Not everyone has a partner or a group of friends to travel with and share important moments in life. Many people also choose to venture out on solo trips to discover new destinations and find themselves again. If you’re searching for things to do alone in NYC, you’ve found the right article.
Home to more than 8 million people, New York City has something special for everyone, including bizarre attractions and all kinds of services.
Therefore, if you are going through a lonely phase, traveling to New York can be an opportunity to rediscover yourself.
Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking, we invite you to wear a comfy pair of shoes (better warm in the winter months) and leave your bags at luggage storage in the Times Square area. This strategic location will allow you to move quickly and comfortably.
Things to do in NYC during pandemic
Although Google’s warning “Travel restricted to this destination” has certainly tired us out, we must safeguard our own health and that of others. Social distancing has forced Americans to move their social lives online.
So, if you’re in New York City during the pandemic, we recommend you take part in one of the many online parties organized by famous DJs or travel from your home! How? The New York Times gives you lots of useful ideas in this article.
Tips to choose your luggage storage in Times Square and cool things to do alone in NYC
Rule number one for choosing a luggage storage place in NYC: don’t rely on the first service that comes along.
Being in the Big Apple, it’s important to choose trustworthy companies that provide efficient service.
Here you will find a lot of reviews about Radical Storage, the first luggage storage network in New York.
Rule number two: keep the time in mind!
Booking luggage storage in NYC at an hourly rate can be very expensive, mainly because there may be unforeseen circumstances (e.g., a train delay).
That’s why we recommend you book a service at a daily rate. With a fixed-price service like Radical Storage, you can take it easy, and don’t worry too much if you’re a bit late.
Rule number 3: just have fun!
Drop off your suitcases and smile! Now that you are free from luggage, you can return to explore NY without hindrance and the fear of losing your valuables.
5 exciting things to do alone in New York City
Maybe it’s not your first time in New York, or you don’t feel like visiting the main attractions in the city, because you’ve seen them too many times on TV.
Indeed you’ve seen the halls of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hayden Planetarium, or the Schwarzman Building. Many scenes are set in the Shakespeare Garden, Bryant Park, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, or Brooklyn Bridge.
This guide will show you some lesser-known places that will make your trip more memorable.
1. Don’t miss North Central Park (it’s among the best free things to do in NYC)
Although the most popular areas of Central Park are Strawberry Fields and the Reservoir, the northern side of this large green space is a hidden gem! Discover the Ravine and North Woods and their unspoiled nature. Waiting for you are small lakes and waterfalls, perfect settings for escaping the city’s chaos and organizing picnics.
And if you love taking pictures, we suggest you go there on snowy days.
But if you don’t feel like venturing alone in these places, you can book a walking tour.
To reach North Central Park, you can get off at 110 Street Station Central Park North.
Address: 296 Central Park N, New York, NY 10026, United States.
For further information about things to do alone in NYC and Central Park, read our article about this wonderful green space.
2. Visit the Forest Hills Gardens
Queens is a neighborhood you can’t miss once in New York. It’s only a 15-minute train ride from Manhattan and is full of history and must-see sights.
Among them are Forest Hills Gardens, one of the United States’ first planned communities (including private houses, apartment buildings, churches, parks, and storefronts) developed under the hands of architects Grosvenor Atterbury and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr (his father helped designed New York Central Park).
Visiting this area of NY at least once in a lifetime is an experience not to be missed!
Address: Forest Hills Gardens Queens, NY 11375 USA.
3. Take your children to the Ghostbuster Firehouse
Did your kids watch Ghostbusters on TV and fall in love with Slimer? You don’t have kids, but were you a big fan of the show? Well, then the Ghostbuster Firehouse is the place for you!
Although this building cannot be visited because it’s a working firehouse, it has become an attractive tourist location.
Actually, the entrance to this building is what you see in the film, while the interiors were recreated in the Los Angeles studios.
This fire station is also famous because its firefighters were the first responders at 9/11.
Address: 14 North Moore Street, Tribeca.
4. Experience unusual exhibitions at Mmuseumm
The Mmuseum is housed in a freight elevator and exhibits exotic everyday objects from around the world visible 24/7 through viewing windows.
It’s a tiny space that features permanent and rotating collections, specializing in the “overlooked, dismissed, or ignored,” as the official website states.
During the fall, spring, and summer, Mmuseumm is open on Saturdays and Sundays.
Address: 4 Cortlandt Alley New York, New York, 10013 United States
5. Find the Big Apple’s hidden streets
When there were no cars, but horse-drawn carriages, the city was full of mews. These rows of stables had living quarters with paved courtyards for servants. When in the early 20th century, cars replaced carriages, almost all the mews were demolished, and the sidewalks were destroyed.
However, some buildings have not been changed and still preserve the architectural features of the 19th century.
These tidy streets are very popular with tourists, and their particularity is that they’re nestled between one skyscraper and another.
The most famous ones are MacDougal Alley, Grace Court Alley, and Washington Mews.
MacDougal Alley and Washington Mews are close to Washington Square Park, while Grace Court Alley in Brooklyn Heights, near Court Street Station.
Others:
- Pomander Walk
- 47-49 King Street
- Patchin Place
Things to do in NYC: conclusions
Now that you know exactly all the things to do alone in NYC, you can try planning your next trip! Don’t forget to book your favorite Broadway Show or a mini-cruise on the Hudson River.
And if you want to meet new friends, check the best places to meet singles in NYC!
Are you spending time in the Big Apple in December? Try then all the things to do in NYC on Christmas day!
If you want to travel to Europe, read our tips to explore London at its best!
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