they clearly went with a negative mindset and attractive negatively in return 🤣“

Nope. Young, in love, open heart, open mind and very excited. Wanted it to be spectacular. But it was horrible.

Donkey’s years ago, tbf. Might be different now.

I’ve found the people in New York very friendly, I would love to go back as a solo traveler. If you stick to lower Manhattan I’m sure you’ll feel safe and have a fantastic time.

I found them very friendly but I'm a Londoner who finds Londoners friendly!

I agree! Actually I found there are a lot of similarities. Londoners can seem a bit rude / disinterested but if you ask them politely for help, they're very friendly and helpful. I find the same with New Yorkers.

Years ago some of them used to struggle to understand the English accent but these days New York is so overrun with British tourists plus every film baddie is English so they have no problems understanding us at all. Not like the old days when some Brooklyn friends had to read the subtitles while watching Four Weddings & A Funeral. I kid you not! I had drinks with one of those same friends just pre-Covid and she could understand every word I said. I was almost disappointed.

Loved New York, worst thing was lack of public toilets, even in the cafes we went to there weren't any. Thought that was odd for a huge place. I have no idea where anyone goes to the toilet there, obviously strong bladders! This was about 16 years ago so might be different now.

I went in 2008 with 2 days notice to deliver a claims form for work. I stayed on an extra couple of days and did all the sights. In the evening I went to the theatre and then walked back to my hotel which was on 8th Avenue 39th street.

@HoneyFlowers

I saunter into swanky hotels and use theirs 😉

Loved it. Was by myself, went out exploring, got sidetracked by things out the corner of my eye and changed plans without consulting anyone. Went to a broadway show which I picked by myself.
Did things which interest me which my family wouldn't particularly like (spent ages in the museum at Ellis Island for example). Read a book in central park.
Had a brilliant time!

Would love to go on my own.The freedom to do what you want.NY is a great city for walking so it'd be great to wander about.Plenty to do to keep yourself occupied if you don't like wandering.I say go for it

Yes yes yes. I’ve been 7 times (not always on own) and love it. If you do go, be sure to eat at the Spotted Pig - fabulous burger with blue cheese and flourless chocolate cake

You can also do movie tours which are fun (have done the SATC one)

Great discount mall for designer stuff a train ride out of Manhattan (can’t remember the name - Woodbury common maybe?)

Just loads to do there - Staten Island ferry, walk Brooklyn bridge, Central Park.

I’ve also been to Boston and cape cod on my own

Yes I've been on my own to New York a couple of times and absolutely loved it!

I often travel alone, one of life's greatest pleasures.

I went by myself in my early 20s. Flew to Chicago for a week and then on to New York for a week. It was all fine.

Fortunately our hotel was near ish the centre New York so could pop to hotel for toilet. I think I found one in the big music shop in Times Square, in McDonald's there was one toilet with a queue a mile long as everyone wanting to use and in Macy's about a 30 min queue! I suppose if you go often you learn where they are.

I posted yesterday on another thread about being held up at knife point in my hotell room, I was travelling alone but it was back in 1984 and I was staying on 46th street, probably better now . Have also travelled by bus all down the west ckast and east coast. Did find som of the scariest areas in Washington the city not the state. Have a great trip!