New York!

[Neodymium]

I’m going to New York in September for a week with a friend. She has a 4 day event to attend there. I won’t be going to the event with her, so I’ll have loads of time to tour round on my own during the day. What is the best things to do/see? also keeping in mind I will be looking round on my own most of the time (I’m a very small female - so dh and my kids are worried about me being mugged or something by myself). So I want to stick to safer places. Not sure about the subway - if I would be safe on the subway on my own?

One thing we wish we'd done is to hire the bikes which are everywhere, we took the subway to the north end of central park and walked down but it's absolutely huge and we'd already walked miles that day and had we downloaded the app beforehand getting an electric bike for an hour would have been fun. And a Broadway show!

I recommend a tour of the UN. You’ll need your passport to buy a ticket for a tour but I found it really interesting. Re directions - for subway you need to know that uptown is up towards Central Park and street numbers count up. Downtown is down towards Battery Park and street numbers count down. Avenues count from East to West.

NYC is fine, especially if you are going to the tourist places in Manhattan. Do go to MOMA, it is extrordinary.

As people have said the subway is fine just a bit stinky and rundown compared to other metro systems I have used.

You will need to be prepared for lots of noise, people, cars and just STUFF. I am a Londoner so well used to busy city life and all that entails and I found NYC a bit extra!

If you want to chill out the QC NY spa on Governors Island was great. It was lovely to relax in the heated pool overlooking the hustle and bustle of NY!

Oh I like the idea of hiring a bike through Central Park. I’ll definitely add that to the list.

im mostly worried about getting mugged. Does this actually happen as much as the movies ect make out?

Don’t forget to tip!

https://citibikenyc.com/how-it-works/electric is the app you need for the bikes.

Look, crime is an issue in NYC as it is in London, Paris, Rome - any major city. But you wouldn't wander round London carrying £1k in cash and not paying attention, so don't do it in NYC. Leave your passport and extra cash locked up in the hotel safe. Most places will take contactless, even the subway. Keep your wits about you, just as you would at home.

@Neodymium

If you like film, you might want to visit some of the famous locations.

One of my favourite films is Moonstruck, featuring Cher and Nicolas Cage.

This scene was filmed at the Lincoln Center - it's a while since I was in New York, but I'm going to make a point of visiting the Lincoln Center when I am next there. I love this:

Wynton Marsalis does great jazz there - I saw him and his orchestra at the Barbican a while ago, he's fabulous.

Another place which featured in a film is Katz's Delicatessen at 205 East Houston Street. There's a sign hanging up there over the table where Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal filmed this scene from another of my favourite films.

Lots of great suggestions here.
Agree one tall building essential. Poros and cons of going up ESB vs up another and looking at it!

My other essentials:
Walk along the HighLine
Times square
Grand Central station
9/11 memorial
Shopping - Macy's or Bloomingdale's. Have a look in Tiffany? Remember tax is added at the tills so account for that. And all bars / restaurants expect a 20% or so tip.

I love the Met It's my favourite museum there. Vast, something for everyone, and as a previous poster, reminds me of a favourite film (Thomas Crown Affair with Piece Brosnan).
Have a great time!

I’ve been a few times and lots of what I love has been mentioned already namely:

get the New York ferry instead of the subway to Brooklyn - on a sunny day it’s like being on the Med! For the same price as a subway ticket

walk over Brooklyn bridge at sunset or eat supper in Dumbo at sunset

the High Line is beautiful and gives a really
interesting vantage point - we did the Edge as our viewing platform which was good and at the end of the High Line

favourite areas for mooching about :
Brooklyn Heights
Bryant Park

Going next year so all the tips are fab!