Advice on travelling to New York alone as a woman

[Mannersareeverything]

Looking for advice on travelling to N.Y as a lone female.
I have been before but not since 2018.
Is this a crazy idea?

I’ve just been there solo for 2 weeks! Had a great time! Are you worried about anything in particular?

Not crazy at all. Why would it be? I assume the many women who live in NYC often travel their hometown alone. Just be sensible about where you go late at night/in the dark

Not crazy but you do need to be savvy there.

I wouldn't leave the hotel after dark to walk around but that might be just me.

How long is your trip for? If you're packing in everything in a short timeframe, the chances are you will be really tired by darkness anyway.

You’ll be fine. Just like any big city, just have your wits about you - more so in Times Square (the same as any touristy area). I love NY.

Not at all - I live here and regularly travel alone. Feel free to PM me!

Why would it be crazy?

Of course you can leave your hotel after dark.

Have you ever been to London? It's exactly the same.

It’s perfectly safe, I go for work and lived there at one point so I’ve seen it over the years. My friends there tend to uber vs take the subway after 11pm, but we’re also older now so not out past midnight regularly. Restaurants and walking around are fantastic. I feel much safer walking with my bag open in nyc than in london.

Thank for all replies. They are really helpful.
I'm worried about leaving hotel after dark.

Depending on where you stay it will be just as busy if not busier than the touristy areas in London so should be super safe at night. Just take the usual precautions- ie carry your rucksack on your front to help prevent pickpockets, keep your phone and mobile in separate places in case one gets stolen, take photos of passports and important documents etc etc. Brogan Tate has done a recent New York vlog series which might be worth a watch on you tube. (She is with her husband but lots of tips etc).

Any recommendations on hotels/areas - mid price - safe neighbourhoods.

Not crazy at all. But maybe avoid touristy areas like Times Square when you are jet-lagged or late at night. Upper West Side is a gorgeous area to stay - local cafes, delis, bookstores, near the park and museums. Feels very safe and like a proper neighbourhood.

I stayed at the Belleclaire on Upper West Side. Reasonably priced. Small rooms but imo great area. Also, they give you vouchers for breakfast at the cafe next door. Everyone piles in and gets chatting in the queue. It was a very jolly atmosphere.

Just take the same basic precautions you would take against pickpocketing that you would take in London. Don’t decide to go for a stroll in Central Park at midnight. If you’re taking the subway at night, make sure you get on the right local and not on an express that takes you right to a distant suburb.

I recommend One Dutch Hotel in the FD. Steps from Fulton St metro to access anywhere really. The One Dutch is actually an aparthotel, with a rooftop terrace. There's no bar or restaurant on site but everything you could possibly need on the doorstep. Having a fridge, stove top, microwave oven, kettle etc all made the world of difference especially if you plan to be in rather than out later at night. Chilling on the rooftop as the sunsets after a busy day with a glass of wine was perfect.

It's close walking distance to One World etc. Easy walk to Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo etc, I used the NYwaterway ferries as well as the metros for getting around. Throughly recommend a walk round from Staten Island Ferry terminal to The Battery, it's gorgeous.

Happy to help with any other questions you might have 🗽